Tag: 2020 Texas Longhorns

University of Texas football hit hard by coronavirus

The University of Texas announced a massive outbreak of COVID-19 cases on their football team Thursday. Find out all the details here.

Seemingly each day we get news to the good and then news to the negative about the potential to college football being played as close to as normal as possible in 2020.

Recently the NCAA approved a plan for the pre-season schedule but have also seen some of the negative, including the University of Houston suspending voluntary athletic workouts last week after a hand-full of positive tests from it’s athletes.  Now another Texas school, the biggest of them all, is dealing with a corona-virus outbreak.

The University of Texas announced Thursday that 13 football players tested positive for coronavirus and are isolating while an additional 10 players haven’t tested positive but are remaining in self-quarantine because of coming in close contact with those whom tested positive.

Additionally four other Texas players have tested positive for the COVID-19 anti-body, meaning they have at least contracted the virus in the past.

Like I’ve said all along, we don’t know what two weeks from now is going to bring, let alone what we’ll be dealing with or where we’ll be at 79 days from now when Notre Dame starts their football season.  The situation appears to remain as fluid as ever as we continue to hope for cases nationwide to decrease.

A day in the life of Texas QB Sam Ehlinger during quarantine

Heisman Trophy candidate Sam Ehlinger appears to be laser-focused amid quarantine while preparing for the upcoming season.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger appears to be laser-focused on the upcoming season. Continue reading “A day in the life of Texas QB Sam Ehlinger during quarantine”

ESPN Asks What Is The Texas Longhorns Biggest Question in 2020?

Sam Khan Jr of ESPN asks what is the biggest question for the Texas Longhorns in 2020? With a new staff, can they make it work?

ESPN came out with the biggest question for each of their projected top 25 teams in 2020. According to the story, the Texas Longhorns are projected as the number 24 team going into next season. Writer Sam Khan Jr asks the following question.

Will Tom Herman’s massive staff turnover work out? The talent isn’t really much of an issue at Texas; the Longhorns have recruited well since Herman’s arrival. But an 8-5 season was underwhelming, and as a result, Herman fired both coordinators and brought in Mike Yurcich to run the offense and Chris Ash to run the defense, as well as a host of new position coaches. How quickly the staff jells and how well the players take to the new staff will be key as the Longhorns embark on a pivotal 2020 campaign. — Khan

Outside of the 10-4 season in 2018, the entire tenure under head coach Tom Herman has been quite underwhelming. Wiping out most of the staff following the 7-5 regular was necessary for the future of Herman in Texas. Even though he was the first Texas Longhorns head coach to win his first three bowl games, Herman is under immense pressure to win.  Getting to a bowl may work for other universities but in Texas the aim is much higher.

The jelling period for this staff needs to come quickly as the Longhorns will play the defending National Champions in Baton Rouge for their second game of the season. That game will prove to be gut check time. If the Longhorns want to prove to the world that they are ready to compete with the top teams in college football, a strong showing in a hostile environment will be critical.

With the new staff in play there will be no excuses for Tom Herman and company this year. It is either win the Big 12 conference or the Athletic Director might be going big game hunting this next offseason.

2020 Texas Longhorns Profile: Cade Brewer

With new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich coming in could Cade Brewer see a rise in production?

The tight end position has become one that has become a lost art in the college game. Without the player being a freak athlete used as a big slot receiver, the days of using one in the offense are all but dead. Just look at the entire college football landscape, but will the Texas Longhorns be any different with Cade Brewer?

Brewer is your prototypical size at the position standing 6’4″ and 250 pounds. Given his size, Brewer is a perfect candidate to play a big slot receiver or line out wide for Texas. Especially given what the team is losing at wide receiver due to the seniors who are graduating. Texas has talent but Brewer has experience.

In the run game, Brewer is a good physical blocker so getting him involved in the run game is relatively seamless. He can block on the edge or as inline tight end even though that isn’t the best spot for him on the field. He is more of the spread offense type.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The key for Brewer is getting the ball in his hands and allowing him to use his athleticism in space. In high school, he showed off his leaping ability to showcase that he can be a handful in space. On top of the athleticism, Brewer’s size makes him an attractive redzone target for the offense. He can win the jump balls in the endzone to give Texas another option when trying to score and that makes the Longhorns that much more dangerous on offense.

The question remains on if new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will use Brewer in 2020. At Ohio State, the Buckeyes used two tight ends but it was more about the running back and wide receivers for Ryan Day’s offense.

While at Oklahoma State, Yurcich used current Dallas Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin in a way that could be similar for how they deploy Brewer in 2020. During his time in Stillwater, Jarwin secured 41 passes for 616 yards and five touchdowns. His yards per receptions were 15, which is a number very feasibly obtained with an athletic tight end in Cade Brewer.

2020 Texas Longhorns Outlook: The Running Back Conundrum

The Texas Longhorns have a loaded backfield heading into the spring, what does the team do with all these weapons?

One big question that will need to be addressed as the Texas Longhorns head into spring practice this year surrounds sophomore Jordan Whittington. The Longhorns will have a crowded backfield with Keaontay Ingram, Whittington, Roschon Johnson and incoming freshman Bijan Robinson.

