Spring Practice Report Day 1: Texas Starting OL

by Scipio Tex on Feb 24, 2026 12:31 PM CST in Texas Longhorns and Other Football

is:

LT Donald Hawkins JR

LG Trey Hopkins JR

C Dom Espinosa SO

RG Mason Walters JR

RT Josh Cochran SO

Quick thoughts:

Hawkins' potential to nail down LT for us is THE story of the Spring (yes, along with Ash progress)
It's shells and shorts. Nothing is written
This OL peaks in 2013, not 2012, and their eventual successors are more talented
Garrett Porter was singled out by Brown as an OL who came on during the offseason and he was rewarded with 1st team reps at center. Despite being 6-6, that's Porter's natural position since high school and he has always felt more comfortable there. In games where Espinosa struggles with a true nose, Porter is an anchor option
I expect Sedrick Flowers to eventually be our #3 guard
Whither Ashcraft?
#3 OT is an open competition and we need someone to step up - Lake Travis mafia, holla
Of our five starting OL, only one has had a redshirt. Still haunted by our old, bad habits, aren't we?
Hopkins will be a difference maker at guard in the counter game

What say you?

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Read More: Garrett Porter (OG - Texas), Sedrick Flowers (OL - Texas), Josh Cochran (OL - Texas), Texas Longhorns

Comments

If we can take improved OT play for granted

Espinoza’s strength (or Porter replacing him) is the next piece of the puzzle for the run game.

We need a center who can handle a 0 tech to really get the run game going inside. Espinoza’s lack of push (or going backwards) killed the offense in the first half vs Cal.

@ccommand3r

by CMDR on Feb 24, 2026 12:43 PM CST reply actions

Agreed

But Longhorn fans have developed an incredibly warped timeline for OL development - shaped entirely by the previous staff or an internal timeline that’s better suited to RBs. We should expect redshirt freshman OL to not be complete football players.

by Scipio Tex on Feb 24, 2026 12:50 PM CST up reply actions

whats done is done

Ideally Espinoza would have provided quality depth last year and just start pushing for starting time this year.

But starting OL is held to starting OL standards, regardless of class.

@ccommand3r

by CMDR on Feb 24, 2026 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

Will we

start the O-line redshirt cycle with this incoming group?

by b&g80; on Feb 24, 2026 12:49 PM CST reply actions

We should try to do so.

Unfortunately, that’s the problem with these nasty cycles. By not biting the bullet and doing the responsible things years ago, or by recruiting lazily and having a number of busts, you’re always robbing Peter to play Paul.

by Scipio Tex on Feb 24, 2026 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

Peter is next year's problem

Paul’s got to eat today!

@ccommand3r

by CMDR on Feb 24, 2026 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

That's what I tell Peter Bean.

by Scipio Tex on Feb 24, 2026 12:58 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

3/4 of the 2011 OL class redshirted

Although Greenlea may have seen time if he hadn’t gotten hurt his senior year and then gotten mono in the summer.

Also, technically 2 of our starting OL redshirted (Espinosa and Walters).

If either Kelly or Greenlea can step up and become a strong 3rd OT, then I don’t see why we couldn’t redshirt the entire 2012 class (excluding Hawkins).

by Horncasting on Feb 24, 2026 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

Good point.

Walters did redshirt. But our intent was not to do so - it was an injury. Greenlea needs to find religion or his days are numbered. A shame as his baseline talent level is good. For some guys, getting the scholarship is their life dream. And it stops there.

by Scipio Tex on Feb 24, 2026 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

Right

Just pointed Walters out because we’ll (hopefully) get the benefit of a good 5th year senior for the first time in ??? years. Last I can remember is Hills, and he wasn’t even a real redshirt. Studdard/Sendlien?

by Horncasting on Feb 24, 2026 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

I see what you did there Paul....

and I’m ashamed to say that I laughed at you corny joke. What’s next pirate jokes? Helen Keller jokes? My 5 y/o must be rubbing off on me…

