Football Notes from Spring practice #1

[Matt Cotcher]

 

submitted Today, 10:59 PM in Texas Longhorns Football By Matt Cotcher    @mlcotcher

 

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

• Even for the opening practice, there was heavy structure – no wasted time and constant movement sparked by high-energy coaches that were very enthusiastic with instruction.

 

• No longhorn logo on the helmet.

 

• First day, so there were no pads or shells, only helmets.

COACHES

• Jay Norvell was constantly in motion and very involved throughout practice.

 

• Jeff Traylor gave Malik Jefferson a few quick pointers after the first set of full squad scrimmage work.

 

• Charlie Strong was very quiet today compared to assistants. I also made note that for a defensive minded coach, Strong watched an awful lot of offense today.

 

• Jeff Traylor will oversee special teams as a whole, but each assistant coach is responsible for one specific group. Today, Jay Norvell worked with the punt return group. Traylor’s specific group is the punters.

 

• Brian Jean-Mary got all over Malik Jefferson at one point during full squad work.

QUARTERBACKS

• Swoopes started practice with hurry-up offense from the red zone - only worked throws to his right.

 

• Heard missed one of his throws in red zone work - Swoopes didn't. Different receiver group though.

 

• Logan Vinklarek was taking 3rd string snaps.

 

• Noted that Swoopes waits for timing on throws to be perfect whereas Heard simply tucked the ball and ran, rather than waiting.

 

• Forget “splitting repetitions”, Swoopes and Heard were both always busy. When one was throwing to the left side, the other was simultaneously throwing to the right. Even when they were split in positional drills, both the 1st and 2nd team worked at the same time.

RUNNING BACKS

• Tommie Robinson corrected D’Onta Foreman’s pre-snap stance while Foreman was running 2nd team with Heard in the red zone drills.

 

• Alex De La Torre got a lot of first-team snaps and was in pre-snap motion on almost every play. Andrew Beck ran second-team in that hybrid, motion role.

 

• In the 7-on-7 period, Donald Catalon ran with the first-team.

 

• In goal line work, D’Onta Foreman saw time with the first-team OL and Swoopes.

WIDE RECEIVER / TIGHT END

• Wide receiver drills: Tight figure 8's around cones, with a catch at the end; next drill was focused on ball security ‘punch, grab, strip’.

 

• Marcus Johnson caught everything thrown his way and consistently had separation.

 

• All around it was a good day for the wideouts - not many drops. More bad throws than dropped passes.

 

• Daje Johnson primarily worked out of the slot with the first-team unit. He caught balls with his hands well today.

 

• Lorenzo Joe lined up out wide on first-team snaps.

 

• Andrew Beck had the highlight reel catch of the day – a one-handed grab over the middle, in traffic.

 

• In the 7-on-7 period, Blake Whiteley ran first-team in a flex/hybrid role.

 

• Lorenzo Joe short armed a pass when he went over the middle and was in heavy traffic.

 

• Blake Whiteley ran with the first-team at tight end during full squad scrimmage work.

 

• Garrett Gray had to take time out of scrimmage work to have trainers work on the bottom of his foot. It did not appear to be serious.

 

• Lorenzo Joe had one of the only drops I saw.

OFFENSIVE LINE

• The first-team offensive line was: Marcus Hutchins – Sedrick Flowers – Taylor Doyle – Kent Perkins – Tristan Nickelson

 

• The second team offensive line was: Connor Williams – Brandon Hodges – Jake Raulerson – Elijah Rodriguez – Garrett Thomas

 

• Joe Wickline spent extra time with Garrett Thomas after second full squad scrimmage session.

 

• Sedrick Flowers stayed out in the middle of the field to talk with Strong after the first-team unit was finished in full squad scrimmage work.

 

• Tristan Nickelson is every bit of his listed 6’8”, 312 pounds.

