It was the great debate for the 2013 Texas recruiting class -- Whitewright QB Tyrone Swoopes or Wichita Falls Rider QB JT Barrett? Or even Colleyville Heritage QB Cody Thomas, who emerged later on the radar than the other two, but has had his stock explode quickly throughout the month of February.
That debate now appears to be moot, as multiple sites are reporting on Friday morning that Swoopes has committed to Texas, giving the Longhorns the possible franchise quarterback they thought they had years ago when Garrett Gilbert committed and the most physically gifted since landing Vince Young in 2002. With the commitment, the Texas coaches also avoided the potentially difficult decision of whether to wait for Swoopes or to go ahead and offer Barrett or Thomas at JD2.
Though Swoopes was apparently rather shy on his first Junior Day visit to Austin (and how endearing is that for a star quarterback?), the staff is now going to ask him to take a leadership role on the offensive side of the ball. His first call could very well be to close friend Ricky Seals-Jones, the Sealy WR/TE whose commitment has seemed imminent for days, but could have simply been waiting for Swoopes to pull the trigger first.
Here are the thoughts from Swoopes from way back last spring, before many highlights were even available for him:
First of all, he's relatively advanced for a dual-threat quarterback, showing off a strong arm, decent footwork, and the ability to make some big-time throws. To make another comparison, Swoopes is further along than Matt Davis was at this stage last year mechanically and to continue down that lazy path, Swoopes looks a bit like Vince Young with a delivery that isn't quite ideal, coming out around shoulder level rather than over the top and at the earhole of his helmet.
If one highlight is enough to demonstrate his upside, it comes at 1:35 of this clip. Rolling right, Swoopes unloads a rocket 60 yards downfield that he puts on the fingertips of a diving receiver. So while Swoopes would have been better served to have taken just a hair off the ball to allow his receiver to keep his footing and continue into the end zone, it's the type of big-time throw that leads an observer to believe that Swoops is more than just a running quarterback, an assertion backed up by an MVP award at a TCU camp last year that would have focused solely on his ability as a passer.
Without having more film to analyze, that leaves only statistics to parse and dissect.
The good? Swoopes threw only two interceptions as a sophomore in 161 attempts, or one interception every 80.5 attempts for a 1.2% interception rate. Last season, Texas quarterback threw an interception once every 26 passes, while Boise State signal-caller Kellen Moore only had one in 64 passes intercepted.
The negative is that Swoopes had some up-and-down performances on his way to completing 55% of his passes -- there is still some room for development. In two comfortable wins during the middle of the season, Swoopes completed only five of 16 and seven of 19 passes. Once again, without context or watching the film, it's hard to say what went wrong in those games, simply that Swoopes wasn't particularly efficient.
Another positive is that Swoopes shows the ability to change speeds on his throws. He has the arm strength to put some serious velocity on the football, but he also shows touch on short passes and screens, making sure that he delivers a catchable ball.
It's as a runner that the VY and Pryor comparisons make the most sense. As always, the listed 4.59 40 time may not be entirely accurate, but it's also clear that Swoopes moves at a different speed than the 2A competition he faces and his height means that he won't ever look as fast as smaller plays, while making the speed that he does have a bit deceiving, particularly for defensive backs trying to take the correct angle.
Like pretty much any quarterback compared to Young, Swoopes isn't quite as electric with the ball in making defenders miss, but he does have good short-area quickness and acceleration for a long strider and shows some ability to use a defender's momentum in his own favor, much as Young did. And as expected for someone his size, he can run through some arm tackles and can maximize that ability at times by getting behind his pads, no easy task for a player his size.
Tyrone Swoopes (early junior highlights) (via 247SportsStudio)
Despite all the comparisons to Vince Young and Terrelle Pryor, during the first Junior Day Mack Brown simply told Swoopes that they didn't want him to be the next Vince Young, they just wanted him to be the first Tyrone Swoopes. Apparently Swoopes bought into that, despite national attention in recent weeks, including offers from Alabama and Ohio State.
The commitment from Swoopes also confirms that co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin is indeed willing to transition to a more spread-based offense, or at least one that features a true dual-threat quarterback capable of running the zone read and option games. And why the heck not? There's nothing more beautiful than getting the numbers right in the box by optioning off defenders.
Speaking of Harsin, the second-year coordinator fell in love Swoopes last summer during a three-day camp, so despite whatever inane criticisms the 247Sports people want to level at the star prep quarterback, Harsin's opinion seems like the most significant here.
It seems like that Swoopes fell in love as well and all he needed was for his mother to see the campus and agree it was the right fit for him, which happened at the first Texas Junior Day.
But back to Swoopes and the impact that his commitment will have on the Texas program. He is a bit raw as a passer, even though his mechanics are generally pretty sound, so he'll need some time to develop in the program before he's fully ready of being a starter and leading Texas to a national championship, but he'll have that time with David Ash and Connor Brewer in front of him on the depth chart when he arrives.
As a result, whatever concerns there are about his competition level or his consistency in the passing game, he won't be asked to step onto the field as the leader for the Longhorns until he's a much more polished passer than he is today. And, really, that's the only step that he needs to take before he can become an absolute monster of a weapon in burnt orange.
If I sound giddy here, it's because I am.
Hook 'em, Tyrone. And bring some of your buddies on offense with you.
0 recs | 222 comments
Swoops, there it is.
We slept they Team Barrett
CMDR - February 17, 2012
This is awesome!
Are the coaches strategically having these kids commit in consecutive days? It seems a little too perfect…
TowerPower - February 17, 2012 via mobile
could be designed
to generate momentum towards JD2.
Spreading out commit announcements keeps the buzz up. If everyone committed by Sunday night, buzz would die down by Tuesday. Not saying thats whats happening, but its a possibility.
CMDR - February 17, 2012
Great new
Let’s see how long his coattails are!!!!!
edsp - February 17, 2012
RSJ, come on down
CMDR - February 17, 2012
uh, great news -- nt
edsp - February 17, 2012
1:35 of that clip is a run play :)
Great news to hear. Im sure the QB thing is not over for the yr in terms of conversation. But there is no denying swoops talent.
Welcome to teh 40, Swoops.
vanterminatorhorn - February 17, 2012
The quote is from last spring
Before those highlights had even taken place. He’s referring to some sparse sophomore clips where Tyrone absolutely bombs the ball down the field, on the run.
