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Spring practice has come to an end for the Longhorns and the attention has turned to the summer. Summer conditioning will start soon enough but the time in between spring camp and conditioning can be the most important. For Texas, there are certain players that are in desperate need of a strong summer “downtime” to make sure the Longhorns hit the ground running in Week One.
The Texas offensive line is still in a state of flux. Trevor Goosby isn’t fully healthy, Brandon Baker is still getting comfortable at guard and now you add Seymore to the mix. No one is confused that Seymore was brought in and fought for by the staff to start right away. There is confidence around the other four starters. Seymour needs to step up in the summer and make sure the unit is ready come Fall Camp.
The injury obviously adds to this. Lockett missed much of spring camp with an injury but has returned to football activities. To me, Lockett has the ability to be a true WR4 for this team or be on the outside of the rotation looking in. Lockett working with Arch and becoming a trusted target for him gets him on the field will be important during this downtime. If Lockett can put it together before fall camp, this WR unit could be as dangerous as any in the country.
This linebacker room continues to be a relative question mark for Texas. Atkinson seems to be the guy that can subside many of the worries. If he can step up in the next two months, get more comfortable and confident, this unit could have a strong top four. I don’t have a question about the athletic ability and instincts of the LB room. I have some questions about the overall IQ of the room. If Atkinson can elevate that before he steps on the field, this defense could be one of the best in the country with a strong LB room.
Shannon is far from the most athletic or dynamic guy in the tight end room. He seemingly has been the odd man out the last few seasons.Shannon is far from the best pass catcher in the TE room but he does bring size and blocking ability others don’t. That being said, Michael Masunas and Nick Townsend are there and could take snaps away from the junior. He needs to use this summer months to continue to make strides as a pass catcher so he can open up more opportunities for him in the fall.
This summer is about this guy fully feeling like himself again. It seems there is no lingering injury for Williams but the mental side can take some time. He seems to have made massive strides this spring but it needs to continue into the summer. He, like Atkinson, has a chance to make a questionable position room into a special one in a hurry. This summer is about Williams going from 95% to 100% and making sure fall camp is simply about polishing things.
I don’t think Mascoe can make the leap as a player the other guys on this list can, nor do I think he has to. What I do think can change is his control over the cornerback room. The room, while very talented, is still fairly young. Mascoe comes in as a true veteran and someone that likely needs to step into a leadership role. That can be getting the CBs together for 1-on-1s, going to dinner with all the secondary, getting Kade Phillips or Graceson Littleton out there to work on technique. All this stuff can make the communication and connection stronger for the defense as a whole which is the separator between a good and elite secondary.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Lockett, Atkinson highlight Longhorns who need strong summers
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OL Laurence Seymore
The Texas offensive line is still in a state of flux. Trevor Goosby isn’t fully healthy, Brandon Baker is still getting comfortable at guard and now you add Seymore to the mix. No one is confused that Seymore was brought in and fought for by the staff to start right away. There is confidence around the other four starters. Seymour needs to step up in the summer and make sure the unit is ready come Fall Camp.
WR Kaliq Lockett
The injury obviously adds to this. Lockett missed much of spring camp with an injury but has returned to football activities. To me, Lockett has the ability to be a true WR4 for this team or be on the outside of the rotation looking in. Lockett working with Arch and becoming a trusted target for him gets him on the field will be important during this downtime. If Lockett can put it together before fall camp, this WR unit could be as dangerous as any in the country.
LB Tyler Atkinson
This linebacker room continues to be a relative question mark for Texas. Atkinson seems to be the guy that can subside many of the worries. If he can step up in the next two months, get more comfortable and confident, this unit could have a strong top four. I don’t have a question about the athletic ability and instincts of the LB room. I have some questions about the overall IQ of the room. If Atkinson can elevate that before he steps on the field, this defense could be one of the best in the country with a strong LB room.
TE Spencer Shannon
Shannon is far from the most athletic or dynamic guy in the tight end room. He seemingly has been the odd man out the last few seasons.Shannon is far from the best pass catcher in the TE room but he does bring size and blocking ability others don’t. That being said, Michael Masunas and Nick Townsend are there and could take snaps away from the junior. He needs to use this summer months to continue to make strides as a pass catcher so he can open up more opportunities for him in the fall.
DB Derek Williams Jr.
This summer is about this guy fully feeling like himself again. It seems there is no lingering injury for Williams but the mental side can take some time. He seems to have made massive strides this spring but it needs to continue into the summer. He, like Atkinson, has a chance to make a questionable position room into a special one in a hurry. This summer is about Williams going from 95% to 100% and making sure fall camp is simply about polishing things.
DB Bo Mascoe
I don’t think Mascoe can make the leap as a player the other guys on this list can, nor do I think he has to. What I do think can change is his control over the cornerback room. The room, while very talented, is still fairly young. Mascoe comes in as a true veteran and someone that likely needs to step into a leadership role. That can be getting the CBs together for 1-on-1s, going to dinner with all the secondary, getting Kade Phillips or Graceson Littleton out there to work on technique. All this stuff can make the communication and connection stronger for the defense as a whole which is the separator between a good and elite secondary.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Lockett, Atkinson highlight Longhorns who need strong summers
Continue reading...
