Inside texas 2014 Review

INSIDETEXAS.COM

2014 SEASON REVIEW

BAC K TO WOR K The mixed bag that was the 2014 season showed that the Longhorns are very much a work in progress.

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December 2014/ January 2015

in this issue

Inside the Texas Gameplan |

by Ian

Ian breaks down the 2014 season and looks ahead to 2015.

Lesson Learned |

by

6

Boyd

12

Mike Blackwell

For the 2014 Senior class, it has been a bittersweet ride.

Stream of Consci__sness |

by

Eric’s thoughts on the 2014 season.

Recruiting Notebook |

by

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Eric Nahlin

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Justin Wells

Despite a tough year, Longhron stock is trending up.

Culpepper’s Commentary |

by

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Pat Culpepper

Texas did not bring the toughness and intensity to win the Texas Bowl.

Texas Hoops - Non Conference |

by

Tim Preston

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Texas needs a healthy Isaiah Turner to reach their ultimate goals.

Remembering Johnny Treadwell | Pat recalls his playing days with Johnny Treadwell.

2014 Roster Table

by

Pat Culpepper 34

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Publishers -- Michael Pearle, Clendon Ross | Managing Editor--Clendon Ross | Editor-- Mike Blackwell InsideTexas.com Editor -- Justin Wells | Lead Writer -- Bill Frisbie | Contributor -- Ian Boyd Designer/Photographer -- Will Gallagher | Recruiting Analyst -- Eric Nahlin To Subscribe/Customer Service -- Phone: 512-249-8916 | Email: help@insidetexas.com 2014 Season Review

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INSIDE THE TEX 2014 in Review

C

oming to Texas as a head coach is unquestionably a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the profession, one of the ultimate destination jobs. Coming to the Big 12 as an offensive coach with access to Texas talent is another unique

opportunity that would have most offensive coaches salivating.

Entering the Big 12 as a defensive coach though, that’s a tougher gig. Since the league’s main state and talent base is a hotbed of offensive innovation and wellcoached players it’s very easy for all the schools to use cutting edge tactics.

There are a few main styles and strategies prevalent across the Big 12 that Texas has to be able to contend with in order to win league titles and get this program where it needs to be. We’re going to grade how Texas handled these tactics and how things look moving forward into 2015.

2014 Season Review

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XAS GAMEPLAN

by Ian Boyd

by Ian Boyd

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2014 Season Review Inside the Texas Gameplan

Stopping Big 12 offenses Let’s start with the positives, the defensive performance for the year.

The number one key to stopping Big 12 offenses is not stopping the run, but handling the spread passing game. Very few of the running games in this league are terribly concerning and most of them rely on spreading you out before running through the resulting creases between the tackles.

Stopping the spread passing attacks on the other hand is a major challenge. Option routes, up-tempo practice schedules, and four/five wide formations in the hands of QBs coached up from middle school through college in these systems make for deadly attacks.

You can be relatively sound as a defense and still get beat in a hurry by the passing game when a player like Jakeem Grant catches the ball underneath your coverage in space or KD Cannon runs past your deep safety.

Strong’s 3-3 Under defense is well suited to stopping these spread passing attacks for three reasons: 1) It features conflict-free deep pass defenders: Texas played mostly cover 3/cover 1 with a blend of cover 2 mixed in as a change up, which meant that deep pass defenders didn’t have responsibilities against the run and could stay on top of deep passing routes.

limited space to the boundary, or to an unbalanced trips set before they could get a receiver matched-up against the safeties and linebackers.

If your deep pass defenders can prevent big passing plays through the air then you can necessarily stop most Big 12 offenses from putting up big numbers on the scoreboard.

2) It gets safe pressure: As we’ve demonstrated in this space, the Strong defense shares the run-stopping structure of the 4-3 Under defense with the ability to bring a myriad of different three, four, or five man pressures like the 3-4 defense.

Of course there was also the fact that Hassan Ridgeway and Malcom Brown were one of the best tackle tandems in the country. All those factors combined to make the Texas defense one that was very effective at bringing quick pressure from different angles that kept spread passing QBs from getting comfortable without sacrificing sound coverage.

3) It controlled match-ups: The outside receivers, often the most dangerous on a team, are covered in this defense almost exclusively by the cornerbacks with occasional deep help in some of the cover 2 schemes. The nickel covered the slot receiver lined up to the wide side of the field, often a very dangerous weapon in this league. Strong used cornerbacks in this role as well.

That means that offenses had to look to a slot receiver operating in

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Getting Texas’ safeties or linebackers in space against your top receiver is a difficult challenge.

These defenses also allowed Texas to attack the run game with pressure or use a safety in or near the box to help outnumber rushing attacks, meaning that spread offenses struggled to find the running room inside they enjoyed against other teams.

In order of descending importance, Texas also has to be able to handle up-tempo pace and the occasional power-rushing opponent in the league to assert total mastery over the conference.

Texas’ defense works through relatively simple coverage assignments (“If you can count to three, you can play for me” –Vance Bedford) that quickly becomes man coverage after routes have been distributed. The defenses’ schemes were simple enough, and communicated easily from the sideline, so Texas didn’t really struggle to play sound defense at fast tempos.

The option run games teams brought struggled with the fact that Texas could bring safeties into the box without fear of facing an untenable match-up against the passing game.

Finally the power running game, operated within the league most

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2014 Season Review Inside the Texas Gameplan effectively in 2014 by Oklahoma, was easy pickings for Texas’ 4-3 Under

back-loaded coverage, or any other approach was the utter lack of an

base package with its eight-man fronts, edge pressures, and 2014

offensive identity.

personnel.

Through most of the year “triage” became a term (coined by Scipio Tex) Perhaps most importantly, the staff shored up the middle of the defense

to describe how personnel issues made it hard to gauge exactly how

with coaching and development at the DT, LB, and S positions. They

the offensive staff was performing in building something that would yield

transformed uber-athlete Mykkele Thompson into a top performer

results in the future.

who played three different positions for Texas while coaching up mike linebacker Steve Edmond on the finer points of run game diagnosis.

However, the concerning issue was the constant tinkering and shifting of schemes, personnel groups, and tactics over the course of the season.

Hassan Ridgeway was slowly developed into one of the most

When you have a squad that’s terrible at everything, a confident and

devastating DTs in the conference while Malcom Brown was

wise coach will choose an identity that the team either can achieve or

unhampered in his natural evolution into a first round defensive tackle.

eventually needs to achieve and then accepts lumps developing it.

With the schemes they brought as well as the development of the

As an Oklahoma writer commented to me about the Oklahoma State

players on campus, Strong and Bedford had answers for every question

defense that stepped up and beat Oklahoma to finish the year, they

posed by the Big 12 spread attacks.

played their base matching coverages all year and hammered the techniques and fundamentals while waiting patiently. By the end of the year they were ready to break up OU’s passing game and execute that

Scoring on Big 12 Defenses

plan.

