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Practice Notes from Thursday

By Bobby Burton

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What I've learned from Thursday's practice...

- It's very early, but Billy Walton has looked very active, very smart and could be one of the guys from the class of 2023 ready to take the next step, according to sources. Not the name many of you probably expected to hear first, but he's closer to playing significantly than some may expect.

- Jaray Bledsoe was described as perhaps the most athletic player in the entire program, despite being a defensive tackle. The team has yet to start hitting, but Bledsoe has quietly been taking the right steps behind the scenes for a while now. As someone told me, Bledsoe "has a level of maturity we're starting to see more of". This year could be a real coming out party for him.

- Texas worked extensively on special teams yesterday, much more than their normal period or two in practice. Johntay Cook and Isaiah Bond continue to be 1-2 in the punt return game. Matt Golden and Jaydon Blue are primaries at kick return. Ryan Wingo and Aaron Butler are also taking reps there.

- Gunners are a mix, both Manny Muhammad and Gavin Holmes are working at the position, as well as Tre Wisner.

- Speaking of Muhammad, more than one person has singled out the sophomore from South Oak Cliff as a player particularly poised to take his game to the next level. Muhammad may not be the fastest or the biggest corner, but he is the one who spends the most time in the film room. And he has the ability to take what he sees on film and let it translate to his work on the field.

- DJ Campbell lists at 332. But he may have lost more weight than that. Or at least the weight loss is affecting his quickness. Apparently, he is already looking quicker than a year ago in practice.

- Many thought Cook, Golden, Bond, Silas Bolden and maybe Ryan Wingo would be the top five receivers on the team this year. While that may still be a decent bet, do not sleep on DeAndre Moore and Aaron Butler. The two Californians continued to make their presence known in practice No. 2.

- Amari Niblack moved up in the TE rotation at times on Thursday. Niblack started off Tuesday as the no. 5 TE, behind Gunnar Helm, Juan Davis, Spencer Shannon and Will Randle. I was not told how far up he moved, just "up some" in that rotation.

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    Sophomore

    goathumper

    Members

    -Pound for pound the Marlin boys may be the most athletic in the program. Had Bledsoe played his SR year of HS he may have rushed for 1K yards as a RB. Just a different level jumbo athlete with his feet and quickness 

    -When he gets to the 40, I'd love to see Bolden get a shot in the return game. Have to assume Golden will get the majority of KR chances and do very well with them 

    -DJ Campbell is going to put some people in the hospital on counter/power pulls this season. He has great explosiveness from his hips and looks to punish defenders whenever he can, even if after the whistle ha

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    Sophomore

    crosshorn

    Supporters

    Thanks for the report, Bobby.

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    Sophomore

    codaxx

    Members

    Love the update, but curious when do the pads come on? 

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    Freshman

    Vertigo

    Members
    2 hours ago, goathumper said:

    -Pound for pound the Marlin boys may be the most athletic in the program. Had Bledsoe played his SR year of HS he may have rushed for 1K yards as a RB. Just a different level jumbo athlete with his feet and quickness 

    -When he gets to the 40, I'd love to see Bolden get a shot in the return game. Have to assume Golden will get the majority of KR chances and do very well with them 

    -DJ Campbell is going to put some people in the hospital on counter/power pulls this season. He has great explosiveness from his hips and looks to punish defenders whenever he can, even if after the whistle ha

    The two small school guys I was most impressed with athletically coming out were Bledsoe and Derrian Gullett. I remember Gullett playing linebacker in high school and then sliding out to field corner and manning up their best receiver at times and actually getting pass deflections and picks. Then he ran some ridiculous time at the texas relays for his size as well.   

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    2 hours ago, goathumper said:

    -Pound for pound the Marlin boys may be the most athletic in the program. Had Bledsoe played his SR year of HS he may have rushed for 1K yards as a RB. Just a different level jumbo athlete with his feet and quickness 

    -When he gets to the 40, I'd love to see Bolden get a shot in the return game. Have to assume Golden will get the majority of KR chances and do very well with them 

    -DJ Campbell is going to put some people in the hospital on counter/power pulls this season. He has great explosiveness from his hips and looks to punish defenders whenever he can, even if after the whistle ha

    I do think Silas Bolden may be punt returner 1 when all is said and done 

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    GoHorns1

    Supporters
    27 minutes ago, codaxx said:

    Love the update, but curious when do the pads come on? 

    Saturday. Pads are allowed on the 3rd day of practice per NCAA.

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    GoHorns1

    Supporters
    23 minutes ago, Vertigo said:

    The two small school guys I was most impressed with athletically coming out were Bledsoe and Derrian Gullett. I remember Gullett playing linebacker in high school and then sliding out to field corner and manning up their best receiver at times and actually getting pass deflections and picks. Then he ran some ridiculous time at the texas relays for his size as well.   

    He was the anchor of the 4x200 that ran in the State Track Meet if I recall correctly.

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    7 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

    He was the anchor of the 4x200 that ran in the State Track Meet if I recall correctly.

    Yep. Think that is correct

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    GoHorns1

    Supporters
    6 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

    Yep. Think that is correct

    They finished in 4th I think.

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    Sophomore

    codaxx

    Members
    28 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

    Saturday. Pads are allowed on the 3rd day of practice per NCAA.

    thanks. I love all the practice reports, but they are far more informative when the pads are on. 

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    Sophomore

    goathumper

    Members
    56 minutes ago, Vertigo said:

    The two small school guys I was most impressed with athletically coming out were Bledsoe and Derrian Gullett. I remember Gullett playing linebacker in high school and then sliding out to field corner and manning up their best receiver at times and actually getting pass deflections and picks. Then he ran some ridiculous time at the texas relays for his size as well.   

     

    Broke my heart when he tore his ACL. Hope he still comes good at Texas

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    GoHorns1

    Supporters
    1 minute ago, goathumper said:

     

    Broke my heart when he tore his ACL. Hope he still comes good at Texas

    Per reports he is looking good. Probably a Will LB that can rush the QB or could grow into a Buck.

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    NothinButDaHorns34

    Supporters

    Do all the trader portal guys start off low on the depth chart or has Niblack got himself in the dog house somehow? Because it seems i didn’t hear other guys starting off 5th string. 

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    GoHorns1

    Supporters
    13 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

    Do all the trader portal guys start off low on the depth chart or has Niblack got himself in the dog house somehow? Because it seems i didn’t hear other guys starting off 5th string. 

    They all start at the bottom part of depth chart and work their way to the top. AD Mitchell starter behind Casey Cain last year during spring ball.

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    Quinncent McManning, Jr.

    Supporters
    2 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

    I do think Silas Bolden may be punt returner 1 when all is said and done 

    I agree. That dude is electric in the punt game.  Would not make sense to have Johntay be first up given his lack of experience though he took reps last year. Doesn’t  make sense wr 1 bond to do it either if you have other good options (yes worthy was awesome last year but I held my breath with every hit)

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    Redshirt

    Kelton H.

    Supporters

    If Golden is not a starter, he needs to be returning kicks. 

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    Bobby Burton

    Administrators
    2 hours ago, Kelton H. said:

    If Golden is not a starter, he needs to be returning kicks. 

    He needs to be returning kicks no matter what IMO. 

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