On Texas Football - State of the Program: Longhorns basketball, spring practice storylines, position competitions to note
On the latest edition of On Texas Football, Gerry Hamilton and Eric Nahlin discuss Longhorn basketball, spring practice storylines, and positions that might be up for grabs this spring and upcoming fall.
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Eric and Gerry open up the episode of On Texas Football with a discussion of the Longhorn basketball team as it embarks on the NCAA Tournament. Nahlin praises the team for what they’ve been able to do this year despite Chris Beard’s suspension and dismissal.
“They deserve our attention, the way they fought through adversity,” Nahlin said. “I remember that game earlier in the year when they gave up 116 points and I was thinking ‘oh man, they’re cooked.’ They came back from that, and they just keep fighting every time.”
He also looked forward to a potential matchup in the second round with Texas A&M.
Hamilton made a comparison of Sir’Jabari Rice to Roschon Johnson as ‘winners.’
You can see where those two guys are so similar,” Hamilton said.
The two segue into football discussion, and Nahlin offers his thoughts on the first few practices: “the team just looks well-conditioned and ready to go. They’re physically more impressive than I’ve seen them in a long time. Even a room that’s smaller in stature — cornerback — is physically impressive relative to their position.”
Hamilton went to the big boys: “Texas looked like an SEC offensive line from a size perspective to me Wednesday.”
The next topic was regarding which positions are truly up for competition during spring, and offensive guard was the first position mentioned. Cole Hutson is absent this spring due to a shoulder injury, leaving an open door for Jake Majors to further solidify himself at center and DJ Campbell to earn more first-team reps.
Quality depth is important, and both believe Texas has potentially its best depth since 2006 on the O-line.
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“When was the last time they had four interchangeable guys who could play center?” Nahlin said.
Other true competitions? Will linebacker, cornerback, safety, and star. One big player at several spots? Austin Jordan.
“Sources already consider him one of the best pure man cover guys, and obviously, in the slot, you get manned up on some really quick guys at times,” Nahlin said.
“The corners and the stars are about as loaded as you can possibly have in college football,” Nahlin added.
After that, the two talk EDGE. Justice Finkley and Ethan Burke are mentioned at Buck, while Jaray Bledsoe is discussed at defensive tackle. That move inside for Bledsoe is due to J’Mond Tapp and Barryn Sorrell playing well.
The two then talk about what Hamilton calls “the best and most talented group of early enrollees I can think of in my years covering Texas.”
With Arch Manning, the two praise his demeanor during his first three practices. Other players who have impressed in addition to Anthony Hill and Liona Lefau include Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore Jr., CJ Baxter, Malik Muhammad, Sydir Mitchell, and even some of the freshmen offensive linemen.
Finally, the two discuss how Chris Jackson has already made an impact as the Longhorns’ wide receivers coach.
