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The Arkansas transfer is making plays during Texas’ fall camp.
Texas’ football team is oozing potential ahead of the 2023 season, and there are stars all over the field. Continue reading “WATCH: Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon makes amazing interception”
Who are the top transfer additions the Oklahoma Sooners will face in 2023?
The transfer portal giveth and the transfer portal taketh. This statement has been true for everyone across the country even the University of Oklahoma.
The Sooners added Rondell Bothriyd and Dasan McCullough, but just a year ago lost Caleb Williams and Mario Williams. The portal has been good to Oklahoma, but it has been good to Oklahoma’s opponents as well.
The transfer portal has provided programs the opportunity to retool on the fly in the face of losses from the previous season.
SoonerScoop (subscription required) released an article on Saturday discussing the best transfer addition for OU opponents for the 2023 season.
This got me thinking, who are the five best transfer additions the Sooners will face this season.
What prospects should Browns fans have an eye on during the 2023 season?
The 2024 NFL draft is nearly a year away but you can bet general manager Andrew Berry has already begun scouting for next April. It is hard to tell what the Cleveland Browns will need to focus on before watching the 2023 season start to play out. However, you can be a little predictive based on contracts and the age of the current roster.
The team doesn’t have any linebackers outside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah on long-term deals past this season. They also have questions about the future of the offensive line both at tackle and guard. Let’s take a look at how next year’s draft could play out in this way too early 2024 mock draft.
Jalen Catalon is ready to make his mark as a Longhorn.
Steve Sarkisian and Texas’ staff once again utilized the transfer portal to their advantage this offseason. The Longhorns added a handful of players expected to make a substantial impact on the team this fall.
Amongst the newcomers from the portal is former Arkansas Razorback Jalen Catalon.
The former All-American had gone a bit under the radar after a couple of injury-riddled seasons in 2021 and 2022. Catalon also missed spring practice with the Longhorns as he works to recover from a shoulder injury.
247Sports reports that Catalon’s recovery is progressing well and he is “looking forward to a big year.”
At his best, Catalon is one of the best defensive backs in college football. He is excellent in run support from his safety position, along with having a nose for being around the ball.
Catlaon pairs up with Jerrin Thompson to make up an impressive safety duo in the back end of the Texas defense. The Longhorns feel confident in what they have in the secondary with a strong mix of experience and depth.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that we have a Hulk, I mean Jalen Catalon pic.twitter.com/r9BgMlhpgZ
— Imagine Losing 49-0 (@Doc_Texas) May 19, 2023
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These five Longhorns can become household names in 2023.
Texas football is on the doorstep of competing for a conference title and potentially a College Football Playoff berth in 2023. Continue reading “Texas Football: Five Longhorns ready to break out in 2023”
Texas DL Byron Murphy and Alfred Collins make our starting lineup prediction.
The Texas Longhorns are getting set for what could be a special football season. From top to bottom, the squad is loaded with talented and developed depth. It makes for hotly contested position battles heading into a pivotal season for head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Last year saw a handful of players breakout, some of which we saw coming and others that were unforeseen. Linebacker Jaylan Ford was my biggest breakout prediction ahead of last season. For anyone who watched the linebacker position closely, it was evident Ford had a strong handle on pursuit and field awareness as he consistently found himself near the football.
This year, defensive tackles Byron Murphy and Alfred Collins are generating some of the most chatter. Murphy appears to be a bull in a china closet over the spring, while Collins is coming into his own.
Here’s a look at who we could see starting for the Longhorns in 2023.
BJ Allen made quite a play in this interception.
Depth chart positioning is up for grabs this spring in Austin, Texas. BJ Allen might have a grasp on his opportunity if this highlight play is any indication.
Allen was seen in ball hawk mode intercepting a deep pass intended for Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Judging by the context of the play, it looks like the former Aledo safety was getting reps with first team players. The clip shows him making the play with starting safety Jerrin Thompson and cornerback Ryan Watts in the vicinity.
The former four-star player probably would settle behind Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon had the veteran player been healthy. Even so, if Allen continues to make more plays like the one in this highlight the Longhorns might have to find a place for him on the field.
In some ways, Allen shares similarities with Texas safety Jerrin Thompson, who didn’t see as many opportunities early. Should he get his moment, it looks like the young talent is ready to capitalize.
The pic ➡️ The pick@BJThaKid04 pic.twitter.com/0a2M935auv
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 13, 2023
DJ Campbell and Jalen Catalon are out for Saturday’s spring game.
Texas’ annual Orange-White spring game is set to take place this Saturday. It will be the first opportunity to see the Longhorns on the field until they kick off the 2023 season in the fall.
Steve Sarkisian announced in his media session on Tuesday DJ Campbell and Jalen Catalon will not participate in Saturday’s contest.
Campbell is a second-year offensive lineman who appeared in seven games throughout his freshman season. The former five-star is battling for a starting spot in Texas’ offensive line. Sarkisian highlighted Campbell as a player standing out throughout the spring.
Catalon is a highly touted defensive back transfer from Arkansas. He earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2020 and has since been hindered by injuries. Texas expects Catalon to play a significant role in the secondary this season.
Steve Sarkisian says OL DJ Campbell and DB Jalen Catalon are OUT for Saturday’s Orange-White Game. #hookem
— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) April 11, 2023
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Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.
The secondary looks to be a strength of the Longhorns’ defense in 2023.
The secondary looks to be a strength of the Longhorns’ defense in 2023. Texas has a great mix of returning production and an influx of talent in its defensive backfield.
Ryan Watts, Jerrin Thompson and Jahdae Barron have tons of snaps under their belts as Longhorns. They are joined by the transfer duo of Jalen Catalon and Gavin Holmes, along with some exciting young pieces.
Position battles between the defensive backs are one of the more intriguing storylines to follow in spring practice.
Wake Forest transfer Gavin Holmes and sophomore Terrance Brooks are competing for the cornerback spot across from Ryan Watts. Blue chip freshman Malik Muhammad is already turning heads as well.
Fourth-year safety Kitan Crawford is earning first-team snaps while Catalon deals with an injury. Crawford has been mentioned multiple times as one of the standouts of spring ball.
Texas has the chance to boast one of the best defenive back units in the Big 12 Conference. Here is a look a the predicted starter at each position ahead of the 2023 campaign.
A few key Longhorns are nursing injuries to start spring practice.
Texas took the field for the first practice of the spring on Monday. Continue reading “Steve Sarkisian updates injury report at the start of spring practice”
