Oneback
12-15-2012, 06:00 PM
Quarterbacks:
http://i.imgur.com/JdClb.png
Jalen Overstreet’s 2015 season was supposed to culminate in a Heisman race, everything was in place however a torn pectoral muscle derailed the train bound for New York and backup Connor Brewer had to step into an offense tailor-made for Overstreet’s abilities. Brewer was able to take the wheel and keep the team headed in the right direction however there were a few cases of sand in the gas, namely a failed 2-point conversion against Michigan which cost Texas a shot at a National Championship. While Brewer isn’t to blame for the loss, the offense was never the same with him at the helm. Overstreet returns as a redshirt Senior in 2016 and despite a clunker in the Cotton Bowl against Alabama, the coaching staff looks to Overstreet to provide that same spark he did in the beginning of 2015. If he falters however redshirt Freshmen James Young looks to step in and lead the offense. Brewer returns as well and the coaching staff says there will be packages for him but with the direction the offense is moving don’t look for much action from him until next season when he’ll be playing on Sundays. Dennis Moore spent more time last season catching passes rather than throwing them, but he did make it into a few games behind center, serving most of the year as the Emergency/mop-up QB – he showed an ability to run the ball and make plays and will redshirt this season as he transitions back to being a fulltime quarterback. Incoming freshmen Steve Jones played quarterback and safety in high school and will be redshirting this season as he learns the offense.
Halfbacks:
http://i.imgur.com/6XYRa.png
Joe Smith looked to take over the starting halfback spot from the departed Johnathan Gray after performing well last season averaging 7.9 yards per carry - however incoming freshmen Mario Johnson showed well in the spring and earned the trust of the coaching staff. Both players will be used fairly often as the staff looks to move towards a group approach rather than running one guy out there with all the young talent in the backfield. Jason Smith is another incoming freshman who played a lot of positions in high school, he was originally listed as a wide receiver but the coaches felt he’d be a better fit in the backfield, especially with what has become a deep receiving corp. Smith will serve as the 3rd down back and will be packaged into certain formations where his receiving talents will shine.
Fullbacks:
http://i.imgur.com/vKpiA.png
Bobby Sellers returns as one of the top fullbacks in the nation who draws favorable comparisons to William Floyd with his ability to both run the ball and open running lanes for his backfield mates. Sellers, who is only a Junior looks to get an expanded role in the offense this season as there are now capable backups behind him. Shedrick Williams reminded coaches of Joe Bergeron while viewing his senior tape, a more than capable fullback who had the ability to play halfback, plans changed however when Mario Johnson was signed. Williams will backup Sellers this season and will looks to take the torch when Sellers decides to move on – he’s a more than capable runner between the tackles and has a mean streak which will serve him well while blocking. Kenneth Madison brings many of the same attributes Williams’ possess, however he’s just a step behind so he’ll redshirt this season and look to contribute next season.
Wide Receivers:
http://i.imgur.com/NjErt.png
If you were to draw up a receiving corps on paper the list of attributes would probably include height, speed, catching ability and route running ability. This year’s receiving corps includes all four categories in spades. While this group will never receive the accolades of some others as they operate in a power run offense, each possess the ability to make the defense pay when they focus just a bit too much on the running game. Cayleb Jones is the playmaker of the group, at 6’3’’ 206 pounds he has the size to tower over opposing defenses, but his speed, acceleration, route running and ability to come down with the ball really separate him from the crowd. Robert Carter has shown flashes on the outside but the coaching staff was disappointed in the number of drops he had during the middle portion of last season and is being pushed by the monster 6’6’’ 228 pound Lamar Johnson who’s made some spectacular plays in the past but has dropped a few balls himself. The steady Brian Stephens operates from the slot and has shown the ability to completely take over games when matched up against safeties, linebackers and second rung cornerbacks. Aaron Wilson was playing quarterback in high school last year and just missed being redshirted due to some of the things he brings to the table - look for the offensive staff to use him in unique ways to highlight those talents. True Freshmen Joseph Furguson, Manuel Marquardt and Eric Herron represent the future and will redshirt this season. Furguson is a bigger version of Cayleb Jones and will be a playmaker. The staff is really excited about Marquart, a 6’6’’ 216 pound performer who possesses all of the pluses of Lamar Johnson without the negatives. Herron is another big receiver who should be a solid performer on the outside.
