The Longhorns started the spring with some big questions, and last weekend’s open practices didn’t really yield any answers. The players and coaches, however, provided some insight into the three biggest issues at play right now: receiver, defensive line and leadership. Here’s a breakdown.
Receiver
With Quan Cosby leaving and Jordan Shipley out for the spring due to shoulder surgery, the eyes of Texas are on the receiving corps to see who can replace Cosby and the reliable Shipley as the team’s next go-to receiver.
“I think losing Quan is obviously a big hole in our offense, and that’s something we really have to focus on,” said quarterback Colt McCoy.
The three favorites are Brandon Collins, James Kirkendoll and Malcolm Williams. Kirkendoll and Collins will be juniors next year and Williams will be a sophomore. Kirkendoll and Collins are smaller receivers who rely on speed and pass-catching ability, while Williams brings speed and size to the table at 6 feet 3 inches and 218 pounds.
In the two practices, Williams lined up in the X-spot that Cosby played in.
“I felt that Malcolm did a great job at ‘X’ today,” McCoy said after practice Friday.
6-foot-1-inch cornerback Chykie Brown defended Williams in the passing drills to get Williams used to going up against the bigger, more physical corners he’ll face.
There’s a newcomer in the position now that quarterback John Chiles has switched to receiver. Graduate assistant Tony Jeffery, a former Longhorn receiver, worked closely with Chiles in practice to get him acclimated to the new position. Chiles made a good move and sprinted past the cornerback to get open on a play Friday, but couldn’t finish, as he dropped the ball at the last moment. Chiles showed signs of improvement but is a work in progress.
“I’ve got to get used to catching, but it’ll come around,” Chiles said. “I’m in better shape than I thought I was going to be.”
If there’s a dark horse in the race, it’s redshirt freshman DeSean Hales. Hales, who displayed impressive speed, wore Cosby’s No. 6 jersey at practice and looks about the same height as Cosby, who isn’t very tall. However, Hales needs to add muscle and strength in the offseason or he’ll be a liability when catching balls over the middle.
Redshirt freshman D.J. Grant, who stands at 6 feet 3 inches, is moving to tight end to give the Longhorns a pass-catching threat at the position while Blaine Irby recovers from his knee injury. Grant is already bigger than former successful Longhorn tight ends David Thomas and Bo Scaife when they started out at the position.
“What we’ll probably do with D.J. to start with is to start him where Jordan played last year in the Oklahoma game in the inside slot,” said head coach Mack Brown. “We will want him to work in the area of blocking well enough to where he can play a tight, tight end. He gives you a lot of flexibility.”
Defensive line
There are definitely more questions than answers on the d-line.
Sergio Kindle has moved from linebacker to the rush end spot. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is experimenting with the rest of the defensive line in the spring. Lamarr Houston, Kheeston Randle and freshman Kyle Kriegel are all getting reps at end and tackle. Sam Acho, Russell Carter and Dravanti Johnson are getting practice at end as well. Muschamp is trying out linebackers Emmanuel Acho and Jared Norton as pass rushers on the defensive line in rush situations.
“We’re lacking depth at the end position, so we’re trying to develop more speed on the field and get as many pass rushers as we can there,” Muschamp said. “When you can affect the quarterback with just the four up front, it’s the best defense in America.”
Last season, Roy Miller was the guy who played the one-technique and clogged up the middle while drawing double teams. Muschamp said they don’t have anyone designated for that role yet, and might not for a while. He said they’ll start off with right and left tackle just like last season by having a right and left safety instead of free and strong with Blake Gideon and Earl Thomas. The only thing set in stone is that 310 pound senior defensive tackle Ben Alexander will play the zero-technique on short yardage rush defense.
“When you have right and left you are not locked into one thing in what you are trying to do,” Muschamp said. “You want to be flexible enough to where you can adjust if somebody trades out a tight end in their package or something.”
Leadership
Miller, Cosby and Brian Orakpo were three of the senior leaders who kept the team focused last season. New leaders will have to emerge this spring. McCoy is a clear choice as the main leader now, but it’s not clear who else will step up.
“What we’ve told the players is that we’re going to look and see who are the hardest workers in every group,” Brown said. “We’re going to promote those guys as leaders. If you’re in the back of the line or middle of the line, that’s fine. You can be a good player, but you’re not going to be a leader.”
Linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy could be one of those guys.
“It’s kind of funny to me, because usually all the older guys are there, but now it’s my time and I am one of the older guys,” Muckelroy said. “I just go around telling young guys to keep their heads up and that everybody’s had a first time out here.”
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