Texas Longhorns: Reggie Wilson
Question of the Week: Let's talk trades 
May, 9, 2013
May 9
10:00
AM CT
By HornsNation staff | ESPN.com
Free agency might be a long way off from never in college football -- at least as far as players are concerned. Coaches, they come and go. Players stick.
But now the time has come to change all that, if only for a day and if only for the purposes of this week’s question of the week. With that in mind and those rules set, here then is the aforementioned question: If you, as Texas’ general manager, could trade for one player within the Big 12, who would it be? And who would you give up for that player?
But now the time has come to change all that, if only for a day and if only for the purposes of this week’s question of the week. With that in mind and those rules set, here then is the aforementioned question: If you, as Texas’ general manager, could trade for one player within the Big 12, who would it be? And who would you give up for that player?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUSTIN, Texas -- The benchmark for elite Texas recruiting classes is and might always be 2002.
The consensus No. 1 class in the nation featured a kid from Houston named Vincent Young plus 10 others who would go on to start in Texas’ 2006 Rose Bowl national title win over USC.
Since then, coach Mack Brown has signed five more classes that earned top-three rankings from ESPN. His 2014 class, currently the nation’s best and biggest, has a chance to join that impressive company.
The consensus No. 1 class in the nation featured a kid from Houston named Vincent Young plus 10 others who would go on to start in Texas’ 2006 Rose Bowl national title win over USC.
Since then, coach Mack Brown has signed five more classes that earned top-three rankings from ESPN. His 2014 class, currently the nation’s best and biggest, has a chance to join that impressive company.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Texas spring takeaways: Edmond's future
April, 4, 2013
Apr 4
8:00
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas has 19 starters back from last season.
But when Texas gets back to work, all might not be in the same positions. Therein lies the luxury of having so many starters as well as having played 34 freshmen and sophomores over the past two years. It allows for versatility. Some mixing and matching if you will.
But when Texas gets back to work, all might not be in the same positions. Therein lies the luxury of having so many starters as well as having played 34 freshmen and sophomores over the past two years. It allows for versatility. Some mixing and matching if you will.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
We're moving on with a new series today looking at the players across the Big 12 who have to replace program legends. We might as well call this the Nick Florence Memorial team, but let's talk Texas Longhorns.
Big shoes to fill: Texas' defensive ends
Texas isn't replacing much next season; the Longhorns bring back 19 starters to lead the Big 12 and tie for the national lead. That's got to bring a smile to Mack Brown's face, but the departing Alex Okafor leaves behind a big hole at defensive end following a season with 16.5 tackles for loss and a Big 12-leading 12.5 sacks. Jackson Jeffcoat has the opposite end spot locked down, of course, but filling Okafor's role will get really interesting this spring. Senior Reggie Wilson contributed each of the past three seasons, made a start in 2012 and may step into that role, but junior Cedric Reed started the last six games of the year without Jeffcoat and had 4.5 tackles for loss in the final five games of the season. It seems like he might be the safer bet, but sophomore Torshiro Davis could be a dark horse after burning his redshirt year following Jeffcoat's injury. The Longhorns need production opposite Jeffcoat and have a few solid options to do it, so even with Okafor's absence, Texas has reason to feel solid about this spot heading into the 2013 season.
More big shoes to fill:
Big shoes to fill: Texas' defensive ends
Texas isn't replacing much next season; the Longhorns bring back 19 starters to lead the Big 12 and tie for the national lead. That's got to bring a smile to Mack Brown's face, but the departing Alex Okafor leaves behind a big hole at defensive end following a season with 16.5 tackles for loss and a Big 12-leading 12.5 sacks. Jackson Jeffcoat has the opposite end spot locked down, of course, but filling Okafor's role will get really interesting this spring. Senior Reggie Wilson contributed each of the past three seasons, made a start in 2012 and may step into that role, but junior Cedric Reed started the last six games of the year without Jeffcoat and had 4.5 tackles for loss in the final five games of the season. It seems like he might be the safer bet, but sophomore Torshiro Davis could be a dark horse after burning his redshirt year following Jeffcoat's injury. The Longhorns need production opposite Jeffcoat and have a few solid options to do it, so even with Okafor's absence, Texas has reason to feel solid about this spot heading into the 2013 season.
