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2020 Texas Offseason Thread: Herman's Hail Mary


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Thx @texifornia

Ian Boyd... My guess for the OL next season:

  • LT: Sam Cosmi (25 starts)
  • LG: Junior Angilau (11 starts)
  • OC: Derek Kerstetter (25 starts)
  • RG: Denzel Okafor (5 starts)
  • RT: Christian Jones (0 starts)

Hey, Surly OL smarties: 

  1. What the hell with Angilau at RG during 2019?
  2. Isn't it time for Tyler Johnson to play a lot?
  3. What's the outlook for Rafiti Ghirmai?
  4. Who/What were the biggest OL issues for Not handling the pass rush stunts well during 2019?

 

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4 minutes ago, LTtxfan said:

Thx @texifornia

Ian Boyd... My guess for the OL next season:

  • LT: Sam Cosmi (25 starts)
  • LG: Junior Angilau (11 starts)
  • OC: Derek Kerstetter (25 starts)
  • RG: Denzel Okafor (5 starts)
  • RT: Christian Jones (0 starts)

Hey, Surly OL smarties: 

  1. What the hell with Angilau at RG during 2019?
  2. Isn't it time for Tyler Johnson to play a lot?
  3. What's the outlook for Rafiti Ghirmai?
  4. Who/What were the biggest OL issues for Not handling the pass rush stunts well during 2019?

I don't have answers to all of these, but Jones over Johnson can make sense - he's a year older, he was a talented recruit, that doesn't seem odd.

Ghirmai sucking at center in his limited time there seems to peg his ceiling at backup guard.

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2 minutes ago, LTtxfan said:

Thx @texifornia

Ian Boyd... My guess for the OL next season:

  • LT: Sam Cosmi (25 starts)
  • LG: Junior Angilau (11 starts)
  • OC: Derek Kerstetter (25 starts)
  • RG: Denzel Okafor (5 starts)
  • RT: Christian Jones (0 starts)

Hey, Surly OL smarties: 

  1. What the hell with Angilau at RG during 2019?
  2. Isn't it time for Tyler Johnson to play a lot?
  3. What's the outlook for Rafiti Ghirmai?I
  4. Who/What were the biggest OL issues for Not handling the pass rush stunts well during 2019?

1. This doesn’t make any sense. Left vs. right guard doesn’t really matter and it’s just Boyd’s projection.

2. Not really. He’s only a second year and he had a good bit of technique work needed coming out of HS. He may be ready this year, but it’s not a big deal if we have better options.

3. Doesn’t seem too great so far. Likely not going to start this year, but he has tow more years after 2020 to contribute.

4. Poor game planning. We didn’t make OU pay for all their slants/stunts in the run game because we called a bunch of slow-developing runs (this was pure idiocy), so they could tee off when we had to pass. Similarly, against teams like ISU and Baylor, we called a bunch of inside zone runs right into the teeth of their defenses, resulting in a bunch of third and longs  where they could blitz and pin their ears back. Hand’s OLs have also always been better at running than passing. I still think he’s a good OL coach, but he’s had a lot of seasons with some high sack numbers. We also had Braun and Angilau at G (both very inexperienced pass blockers) and Shack at C (who just isn’t all that good) who struggled with stunts a lot. I think a GT, plus Angilau with another year of experience and Kerstetter at G could solidify some of that.

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IT on Special Teams

Spoiler

By: Joe Cook

Texas head coach Tom Herman places enough emphasis on special teams to refer to them as “special forces,” where each unit’s designation serves as a historical tieback to the United States’ or the University of Texas’ military history.

The combined performances of Longhorn special teams weren’t spectacular throughout the 2019 season, but the individual performances put on by Longhorn specialists are worth highlighting and analyzing.

CAMERON DICKER

2019 Stats: 56/57 XP, 14/18 FG, 78 kickoffs, 49 touchbacks

Placekicking is a binary pursuit. The aesthetic of the ball-flight, how many times it careens off the uprights, or by how much it clears the crossbar are all insignificant to the only question that matters: did you make it?

Sophomore kicker Cameron Dicker made 78 percent of his field goals in 2019, up six percent from his 2018 campaign. However, he attempted seven fewer field goals this year, leading to only 14 makes in 2019 compared to 18 last season.

Herman’s fourth down decision making process, jokingly referred to by fans and media as “the binder,” often kept the ball in the offense’s hands rather than on the right foot of Dicker.

