Tag: DBU

Longhorns in the NFL: Is DeShon Elliott in line to replace Earl Thomas

With Earl Thomas now out of Baltimore, the Ravens turn to another former Texas Longhorns safety in DeShon Elliott.

Following the release of Earl Thomas from the Baltimore Ravens, questions began of what is next for Baltimore? Or should we say who is next? In Baltimore or should we say the University of Texas at Baltimore, they have another former Longhorn at safety they could play. DeShon Elliott was drafted late in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Ravens in the sixth round. The former All-American safety could now find himself in a larger role in 2020.

Baltimore Ravens passing defensive coordinator Chris Hewitt spoke about Elliott recently.

“He’s definitely a confident young man – sometimes too confident,” Hewitt said. “He’s just been that kind of kid. He’s an energy bunny. He comes in the building and he’s just ready to go. When he gets out on the field, he brings the energy to the rest of the defense. He’s just one of those guys. I love the way that he plays.”

Elliott is set to become the starter for the Ravens defense at safety. The biggest question with Elliott isn’t his ability but staying healthy. After all the best ability is availability. DeShon played in just six games for the Ravens in a reserve role and missed all of his rookie season after being placed on the injured reserve list.

One player who thinks DeShon will do well in a larger role is Chuck Clark. Clark was the player who got into an altercation with Thomas. When discussing Elliott, Clark spoke about how well they mesh. They have great communication, which is something that was clearly lacking between Clark and Thomas.

It won’t be easy replacing a multi-time All-Pro safety like Earl Thomas. Elliott has the confidence to get the job done, it is just a matter of the in-game reps. Given how the Baltimore Ravens operate, they have the structure around them for DeShon Elliott to succeed.

ESPN names Alabama ‘Running Back U’ & ‘Offensive line U’

ESPN released their rankings for each positional group and the programs that produce the best players for each of them, Alabama tops some.

There is a never-ending, ongoing debate throughout the college football community about which program reduces the best players at each position on the football field. These debates can range from active collegiate players, active NFL players and retired players that are out of the game.

ESPN’s David Hale broke down each position and ranked the top ten programs to have produced talent at that individual position.

The Crimson Tide topped two lists, the running back and offensive line positions, but were present on almost every other list.

Hale has high praise for Alabama head coach Nick Saban and what he’s been able to create in the backfield.

“It’s interesting that, about the same time the NFL moved away from an offensive model built around running backs, Nick Saban arrived at Alabama and turned the tailback position into the cornerstone of the Tide’s success,” writes Hale. “Before Saban arrived in 2007, Shaun Alexander had already won an NFL MVP, but that was about the extent of Alabama’s RBU résumé. Now, though? Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake and Josh Jacobs are all NFL fixtures, and even Trent Richardson and T.J. Yeldon came with impressive pedigrees. Next up? Najee Harris could be in the Heisman mix for 2020.”

Hale also named Alabama ‘Offensive Line U,’ above other programs such as Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Michigan.

“It’s only fitting that the school that gets the RBU tag also wins OLU, and Alabama’s crew up front certainly earned the moniker. Eight Alabama linemen have been selected within the first 50 picks of the draft, and seven earned All-America honors during the past decade, while Chris Samuels, Evan Mathis and Ryan Kelly have all become Pro Bowlers during the Position U era. Current tackle Alex Leatherwood looks like a lock to be the next high draft choice coming off Alabama’s offensive line in 2021.”

While Alabama only led two positional groups, they were mentioned in various others.

The Crimson Tide ranked No. 2 for linebackers, No. 2 for defensive line and  No. 8 for wide receivers.

Caden Sterns: ‘Worked way too hard for the season to be cancelled’

Texas Longhorns junior safety Caden Sterns went to Twitter to have his voice heard. He feels like he worked too hard for this.

Much like many of the fans are expressing on social media with the reports of a cancelled season, the players are just as upset. Much like Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, other players are taking to Twitter to get their voice heard. Players much like Lawrence feel as if they would be better off on campus around their team than at home. One reason was that often times these athletes are in better situations than home. Football is their way to escape a world and they are given a better opportunity.

One Texas Longhorn has made his voice known. Caden Sterns is no stranger to letting his voice be heard. He took to Twitter shortly after Lawrence to let his frustrations be known.

