codaxx

I am not Bobby, but I think Wingo is a superior prospect to Cook from a physical stand point. It will be interesting to see how he develops

I would not be surprised, if he is the starting NT by the end of camp

My point is the staff needs to make plans for the season that don’t require a 2 gapping DT in the portal. It would be great, but there is no guarantee that type of player shows up or Texas wins that recruitment. If you are asking Collins/Broughton/Bledsoe to 2 gap, success is not likely. They are all guys capable of shooting gaps and stunting in ways the Murphy and Sweat could not. Long story short, PK may need to make some adjustments to get the most out of his defense.

There is more than 1 way to skin a cat. This is one of the most athletic DT rooms Texas has had in a long time. If they dont get the magic elixir from the portal, which is not going to be a lock. Lets face it, every team in America is going to make a push for a top tier DT, if one comes available. PK, Baker, and Nansen are going to have to sit down and have long conversation. Sweat was a true NT, but Murphy was more of 4 man front DT. There is talent in the DT room, it is just a different type than Sweat. You have to put them in the right situations to highlight those talents.

I would guess that the staff is looking for a specific type also. Not sure they would trip over themselves to grab a quicker 1 gap DT.

Sark being honest on weight. Not a fan of Sydir, Blackshire, or Red's current weight

Just one thing. Texas did not use the NT and DT in traditional fashion last year. Sweat was the big 2 gapping player. Murphy was doing a lot more shooting gaps. Opposite of what you would expect based on the positional names.

Very interested to see how the staff prepares the defense in the spring. Do you go along with the same style of DL play, knowing it is probably not a fit for what you have on the current roster, hoping you hit big in the portal this summer. Do you install more movement along the front, knowing the portal may make you backtrack?

@Gerry Hamilton. I have to ask, why did the industry go to "EDGE" (all caps)? The old system was much more descriptive and useful. Top 15 EDGE players range from 270 to 210 pounds. Was 100x times better when it was SDE or WDE/OLB..

Just an aside, but I do think it would be interesting to go over floors and ceilings of each unit. DT probably has the widest gap between floor and ceiling on the team. Edge might have the tightest (I would shocked if it was not at least SEC average, but also surprised if it was a top 3 unit in the SEC).

I agree on the EDGE. They are generally very solid play to play, but dont make many splash plays. The floor is very high. They should be one of the better units vs the rush on the team, which will help the interior. They become an elite group, if one of them develops into a high level pass rusher.

I think the secondary should be the leader of the defense. I think people are over-estimating the LB corp right now. There are a lot of questions there. There is not a Ford there this year, that can set the floor for the group. Its not a lock that Texas will get above average SEC LB play from either spot

I didnt really focus on him much. He was around 230 pounds last year for Bama. Willing blocker, but not a very good blocker from what I saw. He really just needs to not be a liability in the run game.

The #1 thing I want to see is the defensive philosophy this year. There has been talk of using more single high. I think we will see Nansen's fingerprints on the 2024 defense. He ran a much more complex defense at Zona. Lot more varied coverages and movement. Those things should match the 2024 defense better. Current DTs are 1 gap players. The secondary is older and more athletic. I want to see Ant Hill. Does he take the step from inconsistent, but talented player that flashes to a consistent high level player. Bledsoe- does he start to approach his ceiling RB- can someone step up and become a workhorse? Makuba/Barron- Does Makuba go to safety and Barron stay at Nickel or will there be a different shuffle. (Barron supposedly coming back to play more CB) TE- Can Niblack block well enough to stay on the field or is he just a limited specialist?

I have not really looked, but that seems right. There is talent in the room, but there is not a proven commodity in that room.

The one I would love to hear is Deshon Elliot. He would be a hell of an interview

better than DB Jelani McDonald – Sophomore The versatile secondary member is now firmly in the boat at the safety position which is something I am very much a fan of. McDonald was previously split between linebacker, safety and potentially cornerback when he first arrived in Austin, and now Blake Gideon is in charge of molding his hands into a big-time ballhawk

based on the list I am going to go with Bledsoe and Neto. I like Moore, Roberson and McDonald, but there path to extensive play time is going to be tough. Bledsoe has the easiest path of the bunch. I would add Baxter. Someone is going to grab the RB job this year, he might as well be the guess. Guy I will be watching is Guilette. HE was a freak of an athlete prior to the injury. I dont think he will be a big break-out candidate, but I guy who might slowly come on during the season and get fans excited with some flash plays.

There is more experience there and proven play in the secondary, than at LB or DL. If the secondary is problem this year, the defense is likely to be a major issue

This is the first year in Sark’s tenure that the secondary should be the strength of the defense

Bledoe is up to 293 pounds. He is a tackle all the way and maybe the best pound for pound athlete in the program. His play could range from jag to all-conference. Talent is there, we are just going to have to wait to see how close he is to ceiling.

This is not true. Conner moves well for a guard, He struggles with his base. He is not the most powerful guy on the OL. He may not be an All-Conference level player, but he does have 27 starts for the program. The OL was not an issue last year and he started every game. Can Texas upgrade? Sure. Is he a guy you want out of the program? Hell, no. If he doesnt win the RT job (i dont think he does), he is still likely to be the 1st or 2nd guy off the bench.. That has huge value.

You need guys like Conner. Texas has been very healthy the last 2 years on the OL, you can not expect that to happen every year. That is guy that can play 4 spots. He may not start game one, but there is a good chance he starts at least one game

I am not sure he can do that effectively. That was Sweats biggest issue. It was the biggest knock on him, when I looked at the scouting reports for the draft. That is a 5 year player.

The question is how many consecutive snaps can he play at that weight?