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
It was one of these videos
in here. Either the first or the second.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
And....
Boom goes the dynamite.
40A - February 17, 2012
Huzzah!
kriess - February 17, 2012
Flood gates just opend for 2013 recruiting class!!!
TexasStateHorn - February 17, 2012
I agree.
I think this will get the train moving
WestTxHornFan - February 17, 2012
They could afford to go for potential over polish, I guess
Whether or not Ash, McCoy, and Brewer can produce one competent starting QB remains to be seen, but based on the assumption that it’ll happen, going for Swoopes seems like the way to go. It’s not like there’d be any more guarantee with a recruit than with the guys on the team anyway, so the highest ceiling it is.
So does Texas shut down QB recruiting for the most part, and just keep the phone lines a little warm with Barrett, Thomas, and Hill, just in case? Or do they stay aggressive?
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
QB recruiting in 2013 will shut down
unless someone leave in the spring (cough, Case McCoy, cough). So it’s possible that Barrett could still be brought in or Kenny Hill, but it would be surprising if Barrett is willing to come in at this point. The more lightly-regarded Hill might be a better possibility.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
i dont think McCoy transfers, cough
he just has 2 years left and would lose a year on transfer. Besides, slow growing McCoys can grow up in a year.We may be happy we have this McCoy kid.
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
Ya just never know!
robthecob - February 20, 2012
I really hope we dont shut down QB recruiting....
…its not very surprising that we will loose another QB to transfers after the next yr. At this time, we have a good chance to get a good QB, if we wait, we will not be able to get a good one.
I would like to see us pick up a pro-style QB. I think our team is being recruited and built for the pro-style game and it would really calm my nerves if we keep picking a good pro-style QB every yr and atleast 2 RBs every year ..
vanterminatorhorn - February 17, 2012
I was thinking that the focus on Swoopes, Barrett, and Hill indicated that Harsin wants dual-threat guys
Granted, Barrett’s a little more passing-oriented than Swoopes, but not one is really a pro-style guy that I can tell, is he?
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
No.
Thomas is listed as a pro-style guy, but he’s like Ash and Gilbert in that he’s pretty mobile for being a big guy and could run some zone-read stuff on occasion in college to keep the defense off balance, as well as scramble to make plays with his feet.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
Yeah, I was thinking Thomas was the most pro-style of any of the guys mentioned...
…but given that he seemed to be an afterthought, I interpreted that as a sign that the coaches are looking for a more dangerous dual-threat guy, not really a good passer who can move out. My best estimate is that Barrett more or less seems to split the difference between Thomas and Swoopes in terms of style.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
Swoopes is more raw,
but could develop into a very good passer.
40A - February 17, 2012
Sure, development makes all the difference
Some guys go the way of Robert Griffin, some the way of Vince Young, while others go the way of Xavier Lee, Marcus Vick, or Reggie McNeal.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
And yet others go Ryan P.
Horncasting - February 17, 2012
Reggie McNeal would have been a lot better
if Franchione hadn’t tried to make him into an option QB. Kid had cannon. He would have thrived under Art Briles much like RG3.
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
Agree.
McNeal actually had a pretty decent career there but he might have been great at a different school like Texas. He was a huge talent w/ a solid build and a cannon arm.
robthecob - February 20, 2012
I definitely agree.
I know we don’t agree on Harsin so much, but I would take a Swoopes over Barrett. Gotta aim high. I think Harsin will make him something special. I also think that he could’ve done a lot better with Lee and McNeal. Vick was another case in itself.
40A - February 17, 2012
i meant a pro-style guy...
…in the mold of GG, Ash, etc. If I were to pick between calling them dual threat or pro-style, I would go for the latter. I was thinking thomas. i like the kid even though IMO hes not polished in terms of mechanics and he stares down his receivers. but he has talent undoubtedly and he can be brought in and we will have the luxury of teaching him.
vanterminatorhorn - February 17, 2012
Is Ash a pro-style QB?
I always felt he fell into the tweener roll myself.
40A - February 17, 2012
he definitely had a lot of designed runs.
CMDR - February 17, 2012
He was listed as pro-style guy out of HS,
but I thought that his running ability was underrated.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
I thought he was
a shotgun QB at Belton.
May have been mistaken.
BurntOrangeTexans - February 17, 2012
Belton was reasonably multiple,
but whether an offense is in the shotgun or under center doesn’t have much, if any, impact on if the services project a quarterback as pro-style or dual-threat.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
Oh
I see.
BurntOrangeTexans - February 17, 2012
Ash
Was mostly a passer at Belton, but he has some some wheels for sure. He’s a versatile guy (he even punted)
HookemHouston - February 17, 2012
Lol we don't know what he is yet. Not sure he knows at this point
jdwall12 - February 17, 2012
yes!
Thank you swoops. Rsj will most likely commit today. And ra Sussex samples should early next week. I like this class already. Off to a good start. Can’t wait for JD2!
susuata - February 17, 2012
let me check....
yep, i just creamed myself.
holly cow, i see what has to be one of the most amazing 6-7 year runs coming. get on board folks this train is non stop to NATI-apolis
hornyaustinite - February 17, 2012
Damn, got to give it up
Hate to do it, but you all are off to one hell of a start for 2013. As a diehard OU fan, I can’t help but shake my head at how your recruiting doesn’t drop off even a tick despite less than stellar results on the field these last couple of years. A true testament to the monster you all have built down there.
Jordan Esco - February 17, 2012
Rec'd
Now I have to shower.
kriess - February 17, 2012
Thanks
I mean the only thing that counts is if these guys can translate it into wins on the field, which we won’t know for a couple years
TxHorns989 - February 17, 2012
I like the cut of your jib, jtesooner
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
Thanks
We appreciate your comments around here. We’re aiming for the sustained conference success Bob has specialized in since getting to Norman.
windycityhorn - February 17, 2012
Shhh
That’s a secret! :)
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
So if you were a betting man, where do you see Barrett going now?
I really hope we don’t play him.
LongandHorny - February 17, 2012
I wouldn't be surprised to see Barrett at Baylor.
I think that would be an excellent fit for him. I haven’t seen him declare any leaders though, so I think he’s pretty open at this point.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
Don't be surprised if it's OU either
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
Being a Longhorn makes life damn good.
