OTF Premium Quick Team Notes | Zelus Hicks' Return + Additional Nuggets (Tuesday 10:00 a.m.)

[CJ Vogel]

Quick Note on Defensive Backs

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A couple of quick hitters on the defensive back room.

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– First, when the team returns from spring break, I expect Zelus Hicks to be very close to returning as a full participant for the Horns. Hicks had been sidelined with a foot injury during winter conditioning, but is close to getting out on the field for the first time this spring.

Hicks had previously been on the field for pre-practice warmups, but would then head for work with the training/conditioning staff off to the side.

– From Friday's practice, I was told Wardell Mack came away with an interception from 7v7 period. Mack continues to get work in the nickel spot, mostly with the second unit with Filsaime's absence.

– The first unit remains unchanged for the most part.

Littleton and Mascoe are both getting time in the slot.

Phillips on the outside with Mascoe and Littleton swapping in on the opposite side and Black receiving snaps with the first team as well.

I will add this on Kade Phillips, from what I have gathered the expectations are super high for year two in a starting role.

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I will add that I am quite intrigued by Warren Roberson. I think his skillset bodes well for the press man coverage that is expected to be more prevalent in the defense this fall.

Roberson ended up playing 187 in 2026 with 53 coming in the bowl game against Michigan. Speaking of that game, Roberson finished as the 2nd highest graded Longhorn in coverage (84.7) with just one reception on four targets for 3 yards.

[CJ Vogel]

 

[Hornmatic]

5 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Quick Note on Defensive Backs

***

A couple of quick hitters on the defensive back room.

***

– First, when the team returns from spring break, I expect Zelus Hicks to be very close to returning as a full participant for the Horns. Hicks had been sidelined with a foot injury during winter conditioning, but is close to getting out on the field for the first time this spring.

Hicks had previously been on the field for pre-practice warmups, but would then head for work with the training/conditioning staff off to the side.

– From Friday's practice, I was told Wardell Mack came away with an interception from 7v7 period. Mack continues to get work in the nickel spot, mostly with the second unit with Filsaime's absence.

– The first unit remains unchanged for the most part.

Littleton and Mascoe are both getting time in the slot.

Phillips on the outside with Mascoe and Littleton swapping in on the opposite side and Black receiving snaps with the first team as well.

I will add this on Kade Phillips, from what I have gathered the expectations are super high for year two in a starting role.

***

I will add that I am quite intrigued by Warren Roberson. I think his skillset bodes well for the press man coverage that is expected to be more prevalent in the defense this fall.

Roberson ended up playing 187 in 2026 with 53 coming in the bowl game against Michigan. Speaking of that game, Roberson finished as the 2nd highest graded Longhorn in coverage (84.7) with just one reception on four targets for 3 yards.

Thanks. It seems like we have an abundance of quality corners and a lack of safeties. At least during spring and perhaps continuing into the fall. 
 

Do you think any of the corners should rep a little at saftey? And do you think any will? 

[CJ Vogel]

4 minutes ago, Hornmatic said:

Thanks. It seems like we have an abundance of quality corners and a lack of safeties. At least during spring and perhaps continuing into the fall. 
 

Do you think any of the corners should rep a little at saftey? And do you think any will? 

Kobe Black is a guy I have had circled as someone who I think would make a great safety prospect.

I see corner looking like Littleton-Mascoe-Phillips with Roberson/Matthews being optimal options towards the back end of the year. 

[Hank South]

Great stuff CJ! 

[Joe Zura]

2 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Kobe Black is a guy I have had circled as someone who I think would make a great safety prospect.

I see corner looking like Littleton-Mascoe-Phillips with Roberson/Matthews being optimal options towards the back end of the year. 

Kobe black NFL comp is safety bud just needs to accept it 

[CJ Vogel]

1 minute ago, Joe Zura said:

Kobe black NFL comp is safety bud just needs to accept it 

I think it would make plenty of sense.

Especially given there is a path at safety to see time in the spring. Get acclimated to the position now with the high end reps that will be available.

[Joe Zura]

15 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

I think it would make plenty of sense.

Especially given there is a path at safety to see time in the spring. Get acclimated to the position now with the high end reps that will be available.

Call coach boom and make it happen CJ we know you got the connections 

[Hornmatic]

33 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

I think it would make plenty of sense.

Especially given there is a path at safety to see time in the spring. Get acclimated to the position now with the high end reps that will be available.

I agree, just not confident it will happen. 

[CJ Vogel]

2 minutes ago, Hornmatic said:

I agree, just not confident it will happen. 

I don't think it will either.

But it would make a ton of sense.

[Bunk Moreland]

33 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

I don't think it will either.

But it would make a ton of sense.

Now that Jonah Williams will be out until at least the start of the season, they will need to manufacture talented safety depth. That will mean getting creative. Hopefully they are open to something like Black taking snaps at safety. 

[Alex Butler]

2 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

Kobe Black is a guy I have had circled as someone who I think would make a great safety prospect.

I see corner looking like Littleton-Mascoe-Phillips with Roberson/Matthews being optimal options towards the back end of the year. 

I’m hoping for a big time contribution from Black as well as Mack And Roberson! Excited for Hicks. Think he’s gonna be a DUDE. Hopefully we can get these guys on the field in various packages and looks to come at teams in waves situational

[CJ Vogel]

1 hour ago, Bunk Moreland said:

Now that Jonah Williams will be out until at least the start of the season, they will need to manufacture talented safety depth. That will mean getting creative. Hopefully they are open to something like Black taking snaps at safety. 

It was already a Q coming into the spring too. Black makes sense there