Experience in the Texas Safety Room | Wednesday 3:30 p.m.

[CJ Vogel]

The first scrimmage on Saturday is going to be massive to see which member of Blake Gideon's room takes a step forward.

Career snaps for safeties in the Texas secondary:

1,213 career snaps – Jelani McDonald

699 career snaps – Derek Williams Jr.

309 career snaps – Kobe Black*

71 career snaps – Jonah Williams

144 career snaps – Jordon Johnson Rubell 

6 career snaps – Zelus Hicks

0 career snaps – Toray Davis

0 career snaps – Yaheim Riley 

 

2025 Snaps

793 snaps – Jelani McDonald

204 snaps – Derek Williams Jr.

199 snaps – Kobe Black*

66 snaps – Jordon Johnson Rubell

71 snaps – Jonah Williams

6 snaps – Zelus Hicks

 

* Kobe Black has 2 career snaps at the safety position per PFF.

§ worth noting Xavier Filsaime saw 293 snaps in 2025 while in the safety room. He is now working at nickel.

 

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But altogether, the point is this – outside of McDonald and Williams Jr., someone is going to need to take a step forward over the next three weeks. It is the No. 1 question remaining for me during the Longhorns fall camp.

[Hornio]

Seems so quiet on Johnson Rubell and Hicks

[Alex Butler]

10 minutes ago, Hornio said:

Seems so quiet on Johnson Rubell and Hicks

Agree! I’d love to see Hicks make a jump. You know Muschamp and Gideon both loved that dud coming out of high school!

[Rocky P]

26 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

The first scrimmage on Saturday is going to be massive to see which member of Blake Gideon's room takes a step forward.

Career snaps for safeties in the Texas secondary:

1,213 career snaps – Jelani McDonald

699 career snaps – Derek Williams Jr.

309 career snaps – Kobe Black*

71 career snaps – Jonah Williams

144 career snaps – Jordon Johnson Rubell 

6 career snaps – Zelus Hicks

0 career snaps – Toray Davis

0 career snaps – Yaheim Riley 

 

2025 Snaps

793 snaps – Jelani McDonald

204 snaps – Derek Williams Jr.

199 snaps – Kobe Black*

66 snaps – Jordon Johnson Rubell

71 snaps – Jonah Williams

6 snaps – Zelus Hicks

 

* Kobe Black has 2 career snaps at the safety position per PFF.

§ worth noting Xavier Filsaime saw 293 snaps in 2025 while in the safety room. He is now working at nickel.

 

****

But altogether, the point is this – outside of McDonald and Williams Jr., someone is going to need to take a step forward over the next three weeks. It is the No. 1 question remaining for me during the Longhorns fall camp.

Sounds like it's JONAH TIME!!  hopefully he can step up to the plate and not whiff 🙂

[Beast Texas]

Kobe Black is gonna take a jump. I feel it in my practice nuggs.

[kmoore]

I’m probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but Zelus Hicks is a guy that I’m patiently waiting to start making a push for playing time. I know he’s technically supposed to be a true FR right now, but reclassified and has now been through nearly two cycles of a college S&C program. I’m wondering what’s holding him back from making the jump up the depth chart: does his body need another year to develop or are there just really talented/experienced players ahead of him? 

[Rocky P]

7 minutes ago, Beast Texas said:

Kobe Black is gonna take a jump. I feel it in my practice nuggs.

I think Safety is a great position for him.  He is use to coverage, so he isn't a liability there.  He's 6'2 so height wise he can match up with TE and he has enough speed to handle running backs.  

[Rocky P]

2 minutes ago, kmoore said:

I’m probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but Zelus Hicks is a guy that I’m patiently waiting to start making a push for playing time. I know he’s technically supposed to be a true FR right now, but reclassified and has now been through nearly two cycles of a college S&C program. I’m wondering what’s holding him back from making the jump up the depth chart: does his body need another year to develop or are there just really talented/experienced players ahead of him? 

I think it's more about what's in front of him.  I can see him being the Jelani replacement next year if he continues to develop.

[Beast Texas]

Just now, Rocky P said:

I think Safety is a great position for him.  He is use to coverage, so he isn't a liability there.  He's 6'2 so height wise he can match up with TE and he has enough speed to handle running backs.  

Agree with all of that. We don't have any proof yet but I think he will stick his nose in the running game. If he does he should have what Boom is looking for.

[CJ Vogel]

4 minutes ago, kmoore said:

I’m probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but Zelus Hicks is a guy that I’m patiently waiting to start making a push for playing time. I know he’s technically supposed to be a true FR right now, but reclassified and has now been through nearly two cycles of a college S&C program. I’m wondering what’s holding him back from making the jump up the depth chart: does his body need another year to develop or are there just really talented/experienced players ahead of him? 

Body development and other bodies in the room have him buried a bit.

Need to see some acceleration improvement. But again, young for his second year. 

[Rocky P]

5 minutes ago, Beast Texas said:

Agree with all of that. We don't have any proof yet but I think he will stick his nose in the running game. If he does he should have what Boom is looking for.

the Two deep could be crazy - McDonald, Williams, Williams, and Black.  Good mix of athleticism, coverage skills and thump.  Just need Jonah to get better.

[awashbump]

23 minutes ago, kmoore said:

I’m probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but Zelus Hicks is a guy that I’m patiently waiting to start making a push for playing time. I know he’s technically supposed to be a true FR right now, but reclassified and has now been through nearly two cycles of a college S&C program. I’m wondering what’s holding him back from making the jump up the depth chart: does his body need another year to develop or are there just really talented/experienced players ahead of him? 

yes

[bpfire4]

I heard Earl Thomas is suing to get another

[Zacharyhorn]

59 minutes ago, kmoore said:

I’m probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but Zelus Hicks is a guy that I’m patiently waiting to start making a push for playing time. I know he’s technically supposed to be a true FR right now, but reclassified and has now been through nearly two cycles of a college S&C program. I’m wondering what’s holding him back from making the jump up the depth chart: does his body need another year to develop or are there just really talented/experienced players ahead of him? 

I have asked about Hicks on a couple occasions in the Tuesday chat. I also have had high hopes for Mr. Hicks. Both times, Gerry’s response led me to believe it’s foot speed/quickness that is holding him back.  CJ just confirmed what Gerry has been reporting.

[watty7796]

While this group doesnt have a lot of snaps, there is a ton of talent.  Hopefully this season will bear that out.

[CJ Vogel]

14 minutes ago, watty7796 said:

While this group doesnt have a lot of snaps, there is a ton of talent.  Hopefully this season will bear that out.

Just need that talent to take the necessary steps forward over the next three weeks.

Scrimmages are going to be so very important.