Carter Strickland

  (3:03 PM)

Sorry for the slight delay. Trying to learn how to use a computer. But here we go with the char

Jose Cuervo (California )

What are the horns doing at rb? If RSJ does not recommit, who do the horns get?

Carter Strickland

  (3:05 PM)

They are going with three-headed RB. Whoever has the hot hand is going to get the carries. I see each of them at least getting 10 touches and the guy that does the best will get closer to 20. Remember this is going to be an offense that runs the ball a ton, more than 66 percent of the time, so they are going to get chances.As for RSJ, Texas is hedging its bets right now but they are not out of the running for RSJ. Just stay tuned on that one and if RSJ decides to go somewhere else look for Texas to swoop in and get somebody close to signing day.

Jose Cuervo (California )

If teams put eight men in the box, can the horns still have success in the running game?

Carter Strickland

  (3:06 PM)

I think teams will do that. Now the way to have success against it is to get that screen game working. That forces the defense to at least spread out a little bit. Plus when you have someone like DJ Monroe or even Gray who can make a guy miss on the outside it is really going to cause some DC some concern about where they put their safeties.

Jose Cuervo (California )

Is there a minimum number of passing yards the horns have to average per game just to keep an opposing defense honest?

Carter Strickland

  (3:07 PM)

No minimum but i think 20 ass attempts is realistic and hitting on about 60 percent of those passes.

Jasonf (frost tx)

Every year one or two players take a step back. Mike davis somewhat last year. Out of all the impact players this year who could you see being less productive.

Carter Strickland

  (3:09 PM)

Wow very good question. I'm going with Malcolm Brown because of the obvious reason. He has had injuries and now he has serious competition. Maybe another guy who drops of slightly is Shipley. I see his sophomore slump being a result of having Goodwin and some other guys stepping up and taking more of the load. But Davis had some family issues that really kept him from focusing on football.Brown and Shipley are both hard workers. I just think their roles will decrease because other people can share the load.

David (Mansfield Ohio)

Its been slow lately on the committment front for Texas, anything out there that may happen soon? Prevot and a few others set a timetable but what about Bell and Harris...UA game announcement candidates?

Carter Strickland

  (3:10 PM)

Bell is going to be hard to get from Georgia. Just do not seeing that happening. Ditto with Harris and the state of Florida.Texas is in an OK position right now with the recruiting class. They need five or six more guys. Next year is the year of the defensive back and Texas will be in on a ton of them.

Alex (New York)

What are Texas' chances with Julius Randle and Keith Frazier from the Class of 2013? Also, besides those two, who are some other top 100 recruits that you think texas can get or at least is seriously contending with, given kabongo leaves for the NBA and frees up a scholarship

Carter Strickland

  (3:12 PM)

I think they have a better chance with Frazier. But he needs to know that there is going to be some playing time for him. He also needs to know that he is going to have someone in the backcourt who can distribute the ball.

mattdubya (yvr)

unblock me on twitter. thanks in advance. can't help that espnwilkerson has thin skin about getting scooped. @mattdubya

Carter Strickland

  (3:12 PM)

Not sure i have anyone blocked.

Shiva (Brooklyn)

At what positions in the 2013 recruiting class are the Longhorns lacking? Which commits do you think will fill those voids?

Carter Strickland

  (3:15 PM)

Here, in my opinion, is what might be hurting Texas out there in recruiting right now. They are not lacking in any departments. Texas is incredibly young and has been incredibly productive with the recruiting classes lately. Look, typically on 60 percent of players pan out and actually play. Texas had 18 true freshmen play last year. Now they signed 28 guys and it is almost a lock that a handful of those guys are going to play. So Texas will have around 22 to 25 first or second year players on its depth chart. Recruits look at that and say, 'Dang I can;t get playing time there I better go somewhere else.' That is why things have slowed here as of late. Plus Texas can be picky. It only needs a few guys to round out the class. So they are going to concentrate on RSJ, maybe a DB or two and some linemen

Adam (Ann Arbor)

Hey Carter, quick historical thought for ya. If Carrington comes back next year (even if he doesn't) do you think Quandre and himself have a shot at being the best CB duo to don the burnt orange together? I know DBU has had some great secondary's over the years but a lot of that is at Safety as well. Some that come to mind of recent are the Aaron Ross/Cedric Griffin/Tarell Brown platoon, but these 2 could both be All Big 12 back to back years. Maybe I am crazy, your thoughts?

