Tom Herman and Tim Beck are facing a conundrum. The Texas coach and offensive coordinator have a unique offensive weapon in junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. A season where he blossomed as a passer to go along with his hell-bent-for-yardage running style produced 10 victories.
There are high expectations for the Longhorns with Ehlinger leading the charge. In two seasons, he has been credited with 278 rushing attempts (including sacks). Texas has totaled 1,076 rush attempts the last two seasons, so Ehlinger’s usage rate doesn’t raise red flags.
However, in 2019 the Longhorns’ backup quarterback is redshirt freshman Casey Thompson. Translation: Every time Ehlinger scrambles or executes a called run, Orange Bloods will hold their breath.
Herman and Beck don’t want to cramp Ehlinger’s style, but they’ll have to balance the risk/reward puzzle.
One answer to the problem: Reliable, productive running backs who can occasionally take it to the house.
In Herman’s first two seasons, UT has finished 95th and 90th in FBS in rushing offense. There is no connective tissue between rushing yards and victories – Texas was 17th in rushing in Charlie Strong’s last two seasons – but a reliable running game is fuel additive for any offense.
“We’d be probably the dumbest coaches in America if we stop running our quarterback,” Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton said last month. “We’re not going to do that. But we need to balance all his touches and how much he’s getting hit. We have some legit, legit talent in that running back room that can take that (pressure) off our quarterback. I am a competitive running back coach. We are trying to take over this run game.”
https://www.hookem.com/story/various-fits-starts-texas-running-backs-may-finally-fast-track-2019/
In his only season in Austin, Tre Watson led the Longhorns with 786 yards last season. That’s been the norm. In the last 10 seasons, Texas has had one highly productive runner – D’Onta Foreman gained 2,028 yards in 2016.
As is the case with offseason hope and hype, the Longhorns might have a modern-day version of Eric Dickerson and Craig James. Sophomore Keaontay Ingram, who gained 708 yards during an injury-plagued freshman season, and freshman Jordan Whittington have been earning praise since the first day of spring practice.
Ingram, a former Under Armour All-American, says his rookie season was “highly disappointing” despite being the team’s second-leading rusher. While showing flashes of talent, making the transition from high school to Power Five football while carrying “just” 200 pounds produced a beat-up body.
He’s now put on the “freshman 20” – but in a good way. Being introduced to nutrition coaches, the training table and weight room has Ingram up to 225. Herman calls it adding “body armor.” And the weight came at no cost.
“I feel like I’ll be able to stay healthy this year,” Ingram said. “I still feel like I’m 205. And hopefully I’ll be able to have a big impact on the offense.”
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/longhorns/article/Keaontay-Ingram-adds-armor-as-he-prepares-14278744.php
Herman has liked what he has seen from Ingram.
“I think any time a kid puts that kind of good weight on in a short period of time, he gets a lot of confidence,” he said. “You can see him running out there with confidence right now.”
Ingram also is running to stay ahead of the competition. Last season, Watson showed up as a grad transfer and became the alpha male in the running back room. This season’s tone setter – with deeds, not words – is Whittington.
He led Cuero to the 4A Division II state championship last December. He set a UIL state record with 334 rushing yards, scored five touchdowns, added 43 receiving yards and another touchdown plus made 11 tackles on defense. He was MVP – on offense and defense.
Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando would love to have Whittington learning how to play safety. But after seeing him in the offensive backfield last spring, Orlando stopped dreaming. Recruited as a wide receiver, he was moved to running back after enrolling early. Since then, coaches and teammates have bathed him in praise.
“I think what makes him difficult for the defense is there’s no wasted movement,” Herman said. “It doesn’t take him seven steps to change direction. It’s boom, boom, boom. Accelerating, he’s got great patience and he’s just really smooth.”
“I’m going to be honest with you,” said Drayton, who notes that Whittington is up to 220 pounds, adding 20 since arriving on campus. “I knew he was going to be good, but I didn’t know he was going to be that good that fast.”
Often the biggest challenge for a first-year running back is learning pass protection schemes. Ehlinger, who will either profit or pay from a freshman’s blitz pickups, praised Whittington for quickly learning the protection protocol. Diligent film room work plus talent has the offensive room buzzing about Whittington.
“His athleticism is unreal,” Ehlinger said. “He’s extremely athletic, blessed unbelievably from head to toe. He’s a guy who can be full stride, hit one step and then head the other direction. A lot of other guys have to break down before they make a move, but he’s extremely athletic, elusive, strong, I mean check the list. He’s a special talent.”
https://www.texasfootball.com/article/2019/07/29/texas-football-how-state-title-game-hero-jordan-whittington-took-austin-by-storm
If Ingram and Whittington share the bulk of the snaps, they could be a dynamic duo. Both are excellent receivers. Herman has yet to have any home run hitters at running back. In 2017, a running play blocked for four yards would gain (best case) four yards. Last season, a play blocked to gain four might gain eight or maybe 10.
“It’s handing the ball off on a power play and Keaontay breaks a tackle and goes the distance,” Beck told The Athletic of this season’s ground-game potential. “Maybe, in our first year, we didn’t break the tackle. Maybe last year, we broke it, but we had an 8-yard gain. Now it’s 40 yards.”
The spring game was a desultory offensive affair because of a stiff wind and because Herman wanted to keep offensive tweaks under wraps. The word from UT insiders is that the 2019 offense will feature more RPOs – run-pass options designed to keep the defense guessing.
“I’m really excited for our RPO game because it’s going to give our elite running backs … a chance to really have a limited box because it’s my job to keep those guys out of the box with a pass,” Ehlinger said. “Just that little second (of uncertainty) is enough for Keaontay Ingram (or) Jordan Whittington to get another step.
“I’m really excited about that because I think it’s going to open things up in the running game and the passing game.”
