2008 Texas Football Depth

by LSMFT on Jul 9, 2008 10:58 PM CDT Comment 39 comments

It seems MB-TF still has "To be determined" in their Team/Depth Chart page and still has "Holiday Bowl -- Arizona State" on there as well. Mmphh.

Well, I am getting more than a little psyched for the upcoming 2008 football season and since I can't find anything (outside of Phil Steele, that is) on our depth chart, I thought I'd make one of my own.

Offense

FL	87	James Kirkendoll	5	Brandon Collins	9	Malcolm Williams
TE	86	Peter Ullman	19	Blaine Irby	18	Josh Marshall
RT	74	Adam Ulatoski	64	Kyle Hix	68	Drew Oldis
RG	71	Chris Hall	55	Cedric Dockery	63	Michael Huey
C	66	Buck Burnette	53	Greg Smith
LG	52	Charlie Tanner	72	Britt Mitchell	75	Steve Moore
LT	56	Tray Allen	76	Aundre McGaskey
SE	6	Quan Cosby	14	Montre Webber	1	Philip Payne
TB	3	Chris Ogbonnaya	2	Vondrell McGee	22	Foswhitt Whittaker
FB	49	Luke Tiemann	24	Antwan Cobb	45	Nic Redwine
QB	12	Colt McCoy	7	John Chiles	17	Sherrod Harris
SB	8	Jordan Shipley	4	Dan Buckner
PK	39	Ryan Bailey	15	Hunter Lawrence	83	Brock Fitzhenry

Defense

DE	98	Brian Orakpo	32	Eddie Jones	81	Sam Acho
NT	75	Roy Miller	92	Ben Alexander
DT	90	Brian Ellis	94	Michael Wilcoxon
DE	95	Aaron Lewis	36	Lamaar Houston	37	Henry Melton
SLB	2	Sergio Kindle	42	Dustin Earnest
MLB	44	Rashad Bobino	11	Jared Norton	43	Dravannti Johnson
WLB	38	Roddrick Muckelroy	1	Keenan Robinson
RCB	29	Ryan Palmer	8	Chykie Brown		Aaron Williams
FS	5	Ben Wells	21	Blake Gideon		Nolan Brewster
SS	19	Ishie Oduegwu	6	Christian Scott
LCB	7	Deon Beasley	3	Curtis Brown	12	Earl Thomas

Does anybody out there have more information than this? I sure would like to know more about the DT and Safety positions. It seems we have a lot of LBs and DEs.

There aren't many freshmen on this chart. Which of the new guys do you expect to get action this year?

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Well...

Your offense looks good, except that Michael Huey will definitely play a lot this year, if not start somewhere on the line.

At TB, it goes Vondrell, Foswhitt, and then Chris. Chris will likely play the 3rd down back.

FB is anyone’s guess. I would like to see Cody Johnson… but who knows.

On defense, you need a lot of updating. The starters at DE look to be Orakpo and Melton. With Jones, Acho, and Lewis being solid backups. ( I hope Acho plays tons)

Lamaar Houston has moved to DT for at least this year.

Linebackers look good, but Johnson should be ahead of Earnest.

At corners, Palmer and Beasly look to start, with both Browns right behind them.

And at safety it should be either Thomas and Scott, or Scott and Wells, or Thomas and Wells.

That’s at least what I’ve gathered in the last 7 months waiting for the season to start…. lol

by texasfan05 on Jul 10, 2008 12:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

since you're new..

..you might have missed PB’s depth chart on the offense, but I’m not sure if there is a depth chart on the defense.

I think the consensus around here (IMO), is that Houston will start at DT, and Aaron Lewis might too.

I’m not even sure if Brian Ellis is still on the team.

by vy til i die on Jul 10, 2008 12:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lewis might MOVE too

by vy til i die on Jul 10, 2008 12:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

brock fitzhenry...

...is a kicker also?? did not know that

by vy til i die on Jul 10, 2008 3:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's a little light to play DT

by Longhorns84 on Jul 11, 2008 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like that depth chart

If this is what Mack rolled out on the field first game i would be satisfied but i would like to see Aaron Williams get some more PT, and a few other minor changes

by blazzinken on Jul 10, 2008 1:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I swear

I’m almost out of the woods with my obligations, but I’ll address this depth chart when I do.

It’s a solid projection, but I’d change quite a bit.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Jul 10, 2008 3:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Irby?

I thought the coaches were loving Blaine Irby after Finley left…fall from grace or was it all talk?

by tvr'11 on Jul 10, 2008 7:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ullman

is a blocking TE. Irby catches and blocks, but Ullman is a better blocker.

by Longhorns84 on Jul 10, 2008 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

depth chart

I think Chris Hall will start at Center, and Dockery will play RG. I also think C. Scott might start at SS.