There was no such approach from Texas. Early in the year Watson

The Big 12 actually has better defenses than is commonly assumed by

mixed rollouts, quick game staples, and some POP concepts that

those who look at the box scores. Ask Mark Dantonio if good defenses

allowed Swoopes to focus on making simplistic reads and firing the ball

should be able to stuff an offense like Baylor’s.

Tyrone Swoopes

Kansas State plays a style built around sound play, conflict-free deep pass defenders (more two deep than Texas’ playbook), and forcing you to beat them with great execution.

Oklahoma State presents a similarly sound/fundamentals based approach but with tight matching coverage and heavy disguise. West Virginia does the same and mixes in heavy man blitzes that will overwhelm your protections.

Baylor and TCU will attack you with a variety of blitzes, outnumber your run game, and play tight coverage.

Then there’s Oklahoma, who are currently a complete mess on defense but generally have some of the best athletes and DL in the conference.

That’s a solid variety of different approaches that an offense needs to be able to attack effectively.

If you divided Big 12 defenses into three categories they’d be: the terrible ones, the bend don’t break types, and the aggressive ones.

Texas’ offense was useless in 2015 against any defense that were effective at either the bend don’t break or more aggressive philosophies.

Oklahoma was stunningly inept at handling Swoopes but every other team with a strong defense managed to thwart, if not outright embarrass, the Horns’ offensive approach.

The main problem for the offense in attacking zone, loaded fronts,

2014 Season Review

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2014 Season Review Inside the Texas Gameplan The remaining question is what direction Texas goes on offense in order to try and build an identity that will allow them to attack any style of defense executed by competent foes.

2015 ?

Texas is going to lose the core identity of the 2014 defense with stud linebackers Edmond and Hicks moving on, All American DT Brown leaving, and the DBs who matched two of the top three threats from the opposing WR corps (Diggs and Thompson) moving on.

However, Texas stands to return or bring in several big, versatile athletes that will give Strong and Bedford some pieces to build another good defense. In particular, with 3/5 of the nickel package returning and several top prospects coming there’s a chance that Texas starts to build a dominant secondary that could come together by the end of the year much like Florida’s legendary 2008 unit.

Dylan Haines had a more than respectable 2014 season as a safety but may be pressed to keep his job while highly regarded recruits from the past like Antwuan Davis, Bryson Echols, and Sheroid Evans will find the clock ticking to lock down spots before incoming talent passes them

John Harris

over.

out quickly. Then, over the course of the year Texas started adding more and more formations and concepts, looking to emphasize the run game and double TE sets.

They experimented with bunch sets, pistol, shotgun, five-step drop concepts, varying three-step drop concepts, more rollouts, several zone and man blocking schemes, and added motions and audibles for Swoopes to use at the line of scrimmage.

In the midst of trying to create this “multiple” offense with the most raw, inexperienced QB to play at Texas in years the staff created a situation in which Swoopes’ regressed in the final two games, despite having a long respite in the bowl practices to try and master everything.

The offense that Watson and Wickline created was only multiple in the ways that it could fail. In certain games Texas also seemed incapable of creating any schematic advantages with Texas high school coaches shaking their heads in disbelief at the blitzes and stunts that Arkansas used to shut down Texas’ zone read run game.

Those tactics, or the attempts to run power on TCU, drew smirks from Texas HS spread coaches who routinely do a better job countering these strategies on Friday nights. It seems that Watson is not comfortable crafting an offense that can pinpoint and attack defensive tendencies without a top QB who can make adjustments at the line of scrimmage and look off defenders. No such player currently lives on campus in Austin and it may be some time before such a player materializes or arrives.

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The offense on the other hand, well, there are a few different directions they can go from here.

One is to continue with the multiple/pro-style approach, but there are a few dilemmas there. For one, the two main playmakers from 2014 (Harris and Shipley) and three best players (add Swaim to that list) are moving on. Counting on Texas freshman and sophomore receivers to be able to replace Harris and Shipley in the passing game is wishful thinking.

Therefore, improvements in the passing game would have to come from fielding multiple capable targets and seeing great play from the QB position, or seriously boosting the run game to give the passing game numbers easy advantages.

In basketball, one of the main questions a team has to answer is whether they will be a four-out offense with a stretch power forward or a two-post offense with a power forward who works inside. In football, offenses face a similar question with what they do at the H and Y positions on the field, the inside receiver spots.

Are you playing blockers there, speedy slot receivers, or both? The Texas roster will return sophomore Armanti Foreman and junior Daje Johnson as candidates for the “speedy slot” role or sophomore Andrew Beck, RS junior Blake Whiteley, and senior MJ McFarland who project as blockers. Then there’s DeAndre McNeal who could potentially do both.

The numbers are there to play H-backs and tight ends but the talent is

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2014 Season Review Inside the Texas Gameplan load the box with a punishing run game, and then beat them over the top.

Then there’s the OL, which vacillated between horrifying and occasionally competent depending mostly on whether they were facing undersized creampuffs or top-notch opponents. While they should make huge leaps of improvement, odds are strong that they won’t be ready to impose their will physically against the league’s better teams.

The obvious direction for Texas to go is to emphasize more spread-option tactics that attack the perimeter with quick routes and screens to Daje and Foreman, give the OL advantages by optioning linebackers and DL, and try to create spaces so that Gray and Catalon can find room and provide the offense with badly needed explosiveness.

It goes without saying that Heard might be the best option for executing that strategy, which will depend more on quick decision making and running ability than arm strength and experience guiding a pro-style system. Of course, Texas hasn’t exactly reloaded the position in the 2015 class with spread QBs, which makes a major shift in strategic vision a potentially costly move.

Whatever direction Texas takes in 2015, they’d better hammer down the basics and be patient with it or we’ll never have a chance to evaluate how Sedric Flowers

the Strong offense does against defensive teams with a pulse.

better amongst the cast of inside receivers. The talent simply isn’t distributed to allow Texas to put big bodies on the field, force opponents to

YO U HYD R AT E

W E D O N AT E

2014 Season Review

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BY MIKE BLACKWELL

E

ighteen year-olds carry their

and others - fawn over them. Beautiful

Why?

lege with their Starbucks gift

them. Coaches drool over them.

Because their possibilities were limitless

now, their thoughts are clear and sure,

And then, life.

knew that the next four years would

Limitless, of course.

Ask the Texas seniors of 2014 about

This is especially true for players as

finished their careers at Texas, and

delusions of grandeur to col-

card and their mini-fridge. It’s their time their dreams pristine. Possibilities?

they enter a big-time college football

program like Texas. They’ve spent their young, unfinished careers listening to

others telling them how great they are.

