Texas Longhorns

Colleague Travis Haney ranked his list of the nation's top 10 "most talented" teams , and a certain burnt orange team you might have heard showed up at No. 2 on his list.

It's an interesting approach to ranking teams, and Haney looked at NFL draft lists, colleague Mark Schlabach's top 25 and the past four years of recruiting rankings to put together his list.

A lot of the ranking is thanks to those recruiting rankings, where Texas' class averaged a ranking of 6.5 among players currently suiting up for the Longhorns.

I agree that Texas is the Big 12's most talented team by a long way, but what does that really mean, besides more pressure on Mack Brown? The Longhorns beat a rebuilding Oklahoma State team in September that was a shell of the team it became late in the season, and did so narrowly with J.W. Walsh making his first career start for the Pokes. You've got to take all that into consideration, and when you look back at the last two years, Texas' best win was either its Alamo Bowl comeback against Oregon State or a road win against Texas Tech, who ended the season tied for fifth in the league.

A pair of embarrassing blowout losses to Oklahoma are the biggest reason for skepticism surrounding the Longhorns, who plenty of folks will pick to win the Big 12 in 2013. They've certainly got talent. Look no further than super recruits like DE Jackson Jeffcoat, DT Malcom Brown, and running backs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray for evidence of that, not to mention defenders like CB Quandre Diggs and linebackers Peter Jinkens and Jordan Hicks.

The Longhorns have talent all over the field, and that has been the case the past three seasons, which have featured just 22 wins. Now, though, that talent has experience and Texas is preparing for it to pay off.

On paper, it should. Texas has every reason to be one of, if not the, Big 12 favorite. Still, the Longhorns have got to prove it on the field, and it takes a lot of big wins to make that happen. Texas has been short on those wins of late.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The last time Mack Brown took the witness stand -- aka the podium -- to justify Texas' latest class of recruits, he spoke of an ongoing change in the evaluation process as well as accountability among his staff of recruiters, therefore allowing for a better quality product upon enrollment at Texas and eventually a better product on the field.

Given that this mantra of change is a well-trod path that Brown has blindly stomped down, those in the jury -- aka anyone who covers the program as well as those who care for Texas football -- were skeptical. Additionally, there was that Mount Bonnell-sized pile of evidence blocking the optimistic panorama Brown continued to paint without the aid of numbers:

The 2009 class was a mess and has only further deteriorated. Just six players in a class that was supposed to be the backbone of 2011 and 2012 exhausted their eligibility at Texas. The 2010 class had hits -- Carrington Byndom, Jackson Jeffcoat and others -- as well as several big misses: Darius White and Taylor Bible to name a few.

Those two classes, in which 45 players were signed, provided just 11 regular or 2013 projected starters. That’s a 24 percent rate of return. The number most programs like to hit is about 60 percent. Not surprisingly, Texas’ recruiting misses have led to sub-par performances on the field.

But there was Brown on Feb. 1, 2012, saying the proper changes in recruiting had been made for the right changes to happen on the field.

"Because we took more time and watched five videos of [each recruit], and not just the ones with the highlight films, we did a better job of going back and evaluating every step," he said. "I think we know these kids better than maybe we did the last couple of years."

(Read full post)

Every year, there's lots of turnover and change for every college program. What do the Big 12 teams need to do before next fall? Let's continue our look with the Longhorns down in Austin.

1. Figure out the offensive identity. Bryan Harsin is gone, and he's probably taking most of his pre-snap shifts with him. Will Major Applewhite still look to run a power offense? Texas has recruited and developed its offensive line really well lately, but David Ash has matured, and even with a wealth of backs in Malcolm Brown, Johnathan Gray, Joe Bergeron and Daje Johnson, Texas hasn't been able to keep them healthy or get consistent production out of one for an entire season. Will Applewhite put more responsibility in Ash's hands? He was good at times last season, but the rising junior was inconsistent. His ceiling is probably a legitimate Heisman campaign. His floor is probably getting benched in favor Connor Brewer or Jalen Overstreet -- or maybe even incoming freshman Tyrone Swoopes. Where will he fall on the spectrum? Will Texas continue to try to pound the trenches?

2. Plug up the middle of the defense. Texas' defense made no sense last season. The personnel is absolutely there to be great up front. The defensive tackles are deep and talented, led by guys like Malcom Brown, Ashton Dorsey, Desmond Jackson and Chris Whaley. The linebackers were solid, even without Jordan Hicks, who should be back next season. Peter Jinkens is a rising star and a few others have potential. Coordinator Manny Diaz didn't take another job, electing to stay in Austin and attempt fix the most underwhelming unit in the Big 12. It all starts with the ability to stop the run, something Texas never did consistently last season. Fix that, and the rest of this defense comes around, I say.