Hook ’Em Swoopes!
BONation11 - February 17, 2012
Does he run track or have any offical combine numbers? He looks very fast compared to his competition on tape.
UT_BKC - February 17, 2012
I haven't seen any official numbers.
But Whitewright is a 2A school, so his competition is not that great. I would peg the 4.59 40 listed on his Rivals page as pretty accurate. Also, as with most taller guys, his speed can be deceptive once he hits top gear because he covers so much ground with every stride.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
Re:
/VinceYoung’d
SuperHorn - February 17, 2012
Oddly short strider
For such a big guy though. I hope he works on spacing his stride out once he gets into open field, this season.
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
Compaired to VY he does seeem to have a short stride
but his moving around the pocket with the dips and moves taking off down the field look eerily familiar.
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
Hairsin Vision
Love Swoopes – welcome to the stud recruit.
Anyone else wondering if Hairsin has a clear offensive vision? Just difficult to imagine how to reconcile that Brewer is his “hand picked QB”, and then follows up with Swoopes. Not complaining – just interesting.
realmccoy - February 17, 2012
his vision
Is to attack the defense from all sides by all means neccessary.
CMDR - February 17, 2012
"What is this guy good at?"
I think Harsin’s vision is to use any player he can, in any way that will work.
I actually think going after Swoopes makes more sense following on the Brewer recruitment. I think that they will both see the field in a few seasons, in complementary roles. Hopefully, this will also help with the transfer problem longterm. If every player knows that he has a chance to see the field in some capacity, and as part of a fun, winning team, maybe they stick around.
Flipteach - February 17, 2012
Not so sure
Both are stud QB’s and one year apart. Both will likely be redshirted. Hopefully for us one of them will separate from the other and become ‘the guy.’ When that happens the script usually has the other guy looking elsewhere. I hope not but that’s the way it generally goes down.
SpiritOfTheFedora - February 17, 2012
I would not call Brewer a stud yet
Brewer is small for a Qb, if he turns out to be the player Colt was it will be like winning the lottery twice. Not really likely, but if he does he will have earned the stud moniker.
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
It shows that he's willing to adapt his offense
to the strengths of the players that he is recruiting. I was just thinking about this out loud on Twitter and though I expect Harsin to use more spread sets with Swoopes (assuming Harsin is still in Austin when Swoopes takes over), I think the offense will eventually look a lot like the Pistol that Nevada uses, as it allows for all the advantages of running the zone read, while still allowing for the power running that Mack Brown and Harsin both prefer. Texas actually used a fair amount of it this last season.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
Love the pistol
So tough to stop with a running QB and diverse set of backs.
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
I was so happy Texas finally started using it.
One of my first articles for Eyes of Texas was about fixing the running game and using the Pistol was a big part of it (that would have been in 2009). Greg Davis was a fool and half for never utilizing it.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
agreed...
vanterminatorhorn - February 17, 2012
Greg Davis was a fool and a half for a lot of reasons, that being just one of them.
Nunna Yo Bizness - February 17, 2012
So much hate for GD.
40A - February 17, 2012
Yup
Enough already, leave the poor man alone.
SpiritOfTheFedora - February 17, 2012
nope
And he’s not poor at all thanks to Texas.
CMDR - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Agreed
Greg Davis got paid an awful lot of money to absolutely suck at his job while also belligerently denying his own obvious incompetence on a regular basis. Not many this side of the White House can get away with that, and he certainly shouldn’t have been one of the few to do so for so long. (This is meant to be a neutral statement, politics-wise.)
Any ridicule GD still gets is just fine by me, and I believe I’m vindicated, given that apparently nobody has been breaking down his door to hire him since Mack finally canned him.
sc33 - February 18, 2012
Greg Davis
when Harsins offense has the offensive numbers Greg Davis had i’m sure you will be pleased.
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
Wes- we saw some use of the "diamond" formation that OU and OSU use so much
Do you think we use it more this coming season, especially with our triumvirate of RB’s? (Not that all 3 would necessarily be in the game at the same time in it….)
junglerules - February 18, 2012
Not Wes
But I personally think we’ll see the diamond a decent amount this year. Especially, as you mentioned, with so many talented and diverse running backs.
GoHornsGo90 - February 18, 2012
I would definitely support that
as I’m a fan of the formation and think it would play to the strengths of running back corps. Would have to count on Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron to do some blocking to make it work, but Harsin already said that he was going to test that out situationally.
I would say that how you set up your backs in the Diamond has an impact on its value in terms of not giving away which direction you want to run. For instance, if you have your quick back offset next to the QB, that usually signals a sweep the other direction, but if you put your quick back behind the QB and then your two stronger backs offset, then you don’t tip off which way you’re going as much.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 18, 2012
Does remind you a little bit of UF taking Jon Brantley when they needed a running spread QB. Sort of taking him because they could. But maybe Hairsin will adapt.
Bud Elliott - February 17, 2012
he already has adapted
remember boise running the wildcat for 400 yds in a game? oh? me either.
we’ve got parts of an offense that fit what swoopes’ strengths are already. we’ve got the jet sweep motion in that you can easily run with a qb. we’ve got a little bit of zone read too.
mattw - February 17, 2012
I've watched a lot of Boise the last 5 or 6 years. They have run some wildcat, but it was more of a wrinkle than a foundation of their offense, especially with Moore still there.
This season, they also brought in a qb several times a game for what were often designed run plays. It was interesting to watch just because at times, it felt like watching what Harsin wanted our offense to ultimately look like, although I think we’ll see tweaks for sure as he continues to find the strengths and weaknesses of our personnel
junglerules - February 18, 2012
Sort of like that
Though I think Tyrone has far more upside than Brantley and it will be easier for Harsin to institute plays that cater to his skill set than it was for Meyer to cater to Brantley’s.
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
I dunno Brantley out of high school was just comically good.
I really don’t know what happened to him at FL.
pleaseplaykindle - February 17, 2012
Passing QB
In an offense that doesn’t work without a running threat at QB. I’m not surprised it didn’t work out, especially since UF lost a few of their coaches (not to mention Meyer’s focus or caring about how the season went) right when he stepped in.
