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On Tuesday night the Texas Longhorns were explosive in the second half of the game as they dominated Colorado. Breaking down the takeaways.
There was a lot to digest after the Texas Longhorns set a bowl record for most points in a game. They finished the first half with just 17 points before the offense started scoring in bunches.
Continue reading “Biggest Takeaways from the Texas Longhorns 55-23 blowout win”
The Texas Longhorns were led by Bijan Robinson and Casey Thompson in the second half as they rout the Colorado Buffaloes.
Texas raced out to a quick 14-0 lead after Bijan Robinson struck twice early on with an eight-yard touchdown run and a 14-yard catch and run on a screen pace. The Longhorns would start off the second half with a long run by Bijan once again. He ran it 66-yards to set up the Longhorns in a great position. Casey Thompson finds Joshua Moore the touchdown throw from the 13-yard line. Texas would go up 24-10. Sam Ehlinger was ruled out of the rest of the game with a shoulder injury.
As the Longhorns get the ball again, Thompson comes out guns blazing. He led the offense to a second-straight touchdown pass to Moore to extend the lead to 31-10 with 8:00 to go in the third quarter. He is putting his stamp on the 2021 quarterback battle ahead of the actual competition as we await what Sam Ehlinger will do.
The offense started to hum with Thompson as the quarterback in the game. In his third series of the game, he led them to a third-straight scoring drive with another Cameron Dicker field goal to extend the lead to 24 points. The backup for Colorado, Brenden Lewis was able to get some big chunks that included a 42-yard run to set up another Jarek Broussard touchdown run from the two. The conversion failed to keep it a three-score game, 34-16.
As the game moved into the fourth quarter, Thompson and Robinson put their stamp on the game. Robinson hauled in a pass from the backup quarterback and scampered 23 yards for his third touchdown of the game. On their next drive, Thompson hit freshman Kelvontay Dixon down the field for a 73-yard catch and run. Texas led at that point 48-23.
Hudson Card would get some snaps in the final 10 minutes of the game. After Colorado got the ball back, the defense forced a fumble by DeMarvion Overshown. On the next play, Roschon Johnson made an amazing run after forcing four missed tackles to run it 21 yards for another touchdown run.
The Longhorns set a school record for points in a bowl game with 55, it broke the 2007 Holiday Bowl record of 52 points. Casey Thompson tied an Alamo Bowl record with four touchdown passes in essentially a quarter plus in the game.
With two receiving TDs in today's @valeroalamobowl, Bijan Robinson is now the first running back in UT history to register two receiving TDs in a bowl game. He also ties the UT record, regardless of position, for TD catches in a bowl gameđ¤
— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) December 30, 2020
Texas' 584 yards of offense at this point in the @valeroalamobowl is second-most in school history in a bowl game, trailing only a 592-yard effort the Longhorns recorded versus Washington in the 2001 Holiday Bowl.
— John Bianco (@UT_Bianco) December 30, 2020
The battle of 2021 at the quarterback position could be fast approaching. Could the Texas Longhorns look to add to it with a transfer?
Heading into the 2021 season, the Texas Longhorns and Tom Herman look like they may need to check the transfer portal for a quarterback. Continue reading “Could the Texas Longhorns go portal shopping for a quarterback?”
It became official on Wednesday, Texas Longhorns senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger is heading to the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
It was reported earlier on Wednesday that the Reese’s Senior Bowl staff had extended an invite to senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. It has since been confirmed that Ehlinger will in fact accept the invite and participate in the week long process in Mobile, Alabama. Typically teams will have six total quarterbacks in the game, three on each side. So far Ehlinger and Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman are the only two passers to accept an invite at this point in the process.
With Ehlinger accepting the invite to the Senior Bowl, that puts to bed any thoughts of him returning for another season at Texas. With the NCAA freezing eligibility this year it was an option for the Austin native.
#HookEm! Itâs OFFICIAL! Texas QB Sam Ehlinger (@sehlinger3) is heading to the @Reeses Senior Bowl! #BestOfTheBest #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE @JimNagy_SB @PaniniAmerica #RatedRookie pic.twitter.com/2uOG4Gn9l4
— Reese's Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) November 11, 2020
Ehlinger probably needs the Senior Bowl week as bad as anyone else at this point. The inability to hit deep throws could be a hinderance to his draft stock. The game itself will take place in Mobile on Jan. 30, 2021 at 1:30 pm CST.
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With the news that Ehlinger will be moving on following the 2020 season, the 2021 quarterback competition will be one worth tuning in for. Going into next season the three quarterbacks on the current roster will have their turn to shine.
Casey Thompson has the most experience of the three but honestly it isn’t much more than that of Hudson Card and Ja’Quinden Jackson. Thompson usually only comes into the game during mop up duties as Ehlinger never leaves the game until the score is out of hand.
The quarterbacks for 2021
Casey Thompson– Redshirt Junior
Hudson Card– Sophomore
Ja’Quinden Jackson-Sophomore
Charles Wright-Freshman
In the fallout of the Quinn Ewers decision, the Longhorns needed a replacement recruit. Texas turned to Austin-Westlake’s junior passer.
In the fallout of the Quinn Ewers decommitment, the Texas Longhorns had to find a new quarterback target. ESPN recently reported on what could be next for the No. 1 recruit in the 2022 class. All signs currently point to the Ohio State Buckeyes according to 247Sports crystal ball predictions.
ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren weighed in on the situation.
The Longhorns aren’t technically out of this recruitment, but it is very difficult to get back in after a decision like this without something major happening. Again, if Ewers makes a quick decision, it does not bode well for Texas.
Something major? Like the hiring of Urban Meyer perhaps?
VanHaaren mentioned the Longhorns have Casey Thompson, Hudson Card, Ja’Quinden Jackson in line if Sam Ehlinger does leave after the season. However, missing out on Ewers is massive because he was likely a program changing recruit like Vince Young was.
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Recently newly offered Austin-Westlake quarterback Cade Klubnik spoke with Mike Craven of HookEm.com (Austin-American Statesman). In the article, Klubnik is referred to as a friend of the program. He mentioned that he wasn’t expecting the offer but thought it could happen after the decommitment of Ewers.
âI wasnât expecting it, but it was something I thought could happen following the decommitment (of Ewers),â said Klubnik said. âI was pretty excited. It felt like I had a great connection with the Texas coaches for a while, so it was satisfying. I had been waiting for that offer.â
âSam is a good friend of mine, and of course Iâm coached by Todd Dodge,â he said. âThose guys are legends, but theyâre not going to pressure me at all. They want what is best for me. It is a blessing to lean on those guys because they can answer any question I could come up with in the recruiting process. Coach Dodge has helped a dozen quarterbacks go through this.â
âThe culture of the school because I want to be comfortable being a student even if football doesnât work out is going to be really important, as will the people inside the program,â Klubnik said. âConsistency of greatness also matters because I want to be improved as a player after I get to college. And, of course, education because we all know football will end.â
While he might not be ready to make an offer, Klubnik is likely the best option at this point for their 2022 quarterback. At least barring a miracle that could bring Ewers back to the program he grew up cheering for.
As the season approaches, we are getting a better understanding of the Texas Longhorns depth chart. Can Hudson Card rise to No. 2 behind Sam
When it comes to the quarterback position for the Texas Longhorns it isn’t even a question. Sam Ehlinger is going to be the starter when the team takes the field against the UTEP Miners on Sept. 12. Ehlinger is poised to take the team to new heights and by all accounts he has developed a good relationship with new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.
The quarterbacks behind Ehlinger is where it really gets interesting. Here is a quick look at the quarterback depth chart as it sits right now.
| QB1 | Sam Ehlinger | Senior |
| QB2 | Casey Thompson | RS Sophomore |
| QB3 | Hudson Card | Freshman |
| QB4 | Ja’Quinden Jackson | Freshman |
The only quarterback that has any gametime experience is backup Casey Thompson, it just only happens to be in mop up duty. Thompson is the next in line to become the starting quarterback following the season. Despite the fact that college eligibility has been frozen, many believe that Sam will take the jump to the next level.
Related: Four Longhorns selected in latest mock draft
It isn’t a foregone conclusion that Thompson will be the guy as he will have plenty of competition. Both of the incoming freshman in Hudson Card and Ja’Quinden Jackson will have plenty to say about who will walk away with the starting role in 2021. The conversation will start all over in 2022 as well when the top ranked quarterback Quinn Ewers gets to campus.
As it sits as of right now, Thompson is in the second spot on the quarterback depth chart. However, freshman quarterback Hudson Card is making a strong push according to 247Sports.
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The real drama has been in the battle to back up Ehlinger, where Thompson is trying to hold off freshman Hudson Card, who is getting comparisons to Shane Buechele for his preparedness and knowledge of the offense as a first-year player.
So far, Thompson has held off Card by making more off-schedule plays with his feet in fall camp against a pass rush from the Texas defense that also has coaches excited.
This is likely going to be an ongoing battle between the two all season and one of the more intriguing battles to watch. Don’t forget about Jackson either. He is coming off the partially torn ACL but when he gets to full speed, he can make things happen.
The quarterback room at Texas is suddenly loaded with talent.
Texas went through a quarterback rut between the likes of Colt McCoy and Sam Ehlinger. Continue reading “Texas Football: Quarterback outlook after Ehlinger era”
The Locked on Longhorns podcast the latest practice notes for Texas and the top 2022 passer with Longhorns ties.
The Locked on Longhorns podcast kicks off with practice notes from 247Sports. We discussed the quarterback competition behind Sam Ehlinger. Casey Thompson is the number two quarterback for the upcoming season but could one of the young guns take the job from him in 2020 season? Does Thompson have an opportunity for the starting role in 2021?
Roschon Johnson was taking first team snaps in the absence of Keaontay Ingram. Is there a chance Johnson might go back to quarterback in 2021? Who will be the starting ‘Z’ receiver role in 2020? The top two candidates are Joshua Moore and Tarik Black. Moore was taking the first team reps.
Sam Ehlinger was named to the Davey O’Brien Award watchlist. With Ehlinger being the FBS active leader in completions, passing yards, touchdowns and total offense since 2018, it is no surprise. Would Ehlinger be the all-time leading passer in school history if he would have started every game since his freshman season?
2022 quarterback Quinn Ewers holds an offer from the University of Texas. The number one quarterback was recently rated as the number one prospect in the 2022 class overall. Can the Longhorns bring him to Austin? Ewers has ties to the Longhorns which could bode well for the team.
One of the changes to the Texas Longhorns, one of the big changes will be the new name for the football field. Most recently named Joe Jamail field, it will now be known as Campbell-Williams Field. It will be named after the only two Longhorns to ever win the Heisman Memorial Trophy, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. Plus Gunnar Helm set to visit Austin next week.
Let’s take a look at the 2020 outlook for all four quarterbacks on Texas’ current roster.
LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster. Today, we will be looking at RS soph QB Casey Thompson.
Going into the 2020 football season, LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster.
Over the summer, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Tom Herman this season.
Today, we will be looking at redshirt sophomore quarterback Casey Thompson.
Height: 6-1 / Weight:Â 190
Class:Â Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown:Â Newcastle, Oklahoma
High School:Â Newcastle
HS ranking (247Sports): Three-star / No. 16 position / No. 9 in-state
HS ranking (Rivals): Four-star / No. 14 position / No. 5 in-state
Analysis:Â A top 10 dual-threat quarterback in the 2018 recruiting class, Casey Thompson is currently the backup quarterback for Texas. The redshirt sophomore is patiently waiting to get his shot at the starting quarterback role.
Thompson played in three games this past season, going 8-12 and 84 yards in games against Louisiana Tech, Rice, Texas Tech, and Utah. He has yet to see a real competitive snap in the offense, as Sam Ehlinger will be the quarterback for one more season.
The native Oklahoman will get his chance next season as the Longhorns are expected to have an open competition for the starting quarterback job. Thompson will be going up against current freshman Hudson Card and Ja’Quinden Jackson. If Thompson is going to make an impact for this Texas team, it will begin in 2021.
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