3. Discover and develop leadership. Texas was still a pretty young team last season after rebooting on both sides of the ball after the 2010 season. The freshmen and sophomores who contributed in 2011 are juniors and seniors now, but the team is losing guys like Alex Okafor and Kenny Vaccaro, players who had been around awhile and served as role models for younger guys. Look for Jackson Jeffcoat and David to fill the role this year, but other players, like Malcolm Brown or Jaxon Shipley, might emerge, too. We'll see who steps up in the spring.

More offseason to-do lists:

• Texas Tech
• West Virginia

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Texas coach Mack Brown was curious to see how his team reacted against a solid Big 12 team. In the first half, the answers were mixed. Offensively Texas was solid. Defensively the struggles from Ole Miss continued.

Stat of the half: After scoring a combined 35 points in the first quarter, all these two teams could only manage three points in the second quarter. Oklahoma State clearly struggles in second quarters. The Cowboys failed to score against Arizona in that loss and only scored three against Texas. This was the first time that Texas has failed to score in the second quarter.

Player of the half: Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle has devastated Texas in the run game. The junior took his first handoff and went 69 yards for a touchdown. Randle had 103 yards in the first quarter and continued to carve up Texas in the second, finishing with 147 yards and a touchdown. Oklahoma State had 168 rushing yards in the first half.

What's working for Texas: David Ash has continued to play with poise. The sophomore has directed two scoring drives and been accurate on most of his downfield passes. Ash, who has two touchdown passes, should have had another, but a 40-yard toss was dropped by Mike Davis in the end zone.

What's not working for Texas: The Longhorns are once again failing to tackle. Both of Oklahoma State's first half touchdowns came as a result of missed tackles by safety Adrian Phillips. The first was the 69-yard run by Randle. Phillips had Randle wrapped up at the 48, released hum and watch him run the next 52 yards. On the next touchdown, Phillips hit receiver Josh Stewart at the 23 but bounced off, getting injured on the play. Stewart scooted into the end zone from there.

What Texas needs to do to stay ahead: Continue to get a rotation of fresh players in on defense. The Longhorns are down four potential starters on that side of the ball. Defensive tackle Brandon Moore (virus) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (hip) did not make the trip. Phillips was hurt in the game. Defensive tackle Desmond Jackson also was hurt. Texas has had to use true freshman Malcom Brown at defensive tackle and little-used junior Kyle Kreigel.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Dalton Santos arrived a tad early into the Texas spotlight.

The linebacker wasn't supposed to be the breakout freshman. That was a role for running back Johnathan Gray. Or maybe wide receiver Kendall Sanders. But instead it was Santos making a sudden impact on Wyoming kick returner Shaun Wick and the 101,142 people watching at Darrell K. Royal Stadium on Saturday night.

The play came on a return in the third quarter when Santos, all 250 pounds of him, came screaming down the field, dismissed one would-be blocker and slammed into Wick -- wait, make that steamrolled over Wick -- at the 10-yard line.

It was clearly the most visible play made by a true freshman. But it wasn't the only play. Nor was Santos the only freshman to play.

In keeping with a tradition that is now all of one year old, Texas didn't hesitate in playing its newest players. Last season, a Texas record 18 true freshmen played. There were 12 freshmen and three transfers who saw time Saturday night.

After it was done, Texas head coach Mack Brown lamented the freshmen didn't play larger roles.

"A lot of freshmen played tonight that didn't play prominent roles, but those will expand each week," he said.

Gray most likely will be the one freshman whose role expands the most from week to week. A confluence of circumstances prevented Texas from getting him more snaps. First there was the fact the game was closer than expected. Plus Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron were doing just fine. And Gray still needs to work on his third-down, pass-protection assignments.

Another freshman who would have played but didn't was hybrid back Daje Johnson. He was suspended for violating teams rules. Instead of getting the ball to Johnson, Texas fed his touches to senior D.J. Monroe, who came through with five carries for 36 yards and a 15-yard catch.

That type of production from Monroe might slightly stifle all the talk that Johnson has to get in the game to give Texas explosive plays.

As for blowing up plays, that was clearly Santos' intent on every kickoff coverage team. He finished with two tackles and clearly showed why the coaching staff and players have raved about his ability through fall camp. Not too bad for a guy who was offered by Texas only at the last minute.

As for the other freshmen, walk-on Nick Rose drew the most praise for his leg on kick offs.

"The kicking game I thought we dominated. I love Nick Rose kicking off," Brown said. "It's the best we have ever covered kickoffs."