With fewer occasions to kick, his four misses were magnified. He failed to convert a 49-yarder just before halftime in the season opener versus LA Tech, a 26-yard attempt following a TCU turnover on a kickoff, a 55-yard kick with the distance but lacking accuracy against Kansas State, and a 42-yard attempt against West Virginia following a 16-play drive.

The biggest miss might be the one that took place in Fort Worth, though Dicker’s miscues were the least of Herman and the rest of the Longhorn staff’s worries from that contest.

Despite those four misses Dicker did hit several important three-pointers during the 2019 season, including two that altered the course of Texas’ season. The first important FG wasn’t significant in the context of the game, but it put Dicker into a special place in Texas history. He hit a 57-yarder versus Rice at NRG Stadium, the seventh-longest field goal in program history.

Later in the season, his services were required for two game-winning field goals; one a 33-yard attempt to defeat Kansas, the other a 26-yard try to defeat Kansas State. He converted both, salvaging two home victories for Texas.

His lone miss on extra-point attempts occurred in the final regular season game when Texas Tech blocked his first PAT of the contest. It would not cause issue in the game.

Dicker kicked off all but three times this year, the other two going to Chris Naggar in blowout wins versus LA Tech and Rice. Of Dicker’s 78 kickoffs, 49 of them ended as touchbacks and were not returned. Only one was penalized for going out of bounds compared to four in his freshman season. He accounted for two solo tackles with one at TCU and one at WVU.

Thanks to Dicker, Longhorn opponents averaged 22.48 yards per return when they decided not to kneel or fair catch to receive the ball at the 25-yard line, according to the NCAA. The one blemish on the record of the Longhorn kickoff team was when Josh Youngblood returned a kick 98 yards for Kansas State.

There was no sophomore slump for Dicker. Even if he makes peculiar wardrobe decisions, the decision to go to his leg helped Texas score 70 times in 2019. He has yet to have a true #CollegeKickers lackluster moment in his career, and not all college kickers can say that.

THE INTERNATIONAL PUNTING CONGLOMERATE

Ryan Bujcevski 2019 stats: 32 punts, 41.7 yard average, 10 Inside 20, 3 touchbacks, 3 50+ yard punts, 13 punts fair caught

Chris Naggar 2019 stats: 25 punts, 39.32 yard average, 10 Inside 20, 0 touchbacks, 3 50+ yard punts, 16 fair caught

Total 2019 punting stats: 57 punts, 40.67 yard average, 20 Inside 20, 3 touchbacks, 6 50+ yard punts, 29 fair caught

Before his shoulder injury suffered on a fake punt run against TCU, Ryan Bujcevski was on pace to top his freshman punting average of 40.3 by an entire yard.

Bujcevski averaged 40 yards per punt in all but the Oklahoma State game. Despite a lower average against the Cowboys, three of Bujcevski’s four kicks were downed inside the 20.

Texas’ decision to use Bujcevski on a fake punt run in the early third quarter against TCU resulted in the sophomore Australian missing the remainder of the regular season. However, there was a limited dropoff between Texas’ scholarship punter and walk-on Chris Naggar.

Naggar performed admirably when thrust into the starting role. His first punt in relief of Bujcevski was a 54-yarder Texas downed inside the TCU 20. He was called upon 24 times over Texas’ final four regular season games. His 16 punts at Iowa State and Baylor averaged 39.2 yards.

In between the end of the regular season and Alamo Bowl, Naggar put his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. With a degree in hand, Naggar used his opportunity as a showcase to other schools searching for a grad transfer specialist.

The combined effort of Texas’ international punting conglomerate resulted in Texas placing 12th nationally in punt return defense. Per the NCAA, 2019 Longhorn opponents totaled 30 yards on nine punt returns. With only three touchbacks and 30 total return yards, Texas was No. 46 nationally in net punting at 39.09 net yards per punt.

Texas’ return units put together mediocre seasons, but the punt coverage team was one of the most efficient in the nation.

JUSTIN MADER

2018: 140 snaps

2019: 132 snaps

Sophomore long snapper Justin Mader has provided consistent snaps to Longhorn punters and placeholders over his first two seasons on campus.

A walk-on from Magnolia, he snapped three different game-winning field goals over the last two years including the 2018 game winner versus Oklahoma.

Most fans don’t recognize the work of the long snapper unless he messes up. This long snapper hasn’t committed an unforced error on any of his 272 career snaps. Mader is a key piece to Herman’s special teams units who has been a remarkably consistent deep snapper over his two seasons in Austin.

