OTF Premium Thinking Out Loud | Red Zone Routes (Monday 12:40 p.m.)

[CJ Vogel]

Running through the 3rd quarter plays of the Texas offense in 2024 and I couldn't help but take note of the route concepts for the Longhorns in the red area.

Some of the more memorable moments for the Longhorns came on 1-on-1 wins. Right. It was Matthew Golden's one-handed catch vs. Vanderbilt. Or Isaiah Bond's first touchdown as a Longhorn vs. Colorado State where his facemask was yanked. Or the route win by Golden against Michigan.

Isaiah Bond also added a pretty rub-route touchdown in man coverage against Georgia at DKR. Of course, there was some a return, exit motion attached to that play, but point being, there were some bright spots here.

All of those routes were out-breaking wins in man-to-man coverage.

Of course, we are all well aware of some of the issues we saw in the red zone otherwise. More so in the run game trying to get movement in the middle.

But the point I wanted to bring to this is when looking ahead at the fall roster and personnel at the position, I begin to wonder what might this offense look like in the tight red. Will Texas rely on the 1-on-1 route winning ability again? Or do they not have that wide receiver ready on the roster?

Or does the legs of an Arch Manning alleviate whatever hindering issues showed up time and time again in the tight red? Right now it is all an unknown.

Looking at the skillsets of the receivers on the roster, a Matthew Golden or Isaiah Bond prototype could be tough to find. Wingo and Moore each had different strengths a year ago, with neither of their notable red zone targets coming in tight area man-to-man victories. Wingo was more of a vertical jump ball guy, and Moore was relied on slot fades and corner routes time and time again.

So, my question is this. Who becomes the tight area route winner? 

Is that the next step for Wingo? Can a Ffrench, or Lockett, or McCutcheon step up in this case as well? 

Do these targets change to back-shoulder or jump balls with Arch Manning? 

A lot of unknowns.

***

But more than that, I will attached some notable moments in the tight red from a year ago to highlight what spurred this conversation.

[CJ Vogel]

Texas liked the whip route quite a bit. Though, low release point and defense ends knowing the ball was coming out quick allowed for tips and bat downs. 

Same whip route out of different looks. 

Batted down vs. UGA and an INT vs Texas A&M. 

[CJ Vogel]

Shakes route from Bond 

Sell the in-breaking route and you have a free run to the corner. Heck of a route. 

[CJ Vogel]

Also funny looking back at this point in the season and seeing Texas started 11/11 in the red zone. 

[CJ Vogel]

Golden was so good at this short-red comeback route. Two examples here — Michigan and vs. Arkansas. 

Ewers on the move was elite as well. 

[CJ Vogel]

And who can forget this one from Worthy in 2022.

[CJ Vogel]

Going to be interesting to see who steps up into this role in 2025. 

Surely, it remains a big piece of the offense, it always has for a Sark offense. Wingo, Moore come to mind first. Will be interesting to follow.

[CJ Vogel]

I wish we saw more concepts like this more. So hard to defend that speed from Bond. 

[_everyoneshere]

17 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Also funny looking back at this point in the season and seeing Texas started 11/11 in the red zone. 

Just heard Wisner getting popped trying to block on that Michigan play.

I'd like to see a TE be a go-to as Gunnar was last season. Someone who can get those under the radar routes. If Shannon could be solid with his hands and physicality, a 6'7 target for Arch to get throws over top to would be nice. But I'll expect Jordan Washington to be the one with better body control based off last spring game.

Will Randle now listed at 6'6 on the Texas roster vs 6'4 last season. Wish being Arch's high school TE would've carried over to this season. Thought maybe finding him or someone a spot as a red zone fullback type.

[HornsRUs]

CJ, you were in your bag on this one. It was such a clear direction by Sark this year to fix red zone issues with these elite receivers one-on-one. I think back to the Bama game in 2023 when Worthy ran a whip route on the goal line in the first quarter but dropped the ball. 

Do you think Sark could run more RPOs near the goal line given Arch’s ability to punch it in? I can’t think of many off the top of my head except Ewers to AD against Bama in ‘23. Golden opened up the Peach Bowl with a big gain off an obvious RPO, and Moore scored a big TD against Georgia in the SEC championship off a similar play.

Edited 4 hours ago by HornsRUs

[CJ Vogel]

36 minutes ago, HornsRUs said:

CJ, you were in your bag on this one. It was such a clear direction by Sark this year to fix red zone issues with these elite receivers one-on-one. I think back to the Bama game in 2023 when Worthy ran a whip route on the goal line in the first quarter but dropped the ball. 

Do you think Sark could run more RPOs near the goal line given Arch’s ability to punch it in? I can’t think of many off the top of my head except Ewers to AD against Bama in ‘23. Golden opened up the Peach Bowl with a big gain off an obvious RPO, and Moore scored a big TD against Georgia in the SEC championship off a similar play.

Arch's velocity should fit the RPO, tight window game a bit better. Ewers was so good on the move and when he was getting out of the pocket. 

[Tuco Ramirez]

I’m interested to see what wrinkles McEndoo adds in the red zone with TEs.

[Bobby Burton]

46 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Arch's velocity should fit the RPO, tight window game a bit better. Ewers was so good on the move and when he was getting out of the pocket. 

Underestimated point IMO.

I think we’ll also see more throws to back of end zone with higher release point and taller, stronger armed QB. 

[Beard N Balls Bundle]

3 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

Shakes route from Bond 

Sell the in-breaking route and you have a free run to the corner. Heck of a route. 

Only if we had this Isaiah Bond all year 

[CJ Vogel]

20 minutes ago, Beard N Balls Bundle said:

Only if we had this Isaiah Bond all year 

Yep. Time for the young WRs to step up quickly!