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Full disclosure: incomplete info ahead

There's a new DB on the practice field, working Tuesday morning with the safeties. Was told his name is Rashaad Burton. I assume I have spelled the last name correctly, but not sure about the first name. Using that spelling, I found listings for might be two players, or maybe one player who played at two high schools. Could be the guy who went on to play at Tyler JC:

Hudl highlights:
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/595454/rashaad-burton

Search engine searches came up with players — or a player — who played at Timberview High School in Mansfield and at Sam Houston High School in Arlington.

That link has him wearing No. 31, the same jersey worn this morning. Says he played free safety at Tyler JC, strong safety as a senior at Timberview and outside linebacker as a junior.

Tyler JC's 2014 roster lists that Burton at 6-0, 200. The not-so-scientific eyeball test today would have guessed a little heavier than that, but not much. He looked pretty strong/thick.

He can definitely tackle-nice get it appears.

Mystery players, how intriguing.

Last week it was reported that Missouri graduate transfer DB David Johnson had moved into SMU, and had 1 year left to play this year. Coach Morris said he could not talk about Johnson last week. Now someone else shows up on the field. I guess we are taking some more DBs because of all the out for the year/career Medicals ?

3 of our last 4 late arrivals after spring practice have been DBs-thank god someone is thinking what I'm thinking-what does that tell you. I still think the only DB who has proven on the field to be an average DB at our level is Darrion Richardson. I really don't have much confidence in any of the others until they prove it on the field-especially the CBs. Hopefully, Shakiel has found a position he can actually play well at.

No question DB was the biggest problem coming into this year for this team, and we have picked up some transfer speed/experience at CB with David Johnson (if here), and the JUCO Safety transfer Burton looks like a player who darn sure will put a hit on you. Looks like he would be great in run support also. A possible *STAR player in the future in this defense ?

Stallion wrote:3 of our last 4 late arrivals after spring practice have been DBs-thank god someone is thinking what I'm thinking-what does that tell you. I still think the only DB who has proven on the field to be an average DB at our level is Darrion Richardson. I really don't have much confidence in any of the others until they prove it on the field-especially the CBs. Hopefully, Shakiel has found a position he can actually play well at.

Ajee Montes is decent as a third corner. I think Jordan Wyatt showed some flashes in the spring and was a P5 offer guy (Iowa State). Hoping that someone like an AJ Justice steps up and can be a force in the secondary. I've got little hope for Montgomery, Jeanlys, Reyes, Castle.

eastexSMU wrote:No question DB was the biggest problem coming into this year for this team, and we have picked up some transfer speed/experience at CB with David Johnson (if here), and the JUCO Safety transfer Burton looks like a player who darn sure will put a hit on you. Looks like he would be great in run support also. A possible *STAR player in the future in this defense ?

I beg to disagree. Although not stellar last season, the defense was savaged by (1) horrific field position and (2) dismal time of possession issues caused by the inept offense.

The key to the season will be OL play. Unless they improve significantly, we won't be able to hold the ball much less score enough points to win. Furthermore, poor OL play will mean (1) we cannot find out of Davis/Hicks/Colbert can be effective college QB's, (2) we won't find out if our WR's are effective and (3) we won't find out if any of our RB's are any good.

Unfortunately, we didn't land any immediate help on the OL.

if there's one position that can be developed or rather I should say improved by hard work rather than unusual talent it is offensive line. Offensive Lineman are more built in the weight room not recruited on talent alone. No other position comes close in the type of physical development expected during their 4 -5 years. The biggest problem in this transition year is that June recruited these guys because of the pass blocking skills and Chad expects his offensive lineman to drive block off the line. The difference in skill sets is one of their biggest hurdles. It is a positive though that they all made substantial progress to their weight goals and I'd assume their strength/conditioning goals-so we shall see.

StallionsModelT wrote:

Stallion wrote:3 of our last 4 late arrivals after spring practice have been DBs-thank god someone is thinking what I'm thinking-what does that tell you. I still think the only DB who has proven on the field to be an average DB at our level is Darrion Richardson. I really don't have much confidence in any of the others until they prove it on the field-especially the CBs. Hopefully, Shakiel has found a position he can actually play well at.

Ajee Montes is decent as a third corner. I think Jordan Wyatt showed some flashes in the spring and was a P5 offer guy (Iowa State). Hoping that someone like an AJ Justice steps up and can be a force in the secondary. I've got little hope for Montgomery, Jeanlys, Reyes, Castle.

I wouldn't throw Montgomery and Jeanlys into the same bucket as Reyes and Castle. We haven't really seen a lot of Montes on the outside, he has mostly played slot, so it will be interesting to see how he does out there. I'm kind of hoping that we didn't see a lot of migration from WR to corner because the coaches weren't as concerned as the rest of us, but who knows.

In the spring, the coaches moved AJ so that he was playing the same position as D RIch and Castle started. I hope that is an indication that the coaches were either counting on one of these transfers or the frosh to come in and start.

Whichever one is "most important" probably doesn't matter, but I think everyone agrees that OL and the secondary are the biggest concerns on the team. I understand the point you are making about the S&C program and the OL, Stallion, but I would add that we have had a massive amount of injuries in the secondary the past couple of seasons and hopefully an improved S&C program can at least help those guys stay healthy.

Digetydog wrote:

eastexSMU wrote:No question DB was the biggest problem coming into this year for this team, and we have picked up some transfer speed/experience at CB with David Johnson (if here), and the JUCO Safety transfer Burton looks like a player who darn sure will put a hit on you. Looks like he would be great in run support also. A possible *STAR player in the future in this defense ?

I beg to disagree. Although not stellar last season, the defense was savaged by (1) horrific field position and (2) dismal time of possession issues caused by the inept offense.

The key to the season will be OL play. Unless they improve significantly, we won't be able to hold the ball much less score enough points to win. Furthermore, poor OL play will mean (1) we cannot find out of Davis/Hicks/Colbert can be effective college QB's, (2) we won't find out if our WR's are effective and (3) we won't find out if any of our RB's are any good.

Unfortunately, we didn't land any immediate help on the OL.

I think that is a fair assessment Ddog.

StallionsModelT wrote:

Stallion wrote:3 of our last 4 late arrivals after spring practice have been DBs-thank god someone is thinking what I'm thinking-what does that tell you. I still think the only DB who has proven on the field to be an average DB at our level is Darrion Richardson. I really don't have much confidence in any of the others until they prove it on the field-especially the CBs. Hopefully, Shakiel has found a position he can actually play well at.

Ajee Montes is decent as a third corner. I think Jordan Wyatt showed some flashes in the spring and was a P5 offer guy (Iowa State). Hoping that someone like an AJ Justice steps up and can be a force in the secondary. I've got little hope for Montgomery, Jeanlys, Reyes, Castle.

I agree that Montes has played decent at corner as well last year.

I think freshman DB Rodney Clemons will challenge as well.

Justice too slow, Montes a nickel/slot corner. Baylor & TCU will throw 60 go routes each with Montes out there unless we have a safety sitting over the top.

this year we will have 2 Safeties over the Top but that didn't help TCU-rewatched that game on ESPNU last weekend. 4-2-5 tries to keep things simple-against most passing offenses you split the field in half with each safety with deep coverage

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