Herman, Horns ready for a competitive camp
Texas opens training camp Monday. Here are a few things to watch as UT prepares for its first season under Tom Herman.
Whose QB job to lose?
Herman vowed to grant freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger “every opportunity” to beat out Shane Buechele in training camp.
Few expect the Austin Westlake product to commandeer the gig from Buechele, who threw for 2,958 yards and 21 touchdowns as a true freshman.
But by pitting the two against one another under the guise of an “open” competition, Herman can keep UT’s only two scholarship quarterbacks mentally sharp and engaged.
“That position, more than any, there needs to be competition,” Herman said. “You cannot rest. Especially for the guy that’s trying to do the chasing, that guy’s got to have hope.
“He’s got to have a light at the end of the tunnel. He’s got to have some belief that if he goes out and practices better than the guy that’s in front of him, then eventually he’s going to be able to be the starting quarterback.”
Buechele, who in June turned heads by winning the Manning Passing Academy’s quarterback challenge, looks the part of a potentially elite quarterback. Now Herman just needs him to act like it.
“Shane has done a marvelous job of coming in this summer and really trying to be more of a leader,” Herman said. “Last year he was a true freshman that was just trying to keep his head above water.
“This year we’ve challenged him, and I think that’s — it’s difficult for him because, A, he still sees himself as kind of the young kid. He’s a true sophomore. But, B, he’s a very humble, very mildmannered kind of guy.”
The strength of the team
Strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight might be UT’s offseason MVP.
McKnight, who followed Herman over from Houston, has drawn rave reviews from players and coaches.
“Our guys, actually when they go home now, there’s a lot of people that say, man, I don’t even recognize you,” Herman said. “You look good. You feel good. And our guys are very confident, and coach McKnight trains them physically and mentally every single day in perfect alignment for what we want to accomplish throughout the season.”
Those “fat” defensive lineman Herman called out months ago have forged new bodies in McKnight’s sweat-andsteel sanctuary.
Redshirt freshman Chris Daniels said he shed over 30 pounds; converted defensive tackle Tope Imade has reformed his physique.
Filling out the D-line
Herman has three defensive linemen he’s willing to go to battle with. Problem is, Herman can’t play those three the entire game.
“You can win with Malcolm Roach, Chris Nelson and definitely Poona Ford — he’s the hardest-playing guy we have on our football team,” Herman said. “The problem is, defensive guys can’t play 70-80 snaps a game.
“The pass rush becomes nonexistent at the end of the game, so you have to develop your second group.”
Daniels, D’Andre Christmas and Gerald Wilbon will be looked at to step up and alleviate Herman’s concerns in the trenches.
In the secondary, UT feels comfortable with nickel back P.J. Locke and projected starting safeties DeShon Elliott and Brandon Jones.
Cornerback depth looms as an issue, though.
“We’re pretty thin,” Herman said. “We’ve got three guys I feel halfway decent about putting in a game right now.”
UT needs a few faces to emerge behind Kris Boyd, Davante Davis and Holton Hill.
Other areas Herman will be searching for depth include tight end and offensive line, particularly right tackle.