Caden joined his teammates on Friday in the first day of fall camp as they tried to get ready for the upcoming season. Under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash there was much to be optimistic about. Ash’s defense was going to focus on pressure and taking the ball away. Sterns was pretty good at taking the ball from offenses in his freshman season. It is a craft he was working on early in camp.

After a down year in 2019, Sterns seemed poised to become the ballhawk he was in 2018. He was named Freshman All-American for his efforts and led the team in interceptions that year with four. It is unclear at this moment whether or not the Big 12 Conference and Bob Bowlsby will follow the lead of the Big Ten.

All we know is the players want to do what they do best, play the game they love.

Bleacher Report lists Texas among schools who are ‘Defense U’

Bleacher Report is wrapping up a series in positional “U”, in which they crowned the top defensive school. The Longhorns were among them.

It seems to be an ongoing debate. Who is “DBU” or defensive back university. The usual suspects are Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, Louisiana State or Texas. Bleacher Report posed the question of who can claim “Defense U”. Texas was among the teams who made the cut just outside of the top three.

The top three schools should come as no shock with Florida State, Southern California and Miami (FL). The basis of the argument dates back from 1970 to current. For the Longhorns, they were the last team listed in the honorable mentions.

Casey Hampton, Doug English and Steve McMichael on the defensive line. Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo at linebacker. Earl Thomas, Jerry Gray and Raymond Clayborn in the secondary. There are no “best of all time” candidates in the bunch, but that’s a nice collection of alumni at all three levels of the defense, featuring a dozen multiple-time Pro Bowlers. That combination of factors made Texas the toughest school to cut out of our top three.

Prior to 1970, there was a man named Tommy Nobis who was viewed as one of the all-time greats in college football. However, bases on the criteria he was just outside of their scope as he finished his collegiate career in 1965. Had B/R expanded their list to a top five, the Longhorns are likely listed at number four of the greatest defensive talent schools in the last 50 years.

Other notable names that played defense at Texas were defensive end Bill Atessis (1968-70), defensive back Johnnie Johnson (1976-79), and defensive end Kiki DeAyla (1979-82). DeAyla still holds the school record for most sacks in a season (22.5 sacks) and for a career (40.5).

Texas Football: D’Shawn Jamison among top returning cornerbacks

Texas Longhorns cornerback is ranked the third-best returning Big 12 cornerback according to Pro Football Focus.

Over the last several decades specifically, the Texas Longhorns have produced plenty of secondary talent to make the jump into the NFL. Which has sparked some debate on whether or not they should be considered DBU (defensive back university). Regardless of which side of the argument you fall on there is no denying that this secondary in 2020 has talent. One such player who should garner some attention is D’Shawn Jamison. He was rated the third-best returning cornerback in the conference according to Pro Football Focus.

Last season Jamison hauled in three interceptions with six passes defended for the Longhorns. On top of his duties as returner on special teams. Over the past two seasons, Jamison has returned one punt and one kickoff for touchdowns. With a new look defense in 2020, the Longhorns boundary defender could have an even bigger year upcoming. The junior cornerback came in just behind Kalon Barnes of Baylor and Zech McPhearson of Texas Tech according to PFF.

Alongside Caden Sterns, this duo hopes to bring the defense to new heights. They have combined for seven interceptions over the past two years. With an added emphasis on the pass rush, the secondary should be even better in 2020.

Former Baylor signee is now committed to Texas

Former Baylor Bears signee has committed to playing at the University of Texas in the new look Chris Ash defense.

Jahdae Barron was a cornerback from 2020 recruiting class that was originally committed and signed with the Baylor Bears. Following Matt Rhule’s departure to the NFL, Barron asked to be released from his NLI (national letter of intent) and was granted. This allowed him to re-open his recruiting and according 247 Sports, he is now committed to play for the Texas Longhorns.

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ESPN ranks which programs produce best WRs, DBs and LBs

ESPN took to Instagram to release a few ‘top-ten’ lists for which collegiate programs have produced the best wide receivers, defensive ba…

ESPN took to Instagram to release a few top-ten lists for which collegiate programs have produced the best wide receivers, defensive backs and linebackers.

Alabama made an appearance on all three, but Crimson Tide fans may not agree with where they are ranked on these lists.

Here are ESPN’s rankings..

Wide receivers:

Starting off with the top-ten schools that could be considered ‘WRU,’ Alabama pops in at No. 9 on the list.