On defense, Lamar Houston will definitly start at DT or DE (probably DT). I think Jarvis Humphrey (spelling?), and K. Rhandall will play a lot this year.

by Longhorns84 on Jul 10, 2008 8:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i cringe

when I see Beasley as the starting corner…never seen so many blown coverages as I did from him last year….

by lazylonghorn on Jul 10, 2008 9:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Beasley

Muschamp was all over him during open practices this spring. I expect he’ll play with his head out of his a$$ this year. The kid is a special talent, and was up against a sharp learning curve. Beasley, and most of the players that put on the ‘horn uni, are so gifted physically that they are used to out-muscling and out-running the HS competetion. It takes them a while to develop the mental game to go along with the physical. So unique players, like Applewhite, hit the ground with an outstanding mental game to overcome mere mortal physical skills, but they are rare. Note that all our stud DB’s tend to be seniors. IMO it’s because that position is more demanding mentally that a position like RB, where young players seem to be able to make an immediate impact based on pure physical gifts.

If I am elected mayor, my first official act will be to kill the lot of you and burn your town to cinders

by 98horn on Jul 10, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

He was a QB his senior year at West Orange Stark.

His coach put the best athletes on the field as his prime directive, so Beasley played defense (and had for several years, safety if I remember correctly). But his primary responsibility was QB.

So Beasley was really raw at CB, more talent than skill. Glad that Muschamp singled him out. You’re right; he should be much improved.

Wonder if lazyhorn watched Michael Huff in his first year; a lot of mistakes, blown coverages, poor tacking, bad pursuit angles but he got much better. Ishy had a lot of problems last year, too, just got lost sometimes.

It takes a while to get comfortable, particularly when the opposition is targeting you specifically when they realize a player’s inexperience.

Agree about the CB being so demanding in this era of passing; if you don’t have competent corners, you’re in trouble. If you don’t have a strong pass rush, you’re dead meat. And, unfortunately, the Horns stats have borne that out the last two years.

by whills on Jul 10, 2008 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was Akina Huff's coach his whole time at UT?

Because you are exactly right, I totally remember Huff as a freshman, and he would drive me insane, so much that it wasnt until well into his junior year that I was willing to admit that he was a good corner.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Jul 11, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had a friend who just screamed at him all the time

that year. Hard habit to break.

He made some horrible plays but he had some fine plays, too. If you’re inexperienced, bad things can happen.

On the field, nobody gives a sucker an even break.

by whills on Jul 11, 2008 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did watch Huff

his first year and remember being frustrated by his play but nowhere near the agony Beasley caused me last season. This could have to do with the fact that our secondary overall was not as good or because I was watching Beasley screw up in person rather than watching Huff on television his first year.

Either way I find it hard to believe that with the recruiting Texas pulls, there wasn’t anybody else to relieve Beasley of his duties more often…I’m sure he’s going to be an outstanding CB some day but it seems throwing him into the wolves when he’s that raw isn’t the best way to develop him IMO.

I expect Muschamp to get better production from all the defensive players and with Akina being back to his DB duties Beasley should be much improved, I’m just not sure it will be enough to avoid giving up big plays and points as happened numerous time last season

by lazylonghorn on Jul 11, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No substitute for experience

Unfortunately, the only way to really learn is to play the game. Getting burned during plays is part of that. A good coach will observe players, and help them identify and correct their mistakes. I submit to you that Akina was too busy as DC to do that as consistently as he should with the secondary last year.

If I am elected mayor, my first official act will be to kill the lot of you and burn your town to cinders

by 98horn on Jul 11, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the rush will be improved

and that with the experience and direct coaching should make a heck of a difference. Beasley was a true freshman who was only aquainted with corner. So I’m sure the speed of the game and the recognition ability had to be earned the hard way.

I presume the Horns thought they had no one better. I do recognize that coaches tend to generally think talent and speed can overcome a lot of mistakes. Generally this is true, but in the specific can lead to a lot of disasters. Beasley committed his share and then some. He didn’t seem to be playing intuitively.

The CBs will be assessed anew, and we should be confident that the person there is the best the team can produce.

This is a very serious equation in having a great defense. The rush and the corner coverage are directly linked. So, if Muschamp can improve the rush, by say 25% and the CB play improves 25% due experience and coaching, I see that as a 50% improvement overall. It’s additive. With rush all units become more effective. You force the offense up the middle and beat the shit out of them. With the LBs the Horns have, that should be a pleasure to behold.

by whills on Jul 11, 2008 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Coaches tend to think talent and speed . . .

