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UT-Rice
By aalvarado in Burnt Orange Blog
September 2, 2010

College football season is upon us and for Texas Longhorn fans, here are two players I will be watching during the teams season opener against Rice on Saturday at Reliant Stadium. The first is Malcolm Williams. Last year the junior wide receiver from Garland caught 39 passes for 550 yards and two touchdowns. This is a disappointing stat line for UT fans considering the flashes of greatness the four-star recruit showed in 2008, particularly against Texas Tech. I want to see how Williams reacts to being the teams second team split end behind James Kirkendoll. Williams, who in my opinion is the most physically gifted of the bunch, has the potential to get back into the starting lineup, develop chemistry with quarterback Garrett Gilbert and help fill the void left by Jordan Shipley. The second is safety Christian Scott. After missing most of the 2009 season due to an NCAA academic eligibility issue the hard hitting safety has some big shoes to fill at for Earl Thomas.
Thomas, a Thorpe Award finalist, had eight interceptions, two of which were returned for scores and made it difficult for quarterbacks in the pass happy Big 12 to take chances down field. Scott, a junior from Dallas Skyline, appeared in 13 games and recorded 15 tackles in 2008, but has yet to make a start at the college level.
Although Rice doesn’t have the horses to keep up with Texas and Scott has Blake Gideon playing alongside him to help at the other safety, Scott will need to be quick on his feet if Rice challenges him deep in his first game back in a game where the Owls have nothing to lose.

Comments


  • aalvarado aalvarado Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    I'm not sure if there will ever be another Earl in the backfield, but I sure enjoyed watching Earl in the secondary last season
    Chris Whaley was highly touted out of Madisonville and after red shirting in 2009 is listed as second on the depth chart to Greg Smith at H-back. I expect to see him contribute on special teams and in spurts to try and work for more playing time next season.
    As far as the run game, we'll see Texas go back to being a run dominant team they were with Ricky Williams back in the late 90's until Malcolm Brown comes in next year.
    I thought the tackle depth chart was interesting.
    Not surprised that Kheeston Randall was named a starter, but it was interesting to see Alex Okafor moving from end to tackle and not seeing Taylor Bible from Denton Guyer on the depth chart at all.
    Will Muschamp and his staff also figure to give freshmen Ashton Dorsey and Calvin Howell a lot of playing time this season.

    September 2, 2010 at 10:08 p.m.

  • bevobliss bevobliss Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    I thought when Chris Waley was recruited, that he was being touted as the next 'Earl'. Definitely looking forward to Texas' anticipated running game this season. I also believe Horn fans will be pleasantly surprised with Gilbert this season, To me, Colt was very good, but an overachiever. I keep reading about how awesome our defense is going to be, but on the same token, questions at defensive tackle. Let's please not have another repeat of the Wyoming game this early in the season. We're gonna kill Rice though.(fingers crossed)

    Hook Em'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    September 2, 2010 at 6:25 p.m.