And in this modern world, they can fire

up their computers or phones and read even more about how wonderful they

are, the words often written by people they have never met. Parents - theirs

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young women want to hang out with

life, and especially football. They just someday - probably sooner than they

think now, after the drubbing they took in the Texas Bowl - they will tell their

kids about how totally cool it was to play

in 2011. Certainly none of these guys

result in the loss of a head coach (and

a few assistants), countless injuries and a 31-21 overall record. They all came to the 40 Acres with the same dreams that players coming to Austin decades ago had: championships, success and the Yellow Brick Road.

football for the University of Texas. But

And then, life.

they reach that stage of acceptance

Real life probably hit this group of

they probably need some time before and understanding.

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football players harder because of the blessing and curse that is potential.

These guys had it. But for various rea-

times, earned All-Big 12 honors, but

failed to reach it, just like everyone else

with Achilles and hip injuries, and saw

sons - many out of their control - they walking about on the big blue earth.

It’s a lesson all of us learn at one time

or another in our lives, and these guys certainly learned it during their time in

Austin. Whether you are the President

also missed significant playing time

ing football for a while in the National Football League.

his defensive coordinator canned in the

Steve Edmond? Won three state cham-

sulted in him getting a degree, excelling

college as one of the best linebackers

middle of a season. Real life also re-

in the classroom and - possibly - play-

pionships in high school and entered

in the country. Real life? Watched BYU

or the Queen or the dude in the next

cubicle, reality and potential are always

two different things. You always wonder if you could’ve done more.

Jordan Hicks? Prep All-American, best linebacker in the country, coaches all across the country waiting anxiously

for word from him on signing day. Real life? Showed all kinds of promise at

2014 Season Review

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percentage.

There are others of course, like John Harris, Mykelle Thompson, Miles

Onyegbule, Josh Turner, ect. Maybe in order to feel good about the seniors of

2014, Texas fans should look no further than Nate Boyer. The Longhorns’ deep snapper came to the Texas football

team with no expectations whatsoever; after all, he had spent a stint in Iraq as a member of the Green Berets Special Forces Unit. Potential reached?

Ummm…yeah.

Yes, this group of Texas seniors were all extremely disappointed with their

team’s lack of success over the past

few years. They showed up like they all run through his defense - twice - like the proverbial hot knife through butter. Criticized for not being the running back-

eating defender that he was projected to be. Never played in a big-time bowl game. Despite the disappointment,

Edmond persevered long enough to

discover a new mentor in Texas coach Charlie Strong, a relationship that will undoubtedly last the rest of his life.

Jaxon Shipley? Prep All-American,

all-state performer, played in the U.S. Army All American Bowl. Real life?

Outstanding career, especially consid-

ering the chaos at quarterback over the course of his career. Nagging injuries

one of the best offensive linemen in Texas, played in the U.S. Army All-

American Bowl. Real life? Like Shipley,

maximized his personal potential, made the most of his scholarship, but missed most of his final year with a broken

ankle. He also suffered through the

turmoil of 2011-2014, unfathomable

offensive line and quarterback upheaval and turnover and a hodge-podge of offensive philosophies.

Quandre Diggs, Malcolm Brown, Cedric Reed and Demarco Cobbs? Highly-

recruited, high expectations, high hopes and a disappointingly low won-loss

and various offensive coordinators

made things even more difficult for him, but as far as maximizing his potential, count Shipley as someone who did

just that. But knowing Shipley - and his family background and team emphasis

- the UT struggles during his tenure will definitely weigh on his mind more than

the numbers that show he was a prolific pass catcher. At least for the foreseeable future.

Dominic Espinosa? Prep All-American,

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show up: with bright eyes, clear goals

and a defined sense of direction. They

would come to Texas and win - and win big - before moving on. This was their destiny, of course.

It didn’t work exactly as planned. But they learned what everyone learns:

nothing ever works exactly as planned.

It was a hard, but valuable, lesson to

learn. Football, they’ll come to realize, is merely what they do, and not who

they are. They’ll realize that someday, as they move further away from the

Burnt Orange heat that is UT football.

Hopefully they’ll learn it sooner rather than later.

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2014: THE STREAM T he Ash Proviso seems so long ago, yet its effects helped shape a turbulent season.

THE SEASON REQUIRES CONTEXT

Nobody’s happy with 6-6, I can assure you, but in many ways it was the most one could hope for once dismissals and injuries neutered a team that already had so many questions surrounding it.

Can David Ash stay healthy? No. Can Joe Wickline work miracles? Not exactly, but he gave it a game effort considering what he had to work with. Can Texas find offensive playmakers? Not exactly, but John Harris gave it a game effort considering what he had to work with. Can the defense show signs of life and help keep the season intact? Yes, at least as much as the offense and special teams allowed it.

The season wasn’t a success, but it also wasn’t a disappointment all things considered. 2014 gave us numerous useful data points which led to new questions arising after the 13 game proper introduction to Charlie Strong.

There’s reason for long-term optimism based on what I saw this season, as well as some short-term concern.

I’ll start with the optimism.

DEFINING TRAITS I’ve talked about this before regarding prospects, but it’s also true for coaches: if they want to be a success their defining traits must take root. Military commanders must lead. Teachers must communicate lesson plans. Not to equate the military to a game, or the importance of teaching to football, but Charlie Strong’s defining traits are equal parts of each.

Leading is easier said than done. It requires a whole lot of work and accrues a whole lot of stress to set the example, to hold others accountable and design and follow through on your vision. It requires a process that isn’t overly rigid, but also not too flexible. You have to strike that balance just right. The old adage ‘fair but firm’ seems to be Strong’s style, and he helps enact it with a noticeable hint of personality, yet another trait you can’t fake.

Once leadership and process begins to secure its foothold it makes everything else easier, like installing a defense. Mental toughness becomes physical toughness under duress, and Strong is slowly but surely molding the team to this identity. As illustrated by the recent bowl game, the team isn’t there yet, but even in some tough losses we witnessed a difference from years past.

I’m sold on Charlie Strong as a leader. I’m sold on him as being able to enact his defensive vision and properly communicate his schemes and fundamentals.

I believe he’s on the right track creating a top-down team identity centered on toughness. He’s developing former disappointments into borderline NFL talents, just as he’s done everywhere else he’s been.

Ah yes, development. Yet another defining trait.

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OF CONSCI__SNESS

BY ERIC NAHLIN

2014 Season Review

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REALIZING TALENT To me this is the perfect term to encompass everything from the team to the players to the fan base. Realizing could be a light bulb going off in your head. “Hey, this Steve Edmond guy does have talent.” Realizing could also mean achievement, as in, Steve Edmond is finally playing up to his capabilities.

Steve Edmond is one of many examples, but along with Mykkele Thompson and John Harris, he’s the most illustrative. Judging by public statements Edmond has made, he owes much to Charlie Strong and is thankful for just one year of his tutelage.

Think back to the underachievement of the last few years. How many players could Strong have ‘saved’? Thompson was certainly destined for your mental Longhorn scrap heap, but with one big hit in the flat versus West Virginia and sound coverage throughout the year, he made you realize his talent.

