I had this conversation with Hype in Rocky Top and just had an interesting conversation today.
There will be unprecedented changes to teams, #'s, sizes of position groups, etc. Starting...NOW.
Due to the 125 moving to 105. Speaking to ppl who handle logistics for UT (Id NEVER write that for texas so you know who I'm referring to). They are RIGHT NOW, trying to figure out how to manage practices moving forward with 20 less contributors.
Points like: teams typically have 5 to 7 guys who practice "up" on 1st team offense. Your starters and your 1bs/2s. They keep 8 additional wrs "down" for the look team on defense. 15 to 16 wrs is a number most teams keep in the program. It's what we kept and it's the exact number UT folk used in their example to me. Well the 105 is going to eliminate 3 or so of those wrs. It doesn't directly impact the starters, but the trickle down of wear and tear, injuries, AND lack of developing late bloomers and diamonds in the rough is REAL.
I say that to say - 3 things are happening simultaneously and we're experiencing them all while (grieving 🥺) a terrible season.
1. Players are leaving for MORE money or greener pastures. In this group, id say Anderson and Farooq...i guess jfa has to be included too. That's IT I can't think of another player on our team who's moving on to go up. I guess i heard Sharp is at LSU but good for him and them. We don't want him (idk if it's true. I saw it on twitter...so it must be true 😅)
2. Some guys are being processed in hopes of upgrading their positions. The injury folk (not the wrs...ass holes) and guys who aren't OU good. Kani Walker and the backer who could never get healthy come to mind.
3. Finally we have the 125 to 105. These are guys that in another year, would be developed and have time to grow. A lot will be preferred walkons, but some are definitely gonna be scholarship players. There's gonna be a few puppies we wish had another year. A player like McC who absolutely deserves a scholly at 125 but tweener and health issues create concern at 105. It's happening and it's real. Next year some team is gonna fumble all the new variables and their play on the field will reflect it. I can admit that we definitely fumbled the portal the first 2 cycles...didn't leverage it as others did.
Point is...this will hurt some. The game and team will look different from here on out. There won't be as many "rags to riches" stories of guys who "had that lunch pail mentality for 3yrs and consistently got better blah blah blah..." those guys will be shipped out prior to developing.
A lot of teams we compare ourselves to are in the Playoff and not currently dealing with all the carnage, but i promise you. From their mouths to my ears (#NoDiddy 🤷🏽♂️) 1st hand, we discussed how all schools will deal with this. OU is just experiencing it at this moment. But the UTs and UGAs and UOs of the world will in a month or so.
Im not saying relax. I'm texting and calling with many "wtf's" as well, but i also understand it's unprecedented times. The team has a plan and I'm told many of the guys who will be the new term "program guys" (guys you keep 3 to 5 yrs). The expectation is that they will stick.
Lastly, there are some EMO players who's production has not matched the pay that coaches are parting ways with..whod they'd otherwise like to keep aside from ego..and well...not being good enough to garner what they ask.
At 105...there will literally be THOUSANDS who portal and don't get another opportunity. And many P4s who find themselves at Texas State or on our schedule next season starring for Kent State. Some will sit at home and look dumb.
This is officially Grown Man's Business.
#Boomer
There will be unprecedented changes to teams, #'s, sizes of position groups, etc. Starting...NOW.
Due to the 125 moving to 105. Speaking to ppl who handle logistics for UT (Id NEVER write that for texas so you know who I'm referring to). They are RIGHT NOW, trying to figure out how to manage practices moving forward with 20 less contributors.
Points like: teams typically have 5 to 7 guys who practice "up" on 1st team offense. Your starters and your 1bs/2s. They keep 8 additional wrs "down" for the look team on defense. 15 to 16 wrs is a number most teams keep in the program. It's what we kept and it's the exact number UT folk used in their example to me. Well the 105 is going to eliminate 3 or so of those wrs. It doesn't directly impact the starters, but the trickle down of wear and tear, injuries, AND lack of developing late bloomers and diamonds in the rough is REAL.
I say that to say - 3 things are happening simultaneously and we're experiencing them all while (grieving 🥺) a terrible season.
1. Players are leaving for MORE money or greener pastures. In this group, id say Anderson and Farooq...i guess jfa has to be included too. That's IT I can't think of another player on our team who's moving on to go up. I guess i heard Sharp is at LSU but good for him and them. We don't want him (idk if it's true. I saw it on twitter...so it must be true 😅)
2. Some guys are being processed in hopes of upgrading their positions. The injury folk (not the wrs...ass holes) and guys who aren't OU good. Kani Walker and the backer who could never get healthy come to mind.
3. Finally we have the 125 to 105. These are guys that in another year, would be developed and have time to grow. A lot will be preferred walkons, but some are definitely gonna be scholarship players. There's gonna be a few puppies we wish had another year. A player like McC who absolutely deserves a scholly at 125 but tweener and health issues create concern at 105. It's happening and it's real. Next year some team is gonna fumble all the new variables and their play on the field will reflect it. I can admit that we definitely fumbled the portal the first 2 cycles...didn't leverage it as others did.
Point is...this will hurt some. The game and team will look different from here on out. There won't be as many "rags to riches" stories of guys who "had that lunch pail mentality for 3yrs and consistently got better blah blah blah..." those guys will be shipped out prior to developing.
A lot of teams we compare ourselves to are in the Playoff and not currently dealing with all the carnage, but i promise you. From their mouths to my ears (#NoDiddy 🤷🏽♂️) 1st hand, we discussed how all schools will deal with this. OU is just experiencing it at this moment. But the UTs and UGAs and UOs of the world will in a month or so.
Im not saying relax. I'm texting and calling with many "wtf's" as well, but i also understand it's unprecedented times. The team has a plan and I'm told many of the guys who will be the new term "program guys" (guys you keep 3 to 5 yrs). The expectation is that they will stick.
Lastly, there are some EMO players who's production has not matched the pay that coaches are parting ways with..whod they'd otherwise like to keep aside from ego..and well...not being good enough to garner what they ask.
At 105...there will literally be THOUSANDS who portal and don't get another opportunity. And many P4s who find themselves at Texas State or on our schedule next season starring for Kent State. Some will sit at home and look dumb.
This is officially Grown Man's Business.
#Boomer
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