Bobby Burton

Great breakdown CJ.

I think he's in the race, but he hasn't run as much with the ones as Neto. Hutson and Neto switched off some last week but Neto always went first.

It can be both. Good that Savea will help. Bad that no one else anchors as well as he does.

Good stuff, Blake!

Spoke to a couple of sources regarding Tuesday's practice and practice generally over the first seven sessions. Here are a few notes: - "Tre Wisner has two speeds -- standing still or full throttle. When he goes, he goes all out on every play." With a quote like that, it's easy to see why Steve Sarkisian praised the sophomore from DeSoto. - Ryan Wingo has been very good. He's still working on his route running but he is not backing down, he has not hit the freshman wall. - I asked for the biggest strength of the team, and received an interesting answer. "It's a talented team - really good talent - but these guys are not allergic to hard work. There's not a bunch of prima donnas running around. They know how to work, and they work hard. Really impressed by that." - The offensive line rotation continues to be just that, a rotation. Hayden Conner is back at left guard after spending a week as back-up center. But the position is a real battle right now. According to at least one source, Neto Umeozulu's week as a starter showed some stuff in the inside run game that could be a little different. But do not belittle the experience Conner brings to the unit. The right-side of the offensive line is relatively young and inexperienced whereas the left-side that includes Conner and Kelvin Banks will both be three-year starters. - Newcomer Tia Savea has been singled out as perhaps the best interior run stopper, at least thus far. "He probably anchors the best." - Unsurprisingly, tight end Amari Niblack is seeing more run with the 1s and 2s in live action. - We've mentioned Cedric Baxter's big practice on Friday. Well, more praise for him and running mate Jaydon Blue came this morning. Baxter is said to be using his weight and contact balance better and Blue has actually gained some good weight that has made him a little stronger on contact as well. Of course, Blue's speed continues to be a major asset for the offense. - Last but not least, two bits of news on Quinn Ewers. First, he clearly looks and feels more at ease as the QB at Texas and that seems to be translating on the field. That echoes the sentiments from Sark at his presser yesterday. But another piece of intel? That ease appears to be directly translating into quicker reads. Quicker reads are part of any QB's development, but definitely something identified by scouts as a piece that Ewers wanted to work on this off-season. View full news

I actually don't agree with this. Based on what I've seen at practice and what I've heard behind the scenes, there's an element of leadership MT brings to the position and to the team that makes him different.

I think he’s definitely headed in that direction and more.

He’s fighting for playing time at Star.

We’re two weeks in to spring practice. We’re hearing about some “movers” behind the scenes. And by that term, we mean players who are moving up the depth chart or who are changing the way they are perceived by teammates and coaches alike. Here’s a quick rundown. 1. Tre Wisner RB - while Wisner is likely to play third fiddle to the mix of Jaydon Blue and Cedric Baxter, he could also be forcing himself on the field in a role not all that dissimilar to Keilan Robinson. Wisner is even more versatile than Robinson, because of his ability to truly play the RB position. 2. Matthew Golden WR - Consistent and reliable. Those are the words folks are using to describe the Houston transfer. Perhaps that shouldn’t be surprising. But it’s still good to hear. 3. DeAndre Moore WR - an afterthought by some prior to spring ball, Moore has attacked practice like the game means something extra to him. Coaches and teammates have taken notice. 4. Amari Niblack/Gunnar Helm TE - anyone thinking Helm would be passed over by the arrival of Niblack are mistaken. The senior from Denver is set to play a lot in 2024. Likewise, Niblack is finding his own niche as a gifted receiver. Both are moving in the right direction. 5. Neto Umeozulu LG - his move forward really started late last season, but it hasn’t stopped since. For the first time in two years, there is very real competition for the starting left guard spot. 6. Alex January DT - January has already moved ahead of Sydir Mitchell in the DT pecking order in practice. 7. Trey Moore DE - even with two returning starters at defensive end, the Longhorns will not be able to keep the UTSA transfer off the field. 8. Colton Vasek - oft hampered by injury, Vasek is finally seeing some action and looking the part. 9. Derion Gullette LB - Gullette is starting to make plays during live action. 10. David Gbenda LB - He is clearly someone Steve Sarkisian and staff are counting on, which is a clear change from just two months ago. He and Anthony Hill are your game one starters. 11. Gavin Holmes CB - Holmes played the run too soft a year ago and it put him behind a newcomer like Manny Muhammad. This off-season Holmes has taken the constructive criticism to heart and is trying to mix it up more often to prove he’s not a liability in the run game 12. Jaylon Guilbeau Star - Guilbeau never really recovered from his knee injury two years ago. But now he’s performing at a better level. 13. Michael Taaffe - do not discount his presence in the secondary. A year ago, everyone thought he might play *some*. This year, he is making the move to become the leader of the secondary as well as a team leader. View full news

Your description of the push and pull between the administrators of NIL and the coaching staff is entirely apt. There's never enough because an abyss is bottomless. If a coach could have infinity, he'd want infinity plus more. Same for collectives. Interestingly, your contention about baseball's equity across roster being an issue is exactly why football doesn't do it that way. All players are not equal.

Not many yet. They have not done extensive team run in pads yet.

That won't be a problem. His size might be, but strength, technique and quickness are a major plus.

Blackshire would have to lose muscle to lose weight. He's built like a brick. I saw Red yesterday. He's still carrying a little extra. Sydir actually was bouncing around more yesterday IMO.

Good stuff, Gerry!

Watched him go through three different drills yesterday. Looks good, just behind Brooks for sure.

I don't really have anything.

Love offers like these. Put your hat in the ring. See what happens. Don't let Alabama and Auburn think you won't play in their backyard, too. Too long, Texas let other schools come to Texas instead of putting pressure on opposing schools in their own backyard.

Different guy at the mic than last year. No doubt. Things are slowing down for him IMO.

Sydir had more bounce today in practice. Good sign IMO.

Love this.

Looks the part early on. Still a ways to go.

Gets started in an hour or so.

Weight IMO.