More big shoes to fill:
No member of Texas’ 28-man recruiting class in 2012 expected anything less than early playing time when he joined the program, especially after the Longhorns had seemingly thrown every freshman they had on the field the previous season.
You already know plenty about Johnathan Gray, Malcom Brown, Daje Johnson and Texas' other high-impact freshmen. But what about the ones who sat out last season?
For 12 of those 28 signees, getting onto the field in year one just wasn’t in the cards. After spending the fall on the practice field, in the weight room and home in their dorms for road games, those dozen recruits are ready to start making a name for themselves.
It all starts with a breakthrough spring. Last year, tight end M.J. McFarland was really the only redshirt freshman who saw meaningful playing time for the Longhorns. What does 2013 have in store for this year’s crop of second-year freshmen?
You already know plenty about Johnathan Gray, Malcom Brown, Daje Johnson and Texas' other high-impact freshmen. But what about the ones who sat out last season?
For 12 of those 28 signees, getting onto the field in year one just wasn’t in the cards. After spending the fall on the practice field, in the weight room and home in their dorms for road games, those dozen recruits are ready to start making a name for themselves.
It all starts with a breakthrough spring. Last year, tight end M.J. McFarland was really the only redshirt freshman who saw meaningful playing time for the Longhorns. What does 2013 have in store for this year’s crop of second-year freshmen?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Position breakdown: Defensive end
February, 18, 2013
Feb 18
3:30
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- It was with a furious burst at the end of the year -- nine sacks against Oregon State -- that Texas finished just barely inside the top 20 in sacks.
Now while that last game was impressive, the overall production of the defensive ends mirrored the theme of the entire defense in 2012 -- hit or miss.
Now while that last game was impressive, the overall production of the defensive ends mirrored the theme of the entire defense in 2012 -- hit or miss.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Roundtable: Texas' biggest needs for 2014
February, 15, 2013
Feb 15
11:15
AM CT
By
Max Olson and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Every Friday, HornsNation recruiting writers William Wilkerson and Max Olson answer a question about the Longhorns.
This week’s question: Which position is Texas’ biggest need for its 2014 class?
William Wilkerson: This comes down to a few positions for me.
This week’s question: Which position is Texas’ biggest need for its 2014 class?
William Wilkerson: This comes down to a few positions for me.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas A&M was the talk of the state in 2013 with its 32-man recruiting class. Don’t be shocked if Texas comes close to those numbers with its 2014 class.
As always, it’s a matter of math. Texas, by rule, can sign no more than 50 recruits in any two-year period. The Longhorns inked 15 this year, so 35 is the absolute maximum for 2014.
Texas isn’t going for 35 this year. Its 2013 team will feature 15 seniors if Jordan Hicks is granted his medical redshirt. A full class of 25 signees is likely. But don’t rule out the possibility of 30.
As always, it’s a matter of math. Texas, by rule, can sign no more than 50 recruits in any two-year period. The Longhorns inked 15 this year, so 35 is the absolute maximum for 2014.
Texas isn’t going for 35 this year. Its 2013 team will feature 15 seniors if Jordan Hicks is granted his medical redshirt. A full class of 25 signees is likely. But don’t rule out the possibility of 30.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUSTIN, Texas – In 2012 Texas was the program stealing away with last-second recruits.
Dalton Santos was swayed from Tennessee. Daje Johnson was snatched from TCU. Shiro Davis spirited over the border from LSU.
The first two in that trio have already paid dividends for Texas. Santos became a special teams standout and emergency linebacker. Johnson proved to have the ability to break a game open when given that opportunity. Even Davis entered the fray a time or two as a backup defensive end.
Dalton Santos was swayed from Tennessee. Daje Johnson was snatched from TCU. Shiro Davis spirited over the border from LSU.