GoHornsGo90 - February 18, 2012
so was GG
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
I think it's mostly indicative of timelines
With Brewer, the kid is a lot more passing-oriented, and likely to be ready to start sooner than a running-oriented QB at this point. That makes Brewer a viable option to start in 2013 or even 2012, FSM forbid. But Swoopes is later in the timeline, and much less likely to have to start before the staff has had significant time to refine him into what he needs to be before he can start. That is, of course, unless all the older QBs fizzle, but it seems unlikely Swoopes would be pressed into action out of necessity.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
FSM forbid
I’ve never heard that before, that’s hilarious!
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
Harsin's vision is probably pretty fluid
From Smart football.
Reggieball - February 17, 2012
Love that quote.
pleaseplaykindle - February 17, 2012
I do, too.
I like it because it boils thing down to its essentials. I am by no means a football expert, but it seems that people sometimes over think stuff, and I figure that extends to football as well. All you really need are a set of plays that work and that you can execute.
I suspect strategic vision is probably overrated.
Reggieball - February 17, 2012
I think you nailed it. Recruit better players and don’t do anything dumb (like run a draw play out of your own endzone) and you’ll win most of your games.
pleaseplaykindle - February 17, 2012
haha true mccoy
they say brewer is amazing at seeing how a play develops and knowing where his guys will be. but im pretty sure he will find a way to use 3 qbs in a game or something like that. not everybody getting the same snaps just a main qb and 2 others will get like 3-5 snaps im thinking.
susuata - February 17, 2012
Great news!
Yup. Love it.
I also think that Harsinwhite is(are?) creative enough to do different things with the zone-read than Davis. The way this kid runs…he could be dangerous on an inside zone read…reading the DT, or running the inverted veer like they ran with Newton at Auburn.
SuperHorn - February 17, 2012
Look no further
than the ‘Ash package’ to see how Harsin deploys mobile QBs.
CMDR - February 17, 2012
Yeah.
I think there are some pretty special things you could do with Swoopes as the trigger man, Brown at RB, and Gray running a sweep.
SuperHorn - February 17, 2012
Harsin and a running QB
Part of the Ash and wildcat packages was a QB read on the “power” play, right? Kind of like what Auburn did a lot with Newton. It is a nice looking play, and since the line is already going to know how to block it, it shouldn’t be too tough to work into the offense.
Reggieball - February 17, 2012
Three badasses and now an antelope
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
And Stanford/ND offers are promising as to his smarts.
Bud Elliott - February 17, 2012
Good point
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
i think
what we will see out of jalen overstreet this year is how swoops will be used next year. glad to see we had a project on our hands with swoops tho. hopefully JD2 we work more on defense.
susuata - February 17, 2012
Right: as a redshirt.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
What are the predictions as to Overstreets status as a QB?
At the end of spring training?
I predict he will be running just behind Ash and ahead of Brewer.
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
I predict he'll run the scout team
Behind Ash and McCoy, but not taking the #3 snaps, which I believe will go to Brewer.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
? Burntorangehorn
As I am a Overstreet fan, I was wondering what you saw or didn’t see that makes you think Overstreet can’t contribute as a QB ahead of at least McCoy in 2012. I understand the lack of knowledge as a freshman, but Case’s arm can’t get that much stronger even with Wylie’s help. So my ? is what is your knock on Overstreet? This is a sincere ? I am not always good at talent eval, especially QB’s. Thanks
Burnedsince61 - February 17, 2012
Just that he's a true freshman
He’ll be fresh onto campus this fall, with no experience in the system, with this surrounding team, no face time with college-level defenses, etc. McCoy has physical limitations, but this is college football, where those kinds of limitations aren’t likely to negate a serious advantage in terms of system experience, accustomization to college FB speed, and the team in general. Last year the difference was a little less between McCoy and Ash, because when McCoy enrolled early, he was doing so on a team that had Gilbert as the clear starter, and Harris taking the #2 snaps from spring right up until August, at which point either McCoy or Wood had to be the backup. McCoy it was, but obviously Ash and McCoy received far more snaps in the spring, informal summer workouts, and fall camp than McCoy had as a freshman, and then each had a good amount of live experience in the regular season, however unimpressive they were.
On the other hand, Overstreet’s coming in the fall with no snaps, basically 2.5yrs. on campus behind McCoy, and 1.5yrs. behind Ash, and a lot of live game experience behind either. Same with Brewer, except he’ll at least have the spring under his belt.
I think Overstreet could surprise, sure, but I don’t think he’ll be taking QB2 snaps this fall.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
Thanks for clearing that up
Agreed, burntorangehorn, I can see all that and, understand. Thought I might be missing something on his ability. Good points.
Burnedsince61 - February 17, 2012
Overstreet is a career backup. No way is he going to jump Brewer. That's ludicrous.
LookinForIt - February 17, 2012
Again why ?
Nobody saw Ash jumping Gilbert, he was the greatest thing yet.
Burnedsince61 - February 17, 2012
You may be right.
But, I would not be so quick to discount what Overstreet can accomplish. I think Overstreet is closer to what Harsin wants out of a QB than Brewer, from a dual threat, athletic stand point.
WestTxHornFan - February 17, 2012
No.
Brewer is blue chip. Overstreet is not.
LookinForIt - February 17, 2012
oh we know.
All I’m saying, is let’s not overlook what Overstreet can bring to the table from a dual threat standpoint. Would you be surprised if Overstreet saw more snaps than Brewer next year? I wouldn’t….
WestTxHornFan - February 17, 2012
don't count chickens
…and we’ve seen how much that matters over time
atxdman - February 17, 2012
Neither one is blue-chip, is he?
burntorangehorn - February 19, 2012
Overstreet is a good athlete with a great attitude
Much like John Harris another high school QB now at WR. I’m sure he’ll get his shot at QB but with Brewer and Swoopes waiting in the wings if he doesn’t make a strong move at QB his freshman year then he’s smart enough to know it will be time for a position change. At 6-2, 205 he has the size and athleticism to also play WR or safety and the ability to run the wildcat with a pass threat.
I wouldn’t even begin to predict who will start when or where, there are smarter people than me closer to the field who are paid for that sort of thing. But I think the idea is to get as many people into the mix as possible and see who rises to the top. You can’t pass on a top athlete like John Harris or Jalen Overstreet.
SpiritOfTheFedora - February 17, 2012
Jump Brewer?
