OTF Premium Let's Talk Ball ... End of Spring Ball Discussion (Tuesday 2:30 p.m.)

[CJ Vogel]

Wanted to give you all a chance to get some final spring ball questions off before we move into the heart of recruiting on the 2025 calendar.

15 spring practices have come and gone and we have a pretty good understanding of what took place this spring.

Drop any and all questions you may have regarding the spring roster and practice sessions! Will try to get to them all!

[CJ Vogel]

Pretty sweet.

[McCoy2Shipley]

How would you summarize Jerrick Gipson's spring?

[NothinButDaHorns34]

This may be way to early to ask, But do you see nick brooks arrest affecting his standing on the depth chart as the second string left tackle? I’m not one of these guys on the board who are devoid of accountability and say “weed? No big deal” he did enough to get pulled over at 2 in the effing morning. Shouldn’t be a career ruining moment, But some accountability and consequences should happen. 

Edited 4 hours ago by NothinButDaHorns34

[HornsRUs]

TE and WR are two very complex positions to learn in Sark’s offense, although the impact transfers we got at those positions are from Cal and Stanford respectively, do you still pencil them in as starters for fall with them not getting a spring to learn this offense?

[CJ Vogel]

2 minutes ago, McCoy2Shipley said:

How would you summarize Jerrick Gipson's spring?

It was overall positive. I spoke with someone Saturday after the scrimmage who indicated that Gibson was able to finish the spring strong. There had been a pretty noticeable push by Christian Clark for some of those 2nd team reps early on in the spring, but Gibson did well.

Gibson also made rearranged some weight in his frame as well. Still, a bulky dude. Above anything else, the trust of the staff is something that was key for him to build upon this spring and I think he did that. I did not hear of many fumbling issues this spring as well.

[CJ Vogel]

2 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

This may be way to early to ask, But do you see nick brooks arrest affecting his standing on the depth chart as the second string left tackle? I’m not one of these guys on the board who are devoid of accountability and say “weed? No big deal” he did enough to get pulled over at 2 in the effing morning so

Could be a bit early. Will have to see how everything plays out legally before throwing out any type of prediction or justification one way or the other.

But ultimately, this will be a wakeup call for Brooks and the Texas staff. He had a tremendous spring on the field. The best thing for him this summer would be to stick around guys close to the program and come head down ready to work for summer conditioning. 

[CJ Vogel]

4 minutes ago, HornsRUs said:

TE and WR are two very complex positions to learn in Sark’s offense, although the impact transfers we got at those positions are from Cal and Stanford respectively, do you still pencil them in as starters for fall with them not getting a spring to learn this offense?

That is going to be interesting. Texas likely gets a bigger role out of Silas Bolden in 2024 if he was able to arrive at the turn of the semester vs. in June. Instead, he was lumped into one spot on the WR room which was ultimately won by DeAndre Moore.

But for a guy like Mosley, I think there will be a continuously growing role within the offense. Will all be up to him in terms of how quickly and how much of the offense he is able to handle.

For Endries, I envision him being the day one starter and I believe an Endries and Washington/Spencer 12 personnel look will be very potent come this fall.

[Hashtag]

13 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

This may be way to early to ask, But do you see nick brooks arrest affecting his standing on the depth chart as the second string left tackle? I’m not one of these guys on the board who are devoid of accountability and say “weed? No big deal” he did enough to get pulled over at 2 in the effing morning. Shouldn’t be a career ruining moment, But some accountability and consequences should happen. 

Suspended for Ohio State, unfortunately. 😞 

[AJJ_Sports]

If we played Ohio state this Saturday who would be the starting corner opposite of manny ?

[CJ Vogel]

2 minutes ago, AJJ_Sports said:

If we played Ohio state this Saturday who would be the starting corner opposite of manny ?

Guilbeau and Black would see a solid rotation. Guilbeau by a hair for now.

