Texas Football holds its second scrimmage, here’s what you need to know
I don’t feel these notes will paint a complete picture so look for another post from Inside Texas either Sunday or Monday. These notes, will, at least set a good baseline, much like our reporting throughout August.
If you rewind to last week a source mentioned he felt the offense would even things out this weekend. That does appear to be the case but there’s an important caveat — it doesn’t sound like the defense was stunting and blitzing as much.
That written, the offense did look much better, especially to start. At the same time, the defense was solid and the defensive backs were the best unit on the field. Zero-sum makes for tough reporting and I’m reminded of team reports before I got into this silly business. They would read: “The offense couldn’t be stopped by the impenetrable defense.” Wut? I always laughed at those.
It doesn’t work both ways but due to the depth of our coverage we can discern what’s what.
They ran more ones versus ones and twos versus twos today but they didn’t tackle outside of the box. Once a play broke the box and hashes it was ‘tag’.
We’ll report at least one thing about each position but we’ll have much in the next day or so.
Quarterback
Last week the QB’s got off to a slow start. We reported Sark even started the first series over. The QB’s were much more comfortable during this scrimmage. Quinn’s first series, which was ones vs ones, went for a touchdown. Arch Manning then took to the field and led the second team offense to a field goal. Much better start from the QB’s.
Overall, we heard Quinn was “more pinpoint” than last Saturday and generally more comfortable. He might not have faced the same pressure, though.
Running Back
Jaydon Blue and Tre Wisner were in non-contact jerseys. Not that those jerseys would protect UT against the bad luck it’s had this August, but it seems Sark is certainly trying to protect his thin room. Blue caught a couple of screens that would have gone for a long game.
The note here is Jerrick Gibson looks more ready than a week ago. They’ve clearly worked with him a lot since the injuries because the freshman mistakes were minimized. We’re talking small things having to do with alignment.
Tight End
All about Juan. Juan is not a running back but they love his versatility. He will line up in the back field. We might see more innovation from the position than at any point in Sark’s time at Texas. He’s a real weapon, but remember, much of the value of a player like Davis comes from subtle alignments, shifts, and motions. On top of it, he’s a good athlete.
Juan could be blocking; Juan could be going out for a route. He had a few catches on Saturday.
Wide Receiver
I need more information here. I didn’t hear about a specific wide receiver. The word is there was a lot of give and take between the receivers and the DB’s but the receivers did make some plays.
Offensive Line
Jake Majors and Cole Hutson are being protected. Neither practiced on Friday but there are no concerns regarding the season.
The thing I liked about the scrimmage info we received is Cameron Williams looked really good staying in front of Ethan Burke. Burke is an easy mover so if Williams can stay in front of him that’s a good indication for what to expect this season.
Defensive Tackle
Vernon Broughton is shot out of a cannon. A giant cannon that can fit a 6-foot-5, 305 pound missile out of it.
But seriously, Broughton’s first step was mentioned.
They rotated a ton, really at all positions, but especially at defensive tackle. Every handful of plays a new group was coming in. Bill Norton and Aaron Bryant were second team on the day. Sydir Mitchell was yet again mentioned as being quicker than last year. Jaray Bledsoe and Alex January were mentioned as third team. I didn’t hear anything about Jermayne Lole or Tia Savea.
This group will be fine.
Edge
Barryn Sorrell and Ethan Burke were again the starters but there’s still the same old talk about Burke playing both Jack and Buck. Colin Simmons made his presence felt.
Linebacker
In line with being one of the most important players on the team, Anthony Hill was on a pitch count. Tyanthony Smith — Can I call you Ty because I’m going to write your name so much in the coming years — played second team again. Mo Blackwell is still being protected but he’s fine.
Not much on linebackers.
Secondary
Per multiple sources the secondary balled out. The wide receivers made some plays but everything was hotly contested. Every passing yard was earned. Ewers had to be “pinpoint.” The two DB’s mentioned the most were Jelani McDonald and Warren Roberson. McDonald is hard to mismatch in one one one because of his “corner” skills and range. Roberson showed very tight coverage in man.
We need to dive deeper but per multiple sources the secondary was on the ball.
*****
Overall, the play was much more crisp than last week, but again, the defense seemed to be a bit more vanilla.
Stay tuned for a second helping.
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