Burton I continue to be told that Texas is working behind the scenes on a number of possible coaching scenarios, some of which are further along than others. Frankly put, some of those feelers and subsequent conversations have been more well received than others. However, I expect no major, external movement of any sort until after the various conference championship games. Instead, I expect the normal behind-the-scenes machinations that come with situations like this, and that includes ongoing vetting of potential coaches and assuaging the concern and fears of the existing staff. Please note that just about every major coach Texas would pursue is playing in a conference championship game or in the middle of their NFL season. In other words, if you woke up this morning hoping for a major revelation from me on the coaching front, I’m sorry to disappoint. I’d say patience is the operative word. ** I got the low down on all of the Texas freshman yesterday and how they have been perceived internally. We’ll go quickly position-by-position. At QB, Hudson Card came out of the gate strong. He understood the offense, whereas Ja’Quinden Jackson struggled in his first couple of weeks on campus with the nuances of the position. Card throws crisp passes and makes quick decisions. He is considered the best thrower on the roster, and that includes Sam Ehlinger. Jackson, on the other hand, has really come on of late. He is starting to look like a real long-term option at QB because he has been a relatively quick study and because he is so talented. Props were given to both Jackson for his effort and attention to detail and QB coach Mike Yurcich for Jackson’s development and consistent approach even when Jackson clearly would not play much this season. Suffice to say, the existing Texas staff is extremely excited with the freshman QBs. At running back, Bijan Robinson is the most explosive back on the team and perhaps in the conference. He is also a team-leader type, and that could be very valuable in the long run. When a team’s best players are actually the best teammates, good things tend to happen. The wide receivers in the 2020 class are a bit of a mixed bag. Troy Omeire literally wowed the coaches in fall camp. As outside receivers for Texas have struggled to get off press coverage this season, Omeire is considered the answer. Coaches don’t expect him to merely be good, they think he is a different breed. Words truly can not express how dominant the coaches think Omeire can be. Sometimes players walk onto the field and they’re just different. That’s Omeire. Kelvontay Dixon has shown some ability and is still considered a good take for the Horns. Dajon Harrison is a different situation. His decision, following an injury, to opt out really kind of took the coaching staff by surprise and disappointed them. It’s an unnecessary lost year of development for him. Along the OL, Herb Hand struck gold at center. Jake Majors is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of player. The staff expects Majors to be an eventual team captain and multi-year starter. Likewise, Andrej Karic has already pushed up the depth chart to become a factor. The question is not whether Karic will be a contributor or starter for the Horns over the long term, it’s at what position. Will he be good enough to play left tackle, or is he tailor-made for a right tackle spot? Unfortunately, just like a prospector sometimes hits gold, he sometimes gets less than rosy results. It’s way too early to write off Logan Parr by any means, but early results are the expectation of that of a late-career starter or solid back-up. And perhaps the worst news is that Jaylon Garth may very well end up being a medical opt out in time. His initial injury was severe and it just isn’t coming around as much as all had hoped. Again, it’s way too early to write offensive linemen off because of the development time they take, but that’s where those two sit currently. On the defensive front, Alfred Collins has already played in every game and is a known commodity. One coach called him the best young DL talent he’s ever been around. Vernon Broughton is expected to be a terrific interior pass rusher in the long run. His combo of burst and size make him an ideal threat to get after the QB. Sawyer Goram-Welch is considered one of the finds of the class. While he is currently playing DT, he could move over to offense in the off-season and try his hand at either guard or tackle. Coaches really like his motor, toughness and better-than-anticipated athleticism. At linebacker, Jaylan Ford has stepped into a potential heir apparent as the most talented linebacker on the team. Coaches like his combo of football smarts, size and relative quickness. They also think he’s football tough. Ford will likely end up a multi-year starter for the Horns. Jayden Hullaby and Prince Dorbah are the other two LBs in the class. Dorbah has plus-ability but coaches would like him to show more tenacity and a greater commitment in his desire to develop as a player. Hullaby is different in that regard. He’s considered a blue collar, lunch pail type. He will strike you and he has no problem giving it everything he’s got on every play. In the secondary, Kitan Crawford, Xavian Alford, and Jerrin Thompson all have the cut of future starters. Coaches are particularly high of late on Crawford and Alford as they have shown signs of growing into their plus-athleticism with more and more practice reps. Thompson is considered a savvy football player. Alford was singled out as a potential captain-type long term. Crawford is the most physically gifted of the group. That leaves Jahdae Barron, who has already seen significant action on special teams. Barron has some work ahead of him to define his role better but he has the requisite talent to be a contributor and possible starter