To Shirt or Not to Shirt? (Defense)
by sambunnell on Feb 3, 2012 1:51 PM CST
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PrintManny Diaz. Bo Davis. Duane Akina. Oscar Giles. These are the winners from the 2012 Longhorns defensive recruiting haul. A nearly perfect class should stock the coaches' cupboard for years to come with play-makers and draft picks. Let's take a look at who the early contributors might be for next season.
Defense
DT Malcolm Brown - Like Jonathan Gray on offense, Brown is the can't miss defensive talent in this class. He may or may not end up starting next year, but he most assuredly will see the field and make his presence felt. Pairing Brown,
DT Brandon Moore - The other JUCO take instantly eases the loss of mainstay Kheeston Randall. He won't provide much QB pressure, but the Horns don't need that from the big man. Diaz's boys were mighty against the run in 2011, and that should only improve in 2012 with the addition of Moore, who is already on campus and will be in spring drills.
LB Dalton Santos - Steve Edmond will assume MLB responsibilities now that Keenan Robinson has moved on. He will bring a ferocious penchant for stuffing running backs to the position, and the good news is Santos is cut from the same cloth. He should immediately make the two-deep and see the field extensively. Vol Nation will miss him dearly.
OLB/DE Torshiro Davis - Some predicted he will redshirt after his surprise NSD switch from LSU, but Texas needs depth at defensive end and could be greatly blessed by this Sergio Kindle-type at rush 'backer. He will provide instant QB pressure, which will only make the Alex Okafor/Jackson Jeffcoat tandem that much more lethal due to single blocking assignments.
DB Bryson Echols - Texas is deep at defensive back, but Echols displays the ball skills, swivel hips, and success against high-level competition to be ready to contribute in the fall. With the starters set with Kenny Vaccaro, Quandre Diggs, Adrian Phillips, and Carrington Byndom, Echols could join Mykkele Thompson, AJ White, Leroy Scott, Josh Turner, and Sheroid Evans in the race for second-string.
Again, a plethora of talent will be red-shirted, especially along the defensive line. Diaz and the rest of the coaches should be thrilled for years to come with this year's influx of talent. Kudos to Mack and the Boys for another fantastic class. Now let the games begin.
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No way Echols plays.
I think Brown and Moore both play. Likely Brown is better, but younger, so which player makes a bigger difference? It just depends on as to which factor is more determinative.
Shiro may contribute on special teams, but he will likely have to wait for the exodus next year at DE. Hopefully the play is good enough that Jeffcoat and Okafor can go pro.
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Disagree with you on 2012 usage of Torshiro Davis
In Diaz’s schemes, he could line up and come from anywhere on 3rd down his freshman season. I bet we see him on the field quite often in passing situations – along with Okafor and Jeffcoat.
I agree with you in that, once Okafor and Jeffcoat are gone after 2012, then it’s just a question of, “What side do you want to line up on, Torshiro?”
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by beast in bama on Feb 3, 2012 5:30 PM CST up reply actions
While I really like Echols...
We didn’t lose any CBs, so there is less of a chance that he’ll see real PT, unless he kills it in special teams. I think out of all of the recruits Colbert has the better chance at cracking the depth chart early. Safety is in flux now that Gideon and C Scott are gone. Evans is the only player listed at SS though Turner and L Scott could also move over from CB if needed. But this vacantcy allows for a kid like Colbert (or possibly Duke Thomas) to step up and slide in right away, especially if they are contributing on special teams.
"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011
by TowerPower on Feb 4, 2012 1:59 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Safety
I see Vacarro and Evans starting at safety, with Phillips as the nickel back. Mykkele and Leroy Scott should be backup safeties, with Josh Turner and AJ White as backup corners, unless Echols can beat one of them for the job. Imo, anyway…
I think Phillips starts over Evans
This is the hardest prediction for me though. Both are very similar but Phillips seems to have shined more when playing. This is a coin toss honestly.
Do you mean in the nickel set?
Or do you think Evans is one of the top 4 DBs if we’re in our base defense? It would be very surprising for Evans to get the ‘Sher-nod’ over Phillips at the starting S spot. If you’re talking about the 5-DB set, I agree with you that Phillips will flip over to nickel.
