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LTtxfan
LTtxfan

As Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian likes to say, individual accolades came as a result of team success and that holds true for Barron, as his school bio bears out:    

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Oh yeah HUFF... 🤘  

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Codaxx

Codaxx 6213

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3 hours ago, Dahobbs said:

Biggest difference this game compared to pretty much any game last year is that all our DBs seemed to know their jobs. We didn't have the gaffes in coverage that cost us many times last year. 

Definitely. Communication and situational awareness looked markedly improved. Have ot give a shout out to Lefau. LB depth was a concern coming into this season. That kid looks ready  

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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 49909

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On 3/8/2024 at 7:36 PM, LTtxfan said:

Texas DB Michael Taaffe on the Trials of Walking-On & Hosting Arch Manning’s Visit 

3rd & Longhorn       Mar 8, 2024

Alex Okafor, Derrick Johnson, Jeremy Hills, and Nick Shuley are joined by Texas defensive back, Michael Taaffe. They discuss the trials he faced as a walk-on at Texas, what motivates him, the vibe of the DB room, and what it was like hosting Arch Manning’s official visit

 

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TheAuditor

TheAuditor 1047

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17 minutes ago, LTtxfan said:

Texas secondary and LBs defended the 1st down line much better on 3rd downs.  Definitely seeing more aggressive play and tackling from LBs/DBs.

Indeed.  Noticed on replay the corners and LBs sitting on 1st down mark.  Never noticed that last year.  Is that Nansen or simply zero worries about their passing game deep? 

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Had Enough

Had Enough 2108

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1 hour ago, TheAuditor said:

Indeed.  Noticed on replay the corners and LBs sitting on 1st down mark.  Never noticed that last year.  Is that Nansen or simply zero worries about their passing game deep? 

Couple things.  Are you a Badger?  Thought maybe you are.

As The Auditor shouldn’t you have some support for this claim.

Theres more to the story but how do we lead the country in 3rd down defense last year and disregard the down marker?  
 

That said this staff gives the indication that all areas for improvement are considered and more aggression is desired.  For this game, I would assume we weren’t threatened with them beating us down the field.

 

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TheAuditor

TheAuditor 1047

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32 minutes ago, Had Enough said:

Couple things.  Are you a Badger?  Thought maybe you are.

As The Auditor shouldn’t you have some support for this claim.

Theres more to the story but how do we lead the country in 3rd down defense last year and disregard the down marker?  
 

That said this staff gives the indication that all areas for improvement are considered and more aggression is desired.  For this game, I would assume we weren’t threatened with them beating us down the field.

 

Nope.  Not a Badger.  Texas undergrad and grad.  Not a mathematical proof as much as an observation that I saw 5 wide sitting on the yard marker against Mich and I couldn't remember seeing that from this Team in the previous couple years.  Maybe it's been there and I've never noticed.   

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Had Enough

Had Enough 2108

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55 minutes ago, TheAuditor said:

Nope.  Not a Badger.  Texas undergrad and grad.  Not a mathematical proof as much as an observation that I saw 5 wide sitting on the yard marker against Mich and I couldn't remember seeing that from this Team in the previous couple years.  Maybe it's been there and I've never noticed.   

Sorry I go a little cryptic from time to time.  Meant hs Badger not Wisconsin.  


I had assumed Mukuba was brought in to drop down and press at the LOS with some man coverage but was essentially told I was a dipshit (perhaps true) for such a consideration.  Our S last year did drop down into man but not sure they pressed.  We were generally fine on out breaking routes, but that’s not ideal chasing across the field and certainly not against WRs.  The 6 DB look in theory should allow for more aggressive coverage.  McDonald working at S and over the slot might be an indicator of what you’re saying too.  Hard to find fault with our 3rd down success rate last year but trying to improve something that was good is a great philosophy.

 

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MuellerHorn

MuellerHorn 4607

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57 minutes ago, jdhorn92 said:

What position is Ty Anthony ?  I was struck by how small he looked.  I thought he was a LB size. Could be misremembering 

He's a weakside LB. He's always been small for a LB. He's put on weight since arriving at Texas (197 in high school to a 220 listing now. I'm skeptical of 220 though), but still small. Lauded for his athleticism, coverage, and cognitive ability, which is why he's already competing for PT after Hill and Gbenda. Once he puts on some more weight, he'll be an awesome player.

