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The Longhorns are in the meat of spring camp which means we are starting to see the true standouts. There are two names that gained praise from Steve Sarkisian on Tuesday. Both those names represent the batch of newcomers in Austin but also answer some questions for the Longhorns. Derrek Cooper, freshman RB, and Justin Cryer, transfer LB, have turned heads in spring camp and that’s an incredible sign for the Longhorns
Let’s start with Derrek Cooper and the question that he can answer. Cooper came into Austin as not only a 5-star freshman but already the second biggest RB on the roster. Michael Terry is the sole back that weighs in higher and his position seemingly is malleable this offseason. For the Texas run game, the one thing they need in my eyes is a true power back. If Cooper is answering the bell, that means Texas has their power back to go with Smothers and Brown.
Moving to the defensive side of the ball, the major concern Longhorns fans have is the LB room, particularly the depth. Well, Justin Cryer has come in and answered the bell, catching Sarkisian’s eye early in camp. If Cryer can step up, I believe Texas has five LBs that can give consistent reps this season(Biles, Smith, Cryer, Atkinson, Spence). That turns the room from a question mark to a strength in a hurry.
There’s much more work to do and other position groups, namely the OL, that needs to see similar reports but this is a major step in the right direction. If Cooper fills the power back role, the Texas run game has four strong ballcarriers, including Arch Manning. If Cryer can be a true LB3, the LB room and defense as a whole gets a major upgrade. These early reports would indicate Texas is heading in the right direction in both cases.
This Longhorns roster is among the best in the country. That doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns that need to be answered before Week 1. Cooper and Cryer represent two major answers. Now, it’s time for depth offensive lineman and safeties to subside the depth concerns in those position rooms.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Cooper, Cryer answering depth concerns at RB, LB for Texas Football
Continue reading...
Let’s start with Derrek Cooper and the question that he can answer. Cooper came into Austin as not only a 5-star freshman but already the second biggest RB on the roster. Michael Terry is the sole back that weighs in higher and his position seemingly is malleable this offseason. For the Texas run game, the one thing they need in my eyes is a true power back. If Cooper is answering the bell, that means Texas has their power back to go with Smothers and Brown.
Moving to the defensive side of the ball, the major concern Longhorns fans have is the LB room, particularly the depth. Well, Justin Cryer has come in and answered the bell, catching Sarkisian’s eye early in camp. If Cryer can step up, I believe Texas has five LBs that can give consistent reps this season(Biles, Smith, Cryer, Atkinson, Spence). That turns the room from a question mark to a strength in a hurry.
There’s much more work to do and other position groups, namely the OL, that needs to see similar reports but this is a major step in the right direction. If Cooper fills the power back role, the Texas run game has four strong ballcarriers, including Arch Manning. If Cryer can be a true LB3, the LB room and defense as a whole gets a major upgrade. These early reports would indicate Texas is heading in the right direction in both cases.
This Longhorns roster is among the best in the country. That doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns that need to be answered before Week 1. Cooper and Cryer represent two major answers. Now, it’s time for depth offensive lineman and safeties to subside the depth concerns in those position rooms.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Cooper, Cryer answering depth concerns at RB, LB for Texas Football
Continue reading...