The first two in that trio have already paid dividends for Texas. Santos became a special teams standout and emergency linebacker. Johnson proved to have the ability to break a game open when given that opportunity. Even Davis entered the fray a time or two as a backup defensive end.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Roundtable: Jake Raulerson's position
December, 21, 2012
12/21/12
10:30
AM CT
By
Max Olson and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Every Friday, HornsNation recruiting writers William Wilkerson and Max Olson will answer a question about the Longhorns.
This week's question: Where should Texas commit Jake Raulerson start his Longhorns career?
William Wilkerson: Jake Raulerson graduated from Celina High School on Thursday and will arrive in Austin within the first two weeks of January. When he gets to Texas, as he told me last week, don’t expect him to make many friends.
This week's question: Where should Texas commit Jake Raulerson start his Longhorns career?
William Wilkerson: Jake Raulerson graduated from Celina High School on Thursday and will arrive in Austin within the first two weeks of January. When he gets to Texas, as he told me last week, don’t expect him to make many friends.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Players to watch during UT bowl practices
December, 5, 2012
12/05/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- With everybody taking a collective exhale from a season gone, well, nowhere, the time has come for the young players to start to inhale as much knowledge, time and wisdom as possible.
Texas’ first set of 15 spring practices -- given the 80 degree temps in Austin, the slightly skewed labeling is more than apropos -- has arrived. So at least there is something to warm this winter of discontent. There are also plenty of someones poised to benefit from the 15 extra practices awarded as part of reaching a bowl.
This is the time for the young players to step up, take notice and make themselves noticed. Given that Texas played 16 true freshmen this year and 18 last year, there is not too much youth left to be discovered. But as Texas remains at eight wins and holding, there is plenty of room for improvement from that youth.
Texas’ first set of 15 spring practices -- given the 80 degree temps in Austin, the slightly skewed labeling is more than apropos -- has arrived. So at least there is something to warm this winter of discontent. There are also plenty of someones poised to benefit from the 15 extra practices awarded as part of reaching a bowl.
This is the time for the young players to step up, take notice and make themselves noticed. Given that Texas played 16 true freshmen this year and 18 last year, there is not too much youth left to be discovered. But as Texas remains at eight wins and holding, there is plenty of room for improvement from that youth.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Q&A: 2013 junior college DE Kewan Alfred
November, 7, 2012
11/07/12
8:00
AM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
The Longhorns don’t have a true defensive end commitment in 2013, but they might be able to do without one.
Jackson Jeffcoat could return for his senior season after tearing his right pectoral muscle against Oklahoma. Even if he doesn’t come back, Texas still has Reggie Wilson, Cedric Reed, Shiro Davis, Hassan Ridgeway and Bryce Cottrell returning.
Then there’s the plethora of defensive ends in 2014, including commitment Derick Roberson, which the Longhorns have to think about.
Jackson Jeffcoat could return for his senior season after tearing his right pectoral muscle against Oklahoma. Even if he doesn’t come back, Texas still has Reggie Wilson, Cedric Reed, Shiro Davis, Hassan Ridgeway and Bryce Cottrell returning.
Then there’s the plethora of defensive ends in 2014, including commitment Derick Roberson, which the Longhorns have to think about.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
A closer look at Texas' defensive issues
October, 31, 2012
10/31/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas – Quandre Diggs talks like he plays -- fast, hard and with an edge.
So when the question as to why the defense has not lived up the hype was put to the Texas cornerback he came back with a quick punch: "You think everybody who comes on the field is automatically an all-American."
Well, true. That is the perception of Texas because Texas does recruit and sign so many high school all-Americans. Over the past five years, Texas has had 51 ESPN top 150 players sign. For perspective, Baylor has had three. The Bears are only 25 spots worse in overall defense than Texas this season.
So when the question as to why the defense has not lived up the hype was put to the Texas cornerback he came back with a quick punch: "You think everybody who comes on the field is automatically an all-American."
Well, true. That is the perception of Texas because Texas does recruit and sign so many high school all-Americans. Over the past five years, Texas has had 51 ESPN top 150 players sign. For perspective, Baylor has had three. The Bears are only 25 spots worse in overall defense than Texas this season.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Five storylines: Baylor vs. Texas
October, 18, 2012
10/18/12
10:00
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
Five storylines for Texas as it plays Baylor Saturday night at DKR.