Taylor Doyle was long an afterthought.

I’d wager about 7% of daily Longhorn fans even knew what year he was. With the injury to Dominic Espinosa and the

opportunity to play, he started to realize his

true for the team. If you believe that as I do

talent. He’ll never be great, but he sure was

the logical step from here is to understand

game and played cerebrally.

this team needs a drastic talent infusion

In one of the oddest career turnarounds

because in a healthy program Hutchins,

I’ve ever seen, Marcus Hutchins went from

Doyle, Haines and others aren’t starting.

defensive tackle to starting left tackle out

Charlie Strong will develop what talent he

of necessity. He certainly wasn’t born to

has, now it’s his job to make sure he has

play the position, and the o-line as a whole

enough talent to develop and win big with.

struggled for much of the year, but where

Evidence that he can accomplish that key

would Texas have been without Hutchins?

aspect is trending towards the positive.

Starting a true freshman? Texas made a

A couple of major question remain,

bowl game with a defensive tackle playing

however, will the offensive philosophy of

left tackle, and we’re not exactly talking

Shawn Watson and lack of a quarterback

Shaun Rogers here.

continue to hold the team back? Will game

John Harris was the team’s offensive MVP

management and team implosions improve

after long being an afterthought. It said his

over the course of time?

transformation came through introspection.

Let’s start with...

Funny how leaders make you take a hard, honest look at yourself. For years we had heard he had talent, this year we realized it.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Dylan Haines is actually a decently talented

I don’t buy for one single second Texas

cover safety. Under what coach other than

can’t win with Watson’s offense but I do

Strong would we have realized that?

believe it’s more reliant on its personnel

Strong mentioned multiple times during

than many other schemes. When lack

his Monday press conferences that they

of talent, experience and schematic fits

were wringing every last drop of ability out

conflate with a more sophisticated offense

of the offensive line but really that holds

the process will be more painstaking than

Johnathan Gray

2014 Season Review

19

Hassan Ridgeway

operating a plug and play Air-Raid.

So why run that offense? To me the rewards

Photo: Patrick Meredith (Texas Sports Photography)

GOING FORWARD If you’re not improving you’re regressing.

are much greater once you’re hitting on

Heading into next season I have the utmost

all cylinders, especially when confronted

confidence the offensive line and run game

by defenses built to stop what’s basically

will be improved. There will be an infusion

a league wide style. Now, I don’t know if

of talent and athleticism at tailback, and

Shawn Watson the offensive coordinator

with so many bodies at his disposal, there’s

is the best guy to make this offense

no way Joe Wickline doesn’t produce an

materialize. If Joe Wickline wasn’t on staff

average offensive line. No matter who the

I’d be more skeptical than I am currently,

quarterback is, he’ll find the run-game and

but again, he was left with very little to work

line to be an upgrade over last year, thus

with.

making his life easier.

The facts are the quarterback position was

Heading into next season, quarterback will

in ruins. The offensive line the same. The

be the biggest question mark. Why should

running back position had two solid backs,

this year be any different than the previous

but very little dangerous athleticism. Wide

several? Unfortunately we have no idea

receiver lacked dynamism but there really

how the coaching staff plans to address

wasn’t anyone who was going to get them

this very obvious problem, but I trust fully

the ball anyway.

they’re exhausting every last resource

I don’t mean to belabor these points, but

trying to remedy it.

this is a season review. These excuses now

The defense may experience a slight

go in a time capsule and aren’t relevant

downturn, but thanks to this recruiting class,

going forward.

there should be some athletic upgrades.

The keys on defense will be ensuring

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Hassan Ridgeway continues his sharp rise, finding a capable Mike and situating cornerback.

Ridgeway has the chance to be the best defensive player in the conference next year, and the type of disruptive force who makes the other 10 players around him better.

Though young, the defense has the required fits to make Strong’s scheme come to life.

IN SUMMATION Charlie Strong appears to have the program trending towards the positive, but until the offense shows life and in-game management operates more seamlessly, we won’t know for sure. Fortunately, it appears recruiting will be good enough (perhaps great) to ensure he has all the talent he could possibly need to duplicate the success he’s experienced elsewhere.

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RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: TE

BY JUSTIN WELLS

+ ELLIOTT

+ VAHE + MAJOR

+ OMENIHU + WEATHERSBY

+ GENTRY

+ LAMPKIN + THOMAS + HAGER + WILLIAMS

+ HOUSTON + C. JOHNSON + K. JOHNSON

T

exas first-year head coach Charlie Strong has a product to sell:

Thomas quickly jumped on board and the offensive line started taking

the Texas football program.

shape. Then the defensive line got a facelift.

Rowlett’s Charles Omenihu committed to Texas soon after his Junior

Well, high school recruits are buying.

Day visit and the d-line that Strong relies so heavily on began to fill out.

Despite a 6-7 record, only the second losing record at Texas since 1998,

Next were the Texas legacies, Kirk and Collin Johnson (2016), sons

and two humiliating losses to finish the 2014 season, blowouts in the

of former UT great Johnnie Johnson. Strong and his staff started an

hands of former SWC foes, TCU and Arkansas, the Longhorns brand is

upward trend and Austin was looking good again. The next day GP North

back in popular demand.

Shore bruising back Tristan Houston pledged Texas and the offense added key cogs to its future.

In Strong’s first full recruiting cycle, Texas is at 27 commitments currently (as of 1/7/14) and climbing. That’s because Texas football is trending up.

In a Strong/Bedford led defensive attack, the secondary has to be reliable, calculating, and have a 1-on-1 mentality. Enter Rockwall Heath

Euless, Tx (Trinity) OL Patrick Vahe was the first pledge of this class, the

safety DeShon Elliott. The 4-star safety was the first commit in which

only remaining recruiting holdover from the Mack Brown Era. Despite his

Strong beat Texas A&M’s coach Kevin Sumlin to a recruit. After going

cousins heading to LSU, Vahe remained solid to UT as soon as Strong

0-for-9 versus Sumlin, it was a much needed boost of talent infusion.

took the job.

Next, Texas added the one piece they’ve had to have for years: a stud Strong’s goal is to build from the inside out. That means the trenches.

quarterback. New Mexico’s Zach Gentry committed to Texas over offers

Offensive line, defensive line, and the linebackers are the foundation of

from Alabama, UCLA, and others. It showed Strong could not only land

the UT squad. And Texas has plenty.

big-time hog-mollies, but add the most important piece top the football puzzle; a stud quarterback.

