Red Flag Part II: Examining the second week of Texas’ fall camp
Texas had a tough week on the practice field in their second week. An injury-filled scrimmage capped a rough news week.
Very few players could qualify as indispensable, but Isaiah Neyor and Junior Angilau have a strong case for that distinction.
For Angilau, the long-time starter’s experience and leadership is difficult to replace. Angilau has been said to be vocal and demanding of his fellow teammates. Moving peer accountability from the field to the sideline is suboptimal for Texas.
Along those lines, Roschon Johnson is expected to be out with a shorter-term injury.
The above news does not necessarily change Texas’ ceiling, but it does make it more difficult to achieve their goals this season.
Let’s distinguish red flags from common training camp news.
Texas' offense struggled in the first scrimmage
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall
Not a red flag.
The offense will often struggle in the first scrimmage. Offensive players often get tested heavily in Sarkisian’s first scrimmage of camp.
Injuries' reflection on strength and conditioning
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Not a red flag.
I have my concerns about strength and conditioning, but players getting injured in camp is not one of them. There is very little the strength and conditioning program can do to prevent knee injuries.
Neither quarterback has separated, with both struggling
AP Photo/Eric Gay
Somewhat of a Red Flag.
Flawed as my logic may have been, I expected Quinn Ewers to separate in this battle. Nevertheless, Ewers is a freshman and still learning the offense. It does raise questions about the offense’s ceiling if Texas does not have Ewers’ deep ball passing ability.
Losing Isaiah Neyor, Junior Angilau, and Roschon Johnson
Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Red Flag.
The nature of football is players will get injured, but the losses are noteworthy. Neyor and Angilau were certainly needed to cement their role in the offense and help determine the quarterback battle. Each loss makes Steve Sarkisian’s job slightly more difficult.
Jahdae Barron rolling ankle, "stepping on a ref's foot"
Image courtesy of Texas Sports
Not a Red Flag but seriously bad luck.
Inside Texas reported Jahdae Barron “stepped on a ref’s foot at a practice Friday and turned his ankle.” That is spectacularly bad luck. Any sport in which players run and jump make them susceptible to ankle injuries. Hopefully Barron won’t miss much time from such a freak incident.
Steve Sarkisian has not made a quarterback decision
AP Photo/Chuck Burton
Not a Red Flag.
It’s not a red flag in regard to my belief in Steve Sarkisian. The Texas coach will make the right call, but who he chooses will have significant impact on the team’s style of play.
