Texas Football: Chad Simmons’ high-impact freshmen for 2021

Three signees from Texas’ 2021 recruiting class were chosen as high impact freshmen for this upcoming season.

First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian joined the party late in the cycle, but Texas’ 2021 recruiting class still ended up No. 15 in the country and No. 2 in the Big 12.

There are 23 true freshmen on the Forty Acres this season. The class is headlined by the Longhorns’ lone five-star prospect, versatile athlete Ja’Tavion Sanders. Aside from the Denton Ryan star, 10 talented four-star recruits are in the class.

Will any of them make an impact as true freshmen?

Director of recruiting for On3sports Chad Simmons recently chose three high impact freshmen for Texas ahead of the 2021 college football season. Sanders is the clear no-brainer, but the other two selections — a speedy wide receiver and highly rated safety — were listed ahead of him.

Here are the three 2021 signees Simmons expects to play a significant role for Texas this season.

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Projected role of four-star recruit Billy Bowman

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Alex Grinch discussed the role for freshman Billy Bowman.

Billy Bowman, one of Oklahoma’s newest acquisitions is garnering plenty of discussion as spring football kicks off in Norman. The four-star recruit has the position flexibility of playing both receiver and defensive back. Bowman was listed as a DB and today via zoom, defensive coordinator Alex Grinch confirmed.

“We won the recruiting battle within these walls which was huge for us … trying him [Billy Bowman] at nickel right now. Kind of that nickel, safety kind of role which I think kind of could be a good one for him.”

The freshman will be utilized in Grinch’s secondary. Bowman played on both sides of the football for Denton Ryan High school including slot receiver, nickel cornerback, and as a return specialist. He was disruptive on the gridiron in all three. Oklahoma is not as deep on the back end with the loss of Tre Brown and Tre Norwood to the NFL and departure of Brendan Radley-Hiles via transfer portal. New players will have to step up and Bowman is certainly an intriguing addition to the mix.

With offenses at the college and pro ranks becoming more and more pass-heavy, increased pressure and importance is placed on the secondary. Teams are playing more nickel packages to add in an extra defensive back to combat explosive passing attacks. Bowman will add rotational depth at nickel safety. He possesses the physicality, ball skills, proven track speed, and change-of-direction ability to become an impact in Grinch’s system.

He will be given opportunities to rise on the depth chart. Fellow Texan Latrell McCutchin also signed with OU during the early signing period in December and Grinch is impressed with the young players following their first practice in Crimson and Cream, describing to reporters “As good of a group as I’ve ever been around.”

Bowman is receiving quality reps already in Norman and given the nature of Oklahoma’s placement in the college football hierarchy, there are high expectations placed on him. Football is all about the “next man up” and Bowman is one to keep an eye on in Oklahoma’s secondary. After all, it is not the reps that count but the production between the hash marks.

Texas RB Bijan Robinson named one of the top freshmen to watch

The excitement and expectations surrounding Texas running back Bijan Robinson is off the charts.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson is not your typical freshman. Continue reading “Texas RB Bijan Robinson named one of the top freshmen to watch”

Longhorns Profile Snapshot: No. 14 Dajon Harrison

LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the UT roster. Today, we will be looking at freshmen WR Dajon Harrison.

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 freshmen wide receiver Dajon Harrison.

Dajon Harrison, Wide receiver

Height: 5-10 / Weight: 170

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Hutto, Texas

High School: Hutto

HS ranking (247Sports): Three-star / No. 133 position / No. 112 in-state

HS ranking (Rivals): Three-star / No. 76 in-state

Analysis: Dajon Harrison was one of Texas’ two wide receivers in the 2020 recruiting class. A three-star prospect on the 247Sports composite, Harrison is going to prove to be a productive player out of the slot for the Longhorns.

Listed at 5-10 and 170 pounds, the wide receiver ran track in high school, displaying the type of speed he can bring to the football field. Playing Texas high school football at the 5A level for Hutto, Harrison 969 total yards and 10 touchdowns his senior season.

Jake Smith and Jordan Whittington will occupy most of the snaps from the slot this season but when Harrison gets his shot, he will make the most of it. Having speed on the inside is never a bad thing, especially in Mike Yurcich’s offense.

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Promising Texas WR tears ACL during first scrimmage

Texas football suffered a significant loss on Sunday as it was confirmed that freshman wide receiver Troy Omeire tore his ACL.

This offseason has been a roller coaster for the Texas football program. Continue reading “Promising Texas WR tears ACL during first scrimmage”

Longhorns Profile Snapshot: No. 65 Jake Majors

LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster. Today, we will be looking at freshman OC Jake Majors.

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 freshman center Jake Majors.

Jake Majors, Center

Height: 6-3 / Weight: 298

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Prosper, Texas

High School: Prosper

HS ranking (247Sports): Three-star / No. 15 position / No. 84 in-state

HS ranking (Rivals): Four-star / No. 155 overall / No. 5 position / No. 20 in-state

Analysis: Jake Majors was another huge in-state recruit Tom Herman pulled in the 2020 class. Playing tackle in high school, Majors has the capability to play anywhere across the offensive line. Center or guard is a likely option for the freshman.

The offensive line was not a huge focus in 2020 but Herb Hand still found a way to pull a top-five player at his position to Austin. Majors was the highest of four offensive linemen in the class.

Majors will not be inline to start this season, with Texas’ offensive line mostly returning from the 2019 season. Thanks to his size, the former four-star recruit is going to be able to play multiple positions in the future.

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Texas Football: Is Bijan Robinson a breakout candidate in 2020?

Recently 247Sports named Texas running back Bijan Robinson a freshman breakout candidate in 2020. We examine that claim.

There is quite a buzz surrounding the newest running back for the University of Texas. Bijan Robinson was the number one rated running back in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Throughout the 2020 recruiting cycle it seemed back and forth with Zachary Evans (TCU) and Robinson as to who would be the number one back.

Our friends at 247Sports put together a list of freshmen who could be top 50 players by seasons end. Several players on the list have Big 12 ties such as Spencer Rattler (redshirt freshman, Oklahoma) and Evans. Robinson is also on the list.

What 247Sports says

Head coach Tom Herman is hyping Texas’ running back depth. And while the Longhorns do return a pair of highly-effective rushers in Keaontay Ingram (5.9 ypc, 853 yards) and Roschon Johnson (5.3 ypc, 649 yards), it’s worth noting Johnson is entering only his second year playing the position and Ingram has already suffered a hamstring injury ahead of fall camp. Robinson, meanwhile, is a potential bell cow.

A ridiculously effective high school ball carrier, Robinson finished his senior season with 2,235 yards and 35 touchdowns while averaging 17.7 yards per carry. Those are video game statistics. The 2020 five-star and No. 1 overall back in the 247Sports Composite arrives with a college-ready frame and big-play potential. Given that the Longhorns have struggled to produce explosive rushing plays under Herman’s direction, ranking 100^th (2017), 120^th (2018) and 91^st (2019) in runs of 20-plus yards, Robinson figures to have an instant role within the offense. Don’t be shocked if he quickly maneuvers his way into the status of Texas’ top back.

Next we give our take on Bijan Robinson

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Gators cornerback Kaiir Elam named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List

Kaiir Elam, who appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman last season, has been named to the watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

Sophomore Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam is gaining some national recognition heading into his second season in Gainesville. Elam, who appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman last season, has been named to the watch list for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the top defensive back in college football. He was one of 49 secondary players placed on the list.

Elam started five games in 2019, totaling 11 tackles and three interceptions. He was one of just seven true freshmen in the FBS to snag three or more picks last season. With the departure of one of last year’s starting corners in C.J. Henderson, Elam is likely to take over his starting role on the outside.

The list of 49 will be narrowed to 10-15 semifinalists on Nov. 2 before being slimmed to just three finalists on Nov. 16. The winner is set to be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 10.

Here’s the full watch list.