They’re in the same class.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
Jump Brewer on the depth chart.
Brewer was Harsin’s guy. Overstreet was taken as insurance.
LookinForIt - February 17, 2012
Ash was taken to be a backup
to Gilbert, after Ash redshirted, and maybe behind Wood. Or Brewer. Now, Ash is the franchise. In 12 months!
These are 18-year-old kids coming from varied backgrounds where they played against competition ranging from the elite 5As in Texas to schools so small the entire student body could fit in Wescott’s living room. Two years ago, we thought Carrington Byndom was (1) unknown; (2) might turn pro in baseball; (3) had an unusual name; (4) was ttoo small to be a shutdown corner.
Today . . . .
edsp - February 17, 2012
Overstreet was taken on his potential
as an athlete at whatever position.
SpiritOfTheFedora - February 17, 2012
Let's not rush freshmen QBs into playing before they're ready anymore...
I predict Ash will start, McCoy will be his backup, Overstreat will get time as change-of-pace QB with specific run-heavy packages (like Ash did at the beginning of last season) and Brewer will redshirt. Swoopes will redshirt next season and eventually compete with Brewer for the starting job. That’s assuming Ash is able to develop sufficiently this spring with the coaches’ full attention as the potential starter.
Austin Native - February 17, 2012
I think he will run the Wild
@ 6’2 212 He is full grown and very athletic . Brewer will redshirt, imo.
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
YEAAAAHHHHH BABY!
Got my Friday started off right!
VegasLonghorn - February 17, 2012
I'm still having a hard time understanding....
how did Swoopes get beat out of the playoffs this year by 2A Lone Oak 63-7. At first I thought maybe they played without him, but then I saw the boxscore and he played. I guess I’m going to have to trust Coach Harsin on this one. I hope he’s not falling in love with the measurables and we wind up with a Jerrod Johnson.
KevinVonErich - February 17, 2012
Exactly - this is very troublesome.
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
Gilbert was a 2x State Champ with Lake Travis.....
referred to by some as “the best high school QB they had ever seen” and hasn’t even come close to reaching his potential. Sometimes success at the high school level doesn’t translate to success at the college level. My guess is that you don’t get that many offers without having some skills.
VegasLonghorn - February 17, 2012
True, but Gilbert was perhaps every bit as coveted as Swoopes, no?
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
Absolutely.
I just saying that its entirely too early to start questioning Swoopes. It will be interesting to see what these recruits can do with their senior seasons. Being talented and being talented and playing in front of 100,000 screaming fans in front of a national television audience are totally different. Some players thrive, some don’t. His success as a college QB will be determined by his ability to develop as a QB, not his W-L record in high school.
VegasLonghorn - February 17, 2012
Yeah, it's evident that HS success doesn't necessarily translate
But like you said, no one gets that many offers without having some skills, and Gilbert had a lot of offers, including from Harbaugh, and would’ve had more had it not been so abundantly clear that he had no intention of considering anyone else. Plus he exhibited those great skills at the high school level. Swoopes did too.
Really I think it makes sense to consider a guy’s success, but recognize that sometimes he’ll be able to take that to college, and sometimes he won’t.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
Umm...
I would take a Jerrod Johnson with the coaching staff we have here at UT.
40A - February 17, 2012
Minus the music video
nails on a chalkboard
STLaw - February 17, 2012
Agree. When healthy he was very good.
Shame about his senior season. Good kid from good family. I knew his dad at Humble
Horncasting - February 17, 2012
I love that the number one ranked player in the state is from a 2a school. All the recruiting analysts are freaking out but talent is talent no matter what size school you come from. Hopefully this will open the door a little more for these kids who have the ability to play division 1 ball but never get a call.
spakastu - February 17, 2012
He was the football team.
the team sucked if not for him.
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
cannot believe a team can get beat in the playoffs... It has me worried too...
longhorn35 - February 17, 2012
Seems weird a 5* QB at that level of competition can't get his team beyond the first round
And have a better record than that.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
So here's the basic scoop on that game.
Here’s the recap. Swoopes left the game early in the second half with an injury, after rushing 18 times for 160 yards and a 75-yard touchdown run. On the day, he only completed 9 of-21 passes, so his inconsistent accuracy could have been a problem there — difficult to tell without seeing the film.
As far as the score, Whitewright missed on three fourth-down conversions in the first half and was terrible on defense, allowing Lone Oak to score on every possession in the second quarter.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
why are people so bothered that a team with a 5* player got beat in the playoffs?
good grief… most 5* players play on teams that lose once or twice..
longhorn35 - February 17, 2012
What bothers me is that a 5*, 2A QB was unable to score more than 7 points!
Also, 63 points by the other team is an indication that Swoops team wasn’t even making first downs!
Now, if someone has Swoope’s stats for the game, I would love to hear them.
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
Look above
kriess - February 17, 2012
Damn - my bad. Well, I feel a little better then
When was his teams touchdown scored??
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
immediate answer TD to make the score 8-7...
They still trailed by 1
longhorn35 - February 17, 2012
All I have to say about the 2A discussion, is that he also had 2A blockers and receivers.
His opponents will be much better, but so will his supporting cast. I’m not too worried about it even though he did look like giant compared to the defensive players on most of the film.
WreckerTex - February 17, 2012
They went 7-4 and lost in the first round in 2A, right?
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
Partly because it is similar to what we saw with Sherrod Harris
Despite the fact that he was considered he top prospect in the state when he was a soph. Injured his junior year and then didn’t do much his senior year.
Horncasting - February 17, 2012
anyone know what vince's record was when he was a junior?
longhorn35 - February 17, 2012
high school junior...
longhorn35 - February 17, 2012
That information
does not seem to be readily available.
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 17, 2012
I don’t know about his junior year, but he was hyped WAY more than swoops or anyone else since. In his senior year, Madison lost in the semis to Westlake. But he had VY like numbers all year.
Cyrus - February 17, 2012
i know about his senior year... but people are questioning Swoopes Junior year playoff loss and that.
it may be troublesome that a team can lose a game when they have a 5* player…
longhorn35 - February 17, 2012
2A competition, and getting beat 63-7 does raise some eyebrows.
Horncasting - February 17, 2012
That Madison team was one win away from setting up a Lufkin-Madison
state championship game with VY vs. Reggie. That would have been a great one.
