Tag: former longhorn

Chicago Bears sign RB D’Onta Foreman to one-year deal

D’Onta Foreman is heading to Chicago.

D’Onta Foreman has found a new home as he inks a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears. The former Texas Longhorn standout is finding his footing in the NFL.

Foreman enjoyed the best season of his professional career with the Carolina Panthers in 2022. He ran for 914 yards and five touchdowns on a solid 4.5 yards per carry clip.

The Houston Texans drafted Foreman in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, where he played two seasons before being released. Foreman revitalized his career in Tennesee in 2021, filling in for an injured Derrick Henry to help the Titans reach the playoffs.

Foreman is one of a handful of players brought in by Chicago to bolster the roster this offseason. He should play a significant role in the Bears’ offense with David Montgumery heading to Detriot.

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WATCH: Texas ex Kody Clemens records first MLB hit

Kody Clemens picks up his first career base hit.

In the second inning facing off against the Chicago White Sox, Kody Clemens recorded his first career MLB hit with a hard-hit single to right field.

It has not been easy sledding for Clemens at the MLB level, his base knock snapped an 0-17 start to his Detroit Tiger career. Clemens provided a veteran answer when asked about his slow start before Monday’s game.

“I think there would be a lot of other people that would be freaking out. At the same time, it hasn’t really fazed me. Trust me, everybody goes through ups and downs in their career. Unfortunately, this is my beginning.”

The former Longhorn got the call to the major leagues on May 30 after hitting .283 with eight home runs at Triple-A Toledo. The 26-year-old Clemens has served as a role player for the Tigers since.

He was drafted in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft after an All-American campaign at Texas. Clemens hit .355 with 24 home runs en route to Big 12 Player of the Year honors.

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Texas ex Joseph Ossai tabbed a breakout player for Cincinnati Bengals in 2022

The Joseph Ossai hype train is once again gaining steam.

Cincinnati Bengal pass rusher Joseph Ossai has yet to make his NFL debut after suffering a season-ending knee injury as a rookie. Continue reading “Texas ex Joseph Ossai tabbed a breakout player for Cincinnati Bengals in 2022”

Former Longhorn Kris Boyd sets up fundraiser for Uvalde victims

The fundraiser has already reached over $16,000 in the span of about 24 hours. 

Former Texas Longhorns defensive back and now Minnesota Viking Kris Boyd is making a coordinated effort to support the victims of the tragic Uvalde shooting that took place at Robb Elementary on Thursday afternoon. Continue reading “Former Longhorn Kris Boyd sets up fundraiser for Uvalde victims”

Former Longhorn WR Marcus Washington commits to Nebraska

The move to Nebraska reunites Washington with his former Texas quarterback Casey Thompson.

Former Texas wide receiver Marcus Washington is off to Nebraska to join Scott Frost’s program in the Big Ten. Continue reading “Former Longhorn WR Marcus Washington commits to Nebraska”

Former All-Pro safety Earl Thomas “ready” to resume his NFL career

Earl Thomas wants to get back on the football field.

Earl Thomas has been out of the NFL game for the past two seasons.

The three-time All-Pro safety was released from the Baltimore Ravens after a practice altercation with a teammate in 2019 and has been a free agent since.

The longtime Seahawk was a member of Seattle’s “legion on boom” and boasts over 30 career interceptions. He played a huge role in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run in 2014.

Thomas told ESPN’s Adam Schefter he is “ready” to make a comeback to the league after his two-year halt.

“I’m in shape. My timing is on point – I’m proud of that.”

Known as one of the best defensives backs in the NFL for much of his career, Thomas should draw interest from many organizations. The 33-year-old believes he still has something left in the tank.

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Former Longhorn WR Jake Smith no longer listed on USC’s roster

The future is unclear for former Texas wide receiver Jake Smith.

Former Texas wideout Jake Smith is no longer listed on USC’s spring roster.

Smith was sidelined over the course of the 2021 season due to a lingering foot injury. Now it appears he might be moving on from the USC program. Smith’s name has not yet appeared in the NCAA transfer portal.

The four-star from the class of 2019 signed with the Longhorns making an immediate impact during his freshman season. Smith caught six touchdowns with over 270 receiving yards playing behind Devin Duvernay in 2019.

