Sunday Team Notes

[CJ Vogel]

I was able to meet up late Saturday night with a source to pass along some interesting team notes as winter conditioning moves on.

***

First off, one of the names I have heard that is making an early impression is freshman cornerback Wardell Mack. The 6-foot corner has been someone that has really adjusted to the world of college football and gotten off to a hot start.

Next is DT Alex January, who has slimmed down about 10 pounds since he arrived to campus. Something to watch as Texas monitors its defensive tackle room, right now, it looks like January is taking the necessary steps to get onto the field early. We will see how that develops in the spring.

I have heard freshman EDGE Colin Simmons has added about 15-20 pounds of muscle since Christmas. Word is he is right around 240 pounds after being right around 220 when I last saw him in person in Orlando for the Under Armour All American Game.

If Simmons is able to carry 240 pounds at the moment, that would be massive for the Longhorns on the EDGE moving into the spring and into the fall from there.

Last freshman I have heard positive remarks about is Ty'Anthony Smith. The Jasper prospect has taken an impressive approach to college football as the only linebacker in the class. Smith was a late addition but has quickly adjusted to the world of college football. A bit of a slimmer lower body, but a wide open approach to body development is going to be something that might get Smith on the field earlier than expected. Positives all around. 

View full news

[Beard N Balls Bundle]

Simmons has freak genetics to be able to put on that kind of quality weight that fast. I’m jealous 😂

Edited February 4, 2024 by Rhenk6768

[crosshorn]

Good stuff, CJ. Thanks.

[Realist Horn]

Get some sleep. 

[Ray Peters]

15-20 pounds in a couple months, sheesh, that’s no big deal. I can do that.

Wait… you said muscle?  🤣

[Gerry Hamilton]

Good stuff

 

The Tyanthony Smith news isn’t surprising after going by Jasper High twice during his recruitment. He’s a mature mindset guy, as his high school coaches would say as well. He can take a lot of information in, and put it to use.

And his body will develop quick IMO. He reminds me of some of the LB’s that come out of the state of Florida … you look at them in HS and think adding 15-20 really good pounds of weight is attainable in the first 5-6 months they are in college

[Modern Day Warrior]

Great news and notes

[Shane]

1 hour ago, Realist Horn said:

Get some sleep. 

CJ is young he’ll be ok lol 

great stuff CJ ! 

[Texas fan in Georgia]

I’m hoping they are able to get some of those incoming DBs like Mack and Black some valuable reps this season . The entire secondary figures to be the strength of the defense this season so it’ll be important to get those guys reps so that the 2025 season doesn’t see a drop off . Really excited to see manny Muhammad in year 2. He definitely became one of my favorite players to watch on the defense last year

[Threepacballer]

Good stuff! 

[codaxx]

Glad to hear January’s name. It’s not ideal, but I have a feeling he is going to be counted on for some snaps. The hole at the 1 tech is the biggest question on the team and may set the ceiling for the team 

Edited February 4, 2024 by codaxx

[GoHorns1]

Trust the Process

[Blake Munroe]

Great stuff, @CJ Vogel . That’s insane on the gain that Simmons has made. 

[Bobby Burton]

Love hearing that about Wardell Mack. Can’t wait to see all of these DBs in spring ball, plus McDonald and Roberson. 

[davideowens]

We are really lucky to have CJ and Gerry! 

[Red Five]

20 lbs of muscle in a month seems.... not possible. 

[Chopper]

Great job CJ and you continue to shine. Have you already told the story about what it was like to be recruited by Bobby?

[Hermanator]

I'm assuming a sizeable portion of that weight is recovery from the season?

Or else this man is on the Ivan Drago plan 

[Gerry Hamilton]

1 hour ago, Hermanator said:

I'm assuming a sizeable portion of that weight is recovery from the season?

Or else this man is on the Ivan Drago plan 

At the Under Armour Game ... Colin mentioned he lost about 10 pounds during the season. I think he will see that fluctuation ... Simmons at 245-250 prior to the 2024 season wouldn't be a shock. Then settling in around 240'ish during the season in year one. 

[CJ Vogel]

4 hours ago, Ray Peters said:

15-20 pounds in a couple months, sheesh, that’s no big deal. I can do that.

Wait… you said muscle?  🤣

That freshman 15 is not the same as it used to be for these guys!

[CJ Vogel]

2 hours ago, Red Five said:

20 lbs of muscle in a month seems.... not possible. 

I saw Simmons in Orlando at the end of December, he was firmly around 220 lbs — looked good. Though I have heard he’s been an animal in workouts and the nutrition part of things has been a major change. 

[Longhornmd]

It is sounding more like pass defense will be much in improved.  Run defense looking more like a step back this coming  season. 

[Bobby Burton]

27 minutes ago, Longhornmd said:

It is sounding more like pass defense will be much in improved.  Run defense looking more like a step back this coming  season. 

That is the current narrative. Let’s see what can be done about that over the next few months, starting with spring ball and then going into the portal re-opening. 

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Can someone comment on how you would rank the dbs on speed and ball tracking?  Seems like we get overly excited about kids coming into the program at db and then get concerned about one of these issues.  Muhammad seems like the best we have had in years. What about the 2024 guys?  

[CoachBobbyFinstock]

January will be needed early barring a portal guy coming in.

He may be needed to play as many 10 to possibly 15 snaps a game.

Texas simply doesn’t have space eaters on campus right now outside of Mitchell. I could see Collins being 325 or so to play it as well although that is not his strength.