I'm starting what I hope will be a near-daily exchange of information between myself and esteemed Texas beat writer Anwar Richardson, who covers the Longhorns for Orangebloods.com on the Rivals network.
Several times per week he will share what's going on with the Texas program. Here is his first entry:
- As Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard continue to battle for the top quarterback spot, Strong was asked if the incumbent had distanced himself for the challenger. Strong said, “I don’t know how big the separation. If you look at it, the only reason why is Tyrone played a lot last year. He just came in really just controlling the offense. Throwing the ball very well. Hasn’t thrown many interceptions. That’s what I told him the other day. I said, ‘You know what’s been a surprise from you? You haven’t thrown a bad ball. You put the ball in the right people’s hands. Even with Heard, he’s doing the things we ask him to do. I told him, the first game both of you are going to play. I was teasing Heard today and said when you go in that game, and something happens, and it ain’t good, I’m going to do that right there [Strong is pointing], and that means just keep going to the locker room. He said, ‘I’ll show you, coach.’ I’ll show you.’ That’s what you want from him.”
- Strong said the team had a scrimmage on Saturday and ran between 125 to 130 plays. He said he like the team’s attitude and how they are competing. Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson are fully participating in practice.
- Running backs D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren were two players who stood out on offense, according to Strong. Defensively, players did not want to tackle either running back. In addition, Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard impressed Strong. John Burt continues to shine, while Daje Johnson had a reverse for a touchdown, plus a long throw for a score. He even caught a pass. "He goes out there and doesn't say a word. Every day, even after practice, he's staying after practice catching balls. Him and Heard throwing balls after practice. Before practice, he picks up a rubber ball and (the receivers) are going down the field playing catch back and forth. I said to him, 'Is this the guy I know?' Him and Marcus (Johnson), they are both doing an amazing job."
- Some of the potential returners are Kris Boyd, Ryan Newsome, Duke Thomas and Daje Johnson. Regardless, Strong is more concerned about that person catching the ball and not causing a turnover. Foreman has received reps as a kickoff returner, too.
- Senior running back Johnathan Gray is fighting minor injuries (ankle and elbow). Strong did not appear concerned about his injuries. Strong did praise Gray. Apparently, Gray walked into a special teams meeting and asked to be on the punt team. After Gray stepped up and volunteered, several other players followed his lead and asked to join the unit. By the way, Gray was not asking to be a returner, but wanted to contribute.
- Some of the freshmen who are competing for playing time are guard Patrick Vahe, tackle Connor Williams, receiver Ryan Newsome, Burt and Warren. On defense, defensive backs Holton Hill, Kris Boyd and DaVante Davis have played well. Freshman linebacker Breckyn Hager tweaked his shoulder on Saturday, but was playing well prior to the injury. Strong said defensive end Charles Omenihu has been a pleasant surprise because of his athletic ability. He is unsure how many freshmen will play this season.
- When asked about Hill, Strong said, “When we first started camp, he had a need problem, but then he’s bounced back. You at him, he looks so thin. I was teasing him the other day, and he said, ‘Coach, I weigh 197.’ I said no way. I put him on the scale. He weighed 197. He’s just long and he’s just athletic. A guy that can cover you up in coverage, can run. We threw a lot of deep balls, and he’s yet to get one throw up over his head. So athletic back there. He and Kris Boyd, all three of those guys, Davis, those three are really good corners.”
- One of the things Texas has been solidifying is its new up-tempo offense. Strong said, “Just surprised about how well, right now, we’ve been functioning. The thing about it is we’re going out, and each day we’re getting better. We haven’t taken a step back yet. Overall, just pleased. We’re running the ball. I told our team, the thing we’re going to have to do to win is we’re going to have to play great defense. We’re going to have to run the ball, we’re going to have to protect the quarterback, have to be really good in special teams, and control the clock. If those things happen for us, we have a chance.”
- Texas repeatedly shows highlights of Notre Dame games from last season in the football facility so players can become familiar with its future opponent. Strong has not started preparing his team for Notre Dame. However, there is a scout team period dedicated to preparing for Notre Dame.