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
2014-Swoopes under center with Bergeron, Brown and Gray behind him.....shades of 1969 ....Yeeee Haw !!!! Whiskey River take my mind !!
MeatchickenHorn - February 17, 2012
Swoopes won't be ready by then...maybe 2015
STLaw - February 17, 2012
Mama don't let your babies grow up to be Buckeyes (or Tide)
Make ’em be Longhorns and winners and such.
windycityhorn - February 17, 2012
I love country music.
HookemHouston - February 17, 2012
Good pick up at QB but I'm not going to fall in love yet
You can’t pass up recruits like this and I agree, he has all the potential in the world to be a special one. However, he will need to sit at least 2 years once he comes in because his passing game and likely his ability to read defenses needs work. Luckily, I think we are building enough depth at QB to allow for this to happen.
I hope we do not go back to a spread offense. I was happy we got away from it actually. I don’t mind the pistol (as Wescott has suggested might happen) because we can run power O out of it. We are changing the landscape of offense in the Big 12 and the last thing we need is to get away from that. We have the best stable of RBs in the country for a reason.
Swoopes is raw. Great athlete and great kid from what I see and hear. However, Gilbert was too. I’ll wait to see how he develops. I trust Harsin will mold him into a good all-around QB.
STLaw - February 17, 2012
And you trust Harsin to mold him into a good all-around QB because........?
MeatchickenHorn - February 17, 2012
Eh, there's really no other choice, it seems
Harsin’s the QB coach. Keeping hope alive.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
+1....Hope is the operative word.....trust...not sure we can do that at this point
MeatchickenHorn - February 17, 2012
I guess I'm overstating in your opinion
However, I won’t get down on Harsin because of last year. Injuries slaughtered our O. I’m pretty happy that HarsinWhite pulled out the wins they did last season with what they had. If we stay healthy, I’m pretty sure we will get a nice glimpse into what Harsin can really do.
Call me an optimist
STLaw - February 17, 2012
Yeah, it's all about the future, not 2011
I don’t think Harsin’s abilities are truly known at this point. They might be as good as the results of Moore, Zabransky, etc. at Boise State would indicate, or as bad as 2011 QB performances would indicate. They’re most likely somewhere in between, but even so, if they’re at least close to the Boise State end of that spectrum, the superior talent level at Texas might actually mean even better results.
Lots of conditional modals in there, aren’t there? Ah well, I guess we’ll see.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
The real variable there is the QB.
Get a stable QB that execute, then you can start to asses.
Get a talented QB with experience, chances are the assessment goes way up.
Get a VY or Colt level QB, chances are the assessment gives way to outright worship in the burnt orange world.
whills - February 17, 2012
haha, executes, then assesses. Asses might be right. nt
whills - February 17, 2012
I seem to remember a presidential campaign running on that slogan recently...
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
Example: Kellen Moore
Look what he did with Kellen. Not a real athlete but he turned him into one of the most consistent QBs in college ball. Imagine what he could do with a true athlete…
STLaw - February 17, 2012
Don't go down that road, boh will tell you that there are no facts to back up that it was actually because
of Harsin and not Petersen.
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
And there isn't any "facts" to support it was Peterson and not Harsin
So let’s just say that they’re 50/50 responsible for Kellen Moore’s development into the winningest QB in college football history. I’m okay with that.
kriess - February 17, 2012
Winningest QB...
such a sham. I’m not knocking on his talent, but that competition is just piss poor. Alas, he has the record, so…
GoHorns - February 17, 2012
Hey man
Don’t knock those teams like Colorado State…. Stellar program. Ha the Big 12 competition that Colt beat is nothing compared to that!
HookemHouston - February 17, 2012
Actually there are such facts
Because Petersen’s offenses were very successful before Harsin had any hand in them.
burntorangehorn - February 19, 2012
This is still mind boggling to me.
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
Vince's junior year . . .
Madison went 10-2, lost to Katy 50-19 in the area round of the playoffs.
jpsantini - February 17, 2012
50-19?
And he’s a 5*? That guy must suck.
UPB13 - February 17, 2012
There is one crucial difference.
5A>2A. Losing to the Katy Tigers is nothing to be ashamed of.
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
Only in size 2A ball has produced a lot of talented players over the last few years.
spakastu - February 17, 2012
Ugh, tell me about it
We got pounded by them year after year. Luckily, I did not play football, so I avoided the humiliation.
Andrew Wiggin - February 18, 2012
Obvious recruiting bust is obvious
GoHornsGo90 - February 17, 2012
There'll be a lot of fans clamoring . . .
for Swoopes to start at some point during his RS freshman year. A LOT of fans. And I may be one of them.
If you’re waiting for Swoopes to learn the intricacies of the passing game, waiting for him to become more of a complete QB, before he starts, then you don’t see Swoopes for what he is and probably overestimate what Texas has in front of him. Swoopes is a running QB. He’s not Vince Young but then who is? (Although he’s not all that far behind.) He’s better than Pryor as a running QB and Pryor was awfully good. Plus, Swoopes will have Gray and Brown and Bergeron in the backfield with him.
Unless Brewer just comes in, lights it up, and takes over (which no one really expects) I’d be surprised if Swoopes isn’t at least a co-starter at some point during his RS freshman year.
McCoy should transfer, Ash isn’t the answer, and Brewer is an unknown but on very limited viewing doesn’t quite seem to have the ability, either. Swoopes couldn’t be in a better situation.
jpsantini - February 17, 2012
and your basis for all of this is what?
Nobody has seen Brewer play a single down in college ball. Ash is working with a QB coach. Ash also played well in the Holiday Bowl.
If you’re thinking we go back to a zone read O like we had with Vince, you must think we still have GD running the O.
No way Swoopes starts his freshman year. Plus, you can’t win with a running only QB. They have to be able to throw at least at an average level for college play. Even Vince and Cam developed their passing game.
STLaw - February 17, 2012
The basis for this is because it has happened in the past
when VY was a RS fresh and Chance Mock was playing very well. Chance was no slouch at QB and many fans were restless that VY wasn’t on the field.
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
Kind of like
The Jarret Lee/Jordan Jefferson situation at LSU this year. Honestly, I thought Miles should’ve stuck with Lee. But then again, he also eats grass so maybe he knows something that I don’t.
