Tag: Horns Football

Pittsburgh Steelers sign former Longhorn wide receiver Tarik Black

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Black to a one-year deal worth $795,000

The Steelers offense has a new weapon in former Longhorns wide Receiver Tarik Black. On Monday, Pittsburgh signed Black to a one-year deal worth $795,000. Former Michigan star Roman Wilson suffered an ankle injury in practice on Tuesday, which could lead to more playing time for Black. 

As Black starts his Steelers career, he will be looking to appear in his first NFL game since the 2021 season. He made his NFL debut with the New Jets in Week 18, recording one catch for ten yards on two targets. While he has yet to find a permanent role on an NFL team, Black was a solid receiver in college.

In 29 games with the Longhorns and Wolverines, Black hauled in 50 receptions for 747 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns. He averaged  14.9 yards per catch and a career-high 24 with the Longhorns. 

While Black only spent one year in Texas, he made the most of his opportunities. In 10 games, he recorded 240 receiving yards, the second-most of his career. As he battles for a roster spot in Pittsburgh, he will be looking to show that he can be a reliable depth option when called upon.

With the preseason just beginning, Black has plenty of time to show the Steelers why he should be on the roster when they open their season against the Falcons on September 8. Many in Austin will be closely watching as rosters continue to get trimmed down and Black looks to take advantage of his latest chance in the NFL.

He originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts after the 2021 NFL Draft but spent the whole season on the practice squad. Over the last few years, Black has been signed and released by various teams, with Pittsburgh being his latest stop.

Everything Steve Sarkisian said to the media on Tuesday

Steve Sarkisian met with the media on Tuesday following the Longhorns’ morning practice. 

Steve Sarkisian met with the media on Tuesday following the Longhorns’ morning practice.

The third-year Texas head coach provided some updates about where his team stands about halfway through spring practice.

Sarkisian had praise for a few players stepping up from a leadership capacity. He highlighted Jordan Whittington, Quinn Ewers, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jerrin Thompson, Byron Murphy and Barryn Sorrell as growing leaders in the program.

The Texas staff feels confident about its depth at cornerback. With Ryan Watts as a returning starter coming back, Sarkisian mentioned a few names competing well across from Watts.

Sarkisian complemented the running back room for their efforts in Texas’ most recent scrimmage.

Kitan Crawford was singled out again as a standout in practice. Crawford’s emergence is becoming a common theme this Spring. With Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon still sidelined with an injury, Crawford is making the most of his extra reps.

Here is a look at everything Steve Sarkisian said as Texas continues its preparation in spring ball.

Report: Gary Patterson stepping away from his role with Texas

Gary Patterson is leaving the Texas football program after one season.

Gary Patterson is stepping away from his role as special assistant to the head coach with Texas football after one season with the team. Continue reading “Report: Gary Patterson stepping away from his role with Texas”

Texas among college football’s most lethal rosters for 2023

Texas fields one of the best rosters in college football for 2023.

Texas took strides in the right direction with an improved year two under Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns saw a three-win jump in the win column, going from 5-7 to 8-5.

Another step forward in 2023 could have Texas closer to a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff birth.

247Sports named Texas as one of the 10 “most lethal rosters for 2023.” Texas came in at No. 5 on the list, behind only Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State and LSU.

Given the wealth of talent that has been signed in Austin over the last five recruiting cycles, the Longhorns’ overall record doesn’t match up. That’s part of the reason this program has had a revolving door at head coach since Mack Brown’s decision to walk away. Boosters are hoping that coach Steve Sarkisian is the right man to lead Texas back to the national spotlight in 2023 with a top class coming in, highlighted by several five-stars. This isn’t Arch Manning’s team yet, but it will be down the road.

Recruiting at a high level is nothing new for Texas, but the wins have not correlated in recent years. Steve Sarkisian hopes his 2023 team is the one that pushes Texas back into national contention.

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Former Texas QB Hudson Card lands at Purdue

Hudson Card has found a new home.

After entering the NCAA transfer portal following the end of the regular season, Hudson Card has found his new home.

The former Texas quarterback is heading to play in the Big Ten Conference with the Purdue Boilermakers.

247Sports ranks Card as the No. 3 quarterback in the transfer portal. He has two years of eligibility remaining in his college career.

Card threw for 1,523 yards and 11 touchdowns in 19 games as a Longhorn. He played in four games at quarterback for Texas this season in place of the injured Quinn Ewers.

Texas’ quarterback room remains in good shape entering the offseason. Freshman Maalik Murphy moves into the backup role behind Quinn Ewers with five-star 2023 signee Arch Manning set to arrive in January.

Steve Sarkisian hinted at an open quarterback battle ahead of the 2023 season.