Several times per week he will share what's going on with the Texas program. Here is his first entry:
- As Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard continue to battle for the top quarterback spot, Strong was asked if the incumbent had distanced himself for the challenger. Strong said, “I don’t know how big the separation. If you look at it, the only reason why is Tyrone played a lot last year. He just came in really just controlling the offense. Throwing the ball very well. Hasn’t thrown many interceptions. That’s what I told him the other day. I said, ‘You know what’s been a surprise from you? You haven’t thrown a bad ball. You put the ball in the right people’s hands. Even with Heard, he’s doing the things we ask him to do. I told him, the first game both of you are going to play. I was teasing Heard today and said when you go in that game, and something happens, and it ain’t good, I’m going to do that right there [Strong is pointing], and that means just keep going to the locker room. He said, ‘I’ll show you, coach.’ I’ll show you.’ That’s what you want from him.”
- Strong said the team had a scrimmage on Saturday and ran between 125 to 130 plays. He said he like the team’s attitude and how they are competing. Hassan Ridgeway and Desmond Jackson are fully participating in practice.
- Running backs D’Onta Foreman and Chris Warren were two players who stood out on offense, according to Strong. Defensively, players did not want to tackle either running back. In addition, Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard impressed Strong. John Burt continues to shine, while Daje Johnson had a reverse for a touchdown, plus a long throw for a score. He even caught a pass. "He goes out there and doesn't say a word. Every day, even after practice, he's staying after practice catching balls. Him and Heard throwing balls after practice. Before practice, he picks up a rubber ball and (the receivers) are going down the field playing catch back and forth. I said to him, 'Is this the guy I know?' Him and Marcus (Johnson), they are both doing an amazing job."
- Some of the potential returners are Kris Boyd, Ryan Newsome, Duke Thomas and Daje Johnson. Regardless, Strong is more concerned about that person catching the ball and not causing a turnover. Foreman has received reps as a kickoff returner, too.
- Senior running back Johnathan Gray is fighting minor injuries (ankle and elbow). Strong did not appear concerned about his injuries. Strong did praise Gray. Apparently, Gray walked into a special teams meeting and asked to be on the punt team. After Gray stepped up and volunteered, several other players followed his lead and asked to join the unit. By the way, Gray was not asking to be a returner, but wanted to contribute.
- Some of the freshmen who are competing for playing time are guard Patrick Vahe, tackle Connor Williams, receiver Ryan Newsome, Burt and Warren. On defense, defensive backs Holton Hill, Kris Boyd and DaVante Davis have played well. Freshman linebacker Breckyn Hager tweaked his shoulder on Saturday, but was playing well prior to the injury. Strong said defensive end Charles Omenihu has been a pleasant surprise because of his athletic ability. He is unsure how many freshmen will play this season.
- When asked about Hill, Strong said, “When we first started camp, he had a need problem, but then he’s bounced back. You at him, he looks so thin. I was teasing him the other day, and he said, ‘Coach, I weigh 197.’ I said no way. I put him on the scale. He weighed 197. He’s just long and he’s just athletic. A guy that can cover you up in coverage, can run. We threw a lot of deep balls, and he’s yet to get one throw up over his head. So athletic back there. He and Kris Boyd, all three of those guys, Davis, those three are really good corners.”
- One of the things Texas has been solidifying is its new up-tempo offense. Strong said, “Just surprised about how well, right now, we’ve been functioning. The thing about it is we’re going out, and each day we’re getting better. We haven’t taken a step back yet. Overall, just pleased. We’re running the ball. I told our team, the thing we’re going to have to do to win is we’re going to have to play great defense. We’re going to have to run the ball, we’re going to have to protect the quarterback, have to be really good in special teams, and control the clock. If those things happen for us, we have a chance.”
- Texas repeatedly shows highlights of Notre Dame games from last season in the football facility so players can become familiar with its future opponent. Strong has not started preparing his team for Notre Dame. However, there is a scout team period dedicated to preparing for Notre Dame.
