codaxx

Big Personnel- I think the one thing overlooked in big personnel was how successful Texas threw out of it. They threw the ball better, then they ran the ball. If Sark is looking to get big to throw the ball (hunt match-ups), he will probably need to include NiBlack. Sanders was a mismatch vs LBs and Safeties in 12 personnel last year. I am not sure Helm can offer that. It’s been awhile, but I believe Sark ran a decent amount of that vs Bama and Sanders had a big game. This is probably a game by game discussion, but I agree. High level, what is going to be the strength of the offense? It’s likely Quinn, pass blocking, and speed at the skill positions.. The run game struggled last year in short yardage situations. That is probably a better indicator of an offenses ability to impose their will, than total rush yards. The Run game usually got going by opposing defensive schemes (playing deep) or late in the game after the offense had been successful and tired a defense out (Bama).

I still think finding/developing a proper 1 tech is the biggest issue for the defensive staff this year. Washington game unfortunately pointed that out (they decided to go for it on 4th and 1 in their territory, when they noticed Carter and Broughton at DT). Collins’ impact would be lessened if he was forced to play out of position at Nose.

Texas is basically a 2-4-5 base, which looks like a 4-2-5 defense. There are 2 true DL (DTs). 2 ILBs and 2 OLBs (Jack and Buck). Buck tends to drop a bit more, but both will drop from time to time. Having smaller more athletic ends (opposed to a traditional SDE) gives the defense more versatility. On a standard 4 man rush Texas has multiple options. 2 DTs are coming, but 2 of the 4 LBs can come. Standard is 2 DTs and 2 OLBs (Jack and Buck) or something like 2 DTs, Mike, and Jack (Will and Buck dropping). Idea is to add some confusion to the OL, without adding risk (still dropping 7).. Vic Fangio runs a lot of this look in the NFL, which brings us full circle to the new DL hire (Fangio also teaches a gap and a half to his DL).

I think Sark is going to be Sark.. I think last year is a good blueprint. He wants to come out throwing the ball. If he sees the defense playing 2 safeties deep and taking away the explosives, he will run the ball. I think the run game is generally his counter punch and finishing move. Maybe someone like @Rod Babers has the run/pass split for the 1st few series of each game, but I will bet it is something like 80/20 pass/run..

The offense is the fun one. I don’t really see a hole on the offense. The defense is the one that gets interesting. Does Texas have a 1 technique ready to play? Can one of the 3 techs slide over and play at a high level? Can both Hill and Gbenda step up and be a solid unit?

I think it is a bit everything. Big 10 suspended Harbaugh during their flight to Happy Valley. I think that galvanized the team. They made it into an us (Michigan) against the world. Every Michigan player, student, and alum was sending out BET on social media. That is different than a place like Bama, where the identity became the head coach.

not that uncommon. Kids grow and fill out. Quinn was the #1 rated QB and he doesnt have the prototype size.

I think we can all get onboard with having expectations for Simmons to be an impactful starter for a 2 years. It is the year 1 expectations that we do not see eye to eye. I dont think we see Colin near his ceiling until 2026. He has 5 star production and athleticism. He does not have the proto-typical size, so I expect it will take some time for him to adjust. The run game will be a major issue for him in year 1. If he can not be trusted to hold the edge, he is not going to play a lot. His burst may get him time as a situational player, but physics are working against him for considerable play time. (225 pound Edge players, do not tend to hold their ground vs 325 pound OTs).

You cant compare Baker to Banks. Banks came in and had to beat a speed bump out for a starting position. Baker would have to jump a player that is will likely go in the 1st 2 rounds of the NFL draft. Baker is highly likely to get a redshirt this year. That doesnt mean he is a bust, just that there are older NFL players in front of him. Keep in mind you targeted 6 sacks for Simmons, Texas hasnt had someone get 6 sacks since Omenihu in 2018. You reference Hill, but he was rated one of the worst starters on the defense by PFF. He made flash plays that excited everyone for the future, but overall he was not even an average Big 12 LB with his play...