By: Eric Nahlin

D’SHAWN JAMISON

Returning kickoffs doesn’t carry the importance it once did, at least at Texas. Devin Duvernay and D’Shawn Jamison combined for only 18 on the season, but as we saw in the Alamo Bowl, a big punt return can be a game changer.

Along with just 18 kickoff returns, Texas only attempted 16 punt returns, netting 161 yards in the process.

For the second year in a row, Jamison did have a 90+ yard return for a touchdown, which helped skew his kickoff return average to 30.6 yards per return on just 8 attempts.

Jamison also added that huge 71-yard punt return versus Utah that set up an easy touchdown.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1212181862195646465

Christopher Reiss
@NFL_ChrisReiss
#Texas PR D’Shawn Jamison returned a 71-yard punt to the 5-yard line...🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭#Texas #Utah #AlamoBowl 
 

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Shades of Ramonce

Assuming he can prove reliable hands and decision making (in other words, be coached), the governor needs to be removed from D’Shawn Jamison. He’s one of the most electric athletes in college football, it’s time he get the chance to show it.

Shorter fields help the offense, Coach.

TOM HERMAN

When Tom Herman arrived at Texas he touted his involvement in special teams. Due to reasons we’ve belabored, his time was spent on coordinating the offense rather than overseeing ‘total football’. With the hiring of Mike Yurcich, hopefully the level of detail he was known for at U of H on special teams is immediately restored at Texas.

UT has the athletic advantage in nearly every contest it partakes. Special teams should highlight that on a near weekly basis, whether in the return game or covering punts and kickoffs.

We‘ve mentioned Chris Ash thinks there’s an abundance of safety talent — too much to get on the field at once, even. That right there tells you there’s no excuse to not feature menacing coverage teams. For some odd reason, UT was good versus punt returns but poor defending kicks.

That should be easy to fix with a little more discipline. Discipline Herman now assuredly has time to instill.

The overall special teams unit should be one of the best in the country for 2020 and certainly better than 55th.

 

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On 1/4/2020 at 5:26 PM, Burt Macklin said:

Ossai is a DE, not a LB in this defense and we won’t be relying on TR FR at DL with Ossai, Coburn, Ojomo, Bimage, Sweat, Graham, Jones, and Warren all likely able to contribute. Some TR FR might play, but it’ll be because they beat out older guys. 

Linebacker will be a mess, unless one or both of Overshown and Foster can successfully spin down. I’d like to see both start offseason ball at LB. 

I also don’t think we’re that bad off on OL depth. We have 3 returning starters plus a senior Okafor and about 5 2nd or 3rd year guys who should be ready to play and fill the other starting spot plus provide depth. 

Let's say we land Collins. Do you think he and Broughton will play, or will they get a rs? I've never seen either play until the other day at the All-star games, and both looked quick. 

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17 minutes ago, Spider2YBanana said:

Let's say we land Collins. Do you think he and Broughton will play, or will they get a rs? I've never seen either play until the other day at the All-star games, and both looked quick. 

It’s hard to say. They’re both raw and need a lot of technique work, but they’re also physical freaks. Collins is better right now, but Broughton is an EE. I think they both have a chance of making the rotation year one, but it’s not a given. I think, at the least,  they’ll both play in 4 games later in the year, like Coburn did his first year. 

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2 minutes ago, Burt Macklin said:

It’s hard to say. They’re both raw and need a lot of technique work, but they’re also physical freaks. Collins is better right now, but Broughton is an EE. I think they both have a chance of making the rotation year one, but it’s not a given. I think, at the least,  they’ll both play in 4 games later in the year, like Coburn did his first year. 

Nice. Appreciate the response. 

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Potential freshman starters, sure... I'd like to see guys like this get playing time early on. If they're spectacular, no RS for them. If they suck but show potential, RS with possible use later. If they're meh, doesn't matter - play if needed, work at scout, learn and grow.

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1 minute ago, dingleberryswitzer said:

What was  deal with his recruitment?  Didn't Baylor "forget" to send in his LOI, or something and so he was free to come but his brother had to appeal.  That was a weird off-season alltogether.  

You have it exactly backwards.

