Tag: hayden conner

Hayden Conner making a difference off the football field in Austin

The Texas native has become a staple in the community and was elected to this year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Since making his collegiate debut during the 2021 season, Hayden Conner has become a staple on the Longhorns’ offensive line. While he has helped Texas become the best team in the country, his impact goes beyond the football field. The Texas native has become a staple in the community and was selected to the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

It is not an award that Conner takes for granted, but it means a lot to him.

” It definitely means a lot, Conner said. ” It was something I was mindful of over the summer when I was putting together Paws For a Cause and all that stuff. It has given me a platform to advocate for animal shelters, pups, and other animals that need that love and attention. It is definitely shining some light on an area that I don’t think gets enough love.”

While Paws For a Cause is an important charity to Conner, it is not the only way he gives back. The Longhorns star has led donation drives for the Austin Animal Center and volunteered at Austin Pets Alive. He has also served meals to low-income families through Hungry Souls and supported children affected by domestic violence by working with SAFE Austin. 

Although Conner is being recognized for his work in Austin, he has been helping those in need before he became a college athlete.

” I’ve done it my whole life,” said Conner.”I started out volunteering with Special Olympics when I was in elementary school, and that grew into fostering animals. It’s very important to me, and I was raised the right way. I have good role models.” 

As the Longhorns have risen to the top of the college football world, Hayden’s work off the field has not gone unnoticed. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honors student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make a positive impact on society.

For Conner, the main priority through Paws For a Cause is getting animals into homes that will show them love.

” I care for shelter animals a lot,” said Conner. I’m a good person, and I’m authentic. I’m not doing this for any reason other than to get animals in homes that will give them love.”

What to expect from Hayden Conner in his senior season

Conner will be entering his senior season and looking to help the Longhorns flourish in the SEC

When the Texas Longhorns begin the 2024 campaign, Hayden Conner is among the four returning starters on the offensive line. The Katy, Texas, native will enter his senior season and look to help the Longhorns flourish in the SEC.

Over the last few years, Conner has been a model of consistency, playing in 35 games, starting 27. Last year, he was a vital part of an offensive line that blocked for Doak Walker Award semifinalist Jonathon Brooks and Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist Quinn Ewers. The Taylor High School product also helped open holes for Brooks and CJ Baxter, who recorded a combined 1,817 rushing yards.

Conner and his fellow linemen earned national recognition for their play. The Longhorns were Joe Moore Award semifinalists. Each year, the award is given to the best college football offensive line unit.

Although the roster will look very different this year, the offense is still expected to be a strength. However, their success will depend on the play of Conner and the other Longhorns on the offensive line. Since joining Texas in 2021, Conner has been up to the task. Last season he earned the third-highest pass blocking grade from PFF. His 82.2 pass-blocking grade was only behind offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (86.8) and center Jake Majors (84.4).

While Conner’s play may not show up on the stat sheet he will be a player that is relied on heavily. If he mirrors his success from last season then the Longhorns will be in good hands.

Inside Texas lists six breakout candidates ahead of the 2022 season

Eric Nahlin chose three potential breakout stars on both sides of the ball.

The Texas football roster changed dramatically this offseason. Continue reading “Inside Texas lists six breakout candidates ahead of the 2022 season”

A look at the 2021 recruiting class with Dave Campbell’s rankings

We dove into the 2021 recruiting class with Dave Campbell’s recruiting rankings to see just how good the class looks.

The Texas Longhorns have had a busy recruiting cycle regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic putting some strain on their efforts. The 2020 class wrapped up with the edition of Jahdae Barron joining the class that ranked them eighth overall. The Longhorns finished that class with five players ranked in the top 25 of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings.

  • No 6- JaQuinden Jackson | QB | Duncanville
  • No 8- Hudson Card | QB | Lake Travis (Austin, TX)
  • No 11- Vernon Broughton II | DE | Cypress Ridge (Houston, TX)
  • No 16- Alfred Collins | DE | Bastrop (Cedar Creek, TX)
  • No 25- Xavion Alford | DB | Shadow Creek (Pearland, TX)

The Longhorn were able to walk away with five of the top five recruits in the state according to the list by Campbell. They also added Troy Omeire (32), Jaylen Garth (34) and Logan Parr (37) to round out the top 40. Looking at the 2021 class, the Texas Longhorns already have commitments from the following players in the top 25 of this year’s rankings:

  • No 3- JaTavion Sanders | DE | Denton Ryan
  • No 15- Billy Bowman | ATH | Denton Ryan
  • No 20- Jalen Milroe | QB | Katy Tompkins
  • No 38- Hayden Connor | OT | Katy Taylor
  • No 39- Derrick Harris | OLB | New Caney

The 2021 recruiting cycles is far from done so this list should only grow with the team being in the mix for some of the best players in the state. In fact here is the list of top players in the rankings with offers from the Longhorns.

  • No 1- Tommy Brockermeyer | OT | All Saints (Fort Worth, TX)
  • No 7- Savion Byrd | OT | Duncanville
  • No 10- Clayton Smith | OLB | Texarkana
  • No 13- Shemar Turner | DE | DeSoto, TX
  • No 16- Ismael Ibraheem | CB | Kimball (Dallas, TX)
  • No 22- Garrett Nussmeier | QB | Flower Mound
  • No 37- JD Coffey | DB | Kennedale

With the level of talent on the radar for the Texas Longhorns and with a new staff doing the recruiting, there is a lot to be excited about. Especially when you consider the future of the program.