Texas Football: Morice Blackwell continues ‘to earn trust’ this summer

Two weeks from the start of fall camp, Texas football is in the final days of the summer strength and conditioning program this offseason. We’ve heard about the standouts and emerging leaders for Texas in the last couple of months in summer workouts.

And it’s almost time for those players stepping up in summer workouts, especially the upperclassmen emerging as leaders in the locker room and on the practice field, to rise to the occasion during fall camp. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns will see some late risers among the upperclassmen during fall camp.

One upperclassman to pinpoint that could be a breakout player during training camp is junior linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. The former converted safety Blackwell is pushing for starting reps at the will linebacker position heading into fall camp, along with redshirt senior linebacker David Gbenda.

Junior Texas football LB Morice Blackwell Jr. making progress as he earns more trust from the staff this summer

Blackwell and Gbenda were locked in a battle for the first-team practice reps at the will linebacker position since the spring. It sounds like the former of those two upperclassmen linebackers has real momentum heading into fall camp.

Horns247 reported on July 20 that Blackwell is “continuing to earn trust with the coaches as more than just a big hitter” this summer. This report also mentioned that Blackwell is minding his gaps better and is “showing more and more that he’ll be where he’s supposed to be” on defense.

Based on the intel in this Horns247 report, it’s starting to click on defense for Blackwell heading into the fall. He’s starting to figure out how to maximize his gifted physical tools and hard-hitting ability to positively impact the defensive front at the linebacker position.

"“Being as fast as Mo is only helps if you’re reading your keys correctly and moving in the right direction, otherwise, you’re just getting out of position faster. Mo is making huge strides there, reading his keys correctly and using that speed to his advantage.”"

It’s great to hear that Blackwell is making positive strides in summer workouts to become a more well-rounded linebacker. He continues to progress after transitioning from the safety position last offseason to a more of a hybrid linebacker role along the defensive front.

Blackwell continues to get experience as he settles in at LB

Last season, Blackwell played in a hybrid sam linebacker role after training at safety the year prior at Texas. Blackwell took 57 snaps at the linebacker position last season (based on PFF snap counts by position).

This fall, Blackwell will be one of the upperclassmen that the defensive coaching staff expects to contribute on the two-deep at linebacker. He will have to continue to show progress in fall camp to push for starting reps at the will linebacker position.