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2 hours ago, dingleberryswitzer said:

What was  deal with his recruitment?  Didn't Baylor "forget" to send in his LOI, or something and so he was free to come but his brother had to appeal.  That was a weird off-season alltogether.  

other way around, they "forgot" to send in the 4* top 40 national recruit's LOI but took his (DonDuve)

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Thx [mention=384]texifornia[/mention]
Ian Boyd... My guess for the OL next season:
  • LT: Sam Cosmi (25 starts)
  • LG: Junior Angilau (11 starts)
  • OC: Derek Kerstetter (25 starts)
  • RG: Denzel Okafor (5 starts)
  • RT: Christian Jones (0 starts)
Hey, Surly OL smarties: 
  1. What the hell with Angilau at RG during 2019?
  2. Isn't it time for Tyler Johnson to play a lot?
  3. What's the outlook for Rafiti Ghirmai?
  4. Who/What were the biggest OL issues for Not handling the pass rush stunts well during 2019?
 

1.) Switching guard spots is pretty minor. They probably kept Braun on the left because that's what he played at GT and had a big transition ahead of him.

2.) I'd think no in his second year. That'd indicate either he's really special or what is around him isn't very good. Ultimately no internet poster can say anything with certainty though.

3.) See above regarding unknowns. No one on here has seen enough of him to really say. The way they're handling the C spot thus far does seem to indicate the staff doesn't see him as ready. As a rising RS SO with a credible SR option in Ketstetter at the position, that's not necessarialy a death sentence.

4.) Predictable offensive game planning/ play calling. I think a lot of it boils down to that. Shack is also a mediocre C at best who was entrenched by default. If a competent RT can be found, Kerstetter would be an upgrade in the middle.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

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On 1/7/2020 at 7:19 AM, texifornia said:

Texas head coach Tom Herman places enough emphasis on special teams to refer to them as “special forces,” where each unit’s designation serves as a historical tieback to the United States’ or the University of Texas’ military history.

  Hide contents

 

He cares so much he worked more on what to call them than on coaching them?

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On 1/7/2020 at 8:55 AM, LTtxfan said:

Thx @texifornia

Ian Boyd... My guess for the OL next season:

  • LT: Sam Cosmi (25 starts)
  • LG: Junior Angilau (11 starts)
  • OC: Derek Kerstetter (25 starts)
  • RG: Denzel Okafor (5 starts)
  • RT: Christian Jones (0 starts)

Hey, Surly OL smarties: 

  1. What the hell with Angilau at RG during 2019?
  2. Isn't it time for Tyler Johnson to play a lot?
  3. What's the outlook for Rafiti Ghirmai?
  4. Who/What were the biggest OL issues for Not handling the pass rush stunts well during 2019?

 

Doesn't the answer to 4 have to be inadequate teaching by Hand? I mean, any kind of DL games pretty consistently made our OL's heads explode. 

I went from being one of Hand's biggest fands to wanting him gone after the OU game. Nine fucking sacks! 

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8 hours ago, Hookah Horns said:

Doesn't the answer to 4 have to be inadequate teaching by Hand? I mean, any kind of DL games pretty consistently made our OL's heads explode. 

I went from being one of Hand's biggest fands to wanting him gone after the OU game. Nine fucking sacks! 

Yeah, after OU I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the love for Hand was all about.

Right there with you.

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On 1/7/2020 at 7:55 AM, LTtxfan said:

Thx @texifornia

Ian Boyd... My guess for the OL next season:

  • LT: Sam Cosmi (25 starts)
  • LG: Junior Angilau (11 starts)
  • OC: Derek Kerstetter (25 starts)
  • RG: Denzel Okafor (5 starts)
  • RT: Christian Jones (0 starts)

Hey, Surly OL smarties: 

  1. What the hell with Angilau at RG during 2019?
  2. Isn't it time for Tyler Johnson to play a lot?
  3. What's the outlook for Rafiti Ghirmai?
  4. Who/What were the biggest OL issues for Not handling the pass rush stunts well during 2019?

 

Its been mentioned that Johnson might be more of a guard than tackle.

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(Eric Nahlin) Fridays in the Humidor: 1/11/2020 (Part II)

Quote

By: Eric Nahlin and Justin Wells

What are the upcoming days to know?
"Guys report back the 17th-20th. Some maybe even sooner. Classes start the 21st and workouts start the 22nd. Workouts will be a continuation of the offseason bowl practices and will ramp up as they get closer to Spring ball."

How about some depth chart speculation? Quarterback and running back are pretty set:
"Ehlinger, Thompson, and Card. Keaontay, Roschon, and Whittington and Young. Whit's health is first and foremost."

I could see a hybrid role for him and Young I wouldn't mind seeing as a lead blocker who also gets a carry now and again:
"Young is tough and a hard worker so pretty fullback-ish. I'm not sure what the plan will be for Whittington."

