Coaches note QB Ehlinger’s improvement
AUSTIN — The biggest difference between last season’s Sam Ehlinger and this year’s version, at least according to offensive coordinator Tim Beck, doesn’t have much to do with arm strength or accuracy.
Beck believes Ehlinger’s mind has taken the biggest leap following a sophomore campaign in which he tossed 25 touchdowns and only five interceptions.
“I think he’s leaner, faster and second-level thinking,” Beck said. “Maybe third-level now. The biggest challenge I have for him is keep him motivated and don’t let him get outside his realm.
“He sees things beyond what we really need him to do, and not that they’re bad things, but we don’t need to do them just yet. But he’s played well, been a great leader for us. I’ve been pleased with his fall camp.”
Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando agreed with his offensive-minded counterpart.
Ehlinger led the offense to a victory over the defense in last Sunday’s scrimmage and, by all accounts, he’s been giving Orlando’s unit fits.
“Sam’s a stud,” Orlando said. “In terms of diagnosing the stuff that we do, getting our guys into proper calls, he’s as good as any quarterback I’ve seen. He’s been an outstanding leader.”
Shoulder injury sidelines Johnson
Kirk Johnson is frustrated after yet another injury-related setback.
A litany of injuries has kept the Longhorns’ fifth-year running back on the sideline throughout his career. The latest, a sternoclavicular joint sprain suffered after Johnson landed on his shoulder, could keep him out of action for up to six weeks.
“He was really frustrated,” senior wideout and younger brother Collin Johnson said. “But I’m proud of him for the way he responded. Not a lot of negativity from him, just staying positive. I always say, probably only Kirk Johnson could handle a situation like that. So I was proud of him.”
UT’s depth has taken a considerable hit with injuries to Johnson and sophomore Keaontay Ingram (knee) halving the number of scholarship running backs on roster. Junior Daniel Young and true freshman Jordan Whittington remain active with walk-ons Jarrett Smith and Jaren Watkins vying for reps behind them.
Once he returns, Johnson will compete with Young for touches behind Ingram and Whittington.
Johnson has not had an ingame carry since his freshman season. That year he appeared in six games and rushed eight times for 44 yards
“He’s a human being so obviously when something happens over and over again, you keep getting hurt, you’re bound to get down on yourself here and there,” Collin said. “But he’s one of the stronger individuals I know.
Braun a quick study on offensive line
Despite spending so much time as a lineman in Georgia Tech’s unique triple-option offense, graduate transfer Parker Braun hasn’t had too much difficulty adjusting.
“The thing is, it’s really just some technique and fundamentals,” offensive coordinator Tim Beck said. “But in term of his attitude and mentality, it’s awesome. Like anything, he’s got to make some adjustments. But he’s picked it up well.”
Braun looks set to start the season at left guard over redshirt freshman Junior Angilau. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Hallsville native was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection and one of the nation’s most coveted graduate transfer targets.
“I like Parker,” Beck said. “He brings great toughness. And he loves playing the game. The guy loooves football. A true football player right there.”
WR Moore’s status to be determined
Texas coach Tom Herman on Saturday said the team has not yet made a decision on the status of sophomore wideout Joshua Moore, who was arrested Aug. 1 on a charge of unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Herman said “he’s not cleared for anything” and the team will allow the legal process to play out before making a decision. Moore is due in court next month.
One of the team’s six core values is a “no guns” edict. According to Herman, any decision made “without regard to” those program tenets will be “dealt with in a very serious manner.”
Herman also believes “mistakes are correctable.”
“The core values are the core values,” Herman said. “But if we kicked everybody off the team for being dishonest or for a first positive drug test or whatever – we’re in the business of teaching. We’ll let the legal process play out and handle the punishment internally and teach.”
Moore has continued to practice and is competing for playing time at the slot with senior Devin Duvernay and true freshman
Jake Smith. Texas has also worked him on the outside.
Hine, Jaquess put on scholarship
Shock washed over Russel Hine’s face as he stared at the projection screen inside the Longhorns’ meeting room earlier this week. He remained frozen for a few seconds as he processed the words ahead:
“The University of Texas football team is proud to offer scholarships to Russel Hine and Cort Jaquess.”
Texas teammates swarmed Jaquess and Hine, both walk-on redshirt sophomore linebackers who were surprised with full scholarships Wednesday night.
Jaquess appeared in nine games last season on special teams. His father, Jay, was a threeyear letterman at defensive end for the Longhorns from 1986-88.
“My dad played football here, he was on scholarship here and every single day I’ve strived to be exactly like him,” Jaquess said. “This is all I wanted.’’
Hine has yet to appear in a game but is a two-time member of the Big 12 commissioner’s honor roll.
“Growing up in Austin my entire life, I always wanted to come to Texas,” Hine said.
Nick Moyle