Tight Ends:
http://i.imgur.com/pUzhU.png
M.J. McFarland will be missed - he was a nightmare for opposing defenses and became the All-Time leader in touchdown receptions in Longhorn history. You don’t just replace talent like that however the coaching staff doesn’t have lowered expectations for the position coming into 2016. True Freshman Matt Townsend comes in as the best young Tight End Texas has had on campus since the days of David Thomas and Bo Scaife, while he doesn’t possess the speed of McFarland, his ability to come down with the ball compares favorably and he improves the position in terms of blocking ability. Greg Rice is a solid number two, he has more speed than Townsend and will come down with the ball more times than not, but his hands aren’t at Townsend’s or McFarland’s level, he does however hold up will in the running game. Joe Joseph was a late pick up due to a lack of numbers, the staff hasn’t done a good job of landing recruits at the Tight End position despite going after several high profile names and Joseph is a product of Texas’ inability to secure their targets. If that trend has changed with the signing of Townsend, Joseph may come down with a phantom injury after signing day.
Tackles:
http://i.imgur.com/ofiLV.png
You won’t find a more athletic pair of tackles than Steve Cole and Charles Wade – both have the ability to play left tackle however Wade’s strength provides more movement in the running game and was moved to the right side prior to last season. Backup Kennedy Estelle, a prior top recruit, has never been able to crack the starting lineup however he has seen time in mop-up duty on both sides, he’s a powerful run blocker who struggles in the passing game. Cole’s understudy Ryan Brittain is learning the ropes and possesses many of the same qualities. True Freshman Eddie Thompson is an impressive athlete who will redshirt this season and grow into the role at right tackle behind Wade.
Guards:
http://i.imgur.com/k8yx5.png
If athletes play tackle then monsters play guard, JJ Ham and Brandon Sullivan have every bit as much athleticism as their fellow bookends however they’re able to anchor down inside and manhandle opposing fronts - both measure in at 6’4’’ 327 pounds of earth moving brute force. Camrhon Hughes and Curtis Riser, more previous highly touted recruits, also have never been able to crack the starting lineup but do provide very solid depth. Top recruit Terrence Quinn comes in poised to take over as the next great offensive guard but will redshirt this season before making his way down that path.
Centers:
http://i.imgur.com/hzqNR.png
Josh Andrews is the glue that holds the line together, he possesses the ability and strength to handle nose guards one-on-one, he has the speed to chase down linebackers and the ability make that key block to spring a big gain, even with Ham and Sullivan playing next to him he’s still the best linemen on the team. Josh McCray is a small step behind Andrews and has performed well when on the field. Chris Jackson, a former #1 recruit at the position, took a redshirt last season to improve his strength and is poised to take over for Andrews and McCray down the line.
http://i.imgur.com/JdClb.png
Jalen Overstreet’s 2015 season was supposed to culminate in a Heisman race, everything was in place however a torn pectoral muscle derailed the train bound for New York and backup Connor Brewer had to step into an offense tailor-made for Overstreet’s abilities. Brewer was able to take the wheel and keep the team headed in the right direction however there were a few cases of sand in the gas, namely a failed 2-point conversion against Michigan which cost Texas a shot at a National Championship. While Brewer isn’t to blame for the loss, the offense was never the same with him at the helm. Overstreet returns as a redshirt Senior in 2016 and despite a clunker in the Cotton Bowl against Alabama, the coaching staff looks to Overstreet to provide that same spark he did in the beginning of 2015. If he falters however redshirt Freshmen James Young looks to step in and lead the offense. Brewer returns as well and the coaching staff says there will be packages for him but with the direction the offense is moving don’t look for much action from him until next season when he’ll be playing on Sundays. Dennis Moore spent more time last season catching passes rather than throwing them, but he did make it into a few games behind center, serving most of the year as the Emergency/mop-up QB – he showed an ability to run the ball and make plays and will redshirt this season as he transitions back to being a fulltime quarterback. Incoming freshmen Steve Jones played quarterback and safety in high school and will be redshirting this season as he learns the offense.
Halfbacks:
http://i.imgur.com/6XYRa.png
Joe Smith looked to take over the starting halfback spot from the departed Johnathan Gray after performing well last season averaging 7.9 yards per carry - however incoming freshmen Mario Johnson showed well in the spring and earned the trust of the coaching staff. Both players will be used fairly often as the staff looks to move towards a group approach rather than running one guy out there with all the young talent in the backfield. Jason Smith is another incoming freshman who played a lot of positions in high school, he was originally listed as a wide receiver but the coaches felt he’d be a better fit in the backfield, especially with what has become a deep receiving corp. Smith will serve as the 3rd down back and will be packaged into certain formations where his receiving talents will shine.
