From Bobby today, below. His Butler comment is only the kind of thing he’s going to post when a coach is asking him to do so, IMO.
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Time for some news and notes (a lot of it on the freshmen):
- KJ Lacey continues to look the part of a future starter at the D-I level. Lacey has a good presence, delivers the ball on time and has some escapability to him. He does not have the arm strength of Arch Manning or Trey Owens, but he has some wily-ness that makes him difficult to defend at times.
- James Simon is ahead of Ricky Stewart of the two freshman RBs. Christian Clark is still running third team behind Tre Wisner and Jerrick Gibson. Some are saying Gibson’s body is leaning out some this spring, which is giving him a little more bounce in his step.
- Parker Livingstone is the team’s go-to receiver currently. The clear no. 2 is Daylan McCutcheon. McCutcheon continues to be well ahead of the three other freshmen, as Jamie Ffrench, Kaliq Lockett and Michael Terry get accustomed to the intricacies of a pro-style offense. None of those guys played in offenses as sophisticated as McCutcheon did in high school. Aaron Butler is not a factor at the position.
- Nick Brooks continues to receive high praise. The words “first-round pick” get used by a lot of folks when describing him. Brandon Baker, I am told, also seems to be taking a real step forward in the last couple of weeks.
- Justus Terry and Lance Jackson are both receiving a lot of early praise. Terry is working primarily at strong-side end currently. Cole Brevard and Alex January appear to be a step ahead of their cohorts on the interior. Both Josiah Sharma and Myron Charles are showing real glimpses of why Texas liked them so much in recruiting.
- Perhaps the surprise of the second half of spring camp? Linebacker Brad Spence.
- Derrick Williams is still not all the way back. And he is only repping at safety. Jelani McDonald continues to improve.
- Kobe Black has reportedly had a good spring, enough so that Texas is unlikely to look in the portal for experienced depth at corner. Kade Phillips has also shown some real value there early in his career.
- Graceson Littleton may be the biggest surprise of the defensive freshman. The Tampa native is a future player for the Horns. He is giving Wardell Mack a real run at nickel.