The need to know info from Kyle Flood's time with the media

Texas offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Kyle Flood made one of his biannual appearances in front of the media on Tuesday ahead of preseason camp for the Texas Longhorns. Here are the highlights from his 20-plus minutes with the press.

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Off the top: Flood was asked about his confidence in his O-line. He mentioned the four returning starters and said that having that many starters back creates a “rare year” and “a really enjoyable situation to be in” that “raise the bar and raise expectations to play at a really high level.”

How does the offense get better at red zone and short yardage situations?: “Practice. I don’t think there’s any substitution for actually doing it.” Flood mentioned they critiqued that aspect of the program during the offseason and understand how important it is to be “elite situationally.”

Cam Williams, starter: “Cam comes into training camp certainly as our starting right tackle, and we expect that he’s going to play really well.” Flood mentioned there’s a lot of confidence in Williams, who was described as having “changed his body significantly.”

Who joins the circle of trust?: With the top five known, Flood was asked about the process of finding three to four more O-linemen he trusts to enter games in question and perform. Malik Agbo, Connor Robertson, Cole Hutson, and Neto Umeozulu were mentioned in that category as working to solidify their place in Flood’s trust.

Next at tackle?: Immediately after mentioning the above quartet, Flood said Agbo, Trevor Goosby, Jaydon Chatman, Andre Cojoe, and Brandon Baker have “improved in the offseason.”

Wide receiver is DEEP: Flood said there’s confidence in the receiver room — “I was looking at it this morning before I came in here. We have, I think, nine receivers that are ultimately going to take reps with the ones and twos this training camp. We haven’t been anything near that in the three previous years that we’ve been here.”

Tashard Choice, a secret weapon in pass protection: Yes, you read that right. Flood praised Choice, a former pro running back, for making sure his backs are well-drilled in pass protection. “Working with a running backs coach who played in the NFL is the best thing that happens to somebody who coaches the offensive line.”

How physical can practices get with the potential of a long season?: Flood mentions he believes they do a good job weekly of making sure the team faces the needed physicality in practice. He even told an entertaining story about his time at Delaware that we’ll have more on later. Is 15-16 games a challenge? Yes, but that doesn’t mean practices need to become softer. “You don’t want to go the other way. You go the other way and say ‘we’re not going to hit during the week,’ and you may not be ready to hit on Saturday either if you do that.”

CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue: “I think both those guys are proven commodities. I expect both of them to play quite a bit. I wouldn’t say just two either. I think Tre Wisner‘s had a great offseason and he’s one of the guys I’m really excited to see in training camp.”

Coordinator continuity: Flood, Pete Kwiatkowski, and Jeff Banks have been with Steve Sarkisian for all of his years as Texas head coach. Flood has been with Sarkisian longer dating back to time with the Atlanta Falcons, and there’s a connection there from Alabama. Flood also noted all the offensive assistants returned, which is a positive for the players.

Backup LT? Backup RT?: “I don’t know that I would be able to give you an answer for that one right now. I don’t think there’s a necessity to have an answer to that right now.” Mentioned Goosby, Agbo, Baker, Cojoe, and Chatman.

What has allowed culture to carry over year-to-year?: Flood credits Sarkisian. “It absolutely starts with him and his relationship with the players.”

Who’s behind Jake Majors at center?: Flood mentioned Robertson, Hutson, and Hayden Conner as “guys who have played there quite a bit this offseason. You can’t have enough players ready to go at that position.”

Goals for the offense: “We want to be the most explosive offense in the country. I think that’s the goal of ours every year.”

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Flood on Quinn Ewers: “You guys haven’t seen it as much as I have in the offseason, and I think you’ll see it this fall, that he’s really gone to another level this year.”