Bobby Burton
I was reminded by someone yesterday that most of the first week is always “install” for the coming season.
That means getting players - all players, not just the first-line units - to understand key aspects of the offense and defense, and doing the things in live action that the coaches have talked about and shown to the players on the proverbial chalkboard for months.
Install is mostly a learning phase of training camp.
But it’s also an opportunity for coaches to see which players can ingest (or have already ingested) the material and put it into practice. That ingestion allows for some freshmen or younger players to a get a head start.
Graceson Littleton is a perfect example.
The freshman from the Tampa-St. Pete area is stacking together multiple positive practices, enough so for one insider to already say, “he’s definitely going to play this year.”
Now, whether that will be as a starter or a key back-up is yet to be determined. But Littleton’s absorption of the team’s defense, along with his athletic ability, showcases the value of being ready the day practice starts.
Even in a somewhat crowded and definitely talented secondary, Littleton will play in 2025. A lot.
Note to myself and everyone else who attempts to rank recruits:
Never underestimate the mental aspect of sport.
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Outside of his ability to understand what defensive coaches want him to do, Littleton is said to have elite closing speed. When he sees something, he goes.
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People ask all the time if there’s an underrated player on the Texas defense. I typically respond with Ethan Burke because Burke is overshadowed by Colin Simmons. Or I mention Brad Spence because Spence was so underrated as a portal pick-up.
But, in retrospect, I wonder if the right answer to that question now isn’t Trey Moore. Moore is lining up all over the field in camp, giving the defense multiple looks and variety.
No offense to Burke, who I think will have a fine senior campaign, or Spence, who could be a real factor as a pass rusher, but based on feedback I’ve received, I think Moore is going to be a more integral piece of the puzzle than folks realize.
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The team gets going in full pads for the first time this morning.
Practice starts right around 9am.
It’ll be the first time the group tackles to the ground and gets truly “physical”.
Hook’Em!