On Texas Football: Projecting the 2023 season for three Longhorn defensive linemen
In the latest On Texas Football, Joe Cook and Bobby Burton discuss their expectations for Sydir Mitchell, Kristopher Ross, and Alfred Collins for the 2023 season and take issue with a recent ESPN list of the top 75 quarterbacks of the 2000s.
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Bobby and Joe begin with a recent list of the top 75 quarterbacks of the 2000s released by ESPN. Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield took the top spot, something Bobby took serious issue with. Joe understood a lofty ranking for Mayfield, but disagreed with the top spot. Vince Young was ranked No. 3, behind Cam Newton and Mayfield. Joe and Bobby agreed that a selection from a group made up of Newton, Young, Tim Tebow, and Joe Burrow would have made more sense.
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was ranked No. 12 on the same list, a ranking both struggled to take any issue with. They chuckled at the fact that McCoy was one spot ahead of Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel.
The two then got into a discussion about three Texas defensive linemen, Sydir Mitchell, Kristopher Ross, and Alfred Collins.
Joe believes Mitchell is on track for a redshirt year unless he’s a mainstay on special teams. Burton believes Mitchell is talented enough to be a part of the regular rotation in the two-deep simply because of his size. His conditioning may limit his snap load but he’s too talented, in Burton’s opinion, not to play.
A discussion of Kris Ross follows. Ross was projected to be a defensive lineman out of Houston area powerhouse North Shore High School, but he has struggled to gain some of the requisite weight for the position and has found himself in the EDGE rotation. Both agree Ross has a tough rotation to break with players like Justice Finkley, Ethan Burke, and J’Mond Tapp in front and that it may better for him to develop.
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The two end with a discussion about Alfred Collins. Both agree Collins is in a contract year and that his level of play is important to the future of the Texas defense. If he can provide consistent play, then Texas can try to go with a four-man rotation at defensive tackle like it did last year. A talented player, Collins is staring down one more season on the Forty Acres.
