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  • In The Pipeline | Trenches

    CJ Vogel

    By CJ Vogel

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    National Signing Day threw a wrench into the schedule of the In The Pipeline series we have going on, but have no fear, we are doubling up today on the posts for this series.

    Thus far, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end have been covered for the 2024 season and beyond. As we progress down the roster, we arrive to the biggest (literally) group on roster – the offensive line and defensive line. Focusing solely on interior guys for the defensive side of the ball.

    So, let's get to it.

    Offensive Line

    On Roster: Banks-Conner-Majors-Campbell-Williams | Hutson, Umeozulu, Goosby, Chatman, Kirkland, Robertson, Stroh, Cojoe, Baker, Kibble, Cruz

    Coming Soon: Potentially 4-5 in 2025

    For 2024: The offensive line took a noticeable step forward in 2023 with the core of the lineup returning for a second year together. As we sit more than 200 days away from the opening kickoff, it is looking like the offensive line will once again be making a move in the right direction as a result of continuity in the starting group. Four of five starters from a year ago return, plus I believe big Cam Williams is a shoe-in for the right tackle spot. Now, there are interesting theories to ponder about right now at left guard and right tackle. Could there be some movement there to shore up depth? Potentially. We will see this spring what kind of push Texas gets from Cole Hutson and Neto Umeozulu, two guys with playing experience. But regardless, the offensive line is set up beautifully for a third year Quinn Ewers and a stable of running backs eager to get their first full share of touches.

    Beyond: You can expect to see Jake Majors, Hayden Conner and Kelvin Banks depart following the 2024 season. Texas will be able to boast about their first 1st round offensive lineman drafted since the ice age with Banks. Luckily, attrition has yet to be an issue for the Longhorns here (*knock on wood*). Daniel Cruz and Connor Robertson will battle for the center spot. At the tackle spot, it is expected a third year Trevor Goosby will be the favorite to take over left tackle with a returning Cam Williams at right tackle. Think about that for a second, Texas' tackle duo for the 2025 season could average 6-feet-7-inches and over 335 pounds. Not too bad. I would think DJ Campbell returns for 2025 unless he lights the world on fire this fall, which leads to one of Umeozulu or Hutson to man the right guard spot. By all accounts, an experienced offensive line remains. Toss in five-star Brandon Baker into the mix as well somewhere and the pipeline is tremendous.

     

    Defensive Line:

    On Roster: Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, Tiaoalii Savea, Sydir Mitchell, Aaron Bryant, Jaray Bledsoe, Alex January, Melvin Hills

    Coming Soon: Brandon Brown

    For 2024: Well, this will be an interesting spot for the 2024 Longhorns. I, for one, am not as bearish on this group as many. Yes, Texas will likely need to add a piece to this room before the season begins – that is best case scenario. But I do feel like this group won't be a glaring weakness with the current pieces in the room. Now, how will they perform? I guess that is up to Coach Baker and his preparation for the unit as a whole. But there is experience here. Alfred Collins was a plus on the D-Line last year and Vernon Broughton's strength has been stopping the run. Add in Savea who has nearly 550 snaps of live action over the last two seasons, and there is a quality depth spot there. The biggest question to me is how often you can rely on Aaron Bryant who found his way into the rotation for the Sugar Bowl. January on campus early helps as well. If, and I want to get ahead of this, Texas finds an extra gear with Jaray Bledsoe, I will be comfortable with this unit in year one in the SEC. It won't be a plus, but it will be enough to not lose games this fall.

    Beyond: This group will be needing some portal work in 2024 after the season. Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton will depart after the season and the cupboard isn't exactly stocked. A big recruiting class is needed, but it won't bridge the gap quickly. Most of us are rather excited about what Alex January can bring to the table here as well. Texas is going to need to do some real work to reconstruct the defensive line room for 2025 and beyond. Luckily, if Jaray Bledsoe can add the necessary weight, he can be a real contributor for the Longhorns in the meantime. But until then, Kenny Baker will have his work cutout for him.

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    HookemHorns

    Agree the worry isn’t with this year, it’s 2025 that will be worrisome at IDL. I do believe Bledsoe will surprise to the upside, he really flashed last year IMO

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    CJ Vogel
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    9 minutes ago, HookemHorns said:

    Agree the worry isn’t with this year, it’s 2025 that will be worrisome at IDL. I do believe Bledsoe will surprise to the upside, he really flashed last year IMO

    If Bledsoe can come along, the addition of him, Mitchell, January and Bryant will be encouraging. It will be a good base for Texas to work with for 2025.

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    Bobby Burton
    1 minute ago, DanielOnorato said:

    Any chance Hayden Conner would stay an additional year and get work at center? Great write up!

    I definitely don't see the center position being a long-term play for him, even though he was a potential emergency player there this year and last.

    As for an extra year, I could perhaps see that.

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    29 minutes ago, DanielOnorato said:

    Any chance Hayden Conner would stay an additional year and get work at center? Great write up!

    I don't think so. Hutson, Robertson, Cruz each have better body types there as well.

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    BurntOrangeHorn
    11 minutes ago, Bobby Burton said:

    They're listed on the roster.

    Yes, but the question is who will make it onti the field?  The best OL class in UT history will start dispersing next year to the NFL.

    Who will back fill?

