2004 Statistics

Quarterback
Both fans and critics will agree that Vince Young has his shortcomings - a questionable arm and questionable decision-making. Even with that knock, his upside is worth it. Young is one of the country's top offensive weapons and is sure to be included as a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. You can talk all you want about his rushing ability (a whopping 192 yards against the Wolverines in earning Rose Bowl MVP); Young just needs to focus on making his passing as consistently strong. Still, entering his junior year, Young already ranks eighth on Texas' all-time passing yardage list. Many are sold on his maturation due to the Rose Bowl, but we think he has to carry that momentum over from just one game to an entire season - no easy task when losing your ace back (Benson). Defenses will focus (spy) on Young until the running game is worthy of their attention, so there is still contingency in our minds as to whether Young can shine even when the only backfield target. Young's backup will be senior Matt Nordgren, and this is where it gets iffy. The Longhorns have enjoyed having a quarterback controversy with two solid signal-callers (Major Applewhite-Chris Simms, Simms-Chance Mock, Mock-Vince Young, etc.), and in his last year, coach Brown will surely want this drop-back (but speedy), to use his quick-release and smarts (4.0 gpa) when anything goes awry with Young. Junior walk-on Matthew McCoy enters the spring as the No. 3 QB and incoming freshman Colt McCoy is expected to compete for playing time as a true freshman. The position is stacked, but utilizing multiple-QBs properly for wins has proven a true test in big games.

Running Back
Junior Selvin Young is a stud but he missed most of last year with an ankle injury and Mack Brown isn't exactly banking on his return. "We anticipate Selvin will be in the mix, but it might be a blessing… [we need] to look at other people," Brown said. "If Selvin is healthy, then he's the guy." If not, then the guy is sophomore WR/TB Ramonce Taylor, who touched the ball in 10 games last year and averaged 10.1 yards per carry. Sure, it was mop-up, but Taylor is an exciting talent. But even Brown knows the biggest question is his durability. "Can he be an every-down back," Brown said, "Or does he need to be more like a Reggie Bush, who gets the ball in the backfield and gets outside as a wide receiver as well?" Incoming Jamaal Charles is the best of the new (nation's No.7 RB prospect - Rivals.com), and his (4.4-sec 40) wheels will hit the ground in spring. But the back who might be missed the most is FB Will Matthews. Those duties now fall to walk-on bruiser Ahmard Hall, who will get a guaranteed few carries/catches a game in Texas' running approach (keeps LBs honest). The unit will struggle for identity, but not aggregate yards.

Receiver
One of the glaring holes that Texas has is here. This might be the thinnest unit, talent-wise, the Longhorns will have. The projected starters, Limas Sweed and Nate Jones, had just 30 receptions between them last year. RS frosh Jordan Shipley missed the entire 2004 season with a knee injury but is in the mix this spring. The prospects look good, though no WRs come in with this recruiting class, so it is a matter of development amongst the other 2004 signees (six are listed, all over 6'). Due to the Longhorns' extensive passing schemes, expect a few to be broken in quickly, and then impacting/expanding what can be done offensively.

Tight End
One of the best tight end duos is now a solo act. David Thomas is left behind to start. The Longhorn TEs were their second and third leading snarlers, with seven TDs combined. Speaking of keeping LBs (and safeties) home for that extra second - this dimension will be an integral part of Texas' offense. Thomas has lined up at TE, H-back, slot receiver and wide receiver at various points in his career, so he brings so much to the table. It is impossible to account for him all 60 minutes. Former-RB Henry Melton (4.6-sec 40, 275lbs) and Jermichael Finley both look like newbies who will impact this position well for what Texas demands.

