Texas Longhorns safety Brandon Jones is no longer active on Senior Bowl rosters, could there be an injury?
The Reese’s Senior Bowl is a great opportunity for NFL hopeful’s to work with NFL coaches and impress scouts in one of their final opportunities ahead of the NFL Combine and Pro Day workouts. The Longhorns had three players that accepted invites to participate in the week long festivities. That list appears to be down to two.
Texas S Brandon Jones also no longer listed.
Usually means a player has had to pull out due to injury.
Texas safety Brandon Jones did not participate in the Longhorns’ bowl win over the Utah Utes and now appears to be out for the Senior Bowl. Brandon Jones has been projected as a top 100 draft selection in most mock drafts. He still should be participating in the NFL Combine that takes place February 23rd through March 2nd.
Nothing on Jones has been released at this time and it is a situation that will be monitored.
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.
After a record-setting junior season, Ehlinger requested feedback from the NFL’s College Advisory Committee to determine where he would be projected to be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Most draft eligible players tend to do this on a fact-finding basis.
The Austin native surpassed several of former quarterback Vince Young’s records throughout 2019. In fact, Ehlinger now only trails former quarterback Colt McCoy in completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in a single season.
According to WalterFootball.com, Ehlinger was projected as the No. 14 quarterback in the 2020 draft class. If he were to declare this year, he would likely be a day three selection.
If Ehlinger’s no quit attitude on the field is any indication of his decisions made off the field, there are much higher goals to obtain.
Since arriving on the Forty Acres in 2017, Ehlinger has drastically improved each season. If he continues to develop throughout his fourth year, his draft stock will undoubtedly increase.
Ehlinger threw for 3,663 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2019.
Former Longhorn safety Kenny Vaccarro delivers big hit to running back Sony Michel for a tackle for loss in NFL playoffs.
Physicality was an important factor in the Tennessee Titans impressive win over the New England Patriots on Wild Card Weekend. Former Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro found himself right in the middle of it.
Throughout the 2019 season, Vaccaro combined for 84 tackles and one interception. But it’s these type of hits in crucial moments that define your legacy.
Drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Vaccaro signed with the Titans prior to the 2018 season. Although Tennessee squeaked into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, the former Longhorn spoke confidently after the game.
I think everybody thought it was like a ‘Oh, they’re lucky to be in here’ type of situation. For us, it was ‘We’re trying to go the distance.’ We’re not just in the playoffs just to see how long we can last. I think we expected to come in and be successful. I think everybody else didn’t.”
Defeating the duo of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady is no easy feat, especially in the postseason. Fortunately for the Titans, they possess enough physicality and balance on both sides of the ball to continue advancing deep into the playoffs.
And that’s exactly what they expect of themselves.
Texas had several high-profile athletes make their debut in 2019, but one name in particular caught the attention of many.
Texas had several high-profile athletes make their debut in 2019, but one name in particular caught the attention of many.
When freshman Roschon Johnson arrived to the Forty Acres, a redshirt season loomed considering he was the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart. In an unexpected series of injuries during preseason, Johnson reassured his teammates and coaches that he would be willing to do anything to help the team succeed.
After freshman running back Jordan Whittington was sidelined with a sports hernia surgery, Johnson was tasked with becoming the Longhorns emergency fix at running back just one week before the season opener. He took the rare opportunity and ran with it.
After making his debut against Louisiana Tech, the accolades began piling up for the true freshman. Johnson’s breakout showing came just five weeks into the season, recording his first 100-yard game on the ground with 121 rushing yards against West Virginia. Johnson appeared in all twelve games totaling 758 all-purpose yards and was awarded Big 12 Newcomer of the week twice for his performances against West Virginia and Texas Tech.
The quarterback-turned-running back’s production was too impressive to take off the field once tailback’s Daniel Young and Kirk Johnson returned from injuries. At times, Johnson appeared to be the most reliable back on the roster with his natural ability to power through contact. In several contests, Johnson provided the missing spark.
A decision now looms on whether to remain at running back or transition back to quarterback. Regardless, Johnson was the most welcomed surprise at Texas this season.
Head coach Tom Herman must continue to find a way to get him on the field.
Cosmi has been a versatile lineman for the Longhorns, starting 13 games at right tackle as a redshirt freshman and most notably 12 starts this season at left tackle.
Earning a second-team All-Big 12 selection as a sophomore, Cosmi requested feedback from the NFL’s College Advisory Committee to determine a draft grade projection for the 2020 NFL Draft.
Whether Cosmi simply wants to fulfill a dream of earning his degree from the University of Texas or was unhappy with his current draft grade, the Longhorns are fortunate to have an indispensable piece of their offensive line returning.
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.
The schedule has its pros and cons, but should be in favor of Texas. Here is the 2020 schedule ranked game by game in order of importance:
The 2020 season is one of the most important seasons Texas has had in a long time. After a poor 2019 season, Head Coach Tom Herman was given another opportunity to show himself. Hiring new offensive and defensive coordinators after the season, if nothing changes on the field, changes could be made off the field.
The best quarterback the Longhorns have had since Colt McCoy is expected to be back for his senior season. Gaining Heisman hype both in 2019 and more than likely in 2020, Sam Ehlinger is going to need to be the man for Texas.
Mix in all of the other returning talent for the squad and this is the year to put it all together. The schedule has its pros and cons, but should be in favor of Texas, getting most of their big conference games at home.
Here is the 2020 schedule ranked game by game in order of importance:
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.
Sam Ehlinger to Brennan Eagles for the 73-yard TD — the longest TD pass of Ehlinger's career! 🔥
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.
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.
Texas beats Tx Tech 49-24 to finish the regular season 7-5. Good to see some #HookEm young guns shine in the finale. Roschon Johnson: 23-107, 3 TD's Jake Smith: 3-51, TD Ol' reliable Sam Ehlinger: 348 pass, 88 rush, 3 TD's #TTUvsTEXpic.twitter.com/zxU60qQBTv
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.