1. Watch out for Williams
Baylor wide receiver Terrance Williams has proven to be the most explosive player at his position in FBS. Williams has eight receptions that have gained 40 or more yards. Seven of those eight 40-plus yard gains were on balls throw at least 20 yards in the air, meaning Williams uses speed to beat a defender off the line. That also means that the defense needs help with a safety over the top. And this is where Texas could have issues.
1. Watch out for Williams
Baylor wide receiver Terrance Williams has proven to be the most explosive player at his position in FBS. Williams has eight receptions that have gained 40 or more yards. Seven of those eight 40-plus yard gains were on balls throw at least 20 yards in the air, meaning Williams uses speed to beat a defender off the line. That also means that the defense needs help with a safety over the top. And this is where Texas could have issues.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Texas loses Jeffcoat; Ash not ruled out
October, 14, 2012
10/14/12
9:19
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas defense, which has suffered many blows in the past few weeks, just took another to the gut.
Jackson Jeffcoat is out. Gone for the season. He tore his pectoral muscle. This time it was the right one. Last year it was the left one. So much for Texas having the top two defensive ends in the Big 12. Instead Texas is just left with big questions at a time when it is searching for answers.
The foremost is: Can Cedric Reed or Reggie Wilson even come close to producing at Jeffcoat’s level? The answer is no. If they could, they would have had the starting spot.
Wilson showed a flash against Ole Miss when he jumped a diving blocker and sacked Bo Wallace.
Jeffcoat does stuff like that every game. The junior had four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown already this season. Reed and Wilson have a combined five tackles for loss and one sack.
But Jeffcoat’s game went beyond stats. He, along with bookend Alex Okafor, was able to pin in quarterbacks and shrink their options. The reason Geno Smith was unable to roll the pocket and therefore roll Texas was because he had Jeffcoat to his left and Okafor to his right every time he dropped back. It was the combined pressure of the two that forced Smith to take four sacks and be stripped of the ball twice.
Without that type of pressure the Texas secondary, which already has issues in coverage, is susceptible to being picked apart by a quarterback like Baylor’s Nick Florence. Florence, the FBS leader in total offense, just so happens to be the next QB Texas faces.
The Longhorns might consider pulling the redshirt off someone like Shiro Davis in order to get more speed on the edge. But, as Texas has proven in the past two losses, it is very tough to play fast as a defensive player when you do not know where you are going.
Without Jeffcoat, Texas, a team that has allowed 111 points and more than 1,100 yards in the past two games, might be wondering where it is going.
Ash not ruled out
Texas has prepared itself since the spring to use two quarterbacks. Now the Longhorns might have to do just that.
While quarterback David Ash has not been ruled out with a bruise to his non-throwing wrist, he has not been cleared to play, either. That means Texas might once again be turning to backup Case McCoy.
The junior, who was 3-2 as a starter in 2011, lost out on the starting job after what was an eight-month competition. But the Texas coaches qualified their selection of Ash by stating, repeatedly, that they felt McCoy was more than an adequate backup and that they would not hesitate to play him.
Well, now the time might have come and it might be against Baylor, which happens to be the last team McCoy started against. In that game, McCoy was responsible for five turnovers. That, as much as anything, is what led to his demotion.
The coaching staff could not abide a quarterback who played fast and loose with the ball. They wanted a game manager. Ash better fit that role. McCoy, on the other hand, is much more of a draw-it-up-in-the-dirt player.
But McCoy has matured. He has added 15-20 pounds and put more zip on his intermediate throws as well as length on deep throws.
If he is the quarterback, it is almost a certainty that co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin will play it close to the vest and try to get McCoy to distribute the ball to playmakers such as Daje Johnson, Marquise Goodwin and Johnathan Gray. That has been when Texas is at its best. And to beat Baylor, a team that is No. 2 in total offense and No. 4 in scoring offense, Texas’ offense will have to be at its best.