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jdhorn92

jdhorn92 1588

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2 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said:

He's a weakside LB. He's always been small for a LB. He's put on weight since arriving at Texas (197 in high school to a 220 listing now. I'm skeptical of 220 though), but still small. Lauded for his athleticism, coverage, and cognitive ability, which is why he's already competing for PT after Hill and Gbenda. Once he puts on some more wright, he'll be an awesome player.

Thank you. Had to do a double take when I saw T. Smith on the jersey.  

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Dbeasy

Dbeasy 15526

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On 9/10/2024 at 9:58 PM, LTtxfan said:

 

Definitely noticed him several times in the game. It’s amazing how there are massive differences between a great safety and an average safety. It’s been awhile since our safeties were noticeable. 

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LTtxfan

LTtxfan 49909

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33 minutes ago, Dbeasy said:

Definitely noticed him several times in the game. It’s amazing how there are massive differences between a great safety and an average safety. It’s been awhile since our safeties were noticeable. 

Crazy how many DBs from last year exited via the portal (see below)

Combining Portal Destinations for 2024...

Spring/Summer

  • Kitan Crawford           DB       Nevada
  • Terrance Brooks         DB       Illinois
  • Austin Jordan             DB       TOADS

--------------------------------------------

Winter   (Update 1/18/24)

  • DB  Larry Turner-Gooden  San Jose St.
  • DB   Xavion Brice     North Texas
  • DB   BJ Allen Jr.       North Texas
  • DB   Jalen Catalon    UNLV
  • S     Jerrin Thompson   AwwBrrnn 

 

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Doc Daneeka

Doc Daneeka 6791

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1 hour ago, LTtxfan said:

Crazy how many DBs from last year exited via the portal (see below)

Combining Portal Destinations for 2024...

Spring/Summer

  • Kitan Crawford           DB       Nevada
  • Terrance Brooks         DB       Illinois
  • Austin Jordan             DB       TOADS

--------------------------------------------

Winter   (Update 1/18/24)

  • DB  Larry Turner-Gooden  San Jose St.
  • DB   Xavion Brice     North Texas
  • DB   BJ Allen Jr.       North Texas
  • DB   Jalen Catalon    UNLV
  • S     Jerrin Thompson   AwwBrrnn 

 

Not a lot of falling upward on that list. 

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MuellerHorn

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On 9/10/2024 at 1:19 PM, jdhorn92 said:

Thank you. Had to do a double take when I saw T. Smith on the jersey.  

Smith with a monster fourth-down stop getting shot out of a cannon at around the 3:17 mark of the third quarter. Dude is a player (you didn't say he wasn't; just saying he is), but   needs to gain more good weight.

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jdhorn92

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20 hours ago, MuellerHorn said:

Smith with a monster fourth-down stop getting shot out of a cannon at around the 3:17 mark of the third quarter. Dude is a player (you didn't say he wasn't; just saying he is), but   needs to gain more good weight.

Nice! I didnt get to watch as closely as normal this week.  Ill try and find it on replay.  Thank you

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LTtxfan

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Texas linebacker Liona Lefau brings the Longhorns closer by sharing his culture

by: Billy Gates       Sept 24, 2024

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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Like a lot of position groups on this year’s Texas Longhorns football team, there’s plenty of depth at linebacker. One player in particular who has seized the opportunity to perform is sophomore Liona Lefau.

Lefau leads the team with four tackles for loss in four games this season, including a huge hit on Louisiana-Monroe running back Ozarrio Smith for a safety in a 51-3 win over the Warhawks. He’s notched 13 total tackles and his eight solo tackles are fourth-best on the team.

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After mainly playing special teams last season, Lefau is breaking out in a big way, but it’s not a surprise to anybody. Just about everyone in the program knew Lefau could play at a high level, he just needed the chance.

“We’ve always felt really highly of Lefau,” Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “The way the depth chart was as a true freshman, you had Jaylan Ford, Anthony (Hill Jr.), and then Liona. He was an impactful player for us on special teams. He’s come back this spring and has a great relationship with Coach (Johnny) Nansen and Coach Nansen’s approach has resonated with him.”

With Ford now in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, Lefau is getting his shot. He’s taking advantage of it by learning from everyone else around him.

“I learned a lot from J-Ford, but also players like (David) Gbenda, Mo (Blackwell Jr.) and (Anthony) Hill,” he said. “We came together but I was able to learn from Hill, too. I can learn from anyone, even from the walk-ons. I’m just thankful for my teammates that helped me.”

