Re: State of the Program

[Shea Cook]

I've got a question for Gerry.  I was listening to the State of the Program this afternoon and the discussion dealt with what Texas might need in the portal.  My question is specific to the offensive line.  Gerry has repeatedly said that there are no longer any excuses for being young and inexperienced.  He's mainly said this regarding basketball, but I assume that this can also be applied to football.  In today's discussion he took the stance that Texas should continue to build the offensive line through high school recruits because they take much longer to develop, but offer more stability to the program.  This looks to be problematic for this year's team for whatever reason:  early entries into the draft or poor evaluations with the current roster.

Another dilemma that I see is how these offensive line recruits mesh with the NIL picture.  If we recruit the "best" offensive line that we can sign, doesn't that come with a heavy price tag that may not see the field for 2-3 developmental years?  How do the money guys justify that? Or would the money be better spent with an older player with a quicker return on the investment?

My questions are out of curiosity and not a criticism.  Gerry, I appreciate all of your thoughts.  Just curious how the Texas staff works through these difficult decisions.

[drag worm]

Tend to agree and I would apply it to his comments at WR and RB as well. I get that recruits don’t want to be recruited “over” but when you don’t have one upperclassman you can rely on then they need to understand you’re filling a gap that should have been there when they arrived. If we go back into next season with out adding a true difference maker at RB other than true sophomore Simon and true freshman Cooper that would be about the dumbest thing we could do. Don’t give me the “they are rare to find in the portal” thing either when Gerry himself says players are recruited to the portal these days. That’s the game. It’s all about prioritization and we need to prioritize an elite starter at RB for next season who has experience picking up blitzes, etc not just a confused true freshman who only knows a handful of packages. Georgia did it with Eitienne and beat us twice with him en route to an SEC ring. Bama did it with Gibbs before them. It has to be a priority. As does OL and at least one difference maker at WR if second year Ffrench and Lockett aren’t trending to be that guy. 

Edited 2 hours ago by drag worm

[Tres Comas]

I can see one each off-season being possible without upsetting the apple cart. Relying solely on HS development requires a really high hit rate to maintain the level we want and I don't think that's likely.

[hookemholds]

Also question about the state of the program. How big of a role do we see Justus Terry seeing next year? I know he has been working on gaining weight, but as a consensus Top 10 HS player I kinda hoped he’d see the field a little more

[AusMOJO]

12 minutes ago, hookemholds said:

Also question about the state of the program. How big of a role do we see Justus Terry seeing next year? I know he has been working on gaining weight, but as a consensus Top 10 HS player I kinda hoped he’d see the field a little more

There's no room for him to see the field. My opinion is you'll see him way more next year. 

[AusMOJO]

Problem is, you can't recruit the best OL talent anymore, because of NIL. So relying on just HS OL is not a great idea. Especially if your development isn't top notch. Now in saying that, you potentially lose 3 of your starting OL next year and possibly 4 if Goosby thinks he can get a good grade in the draft. 

Are we going to rely on recruited talent again after this year? Now I don't think you just recruit anyone out of the portal, but they need to figure out what they want to do offensively, instead of trying to force scheme's that don't/aren't working. 

This is true of Sark wanting to run 12 personnel all the time but he doesn't recruit TE's who are capable blockers, so that kinda makes it moot. 

[LonghornFan4Ever]

16 minutes ago, hookemholds said:

Also question about the state of the program. How big of a role do we see Justus Terry seeing next year? I know he has been working on gaining weight, but as a consensus Top 10 HS player I kinda hoped he’d see the field a little more

I saw him play a few snaps against Vandy.  Got some pressure a few times.  Next year, if he adds a good 15-20 pounds to his frame, they can slide him inside as a DT full time.  Right now, he's more of a hydrid EDGE/DT.

[AusMOJO]

31 minutes ago, drag worm said:

Tend to agree and I would apply it to his comments at WR and RB as well. I get that recruits don’t want to be recruited “over” but when you don’t have one upperclassman you can rely on then they need to understand you’re filling a gap that should have been there when they arrived. If we go back into next season with out adding a true difference maker at RB other than true sophomore Simon and true freshman Cooper that would be about the dumbest thing we could do. Don’t give me the “they are rare to find in the portal” thing either when Gerry himself says players are recruited to the portal these days. That’s the game. It’s all about prioritization and we need to prioritize an elite starter at RB for next season who has experience picking up blitzes, etc not just a confused true freshman who only knows a handful of packages. Georgia did it with Eitienne and beat us twice with him en route to an SEC ring. Bama did it with Gibbs before them. It has to be a priority. As does OL and at least one difference maker at WR if second year Ffrench and Lockett aren’t trending to be that guy. 

I don't think Texas will take a WR out of the portal. All your starting guys will be back, Moore, Wingo, Mosley and Livingstone. Then you add in Ffrench, Lockett, McCutcheon and the '26 Fr, there is no room in the budget to fit a WR guy. That is assuming that no one portals out, of course. I'm certain guys like Niblett and Butler will test the waters. Unless Niblett gets more involved on O. 

RB I do agree, they need a difference maker. 

[Alex Butler]

20 minutes ago, hookemholds said:

Also question about the state of the program. How big of a role do we see Justus Terry seeing next year? I know he has been working on gaining weight, but as a consensus Top 10 HS player I kinda hoped he’d see the field a little more

I had the same question about Justus Terry especially given the praise he was receiving prior to the season@Gerry Hamilton or @Bobby Burton

[AusMOJO]

2 minutes ago, LonghornFan4Ever said:

I saw him play a few snaps against Vandy.  Got some pressure a few times.  Next year, if he adds a good 15-20 pounds to his frame, they can slide him inside as a DT full time.  Right now, he's more of a hydrid EDGE/DT.

Yeah, most people think 290ish is his sweet spot, with his strength/explosiveness, he could be a real nightmare inside. Lots of talent coming back there, too. With January, Watson, Johnson and maybe Kanu. To add with Sharma and Charles. 

[LonghornFan4Ever]

24 minutes ago, AusMOJO said:

I don't think Texas will take a WR out of the portal. All your starting guys will be back, Moore, Wingo, Mosley and Livingstone. Then you add in Ffrench, Lockett, McCutcheon and the '26 Fr, there is no room in the budget to fit a WR guy. That is assuming that no one portals out, of course. I'm certain guys like Niblett and Butler will test the waters. Unless Niblett gets more involved on O. 

RB I do agree, they need a difference maker. 

I agree with Texas not taking a portal WR the more I think about it.  The only way that would make sense is if Moore goes pro after this season, and even then, I like what I have seen from McCutcheon so far in his limited snaps.  I know some have been frustrated with Wingo at times this season, but I think Sark is realizing a healthy Mosley is WR1 and Wingo should be used in ways that allow him to showcase his explosiveness.  Those swing passes against Mississippi State and Vanderbilt were things of beauty.

MosIey is the best pure WR on this roster imo.  He looks and plays the way a good WR should.  Livingstone has proven he's a good deep threat and reliable red zone target.  I think he needs to add 10-15 pounds to his frame to put him at 200-205 lbs.  I think another year of this group playing together would make them much better.  But from a roster management and NIL perspective, it only makes sense to grab a portal WR if Moore declares for the draft.

Edited 1 hour ago by LonghornFan4Ever

[watty7796]

Texas is really deep imo especially on the defensive side of the ball, but they will be without standout lb ant hill next season.  With Jonahs abilities could he be an option at olb and shake up the middle with one of the other guys playing olb this year?  Texas is also really deep at WR and TE.  Curious what the oline looks like for the 26 season and beyond.