HookemHouston - February 17, 2012
The newest toy is always the shiniest one, I guess
Sure it’s fun to proclaim the latest addition to be better than the previous one, but Brewer and Overstreet haven’t even begun to receive the staff’s coaching yet (just conditioning for Brewer so far, if I’m not mistaken), and Swoopes is between eleven and eighteen months away from getting same.
And yes, Swoopes would have Brown, Bergeron, and Gray in the backfield, but what Texas quarterback wouldn’t? That’s not a differentiator.
burntorangehorn - February 17, 2012
+1
HookemHouston - February 17, 2012
That’s like, you’re opinion man
atxdman - February 17, 2012
The Q package.
Kill it with fire.
pleaseplaykindle - February 17, 2012
With all due respect to Jake Raulerson.
I think it’s safe to say he’s been unseated as this class’s “bell cow”. This makes things much easier from here on out. Expect the commitments to come rolling in.
And now, let’s consider what this means for this year. Doesn’t Connor Brewer see the writing on the wall now and push for immediate playing time, knowing this may be his only chance? In my opinion, this makes this offseason infinitely more interesting now. Maybe he’s known it for a while now (he was an early enrollee, after all), but I think this is Connor’s year. He’s got to take the position from David Ash and shine in the spotlight if he expects to keep Tyrone Swoopes from moving ahead of him next year.
LookinForIt - February 17, 2012
There is another option
and I think that’s what we are seeing from the offensive staff.
Ash starts. Ash will be a sophmore next season. Brewer redshirts and will be a RS freshman when Swoopes gets on campus. Then Swoopes redshirts as well. That means when Swoopes is a RS freshman, Ash will be a senior and Brewer a Sophmore. If Brewer doesn’t pan out, then Swoopes will have had time to develop. If Brewer does pan out, he likely leaves early or Swoopes get in a rotation and takes the lead in his final season.
Either way, that leaves backup plans in case things don’t work out with Brewer and it also allows Swoopes time to develop.
STLaw - February 17, 2012
I think we just have to look at Harsin's philosophy.
His philosophy last year was always “whoever practices better starts”. Was that a one year thing, or more of a long-term thing? Who knows? But I think it’s got to carry over at least to this year, with more quarterback competition. If Brewer makes it clear he doesn’t care about redshirting, then I don’t see how he could possibly lose out. I get the sense that Brewer is much smarter than David Ash, football-wise. He’ll pick up the offense very quickly. Is Ash talented enough to hold off Brewer? I don’t think so.
LookinForIt - February 17, 2012
I think it's safe to say
that is every coach’s philosophy. Direct correlation between production in practice and production in games.The prima donna (i.e. doesn’t like to practice hard) in practice does not play in games, it sets a horrible example for the rest of the team.
As for Ash not being football smart, he got close to zero first team reps during the spring as a true freshman. Let’s see if he improves this year with first team reps. Brewer will hopefully get to redshirt. Confidence and knowledge of the system plays a huge role. The redshirt season affords both.
SpiritOfTheFedora - February 17, 2012
We have enough cowbells to go around
Can never have too much cowbell.
CMDR - February 17, 2012
more cowbell...
longhorn35 - February 17, 2012
We are the Texas Longhorns
Cowbells for everyone!!
Wrangler86 - February 17, 2012
And I just want Blue Bell!!!
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
Blue Bell
Is definitely better than blue balls
Wrangler86 - February 17, 2012
Now you're talkin!!
beast in bama - February 17, 2012
You bring up a good point. Let's put it this way.
In 2014, David Ash is a senior, Connor Brewer a RS Sophmore, and Swoopes a RS Freshmen.
Who is starting?
pleaseplaykindle - February 17, 2012
Brewer's gone
IMO Swoopes is backing up Ash at this point. Or, Brewer could be starting at this point. Or, Swoopes could.
All three guys have legitimate shots at starting. But IMO if Ash has started for 2.5 years, he’s not getting replaced by either
TxHorns989 - February 17, 2012
Clariffication
Brewer would leave if Swoopes were backing up Ash at the point you mentioned
TxHorns989 - February 17, 2012
Yah, but what about McCoy?
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
McCoy isn't Texas-good. Forget about him.
LookinForIt - February 18, 2012
I, personally (at this early stage), like Brewer better than Ash.
I highly doubt Swoopes is going to be jumping Brewer. Brewer just isn’t bad enough to let that happen. He can hold him off. They have different games, but Brewer’s game is pretty explosive, too. I see it like the Seth Doege/Michael Brewer situation in Lubbock. Just because Michael is good doesn’t mean Seth is bad enough to lose his starting job to him. I think Brewer will be able to hold his own. But I think it would be best if Connor doesn’t redshirt so that he’s a junior when Swoopes is a RS freshman.
It’s just so hard to predict the future. I actually think Brewer will beat out Ash for the starting job this year.
Consider me #teambrewer.
LookinForIt - February 18, 2012
Its all about winning
If Ash is winning and Case plays the experienced backup roll, Brewer will redshirt. We will not play another season with a green Qb.
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
Or if they decide not to 'shirt Brewer
then he will be a Sophmore when Swoopes comes in. Spaces things out a bit. Always a possibility
STLaw - February 17, 2012
Awesome
Anything remotely resembling Vince Young has me excited…
Hook'em Horns - February 17, 2012
IT KEEP ON GOTING BETTER AND BETTER FOR THE LONGHORNSFANS
LONGHORNS4EVER - February 17, 2012
Huhwhatyousaysomething???
2Cor12:9 - February 17, 2012
Cruise control for awesome. Keep on, Caps Lock Man
GoHorns - February 17, 2012
just to know...
what would be the equivalent between texas football and what DGB played against in Mizzou country?
ibleedburntorange49-9 - February 17, 2012
I'd level that the defenses DGB faced and the defenses Swoopes has/will face are pretty much the same thing
Frazier90 - February 17, 2012 via Android app
Whoa Nelly
First off, I am very excited that the harsin got who he wanted. It is great to be able to make your choice first and not settle for leftovers( no disrespect to the other QBs coming to JD2). However, the speculation on who will start and backup two years out is crazy. People do not seem to remember that VY in his Jr year was not the same person his RF year or his Soph year. He was transcendant in his junior year. Swoopes has great potential, but he has to continue to develop to reach his ceiling. Likewise, Ash and Brewer have potential, but need to continue to develop. And yes, if McCoy can improve his throwing motion he could improve. How they develop will determine who starts.
everything horns - February 17, 2012
I agree with most of your post,
but McCoy can improve his throwing motion all he wants. It’s not going to bring his arm strength up to the level it needs to be to play QB at Texas, or likely anywhere in the Big XII.