The Longhorn linebackers are a tight-knit group, and Lefau has a lot to do with that. He invited the linebackers and other players to Hawaii in May to help put on a youth football camp at his alma mater Kahuku High School. Blackwell, Hill, Gbenda, Colton Vasek, Juan Davis and Vernon Broughton went to help the next generation enjoy football but they also found out what made Lefau who he is — the Hawaiian culture and spirit.

“I got to see where he came from and the community he had surrounding him,” Gbenda said. “To see the amount of love and care and selflessness they had for each other, and to see how he was brought up, it allowed me to understand him personally. It reinforced what I already knew about it, he’s a great person from humble beginnings. He has a great village around him that raised him, and he’s always giving back to his village.”

Gbenda said Lefau shows the team the Hawaiian culture through just about everything he does.

“It’s how he treats other people,” Gbenda said. “Family and respect are really big things to him. He respects everyone, and when he was at home, he did the same things and he was the same person.”

Hill said seeing where Lefau grew up on the North Shore of Oahu brought the players closer.

“Learning his culture and what it’s all about, it felt pretty good,” he said. “We got to see his origin and listen to his family tell stories, it was really nice.”

Hill and Lefau spend a lot of time together, Hill said. They developed a friendship because they’re both “goofy people.”

“We came in at the same time and I’ve been real close with him since Day 1,” Hill said. “The fact we’re both out there making plays is awesome. I love seeing him make plays.”

 

 

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LTtxfan

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Anthony Hill Jr. Setting Elite Standard for Texas Defense

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Texas sophomore linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. has been a problem for every opposing offense he's faced this season.

And his reign of havoc is just beginning.

The second-year athlete had the honor of being one of four team captains against the ULM Warhawks on Saturday, and he proved exactly why he was chosen. Hill was the only player to record at least one solo tackle, sack, tackle for loss, and interception. While Hill's three total tackles for the night weren't the most, he assisted the Longhorns secondary in allowing a mere 111 offensive yards from ULM, with just 10 of those yards registered in the entire second half.

Following the team's 51-3 blowout over the Warhawks, head coach Steve Sarkisian said he's taken notice to how the rest of the defense has followed in Hill's wake and brings a more physical presence to the field under his leadership.

"Anthony has had a really good year for us," Sarkisian said. "The defense, in my opinion, is starting to take on a little bit of his persona to some degree. Anthony is a tough, violent, hard-playing, smart football player. And I think that’s how we play.

"But for a younger player, he’s got leadership qualities about him. That’s the reason tonight he was one of the captains because I just think he’s asserted himself in that role and the guys respond to him."

And he would be correct in that aspect, as the Longhorns have only given up two touchdowns and 22 points across four games played so far this season. Hill currently leads the team in total tackles with 25, having 11 solo and 14 assisted, and is one of three teammates that are tied for most sacks with two each.

Hill has especially been crucial in stopping the run game, according to Sarkisian, but his lone interception during the first quarter against ULM highlighted his ability to analyze various situations and respond accordingly.

"He plays really well against the run. Every time you feel like there’s a screen or something, he’s always one of the guys that’s the first one there," Sarkisian said. "He recognizes those things. He gets his hands on the ball. We see it all the time in practice. But for him to get the interception, and I was thinking to myself, he looked like a pretty good tailback when he was running."

There's no question whether or not Hill will remain a dominant force for the Texas defense as the team enters conference play next weekend. The linebacker continues to actively display his acknowledgement of his role within the program and the productivity that comes with it, something he mentioned earlier in the season after Texas' season-opening shutout against Colorado State.

"I feel like I'm playing faster, because I kind of understand what's going on more, understand concepts, understand run scheme. So I feel like I'm playing faster and moving at a better pace," Hill said.

The Longhorns will have their first SEC matchup against Mississippi State on Saturday and it will stand as another opportunity for Hill to shine against a Bulldogs offense that averages 31 points per game.

 

 

Texas dominated Louisiana-Monroe with a final score of 51-3, and several Longhorns players were nominated to PFF's All-SEC team for Week 4. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. led the way as the lone Longhorn to be named to PFF's national team of the week.

Hill had a dominant showing in Week 4, finishing with a 90.5 overall PFF grade, which made him the highest-graded linebacker in the country. He finished with a sack on a crucial third-down early in the first quarter along with three tackles and an interception.

 

Edited by LTtxfan
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