Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted February 17 Moderators Share Posted February 17 Spring Practice: Ten Most Important Longhorns The most anticipated spring practice for Texas in two decades is just 31 days away. While the Longhorns will be ranked in the top 5 in preseason polls, there are still players and positions that need to take key steps this spring to having the chance to maximize the 2024 season. The interior of the defensive line and linebacker are the two positions Texas has to answer this spring and in August. And depth at safety. This list was built out with the understanding that wide receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden are expected to experience a smooth transition, and will be impact playmakers with quality depth at the position. 1. Sydir Mitchell, Freshman, DT/NG Mitchell tops the list for me. Texas needs the 6-5, 350 pound Garden State product to take a big step this spring headed into August. If Mitchell begins to look like the prospect that Texas and Georgia battled for until the ink was dry, Texas defensive tackle position will have a different look headed into the 2024 season. Especially over the ball in a more demanding conference with much better offensive line talent. 2. Alfred Collins, Senior, DT It’s been a long waiting game for Collins to consistently look like the player and NFL Draft pick his ceiling has suggested since his senior year of high school. It’s now or never for Collins, and the Longhorns need Collins to become the player expected in 2024. 3. Derek Williams Jr., Freshman, S When Steve Sarkisian said at a signing day press conference the Pelican State product could be a first round pick one day, it certainly raised eyebrows. That’s not a comment made during signing day press conferences. After a strong freshman campaign, Williams beginning to look like that future first round pick level prospect in 2024 would certainly ascend the Texas secondary - especially the safety position. 4. Trey Moore, Junior, EDGE/LB The UTSA transfer bet on himself hitting the portal in December. If Moore, 6-2 and 235 pounds, is talked about coming out of spring as his strengths translating against Texas level OL’s consistently, the Longhorns will see an uptick off the edge rushing the passer in 2024 - along with Colin Simmons. Moore lacks the long levers of some of the most successful SEC EDGE/LB pass rushers in recent years, but he has possesses high-end twitch. 5. Colin Simmons, True freshman, EDGE/LB The 5-star EDGE prospect has already added 15-20 pounds of great weight since arriving in Austin. Especially lower body strength, which will be key when attacked in the run game. Simmons possesses pass rush ability off the edge the program hasn’t had in years - since Brian Orakpo. 6. Amari Niblack, Sophomore, TE The Alabama transfer has down the field ability at tight end that even Ja’Tavion Sanders didn’t possess. Yes, Niblack has that type of vertical speed. If OTF is hearing that Niblack is making a smooth transition into a more complex offensive system and is a more than willing blocker when called upon, the tight end position could be even better in 2024. And that is saying something. 7. Cameron Williams, Sophomore, RT Williams has patiently waited for his turn while developing physically and technically. His time is now. And that means Texas fans will get to see a player that has a high NFL Draft pick ceiling. Williams made a his only career start vs. Kansas State in 2023. If Williams receives high praise coming out of spring practice, the Texas offensive line will be a lock to be better in 2024 with the returning experience and depth along with Williams. 8. Jaray Bledsoe, Sophomore, DT Pound-for-pound, Bledsoe is the best athlete in the program. But it’s imperative for the Longhorns to maximize the 2024 season that Bledsoe becomes more than a prospect talked about in terms of potential. He needs to start the on field ascension this spring that vaults him onto NFL scouts minds during the 2024 season. Bledsoe was up to 287 pounds late last season. Texas needs Bledsoe to be an athletic disruptor consistently in 2024. 9. Liona Lefau, Freshman, LB Lefau flashed last spring and continued to receive praise during the season as a linebacker with a bright future. The long-armed and instinctive linebacker is now in position to grab an opportunity and run with it. If the word coming out of spring practice is Lefau is ready to take a big step in 2024, that changes the trajectory of the position as a whole. 10. Xavier Filsaime, True freshman, S Texas needs both early enrollee’s Xavier Filsaime and Jordon Johnson-Rubell to make noise in the spring. In the case of Filsaime, he’s for sure going to play safety whereas JJ-R could spend some spring reps at nickel. Filsaime enrolled at Texas with a Power 5 ready frame, and he has impressed since day 1. If that trend continues throughout spring practice, the safety position will look totally different in 2024. That would mean more experience and more speed with the additions of Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba and Filsaime. View full news 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyG Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 It's not a coincidence that there are 3 DT's on the list. It's the most critical position moving forward especially considering we# moving to the SEC. The whole room needs to take a step forward and try to "compensate" the losses of Sweat and Murphy. Let#s hope they all improve and/or a true Nose tackle becomes available in the Spring portal. Ideally both. 🤘 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryantnelson02 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Sydir and Jaray were blessed by the Gods but it's up to them to fulfil that potential and the team really can't afford them not to contribute if they want to reach the goals Sark is setting. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted February 17 Author Moderators Share Posted February 17 11 minutes ago, ryantnelson02 said: Sydir and Jaray were blessed by the Gods but it's up to them to fulfil that potential and the team really can't afford them not to contribute if they want to reach the goals Sark is setting. 100% 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators CJ Vogel Posted February 17 Moderators Share Posted February 17 I am very high on Liona Lefau this spring. Perhaps too high. But I think he could etch his way into the rotation with a strong spring and potentially end up starting by the middle of the season. