What most expected.
Two notes.
1. I am happy to see Cage in front of Tillery for this game.
2. Kind of surprised to see Carlisle in front of Hunter Jr. especially after all the preseason praise for Tori.
Brian Kelly brought the orange Gatorade for Texas, unveiled the first depth chart of the fall, and gave a few glimpses (but left some mysteries) into coaching roles on game days. Regular Tuesday press conferences are back! Just four more days...
BK Speaks:
Two notes.
1. I am happy to see Cage in front of Tillery for this game.
2. Kind of surprised to see Carlisle in front of Hunter Jr. especially after all the preseason praise for Tori.
Brian Kelly brought the orange Gatorade for Texas, unveiled the first depth chart of the fall, and gave a few glimpses (but left some mysteries) into coaching roles on game days. Regular Tuesday press conferences are back! Just four more days...
BK Speaks:
- Kelly per usual had lots of nice things to say about Texas and Charlie Strong. Not too many noteworthy thoughts here except that they anticipate up-tempo on offense and don't have a lot of film to work off of (really just the spring game).
- Play-calling on offense will be"collaboration" between Denbrock, Sanford, and Kelly. I do not believe there were actual air-quotes involved, it just feels that way. BK did clarify that he has final say, but declined to elaborate more on how the process will go.
- Sanford will be in the coaches box looking at the "bigger picture" and structure of opposing defenses. Kelly did say that Sanford has been an asset coming into the offense and questioning why they do certain things, and has helped Denbrock adjust and strengthen the system.
- "All five tight ends will play." No, not at all at once, but given earlier comments it sounds like multiple tight end formations could happen, hoping to use their versatility to create mismatches in the run and pass.
- Devin Butler's emergence is what enabled KVR to move to nickel, according to Kelly. It sounds like they are looking for more coverage ability from the nickel than last year, so much less Matthias Farley there.
- Good praise for Daniel Cage earning the start at NT - Kelly noted he's always had quick feet and great strength. They have a set number of reps in mind for Cage and Tillery, who will play at both the 1-tech and 3-tech.
- The same true freshmen Kelly has talked extensively about this Fall make the two-deep: Alize Jones (#2 TE with everyone but Durham Smythe), Equanimeous St. Brown (#2 at the X), Jerry Tillery (#2 at NT), Te'von Coney (#2 Will), Nick Coleman (#2 CB), CJ Sanders (#1 PR), and Justin Yoon (#1 K).
- Not surprising, but outside of Will Fuller and Durham Smythe starting there are not many answers about the receiver and tight end rotations. It will be interesting to see how the snaps break down between Robinson, Brown, Carlisle, Hunter, St. Brown and others.
- Jonathan Bonner cracks the two-deep at DE behind Isaac Rochell - intriguing to see what he looks like after an impressive start to spring if he's now healthy.
- With all the "OR"s it's interesting to see the SS position named 1-2-3 with Shumate, Tranquill, and Sebastian, but maybe Sebastian's inclusion (there aren't any other #3's) is a sign they expect all three to play.