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i think...
Malcolm Brown will be here for 3 years, and we better enjoy it. Moore will play a bunch, even if he doesn’t start, he will play a ton. Torshiro is absolutely explosive coming off the edge, think brian orakpo. He will play a bunch on 3rd downs and against the “texas tech” style offensive attacks. I could see Santos playing in 3rd and short and goal line situations as well. What a great group of kids!
Good days ahead...
Swim…either way, our D-backfield will be talent-rich and productive. I for one can’t wait to see what Mykkele will bring to the table this year. And we should have three all-conference players with Diggs, Byndom, and Vaccaro. Plus two more with Jeffcoat and Okafor. Not to mention Jordan Hicks and whatever unproven players step up and reach that level. We could seriously have six or seven All-Big 12 first team defenders next year, and even a few All-Americans. The young guys will just provide depth.
AC…Shiro will indeed be a Sergio Kindle/Brian Orakpo hybrid, imo. I say he plays sooner, rather than later. I’m excited about Chris Whaley too. I think he has a drive and motivation like few others. He is playing to get drafted, imo.
agree....
we can thank henry melton for this i believe…whaley is a phenomenal athlete who is only getting better…this defense could be super special next year
Agree on Santos and Shiro...
But I think you’re remiss to not include Jinkens and Ridge on your list. Manny plays with the LB schemes a lot and attempts to get the most athletic guys on the feild, now we know Hicks, Cobb, Jackson, Thompson, and Edmond will be at the top of the depth chart but after that it’s up in the air. I like Santos but I also like Jinkens, and think both will play. Mack wants to win now.
Ridge is a beast and we’re thin at DE, after the ones we only have Reed and Reggie, and Reggie hasn’t impressed yet, I think Shiro will get the early nod, but I also think Ridge will get plently of PT too unless the coaches see some improvement in Reggie. Manny loves keeping the line fresh and so on long drives it’s possible to see the 3’s in the game. Tank Jackson had plently of PT despite being behind Randell, Howell, Dorsey, and Whaley; so Ridge will probably have similar time too.
"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011
by TowerPower on Feb 4, 2012 1:48 AM CST via mobile reply actions
DE wide open?
TowerPower…
You could be right about Ridgeway…but then again Cottrell could step in. I read that Oregon was going to use him as a true frosh. Ridge also seems to need some refining and could potentially shirt. But…he could play too.
At LB, I definitely see Santos as backup MLB, but I don’t see Jinkens playing yet. I think he and Tim Cole could benefit from a year of learning. De La Torre could see a position switch soon. Outside of the 5-man rotation you listed, Aaron Benson will play, as will Chet Moss…if he doesn’t go back to FB. I don’t see any room for Jinkens or Cole.
he hasn't really said anything yet...
I’m waiting…
"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011
Defensively . . .
we have everybody back except for Acho, Robinson, Randall, Howell & Gideon. There are ALMOST NO depth chart holes to fill. Logically, most of the freshman defenders would redshirt; the old regime would have played it that way. This one will ‘shirt 3 or 4. Maybe. The rest will see at least some snaps, and several who don’t crack the two-deep will play on special teams.
I’m not sold on Moore as a starter. He might; I hope he does. But I see him in spot role. Cobbs and Edmond replace the two senior LBers. I’m predicting M. Thompson wins Gideon’s job, with Phillips remaining the top sub everywhere and a regular part of the nickel package.
As for the freshmen: Brown, Davis, Ridgeway, Jinkens, De La Torre play. One of the corners and Colbert play, the other two DBs could redshirt but probably won’t. Cole, Norman, Cottrell and Boyette redshirt. Santos probably plays. Bluiett, depends on his position but RS likely.
DLT? Really?
Chet Moss will play before DLT imo
"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011
Would be a very big 'upset'
If DLT and Jinkens see the field not on specials teams. Both really aren’t ready for this level of strength. DLT is vastly undersized and Peter is built like a safety right now. Would love to be able to redshirt both, unless Alex can contribute at FB, but he probably needs a shirt more than any player in the class if he’s sticking at LB.