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoHorns1 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 2 hours ago, CJ Vogel said: I am very high on Liona Lefau this spring. Perhaps too high. But I think he could etch his way into the rotation with a strong spring and potentially end up starting by the middle of the season. LeFau is a natural Mike he has a feel dropping in the passing lanes IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinncent McManning, Jr. Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Would add Michael Kern to this list! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NothinButDaHorns34 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 I just wanna see a secondary that’s able to make plays in coverage because since sark’s came here they’ve yet to have a above average secondary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurntOrangeHorn Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 .... since Sark has come here .... I hope your 7th grade English teacher is not a member here, but one never knows. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glass Joe Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 I’m thinking about J.McDonald and D.Gullette for top 10 guys this spring. They’re both just too talented to not get placed at a single position and start to grow into impact players. No more moving positions or projecting to multiple spots, just time to win a spot on the two-deep at a single position. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goathumper Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 hope sydir has been on the treadmill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted February 18 Author Moderators Share Posted February 18 8 hours ago, Glass Joe said: I’m thinking about J.McDonald and D.Gullette for top 10 guys this spring. They’re both just too talented to not get placed at a single position and start to grow into impact players. No more moving positions or projecting to multiple spots, just time to win a spot on the two-deep at a single position. Jelani McDonald is a wildcard player for me. Where will he actually land (in terms of position) this spring? There is chatter out there, but its just chatter until he reps more with pads on at spots. If he finds a true home, his frame + athletic ability is among the very best in the program. And that is saying something. Gullette, for me, was on a different/longer learning curve vs. some others. More of a jack-of-all-trades at Marlin prior to missing senior season with the knee. 2023 was his first year truly locking into one position and learning the game at one position. I'm also interested to see the returns this spring for him. Because like McDonald, one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in the program. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas fan in Georgia Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Has tausili akana made any strides? Excited about him but could he still be another year away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted February 18 Author Moderators Share Posted February 18 37 minutes ago, Texas fan in Georgia said: Has tausili akana made any strides? Excited about him but could he still be another year away? Not a name I have heard a lot about headed into spring. His whole deal was going to be how much muscle mass/weight could he add to his frame. He was already 19+ when he enrolled. Definitely has some pass rush ability off the edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGL333 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 Good list Gerry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Five Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 2 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said: Not a name I have heard a lot about headed into spring. His whole deal was going to be how much muscle mass/weight could he add to his frame. He was already 19+ when he enrolled. Definitely has some pass rush ability off the edge. Didn't seem like a great sign that he came in smaller than one of our starting corners. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbro52 Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 (edited) Where would you put jontay Cook on your list @Gerry Hamiltonhes not in my top 10 but I could see him in the top 15 or so I’m curious to see how bringing in older talent pushes him Edited February 18 by Jbro52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted February 18 Author Moderators Share Posted February 18 2 minutes ago, Jbro52 said: Where would you put jontay Cook on your list @Gerry Hamiltonhes not in my top 10 but I could see him in the top 15 or so I’m curious to see how bringing in older talent pushes him Agreed. Top 15-20 for me. I’m one that believes Cook has a very positive spring after a year of learning the system and truly getting acclimated to P5 ball 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Five Posted February 18 Share Posted February 18 1 hour ago, Gerry Hamilton said: Agreed. Top 15-20 for me. I’m one that believes Cook has a very positive spring after a year of learning the system and truly getting acclimated to P5 ball Everyone always puts too much emphasis on who is "starting", but it's going to be interesting to see how we end up handling that. Meaning, four guys who I'm assuming all expect to be starters in September. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted February 18 Author Moderators Share Posted February 18 38 minutes ago, Red Five said: Everyone always puts too much emphasis on who is "starting", but it's going to be interesting to see how we end up handling that. Meaning, four guys who I'm assuming all expect to be starters in September. I would say you are spot on … and with Silas Bolden not there in the spring … DeAndre Moore is likely thinking the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermanator Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 I think the receivers who are showing out by end of August will get opportunities at reps. Then whoever produces will get more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerry Hamilton Posted February 19 Author Moderators Share Posted February 19 7 hours ago, Hermanator said: I think the receivers who are showing out by end of August will get opportunities at reps. Then whoever produces will get more. Agreed. This is a very important spring practice for DeAndre Moore Jr. and Ryan Niblett in regard to their chances to break through in 2024 with Silas Bolden not at Texas until late May. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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