Heat is on freshman class to adjust, then contribute
AUSTIN — The practice field might as well be on the surface of Mercury. Most of the competition is older and wiser, sturdier and craftier. And the playbook is thicker than the extortionate textbooks sold over at the university co-op.
The first summer tends to slap freshman with a generous dose of their new reality. It’s no different for Texas’ 2022 signing class, a talented collection of 28 newbies just trying to make it to Sept. 3 for the Longhorns’ home season opener against Louisiana-Monroe.
Texas opened four straight days of practice last Wednesday. Coach Steve Sarkisian conducted the first three sessions at midday, with the sun at its apex and thermometers popping off. As a treat, the Longhorns practiced at night Saturday before Sunday’s off-day.
So far, Sarkisian likes the “physicality” he’s witnessed from players new and old. But this team’s still working up to regular-season shape, particularly the freshmen.
“It’s four straight days of instillation,” Sarkisian said Monday. “It’s a different style of practice than they’re accustomed to. I don’t think any of (the freshmen) really got lost. I think some of them kind of ran into the wall a little bit. I think getting them off their legs yesterday was good for them, and I thought a lot of them responded today.”
Texas is going to need a few fresh faces to step up at critical positions this season.
Two starting spots remain for grabs on the Longhorns’ offensive line, at least one of which will be filled be a freshman. Early enrollee Cole Hutson has impressed early, with Sarkisian also mentioning Cam Williams, Kelvin Banks and D.J. Campbell as first-years who haven’t looked overwhelmed.
“They’re not perfect by any means, but they look comfortable,” Sarkisian said. “They look the part, definitely look like they belong early on.”
Cornerback Terrance Brooks, defensive lineman Jaray Bledsoe and edge defender Justice Finkley, among other freshman defenders, could help provide needed depth for a defense that failed to excel in any one area last year. Sarkisian also mentioned the encouraging progress of early enrollee safety B.J. Allen Jr., who looks like a different player after packing on some muscle and absorbing the playbook.
But before they can even start thinking about game day and depth charts, the young Longhorns need to make it through August.
“Some guys physically can really do it and really do it well but maybe don’t know the call or don’t know the signal,” Sarkisian said. “So sometimes we got to coach them a little bit more up until the snap of the ball. Some guys know what to do but ran into it physically and weren’t able to do it kind of that fourth day. So hopefully today when I watched the tape it’ll look a little cleaner for the younger players.”
It’s not just the freshman, though.
Coaches are still pressing for more consistent play from several veterans, particularly along the defensive line. While Sarkisian praised fifth-year nose tackle Keondre Coburn, thirdyear D-lineman Vernon Broughton and sophomore tackle Byron Murphy II, he wants to see seniors T’Vondre Sweat and junior Alfred Collins attack each day with more consistency. “Guys have flashed that I would love to see a little more consistency from, and I talked to them about this,” Sarkisian said of Sweat and Collins. “You see it in ‘em and there’s flashes, whether it’s a three-play spurt or two-play spurt or practice period. Now we need to get that consistency out, and that’s what’s going to take them to that next level.”
Sarkisian prefers taller cornerbacks
No offense to the height-challenged defensive backs out there, but Sarkisian is into tall guys. Namely, long cornerbacks.
“I mean, I just believe in 6-foot or taller corners,” Sarkisian said. “I just think you have length at the point of attack at the line of scrimmage to play tighter coverage. You have length when the ball is in the air with the ability to knock balls down. You have size with nowadays, all the perimeter screen stuff for the ball getting spit to the perimeter, to be physical at the point of attack.”
Texas signed six freshmen defensive backs during the most recent cycle. It also added Ohio State transfer corner Ryan Watts. Little Elm four-star signee Terrance Brooks is listed at 5-11, the only new Texas defensive back who failed to meet Sarkisian’s preferred height.
Watts is the tallest of the bunch at 6-3, and he’s expected to start at corner opposite 5-10 senior D’Shawn Jamison.
“They can slide in and play Star (nickelback), they may be able to go play safety, play some more man coverage,” Sarkisian said. “We’re looking for a physical, versatile room back there.”