I am going to hope he gets up to about 235-240 for the season. I am kind of looking for a similar season to Ant Hill, with the realization that Buck is much deeper than LB last year, which is some nice flash plays coupled with a lot of learning experiences. I am not expecting to see him much on 1st and 2nd down as a freshmen, especially when Sorrell and Burke are solid vs the run the game. Hoping to see him in some sort of NASCAR type package (pass rushing package, where we see something like Moore and Simmons at the edges), if gets a lot more than that in normal game situations I will be thrilled.

Really hoping to hear Sydir looks like a new man and January is crushing the squat this spring..

All you can really do at this point. Nobody knows enough about him to have a strong opinion. He may be great, he may be terrible. I am sure this guy has some very knowledgeable people in his corner and gave some glowing recommendations. Sark interviewed him and liked what he heard. Recruiting is the biggest question mark . We are all going to find out in a couple years, if this was a good hire..

This seems like a bit of a roll of the dice. He is obviously respected. He went from HS, Chattanooga, WKU, to the Dolphins in short order. No idea if he can recruit.

I did not have that on my bingo card

I would say Quinn. He was arguably the MVP this year (probably him or X).. Texas is probably going to be pass first again, so I'll go with Bond (if we take QB out). defense is tough.. I like the Collins pick, because that would probably have a huge effect on the overall performance. To be different I'll go with a Safety. Mukuba or Williams.

Not Bobby, but I would say no. He was actually rated behind Gbenda and Ford by PFF.. More importantly if your DTs can not hold the LOS, your ILBs are going to struggle. Texas LBs played in one of the most friendly environments in all of CFB last year. You had 2 DTs that demanded double teams and rarely gave an inch. It was hard for OL to climb to the LBs with Sweat and Murphy in front of them. They were kept very clean. I dont care how good a LB is, he is going to struggle if the DTs are getting pushed back into him.

He is the DC at Oregon

The most impactful player may play the Nose. Texas has had the luxury of having a quality Nose for the last few years. Its the one spot on the front 7, that has me concerned. There is not much experience there. I am hoping Sydir makes a huge step this off-season. Hate to see Collins forced to play the nose. I shudder at the thought of Broughton there..

I think you could argue that the most impactful player returning in Muhammad. As a true freshmen, he was the best cover player in the secondary. That is at a premium position. I love Hill and I think he will be a star, but his play down to down was pretty inconsistent. I am just saying you have to predict a pretty big leap in production to say the best defender is Hill in 2024 (and it is definitely possible, based on his talent). I think people are seriously under-estimating the play of Collins last year. I believe he was ranked in the 20s by PFF for IDL in the country. Texas's edge at DT was the wave of NFL guys they could send at an OL. Collins could be very good and the position will still be less productive. I am not sure there is a nose that will play anywhere close to Murphy..

I was pretty shocked to see Anthony Hill dominating and no Williams or Muhammad on the list.. I had to go Jahdae.. I am not sure Ant is even the best LB returning based on the 2023 season. The potential is definitely there, just a matter of when the light goes on. If we are voting on potential, you have to include Derek Williams/Muhammad. Both of them graded out significantly higher, than Hill. Collins should be on the list. He finished the 3rd highest rated defender on the season for Texas by PFF (behind Sweat and Murphy). PFF ratings: Collins 80.0 Muhammad 78.5 Sorrell: 71.9 Barron: 71.5 Burke: 70.9 Gbenda: 68.8 Williams: 68.7 Brooks: 62.9 Hill: 60.1

I think the recruiting angle is a bit over-played. It would have been nice to have a coach for Junior day. This is the meet and greet phase of the recruiting season. It will heat up in the spring/summer. Once you missed Junior day, does it matter if it takes another week or 2? This is also a Texas team coming off a playoff berth. Kids may not always say yes, but they will at least listen to Texas

Texas was a pass first team last year. Defenses game planned the pass game and many times gave Texas favorable boxes. I do not expect that to change for next year. Texas had 3 NFL draft picks catching the ball last year, so hard to say that next year's receiving group will be better.

Anyone have insight on what happened with the Raiders on Okam?? He seems like the floor in search.

As long as Texas continues to produce NFL WRs, I am not going to get too worried about the position and its rotation

I know he said they recruited him at Buck, but he looking like a Jack already. Way too early, but finding an edge that has the size to set the edge and athleticism to rush the passer is invaluable.