Joining Vahe next along the o-line was Strong’s first flip in the C/O 2015, Huntsville’s Ronnie “Buck” Major. He chose Texas over Baylor

Another Texas legacy jumped on board, and yet another flip from Baylor

after visiting UT’s first Junior Day of 2014. Spring Westfield’s Toby

to UT by the hands of Strong. Austin LB Breckyn Hager committed to

Weathersby, Coppell’s Connor Williams, and Many, LA native Garrett

Texas at LB for the 2015 class. South Oak Cliff DB Jamile Johnson

22

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insidetexas.com

XAS STOCK IS TRENDING UP

+ TOWNSEND + J. JOHNSON

+ MERRICK

+ IRVIN + DAVIS + WHEELER + G. JOHNSON + CLARINGTON

+ HODGES + VASSER + NICKELSON

+ JEFFERSON + MCNEAL

- STEVENSON - WEATHERSBY

+ CHERRY

(former OU pledge) and Cy-Falls DT Du’Vonta Lampkin quickly got on

a message throughout college football: Texas is back. Joining him was

board and the Strong first full class on the 40 Acres had an identity. It

teammate and 4-star WR DeAndre McNeal and Texas had something it

was toughness and the prospects reflected it.

lacked for months: momentum.

Texas would have some JUCO flavor next, adding tackles Tristan

Then the Florida Five appeared.

Nickelson and Brandon Hodges, as well as former Georgia DE pledge, Quincy Vasser. They joined the fray and now Strong and UT OL coach

Spurred by a pledge from Lakeland, FL LB Cecil Cherry, a group of

Joe Wickline had one of the best O-line classes in the country, and

highly acclaimed prospects from the South Florida region and avid

Texas DL coach Chris Rumph had his Fox DE. Everything looked rosy.

Charlie Strong fans began a pilgrimage to Austin, TX. Cherry was the

They even added a pledge from grayshirt Matthew Merrick, a QB from

first, followed by DB Davante Davis, TE Devonaire Clarington, DB Tim

Irving with D-1 offers but who buys into the vision of Strong and Texas

Irvin, and WR Gilbert Johnson, these 4-star studs left the Sunshine State

QB coach Shawn Watson. Add 4-star LB Cameron Townsend from

for the Lone Star Horns. It showed that Strong would not only get major

Ridge Point (Houston) and things looked good.

players from the inside of Texas, but that he could persuade kids from Florida to move there as well.

Then Weathersby and Stevenson dropped.

Sprinkle in Dallas Skyline LB Anthony Wheeler and UT now stand with a The 4-star OL from North Houston decided Texas wasn’t where he

consensus Top 5 class. Not bad for a team fresh off dismissals, injuries

wanted to be after all and de-committed. Texas was thumped by the

to major contributors, and a program that needed a complete overhaul.

Horned Frogs at home on Thanksgiving a week earlier so the Horns trending arrow was headed downward.

The Texas Football brand is one of the hottest schools in the nation.

Strong is infusing his belief and value system with players that buy into

Then Malik happened.

that way of thinking and development. The next month should be as exciting a month for Texas fans since 2010. As many as six highly rated

When 5-star all-everything LB Malik Jefferson of the Jefferson Poteets

prospects will be taking their official visits to Austin within the next few

committed to to Texas on December 19th, the game was changed. He

weeks, so there’s a chance this class gets better. The arrow is pointing

marked another head-to-head victory over Sumlin’s Aggies and it sent

up after all.

2014 Season Review

23

THE 2015 LONGHORN RECRUITING CLASS Brown, Louis

ATH

Burton, TX

Johnson, Kirk

Cherry, Cecil

LB

Lakeland, FL

Lampkin, Du’Vonta DT

Houston, TX

Clarington, Devonaire TE

Miami, FL

Major, Ronnie

OL

Huntsville, TX

Davis, Devante

DB

Miami, FL

McNeal, DeAndre

WR

Mesquite, TX

Elliott, DeShon

S

Rockwall, TX

Nickelson, Tristan OT

Corsicana, TX

Gentry, Zach

QB

Albuquerque, NM

Omenihu, Charles DE

Rowlett, TX

Hager, Breckyn

LB

Westlake, TX

Thomas, Garrett

Many, LA

Houston, Tristian

RB

Houston, TX

Townsend, Cameron LB

Missouri City, TX

Irvin, Tim

DB

Palmetto Bay, FL

Vahe, Patrick

OL

Euless, TX

Jefferson, Malik

LB

Mesquite, TX

Vasser, Quincy

DE

Corsicana, TX

Johnson, Gilbert

WR

Wheeler, Anthony

LB

Dallas, TX

Johnson, Jamile

S

Williams, Connor

OL

Coppell, TX

Dallas, TX

ATH

OL

San Jose, CA

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2014 Season Review

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Culpepper’s Commentary

by Pat Culpepper

The final performance of the 2014 Season earns a failing grade.

T

alk about unprepared. 6-7, 31-7, 51 total yards gained by Texas vs Arkansas! On December 29,

​The Texas defense kept the game Arkansas 3, Texas 0

2014- two Big 12 schools went down to SEC West teams

for a while but their offensive counterparts were a sad

without much of a fight. So much to play for by Texas,

(for Texas fans) joke. False starts, timeouts to save delays

such a waste.

of game penalties, four dropped passes by John Harris to get a key first down early, an unblocked Razorback

​The second largest crowd, 71,500 in College Bowl history

defender blitzing off the split-end side that was able to put

in Houston, the first being the 1960 3-3 tie between

a crushing hit on Malcolm Brown which set a tone for the

Darrell Royal’s Longhorns and Bear Bryant’s Crimson

game were just the ones I could recall that began to tell me

Tide. That was when 72,00 crowded into Rice Stadium on

that my Longhorns were about to get their butts whipped.

a sunny afternoon to watch the Bluebonnet Bowl.

Badly…

​The Texas fans did their part, I was among the most

​Every good team has to have plays that they can execute

enthusiastic group of Longhorn faithful and they were all

better than anybody. Certainly they can add wrinkles

around us and circled the stadium.

as they go along that can cause opponents trouble but without that solid base wrecks like TCU and Arkansas will

​The restaurants near Reliant Stadium were pep rally

occur.

spots for “Hog Callers” and “Texas Fight” enthusiasts.

It was old-fashioned Southwest Conference fun. We- my

​Texas put their games in Swoopes’ hands ignoring the

wife and I- spent the afternoon eating Tex-Mex nachos

building of a solid running game with Gray and Brown and

at Pappasito’s watching A&M beat West Virginia and

they reaped the whirlwind versus quality opponents.

Oklahoma get crushed by Clemson. That was pretty much the highlight of the day- the Sooners getting nailed.

After Ash went down the QB position should have been thrown wide open in between Swoopes and Jerrod Heard

​As for the 2014 Longhorns in the Advocare- Texas Bowl,

against BYU, UCLA, and Kansas. Let it be decided on the

I think the Katy High School coaching staff could have

field. Heard won 2- state championships running around

taken the Longhorn offense and managed a better game

throwing regardless of what Shawn Watson saw. Heard is

than did Shawn Watson with his allegiance to Tyrone

a winner.

Swoopes.

