IT stuff:
Let’s start the penultimate week before the season with some quality team notes following Texas’ second scrimmage.
This scrimmage was definitely designed to put the team through the wringer. It was hot and they ran a lot of plays, often under simulated duress. The coaches tried to make it harder than it will be in a game.
As we mentioned this weekend, the offense fared much better than the previous week but the play was still pretty even. No side got a clear victory.
Offense starts with the quarterback and both Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning started off much more composed than the week prior. Ewers converted with Silas Bolden and Isaiah Bond a handful of times. Manning had a really good ball to Matthew Golden for about a 30-yard touchdown that was called back (I think holding).
On this day, per multiple sources the secondary was the best group on the field. At this point I expect Jahdae Barron to start at boundary corner and Malik Muhammad to play field corner. That means Jaylon Guilbeau will start at Star. Depth is spurred by versatility as Barron is effectively the No. 2 Star. Gavin Holmes is the No. 3 cornerback and he continues to play well. When Holmes comes on I imagine Muhammad moves back over to boundary corner where he played last year in the absence of Ryan Watts.
There’s depth at safety where all four of Andrew Mukuba, Michael Taaffe, Derek Williams, and Jelani McDonald will play a lot. My suspicion is the two most experienced safeties will get the nod to start but I’m not 100% sure on that. Mukuba would be the emergency third Star.
Overall, this group is communicating well and is much better in man coverage than a year ago.
With Anthony Hill on a pitch count Liona Lefau played a lot at Mike. He looks good, especially in his pass drops. That comes as no surprise if you watched his high school tape. He’s also comfortable in the box and apparently a pretty big hitter. If Hill is a three-year player the position will still be in good hands.
Morice Blackwell has had a good camp and will play Dime-backer a lot. That’s not just David Gbenda‘s position. Dime is essentially the Will when the defense is in nickel.
I asked how Trey Moore is fairing given his more limited length. “Length isn’t an issue. His motor is incredible.”
When the defense is in base and the Star comes off, Moore goes to Sam. The big defensive end is Alfred Collins. The defensive tackles are Vernon Broughton and Bill Norton OR Jermayne Lole. Barryn Sorrell is the Jack but the Jack moves to the boundary. That doesn’t seem like an easy group to run the ball against. We should see a lot of base in Week 2 given Michigan’s offensive style of play.
Back to the offense. The main competition I’m tracking on that side of the ball is slot receiver. I’m not sure if it will be Golden or DeAndre Moore. They’ll be good with either. Both should play a lot regardless of who starts.
There are a couple of bumps and bruises on the offensive line but nothing serious.
Ryan Niblett again received a few carries. He’s described as a willing runner, he’s not just looking to bounce it outside.
Returners are Golden on kick off and Bolden on punt return. That is unfair.
This week the team returns to its game-week schedule of morning practices which signals we’re getting really damn close.