"...the greatest growth occurs when the greatest number of mistakes are made consistent with survival."
Dancoff's Law - Sydney Dancoff (Theoretical Physicist)

by steveholt! on Feb 24, 2026 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

Passing game

In the running game, which I assume would go to the right as often as possible, is Cochran strong enough to kick out a DE?
I would expect to see the stronger OT at RT to maximize our running game and I would expect that to be Hawkins.
Is Cochran a better run blocker than Hawkins or are we prioritizing pass-protection with our position choices? Or did I miss on a premise?

by Nickel Rover on Feb 24, 2026 12:59 PM CST reply actions

RT gets TE help

On outside runs Cochran can expect help from the inline TE at a minimum. And in our Pin and Pull, the TE can have the DE by himself. while Cochran pulls around him.

On inside runs, RT has an instant leverage advantage on the DE. A stonewall or running him upfield can sometimes be a victory in itself.

@ccommand3r

by CMDR on Feb 24, 2026 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

I suppose

you’re right, I didn’t stop to think about the angles in our individual blocking schemes.
IZ he doesn’t really have to move anyone that much, Flex he’s pulling, Power O though, he’s driving someone right?
I suppose that strength matters more in pass-pro than in driving smaller DL, but it seems like your RT is one of your stronger guys. Maybe I’m just used to seeing Hix’s mass there.

by Nickel Rover on Feb 24, 2026 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

In the power play to the right

the tight end is most commonly responsible for Will and for a combo to Will. Cochran was of the best at working to the second level last season. So I like that. Generally speaking though the RT has play in a lot more traffic than the LT so it will be interesting to see how Cochran handles that. The only time he would be kicking a DE 1-1 would be against some variation on the 50 D and then we’re basically running Iso with the Guard.

I think with Cochran at RT and Onyebule at H-back a couple thoughts popped in my head. One is that I think you end up running more of the Pin n Pull from the tight bunch looks to the right side where Onye is the anchor and Cochran pulls for the alley. The other is that the power read game to the right puts two of our best linemen in space on the second level.

My concern for Cochran on the right side is mainly the matchup with the strongside defensive ends in protections.

by LonghornScott on Feb 24, 2026 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

Pass protection considerations trump all

and the number of instances we ask our OT to root out a head’s up DE is almost none. They’re either blocking down, zone slide with TE help, or pulling around to take out an unblocked corner when our WR cracks down on the outside defender. Cochran has a great motor and really excels at acquiring guys in space. Our guards and center do a lot more rooting - we typically use our tackles to seal the inside or attack the edge in space.

And our choices are the guys on the roster.

by Scipio Tex on Feb 24, 2026 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

we're on the same page

per usual

by LonghornScott on Feb 24, 2026 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

choices

Of course, that was the point of my question. What does our deployment of what we have reveal about our strategy.
I’m suprised if Harsin intends to prioritize pass-protection over running game matchups considering that he’s used to manufacturing time to throw without having NFL OT’s.

by Nickel Rover on Feb 24, 2026 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

Josh Cochran

after watching him grow last year as a Freshman, I’m certain he’ll be up to the task and would be if he’d stayed at LT. Great feet and understands leverage.

On Hawkins, did his JUCO team have a balanced attack, run spread or what? I haven’t seen much on him other than his accolades.

by boorad on Feb 24, 2026 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

Pass protection trumps all?

Maybe not. The RT may get help from the TE to help the RT get into his block on the DE. Depends on how often Hawkins does well enough at LT to not need TE blocking help.

The horns should be running way more than they pass for most games in 2012 so run blocking will be relatively more important (at least in most games). In addition, the long passes will be play action passes set up by run fakes which helps the pass blocking tremendously. I expect to see a lot more short passes than intermediate passes next season (especially to the backs (especially to Gray)) which will require little pass blocking.

The horn offense is probably in serious trouble in 2012 when it cannot run block effectively. The horns are probably still much better at run blocking than pass blocking in 2012.

by Kafka on Feb 24, 2026 11:42 PM CST up reply actions

Is Coach Etch right?

