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    Bobby Burton

    Emptying the Notebook

    By Bobby Burton, in Articles,

    News and notes on various aspects of the team and its players. It's what we call emptying the notebook.
    **
    Jaray Bledsoe - "Looks great."
    Alex January - "He's going to play this year."
    Sydir Mitchell - "Improving. Body looks a little better."
    **
    The two freshman offensive linemen were singled out.
    Brandon Baker is said to be an outstanding athlete and his off-field, weight-room demeanor has been similar to that of Kelvin Banks when Banks first arrived.
    After the glowing about Baker finished, the source was quick to mention the professional demeanor of Daniel Cruz as well.
    "Those two are keepers," the source said.
    **
    The source felt J'Mond Tapp "was coming on", specifically becoming a smarter player. He's always had the physical tools, but just needed to add good weight and play within the framework of the defense. He could be an X factor for the Texas D this year.
    **
    Anthony Hill Jr. - "He's locked in. He looks great."
    **
    Isaiah Bond - "Has some diva to him like a lot of wideouts. But he's not that way when he gets on the football field. Intentional worker."
    **
    Billy Walton - "Looks great. Really great athlete."
    Tausili Akana - "A little small. Needs to add good weight. Working at SAM and edge."
    **
    Jake Majors - "Really had a good year last year. Did not go to the ground nearly as much. Have to give him credit, he's really made something of himself. You can count on him."
    **
    Tiaoalii Savea - "Better version of Trill Carter."
    **
    Team thoughts:
    - Still concerned about stopping the run.
    - Speed on offense is different this year.
    - Need one or two interior DLs in the portal.
    **
    I'll share more as I get more...
     
    CJ Vogel
    The on-field tests at the 2024 NFL Combine begin on Thursday, meaning it is time to make some money for the Texas draft hopefuls in attendance.
    As we know, there will be 11 Longhorns in Indianapolis this weekend to perform in front of NFL Scouts and Executives. With less than two months from the NFL Draft, the Combine poses as one last master interview opportunity before Pro Days. More specifically, which one drill means the most for each of the Texas combine attendees?
    ***
    RB Jonathon Brooks – Interviews
    Brooks is still recovering from his ACL injury and won't be participating in on-field drills unfortunately.
    RB Keilan Robinson – 40-yard Dash
    The Combine is a great chance for Robinson to put some big testing numbers on paper here. While I find it a bit of a climb to get into the Draft, Robinson has plenty of tape here to suggest he can make a roster from a special teams perspective.
    WR Adonai Mitchell – 40-yard Dash
    If AD Mitchell can put a low 4.5 of 4.4 time together at the combine, he will be a first round pick. He has the hands and the tape to put his name in the mix already, an elite 40 will put him over the top and into the first round.
    WR Xavier Worthy – WR Gauntlet
    We know Worthy is going to test well in the 40 and there will be good enough times in the agility stations. It is time for Worthy to silence doubters about his hands and put on a show in the gauntlet.
    WR Jordan Whittington – 20-Yard Shuttle
    Not performing at the Senior Bowl means this week gets even more important for J-Whitt. I have no doubt Whittington will perform well in the wide receiver drills with the quarterbacks, but I do wonder how his numbers will stack up testing wise, more so in the short distance and quick agility testing.
    TE Ja'Tavion Sanders – Bench Press
    Listen, I don't think Sanders has questions surrounding how strong he is, more so with his level of physicality. At the pro level, there must be a balance of production in the run and pass games at the tight end spot and Sanders putting up a big number on the bench can help alleviate those concerns about his willingness as a blocker.
    OL Christian Jones – Bench Press
    Starting 48 career games at the collegiate level has been huge for Jones' development. With the soccer background, I expect the testing times to be good enough. Question then turns to strength and the bench press can help his case.
    DL T'Vondre Sweat – Weigh-in
    It feels simple, but Sweat raised some question marks at the senior bowl weekend when he opted against the weigh-in. We know the tape will back up anything else that might be questioned on the field, but right now it is all about getting to a playing weight that NFL scouts feel appropriate.
    DL Byron Murphy – 3-Cone Drill
    There won't be many question marks with Murphy at the combine. He will put up big numbers on bench and I expect he surprises people in the broad jump. Murphy can really make some money and cement himself in the 1st round with a stellar three-cone drill.
    LB Jaylan Ford – 60-yard Shuttle
    I had this conversation over the weekend about the comparison of Jaylan Ford to Demarvion Overshown. While Overshown was the more athletic prospect, Ford had a deeper bag of statistics and on-field accomplishments. If Ford can put together any sliver of testing times that mirror that of Overshown, he will be a 3rd-4th round pick to me. Starts with the sideline to sideline speed. 
    DB Ryan Watts – 10-Yard split in the 40
    I wanted to get a bit more specific for Watts rather than saying just the 40. Of course we know how important showing off the top-end speed will be for Watts at the Combine. He has the analytical numbers that help his case for long distance speed, but the NFL needs quick burst more than anything – especially at DB. 
     
    CJ Vogel
    The Texas staff has offered 2025 Warner Robbins (GA) defensive end Isaiah Gibson.
    The 6-foot-4 edge prospect is the latest in the cycle to report an offer from the Texas Longhorn staff. Interestingly here, the offer was extended by Texas RB coach Tashard Choice who obviously has deep ties to the Georgia area.
    Gibson was recently ranked as a top 25 national prospect per On3. It is not an easy task to pull an elite prospect out of the Peach State, but the Longhorns are officially in the running here.
     
    CJ Vogel
    I checked in over the weekend to get an update on portal transfer addition Amari Niblack since his addition to the program.
    Since joining the program, I have been told Niblack has had a seamless transition. Of course, it never hurts adding a contributing piece from an Alabama program that had been the gold standard under Nick Saban.
    Niblack played the 2023 season in the 230-235 pound range. Since the conclusion of the season, Niblack has been working to add to his frame. I have been told Niblack will enter the spring season at 245 pounds after adding to his frame since December.
    The key here is making sure the speed remains, however, you can now expect there to be plenty of mass to be a contributor in the trenches.
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