Jackson Jeffcoat is out. Gone for the season. He tore his pectoral muscle. This time it was the right one. Last year it was the left one. So much for Texas having the top two defensive ends in the Big 12. Instead Texas is just left with big questions at a time when it is searching for answers.
The foremost is: Can Cedric Reed or Reggie Wilson even come close to producing at Jeffcoat’s level? The answer is no. If they could, they would have had the starting spot.
[+] Enlarge
John Albright/Icon SMITexas will have to replace DE Jackson Jeffcoat, arguably its top defender, with inexperienced players.
John Albright/Icon SMITexas will have to replace DE Jackson Jeffcoat, arguably its top defender, with inexperienced players.Jeffcoat does stuff like that every game. The junior had four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown already this season. Reed and Wilson have a combined five tackles for loss and one sack.
But Jeffcoat’s game went beyond stats. He, along with bookend Alex Okafor, was able to pin in quarterbacks and shrink their options. The reason Geno Smith was unable to roll the pocket and therefore roll Texas was because he had Jeffcoat to his left and Okafor to his right every time he dropped back. It was the combined pressure of the two that forced Smith to take four sacks and be stripped of the ball twice.
Without that type of pressure the Texas secondary, which already has issues in coverage, is susceptible to being picked apart by a quarterback like Baylor’s Nick Florence. Florence, the FBS leader in total offense, just so happens to be the next QB Texas faces.
The Longhorns might consider pulling the redshirt off someone like Shiro Davis in order to get more speed on the edge. But, as Texas has proven in the past two losses, it is very tough to play fast as a defensive player when you do not know where you are going.
Without Jeffcoat, Texas, a team that has allowed 111 points and more than 1,100 yards in the past two games, might be wondering where it is going.
Ash not ruled out
Texas has prepared itself since the spring to use two quarterbacks. Now the Longhorns might have to do just that.
While quarterback David Ash has not been ruled out with a bruise to his non-throwing wrist, he has not been cleared to play, either. That means Texas might once again be turning to backup Case McCoy.
The junior, who was 3-2 as a starter in 2011, lost out on the starting job after what was an eight-month competition. But the Texas coaches qualified their selection of Ash by stating, repeatedly, that they felt McCoy was more than an adequate backup and that they would not hesitate to play him.
Well, now the time might have come and it might be against Baylor, which happens to be the last team McCoy started against. In that game, McCoy was responsible for five turnovers. That, as much as anything, is what led to his demotion.
The coaching staff could not abide a quarterback who played fast and loose with the ball. They wanted a game manager. Ash better fit that role. McCoy, on the other hand, is much more of a draw-it-up-in-the-dirt player.
But McCoy has matured. He has added 15-20 pounds and put more zip on his intermediate throws as well as length on deep throws.
If he is the quarterback, it is almost a certainty that co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin will play it close to the vest and try to get McCoy to distribute the ball to playmakers such as Daje Johnson, Marquise Goodwin and Johnathan Gray. That has been when Texas is at its best. And to beat Baylor, a team that is No. 2 in total offense and No. 4 in scoring offense, Texas’ offense will have to be at its best.
ABOUT HORNSNATION
Sean Adams
Sean Adams has covered the Texas Longhorns and college football for the last 12 years as a writer and radio host. Sean co-hosts "The Big Show" with Erin Hogan each afternoon on ESPN Austin 104.9 The Horn. He lives with his family in Round Rock, Texas. Email him at thisean@gmail.com.
Max Olson
Max Olson joined ESPN in 2012 after covering the University of Nebraska for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald and high school and college sports for the World-Herald and Rivals.com. Olson is a University of Nebraska graduate and lives in Austin, Texas. Email him at maxolsonespn@gmail.com.
Carter Strickand
Carter Strickland joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the University of Oklahoma for The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman and Washington State University for The (Spokane, Wash.) Spokesman-Review. Strickland lives with his wife and family in Austin. Email him at cstrickland70@gmail.com.
William Wilkerson
William Wilkerson joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering high school sports, college sports and the Texas Rangers over four years at the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram. William is a University of Texas graduate and lives in Austin. He can be reached at wilkerson.espn@gmail.com.