When he said the OL is the hardest to develop? I would have thought QB would be hardest.

"Statistics are for losers, I like winning games!" Will Muschamp

by Snide Aside on Feb 24, 2026 1:01 PM CST reply actions

It takes time and repetition.

Very few offensive linemen come out of high school with the technique, strength, and physical maturity to truly excel early in college.

I have found it interesting that some many thought that in just one off-season Espinosa and Cochran would gain enough strength to put them on even footing with peer offensive linemen. You just can’t accelerate that process.

Then factor in repetitions against quality opponents. Very,very, very few college offensive linemen face a defensive linemen in high that matches them in strength and size let alone excel in technique and factor in quickness.

Take Greenlea for example. He came out of a solid high school program and played in a very, very good district, but the only guy who directly lined up over him that could test him physically was Nathan Hughes of Klein Oak and GG dominated him as a junior and Oak moved him away from Greenlea as a senior. They played Westfield with Jackson and Anthony Smith, but neither lined up over GG and same with Lee and Dorsey.

Has there been any word on Cochran’s shoulder? He wore a brace on in last fall that a friend said wasn’t there in high school and you don’t like seeing those problems in young linemen.

Scipio,

I agree on the value of that one year. It just takes big guys a little bit more time to develop sometimes and I do think Horn fans expectations are way too fast with recruits at times. No reason to expect an offensive line recruit to truly show up in most cases 2-3 years into a a quality program.

The one think TCU has going for in in the jump is that most of their offensive line are sophs and jrs, but they have that extra year.

by davey o'brien on Feb 24, 2026 1:26 PM CST up reply actions

Good Post...

there, although it seems to be overstating the obvious (to me, anyway).

I really hope Hawkins works out and this isn’t a one shot deal. Searles should (and I think will) make it a goal to try to locate and bring in one upperclassman transfer a year on the OL and maybe cut back on one HS lineman (this could obviously vary from year to year depending on what’s out there).

These marginal HS O-line prospects do nothing but eat up precious scholarships, for the most part. They’re not nearly physically ready to handle good NCAA D-linemen and they generally don’t bring anything to the table even in terms of special teams (like a good freshman DB or LB can, for instance). Worst case scenario is they just hang out for 5 years and do very little but eat a scholly (and a lot of food at the training table).

IMHO, the best strategy for building a great O-line in college is to take only the 2-3 “best of the best” HS kids every year and then bring in field-ready JUCO/transfers here and there to flesh out the squad.

by mezsat2 on Feb 26, 2026 5:12 AM CST up reply actions

Definitely QB and OL are the hardest

RB is the easiest.

by Scipio Tex on Feb 24, 2026 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Regarding Center

I wasn’t sure how to take Mack’s praise of Porter. Was it genuine and the guy is making serious strides? Or was he just telling Dom he better get his @ss in gear?

Also, I’d be interested to see how this line would look:
Hawkins
Flowers
Hopkins
Walters
Cochran

by ophorn on Feb 24, 2026 1:22 PM CST reply actions

This may not reflect your opinion

but I think that the manner in which the failures of the running game have been set at Espinosa’s feet is pretty unfair and largely inaccurate. Our edge blocking was a more significant problem.
The problem with Hopkins at center is that it doesn’t allow him to pull in the Power-schemes.

by Nickel Rover on Feb 24, 2026 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

agreed about Espinosa

it’s interesting to me that the narrative that has developed this offseason so on the online is so fixated on Espinosa. In part, that’s from sources inside the program being concerned that the physical match up for him on a powerful nose is not a coachable problem. However, if we are grading out performances last season for the oline, Espinosa did a pretty damn good job. Hell, I think he would have graded out higher than Hopkins in most games.

by LonghornScott on Feb 24, 2026 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Scipio

highlighted his difficulties with a 0-tech and so it was an easier thing to grasp for all of us than a more exact grading of the entire OL with different matchups in consideration.