[Joe Zura]

What is let’s say your concern heading into fall camp with the team?

[Bunk Moreland]

What’s your realistic vision for this offensive line? They have experience and talent, but it still feels like a step back from the 2024 unit. Can Neto, Hutson, and DJ actually turn into plus players this year? This position to me honestly feels like the biggest unknown on the entire roster.

[CaseMcCoyTruther]

We have 2 scholarships available. Does OTF envision these get filled? Sounds like, if they are filled, they’ll be filled on offense

[THookem]

Is confidence now high that Cedric Baxter will be 100% healthy & back to original form by August 1st?  

[CJ Vogel]

1 minute ago, Joe Zura said:

What is let’s say your concern heading into fall camp with the team?

I feel very good about the defense. Love what I am hearing about Arch.

But concern, I suppose you could call it a concern – the offensive line is still a bit of an unknown for me in the running game. Will the rush lanes be present against similar talent (UGA, UF, tOSU, etc.). I think Texas will be better in short yardage situations in 2025, but I hope it is not just because of a more mobile quarterback and that the offensive line actually takes that leap.

Also, I know Tre Wisner is a heck of a running back and should he be the guy again next fall, Texas has a very good floor at the position. But can the position transcend into an All-Conference room? That, right now, I do not know until CJ Baxter gets back on the field.

[CJ Vogel]

4 minutes ago, Bunk Moreland said:

What’s your realistic vision for this offensive line? They have experience and talent, but it still feels like a step back from the 2024 unit. Can Neto, Hutson, and DJ actually turn into plus players this year? This position to me honestly feels like the biggest unknown on the entire roster.

I love the tackle situations, especially when considering the four-deep with Cojoe and Baker.

The interior remains a work in progress, though for the most part you have your pieces – Hutson, Umeozulu, Campbell. Three fourth year guys is very encouraging. I envision by the start of SEC play this unit will be gelling well. But how fast of a start will they have against tOSU? Right now, I cannot be certain.

[CJ Vogel]

4 minutes ago, CaseMcCoyTruther said:

We have 2 scholarships available. Does OTF envision these get filled? Sounds like, if they are filled, they’ll be filled on offense

Offensive side of the ball is where I see it being filled if the staff looks to fill out the 85.

[CJ Vogel]

5 minutes ago, THookem said:

Is confidence now high that Cedric Baxter will be 100% healthy & back to original form by August 1st?  

Hopefully. My hope is that by July he is very close to 100%. Again, that is the hope. 

He has ramped up his recovery in terms of physical exertion this spring. So we will see.

[ajay panda]

Who/what have been your 3 biggest spring ball surprises?

[CJ Vogel]

6 minutes ago, ajay panda said:

Who/what have been your 3 biggest spring ball surprises?

Good question.

1. The amount of times I heard Daylan McCutcheon's name with the first team. Both how early he joined the first unit, as well as how often he made impactful plays with the first group.
2. Nick Brooks. Have to include him. Really tough end to the spring, but between the white lines he has as bright a future as anyone in the Texas OL room.
3. Warren Roberson probably scratches the list. I was hoping to hear more about him and each time there was an availability he was one of the first names to pop up.

Other mentions include Christian Clark's return. Lance Jackson's emergence. Graceson Littleton had a good spring too.

[connorkp23]

Are you expecting any more portal additions? Seems late at this point / are there any impact guys still available?

Also somewhat surprised there weren’t more spring portal departures given the overall depth of the team 

[CJ Vogel]

9 minutes ago, connorkp23 said:

Are you expecting any more portal additions? Seems late at this point / are there any impact guys still available?

Also somewhat surprised there weren’t more spring portal departures given the overall depth of the team 

Originally yes, but as the weekend came and gone without any noise, that worry meter for attrition has decreased significantly.  Texas has done tremendously well at retaining talent they want on campus. It’s perhaps the most impressive aspect of the program currently and that’s really saying something.