Carter Strickland

  (3:17 PM)

No I have to agree with you on that. The only knock i see on Diggs is size. He's 5-10. So that is not huge for a CB. But think about this for a second: in 2013 you have Byndom and Diggs on the corners with a defensive line that is maturing and incredibly fast linebackers. So the QB is going to be pressured to throw quickly. Only he has no outlets because the top two receivers are locked down. It could make for a very good defense.

Travis C. (Lake Highlands)

Carter, who will be the next team or teams invited to join the Big 12? What year do you think these new additions will start play in the Big 12?

Carter Strickland

  (3:20 PM)

I still like Louisville and BYU. I know there is a ton of scuttlebutt about Notre Dame. But is that something Texas really wants? Notre Dame would want to come in and b the big dog. That's Texas' role.I understand football might not be involved but still just don;t see why the Big 12 would bring non revenue producing sports into the Big 12. It makes no sense. Now you are having your teams have to travel to South Bend at your expense for a sport that does not produce revenue? C'mon let's think logically and be fiscally responsible for once.

John McCrary (Willis, TX)

Everyone saw the tweet by Caleb Benenoch about why would he ever wanna leave this state meaning Texas. Does that mean UT is close to signing him? Also if they can get Billings would this be the best group of O-Line that UT has ever recruited in 1 class?

Carter Strickland

  (3:20 PM)

Not sure it would be the best and some of that depends on if you count Raulerson as an offensive or defensive lineman. He can go either way.

RKohli (Boston, MA)

When do you think RSJ will commit to Texas or another school? Any ideas on this timetable?

Carter Strickland

  (3:21 PM)

I'm guessing it is going to be late in the process. When a guy reopens his recruitment he usually wants to be shown more love. And he wants that love to continue until the last possible minute.

Stephen (Seattle, WA)

Does Texas have enough NFL talent to make the BCS this year? I say yes. but were all fans here lol

Carter Strickland

  (3:22 PM)

I still say BCS in 2013. But they do have a huge amount of NFL talent. I counted it up the other day and the defense has three starters in the secondary who are NFL guys and at least four or five NFL guys on the defensive line.

Stephen (Seattle, WA)

What is the biggest upside we can expect from Ash? accuracy, arm strength or decision making?

Carter Strickland

  (3:24 PM)

I'm going to say decision making. I think the reason they are going with Ash is that they feel like they can control what he is going to do out there. Meaning he follows directions. Case is a wild card and is going to try and do the spectacular. Ash is going to be a very ordinary quarterback who just gets the job done without many picks.

Tony (Richmond CA)

Congratulations to Marquise Goodwin for not only qualifying for the Long Jump, but winning the Olympic Trials altogether. How would you evaluate his pro prospects in football? Don't get me wrong. If we wants to play football more power to him and best of luck. But would MG's interest be better served by focusing on track and not risking a career ending injury on gridiron? How big will his role be on the team this year? What are your expectations for his contributions in 2012?

Carter Strickland

  (3:25 PM)

Well, if Al Davis were still with us he would probably be a first round guy. But Goodwin is not an NFL guy because he is going to make money in track. It's a sport that pays well in Europe and i just think because of his size he is better suited to go for the money there instead of the NFL.Now as for this year I think he will be a major factor. He caught something like 33 or 36 passes last season and most of those were in the last six games. Look for him to build on that.

Travis C. (Lake Highland)

More and more the news leaking on Ash doesn't sound positive. Do you think he's the best guy for the job this year? Who do you see as the starting QB by the end of the season?

