Texas Football: 13 Wishlist Items for 2017

11. Let Shane Buechele Learn the New Offense

Shane Buechele seemed to get comfortable in Sterlin Gilbert’s offense in his freshman season. He ran plenty of run-pass options, leading the 18-year-old to making quick decisions in the pocket while also taking the occasional deep shot down the field.

It’s going to be a transition for Buechele in 2017, though, because he’s going to have to learn a completely new offense under Tom Herman. This may be a version of the power offense that sees the quarterback have to make a few extra reads and stretching the field a bit more, among other variables. Buechele used plenty of reads in Gilbert’s veer and shoot, but seemed to make a decision on what he’s going to do a quarter of a second into the play without making the extra reads on the defense.

There’s going to be a learning curve with Buechele getting used to this new offense. He may face pressure with incoming commitment Sam Ehlinger going to Texas and the potential of a transfer arriving, someone who could be considered a “Herman guy.”

There should be some time given to Buechele to learn the offense and get accustomed to what Herman and the soon-to-be-announced offensive coordinator want to do. He showed plenty of promise during Year 1 at Texas, and deserves a chance to show improvement and the maturity to take on a new offense in the spring and into the summer.

There are eight months until the season begins, which should be plenty of time to at least grasp it. A few weeks of in-game action may be needed too, which would be a live test for Buechele. If he can succeed there, then doubt should be removed about whether he can transition.