Texas Football: Grading how each position group has performed through seven games

The Longhorns are not in a situation that they thought they would find themselves in seven weeks into the season.

While I am sure a loss or two was to be expected with a new a staff and a ton of turnover, but the ways in which the games were lost have been heartbreaking. After being blown out by Arkansas, Texas went on a three-game win streak that looked like they were figuring it out with a change at quarterback.

Then came along the last two weeks, where Texas led both Oklahoma schools by double-digits at one point, yet wound up losing. In the three losses on the year, the strengths and weaknesses of this team have been made abundantly clear. It also explains why Steve Sarkisian’s staff is recruiting certain position groups harder than others.

As the Longhorns head into the bye week, I’ve compiled a progress report to highlight which position groups have done well, and also pinpoint the areas of struggle throughout the first seven games of the season using an “A-F” grading scale.

Kicker/Punter

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Dicker the Kicker has been on a whirlwind of a season that saw him start off 1-of-3, and had many like myself calling him a liability. He has drastically improved as he is now a commendable 8-of-10 on field goals and has not missed an extra point this season. Something to note however, is the fact that all of his misses came from distances greater than 40 yards, so he is still not the most reliable from a far distance, but he has hit his last seven and Texas wouldn’t have beaten TCU if it weren’t for him.

Grade: B+

Defensive Line

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A group that many people thought going into the season would be one of the strongest on the team, the defensive line has underwhelmed compared to those expectations. After losing Joseph Ossai to the NFL, someone needed to step up in order to provide pass rush and penetration that the unit has lost, but no one has really been able to do so.

Alfred Collins leads the team in sacks with two, and also leads the team with quarterback hurries with 10. Both marks are solid for Collins who has not been a full-time starter, but disappointing for a veteran group. Along with not being able to get a consistent pass rush, the run defense has been nonexistent as the Longhorns have allowed 230 yards rushing yards per game and have given up 300 yards rushing twice. The multiple edge rushing transfers have done nothing outside of Ovie Oghoufo, which is why this is one of the positions that Sarkisian’s staff has hit hard in recruiting, and it is no secret why.

Grade: C-

Linebackers

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The linebacker group has been the most consistent group on defense, if that really means anything. DeMarvion Overshown’s performance thus far has been impressive and has helped skyrocket his draft stock up to a projected first rounder. Luke Brockermeyer has been decent as well, as he is second on the team in tackles behind Overshown.

While Brockermeyer has done well, sophomore reserve Jaylan Ford has stood out with his IQ and athleticism especially against Oklahoma State where he made multiple clutch plays. While the linebackers have arguably been the most consistent, they have not always been a factor in the pass rush, and they are at fault for allowing running backs to shred the defense as well.

Grade: C+

Defensive Backs

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Another veteran group that for the most part has underwhelmed. The Longhorns defensive backs have seen a couple different lineups with Brenden Schooler and Jerrin Thompson flip-flopping at starting safety, and Josh Thompson missing a game. The group just has not been able to figure it out to the degree that you would like.

Scrambling quarterbacks like Caleb Williams hurt this group the most, as it seems whenever they are covering well downfield, when a quarterback goes off script, they often seem to be on the wrong end of 50-50 passes. It is tough to be a defensive back when your front seven generates no pressure almost every play, but there have been far too many instances where they have been burnt by receivers.

There have been quite a few times that they have been beat, but were bailed out by opposing quarterbacks like Max Duggan, Spencer Sanders, and Spencer Rattler who struggled with accuracy. I expected more from this group, because even with all the experience on the line I thought this group would have the most room for growth. We just haven’t seen it yet.

Grade: C

Offensive Line

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This has been by far the worst group on the team this season, and there is no competition. They are constantly being outmuscled at the line of scrimmage and allow pressure on seemingly every play. While the struggles at the quarterback position are on the quarterbacks, some of the blame goes on this line, as both Casey Thompson and Hudson Card have shown no confidence in this group. Both quarterbacks have shown tendencies to look away from the receivers to look at the rush that is about to hit them.

Of all the position groups, this group has been tinkered with the most and we have yet to see a combination that has worked well. Against Oklahoma State, there was one point where they were almost using a hockey line change where multiple linemen would sub in and out at a time. This group has not shown any improvement, and might have even digressed as the season has gone on.

Grade: D-

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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This group seemed to be Steve Sarkisian’s biggest concern going into the season, and at times we have seen why. There have been drop issues, and outside of Xavier Worthy, no one has stepped up. Jordan Whittington was on track to be the No. 2 pass catcher, but he is likely done for the year again.

Worthy has shined and is a star, but after him the level of production takes a steep decline. Joshua Moore is now the second guy, but he has not been the same as he was last year when he led the team in catches and touchdowns. The team badly needs Moore to step up, and maybe rely on the tight ends slightly more as they have been a non-factor all season combining for just 11 catches. The offensive line play in a way affects how the pass catchers do, because the quarterback does not really have time to let their routes develop, but this group should be better than what we have seen at times.

Grade: B

Running Backs

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Bijan Robinson is the best player on the team, and is a contender for the Heisman. He along with the other running backs (when they actually get touches), have been the lone consistent bright spot this season. He is third in the national rushing yards, and that’s behind a putrid offensive line.

It is always a question of mine as to why Sarkisian seemingly stops giving him the ball in the second half, as although it is great to get the passing game going, Robinson seems to always be gaining positive yards so the more he gets the ball the better. I would like to see Roschon Johnson and Keilan Robinson get more touches as well, as running seems to be the strength of this offense. Why not take advantage of the talented backs on the roster?

Grade: A

Quarterbacks

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When Thompson first took over for the struggling Card, it was evident why as he was able to do more due to his ability to run and move in the pocket. It’s not to say Card was bad, but Thompson seems to be the better option given the circumstance. At one point he was atop the nation in QBR and near the top in completion percentage, but he has fallen down to Earth a tad.

Again, the offensive line doesn’t help, but outside of the Oklahoma game, Thompson has not been accurate on deep passes. He shined against Oklahoma throwing for 388 yards and five touchdowns, but he like the rest of the offense, has struggled mightily in second half of games.

It seems like he and the offense struggle with responding to the adjustments the other team’s defenses make, and it rattles them. Thompson has also had an issue with interceptions, as he has thrown a pick in four of the last five games with two against Oklahoma State. His worst game was by far last week against the Cowboys, as it seemed a lingering hand injury threw off his accuracy and confidence, especially after he threw a pick-six. When Thompson is confident the offense thrives, and they will need him to bounce back in the next few weeks to salvage the season.

Grade: B-

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