Horns247 Board

Great write up, hats off to Coach Searles.

Remember when everyone was underwhelmed by the Searels hire. Might be Macks best hire that year

I realize that Estelle, Hawkins, Riser, Harrison, James, Perkins Raulerson, and possibly Hammad looks really really really great on paper... but only Hawkins has seen any time at all.

I do recall the class with Tray Allen, Kyle Hix, Michael Huey, and Aundre McGaskey being some really awesome class, but they were underwhelming.

I'm holding back my enthusiasm until they produce on the field.

I enjoyed the write-up.

The chasm is too far for me to cross in order to believe that Mason Walters is someone that Mack Brown would bench at this point. I understand the theoretical argument for it, but we have a litany of data points at this time to refute any unproven theories when it comes to Mack Brown's handling of established starters. Espinosa and Cochran are the youngest returning starters and Espinosa is absolutely the weaker performer of the two, so it just makes sense that he'll be the one that has to step aside. Of course, I guess nothing will surprise me at this point, because I am quite sure that potentially having to bench a returning starter scares Mack Brown to death.

Amen to that!

Evidently, you actually love winning more than you love recruiting...

1. Hawkins was absolutely fantastic at caving the line inside this year IMO. In spurts, he was the team's best OL.

I think the RT position has been far less suspect than either the RG or center play.

By moving Hawkins inside, you allow yourself to get better in two spots potentially, left tackle and one of the interior spots.

2. Comparing McWhorter recruits to Searels recruits are going to give you some problems because the two of them had absolutely different things they were looking for.

McWhorter wanted the 270-pound guy that he could build up. Searels is looking more for those massive body types from the get go.

You want to compare recruits to past history and that is fine, but I think you're comparing apples to oranges.

Fair points, especially when Walters is also considered the vocal leader of the OL and is highly respected by Searels.

explain: What's more, he's been a breath of fresh air in East Texas recruiting across the board for the Horns.

are you saying in the sense that he is actually recruiting there or how he handles his business there with coaches and players.

The Blake Gideon of OL?

Bobby - what is your theory with why Walters hasn't been better?

I get the idea it isn't intensity or mental based on what you said about Searles' feelings about him. It shouldn't be size. I really expected a big surge of improvement this year and it didn't seem to happen. What position is best for mason in your opinion?

I can't remember if Walters redshirted.

How good would you predict this line should be this fall?

Thanks in advance

he's just a redshirt freshman coming off a big surgery.

Bobby, I agree wholeheartedly with all of your points. I believe that two current starters won't be starters next fall. Your point about Cochran is salient. He is going to be a 5 year guy in order to maximize his potential in an NFL draft, so he really does need to redshirt.
We couldn't afford for him to do that in 2011 as a freshman nor last year.
Now that we have Harrison, Estelle and Hughes to the rescue this year it would be best for Cochran to take his redshirt now, IMO, to get stronger.
Because Walters is a senior, he will likely start at either RG or Center.
You are also correct about the wealth of talent in OL and DL recruits. This may be the best year ever, including 2002. That was obviously an incredible haul. Good problem to have, finally.