I agree that coaches, and especially some Texas coaches, believe this to be true. I think it’s horrible thinking and lazy coaching. A well coached fast and talented player in a scheme that allows him to be successful is an unholy terror. A fast and talented player that is poorly coached just over-runs plays, and gets himself 10 yards away from the action that much quicker. One of the reasons I wet myself everytime I see Coach Muschamp in burnt orange is that he understands that. He’s not the in the “lets force the square peg in the round hole” mentality. viz. Coach Davis…”I’ve got a slow, moderately talented white QB from Tuscola? He’ll be perfect fit for plays designed for Vince Young.”

If I am elected mayor, my first official act will be to kill the lot of you and burn your town to cinders

by 98horn on Jul 12, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we'll see the D develop

quickly in the first four games, by the time we have to visit Colorado.

Thanks for the warning.I share you enthusiasm about Muschamp but I’ll keep some distance.

by whills on Jul 12, 2008 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

50% increase

=Big 12 championship!

by Longhorns84 on Jul 13, 2008 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Putting Houston behind the depth chart to anyone

May bring forth PB’s wrath.

by TheElusiveShadow on Jul 10, 2008 9:44 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

changes

WR-Kirkendoll, Cosby, and Shipley will not be the three starters at WR. Expect Malcolm Williams to start in place of Kirkendoll. Technically, I think Williams would be considered the SE.

TB- It’s obviously McGee, Whitaker, and Ogbonnaya. Whitaker is the natural back-up, with OG as the 3rd down specialist.

TE- Irby and Marshall are the guys that will be catching passes, Ullman will be the blocking guy. As for who starts, its definitely Irby.

OL – LT Ulatoski, LG Tanner, C Hall, RG Dockery, RT Hix.

Defensively Lamarr Houston is going to start at DT. The DBs are going to be fairly interchangeable with the except of Beasley and Palmer who will on play corner. The Browns & Wells will probably play corner and safety as Muschamp likes to rotate these guys around.

Also, expect to see some 4-2-5 defenses against the spread offense. In that situation, I expect Bobino will drop off to make room for another DB. This way you keep Kindle and Muck on the field and you put 5 DBs behind them.

John Chiles - I'm your foster daddy!

by BMG on Jul 10, 2008 9:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tray Allen

I think Tray Allen will eventually move to guard. Ulatoski will probablt get hurt during the year, and Allen will play for him.

by Longhorns84 on Jul 10, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Moving Allen to guard

would be a poor use of his athleticism. But I agree, we can pretty much count on Ulatoski missing some plays (or games) to injury, regardless of whether he plays left or right tackle.

by learned hand on Jul 10, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some of the OL injuries last year

can probably be traced to the early part of the season, when they played upward to 100 plays per game, way over the normal 60-70. Without tackle depth (due to departures) and a scramble finding interior skill, the regulars didn’t get much relief. And those were the hot weather games.

I personally think they got worn down early and that was a contributing factor. But I also realize there really wasn’t much choice in the matter unless they went with truly inexperienced players, which they could have done in the ooc games. At any rate, I think the relatively good depth this year will allow much greater substitution early in the season, something Texas had traditionally done in the past, and will be a major difference between this year and last year.

by whills on Jul 10, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Allen

I’d rather see Allen play tackle than Ulatoski, but they seem pretty set on Ulatoski. I think they have to get Allen on the field at some position.

by Longhorns84 on Jul 10, 2008 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lineup

Well, you could start by revamping the OL and DT spots . . . Hall is the center, Dockery will start at RG, Ullman is about No. 3 at TE (he’ll play as a blocker on short-yardage situations), the tackles are to bedetermined . . . Ellis left the program recently; Houston will start at DT. Much of this was made pretty clear in the spring game. ON THE OPINION SIDE: I can’t imagine Norton not starting at LB. McGee is the top TB, though Mack Brown’s loyalty to upperclassmen might lead to Ogbonnaya being listed No. 1 . . . I still have a hunch Curtis Brown will move to safety with Chykie and Aaron Williams the top subs at CB . . . FRESHMEN: Williams, Humphries and maybe Randall at DT, Buckner or Grant or Hales at WR; Brewster (safety) will probably avoid redshirting,

by edsp on Jul 10, 2008 10:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Horns do need depth at DT.

Houston’s move just pointed up that glaring weakness. The starters are damn strong but the depth falls off quickly in the interior, so I can see some freshmen deployed. Unless, of course, the DEs ate themselves into a new position this summer.

by whills on Jul 10, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs