40 Acres Sports

Quarterback GJ Kinne transferring to Tulsa. Will play for former Rice coach Todd Graham and Arky OC Gus Malzahn.

Freshman quarterback GJ Kinne has announced his intention to transfer from the University of Texas. The young man from Gilmer redshirted in his only season and would have like been the fourth string quarterback for the Longhorns in 2008. From the official release:

“I chose the best school at what was the end of a very successful, but difficult high school career,” Kinne said. “I have definitely become a better quarterback with the help of one of the most knowledgeable offensive coaches in college football, Greg Davis. However, the quarterback position is unique in terms of playing time, and I have to find a program that best fits my skills.”

“Quarterbacks transfer in college football. That’s life for this position. I’ve made great memories, great friends and have been blessed with experiences most can only watch. So the answer is, ‘No,’ I have no regrets. I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me. I wish nothing but great things for The University of Texas. I appreciate all that Coach Brown and The University have done for me.”

There has been no official news of where he’ll be transferring but rumors are that Louisiana Tech is a possible option. GJ has a cannon for an arm (as displayed on a long bomb during the spring game) and likely could be an excellent quarterback if given the chance. Stuck behind three other young players I don’t blame him for seeking out a better opportunity for himself. I wish him the best wherever he ends up.

The last scrimmage/practice of the spring is about to get underway on Fox Sports Southwest. The Orange-White Game is most fans’ first look at a lot of players and it’s always interesting to see who is playing where. We won’t see much (if any) new scheme or plays, but it’s football and gosh darnit I like it. The most important thing in this type of event is always that nobody gets seriously injured.

I’ll be posting my live thoughts and opinions below.

First Quarter

Nice to see we tackled more this spring, much more so that we did more full contact drills than in a scrimmage like this.

Here’s the spring roster off the official site. Definitely going to be needed today.

Tray Allen gets the start today at left tackle with Adam Ulatoski out.

I thought Brandon Collins had dropped that pass but on the replay cornerback Deon Beasley made a nice diving play to break it up. Collins probably needs to use his body better though to prevent the defender from being able to do that so easily.

I don’t know about that interference penalty on Beasley. Colt McCoy threw a nice pass but put it over Quan Cosby’s wrong shoulder. He had the position and Colt should have been able to put it in a more catchable position.

Not a good job on the Jordan Shipley reverse by Henry Melton. As the backside defensive end his responsibilities are RCC (reverse, counter, or cutback) and while he held his spot for a moment he started to pursue too quickly. Not a good job by the corner/safety over there either, the moment they saw Shipley going back the other way they should have been screaming at the top of their lungs.

Ishie Oduegwu is in street clothes on the sideline, I didn’t realize he was hurt. I assume that’s why true freshman Blake Gideon got the start at safety for Team Tradition. Okay that’s the last time I’ll mention these lame team names.

John Chiles and Fozzy Whittaker screwed up the hand-off on their first play of the day. Zone read and Chiles tried to change his mind and keep it but they put in on the turf.

On his first pass attempt Chiles makes a decent throw to Collins but he looked like he was tripled covered. The pocket was still holding so I think John could have waited another tick, bought himself some time, and looked for a more open receiver.

Nice run by Vondrell McGee ended with him delivering a blow to Earl Thomas. Good play though by Thomas to hold on despite the big hit and make the tackle.

I hope we’re not planning on playing freshman kicker Justin Tucker. We’ve already got Ryan Bailey and Hunter Lawrence and I want one of them to win the kicking job this year so we can afford to redshirt Tucker.

Russell Carter sure looks like a football player. Big old sucker. Nice play by him bringing down Whitaker.

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TexasPreps has great video of Curtis Brown and G.J. Kinne from this season at Gilmer HS.

After his father’s shooting, G.J. Kinne is looking forward not back. The QB should sign with Texas today.