Truly there aren’t that many great 0-tech’s on a normal schedule. We got pretty unlucky last year in drawing so many legitimately good odd front squads.

by Nickel Rover on Feb 24, 2026 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

Don't mean to pile on Espinoza at all

Its just that the entrance of Hawkins to the tackle situation is the coach’s answer to last years’ weakness on the edge. Whether or not its the correct answer is to be determined, but it was identified and addressed.

That leaves the next question open, and since there is no personel change, any improvement will rely on Espinoza’s progress over the offseason.

@ccommand3r

by CMDR on Feb 24, 2026 1:58 PM CST up reply actions

It's an S you racist

just kidding.

It really is an S though. EspinoSa.

by Horncasting on Feb 24, 2026 2:03 PM CST up reply actions

EspinoZa would make him italian

"Statistics are for losers, I like winning games!" Will Muschamp

by Snide Aside on Feb 24, 2026 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

Hopkins was really playing out of

position last year at right tackle and looked completely overmatched at times. One big reason I was in favor of going after a JUCO o-tackle. Allows Texas to slide Hopkins back inside where he belongs.

by davey o'brien on Feb 24, 2026 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I wasn't trying to pile on Espinosa,

I was speaking more towards what to make of Mack’s comments. Instinctively, my response was “PORTER IS THE ANSWER AT CENTER!!! HELL YEAH!!”. But, then began to wonder how much it really meant, that’s all.

I’ll certainly defer to the experts on how best to fix the OL. My knowledge of the X’s and O’s is strictly what I glean from this website, which I will freely admit has taken me from “Moronic” status to merely “Imbecile.”

by ophorn on Feb 24, 2026 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

It's easy to be negative on the line last year. Consider this:

1. Espinosa was a freshman, hadn’t played, needed to be in a support/learning role (as others have pointed out) — and missed spring training.
2. Snow was a center as a freshman, a right guard as a sophomore, the starting center as a junior and held that job until mid-August — when he became the left guard.
3. Hopkins was a left guard as a true frosh in 2010, even saw some action at left tackle, IIRC. He was the LG last spring and into the summer — and became the right tackle 2-3 weeks before we played Rice.
4. Tray Allen was a left tackle, a left guard, a right guard, even (briefly) a defensive tackle in three checkered seasons in the program. He was slated to start at RG in 2010, his fourth season, but missed all season with a foot issue. Then he moved back to left tackle. Not ragging on Tray, but he was put there for the same reason Britt Mitchell started at right tackle the year before — because we didn’t have anyone else.
5. Midway through 2011, we installed a true freshman (Josh Cochran) at left tackle. A true freshman who, by most reviewers, was the No. 3 O-line prospect we signed in 2011 (behind Flowers and Greenlea).

With those linemen, we won 8 games. Handed away the K-State game on a few mistakes and the absence of any running backs. Could not compete after losing 3 RBs in, or just pior to, the loss at Missouri.

I feel pretty good about the O-line’s future. Completely agree, Scip, that the in-the-pipeline replacements are more talented than anyone currently starting (except maybe Hawkins, because we don’t know what he can do, and maybe Walters). I’m comfortable with Kelley as our No. 3 tackle. I like our guard depth (Flowers, Porter, maybe Ashcraft).

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! Mr. Searles/Mr. Brown, redshirt the 3 freshmen offensive linemen.

by edsp on Feb 24, 2026 2:15 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

So you're saying

Mack Brown sucks!

by Nickel Rover on Feb 24, 2026 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

Really good summary of the OL issues from last year

by Horncasting on Feb 24, 2026 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

Espinosa was pretty bad last year. When the best you can hope for from your center is that he walls off the DT in the correct direction as the tackle bullies him into the backfield, you know you can do a lot better up front.

