utb040713

Orlando and Washington need to go. This is Tom's "Vance Bedford moment".

I don't know if you guys are familiar with SP+. It's basically a model to rank teams' offense/defense/special teams, and it tries to normalize performance based on opponents played and a bunch of other metrics. I have my own complaints about SP+, and I certainly wouldn't read too much into the exact rankings, but in case anyone is curious here's how the Texas defense has been ranked in the past several years: 2019: 67th 2018: 44th 2017: 14th 2016: 50th 2015: 60th 2014: 12th 2013: 23rd 2012: 43rd So, SP+ indicates that our defense is about as good as it was in 2015-2016. Todd Orlando seems to be following the same trajectory (in terms of SP+ rankings) as Vance Bedford.

TFB is reporting that the staff is bringing in 2020 RB Kevontre Bradford for the OU game. Any thoughts on what that's about? We already have 2 committed RBs and a pretty full class. Is the staff looking to bring in a 3rd RB this year?

TFB is reporting that Caden Sterns's knee is taking longer than expected to recover, and he's been dealing with "general body issues" all year, so the staff is considering redshirting him this year. EDIT: TFB is now backtracking on that comment.

TFB said we could see a commit from a recruit from a "north Dallas suburb". Does that match what you're hearing? My guess would either be Camar Wheaton--just based on him being in a north Dallas suburb--or Ja'Tavion Sanders (if they're using Dallas to refer to the DFW metroplex).

Wow. If true, I'm glad we're not having to try and recruit that little turd. Thank god Bijan sounds like the anti-Evans.

My interpretation was that Sterns and Jones were both going for the QB. Sterns stumbled, Jones tripped over him and ended up sliding headfirst into the QB's ankle/shin. I looked up the rule, and I don't think it was applied correctly: "...no defensive player rushing unabated shall hit [the QB] forcibly at the knee area or below. The defensive player also may not initiate a roll or lunge and forcibly hit this opponent in the knee area or below.... It is not a foul if the defender is not rushing unabated or is blocked or fouled into this opponent.” (emphasis mine). Jones stumbled over Sterns (so I don’t think he was “rushing unabated”), so my interpretation is that the flag should’ve been picked up.

It's gotta be Ty Jordan. TFB said something to the effect of "I'm sure you can guess who it is". I'm glad we're taking 2 RBs in this class. The RB depth chart is looking razor thin right now.

TFB reporting that Jake Smith, Roschon Johnson, and "others" have been seeing snaps at RB, and that the staff would like to hold Ingram out for Week 1, but they might be forced to play him now.

So we’ve got 17 now, and there’s a good chance we’ll have Ty Jordan and Josh Eaton in the next week or so. That would put us at 19 commits in a class where 22 is probably the limit. If my notes are correct, the staff is targeting White, Smith-Njigba, CTJ, Ransom, Rogers, and McClellan as flip candidates (with varying degrees of likeliness), and are in a good position for Hester, LVBS, and Collins. Seems like the staff is going to have to be very picky about this, especially since the “conventional wisdom” is to leave a couple spots open for guys who break out during their senior year like Ojomo, or “big fish” who unexpectedly want to get on board.

Between this and the Eagles news, I’m suddenly very thankful for the depth we have at WR.

TFB is saying Alford is expected to announce on Friday.

That's a little weird that EMS was called for a "minor injury". Still though, really glad to hear it wasn't anything too serious.

I’m not 100% sure what Longhorn Frenzy is, but I feel like this old take by our good buddy Taylor Hamm fits in well here.

Lots of CBs coming in for Xavion Alford to A&M.