BurntOrangeTexans - February 17, 2012
Doesn't Barrett visit at JD2?
What are we telling him?
pleaseplaykindle - February 17, 2012
Have fun on 6th Street?
BONation11 - February 17, 2012
Good question
Hopefully ‘sign right here on the dotted line.’ If he thinks he can break through the depth chart I want him. Dude plays in 4A I think and hit 70% of his passes as a junior.
SpiritOfTheFedora - February 17, 2012
Probably not for 2013
We might try that if he was 2012. But 2013 numbers are limited, and we could have 5 QBs on roster beginning in 2013, and only one would be graduating. Not taking 2 QBs back to back.
The Audit Horn - February 17, 2012 via mobile
Barrett was scheduled,
but I would be surprised if any of the QBs who were scheduled make it in (Barrett, Cody Thomas, Kenny Hill).
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - February 18, 2012
Mega huge
billfromlaketravis - February 17, 2012
Killer write up Wes
A lot of good, and a lot of WTF in the comments. We land a 5* athletic freak at QB that’s not going to need to contribute immediately. Fully expect Ash to hold the fort down and let Brewer/Swoopes develop.
I cannot wait for what should be a helluva QB battle and inevitable QB controversy between a RS-Junior Brewer and RS-Sophomore Swoopes.
The Audit Horn - February 17, 2012 via mobile
"But Ash or Brewer would have Gray, Brown or Bergeron in the backfield with them, too."
Not really. Not in the same way a Swoopes will. With Swoopes back there, in time, it’s like having Vince and Cedric or Chance and Cedric. Cedric is a different back in the former scenario. Different deal altogether.
I wish more peoople realized that Ash is not a running QB like Swoopes is. Ash is a sometimes QB who sometimes runs. When I see Ash run I see a slightly faster Garrett Gilbert with just about the same wiggle. I’m not sure where all the Ash love comes from. He’s a marginal improvement on Case McCoy.
I could always be wrong, of course, but when Swoopes is a RS freshman running the wildcat with good results I think most of you scoffers will have a different take on this.
jpsantini - February 17, 2012
Marginal improvement over Case?
Case has a noodle arm and he’s going to be a junior next year. His ceiling is much, much lower as opposed to Ash’s.
Ash has everything he needs physically, but he needs to get there mentally. Being thrown in the mix as a freshman with limited reps last year obviously didn’t help his development much, so we’ll see how it turns out with him being pegged as ‘the guy’.
BurntOrangeTexans - February 18, 2012
Yes. Ash is just a marginal improvement over McCoy.
To say he’s got the physical tools to play QB, he’s just got to get there mentally is to say he’s about halfway to being a decent QB. And I agree with that.
What I don’t agree with is the unstated premiss that "getting there mentally" is a piece of cake because it’s not. It’s the most difficult part of being a QB. Ash is physical. Ash is not a very good QB, he doesn’t see the field well, doesn’t make quick decisions, and I see no reason for optimism. You either have a "fast-twitch" brain or you don’t. Ash doesn’t. Ash’s ceiling to me is mediocre, very much like McCoy’s is but, granted, in a different way. Maybe if he continues to work hard he can become average (which would be a very good thing since we don’t need much more than average at that position!)
When Swoopes is ready to go, look out. There’s no one on the depth chart in front of him that can do the things he’ll be able to do.
jpsantini - February 19, 2012
Beg to differ
Cedric is nothing like Gray. This kid ain’t like anyone you have ever seen – incomparable to Cedric
Snide Aside - February 17, 2012
The comparison wasn't between Cedric and Gray.
I was saying that having Swoopes with Gray in the same backfield compared to Ash with Gray in the same backfield is like having VY in the same backfield with Cedric compared to having Chance in the same backfield with Cedric.
I’m arguing that the Swoopes/Gray pairing is exponentially more dangerous than is the Ash/Gray.
jpsantini - February 19, 2012
Swoopes
Is so vy like it’s crazy… It’s safe to say that swoopes will be the qb when we win our next title…
drobe86 - February 17, 2012 via mobile
hope we dont have to wait that long =)
ibleedburntorange49-9 - February 18, 2012
rsj
When will he commit now?
susuata - February 18, 2012
What. A. Get.
Our running game potentially with a dual threat QB and Brown, Gray, Bergeron, Hicks along with our improved offensive line will be dominant hopefully. Best way to limit the other high powered offenses in the conference is to KEEP THEM OFF THE FIELD. Running the ball is how you do it.
goingforthecorner - February 18, 2012
I agree 100%
55f100tx - February 18, 2012
Yeah, Ash is a marginal improvement over McCoy.
To say he’s got the physical tools to play QB, he’s just got to get there mentally is to say he’s about halfway to being a decent QB. And I agree with that.
What I don’t agree with is the unstated premiss that “getting there mentally” is a piece of cake because it’s not. It’s the most difficult part of being a QB. Ash is physical. Ash is not a very good QB, he doesn’t see the field well, doesn’t make quick decisions, and I see no reason for optimism. You either have a “fast-twitch” brain or you don’t. Ash doesn’t. Ash’s ceiling to me is mediocre, very much like McCoy’s is but, granted, in a different way. Maybe if he continues to work hard he can become average (which would be a very good thing since we don’t need much more than average at that position!)
When Swoopes is ready to go, look out. There’s no one on the depth chart in front of him that can do the things he’ll be able to do.
jpsantini - February 19, 2012
I generally agree on Ash
I think he’s limited in the mental aspects like McCoy is in the physical aspects. Also, McCoy’s not brilliant in the mental aspects, and Ash isn’t brilliant in the physical aspects. The result is two not particularly impressive quarterbacks, as we’ve seen. Swoopes is obviously brilliant physically, but it remains to be seen what he can do mentally at a high level of competition. I would really prefer that he have time to work it out as a redshirt and underclassman.
burntorangehorn - February 20, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Burnt Orange Nation to post a comment.