Bobby Burton Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 What I've learned from Thursday's practice... - It's very early, but Billy Walton has looked very active, very smart and could be one of the guys from the class of 2023 ready to take the next step, according to sources. Not the name many of you probably expected to hear first, but he's closer to playing significantly than some may expect. - Jaray Bledsoe was described as perhaps the most athletic player in the entire program, despite being a defensive tackle. The team has yet to start hitting, but Bledsoe has quietly been taking the right steps behind the scenes for a while now. As someone told me, Bledsoe "has a level of maturity we're starting to see more of". This year could be a real coming out party for him. - Texas worked extensively on special teams yesterday, much more than their normal period or two in practice. Johntay Cook and Isaiah Bond continue to be 1-2 in the punt return game. Matt Golden and Jaydon Blue are primaries at kick return. Ryan Wingo and Aaron Butler are also taking reps there. - Gunners are a mix, both Manny Muhammad and Gavin Holmes are working at the position, as well as Tre Wisner. - Speaking of Muhammad, more than one person has singled out the sophomore from South Oak Cliff as a player particularly poised to take his game to the next level. Muhammad may not be the fastest or the biggest corner, but he is the one who spends the most time in the film room. And he has the ability to take what he sees on film and let it translate to his work on the field. - DJ Campbell lists at 332. But he may have lost more weight than that. Or at least the weight loss is affecting his quickness. Apparently, he is already looking quicker than a year ago in practice. - Many thought Cook, Golden, Bond, Silas Bolden and maybe Ryan Wingo would be the top five receivers on the team this year. While that may still be a decent bet, do not sleep on DeAndre Moore and Aaron Butler. The two Californians continued to make their presence known in practice No. 2. - Amari Niblack moved up in the TE rotation at times on Thursday. Niblack started off Tuesday as the no. 5 TE, behind Gunnar Helm, Juan Davis, Spencer Shannon and Will Randle. I was not told how far up he moved, just "up some" in that rotation. View full news 13 Quote
goathumper Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 -Pound for pound the Marlin boys may be the most athletic in the program. Had Bledsoe played his SR year of HS he may have rushed for 1K yards as a RB. Just a different level jumbo athlete with his feet and quickness -When he gets to the 40, I'd love to see Bolden get a shot in the return game. Have to assume Golden will get the majority of KR chances and do very well with them -DJ Campbell is going to put some people in the hospital on counter/power pulls this season. He has great explosiveness from his hips and looks to punish defenders whenever he can, even if after the whistle ha 7 Quote
codaxx Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 Love the update, but curious when do the pads come on? 1 Quote
Vertigo Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 1:17 PM, goathumper said: -Pound for pound the Marlin boys may be the most athletic in the program. Had Bledsoe played his SR year of HS he may have rushed for 1K yards as a RB. Just a different level jumbo athlete with his feet and quickness -When he gets to the 40, I'd love to see Bolden get a shot in the return game. Have to assume Golden will get the majority of KR chances and do very well with them -DJ Campbell is going to put some people in the hospital on counter/power pulls this season. He has great explosiveness from his hips and looks to punish defenders whenever he can, even if after the whistle ha Expand The two small school guys I was most impressed with athletically coming out were Bledsoe and Derrian Gullett. I remember Gullett playing linebacker in high school and then sliding out to field corner and manning up their best receiver at times and actually getting pass deflections and picks. Then he ran some ridiculous time at the texas relays for his size as well. 2 Quote
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted March 22, 2024 Moderators Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 1:17 PM, goathumper said: -Pound for pound the Marlin boys may be the most athletic in the program. Had Bledsoe played his SR year of HS he may have rushed for 1K yards as a RB. Just a different level jumbo athlete with his feet and quickness -When he gets to the 40, I'd love to see Bolden get a shot in the return game. Have to assume Golden will get the majority of KR chances and do very well with them -DJ Campbell is going to put some people in the hospital on counter/power pulls this season. He has great explosiveness from his hips and looks to punish defenders whenever he can, even if after the whistle ha Expand I do think Silas Bolden may be punt returner 1 when all is said and done 8 Quote