The notable Alabama alum listed include Amari Cooper, Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones and Jerry Jeudy.

There are some great names included on the list for the other nine programs, but are they good enough to top the four Nick Saban products and more that weren’t mentioned? You can decide that.

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Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah tells NFL Network LSU can have DBU, Buckeye DBs are “Best in America.”

Ohio State defensive back Jeff Okudah threw shade at LSU during the NFL Combine, calls the Buckeyes DB position “Best In America.”

It’s no secret there’s been a war of words between college football programs when it comes to which is the best at churning out defensive backs. Every time LSU gets ready to matchup with Florida, the debate heats up again, with both trying to self-proclaim themselves as DBU (Defensive Back University).

But most in the media forget about what’s been happening in Columbus with all the talent oozing from the banks of the Olentangy at the position. Bradley Roby, Denzel Ward, Marshon Lattimore, Malcolm Jenkins, and Malik Hooker. Those are just some of the names on current NFL rosters, all hailing from The Ohio State University.

The next great one might be cornerback Jeff Okudah. He’s projected to be a top-five pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by most analysts, and he took some time to sit down Good Morning Football on the NFL Network Friday.

He was asked about LSU and DBU, and what he has to say about Ohio State’s claim to the title — one ESPN has already given to the program despite the heated debate down in sweet tea and grits country.

“We don’t challenge that, we don’t even concern ourselves with that anymore,” said Okudah. “They can have DBU, we call it BIA – Best in America… “That’s a thing, through the generations, do the research.”

You can see the exchange for yourself by watching the below video shared by Good Morning Football’s official Twitter feed.

Okudah speaks the truth, and he might just be the BIA when it comes to defensive backs selected in April too.

Is Ohio State football becoming wide-receiver U?

Ohio State has been known for being a run-heavy team throughout its history, but is it now becoming Wide Receiver U?

It’s been well documented that Ohio State has been laying claim as “DBU” for churning out NFL defensive backs throughout history. The Bucks may start claiming the title of “Wide Receiver U” before too long.

Ohio State was a little late to the passing game as Buckeye Legend Woody Hayes famously said: “There are only three things can happen on a pass, and two of them are bad.” But Ohio State would start to evolve with names like Chris Carter, Terry Glenn, and David Boston in the 80’s and 90’s.

However, you might be surprised to know that since the 2000 NFL draft, Ohio State has had more receivers drafted than any other college program. It’ll no doubt add to that total with guys like KJ Hill and Austin Mack this coming April.

It seems now, Columbus is the place to be for highly-touted receivers to land. The 2020 recruiting class lays claim to the No. 1, No. 5, No. 12, and No. 15 ranked receivers in the nation (Julian Flemming, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott, Jr., and Mookie Cooper). Add this class to what was a strong 2019 receiving class led by the No. 2 nationally-ranked receiver, Garrett Wilson, and there is something special in the making.

Speaking of Garrett Wilson, he and fellow Buckeye Wideout, Chris Olave just made the Pro Football Focus list of top 25 receivers returning to college football in 2020.  Wilson comes in at No. 24 and Olave makes the ranking at No. 10.

Brian Hartline is doing work not only bringing in top-level talent, but developing that talent as well. And we’re excited to see what this explosive group can do going forward.

2020 Texas Longhorns: B.J. Foster Profile

The Texas Longhorns are loaded with talent in the defensive backfield. Can B.J. Foster help lead the defense to greater heights in 2020?

In high school B.J. Foster was a two-way star for Angleton High School in the state of Texas. He had one year of good production as a receiver and running back but he was always a better player on the defensive side of the ball. In 2020, Foster should be in line to start opposite of Caden Sterns. This would give the Longhorns a safety duo that were five-star recruits according to 247 composite rankings.

Foster was used some as the nickel cornerback but could move inside with the departure of Brandon Jones to the NFL. There could be a competition for the starting spot this spring with freshmen safety Tyler Owens. Foster has the experience having played in 21 games over his first two seasons in Austin.

He has the length that scouts love to see in the secondary, which doesn’t give taller receivers much of an advantage over Foster. He has all the potential to be another threat on the backend for the Longhorns’ defense. Foster is able to show off good range and he has shown some good skills to get to the football. He has recorded an interception in each season.

For this team, the Longhorns need to get back to being in the conversation as one of the top defensive back factories in college. That starts with B.J. Foster and Caden Sterns.