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    uthorn1374
    2 hours ago, Bobby Burton said:

    Really enjoyed this CJ.

    I think Hutson may get a look at center following Major as well.

    My thoughts exactly.  Would like to see Conner and Williams compete at RT and Hutson and Neto at LG.  We need to get Neto on the field soon, but I think he may be content with one more of waiting and starting in 2025.  Hutson and Williams both only have two years left, so it'll be interesting to see how the staff values Conner.  Banks-Neto-Majors-Campbell-Williams would be nasty. 

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    uthorn1374

    Glad to finally hear something on Bryant.  Seems like he was always an afterthought similar to Swanson.  Crazy how Swanson can't seem to get up to 300 lbs. to be a contributor.

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    codaxx

    codaxx 283

    Posted (edited)

    Here is the PFF grades on the DTs from Last year:

                        overall    rDef     Prsh

    Sweat            91.7      92.0     85.3

    Murphy         91.1      80.5     91.5

    Collins           80.0      71.5     80.8

    Trill Carter      67.1     65.0     63.1

    BRoughton    67.0     69.6     63.3

    Bledsoe         62.5     64.0     63.4

     

    other guys didnt have enough snaps to make it worth sharing. Bit surprising that Broughton and Bledsoe werent better pass rushers, given their athleticism

    Michigan DTs that people are circling like Vultures

                    overall    rDef     Prsh

    Graham     90.2      87.2      86.4

    Grant         79.9     72.0      78.6

    Edited by codaxx
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    goathumper
    1 hour ago, codaxx said:

    Here is the PFF grades on the DTs from Last year:

                        overall    rDef     Prsh

    Sweat            91.7      92.0     85.3

    Murphy         91.1      80.5     91.5

    Collins           80.0      71.5     80.8

    Trill Carter      67.1     65.0     63.1

    BRoughton    67.0     69.6     63.3

    Bledsoe         62.5     64.0     63.4

     

    other guys didnt have enough snaps to make it worth sharing. Bit surprising that Broughton and Bledsoe werent better pass rushers, given their athleticism

    Michigan DTs that people are circling like Vultures

                    overall    rDef     Prsh

    Graham     90.2      87.2      86.4

    Grant         79.9     72.0      78.6

     

    https://twitter.com/TheWolverineOn3/status/1754999870253834450/video/1 

     

    Getting either of those guys would put Texas into the national favorite contenders list with Ohio State and UGA

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    Lam Dinh

    It looks like we need another ~2 interior DL from the portal for this upcoming 2024 season, even if they are not immediate starter caliber players. As defensive linemen have a longer development curve than other positions, the cupboard looks a little bare for the 2025 season with only 5 scholarship players (none of which have played any meaningful snaps as we sit here in February of 2024). I think the Spring Portal will be important to snag at least 1-2 developmental DLs even if we can't land a big fish of the Mason Graham variety.

    Remember, there are usually fewer big body DLs in the transfer portal than other positions like WR. We can't sustainably expect to pluck DLs from the transfer portal to make up for gaps in HS recruiting. Case in point, On3 had 24 4-star WRs in the portal this last cycle, but only 7 4-star DLs available. Big difference in supply of big men.

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    goathumper
    3 hours ago, uthorn1374 said:

    My thoughts exactly.  Would like to see Conner and Williams compete at RT and Hutson and Neto at LG.  We need to get Neto on the field soon, but I think he may be content with one more of waiting and starting in 2025.  Hutson and Williams both only have two years left, so it'll be interesting to see how the staff values Conner.  Banks-Neto-Majors-Campbell-Williams would be nasty. 

    Hutson is a damn good football player. 

     

    Conner imo is an average player who knows the assignments. If Cam Williams cant get his body right, Conner is there to set a decent floor at RT 

     

    OL is in a really nice spot overal

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    Bwub60
    5 hours ago, codaxx said:

    Here is the PFF grades on the DTs from Last year:

                        overall    rDef     Prsh

    Sweat            91.7      92.0     85.3

    Murphy         91.1      80.5     91.5

    Collins           80.0      71.5     80.8

    Trill Carter      67.1     65.0     63.1

    BRoughton    67.0     69.6     63.3

    Bledsoe         62.5     64.0     63.4

     

    other guys didnt have enough snaps to make it worth sharing. Bit surprising that Broughton and Bledsoe werent better pass rushers, given their athleticism

    Michigan DTs that people are circling like Vultures

                    overall    rDef     Prsh

    Graham     90.2      87.2      86.4

    Grant         79.9     72.0      78.6

    I thought Broughton was decent in pass rush. He just had elite players in front of him. Bledsoe still looked pretty raw last year but looks to have alot of burst.

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    Baron
    7 hours ago, BurntOrangeHorn said:

    Yes, but the question is who will make it onti the field?  The best OL class in UT history will start dispersing next year to the NFL.

    Who will back fill?

    Woah there Hoss. There are several lines that played for Texas in the last 50+ years that rival this one. 

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    BurntOrangeHorn
    3 hours ago, Baron said:

    Woah there Hoss. There are several lines that played for Texas in the last 50+ years that rival this one. 

    Yes, but few as good as what Texas has now.  I personally would hope Flood can keep it at a high level.  So who do you think will step in for the 2025 OL?

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