DEFENSIVE LINE

• Shiro Davis – Paul Boyette, Jr. – Hassan Ridgeway were the first-team defensive line. Interestingly, the three of them mixed positions pre-snap on every play. There was no telling which order they would line-up in. Then mix in Naashon Hughes darting up to the line (or staying back) and the DL was highly variable for Day 1.

 

• The second-team defensive line was: Poona Ford – Jake McMillon – Quincy Vasser

LINEBACKERS

• Peter Jinkens and Dalton Santos were the two linebackers consistently on the field with the first-team defense.

 

• Edwin Freeman, Tim Cole, and Malik Jefferson were the second-team linebacker unit.

 

• Every time he came off the field during scrimmage work, Malik Jefferson went straight to Vance Bedford for feedback and instruction.

DEFENSIVE BACK

• Sheroid Evans – John Bonney – Jason Hall – Dylan Haines was the first-team unit at defensive back.

 

• Bryson Echols picked off Heard’s very first pass as soon as quarterbacks were throwing with defenders on the field.

 

• Reserve defensive back Jordan Strickland is sneaky with the use of his hands in coverage.

 

• Sheroid Evans was really aggressive with his hands and with contact at the line of scrimmage – so much so that I made note of it twice.

 

• Antwaun Davis absolutely destroyed Hunter DeGroot at the line of scrimmage on one play.

 

• Jason Hall looks bigger.

 

• Sheroid Evans versus Marcus Johnson is well worth the price of admission.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Fielding punts: Marcus Johnson, Daje Johnson, Duke Thomas, Jacorey Warrick – the foursome did not drop a single kick.

 

• Nick Rose, Matt Sims, and Mitchell Becker took turns punting. Kyle Ashby and Jak Holbrook were the deep snappers.

[Godz40acres]

Great work, Matt! I watched the LHN special, but couldn't tell that much from their videos.

 

Keep it comin', big guy.

[Epictetus]

Thanks! Good job!!

[dillohorn]

Thanks.

[Matt Cotcher]

Those were all quick notes "as it happened". If there's anything specific you want to know, ask away.

[J.B. TexasEx]

I'd like to know Coleman's opinion of the early enrollees at O-Line after they put on the pads and start the real work; C. Williams and G. Thomas. I'm both surprised and pleased to see them running with the 2nd Team already. Looking forward to seeing what Nickelson can do at RT, as well.

 

The defense sounds like it's shaping up to be salty again. We've gotta replace 6 starters, but I'm confident we'll get that unit together in time for ND. Naashon Hughes should have a break-out season at DE/OLB.

[tejasrulz]

Thanks for the updates.

[UTK66]

Good stuff again Matt.

[TeamMayhall]

What's the word with Jake Oliver?

[Coleman Feeley]

I'd like to know Coleman's opinion of the early enrollees at O-Line after they put on the pads and start the real work; C. Williams and G. Thomas. I'm both surprised and pleased to see them running with the 2nd Team already. Looking forward to seeing what Nickelson can do at RT, as well.

 

You got it!!

 

I never like to make too many judgments when offensive and defensive lineman aren't wearing pads, but when the pads start poppin' I'll let you know haas!

[Matt Cotcher]

What's the word with Jake Oliver?

 

It was only one practice, but if it was an indicator of things to come, Oliver won't be too involved.

[HornEsch]

Thanks for the great write up as always!

[streettopeschel]

Nice write up.

[Matt Cotcher]

[Sirhornsalot]

I would ask that you keep an eye on the interactions between Watson and Heard. For whatever reason, Watson's had it in for Heard and I'd be interested in knowing if that's changed any.

 

Also, would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the comparison between Gray and Catalon. You're the only one here who has seen Catalon in two years.

 

 

[tejasrulz]

I would ask that you keep an eye on the interactions between Watson and Heard. For whatever reason, Watson's had it in for Heard and I'd be interested in knowing if that's changed any.

 

 

That has my interest. I wonder why? Keeping Heard committed after Brown was fired was one of Strong's top priorities. Everything I've heard about Heard is he is a good kid and hard worker. I'd hate to see Heard transfer and do great things elsewhere.

