Texas A&M’s message to football recruits is simple: Stay home.
Pass protection remains pivotal for Longhorns
AUSTIN — Consistency along the offensive line proved evasive for Texas last season. The rash of injuries began even before the season opener against Maryland and continued through to the regularseason finale against Texas Tech.
The biggest blow was the knee injury left tackle Connor Williams sustained in Week 3 against Southern Cal, but no position was completely spared. A spate of bad luck forced UT to trot out seven different offensive line configurations over the final 10 weeks. True freshman Derek Kerstetter made every single start at right tackle during that span, and he wasn’t expected to be much more than a crisis option prior to September.
Vahe the leader
The only thing close to a constant from the first snap of the season to the last was left guard Patrick Vahe. The veteran started 12 of 13 games, missing only UT’s 27-23 loss to Tech. Now back as the group’s elder statesman, the senior will be looked upon to spearhead this unit’s revival in 2018.
“One of the things I’m trying to do is be more vocal with them,” Vahe said. “Not only on the field but off the field, try to make sure they know what they’re doing every play. Knowing that you’ve got to give fanatical effort.
“At the same time, I’m trying to make sure not only do I talk, I show it too. When I come out to the field it’s more aggressive, more strict, more harsh. Making sure that we all understand the standards around here.”
But a line is only as good as its weakest link, and UT’s lack of depth has troubled Tom Herman. UT lost Williams, Tristan Nickelson, Terrell Cuney and Jake McMillon during the offseason and is still waiting for Mikey Grandy (concussion) and Patrick Hudson (ACL surgery) to get on the field.
“We have eight healthy scholarship O-lineman,” Herman said. “The twos were running with a walkon at center and a walk-on at left guard. So, we need Patrick Hudson to get healthy, we need Mikey Grandy to get healthy, and then the three scholarship guys in those twos, they’ve got to develop and start getting better.”
The looming arrival of Rice graduate transfer Calvin Anderson — expected to slide in at left tackle — along with Hudson’s return, gives Herman “hope,” but he’s also relying on new co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Herb Hand to get the most out of the three scholarship players currently running with the second unit.
Developing redshirt freshman Samuel Cosmi and red shirt sophomores Tope Imade and J.P. Urquidez could be vital to UT’s survival this season. Without proper pass protection and an adequate running game, the Longhorns’ offense could again hold down Todd Orlando’s defense. The Longhorns last season ranked among the lower half of the Big 12 in sacks allowed, pass efficiency, and rushing offense.
“Those three scholarship guys, they’re not freshmen anymore,” Herman said. “They need to start developing and improving. And as coaches we’ve got to find out what makes them tick, but they’ve got to be open to being coached.”
Trusting the process
Senior wide receiver Jerrod Heard is a believer in the process. He attested to witnessing subtle improvements already under Hand, enough to make him trust UT’s offense will be much improved in Herman’s second season.
“We know coach Hand, what he wants to do is get after it with the run schemes and the passing schemes and all that,” Heard said. “That’s with those O-linemen, you know. We lean a lot on those O-linemen and they’ve shown nothing but positive progression as well.
“We have so many strong guys on that front line. For guys like Vahe and those O-lineman that follow leadership under him, it’s just a great positive thing.”