GoHorns1 Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 3:28 PM, codaxx said: Love the update, but curious when do the pads come on? Expand Saturday. Pads are allowed on the 3rd day of practice per NCAA. 5 Quote
GoHorns1 Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 3:34 PM, Vertigo said: The two small school guys I was most impressed with athletically coming out were Bledsoe and Derrian Gullett. I remember Gullett playing linebacker in high school and then sliding out to field corner and manning up their best receiver at times and actually getting pass deflections and picks. Then he ran some ridiculous time at the texas relays for his size as well. Expand He was the anchor of the 4x200 that ran in the State Track Meet if I recall correctly. 3 Quote
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted March 22, 2024 Moderators Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 3:59 PM, GoHorns1 said: He was the anchor of the 4x200 that ran in the State Track Meet if I recall correctly. Expand Yep. Think that is correct 3 Quote
GoHorns1 Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 4:07 PM, Gerry Hamilton said: Yep. Think that is correct Expand They finished in 4th I think. 1 Quote
codaxx Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 3:57 PM, GoHorns1 said: Saturday. Pads are allowed on the 3rd day of practice per NCAA. Expand thanks. I love all the practice reports, but they are far more informative when the pads are on. 2 Quote
goathumper Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 3:34 PM, Vertigo said: The two small school guys I was most impressed with athletically coming out were Bledsoe and Derrian Gullett. I remember Gullett playing linebacker in high school and then sliding out to field corner and manning up their best receiver at times and actually getting pass deflections and picks. Then he ran some ridiculous time at the texas relays for his size as well. Expand Broke my heart when he tore his ACL. Hope he still comes good at Texas 1 Quote
GoHorns1 Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 4:30 PM, goathumper said: Broke my heart when he tore his ACL. Hope he still comes good at Texas Expand Per reports he is looking good. Probably a Will LB that can rush the QB or could grow into a Buck. 1 Quote
NothinButDaHorns34 Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 Do all the trader portal guys start off low on the depth chart or has Niblack got himself in the dog house somehow? Because it seems i didn’t hear other guys starting off 5th string. Quote
GoHorns1 Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 6:21 PM, NothinButDaHorns34 said: Do all the trader portal guys start off low on the depth chart or has Niblack got himself in the dog house somehow? Because it seems i didn’t hear other guys starting off 5th string. Expand They all start at the bottom part of depth chart and work their way to the top. AD Mitchell starter behind Casey Cain last year during spring ball. 1 Quote
Quinncent McManning, Jr. Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 3:49 PM, Gerry Hamilton said: I do think Silas Bolden may be punt returner 1 when all is said and done Expand I agree. That dude is electric in the punt game. Would not make sense to have Johntay be first up given his lack of experience though he took reps last year. Doesn’t make sense wr 1 bond to do it either if you have other good options (yes worthy was awesome last year but I held my breath with every hit) 1 Quote
Kelton H. Posted March 22, 2024 Posted March 22, 2024 If Golden is not a starter, he needs to be returning kicks. 1 Quote
Bobby Burton Posted March 22, 2024 Author Posted March 22, 2024 On 3/22/2024 at 9:19 PM, Kelton H. said: If Golden is not a starter, he needs to be returning kicks. Expand He needs to be returning kicks no matter what IMO. 4 Quote
John Moore Posted March 23, 2024 Posted March 23, 2024 Aaron Butler is going to be a dog https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4277031/6540a83e3453d10d3032c70b 2 Quote
John Moore Posted March 23, 2024 Posted March 23, 2024 On 3/23/2024 at 3:22 AM, John Moore said: Aaron Butler is going to be a dog https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4277031/6540a83e3453d10d3032c70b Expand I'm so glad Aeryn Hampton went to Bama Quote
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