Carter Strickland

  (3:27 PM)

Listen Ash is going to be the guy until he does something stupid like throw the ball to the other team. He is not a great quarterback but he is going to be the quarterback for Texas. Once the coaches are back around him and able to control what he is doing, Ash will revert to being a very scripted quarterback who does not waver from the gameplan. And that is just what Texas needs.

Corey (Austin, TX)

Different kind of question here, Carter. Favorite player to watch on this team for the upcoming season? Could be someone on the team last year or an incoming freshman. Favorite player to watch on any team this coming season? And finally, favorite player to watch all-time?

Carter Strickland

  (3:30 PM)

I like the question. OK for the guy to watch this season I'm going to say Edmonds just because i think he will make some entertaining hits. As for any team, I'm curious about Geno Smith. Didn't watch him much last season but want to see what he can do in year two under Holgorsen.Have to say one of the best players to watch as Herschel Walker. Let me just mention to William Wilkerson that he played back in the early 0s or before William was born.

La-A (San Antonio)

I'm becoming very concerned with the football recruiting class. I get the sense that the SEC move has helped A&M more immediately than we thought it, and I have a bad feeling that we may lose a few more guys (A'Shawn Robinson, Daeshon Hall to name 2). Any good news to calm my worries?

Carter Strickland

  (3:32 PM)

This is pretty typical when guys commit early. Ton of coaches say the recruiting does not begin until they are committed. That's when every other school hops on and starts to go after the guys hard. Sumlin is a great recruiter. He also has an offense that guys are going to want to play for. There is a lot of energy at TAMU. But Texas is going to get who it needs to get to be successful. The real worry should be TAMU in about five years when they have figured out how to compete in the SEC.

Austin (Houston)

Don't you see recruiting picking up once the season starts and recruits see UT is back?

Carter Strickland

  (3:33 PM)

I don't think you are going to see a flood of recruiting action for Texas. There is going to be news coming out of The Opening but most recruiting news is going to trickle in between now and February just because there are not a ton of recruits out there that Texas needs to grab right now.

Derrin (Plano, TX)

Is Connor Brewer whispering sweet nothings in his fellow statesmen's (Luke, Willis) ears trying to convince them Austin is the right place?

Carter Strickland

  (3:35 PM)

Brewer will play a role. But the real question is how badly Texas wants these guys? I think the Horns really did not do a very good job in the recruitment of Luke. He came to UT and walked away without an offer. That almost assuredly left some hard feelings there.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Will Mack Brown and the Horns ever have a receiving corps come close to Williams-Thomas-Johnson trio? If so, will they have a QB that can get them the ball and seize the moment? :)

Carter Strickland

  (3:36 PM)

The issue is Texas has to prove they are going to have a vertical passing game again before they can get those types of recruits. And with TAMU throwing the ball all over the place, I highly doubt that Texas can pull the best wide receivers int he state to Texas again. They may get one or even two. But TAMU is going to be hard to deal with when it comes to getting passers and catchers.

Cameron Ridley (Frank Erwin Center)

How big of a difference will I make for this year's team, especially for Myck?

Carter Strickland

  (3:37 PM)

A ton. Now Texas can at least have the threat of someone inside. Basketball is all about playing inside out. Get the ball inside to soften the defense and then move it back to the outside to get open looks. Ridley finally gives Texas that presence. Now he is not going to be polished here at the start but eventually they are going to start getting double digits out of him.

nick (tyler)

Who does your gut tell you the next commit will e?

Carter Strickland

  (3:38 PM)

The Opening in a couple of weeks.

Chris (Houston)

Whats the latest on Cole Luke? Any idea when he wants to make a decision?

Carter Strickland

  (3:38 PM)

I addressed this one a little bit earlier. Just not sure Texas played this the right way and that is what is holding up the pricess.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

Have the Horns expressed any interest in WR Devon Allen from Arizona?

