Tag: hookem horns

Longhorns Wire Roundtable: Texas preseason predictions

With the 2020 college football season just over three weeks away, the Longhorns Wire staff weighed in our their predictions for Texas.

It’s been a whirlwind offseason, but college football is quickly approaching. We’re now just a mere 24 days (at time of publishing) away from kickoff. The Texas Longhorns are in the midst of fall camp and looking to ramp up the intensity as they prepare for the UTEP Miners on Sept. 12th.

The buzz surrounding three of the Power Five conferences is reaching a fever pitch. The Longhorns are eager to get the sour taste of an 8-5 season out of their mouths. Although it’s a shortened season with minimal offseason work, expectations are sky high.

Head coach Tom Herman has spoke at length regarding what a successful season would be for the Longhorns. Obviously,  this particular season could be derailed in a matter of moments due to COVID-19 or injuries to a key player.

For Texas, the expectation level is to compete for the Big 12 title. That’s the primary stepping stone in order to advance to the College Football Playoff.

With a substantial amount of hope and optimism in the air as the schedule approaches, Longhorns Wire staff put together their predictions for the upcoming season.

Related: ESPN predicts each game by win probability

Related: 2020 Longhorns Wire game-by-game predictions

Next up the staff’s predictions

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Mack Brown stated the final play in the National Championship was Vince Young’s call

Former Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown joined the Dan Patrick Show. On the topic of Texas he stated the final play was all Vince Young

On Wednesday’s Dan Patrick Show, former National Championship winning coach Mack Brown joined. On the topic of discussions they spoke about the upcoming season, Notre Dame and the National Championship game in 2005.

Patrick asked about why the ACC, Big 12 and SEC are moving forward with football but not the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences.

It seems to me that it just a difference in medical opinions. The medical experts seem to think it is not as safe for Big Ten and the Pac-12.

Brown goes on to talk about the medical experts have been in on every conversation from how many can be in the stands, how they eat, and how they meet. While the Big Ten and Pac-12 have stated that it isn’t safe enough the remaining three Power Five conferences believe that it is indeed safe enough to move forward.

When asked about what is the coolest item that Mack Brown has in his office in North Carolina, he answered the 2005 National Championship Trophy.

The National Championship Trophy that is right over my shoulder that I’m hoping every recruit sees.

Longhorns fans do have fond memories of Mack Brown despite how the relationship ended following the 2013 college football season. Brown led the team to two BCS Championship appearances and one National Championship in 2005. Brown stated that it was Vince Young’s call to run the final play that gave them the late lead.

It was a designed play. It was menu No. 2 because at that time we were going no huddle because it was the end of the game. You had to get the play in very quickly. And I will never for it, it was a place Vince (Young) told us he wanted to run if we got into that situation. Because we said what is your best go to play if we get down to the end and we have got to make a play. So we called it and I will never forget I said look quickly and if they are open throw it. But if not your legs are pretty darn good for five yards. Don’t be hesitant to pull it down and run it.

Mack Brown also discussed why it didn’t work out for Young in the NFL. You can hear the full interview below.

Texas Football Recruiting: With Jalen Milroe out, what is next at quarterback?

The Texas Longhorns recently lost their only quarterback commit of the 2021 class. So where will Mike Yurcich turn to now?

There was plenty of fallout expected following the commitment of 2022 top recruit Quinn Ewers. As we’ve seen already, that fallout came a little sooner than expected. The 2021 recruiting class quarterback commit Jalen Milroe is now Alabama bound which poses the question what does Texas do now?

Of the top 50 quarterbacks of the 2021 cycle, there aren’t many quarterbacks left that aren’t already committed. However, as seen with Milroe there is always the opportunity to flip a commit. As of right now there is one quarterback who was part of the Elite 11 quarterback camp that hasn’t made his mind on where he will go.

Grayson James played quarterback for John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas last season but according to the Dallas Morning News, he is set to play at Duncanville in the fall. Duncanville lost last year’s starting quarterback who signed with the Longhorns. Ja’Quinden Jackson’s deparature and the transfer of backup Chris Parson left a vacancy.

James is the 33rd ranked pro style quarterback in the country according to 247Sports composite rankings. James currently holds 10 scholarship offers but none of which come from a Power Five school. Mike Roach of 247Sports says that it could be a different targeted quarterback that Mike Yurcich and Texas have in mind.

