CJ Vogel

It fits!

Right around the corner!

I would think the staff is sick of losing out on recruits. And you all know the definition of insanity right?

I get it though. The guys Sarkisian and Jackson are pursuing out of the portal likely have NFL futures and tremendous malleability if you are able to land them out of HS. Luckily, and to your point, WR is the deepest position in the portal and there will almost never be a shortage there. Plus, Sarkisian's offense is very attractive to many WR.

Example of the YAC and body control on the short pass attempts.

Want to get a little more of a sneak peek in the next few weeks of what some of the new additions to the Texas roster in 2024. As we near the beginning of training camp, you will begin to hear more and more of newcomers and the roles they are beginning to fill. Today, I wanted to start with Oregon State transfer WR Silas Bolden. After going through all of the opening drives Sarkisian and the Longhorns had in 2023, I am left with the belief that you will see a lot of Silas Bolden early in ballgames. Texas ran some sort of a screen play on nearly 18% of their plays on opening drives a year ago. It is not uncommon for Sarkisian to get his quarterbacks into rhythm early by seeing an easy throw and catch via a screen or short pass attempt. *** Looking back at Bolden's numbers in 2023, I was actually a bit surprised by how little he was used behind the LOS. 80 total targets 17 – beyond 20 yards 25 – between 11–20 yards 31 – between 0–9 yards 7 – behind LOS Where Bolden did his most damage was under 10 yards. On 31 targets, he hauled in 25 passes for an 80.6% rate. And though, only seven of his targets came behind the LOS, he had a tremendous YAC rate. Now, YAC rates are skewed on these types of pass plays as you can only really go forward, but an 11.7 YPC rate on screens behind the LOS is certainly noteworthy. For comparison, Xavier Worthy had a 9.9 YPC mark on 26 receptions coming from 29 targets in 2023. On deep throws: Bolden is an interesting case study on deep pass attempts. He was targeted 17 times beyond 20 yards downfield, though only hauled in five receptions. Not a great hit rate. But looking further into the numbers, and well it is not much of a surprise as to why. Among those 17 targets, only two were classified as 'contested' by PFF. Meaning either Bolden was able to haul in the pass whilst being open downfield, or the ball was poorly thrown. Center of the Field That intermediate range is where Bolden made his money a year ago, and luckily for him, he is now matched up with the best in the country at throwing passes between 10–20 yards. Bolden on passes between 0-20 yards over the middle of the field: 56 targets 40 receptions 71.4% completion 466 yards 11.65 YPC Most importantly above anything else, only two drops on 80 targets in 2023. Reliable with plenty of room for explosivity in 2024. I would expect to see plenty of Silas Bolden early on in the season and more specifically, early in ballgames throughout the season.

Wonder if his mind has changed in the last 3 weeks...

I would not consider him to be on the tier of Tanook Hines, Kelshaun Johnson and Daylan McCutcheon. Good prospect, just a bit lower on the board.

Bringing in experience in this realm of roster construction and payroll management certainly does not hurt.

I am actually a fan of this. Have your player personnel and coaching staff prioritize players by overall need, position emphasis, and ranking in each position and let someone, or a team, who have done it at the NFL level maneuver through the intricacies of building a roster. It feels brilliant to me.

We all know change is coming at some point to college football and more specifically the world of NIL. The Oklahoma Sooners have made an interesting move to get out ahead of what could be known as the salary cap era when it comes to NIL. 'General Managers' have popped up in college football this offseason, but in terms of spending the actual allocation of funds on prospects, this takes it to a whole 'nother level.

Oregon green is different.

Well that's great.

I would love Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State. Maybe Nebraska if they ever prove to be competent again.

My favorite winter coat.

Dare I say... Texas Tech.

LT Kelvin Banks (94 ovr) is the highest rated Texas player in College Football 25. Quinn Ewers is the third highest rated QB in the game – behind Carson Beck and Shedeur Sanders.

Never know with baseball because it is not a full scholarship being used on the player being added. It almost doesn't even matter anymore with NIL.

It mattered much more about 5-7 years ago. You saw TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Texas go all in on locker rooms and amenities inside of the facilities. Now, it is a bit less with NIL taking over the No. 1 priority.

Coincidence.

Tilmon on his Texas OV.

Tilmon decommitted from SMU on June 23.

Tilmon's Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16283440/655036b6c11a7e045c43b8a8

2025 Mansfield Timberview DB Nathan Tilmon has dropped his final three ahead of his upcoming decision. Tilmon took an official visit to Texas during June 18–20. The defensive back boasts a 10.7 100m time in the spring. Tilmon will make his college decision between Texas, TCU and Utah – the exact same final three of North Crowley LB Jonathan Cunningham.

Yep. Waiting on the demolition and beginning of construction. The mock ups are tremendous.