Carter Strickland

  (3:40 PM)

They have talked. It has not progressed much beyond that. But they need to keep their options open with players like this in case they need to grab another receiver if RSJ does not go back to the UT commitment.

Rick Barnes (Austin, TX)

Do I need to land Frazier and one more big Texas kid to re-establish Longhorn dominance within the state?

Carter Strickland

  (3:40 PM)

Um, no. You need Baylor to stop landing big guys and beating you.

Carter Strickland (Conscious)

Did I really just say that A&M will be competitive in the SEC? Sorry about that everyone

Carter Strickland

  (3:41 PM)

I like it. I think in five years. Not next year. But eventually they will be like Arkansas. They will have good years and some not so good years. 10 wins will be an accomplishment.

Chris (La Marque,Tx.)

We are hearing great things about Marcus Johnson. He is not from Lamarque but was born down here. What are you hearing about Marcus! Thx.

Carter Strickland

  (3:42 PM)

He has got a good chance to play because Texas needs guys like that. They need guys who know what to do when the ball is their hands. Marcus is one of those guys. Now the other thing is Texas might elect to use him in several different spots. He could be a return guy for Texas as well as a receiver.

David (Austin)

I read an article from an OB writer who argued that having to face a secondary of Texas' caliber day-in and day-out actually hurts David Ash's development. I couldn't disagree more, I feel that it only prepares him for tougher defenses and should make facing weaker secondaries that much easier. Thoughts?

Carter Strickland

  (3:43 PM)

I never heard of anyone getting better going against second and third string guys.

Craig G. (Fairfield, CA)

Hi Carter. Is there a strong presence of former Horns players around the current program? DO any of then come back to speak to the team or attend practices? Thanks.

Carter Strickland

  (3:44 PM)

Tons of former guys come back and now that Ricky is in school he will be around. Texas is lucky in that so many of the former players elect to live in the Austin area when they are done with college or their pro careers. Mack is very good about bringing those guys he believes best represent the university back to the program.

Tony (Richmond, CA)

How do you rate the Horns chances with Prevot at this point? Is he Kevin Sumlin's to lose? Or does UT still have a legitimate chance?

Carter Strickland

  (3:46 PM)

No I think Texas needs to worry more about LSU than it does TAMU. I would say Texas has a very good chance with him. r.

Derrin (Plano, TX)

Are Justin Manning and Jakari Dillard on the Horns radar? Or have they fallen off the priority list given their family ties to OU?

Carter Strickland

  (3:47 PM)

Well Manning for one has been pretty open about saying he is not absolutely tied to OU. I think they are longshots but Texas is going to keep tabs on guys like that. After the surprise with Shiro last year anything is possible as long as these guys are not signed to a program.

Rick Barnes (Austin, TX)

You were pretty harsh on me back there Carter.

Carter Strickland

  (3:48 PM)

So too is the NCAA Tournament selection committee when you lose every big game by a few points in the last minutes. Listen you are a better x and o coach than Drew. But he is killing you in recruiting right now.

James (Austin)

If you had to predict a good and bad surprise in terms of Texas recruiting for 2013, what would they be. I mean GOOD and BAAAADDD.

Carter Strickland

  (3:49 PM)

Easy. Good they get RSJBad they don't get RSJ.Cold say the same for Prevot. The reason I single out those guys is because they are in-state guys. Texas should not lose those guys.

Rasean (Pensacola )

Who will be Texas basketball 2013 commits

Carter Strickland

  (3:50 PM)

No idea but you can;t go wrong with Randle and Harrison, two in-state guys

Austin (Houston)

With at least 1 scholarship for basketball next year (most likely 2) do you have any early favorites or texas leans?

Carter Strickland

  (3:51 PM)

I think Texas needs to work on Julius Randle. A power forward who can come in and make a difference right away. But he has a long list of schools.

Carter Strickland

  (3:51 PM)

Looks like that is all the questions we have today. Thanks for dropping in.