Tag: Texas Football fall camp

Red Flag Part II: Examining the second week of Texas’ fall camp

Let’s distinguish red flags from common training camp news.

Texas had a tough week on the practice field in their second week. An injury-filled scrimmage capped a rough news week.

Very few players could qualify as indispensable, but Isaiah Neyor and Junior Angilau have a strong case for that distinction.

For Angilau, the long-time starter’s experience and leadership is difficult to replace. Angilau has been said to be vocal and demanding of his fellow teammates. Moving peer accountability from the field to the sideline is suboptimal for Texas.

Along those lines, Roschon Johnson is expected to be out with a shorter-term injury.

The above news does not necessarily change Texas’ ceiling, but it does make it more difficult to achieve their goals this season.

Let’s distinguish red flags from common training camp news.

Texas Football: Potential injuries reinforce the importance of depth

Texas’ wide receiver depth has been tested over the last week.

Texas had a multiple injury scares in Saturday’s scrimmage. Those incidents bring to light the importance of depth for any team wishing to contend. Continue reading “Texas Football: Potential injuries reinforce the importance of depth”

Four Longhorns have injury scares in first scrimmage

Steve Sarkisian will address injury concerns at his media availability on Monday.

Texas entered Saturday relatively healthy. After the scrimmage, the Longhorns added four players to the injury report.

Roschon Johnson, Isaiah Neyor, Jahdae Barron and Junior Angilau were named among players whose practice ended early. We will find out Monday if their exits from practice were more precautionary or cause for concern.

Johnson and Angilau enter what would likely be the final season for each player in Austin. Both have much to gain by a strong showing this year.

Many believe Johnson is an NFL running back, while Angilau has the experience to command scouts’ attention. Both upperclassmen are regarded as vocal leaders. Their presence and absence will undoubtedly be felt by their teammates.

Isaiah Neyor figured to play an integral role in the Texas offense as well this season. The Wyoming transfer has been one of the team’s best players this offseason.

Barron, of course, is among the more versatile defensive backs on the team.

While its not yet cause for panic, the reports of potential injuries are noteworthy. Steve Sarkisian will address injury concerns at his media availability on Monday.

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Texas Football: Padded practices begin in Austin, here’s who to watch

The Longhorns are putting on pads and could distinguish the men from the boys.

The Texas Longhorns are putting on the pads as the reality of the upcoming season sets in for the football team. Continue reading “Texas Football: Padded practices begin in Austin, here’s who to watch”

Opinion: Ovie Oghoufo could be the X-factor for Texas’ defense

The Texas defense was poor last year, but one player could help change that in 2022.

The Texas defense was poor last year, but one player could change that in 2022. Continue reading “Opinion: Ovie Oghoufo could be the X-factor for Texas’ defense”

Red flag or not: What to make of Texas football fall camp news thus far

What to make of fall camp news thus far for the 2022 season.

We are less than a month from the 2022 college football season, and fall camp is in full swing. With anticipation building, it is easy for fans to latch on to any finding and make it more of a story than necessary.

Of the many potential stories that could be blown out of proportion, depth chart positioning is toward the top of the list.

For those new to college football training camp specifics like myself, freshmen players are generally asked to earn their way up the depth chart from the bottom. For that reason, you could see Day 1 starters have to earn their way up from third or fourth string.

Clearly, there is not always significance attached to training camp practices, but some news can be reason for alarm. Let’s take a look at what findings should and should not cause concern for Texas right now.

Texas Football: Recapping the first week of fall camp

Rave reviews keep pouring in for mammoth-sized freshmen linemen.

Texas football is wrapping up the first week of their annual preseason fall camp. From early reports, it appears the camp is going as well as Steve Sarkisian and company envisioned.

Earlier this week we mentioned that Kelvin Banks is off to a strong start. Rave reviews keep pouring in for the mammoth-sized freshman offensive linemen.

Bobby Burton, Eric Nahlin and Justin Wells of Inside Texas published a great recap of what they have seen through the first couple practices.

Burton tempered expectations with a thought I am sure is common among the Longhorns’ fanbase. While the Texas roster has a number of great players, particularly at running back and wide receiver, Burton feels that they do not have overwhelming depth.

On a more positive note, the trio discussed the talent advantage Texas could have over Big 12 teams. Justin Wells commended Isaiah Neyor, calling him, “a true NFL prospect.” Burton echoed Wells’ praise of Neyor.

Here are a few takeaways from the camp’s first week.

Texas LT Kelvin Banks reportedly looked impressive in first practice

Kelvin Banks is a grown man.

Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks might be close to game ready.

After the media’s first glance at Texas’ fall camp, Horns247’s Jeff Howe took notice of the massive freshman offensive lineman.

Howe had the following to say about Banks.

Texas football returned to the practice field today. Media viewing window is closed. Best on the hoof among newcomers might have been Kelvin Banks, who’s working at left tackle to open camp.

The news is exciting for a handful of reasons. Head coach Steve Sarkisian does not need Kelvin Banks to start, but he does need up to four linemen to emerge as high quality starters alongside Junior Angilau.

Jake Majors and Christian Jones might be among the more fundamentally sound linemen in the run game, but they could improve in pass protection. Hayden Conner has been lauded by the coaching staff dating to last season.

The wealth of talent paired with continued development should yield a strong two-deep roster up front.

If the offensive line can prove reliable, the Texas offense has a chance to be special.

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Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski knows what he needs to fix

A look at where Pete Kwiatkowski’s pass rush will emerge.

A handful of topics came to light in the first press conference of fall camp on Tuesday. For the defense, the defining issue discussed involved pass rush. Continue reading “Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski knows what he needs to fix”

What Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said to the media at the start of fall camp

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian discusses the 2022 season.

Steve Sarkisian has a big season ahead of him. And while there is pressure on the second-year coach, you would not know by his demeanor.

Sarkisian spoke confidently and optimistically throughout the offseason. He continued his upbeat talking points for the Texas media  on Tuesday as fall camp gets underway.

The Texas head coach spoke on a number of things including the hype and excitement heading into what could be a career-defining season for him. Among the topics discussed was fan enthusiasm leading to high ticket sales.

As for on-field developments, Sarkisian discussed the high turnover on the roster. Texas likely believes it got a lot better this offseason.

A number of new players are set to make an impact. Ja’Tavion Sanders seems to have developed into a starting caliber tight end, while Texas added a number of skill position transfers.

Here’s a look at what Steve Sarkisian had to say to the media on Tuesday.