Tight end:
"Cade has experience but Wiley is an entirely different animal. I think he's going to make a move. Liebrock will make a move too but he's still a better receiver than blocker. He's not afraid to mix it up, though. The young guys have it in them, they just need to get stronger. Brewer will have his hands full. And then there's Epps who is going to have to show he'll mix it up. The position is still heavy on receiving threats but Wiley can become the total package. Liebrock might be able to as well."

Wide receiver:
"I'm not sure how Yurcich will want to do things but if it's similar to last season then I think Eagles will be outside to the field with Marcus Washington on the boundary. Washington took all the reps behind Collin so Herman at least prefers him there. Those guys can flip flop, though. It's Jake's turn in the slot unless they want to move him around to take advantage of the changes in offense. I like him on the inside because he's a mismatch for safeties and linebackers. Kennedy Lewis is a big winner with the Yurcich hire. I bet he plays next year."

Offensive line:
"I like what's coming back, honestly. I think whoever the five are they'll be pretty good. They just need to keep getting bigger and stronger. They're as tough as any unit in the league. Cosmi and Angilau seem likely on the left side. Center, who knows? I wouldn't count Ghirmai out this spring. He's come a long way; he's big and a dog. He'll scrap. I'm definitely putting Okafor at right guard. If Kerstetter isn't needed at center then you have to think he'll hold down right tackle. If he plays center then it'll be Christian Jones' turn. He lacks technique still but he's physical and has a motor. He'll play through the whistle. Like Ghirmai he'll scrap. You still have Tope Imade and Willie Tyler who could figure in at guard. Tyler Johnson too. There's a lot to work with but they did lose some experience."

They've had plenty of time to prepare for life after Shack so they won't get any benefit of doubt from me. What's up with Javonne Shepherd?
"I think he stays because of his grades but he's still in the Portal so who knows?"

Defensive line:
"Where to begin? Everyone saw what Ossai is capable of. He'll be on one side, whether it's as an outside linebacker or defensive end. The other side will be a great battle between Marqez Bimage and Jacoby Jones. Jones came to Texas wanting to play 5-tech and now he'll get his chance. Those two are going to be a good rotation. Who starts won't matter. Inside is loaded. Coburn, Graham, Ojomo, Sweat. They'll all play. It's a deep position and more talented than people realize. Utah should have opened some eyes."

Linebacker. This is probably the biggest concern on defense:
"Mitchell and Adeoye looked much more comfortable playing versus Utah. I think Mitchell is a lock to start. Adeoye is the early front-runner over the younger guys because he has the mental advantage but we'll see how that goes. There's the chance a safety joins this group and they wouldn't move one to sit, so that could shake things up. Mitchell as the Mike seems likely but it's all still up in the air. Gbenda and Tillman have talent but need to get up to speed mentally."

Safety:
"If you thought it was hard make these guys fit on the field last year, look now. You lose Brandon Jones but still have new guys capable of starting. Sterns to the field seems like a lock but the rest of it is a crap shoot. Let's talk about nickel and safety together."

Nickel and safety:
"Chris Brown can play either. BJ Foster can play either. D'Shawn Jamison can probably play nickel. Then don't forget about Josh Thompson, who I hear Ash is high on because of his athleticism. You want Foster closer to the line of scrimmage but probably not nickel in this defense. They should probably be looking at him at linebacker and just cover him up and let him find the ball. Brown is also better on the line of scrimmage but I'm not sure he's a nickel in the new defense, so he's probably battling at safety. Oh damn, I forgot about Adimora. Every time he plays he makes plays. He could be a nickel or safety. Then there's Overshown and Tyler Owens who both need to be on the field. Those are maybe the two biggest freaks on the team. There are so many variations I don't know how it will work out. Spring is going to be intense."

If DBU doesn't come back with that group competing something went woefully wrong. I think I feature Overshown in a dime package so he's a pseudo-starter. Corners:
"Jalen Green, Anthony Cook, and D'Shawn Jamison can all start. The answer may be to put Jamison at nickel and get him ball hawking. Kenyatta Watson will be ready with an extra year. He's going to be a good one. Needs to quit growing! I could see them continuing to cross-train Josh Thompson at corner but also working him at nickel as well. I'd have him and D'Shawn battling. Kobe Boyce is moving to receiver which makes sense given his athleticism. Marques Caldwell started to come on in practice towards the end of the season. He might be able to add depth while waiting his turn as the roster thins out."