 

Many believed Smith would take a huge leap in production during his sophomore year but injuries and drops held him back. He saw his numbers decrease in a crowded Texas wide receiver room. Smith decided to take his talents to USC after Tom Herman was fired at the conclusion of the 2020 season.

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Former Texas assistant Jeff Traylor among candidates to replace Matt Wells at Texas Tech

Former Texas assistant Jeff Traylor will be a hot commodity.

The head coach landscape has yet another opening following the firings of Clay Helton at USC and Ed Orgeron at LSU. The Texas Tech Red Raiders announced on Monday that they relieved Matt Wells. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt stated that the next hire would be one that will unify the fanbase.

One of the names that has been passed around is former Texas Longhorns assistant coach Jeff Traylor. Currently, Traylor has his UTSA Roadrunners in the top 25 of the AFCA Coaches Poll with an 8-0 record. During his time as the head coach, Traylor has compiled a record of 15-5 with the Roadrunners in two years.

At a late afternoon news conference, Hocutt called Wells “a very good man” and one “who always operates with integrity and character.”

“Matt Wells did a lot of things right,” Hocutt said. “The performance on the field did not match our expectations.”

Tech (5-3, 2-3 in the Big 12) has finished each of the past five seasons and six of the past seven with losing records. The Red Raiders have not finished above .500 in conference play since 2009, Mike Leach’s last season.

“We’ve got to get this right,” Hocutt said with an emphatic tone. “Bottom line, we have got to get this right for Texas Tech athletics and Texas Tech University.”

Hocutt emphasized that getting a coach with Texas ties will be important for high school connections and recruiting reasons. – Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

A head coach candidate with high school connections seems to point straight to Traylor. He spent time as an assistant coach at Big Sandy and Jacksonville in East Texas before becoming the head coach at Gilmer High School. He joined the Longhorns staff in 2015 after 14 years with Gilmer.

Multiple coaching lists all have Traylor among the top names, as well as Sonny Dykes. Dykes is the current head coach at Southern Methodist and the son of Tech coaching legend Spike Dykes.

WATCH: Vince Young speaks to Texas team, shares motivational message and advice

Former Texas star Vince Young recently spoke to Steve Sarkisian’s squad and shared motivational messages and advice.

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Former Texas quarterback Vince Young knows a thing or two about what it takes to have a successful collegiate career in Austin. Continue reading “WATCH: Vince Young speaks to Texas team, shares motivational message and advice”

Kevin Durant will commit to Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics

Former Texas star Kevin Durant is one of 12 players who will be on the Team USA roster for the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

Kevin Durant did not walk away with an NBA championship this season, but he can end this calendar year with a gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics.

It was announced on Sunday by The Athletic’s Shams Charania that Durant is expected to be on the 12-man roster for Team USA this summer.

Durant and the Brooklyn Nets had their historical playoff run end roughly a week ago after his potential game-tying shot fell short. Durant gave everything he had in the loss to the Bucks, as he played the whole game from games four through seven and he had multiple 40-plus performances.

The former Longhorn is now in pursuit of a third gold medal as he was a part of the gold medal teams in both London (2012) and Rio (2016).

The 12-man roster is full after there being 57 potential suitors.

The roster is as followed:

  • Kevin Durant, F, Brooklyn Nets
  • James Harden, G, Brooklyn Nets
  • Damian Lillard, G, Portland Trail Blazers
  • Devin Booker, G, Phoenix Suns
  • Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics
  • Bradley Beal, G, Washington Wizards
  • Khris Middleton, G/F, Milwaukee Bucks
  • Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat
  • Draymond Green, F/C, Golden State Warriors
  • Jrue Holiday, G, Milwaukee Bucks
  • Kevin Love, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Brook Lopez, C, Milwaukee Bucks

One interesting note is the fact that Devin Booker, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez all have the opportunity to make it to the NBA Finals. If their team(s) series goes to a game seven, which is currently scheduled for July 22nd, the players will not only miss training camp in Las Vegas, but have three days before their first matchup against France on June 25th.

Even if those players decide to forgo playing, having Durant on the team will leave the United States in prime position to three-peat for gold.