Offensive Line
Tackles Jonathan Scott (NC.net first-team all-American) and Justin Blalock are back, as are guards Kasey Studdard and Will Allen. The only player missing from a mammoth offensive line is center Jason Glynn. Offensive linemen don't rack up the personal numbers, but there is a stat that speaks volumes about this group - Texas was second nationally in rushing at 299.2 yards per game (the team's most since the Earl Campbell days). There will be no letdown in performance here in 2005. In fact, the depth on this unit is the best on the team. Guard Cedric Dockery (Rivals.com No.2 prospect in '04) and converted-TE Tony Hills bring size and speed, respectively.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
There's no question that Texas is going to miss Cedric Benson, especially with a quarterback like Vince Young, who relies/d on a strong RB to distract from his efforts. When keyed upon, Young's foibles can cost. Not exactly the greatest passer going (ranked 51st in efficiency), Young will really blossom if/when that next great Longhorn RB is found. Still, the prime beef up front and Young's return should be more than enough to carry early games until the Longhorns are able to get a team flow established when holding the pigskin. Fans shouldn't be disappointed when Young doesn't show his wares like he did this past January - one game is just one game, not a change necessarily. He will take them to the next level, but his evolution cannot be pressured. Accordingly, fans shouldn't whine when the talented Nordgren is inserted. They may not have the 7th-rated total offense or the 12th-best scoring offense anymore, but the numbers will be close enough such that the Longhorns will again be the offensive powerhouse needed to compete for the Big XII South crown.

Defensive Line
The boys are back in town. ALL the boys are back in Austin, as the starting front four return intact. This is where all of Texas' defensive success (16th in rushing defense) will begin again. Seniors Dibbles and Wright both passed up the NFL draft, and Dibbles (an NC.net third-team all-American) remains somewhat of a question mark. He did not register for spring classes and won't participate in spring drills. But he is expected back by summer. Dibbles is just relentless, blessed with a combination of speed and power that allows him to get into the backfield and disrupt the flow of a play. Juniors Brian Robinson and Tim Crowder have 24 TFLs and 40 pass-breakups from last campaign. Sophomores Frank Okam and Derek Lokey, both of whom played as true freshmen last year, along with senior Aurmon Satchell, give the Longhorns amazing developed depth here. Texas is poised to lead the country in sacks, but the one and only thing we all want to know is: will they show up against OU (311 rushing yards allowed, 0 sacks in 11/9/2004's 12-0 loss)?

Linebacker
Everybody's replaceable. Right? Hmmm. Texas' Butkus Award winner Derrick Johnson (led the team in tackles and had an NCAA record nine forced fumbles) is the only missing element from a crew solid in its ability to both fill gaps and drop back. The good news is that seniors (MLB) Aaron Harris and (SLB) Eric Hall will be here to usher in a marginal but tough group. The only flaw of the upcoming talent will be playing experience, not potential. Harris was Texas' second-best tackler and looks good at his middle spot to run this defense. Simply put, the Longhorns will be able to overcome the loss of Johnson simply because Harris is in the middle. Incoming true frosh Chris Brown is lightning fast and will impact this unit. This unit is responding well to the offseason programs of new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, so the entire front seven is tight.

Defensive Back
If opposing teams are looking to exploit Texas anywhere, this is it. Corners Cedric Griffin and Tarell Brown are both tight coverage guys and hard hitters, as is strong safety Michael Huff. They each, as does the other DBs, stand 6' or taller, so size is not an exploitable issue. This core is perfect for the fresh talent (Kelson, Tatum, Brown, and Jackson) to watch and imitate. They are less of a cover-centric group as they are run-support oriented. The Longhorns were ninth nationally in pass defense in 2003, and last year, they slipped all the way to 58th, but were 31st in the all-important efficiency category. This makes it clear that these DBs know just how/when to break on the run so as not to set themselves up later for the pass, and how to keep the passes in front of them (T-12th in Division I-A with only 12 passing TDs allowed). This may be a weakness comparatively, but any foe takes huge (game altering) risks when this unit is where they try to expose the Longhorns.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
So why is Texas our No.2 team in the preseason? Let us count the ways in their nine returning starters. UT's 4-3 defense returns all four starters up front and two of the three linebackers, and could be the nation's top defensive unit when it's all said and done. Texas' recruiting focus on speed has paid off with this year's D. Opponents should take a page from OU and methodically pound the underneath stuff, hoping to marble run and pass well enough to be effective and score those few chances the Longhorns allow. The front seven will control the passing game well enough so that the secondary can look good regardless of their schemes. The words "shut down" and "three-and-out" will blanket broadcasters' vocabulary when covering UT.