[java]

It almost sounds as if Heard is under Norvell's tutelage, and that may well be for the best. Norvell and Wick won't take a backseat to anyone, anywhere. If Watson gets out of line, Strong will hear about it and consequently, Watson will.

 

Watson may be getting a bad rap, if not, he better watch out.

[doc longhorn]

Those were all quick notes "as it happened". If there's anything specific you want to know, ask away.

 

Excellent work, Matt.  Several other sites have reported that Swoopes looked much better Than Heard and it wasn't even close.  The theme seemed to be that Heard could not make some of the throws that Swoopes could - among with indecisiveness as well.

 

Your observation seems to be considerably more tempered.  Do you know why?

[doc longhorn]

I would ask that you keep an eye on the interactions between Watson and Heard. For whatever reason, Watson's had it in for Heard and I'd be interested in knowing if that's changed any.

 

Also, would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the comparison between Gray and Catalon. You're the only one here who has seen Catalon in two years.

 

Mark - that is a rather serious accusation.  Can you supply any info to substantiate this?

 

[Godz40acres]

If Watson gets out of line, Strong will hear about it and consequently, Watson will.

 

Watson may be getting a bad rap, if not, he better watch out.

 

As mad a CS was (and still is) after the bowl game, I can't help but wonder if the hiring of Traylor wasn't just for recruiting/TE/ST purposes. If the offense starts as poorly again next season, will Charlie pull the ol' Louisville-Two-Step and throw Traylor up into the booth? The guy is considered an O-guru by many in the HS ranks.

 

I'm not advocating for this - just wondering if it could be a possibility.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Your observation seems to be considerably more tempered.  Do you know why?

 

 

1. People trying to divine too much from one practice, especially the very first one.

 

2. The media knows what story the fans are going to click to read.

 

I don't make either of those remarks with ill will. I'm not trying to be mean/ugly, just realistic.

[Matt Cotcher]

It almost sounds as if Heard is under Norvell's tutelage, and that may well be for the best. Norvell and Wick won't take a backseat to anyone, anywhere. If Watson gets out of line, Strong will hear about it and consequently, Watson will.

 

Watson may be getting a bad rap, if not, he better watch out.

 

 

If you inferred that (Norvell-Swoopes) from my report then I apologize. Lots of coaches worked with individual players, but Norvell has his hands full with trying to develop replacements for John Harris & Jaxson Shipley. Whether it was positional drills or wideouts participating in 7's & 11's, Norvell was in the middle of them constantly.

[Sirhornsalot]

Mark - that is a rather serious accusation.  Can you supply any info to substantiate this?

 

 

 

Well yea, but it's nothing I haven't shared with you before a few times. Back in December, Watson was called out by Wickline for his treatment of Heard. Instead of getting Heard snaps during bowl practices (one of the values of having bowl practices), Watson relegated Heard to running the scout team instead and gave the walk on all second team snaps.

 

I've posted this many times since then and shared it in a PM with you in January.

[GBT]

Well yea, but it's nothing I haven't shared with you before a few times. Back in December, Watson was called out by Wickline for his treatment of Heard. Instead of getting Heard snaps during bowl practices (one of the values of having bowl practices), Watson relegated Heard to running the scout team instead and gave the walk on all second team snaps.

 

I've posted this many times since then and shared it in a PM with you in January.

Sounds like Watson was smart. If Swoopes goes down early in bowl game the walk-on has to come in and play. Only a fool takes a RS off a kid like Heard in a worthless bowl game like the Texas Bowl. The walk-on needed to take those reps. Wickline sounds like an idiot if he was upset about that deal. Scout team against #1s on defense was better for Heard than going against walk-ons and scrubs on defense.

[J.B. TexasEx]

Instead of getting Heard snaps during bowl practices (one of the values of having bowl practices), Watson relegated Heard to running the scout team instead and gave the walk on all second team snaps.

 

In fairness to Watson, we weren't going to burn Heard's redshirt for the Texas Bowl. At least I hope we wouldn't.