He’s still young but I don’t see much potential in his play.

by John Kocurek on Feb 25, 2026 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

I think that's premature

He did a pretty good job getting to his targets on the second level blocks and I thought he was a valuable puller… often times cleaning up the edge on the pin n pulls for the backs. There aren’t many centers who can root out a nose lined up directly over them and not many coaches ask them to. He was a redshirt freshmen who probably got squat in term of physical development during his redshirt, so I think it’s prudent to see how much of his mobility he maintains with more weight before writing him off.

by LonghornScott on Feb 25, 2026 5:25 PM CST up reply actions

Forever cedar park high

Espinosa was not bad. If he hadn’t been any good Searels and Harsin wouldn’t have moved Snow to guard, because Snow was a pretty good center and might even play one in the NFL.

How many good NT’s do we play next year who will line up in a 0 tech?
Maybe McGee at OU if Stoops sticks with their 50 front stuff, WVU looks like they’ll play an odd front but I don’t know if they have anyone scary at NT. BYU, Cal, and A&M are all off the schedule.

I don’t know what New Mexico, Ole Miss, or Wyoming are running but nor do I care.

by Nickel Rover on Feb 25, 2026 6:17 PM CST up reply actions

Threat or Menace? YOU DECIDE!

It seemed that after mid-season, OL play had improved to the point that Jeremy Hills could (because he had to) run. A little. Pass-pro wasn’t disastrous. But what really hurt the Offense from beginning to end was an inability by WR to do anything other than run block, tennis-ball drills notwithstanding, even when the QB’s did deliver to the right zip code. In other words, our skill players appeared to be the weaker link.

That said, improvement will be welcome and I’m sure there were lots of missed opportunities I didn’t have the football eyes to see, even after Longhorn Scott spotted me everything including the “and” and the “but.”

by SP!DER on Feb 24, 2026 1:29 PM CST reply actions

yep

the real upside for the running game is in some counter balance with a baseline of execution in the passing game.

by LonghornScott on Feb 24, 2026 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

Mack

I believe said this exact same thing in yesterday’s presser.

by boorad on Feb 24, 2026 2:50 PM CST up reply actions

Better blocking at TE would also make a big difference

It seems like the improvement to the passing game that would yield the biggest payback would be a much more efficient dump passing to backs, h backs, and TEs. The horns will still be a run first team, usually facing 7 and 8 guys in the box. The opposing defense will load up with LBs and big safeties to stop the run. If the horns can force those run stoppers to pass defend backs and TEs, there should be lots of opportunities for the horns.

by Kafka on Feb 25, 2026 12:07 AM CST up reply actions

How much of Espinose problems were a result of the

shoulder and ankle injuries he has been playing through for Texas?

The shoulder would limit his ability to lift and the ankle would impact mobility and explosion from a stance?

Good to hear about Porter just because it is nice to have kids develop in the program and contribute.

by davey o'brien on Feb 24, 2026 1:44 PM CST reply actions

Espinosa's problems in order

1) Injuries
2) 20 yo
3) the internet

I think he will be fine in time if he can stay healthy. He just needs time to develop.

by The General on Feb 24, 2026 2:30 PM CST up reply actions

two of the OLs have been redshirted

though Walters wasn’t initially.

by bigdukesix on Feb 24, 2026 3:11 PM CST reply actions

injury RS for Walters

"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011

by TowerPower on Feb 24, 2026 3:15 PM CST up reply actions

Yep, discussed above

by Horncasting on Feb 24, 2026 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

If I am interpreting this correctly

It looks as if we will have a damn good OL this year. That means we will have an unreal rushing attack on that basis alone - nevermind Ash and the receivers finally making a passing contribution and Harsin’s packages throwing fear and disarray into opposing DC’s..

So, correct me if I’m wrong, with arguably a nationally top 5 defense, probably the best running back tandem in the nation, gobs of freshmen talent coming in the fall, a weakened Big 12, a cupcake OOC schedule and two first year newbies that will be playhing in awe and intimidation - it looks as this year could shape up into something very special and 2013 being a national top 3 pre-season ranking.

Anyone as excited as I am?

"Statistics are for losers, I like winning games!" Will Muschamp

by Snide Aside on Feb 24, 2026 3:50 PM CST reply actions