Two outstanding running backs were put on a back ​Line coach Joe Wickline had very little to work with and they crumbled like stick figures against the

burner to showcase a quarterback that proved he can’t take over a team against the best defensive wits.

Arkansas defensive front just like they did against TCU on Thanksgiving night.

​If it was a zone-read, which is what Texas got it’s only touchdown of the night on, or a combination of counters,

​It’s hard to believe a football team that could be so

sweeps, and power runs, which was a route most offensive

productive on offense versus West Virginia and Oklahoma

staffs would have taken. Swoopes will never be a Teddy

State could absolutely stink in their last two important

Bridgewater. He doesn’t have “it”. Near his own goal line

games of the year. For sure TCU and Arkansas were much

he is a disaster. He couldn’t do the job in the Texas spring

better opponents but where is the downright pride in what

game and he fell apart versus TCU and Arkansas as well

you’ve done to get bowl eligible and got better as a team

as Baylor and Kansas State.

versus top-notch opponents???

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Tyrone Swoopes

For certain it all starts up front in the offensive line.

Recruiting and spring practice must bring relief to that

Shawn Watson isn’t coaching a Teddy Bridgewater.

group. The Texas offensive tackles got embarrassed in

I appreciate the time he has spent with Swoopes, but

pass protection versus their last two opponents- that has

starting this spring the position needs reevaluating- who

to be stopped in 2015. I think Wickline CAN correct that

can move the Texas football team?

by next season.

Recruits like Mesquite Poteet Linebacker Malik I like coach Charlie Strong and believe he will take

Jefferson can make a difference at Texas but in this day

whatever action necessary to fix his offensive team. Vance

and time without a true “winner” at QB you can’t win

Bedford and the Longhorn defensive staff held Texas

games against teams as good or better than you. I liked the

together as well as possible most of the season to their

fact Coach Strong was so upset that he walked off without

everlasting credit.

taking further questions at his press conference after the game.

Texas football fans including me will have lots of put downs by friends of schools that beat us. I can take it.

Let’s stay mad until we get it fixed. Throw the QB

Though it was a tough pill to digest versus TCU and

position wide open and get the Longhorns offensive line

Arkansas. I thank the lord every time I walked out of

set with backup help- nobody redshirts without a shot at

those stadiums that I played with the Longhorns. Like

making the lineup. I am sick about the way this season

the late Johnny Treadwell, Scott Appleton, and Knox

ended. I can’t do anything about it but trust coach Strong

Nunnaly that I never had to play in such a manner as the

and his staff to solve the problems. Cotton, Carlisle,

Longhorns did in their last two games of 2014. We had

and Genung don’t have anymore eligibility but to their

quarterbacks like Mike Cotton, Johnny Genung, and Duke

everlasting credit never backed down to the Razorbacks.

Carlisle that could run the option, throw sprint out and play action as well as being lead blockers on one play- the

Hook’em,

pitch sweep to the wingbacks side. Coach Royal coached them and had Tommy Wade ready if we were forced into

Pat

passing situations. They were smart, tough, and winners.

Pat Culpepper played for The University from 1960-62 and graduated from UT with a B.A. degree with honors in history. Pat coached college football for 12 years as an assistant at Texas, Colorado, Tulane, Baylor and Memphis State and was head coach at Northern Illinois from 1976-79. He also spent 16 years as a high school coach in Texas at Midland, Lufkin, Galveston Ball, Westfield and his hometown of Cleburne. He was selected to the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1991. His commentary appears regularly in the Inside Texas magazine and at InsideTexas.com.

2014 Season Review

27

TEXAS BASKETBALL: A NOT-

E

xpectations are high around the Erwin Center these days.

That’s what happens when a team loses exactly nobody from a squad that went 24-10 and won a round in the NCAA Tournament. That’s also what happens when that team adds the number two overall recruit in the country (6’11” forward Myles Turner from Euless Trinity).

28

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-SO-CONFERENCE REVIEW

by Tim Preston

2014 Season Review

29

Texas Basketball | Not-So-Conference Review

T

exas hoops, after years of wandering in the wilderness of college basketball irrelevance, was all of a sudden a top 10 preseason team and the trendy pick to hang with (perhaps even…gulp…beat) Kansas in the Big 12; a far cry from the hot seat that had been defining Coach Rick Barnes’ job security of late.

easily (a 35 and 32 point blowout, respectively).

Taylor looked great at the point. Holmes was working at the three. Turner looked like the world beater his high school ranking suggested.

So far, so great.

It’s easy to understand the positive outlook. The pieces are all there.

Point Guard: check.

Texas has one of the best young playmakers in country in sophomore lead guard Isaiah Taylor after his summer including time at the LeBron James Skills Academy.

Shooting Guard: check.

Texas could go with a defensive specialist (Demarcus Holland) or a shooter/scorer (Javan Felix) and be in a good position.

Wings: check.

Texas’ addition of Myles Turner meant that senior forward Jonathan Holmes could slide down to the small forward position while the Longhorns also added top 100 freshman Jordan Barnett.

Bigs: check.

Texas boasts arguably the best, deepest collection of big men in the country. With juniors Cameron Ridley, Prince Ibeh and Connor Lammert, to go along with the addition of Turner, few other teams can even hope to matchup along the front line.

Depth: check.

Texas could bring shooters Javan Felix and Damarcus Croaker off the bench to fortify their scoring and playmaking.

Everything looked good as the Longhorns were named the number 10 team in the country by both the AP and Coaches’ polls.

This was the chance Texas needed for redemption for their hoops program. Gone and forgotten was the self-destruction of the 2009-10 team. Gone and forgotten was the abysmal reality of the 2012-13 team.

This team, these players, this staff was different.

It all started out well enough.

The Longhorns drew North Dakota State University and Alcorn State in their opening contests, coincidentally the opening round games of the 2K Classic, and won both games

30

inside texas

The next step saw the Longhorns travel to New York City for a the culmination of the 2K Classic as played at Madison Square Garden.

Up first were the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa, an NCAA tournament team a year ago, came out red hot against the Longhorns, pushing out to a double digit lead in the first half as Texas struggled to get comfortable in their half court offense. The Longhorns, however, found a new gear in the second half and blitzed the Hawkeyes in the final stanza, coasting to a 14 point win.

Everything was going as planned.

Except for one small problem. In the closing moments of the second half, point guard Isaiah Taylor attacked the rim against the Hawkeyes when an opening presented itself right down the middle of the defense.

Taylor saw the opportunity and he took it. It was the kind of aggressive play that typifies how he plays the game.

There was one problem. Between Taylor and the rim was Iowa center Gabe Olaseni. Taylor went up…Olaseni went up…and Texas’ season was changed.

For his part, Olaseni received a Flagrant Two foul and a game ejection for the hard foul that took place on that fateful drive.

Taylor, on the other hand, received a broken left wrist.

The Longhorns didn’t know how long he would be out, but knew he wouldn’t be available the next evening when UT played Cal-Berkeley in the finals of the tournament.

