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OB3

Burnt Ends
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  1. IT Humidor (Thursday and Friday practice)

    Spoiler

    Alrighty. Spring ball continued with back to back practices on Thursday and Friday. Not much was to be gleaned on Thursday as the team was in helmets. Friday was a bit more interesting due to scrimmage work, but there’s an important caveat we’ll get to regarding that.

    The most interesting thing on Thursday was Cameron Williams got significant reps at right guard. Previously he’s dabbled at the position but this time he was more involved. It wasn’t a padded practice so it’s hard to glean how he looked, but much of O-line play is mental and technical, not just athletic and physical, so he got in some needed work. One source effectively stated it might be a race between DJ Campbell and Williams to see who ‘gets it’ first. It seems the staff really wants Campbell to grab the position by the horns but he hasn’t quite done that yet. Given Williams’ talent level, he’s not just token competition but a real threat to Campbell’s playing time. Cole Hutson, upon his return, will also be a real threat but he hasn’t been available this spring. 

    If the staff had its druthers I believe the long term preference is Hutson (or Connor Robertson) at center, Campbell at guard, and Williams at right tackle. Williams is not much of a threat to Christian Jonesfor this season, however, and Hutson and Robertson have Jake Majors in front of them.

    Moving on to Friday, the thud tempo scrimmage was largely 1s vs 2s and it went about as expected. “Whatever first string was in there did well. First team offense ran it down the second team defense’s throat.” This is where Cedric Baxterreally looked the part running downhill, aided of course by the O-line being able to move the line of scrimmage. Jaydon Blue and Savion Red both looked solid. They’re both good outside/cutback runners. Blue showed good feel and vision but needs to work on ball protection some.

    Hayden Conner took some second team reps at center which opened the door for Neto Umeozulu to play left guard. As opposed to Thursday when Williams played the bulk of his reps at right guard, he was switching back and forth between tackle and guard. 

    Quinn Ewers had a good, efficient day (again, 1s vs 2s). He was quick through his progressions which is something that has improved throughout camp. The offense was also able to confuse the second team defense some. Ewers had a nice red zone touchdown throw to Gunnar Helm on a scramble. 

    Speaking of Helm, he’s being integrated into the passing game more. That’s more evidence of the team’s expected 11 personnel identity for 2023. If something happened to Ja’Tavion Sanders the coaches would need Helm having familiarity with Sanders’ role and on the same page with Ewers. 

    Defensive playmakers on the day were Austin Jordan, who had an interception; Terrance Brooks, who forced a fumble; and, Anthony Hill who was violent and assignment sound in his run fits.

    A few other sourced miscellaneous notes: 

    — Ethan Burke is playing the run better. He still has a tall order versus Kelvin Banks and Jones, but he’s improved quite a bit. He’s looking like your starter at Buck.

    — Twice now we’ve heard about Zac Swanson making some plays. Since he’s always been a longer curve player we haven’t discussed him much but he’s coming on. Good quickness, good motor, and he’ll battle. Only 260 pounds, though, so he’ll probably need this offseason and next to be ready for real snaps.

    — Quinn is harnessing some of what Paul has called ‘positive insecurity’. Ewers thinks Arch Manning is right on his heels. That will make them both better. Based on what we’re hearing, Ewers leaving after this year isn’t really on his radar. He’s focused on the process of getting better and that’s it.

    The book on Arch coming into Texas has been true to form. As a quarterback “he’s good at everything, very prepared, and though he’s fun and can be light-hearted, he’s very competitive.”

    The team will return to workouts on Monday and the practice field on Tuesday for the final week of Spring ball. 

     

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