*Kaiir Elam*	*Florida*
Paulson Adebo	Stanford
Reed Blankenship	Middle Tennessee State
Eric Burrell	Wisconsin
Camryn Bynum	California
T.J. Carter	Memphis
Andre Cisco	Syracuse
Kenderick Duncan, Jr.	Georgia Southern
Greg Eisworth	Iowa State
Caleb Farley	Virginia Tech
Paris Ford	Pitt
Kaleb Ford-Dement	Old Dominion
Darrick Forrest	Cincinnati
Ahmad Gardner	Cincinnati
Thomas Graham, Jr.	Oregon
Richie Grant	UCF
Darren Hall	San Diego State
Brontae Harris	UAB
Kolby Harvell-Peel	Oklahoma State
Tyrone Hill	Buffalo
Jevon Holland	Oregon
Talanoa Hufanga	USC
Shaun Jolly	Appalachian State
Kekaula Kaniho	Boise State
Derion Kendrick	Clemson
Richard LeCounte	Georgia
Trevon Moehrig	TCU
Elijah Molden	Washington
Israel Mukuamu	South Carolina
Hamsah Nasirildeen	Florida State
Dell Pettus	Troy
Antonio Phillips	Ball State
Aaron Robinson	UCF
Emmanuel Rugamba	Miami (OH)
Caden Sterns	Texas
JaCoby Stevens	LSU
Derek Stingley, Jr.	LSU
Eric Stokes	Georgia
Corey Straughter	ULM
Patrick Surtain II	Alabama
Ambry Thomas	Michigan
Tariq Thompson	San Diego State
Amechi Uzodinma	Ball State
Shaun Wade	Ohio State
Lamont Wade	Penn State
Jalen Walker	Boise State
Jermaine Waller	Virginia Tech
Sterling Weatherford	Miami (OH)
James Wiggins	Cincinnati

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2019 Florida Gators Football Profile Card: Lloyd Summerall III

This is a Player Profile Card for freshman linebacker Lloyd Summerall III of the Florida Gators football team.

Name: Lloyd Summerall III

Number: 99

Position: Linebacker

Class: Freshman

Height: 6’5″

Weight: 214 lbs

Hometown: Lakeland, Fla.

High School: Lakeland High School

Twitter: @HimsoHam

2019 statistics:

	Tackles
Gm	Solo	Ast	Tot	Loss	Sk
3	1	1	2	0.5	0

Overview:

Summerall III started his high school career at Auburndale High School but transferred to Lakeland High School for his senior year, leading it to a Class 7A state title.

He was a four star recruit in the 2019 recruiting class after finishing his high school career with 117 tackles and 14.5 sacks. He committed to coach Dan Mullen and the Gators over offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU and more.

Summerall III played in three games his first year on campus, blowouts against UT Martin and Vanderbilt, as well as the Orange Bowl victory over Virginia. He made just two tackles (one solo) and redshirted the season. He should see more action as an edge rusher his redshirt freshman season in 2020.

Video:

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2019 Florida Gators Football Profile Card: Khris Bogle

This is a Player Profile Card for freshman linebacker Khris Bogle of the Florida Gators football team.

Name: Khris Bogle

Number: 97

Position: Linebacker

Class: Freshman

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 216 lbs

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

High School: Cardinal Gibbons

Twitter: @khris_a1

2019 statistics:

	Tackles					Def Int
Gm	Solo	Ast	Tot	Loss	Sk	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD
13	6	12	18	2.5	2	0	0	0	0	1

Overview:

A four-star recruit and the No. 3-ranked weakside defensive end in the 2019 recruiting class, Bogle was an Under Armour All-American at Cardinal Gibbons in Fort Lauderdale. He signed with UF coach Dan Mullen over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and more.

Athletic with a lengthy 6-foot-6, 216-pound frame, Bogle immediately saw action as a pass rusher, seeing time at the BUCK outside linebacker position. He played in all 13 games as a reserve, making 18 total tackles (six solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also deflected a pass.

Bogle is a major part of Florida’s plans along the defensive line moving forward. Though he still finds himself behind incumbent Jeremiah Moon, Bogle should be a major contributor for the Gators in 2020.

Video:

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