A lot of that has to do with the height that Rose gets on the ball. Plus he has the leg to carry the ball into the end zone.

The leg of Nick Jordan was a slight concern. The freshman missed 46- and 44-yard field goals. He made it from 31.

"He didn't miss a field goal for about the first two and a half weeks, and then the last week he pulled a couple, and then tonight I thought he tried a little bit too hard," Brown said.

A couple of freshmen who didn't get in against Wyoming but might against New Mexico include defensive end Shiro Davis and tackle Kennedy Estelle. While Texas has depth on the defensive line and doesn't have to play Davis or Malcom Brown, Estelle could become a part of the rotation at tackle due to depth issues. Since that is a possibility, it could behoove Texas to get him some time now instead of throwing him into the spotlight against a Big 12 opponent.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Mack Brown made two things clear concerning his heralded freshmen class at his press conference on Wednesday: They can’t sing worth a darn but, boy, can they play.

“We had a little night last night where the freshmen had to sing and they were awful,” Brown said. "Awful. They better make a living in football because they won’t make it in singing.”

From the sounds of it there are several that have at least taken the first step toward doing so.

Fifteen freshmen were listed on the depth chart when it was released to the media on Wednesday. This coming after the Longhorns played 18 freshmen in 2011, which was the most in the country.

Brown admitted that there were others from the 26 freshmen that were signed in 2012 that would probably play against Wyoming on Sept. 1.

One name notably absent from the list was Daje Johnson, who has been one of the talks of camp because of his versatility as both a running back and receiver in Texas’ “T&Z” package with senior D.J. Monroe.

Brown said that Johnson is suspended for the season opener for a violation of team rules.

“He will not be involved in the first depth chart and that will not change,” Brown said.

There were, however, nine freshmen that did make the cut offensively. None really came as a surprise.

Johnathan Gray, high school football’s all-time touchdown leader, is listed as the third string running back behind sophomores Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron, and ahead of senior Jeremy Hills.

(Read full post)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Longhorns freshman defensive tackle Malcom Brown doesn’t like to consume himself with football.

“I don’t want to be obsessed with it,” he said. “I want to get on the field, do what I’ve got to do and get off the field.”

In fact he seldom watches the game if he’s not playing in it.

“I don’t watch no sports,” said the former Under Armour All-American from Brenham, Texas. “When I get home, I fix me a bowl of cereal, lay in bed and watch me some ‘Dragon Ball Z’ or something.”

As much as Brown likes to keep his personal life separate from football, he might find that more challenging now that he’s in Austin with some lofty expectations.

The Longhorns bring back three quality defensive tackles in Ashton Dorsey, Chris Whaley and Desmond Jackson, and added a mountain of a man in junior college transfer Brandon Moore (6-foot-5, 320 pounds).

Still, there’s not a person familiar with ‘Mancom,’ as he is known, that isn’t willing to wager that he’ll factor into the rotation this season.

“There is opportunity for him to play,” Texas senior All-American defensive end Alex Okafor said. “If he can come in and learn the playbook then he will be there. He definitely has a shot this year.”

The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Brown was the No. 2 defensive tackle and No. 12 overall prospect in 2012, which makes him the second highest rated player in Texas’ incoming class behind Gatorade National Player of the Year Johnathan Gray.

Brown, a three-year starter, tallied 125 tackles, 66 tackles-for-loss, 91 quarterback hurries, 24 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries over his prep career.

From the sounds of it, he practically intimidated an opposing running back into one of those forced fumbles.

“I remember one time we were playing Magnolia West and he called out the running back,” Brenham teammate and current Longhorns linebacker Tim Cole said. “[Brown] said, ‘Hey you! I’m gonna get you!’ And then, as soon as the play goes, he tackles him in the backfield for a loss. And he fumbled. It was ridiculous.

This is all coming from a guy who would rather watch cartoons than Monday Night Football, remember?

When Brown wasn’t bulldozing his way through offensive lines, he was showing off his light feet and reliable hands as a tight end. Ponder that for a second.

“Physically he is just a strong guy,” Okafor said. “He is very quick on his feet. He gets it so far. He is a great team guy, is pretty vocal and a great kid. Now let’s see if he can play.”

There seems to be little doubt about that. In fact, the addition of he and Moore are a big reason why the departure of Kheeston Randall isn’t one of the teams underlying concerns heading into fall camp. An All-Big 12 selection in 2011, Randall was key in Texas finishing as one of the nation’s best defenses last season.

“They are deep,” Okafor said of Texas’ defensive tackles. “We have five to six guys that are ready to go. We have the advantage of keeping guys fresh in the middle. Not many guys have the advantage of doing that.”

And only one team has the advantage of plugging Brown into the equation.