Robinson is one of the quartet that won’t be in spring practice since he isn’t enrolling early at Texas. One possible scenario could involve Johnson moving back to quarterback with Whittington coming off of injury and Robinson joining in the fall.

The other possible scenario could be moving Whittington over to wide receiver. The Longhorns are losing two receiver who rank in the top ten in terms of yards in Texas history in Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay. The five-star recruit is a possible option. In high school, Whittington ran for over 1,400 yards and added another 3,202 through the air.

His athleticism makes him a good fit as he can create space for the quarterback to get him the ball and his elusiveness creates big plays when the ball is in his hands. He was also used as a punt returner and kick returner that scored 69 total touchdowns in three season. He is so dynamic as a playmaker that he can really contribute from a multitude of areas on the field.

The situation the Longhorns find themselves in is a pleasant one, what do they do with a loaded backfield and the spring should give some insight as to how they will deploy these weapons.

2020 Texas Longhorns Profile: Brennan Eagles

In 2020 the Texas Longhorns wide receiver Brennan Eagles will be looking to lead the offense.

In 2020 the Texas Longhorns offense will have a different look on the outside without Collin Johnson. The player who stepped up in his absence will be looking to be the man next season. Brennan Eagles was a four-star recruit out of Houston, Texas. Eagles had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Clemson among others but chose to stay home with the Longhorns.

The former participant in the US Army All-American Bowl, is a big bodied receiver who can use his frame in a similar fashion to Johnson. Eagles can block out smaller defenders much like he is going up for a rebound. At 6’4″ he is a prime red zone target who can get up and snag the ball over defenders. Eagles is able to catch passes outside of his from with a huge catch radius, that makes him a weapon for quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

Given his size, his agility is a bit of a surprise for receivers his size. He can create separation beyond the line of scrimmage, if defenders lose track of Eagles he will make you pay down the field. Just ask Oklahoma State how true that is.

Eagles has played 11 games in each of the last two seasons, starting six games this past season due to injuries to Johnson. Going into 2020, expect Brennan Eagles to get more passes his way with no Devin Duvernay to lead the way. He finished third on the team in yards (522) with a 16.3 yards per reception average and six touchdowns (second on team).

With a huge season on the horizon for Brennan Eagles, he could be another Longhorn who will be on the radar for NFL scouts heading into his junior year.

2020 Texas Longhorns Profile: Jake Smith

Texas Longhorns will be looking to replace Devin Duvernay in 2020, could Jake Smith be up to the task?

The Texas Longhorns will be looking for a new slot receiver in 2020. Jake Smith has entered the conversation. Smith finished a freshman season as the team’s fourth-leading receiver in yards and second in touchdowns. He tied with Brennan Eagles with six touchdowns. Smith appeared in nine games for the Longhorns.

Jake Smith will likely be first in line to fill the void left by Devin Duvernay. Smith has quickness off the line and in the open field, he can be a handful. Smith can win off the line anywhere on the field, he also has experience as a ball carrier during his high school career. The former Gatorade Player of the Year is a dynamic option for the Longhorns offense.

Off the snap, he shows ability to create separation with quick footwork and his shiftiness. Not someone who is an easy cover for opposing defenders. He can win with underneath routes and attacking defenses up the seams. With his acceleration, Smith is a a player who can take a simple pass underneath and make a house call. He puts pressure on defenses to make plays in the open field.

Smith is as reliable as they come with his ability to come down with the ball in difficult situations. Smith gained valuable experience during the 2019 season and already has a rapport with quarterback Sam Ehlinger. With both being on the same page, expect for Smith to be one of the top two receivers for Texas in 2020.

 

2020 Texas Longhorns Profile: Caden Sterns

Texas Longhorns safety Caden Sterns will look to raise the bar in 2020.

For the 2020 college football season there will be ample opportunity to take hold of a starting role. One of those players is sophomore safety Caden Sterns. Sterns was a highly recruited five star safety who came to Texas with teams like Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana State all interested. He looks to raise his game next year under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash.

While it wasn’t the sophomore year he was hoping for, Stern is definitely a ball hawk type safety. During his four years in high school, he picked off 11 passes turning four into touchdowns. Sterns also was honorable mention as a wide receiver in high school. As a freshman he picked off four passes for the Longhorns.

No question Caden Sterns is a player who will need to help this defense to take the next step under Ash. When at Ohio State, Ash’s defense had a top flight secondary that helped them to a National Championship. Sterns is looking to be the Longhorn’s version of Vonn Bell who snagged six picks that year.  For Texas, they need the freshman version of Sterns to take the field in 2020. More than just the ball skills, Sterns has plenty of value for this defense.

Sterns is a rangy safety who can get sideline to sideline with ease. He will also lay the wood on ball carriers when given the opportunity. His closing speed makes him dangerous as a blitzer off the edge but can sometimes miss out on a play due to his aggressiveness. He has an opportunity to be the next great Texas safety to make the jump to the NFL much like Earl Thomas and Kenny Vaccaro.

With a strong junior campaign, Sterns can help this defense to take the next step. However, with that same strong campaign he is likely heading to the NFL after three years in Austin.

Caden Sterns will likely be one of the top Texas Longhorns in 2020 that has NFL scouts salivating at the opportunity to draft him.