 

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45 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

I’m watching Travis Kelce tear this Texans defense up.  We potentially have this guy on campus he just needs to be developed.   Brayden Leibrock has the same size and 40 time as Kelce did at the same point in their careers.

man thats not only up to developement but up to Brayden to git good as fuck himself, Kelce is saying a lot just because he's got the same measurables.

Either way, the TE position was a waste this past year, neither guy could do much blocking or receiving. 

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https://athlonsports.com/college-football/top-25-college-football-rankings

Quote

14. Texas

texas-longhorns.pngYes, Texas underachieved relative to some preseason expectations in 2019. However, three of the team’s five losses came by seven points or less – and that’s with a rash of injuries hindering the development of a young defense. While this group had injuries to navigate, coach Tom Herman made some key staff changes, dismissing defensive coordinator Todd Orlando in favor of Chris Ash. That move, along with the development of the team’s young talent (and better luck in the health department), should translate into some improvement in 2020. Joseph Ossai should be a big part of the solution after a monster performance in the Alamo Bowl, and a healthy Caden Sterns at safety should shore up the pass defense next fall. Of the top 25 tacklers from Texas’ 2019 stat sheet, only three were seniors. The Longhorns also have a new coordinator on offense with former Oklahoma State coordinator Mike Yurcich taking over play-calling duties. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger (39 total TDs) ranks among the top returning signal-callers in college football for next season, but Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson will be missed at receiver. Brennan Eagles, Jake Smith and Malcolm Epps are tasked with picking up the slack in the passing game. Keaontay Ingram (853 yards) returns at running back, but Roschon Johnson (649) and freshmen Jordan Whittington (redshirt) and Bijan Robinson will push for carries. Despite losing center Zach Shackelford, the line should be solid for Yurcich and Herman, especially with Samuel Cosmi passing on the NFL to return to Austin. The Sept. 12 matchup against LSU in Baton Rouge is a huge barometer test for this team after a disappointing 2019 campaign. The annual showdown in the Cotton Bowl versus Oklahoma is slated for Oct. 10, but the Longhorns host Baylor, TCU and Iowa State in the second half of the year before closing at Oklahoma State.

 

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4 hours ago, Sock Monkey said:

I think Chris Brown could be included in all the talk of moving a safety or two to linebacker. He's stocky, physical, and would be great at dropping back in coverage.

Except he's currently our best safety, pending Sterns playing to his potential and being deployed correctly. 

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No. 16 Texas
Last year: 8-5 (defeated Utah 38-10 in Alamo Bowl)
Schedule highlights: Sept. 12 at LSU, Oct. 3 at Kansas State, Oct. 10 vs. Oklahoma in Dallas, Oct. 31 vs. Baylor, Nov. 21 vs. Iowa State, Nov. 28 at Oklahoma State

For a second consecutive year, Texas managed to pull off a bowl game upset against a Power Five conference title game loser. This past season, Texas dominated Pac-12 runner-up Utah in the Alamo Bowl a year after blasting SEC runner-up Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Longhorns return seven starters each on offense and defense, most notably QB Sam Ehlinger, RB Keaontay Ingram and WR Brennan Eagles. UT did lose WRs Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay. Defensively, the Horns should be solid in the secondary, returning three of four starters, including safety Caden Sterns.

 

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No. 6 Texas A&M
Last year: 8-5 (defeated Oklahoma State 24-21 in Texas Bowl)
Schedule highlights: Sept. 19 vs. Colorado, Oct. 17 at Auburn, Nov. 21 at Alabama, Nov. 28 vs. LSU

Last year, Texas A&M pretty much won when supposed to (winning eight of nine games as a favorite) and lost when expected (losing all four games as an underdog). The result was an 8-5 record in Jimbo Fisher’s second season in College Station. The schedule is much less daunting in 2020 with Clemson and Georgia replaced by Colorado and Vanderbilt. The biggest reason for optimism for the Aggies is they lose only one senior starter (center Colton Prater), although junior WR Quartney Davis and DT Justin Madubuike declared early for the NFL. With only a few losses, Texas A&M is expected to return nearly its entire starting lineup, most notably QB Kellen Mond, RB Isaiah Spiller and WR Jhamon Ausbon.

I'm not sure that's as big a deal as Brett thinks it is. But their schedule is pretty terrible.

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47 minutes ago, Hookah Horns said:

Except he's currently our best safety, pending Sterns playing to his potential and being deployed correctly. 

He's a box safety. He's not that great in coverage. Given the scheme Ash is going to run, Sterns needs to be the high safety. Brown's problem is that he's 5-10, 205ish.

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