Texas offseason notes offer intel on a number of important players this upcoming season
How about a randomly timed team offseason article?
Team info will pick up next week during SEC Media Days and then of course during the whole month of August where we attempt to paint a picture of what the season will look like. We’ve gotten pretty good at that and we hope to continue.
This post was largely inspired by a question from @Brisketsammich.
He asks: How are the new DLs fitting in, and what are you hearing on them? Silas Bolden still going bonkers? Golden all healed? What about Big Cam Williams? Any field corner competition updates? Mukuba likely to start at FS?
Let’s tackle those one by one.
How are the new D-lineman fitting in?
As far as fitting into the program, Bill Norton and Jermayne Lole fit right in. A source says with every new transfer you hope they come in and put their head down and work and that’s exactly what Norton and Lole have done. They do everything right. They stay after what’s required and put in extra work. They work and mind their own business. This is the value of bringing in experienced players you have good background info on (in the case of Norton).
In a previous report IT mentioned they are obviously experienced players and understand where they’re supposed to be on the field.
Silas Bolden still going bonkers?
“He’s looking amazing, he’s balling.” A source says he’s a really good in 7 on 7 because he looks like he’s about 150 pounds. “We’ll see what happens in pads.”
Bolden reminds one source of Xavier Worthy as a player. Bolden’s arms are long like Xavier’s, he has a huge vertical, a much bigger catch radius for a shorter player than you’d think, and then he’s a speed demon like X was.
Despite his lack of height the source says Bolden can play inside or outside.
Matthew Golden all healed?
I didn’t ask about his health but heard back, “He’s looking great, really good. A lot more healthy now.” Though I wasn’t really worried about it, I liked hearing about Golden’s health unprovoked.
The source goes on to mention he’s a polished receiver. “Not the speed guy, or the blocking guy, but he checks all the boxes.” The source said he doesn’t think Golden is necessarily like Jordan Whittington but he has some of those qualities. I thought Whittington was an interesting mention and asked if Golden was headed for the slot. I’ve had people speculate that in the past. “He can play wherever they need him.”
What about Big Cam Williams?
The source was complimentary of the junior after being complimentary of him for much of the spring. “He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing as far as working and eating. He looks a tick quicker.”
It’s harder to tell how the big boys look compared to the 7 on 7 participants but limited returns are favorable.
Any field corner competition updates?
Well, it’s certainly a competition between Gavin Holmes and San Jose State transfer Jay’Vion Cole. One that will play out well into August by the sound of it.
On Cole: He has some stuff to figure out (playbook) but is super twitchy. The source said you can definitely tell he’s played some ball before. Cole knows what to do within scheme but needs more reps to increase play-speed.
On Holmes: He keeps coming along. “He’s a good corner, needs to get better each day.”
Both Holmes and Cole have their days where one is better than the other.
I asked who is the better athlete: “Holmes.”
Andrew Mukuba likely to start at FS?
It’s too early to anoint a starter at any safety spot but Mukuba is improved over spring and he was already pretty comfortable in the defense. A source said he knows the playbook despite only being there four months. He doesn’t bust. He tracks the ball well. “He’s natural back there.”
Just an opinion, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t start.
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