Agree about the others you listed. I think Caleb will play a hybrid OLB/DE position in blowout situations, assuming we have some. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Bryce get some run either.
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I see...
Dalton Santos playing in the red zone where he won’t have to play the pass as much…250 pounds MLB in high school??? maybe I’m not thinking clearly (which happens a lot), but i can’t remember us EVER getting a LB with that type of size and strength right outta HS
Half and Half
Echols ’shirts. Too much depth ahead of him. Same with Colbert. Good to create some seperation on the depth chart too.
MB2 doesn’t shirt. He is a physical freak and a man when playing. I think he gets into the 2 deep next year without question. There will be a nice rotation of DT next season. Should be interesting to watch what Manny does with that kind of depth.
Santos doesn’t ‘shirt. Most people don’t realize Edmond was still having conditioning issues last season. I think Edmond starts BUT I think Santos is available for breather relief. He will be ready to play. Unless Edmond magically loses 10lbs and gets in incredible shape.
Torshiro is interesting. It’s a log jam and the positions he can play. DE is already 2 deep at both SDE WDE. SLB and WLB are both loaded as well. I think he ‘shirts because of depth and depth only. Maybe they use him for ST? I’m not sure on this one.
Davis plays. Ridgeway plays.
Bank on it. We’re not going to sacrifice next season, when 9 wins looks like a decent bet and a BCS bowl may be within reach. But the staff is really looking at 2013, when all of 2011’s kids are veterans, this year’s signees have some game experience, and when our losses from the 2012 team will be minimal.
With that in mind, Davis, Ridgeway, Reed, maybe Cottrell, maybe somebody who signs a year from now, will be our defensive ends in ‘13. That means their growth curve will be advanced by playing in 2012. Plus, Mack wants to play at least four ends and five tackles . . . and I can’t imagine Toshiro not being among our first four ends.
I don’t believe the current staff mentality is to build up a bunch of fourth-year juniors and fifth-year seniors. I think the new regime’s thinking goes like this: (1) Prepare the young ones to play; (2) Get them as game ready as possible, and get them some field time; (3) Keep bringing in youngsters who can push the veterans for snaps; (4) If the youngster moves in front on the depth chart, the more veteran player will be strongly urged to look elsewhere.
Yeah, there’s a bit of Sabanization there. I don’t advociate or like it. Just looking at how I think the coaches are/will be doing it.
Maybe
I agree that if Davis and Ridgeway come in and jump someone by performance, they will play. I just don’t know if that will happen. I don’t think Cottrell jumps anyone this year.
The way I see it, JJ and Reed at WDE will be very hard to jump. Okafor and Wilson at SDE will be hard to jump as well. I just don’t see it happening honestly. Will it? I don’t know but I doubt it.
I agree on the coaching philosophy though. If Davis or Ridgeway comes in and they beat someone out, they will get their chance to play. I just don’t think they will. I could be wrong though…who knows. I think Davis has the best shot though.
wow how little faith...
Reed played well against good competition this year as a Freshman, next year he’ll have been in Wylie’s S&C system and Manny’s defensive scheme for a full year, while Shiro and Ridge are just getting started…Reed was as big a take as Ridge was this year…both were rated as an 80 on ESPN, and Shiro was just an 81. Give Reed the benefit of the doubt, he’s gonna be solid, I’m most worried about Wilson.
"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011
agreed
and yes, Wilson is the weakest link…if you can call him “weak”. If Ridgeway comes in and blows the coaches away, he may jump Wilson. I honestly don’t know. All I know is we are stacked at DE and DT this season. I’m talking SEC style stacked.
Wilson is better
Reggie Wilson has so much more potential than Cedric Reed. Reed will struggle to see the field, because he just doesn’t bring much to the table. Wilson saw action in 12 games and had 9 tackles, 3 QB hurries, and 2 fumble recoveries last year. Reed saw action in 7 games and had 3 tackles and broke up one pass. So I can’t really agree with TowerPower that he played well against good competition. And I gotta disagree with you, STLaw, that Wilson is the weakest. His ceiling is just so much higher than Reed’s. He hasn’t lived up to last year’s Spring Game showing, but he might bring the pain this year, knowing he’s got real freshman talent breathing down his neck.
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