Fullbacks:
http://i.imgur.com/vKpiA.png
Bobby Sellers returns as one of the top fullbacks in the nation who draws favorable comparisons to William Floyd with his ability to both run the ball and open running lanes for his backfield mates. Sellers, who is only a Junior looks to get an expanded role in the offense this season as there are now capable backups behind him. Shedrick Williams reminded coaches of Joe Bergeron while viewing his senior tape, a more than capable fullback who had the ability to play halfback, plans changed however when Mario Johnson was signed. Williams will backup Sellers this season and will looks to take the torch when Sellers decides to move on – he’s a more than capable runner between the tackles and has a mean streak which will serve him well while blocking. Kenneth Madison brings many of the same attributes Williams’ possess, however he’s just a step behind so he’ll redshirt this season and look to contribute next season.
Wide Receivers:
http://i.imgur.com/NjErt.png
If you were to draw up a receiving corps on paper the list of attributes would probably include height, speed, catching ability and route running ability. This year’s receiving corps includes all four categories in spades. While this group will never receive the accolades of some others as they operate in a power run offense, each possess the ability to make the defense pay when they focus just a bit too much on the running game. Cayleb Jones is the playmaker of the group, at 6’3’’ 206 pounds he has the size to tower over opposing defenses, but his speed, acceleration, route running and ability to come down with the ball really separate him from the crowd. Robert Carter has shown flashes on the outside but the coaching staff was disappointed in the number of drops he had during the middle portion of last season and is being pushed by the monster 6’6’’ 228 pound Lamar Johnson who’s made some spectacular plays in the past but has dropped a few balls himself. The steady Brian Stephens operates from the slot and has shown the ability to completely take over games when matched up against safeties, linebackers and second rung cornerbacks. Aaron Wilson was playing quarterback in high school last year and just missed being redshirted due to some of the things he brings to the table - look for the offensive staff to use him in unique ways to highlight those talents. True Freshmen Joseph Furguson, Manuel Marquardt and Eric Herron represent the future and will redshirt this season. Furguson is a bigger version of Cayleb Jones and will be a playmaker. The staff is really excited about Marquart, a 6’6’’ 216 pound performer who possesses all of the pluses of Lamar Johnson without the negatives. Herron is another big receiver who should be a solid performer on the outside.
Tight Ends:
http://i.imgur.com/pUzhU.png
M.J. McFarland will be missed - he was a nightmare for opposing defenses and became the All-Time leader in touchdown receptions in Longhorn history. You don’t just replace talent like that however the coaching staff doesn’t have lowered expectations for the position coming into 2016. True Freshman Matt Townsend comes in as the best young Tight End Texas has had on campus since the days of David Thomas and Bo Scaife, while he doesn’t possess the speed of McFarland, his ability to come down with the ball compares favorably and he improves the position in terms of blocking ability. Greg Rice is a solid number two, he has more speed than Townsend and will come down with the ball more times than not, but his hands aren’t at Townsend’s or McFarland’s level, he does however hold up will in the running game. Joe Joseph was a late pick up due to a lack of numbers, the staff hasn’t done a good job of landing recruits at the Tight End position despite going after several high profile names and Joseph is a product of Texas’ inability to secure their targets. If that trend has changed with the signing of Townsend, Joseph may come down with a phantom injury after signing day.
Tackles:
http://i.imgur.com/ofiLV.png
You won’t find a more athletic pair of tackles than Steve Cole and Charles Wade – both have the ability to play left tackle however Wade’s strength provides more movement in the running game and was moved to the right side prior to last season. Backup Kennedy Estelle, a prior top recruit, has never been able to crack the starting lineup however he has seen time in mop-up duty on both sides, he’s a powerful run blocker who struggles in the passing game. Cole’s understudy Ryan Brittain is learning the ropes and possesses many of the same qualities. True Freshman Eddie Thompson is an impressive athlete who will redshirt this season and grow into the role at right tackle behind Wade.
Guards:
http://i.imgur.com/k8yx5.png
If athletes play tackle then monsters play guard, JJ Ham and Brandon Sullivan have every bit as much athleticism as their fellow bookends however they’re able to anchor down inside and manhandle opposing fronts - both measure in at 6’4’’ 327 pounds of earth moving brute force. Camrhon Hughes and Curtis Riser, more previous highly touted recruits, also have never been able to crack the starting lineup but do provide very solid depth. Top recruit Terrence Quinn comes in poised to take over as the next great offensive guard but will redshirt this season before making his way down that path.
Centers:
http://i.imgur.com/hzqNR.png
Josh Andrews is the glue that holds the line together, he possesses the ability and strength to handle nose guards one-on-one, he has the speed to chase down linebackers and the ability make that key block to spring a big gain, even with Ham and Sullivan playing next to him he’s still the best linemen on the team. Josh McCray is a small step behind Andrews and has performed well when on the field. Chris Jackson, a former #1 recruit at the position, took a redshirt last season to improve his strength and is poised to take over for Andrews and McCray down the line.