In a recent post on Horns247, Roach mentioned another Elite 11 finalist in Maddox Kopp. He is expected to make his commitment announcement on September 1st but there is still time for the Longhorns to get involved.  Kopp feels more like what Yurcich wants at the quarterback position.

When he was part of the Oklahoma State Cowboys staff, he brought Mason Rudolph to Stillwater. Rudolph was the 16th ranked Pro Style quarterback of the 2014 recruiting cycle. Kopp is similar to Rudolph in terms of size and style of play. Obviously with all coaches, they have a type of quarterback they want to run their system. Kopp is choosing between Ole Miss and Houston but Texas could change everything according to Roach.

On Milroe’s exit he stated that “I wasn’t your guy” in terms of being what Mike Yurcich wanted at the position. That also might give some indication as to what the Longhorns might do with their quarterback in the post Ehlinger-era. All indications is that Hudson Card could be the favorite.

 

Texas Basketball: Kentucky trying to lure assistant per report

Shaka Smart may be losing an assistant, as UK is looking to steal Jai Lucas. KSR is reporting that Calipari wants Lucas to join his staff.

Head coach Shaka Smart may be losing one of the assistants on his coaching staff, as Kentucky could be looking to steal Jai Lucas away. Kentucky Sports Radio is reporting that John Calipari could want Lucas to join his staff.

“Would be a big get if we could pull that off,” a source close to the Kentucky basketball program told KSR Tuesday morning.

“Jai Lucas is a specialist, knows everyone in the country. Limitless resources,” another source familiar with the situation told KSR on Monday evening. “Could be an assistant like he is now but more of a connections guy. Fits like a glove [at Kentucky].”

He would be replacing Kenny Payne, who recently joined the New York Knicks’ coaching staff.

Lucas joined the Texas staff in 2013 and began as the Texas director of basketball operations. Smart then gave him a promotion, making him an assistant coach beginning in 2016.

He is responsible for the great 2017 recruiting class that included Mo Bamba, Matt Coleman, and Jericho Sims.

Before coaching, Lucas was a player at Texas for two seasons after transferring from Florida. He averaged just under three points a game with 2.9 and 1.2 assists per game during his time in Austin.

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Texas QB Sam Ehlinger expresses initial reactions to upcoming season

During media availability on Tuesday, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger voiced his opinions on the upcoming season.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger did not shy away from letting his opinions be heard on Tuesday. Continue reading “Texas QB Sam Ehlinger expresses initial reactions to upcoming season”

PFF ranked all 130 FBS quarterbacks, where does Sam Ehlinger Stand?

Pro Football Focus has released their rankings for all 130 quarterbacks in FBS. So where does Sam Ehlinger stand?

Pro Football Focus is back at it again with their college football rankings. This time the focus being on the single most important player on the field, the quarterback. The Longhorns are led by senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger who is looking to finally bring Texas back to the top of the conference. A place they haven’t been since Colt McCoy left a decade ago.

He came close in 2018 but ultimately fell short to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 title game. Can Ehlinger and the Longhorns finally get their retribution? That remains to be seen. There has been considerable hype surrounding the Austin native this offseason. Ehlinger is one of the top three quarterbacks in almost every single statistical category in school history.

So where does he rank among the 130 quarterbacks in FBS? PFF answered that question with their rankings.

What PFF says about Ehlinger

Texas might not have the same “elite program” status as they did in the early 2000s, but it’s far from Ehlinger’s fault. He posted an impressive 85.7 PFF grade in 2018 before improving that to an elite mark of 90.1 in 2019. Ehlinger produced 33 big-time throws last year, tying for the second-most in the country. He makes good decisions with the ball, he has excellent accuracy and mobility for a college quarterback, and he can take his play even further if he cuts down on his tendency to bail out of clean pockets.

Ranked: 6th

Sam Ehlinger comes in as the highest rated Big 12 quarterback, just two spots above Brock Purdy. If you are asking yourself right now, yes he is ranked higher than that other quarterback who wears number 11 in the state.