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Texas trending for 2023 five-star PF Ron Holland

One of the best basketball prospects in the class of 2023 is nearing a college decision. 

One of the best basketball prospects in the class of 2023 is nearing a college decision.

Five-star power forward Ron Holland has narrowed his recruitment to three schools. Arkansas, Texas and UCLA all made the cut for the nation’s No. 10 prospect. Holland passed up on potential NBA G League opportunities in favor of playing in college.

Holland plans to take official visits to all three programs before committing to his future school.

His 6-foot-8 frame creates mismatches on the offensive and defensive sides of the court. With plenty of room to grow, Holland has one of the highest ceilings in the class of 2023 and the look of a future NBA player.

Chris Beard and the Longhorns would love to keep the Duncanville High School product in the state of Texas. A recent 247Sports crystal ball projection was entered in favor of Texas on Friday.

Holland spoke on what stands out about each of his remaining three finalists in a recent interview with On3 Sports.

WATCH: A day in the life of Texas QB Quinn Ewers

Ever wonder what a day in the life of the Longhorns’ star quarterback typically looks like?

Quinn Ewers is a little over a week away from making his Texas debut against UL Monroe in the season opener.

Ewers has had an eventful first offseason as a college quarterback.

He announced his transfer from Ohio State to Texas back in Dec. after taking only a handful of snaps as a Buckeye. Ewers was immediately thrown into a quarterback battle with redshirt sophomore Hudson Card.

The quarterback competition spanned from winter conditioning all the way until fall camp where Ewers was named the starter by head coach Steve Sarkisian. Sark is happy with how the former five-star has been developing since joining the program last semester.

Ewers has notably taken advantage of many NIL opportunities during his time in Austin. He recently announced a deal with Wrangler for a first-of-its-kind line of Texas Longhorn apparel.

Ever wonder what a day in the life of the Longhorns’ star quarterback typically looks like?

Whistle Sports featured Ewers on its “Days Off” special. A series that gives insight into how top athletes spend their time outside of their sport.

Ewers highlights what a normal offseason day looks like for him. He talks about getting extra work with his wide receivers, spending time on the golf course and the origins of his famous mullet.

Check out the full video from Whistle Sports here.

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WATCH: Bijan Robinson takes the field for spring practice No. 1

Bijan Robinson is excited and ready to go for spring ball.

Steve Sarkisian and his staff did a great job building momentum for the Texas program during the offseason. A major reason many are optimistic Texas will have an improved season in 2022 is the return of star running back Bijan Robinson.

Robinson is already a household name among college football fans. The Arizona native totaled close to 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 10 games last season. Every time he touches the ball he has the chance to do something special.

Experts believe Robinson will spearhead an explosive Texas offense and is a favorite for the 2022 Heisman Trophy.

With all the well-deserved hype, it is easy to see why Robinson is excited to be back on the football field.

Take a look at our in-depth player profile over Bijan Robinson.

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Texas Basketball: F Dylan Disu has been medically cleared to play

Very encouraging injury news for Texas basketball.

No. 17 Texas was as active as anyone in the transfer portal during Chris Beard’s first offseason as the head coach.

One of the seven transfers that the Longhorns brought in was former Vanderbilt forward Dylan Disu.

Disu has missed the first eight games of the season up to this point while nursing a knee injury he suffered in February of last year.

The Longhorns and Disu received good news on Tuesday as the forward has been medically cleared to return to play ahead of Texas’ matchup with Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Disu could provide a spark to Chris Beard’s squad before conference play. Last season at Vanderbilt, he averaged 15 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in his 17 starts before the injury.

Expect Beard to keep Disu on a minutes restriction as Texas eases him into the frontcourt rotation alongside Timmy Allen, Tre Mitchell and Christian Bishop.

Texas will look to bounce back on Tuesday night against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Longhorn Network.

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Texas WR Al’Vonte Woodard enters the transfer portal

Texas loses wide receiver Al’Vonte Woodard to the transfer portal.

Texas wide receiver Al’Vonte Woodard entered his name into the transfer portal on Tuesday.

He joins wide receiver Joshua Moore and linebacker Ayodele Adeoye as members of the 2018 class to hit the transfer portal this season. The 2018 class finished as the No. 3 class in the country.

The 247Sports composite rankings had Woodard as the No. 20 wide receiver in the country and No. 11 overall prospect in the state of Texas.

Woodard recorded just seven catches for 62 yards in his Texas career. The former four-star will be immediately eligible wherever he ends up.

Texas expects more attribution to follow as Steve Sarkisian said during the season he believes Texas will see upwards of 33 new scholarship players on the roster for next season.

Sarkisian will look to add talent to the wide receiver room via the transfer portal or the high school class.

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