As it turned out, Texas beat the Bears handily. With Taylor cheering on his teammates from the bench, the Longhorns clamped down defensively on Cal as they showed they would still be a force to be reckoned with even without their star point guard.

The following games went well enough. Texas blew out Saint Francis, got a buzzer beater from Holmes to win against

insidetexas.com

Texas Basketball | Not-So-Conference Review UConn in Storrs, CT, and beat UT-Arlington by double digits.

The Longhorns, sitting at 7-0, had just been moved up to #6 in the country. They were 4-0 since Taylor’s injury, and had the chance to prove themselves against their toughest opponents yet: the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Kentucky, of course, was everybody’s number one. They returned three starters from last year’s runner-up and then, in classic John Calipari fashion, added five McDonald’s AllAmericans.

They were the unanimous top ranked team. They were being hailed as a team that could go undefeated. They were simply expected to crush everybody.

And Texas was up one at the half. Demarcus Holland was having a great game at point guard. Texas was crushing the Wildcats on the boards. Everything was coming to fruition.

Kentucky went on an 18-2 run to begin the second half and pulled away to win by 12.

Still, no one would fault the Longhorns for losing. Not that game. Not against that team. Not without Texas’ best player and point guard.

No big deal.

Texas came off their first loss of the season like UT fans hoped they might, in impressive fashion. In successive games, Texas set the new standard for an all-time low total for a defensive effort (27 points against Texas State) and then went over the century mark (106 points) in a destruction of Lipscomb.

They topped off a winning trifecta against Long Beach State to secure a solid record as they welcomed their last tough nonconference test of the year into Austin.

Texas could win this game. They could beat the best team in the country on their own home floor. They really could win.

The Stanford Cardinal.

They wouldn’t win.

Stanford, coming off a Sweet 16 season the year before, was

Isaiah Taylor

Jordan Barnett

2014 Season Review

31

Texas Basketball | Not-So-Conference Review

one of the few teams in the country whom could match up with Texas, talent wise. Well, at least as far as their starting five were concerned.

The Cardinal boasted a terrific backcourt to go along with size that could rival Texas’ down low. The Longhorns, while still the better team, top to bottom, would have their hands full with a veteran, talented Stanford squad.

Well, the chances are still there for a protected seed (meaning somewhere between a 1-4 spot come March), as is the chance at dethroning the Kansas Jayhawks from their conference supremacy (12 years has got to be long enough, right?).

The Longhorns would welcome back Isaiah Taylor for conference play and win their initial game in Lubbock against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, cementing their chances at moving towards their goals of being a top team in their conference.

And have their hands full they did. Texas, for the first time all season, had no answers for Stanford on the perimeter. Whether guarding the pick and roll, chasing shooters off of screens or simply trying to stay in front of Stanford’s players off the dribble, Texas wasn’t up to the task, falling in overtime 74-71.

A disappointing end to an excellent game for a Texas team that saw their nonconference performance slip down from fantastic to simply very good.

Now all that’s left is running the gauntlet that is the Big 12.

It’s the blessing and curse of playing in a league of 10 teams.

The round-robin schedule allows for no mistakes, creates a situation where only the strong truly survive and can accentuate the weaknesses of even the best teams.

Texas will need to be ready.

There was still one game left, of course, the Rice Owls. Texas lethargically took care of the Owls to finish their non-league slate 11-2 and back, again, at the number 10 spot in the rankings.

The pieces are all there, now they need to make good on the promise that everybody saw in the preseason and before Taylor went down to injury.

So, where does that leave the Longhorns heading into, arguably, the toughest conference schedule in the country considering what the rest of the Big 12 did in November and December?

Longhorns fans are counting on something special, hopefully their Horns will be able to deliver on that promise.

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2014 Season Review

33

Photo courtesy of UT Sports Photography

2014 Season Review

34

JOHNNY TREADWELL REMEMBERED

BY PAT CULPEPPER

“Let’s kick their ass.”

attracted to his grade point average and

Those were the words Johnny

coaches.

Treadwell spoke to me before kickoff of Longhorn games from 1961-1962.

We were on either side of Eldon Moritz in 1961 and Toby Crosby in 1962. So when No. 60 Treadwell would look across at me and give me his short to the point battle motto for games against Oklahoma, Arkansas, Rice, A&M, and our bowl games, I was ready. ​ ​When I told that to my wife, who did not know me during my football days at Texas, she said, “Did y’all really talk like that?”

My answer, “To Johnny, football was war.” He was the number “60” at Texas before Tommy Nobis, before Britt Hager. Perhaps Texas fans don’t remember those days anymore or perhaps don’t care but Treadwell’s story is worth remembering. He played at a time when the Longhorns came of age

recommendations by his high school

The fact is, it was a Temple DL coach that told Mike Campbell, who was the Texas defensive coordinator for Royal’s 20 years as head coach. “The best lineman in our district is the Treadwell boy at Austin High.” Campbell sat in the Austin High School fieldhouse and watched Treadwell on preseason scrimmage films and the couple of games he played. Those were the days of 50+ plus on football scholarships and Campbell made him an offer. ​He was an end on the freshman team at Texas but had, “Hammer-Hands” as his teammates called him. That ended when he was shifted to offensive guard and also played linebacker on the 1960 varsity team. The most he weighed at Texas was 205 but he had the ability to make smashing collisions when he tackled. As a guard, he used his quick-

in the Southwest Conference.

ness to beat defensive players to the

Darrell Royal had yet to win a bowl

nals in the defensive huddle and would

game at Texas. Johnny was born and raised in Austin, played High School Football at Austin High but in his senior year he broke his arm early in the season and was overlooked by recruiters except for West Point, who were

punch. In 1961 he began to call the sigadd his remarks that set the stage for big plays. Those were the days when memorial stadium only sat 64,350 and Darrell Royal’s first sell out came on a hot night when the No. 1 Longhorns faced Frank Broyles’ Arkansas Razor2014 Season Review

35

- Johnny Treadwell Remembered backs who were ranked No. 7 in the

Texas intercepted five Ole’ Miss pass-

graduating from Texas, Johnny got an

nation and were also undefeated. The

es, one on which “Hammer Hands”

agricultural degree from Texas A&M

year was 1962. There were no more

Treadwell slugged the ball high in the

and became a Vet in Austin.

tickets and some Arkansas fans cut

air that cornerback Jerry Cook picked

through the fence in the back of the

off killing the Rebels possible fame

​Those spring days when I would ride

south end zone and got on the track

winning drive. Texas won 12-7 and

in his Jeep in the countryside and talk

around the playing field. National

thus the Longhorns, who ended the

about what we wanted to accomplish

media were there from Wednesday

1961 season as the Nation’s number

in the fall were priceless. He had a

all the way up to the game, interview-

3 team, entered the 1962 season as

great smile and loved to laugh. He

ing players at lunch at Moore Hill Hall

the number one team, which set up

married Peggy, a beautiful woman

and then attending practices. In those

the huge game with Arkansas on that

and they made a great team in his

days Texas was only allowed national

humid night. Arkansas was averaging

vetenarian business. It was Peggy that

television for the Oklahoma, A&M, and

34 points a game, which was unheard

attended Johnny so beautifully when

bowl game so people to this day re-

of in 1962.

