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  • Friday Fun: Winter Workout Notes

    CJ Vogel

    By CJ Vogel

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    The Longhorns are fully under way in the winter conditioning period.

    I wanted to share some tidbits that came across my line on this beautiful Friday morning.

    ***

    We have mentioned it briefly on Coffee & Football, but there is a concerted effort being made by Quinn Ewers to take this team under his wing. Essentially establishing it as his team so far during winter conditioning.

    I have heard a pair of positives in regards to early enrollee wide receivers: First, Ryan Wingo is looking the part physically. That was a given coming in, but early on in conditioning he has been holding his own in what has become a crowded WR room. His quickness is really standing out in drills.

    Also, the straight line speed of Parker Livingstone was noted. 

    On the defensive side of the ball, you can expect to hear Anthony Hill Jr.'s name early and often this offseason as an emerging leader for the Texas defense. He is a tremendous competitor and there are sky high expectations for Hill during his time on the 40 Acres. 

    Also on the LB front, David Gbenda looks like he has not skipped a beat from the season. Gbenda has remained very active in training sessions and in the weight room since the season and that was something pointed out to me as well. The expectation for Gbenda is to take firm control of the MIKE backer spot.

    DT Alex January is the lone early enrollee on the interior defensive line to begin winter conditioning. There is going to be a lot asked of him ahead of spring football to get him as close to physically ready as possible. So far, he has impressed

     

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    Ojeezy

    In the base defense if Gbenda is at Mike, who are the other starting LBs on the field? I know Ant Hill is one of the others but wondering about positional fit with another LB worked in. 

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    CJ Vogel
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    1 minute ago, Ojeezy said:

    In the base defense if Gbenda is at Mike, who are the other starting LBs on the field? I know Ant Hill is one of the others but wondering about positional fit with another LB worked in. 

    Gbenda and Hill were both at WILL last year. Gbenda and Lefau (even Blackshire) will battle for the spot opposite of Hill in 2024. Morice Blackwell will man the SAM, finding other depth behind him will be critical for the spring.

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    Ace Recruiter

    Thanks for the update CJ. Keep up the great work.

    Akana is a second year player who didn't get much run last year, but he is also a bit old for his classification. I was hoping for a big jump from him this year.  Any word on his progress?

    Edited by Ace Recruiter
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    1 hour ago, Ace Recruiter said:

    Thanks for the update CJ. Keep up the great work.

    Akana is a second year player who didn't get much run last year, but he is also a bit old for his classification. I was hoping for a big jump from him this year.  Any word on his progress?

    Akana needed about 40 lbs of muscle added when he stepped on campus last year. That remains the biggest development for him: getting physically ready for big time college football. 

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    1 hour ago, GotElmodontcare said:

    Really Hoping Gullette can take over a LB role as he took a step in bowl practices. He seems to be fully recovered from acl. 

    It'd be a welcomed development no doubt about it.

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    uthorn1374

    CJ, can you give a quick stack at LB depth chart?

    Mike - Gbenda, Blackshire, Lefau, Burrell 

    Will - Hill, Gullette, Smith

    Sam - Blackwell ?

    Buck - Moore, Simmons, Walton, Akana

    is this how you see it?

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    ryantnelson02

    Do we think Ryan Wingo can play every WR position? From his HS tape I think he can play anywhere on the offense he isn't just a straight-line athlete. I would love to see reps with him as a Big Slot attacking SEC defenses. That would be devastating! 

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    4 minutes ago, uthorn1374 said:

    CJ, can you give a quick stack at LB depth chart?

    Mike - Gbenda, Blackshire, Lefau, Burrell 

    Will - Hill, Gullette, Smith

    Sam - Blackwell ?

    Buck - Moore, Simmons, Walton, Akana

    is this how you see it?

    Feels pretty close. I wonder if the path to the field for Gullette isn't at SAM originally – he will have the athleticism necessary and there's a quicker path. S'Maje Burrell was at MIKE last year early in the season if I remember correctly.

    Spring football will clarify this picture, but I would expect Lefau to be LB3 going into that live window.

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    8 minutes ago, ryantnelson02 said:

    Do we think Ryan Wingo can play every WR position? From his HS tape I think he can play anywhere on the offense he isn't just a straight-line athlete. I would love to see reps with him as a Big Slot attacking SEC defenses. That would be devastating! 

    I didn't originally, then he was used solely out of the slot at the All American Bowl practices in San Antonio and now I think he is an option for anywhere in the offense. He's a complete WR prospect. Eager to get those first practice returns to see how he matches against guys like Jahdae, Brooks and Muhammad.

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    Bobby Burton
    2 hours ago, TexasLonghorns said:

    Anything on the portal guys, Mukuba, Bolden, etc…

    Just a reminder, Bolden is not on campus until summer.

    I’ll ask around about the portal guys. 

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    AusMOJO
    11 hours ago, jay____l said:

    I'm hoping to hear some good updates on Colin Simmons in the next couple months. That dude is going to be a star. 

    I think they ease him into things like they did Hill, I think there is enough at Edge that I feel confident not to rely on a Fr straight away. But if he shows out and continues to get better, they'll have a hard time not getting him on the field.

    Funnily enough, I'm expecting Burke to have a huge year. Add some more good weight, continue to improve and have a really big Jr campaign. Sorrell, too. Think he's kind of hit a ceiling but I think he can be good for us. Same with the addition of Moore. I also think Vasek with a strong off-season can earn some playing time. 

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    cochamps
    On 1/26/2024 at 3:14 PM, jay____l said:

    I'm hoping to hear some good updates on Colin Simmons in the next couple months. That dude is going to be a star. 

    Thank you for spelling his name correctly.  It's a small thing, but I saw him correct someone who used "double L's".  

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    GotElmodontcare
    On 1/26/2024 at 12:42 PM, uthorn1374 said:

    CJ, can you give a quick stack at LB depth chart?

    Mike - Gbenda, Blackshire, Lefau, Burrell 

    Will - Hill, Gullette, Smith

    Sam - Blackwell ?

    Buck - Moore, Simmons, Walton, Akana

    is this how you see it?

    Are you moving Burke to Jack. Sorrell is there and Tapp behind him. Vasek behind Tapp. We are a little full on the edges. I actually wanted Sorrell to move on so Tapp could get his shot. Sorrell just doesn’t get enough sacks. I do appreciate him setting the edge. But we need more pressure. It’s the main reason Penix was so accurate. Had all day. Will be interesting to see what they do with Burke as Moore and sImmons need to play. Especially Moore. 

    Edited by GotElmodontcare
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