Big 12 Quarterback Rankings

  1. Sam Ehlinger, Texas (6th)
  2. Brock Purday, Iowa State (8th)
  3. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma (20th)
  4. Skylar Thompson, Kansas State (25th)
  5. Charlie Brewer, Baylor (26th)
  6. Alan Bowman, Texas Tech (50th)
  7. Jarrett Doege, West Virginina (52nd)
  8. Max Duggan, Texas Christian (60th)
  9. Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State (84th)
  10. Thomas MacVittie/Miles Kendrick, Kansas (107th)

 

Texas Football Recruiting: 2022 target commits to Ohio State over Texas, Clemson, LSU, Oklahoma

Ohio State continued their dominance on the recruiting trail Tuesday. Dasan McCullough, a four-star from Kansas, committed to the Buckeyes.

Ohio State continued their dominance on the recruiting trail, this time going to the 2022 class. Dasan McCullough, a four-star prospect from Kansas, committed to the Buckeyes Tuesday afternoon, their fifth of the class.

McCullough is listed as an athlete on 247Sports but is projected to play a role in the secondary. He has played safety, outside corner, and over the slot corner during his time in high school. Former cornerbacks coach and now defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs will have a fun time utilizing him.

Listed at 6-5 and 220 pounds, the rising junior in high school has good size to play safety instead of cornerback. He could even creep down further into the box, using his athleticism and tackling ability to make plays for Ohio State.

At the time of commitment, McCullough received 43 offers from some of the best in the country. Back in June, the four-star dropped a top 10 consisting of Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, and USC.

After Quinn Ewers committed to Texas, McCullough showed the Longhorns some love, tweeting out an orange heart and a couple of ‘Hook ’em’ signs.

Going for a top-three class in 2022 is going to be difficult for the Longhorns, especially if Ryan Day can continue on the path the Buckeyes are currently on. Five prospects are already committed to Ohio State for 2022 and are all top 150 guys.

Texas had landed Ewers, the No. 1 player in the country, and four-star wide receiver Phaizon Wilson. The Longhorns are just getting started on the 2022 train and will be competing with the Buckeyes for top players throughout the class.

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Texas Football: Jordan Whittington looks healthy, ready to contribute

This particular clip of Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington during fall camp appears to show that he’s healthy and poised for a big year.

Will Texas finally have wide receiver Jordan Whittington at their disposal this season? Continue reading “Texas Football: Jordan Whittington looks healthy, ready to contribute”

College Fantasy Draft: Tom Herman and the Longhorns walk away with help on defense

In 247Sports’ most recent article they posed an idea of a college fantasy draft. In this scenario the Texas Longhorns walk away with a LBer.

If you are an avid football fan, it is likely that you play fantasy football. It isn’t just a NFL game anymore as some sites offer a college football fantasy league. Many fans are putting their draft parties together, putting a board together much like a NFL team is doing and prove they have the superior football mind against friends and colleagues. So what about a college football fantasy draft?

What if the contenders in the remaining Power Five conferences got their shot at drafting a player out of the Big Ten or Pac-12 Conference? Throw the transfer portal out the window for just a moment. That is what 247Sports’ staff did. In this scenario the Longhorns received the number 12 selection to try and improve their team. So do they go offense and add to their wide receiver corps? Or do they add to their defense in an attempt to slow down some high powered offenses?

The Longhorns select: Cameron McGrone, Linebacker from Michigan

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

No shock will this selection as the Longhorns have been on the hunt for linebacker help. Recently they were among the three teams vying for the commitment from Arizona transfer linebacker Tony Fields II. In this scenario from Barton Simmons, the Longhorns get their man in McGrone.

Texas needs a fix at defense and has turned to new coordinator Chris Ash for answers. There’s no denying the talent in the secondary and Joseph Ossai is expected to emerge as one of the best pass rushers in the country. It’s the linebacker position where the Longhorns need to find consistency. Cameron McGrone, a former five-star in the Top247 rankings, was poised to have a breakout fall this season at Michigan and the feeling here is that whenever we see him on the field again, he’ll quickly assert himself as one of the best linebackers in the country. That’s the kind of talent that would make Ash sleep much easier in his first year

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Longhorns in the NFL: Training Camp news and notes

In the first NFL training camp update of the year we look at Holton Hill, Kris Boyd, Connor Williams and Devin Duvernay.

NFL is in full swing with training camps getting going. For the Texas Longhorns there a list of former players in the mix for various position battles across the league.

Continue reading “Longhorns in the NFL: Training Camp news and notes”

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