dementia began to take over. The

member the Kern Tipps broadcast that

action photograph of Treadwell and

night or treasure the fact they were in

The stage was set in Austin with both

the Texas defense knocking out the

attendance.

teams 4-0. At the end of the third quar-

football on that goal line play versus

ter with the Razorbacks holding a 3-0

Arkansas use to be in the defensive

​In many ways, the 1961 season had

lead, they reached the Texas 5-yard

room of the Longhorns and was the

set the stage for such a game. The

line where the intense Treadwell said

only action photograph Darrell Royal

5-0 Longhorns had been the nation’s

these words in the defensive huddle,

had on his wall during his last days

No. 1 team often beating Rice 34-7 in

“We’ve got them where we want them.

at the Barton Creek assisted living

Austin and then held off an SMU team

They have run out of room. They can’t

facility.

on the goal line just before halftime

throw a long pass. They have got to

with their old Rose Bowl team stand-

come at us. Ready… Break!”

ing in the end zone yelling encourage-

His teammates called him “chopper” for the way he got to the job alone

ment. Treadwell and the other Texas

Two plays later the Razorback fullback

and I was proud to call him “Johnny.” I

linebacker stacked SMU’s fullback on

trued the counter on the Longhorn

miss him already.

fourth down one yard shy of the goal

line and was met by Treadwell and

line. James Saxton raced 80-yards

his fellow linebacker and the ball

Tommy Nobis said it best, “The real

on a counter trap play to ignite a 27-0

came out, tumbling into the end zone

number 60 was Johnny Treadwell.”

Texas victory in the 2nd half. Baylor

which Joe Dixon recovered in a mad

God Bless his passion, his courage,

was crushed 33-7 in Austin.

scramble. As if that wasn’t enough,

and his friendship. He was the best

Texas fumbled the ball at its 22-yard

because he gave it all he had. What

TCU upset Texas 6-0 to knock Texas

line and Arkansas drove to the 12 and

more can any person do? That pas-

out of the top ranking but the Long-

on fourth down. QB Billy Moore tried

sion rubbed off on those who played

horns rebounded at College Station

a sneak at the Texas right side only to

around him. There was no “faking it”.

putting a 25-0 whipping on the Aggies

be hit squarely in the chest for no gain

It was real and made us winners while

and that brought on the Cotton Bowl

by Treadwell. The game ended with a

we were at Texas.

and the Ole’ Miss Rebels under Coach

90-yard drive by Texas with Treadwell

Johnny Vaught. Only a 10-7 loss to

at guard on 20 plays with a Longhorn

​It will take such passion and effort

LSU separated Vaught’s team from an

touchdown for a 7-3 win.

by future Texas players to return the

undefeated season and Royal while

Longhorns to football prominence.

head coach at Mississippi State and

​Following that season, Treadwell was

Johnny Treadwell helped ignite such

then at Texas had never beaten the

named to the All-American team and

effort and dedication in the early 60’s

Rebels much less won a bowl game

got to meet President John F. Ken-

and it brought about Conference

as a coach. Period.

nedy at the Army-Navy game on his

Championships and National Champi-

way to New York to receive his award

onships in 1963 and 1969.

​In sunny, 41-degree weather in Dallas,

36

on the Ed Sullivan’s TV show. After

inside texas

insidetexas.com

QB RB FB WR TE

OL

DE DT LB CB S K/P

Senior 20

2014 Texas Longhorn Roster Table Junior 13

David Ash^ Malcolm Brown

Sophomore 17

Tyrone Swoopes^

RS Freshman 6

True Freshman 22

‘15 Commits 22

Jerrod Heard

Zach Gentry

Duke Catalon D’Onta Foreman Kevin Shorter

Tristian Houston Kirk Johnson

Jake Oliver*

Roderick Bernard Armanti Foreman Garrett Gray Lorenzo Joe Dorian Leonard

John Burt DeAndre McNeal

Darius James* Jake Raulerson^*

Alex Anderson^ Terrell Cuney Elijah Rodriguez

Brandon HodgesRonnie Major Garrett Thomas Patrick Vahe Tristan Nickelson Connor Williams

Johnathan Gray Daje Johnson@ Alex De La Torre^

John Harris* Jaxon Shipley

Marcus Johnson*

Jacorey Warrick

Greg Daniels Miles Onyegbule% Geoff Swaim^

M.J. McFarland^*

Blake Whiteley

Dominic Espinosa*% Desmond Harrison@

Taylor Doyle* Marcus Hutchins* Sedrick Flowers*

Camrhon Hughes^* Kent Perkins Curtis Riser*

Cedric Reed

Shiro Davis

Caleb Bluiett* Bryce Cottrell*

Jake McMillon Derick Roberson

Desmond Jackson% Malcom Brown

Louis Brown Charles Omenihu Quincy Vasser

Paul Boyette* Alex Norman* Hassan Ridgeway*

Poona Ford Chris Nelson

Du’Vonta Lampkin

Demarco Cobbs Steve Edmond Jordan Hicks Tevin Jackson

Peter Jinkens Dalton Santos

Tim Cole*

Naashon Hughes*

Andrew Beck^ Edwin Freeman Cameron Hampton

Duke Thomas^

Brecklyn Hager Cecil Cherry Malik Jefferson Cameron Townsend

Bryson Echols*

Antwuan Davis*

Jermaine Roberts

Keivon Ramsey

Adrian Colbert* Dylan Haines Kevin Vaccaro

Erik Huhn*

John Bonney Jason Hall

DeShon Elliott Jamile Johnson

Quandre Diggs^ Sheroid Evans Mykkele Thompson Josh Turner@

Nate Boyer Will Russ*

Ben Pruitt#* Nick Rose#

Nick Jordan

BOLD indicates 2014 starter or co-starter; ^ is/was a spring enrolee as true freshman; * indicates player has already redshirted; # indicates a non-scholarship player; & initially on track scholarship

2014 Season Review

37

38

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And then it was over...

Malcom Brown reflects on things after the loss to Arkansas in the 2014 Texas Bowl. Brown arrived at Texas as a five-star recruit and headliner of the 2011 recruiting class. Brown’s time in Austin was

marked by three different offensive coordinators and poor QB play. Brown ended his career as the ninth leading rusher in UT history with 2,678 rushing yards.

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- Graduate The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas School of Law Winner of the 2014 Austin Under 40 (Au40) Award in Real Estate

Recognized as Rising Star by Texas Monthly and Super Lawyer magazines Real Estate | Construction | Business | Title Insurance John A. Hay III

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