Tag: jeff banks

Could another Alabama transfer LB be hinting at a transfer to Texas?

King Mwikuta is a hot name in the transfer portal.

Texas may be in the market for another transfer on the defensive side of the ball after Alabama linebacker King Mwikuta entered his name into the transfer portal.

Mwikuta is a former four-star prospect out of West Point, Georgia, that has yet to reach his ceiling as a college player. He chose Alabama over Georgia, Florida and Auburn — among others.

While at Alabama, Mwikuta saw a majority of his snaps on special teams, which could work in favor for the Longhorns; he is familiar with new special teams coordinator Jeff Banks.

Rivals’ Mike Farrell pinpointed three teams as potential landing spots for Mwikuta, with Texas having the slight advantage over Kentucky and Auburn. The Longhorns have taken in some linebackers that greatly improved their depth, but they are still inexperienced at the position, which is dominated by freshmen and sophomores who have yet to receive major playing time all over the depth chart.

One Texas fan also noticed something very interesting on Mwikuta’s Instagram. The only post remaining on his account is a picture of him next to Steve Sarkisian.

Farrell believes his connection with former Alabama staffers will draw him to Austin, but noted that Auburn was recruiting Mwikuta extremely hard in high school even after his commitment to Alabama.

Why Texas QB Hudson Card being the field goal holder is a big deal

There was an interesting nugget from the Orange and White game, a possible tip as to why Hudson Card may be the favorite to win the QB job.

Much of the attention surrounding Hudson Card was on how he would perform with the second-team offense on Team White. The freshman is in the midst of a position battle with Casey Thompson for the starting quarterback role.

Card finished 15-25 for 168 yards and a touchdown. His presence in the pocket stood out a bit more than Thompson’s, even with the second-team offensive line getting bullied all day. To reference the type of receiver’s Card was dealing with, Kai Money was his favorite target.

Overall, it was a good day for Card and one that improved his chances to become the starting quarterback. However, there was an interesting nugget from the Orange and White game and a possible tip as to why Card may be the favorite to win the job.

Tight ends/special teams coach Jeff Banks was one of the most important staff hires for Steve Sarkisian. Banks is considered an elite coach on the field, along with his recruiting ability within the state of Texas. Special teams are really what Banks loved, improving Alabama’s third phase significantly.

One thing Banks did during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa was have his starting quarterbacks be the field goal holder. Tua Tagovailoa held for Joseph Bulovas during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, while Mac Jones held for Will Reichard last season. The latter went a perfect 98 for 98 on kicks.

The role was taken seriously by Jones last season, dropping a hype video for the Holder of the Year award.

For Texas, Cameron Dicker made four out of his five field goal attempts during the Orange and White game, something Texas fans are used to seeing.

What was more interesting about the field goal personnel was how Card was the one holding Dicker’s kicks. Even when Team Orange was attempting kicks, Card would rush out there to be the holder.

Could this be a sign from Sarkisian and Banks as to who the starting quarterback is going to be? Much of what the two did at Alabama is going to be replicated at Texas. Why would you not emulate the best college football dynasty of all time?

Card’s role in the kicking game is a small hint as to who could have the upper hand in the quarterback competition. If Thompson pulls away as the favorite during the fall, he could easily be inserted as the place holder.

For now, any kind of clue as to who has the upper hand in the quarterback competition will be examined to the max.

WATCH: Get to know Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff at Texas

Texas football has been releasing video clips of each coach that Steve Sarkisian has hired, where they express their coaching styles.

There’s no doubt that first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian has put together an impressive coaching staff at Texas. Continue reading “WATCH: Get to know Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff at Texas”

WATCH: Get to know Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff at Texas

Texas football has been releasing video clips of each coach that Steve Sarkisian has hired, where they express their coaching styles.

There’s no doubt that first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian has put together an impressive coaching staff at Texas. Continue reading “WATCH: Get to know Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff at Texas”

Top in-state tight end, Texas A&M commits says “there will be no visits to Austin”

Donovan Green was on Twitter pondering where he should take his five official visits. Soon there after, he shot down the idea of a UT visit.

Tight end has been a position of mystery in Austin for years now. Before Cade Brewer stepped on campus, no player Texas has recruited at the position has had more receiving yards than M.J. McFarland’s 178 yards in three seasons (2011-2013).

Andrew Beck, who signed and played as an inside linebacker originally, had 435 yards in three seasons as a tight end.

With the hiring of Jeff Banks, the thought would be top tight end recruits would want to play for the former Alabama assistant. Especially within the state of Texas, where he used to be a successful tight ends coach with Texas A&M.

However, that has proven to be unsuccessful early on, especially for one top in-state prospect in particular.

Donovan Green is the top in-state tight end and rated a four-star on the 247Sports composite. He locked down his commitment to Texas A&M in January, adding to the list of Houston area players for Jimbo Fisher.

With on-campus visits opening up for recruits, Green was on Twitter contemplating where he should take his five official visits. His top six schools before committing were Florida, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC. “Could new blood be in the water?” he asked.

Less than 45 minutes later, he shot down the notion that the Longhorns will be getting an official visit.

“Just so it’s known UT is not looking at me so there will be no visits to Austin,” said Green.

Green never seemed to be the biggest fan of the Sarkisian hire, showing his emotions through Twitter once again after the former Alabama offensive coordinator was hired.

He claimed there was “no action at TE” when asked about the reigning national champions.

The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry continues to roll, even if there is no scheduled matchup in sight. Recruiting will be where the displeasure for each other will be held, especially through petty social media battles.

Banks will continue to look for a tight end to be a member of his first recruiting class at Texas. Safe to say that Green will not be one he continues to pursue.

Five reasons to buy into Texas football for 2021

Hype and expectations skyrocket each offseason and ultimately leave fans heartbroken months later. Here’s five reasons to buy in this year.

There’s an ongoing joke surrounding Texas football on whether they’re “back” or not. Continue reading “Five reasons to buy into Texas football for 2021”

Three-star inside linebacker Trevell Johnson commits to Texas

Texas has landed another commitment in inside linebacker Trevell Johnson. He becomes the fourth member of the 2022 recruiting class.

Texas has landed another commitment in inside linebacker Trevell Johnson. He becomes the fourth member of the 2022 recruiting class and will join Jaylon Guilbeau on the defensive side of the ball.

During Johnson’s junior year, he racked in 109 total tackles and 14.0 tackles for a loss. When rushing the quarterback, the linebacker had four sacks and 10 quarterback hurries.

He also added an interception, three passes defended, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, a blocked punt, and a blocked field goal. All while playing at the 6A level.

On the 247Sports composite, Johnson is a three-star prospect and the No. 65 player within the state of Texas. On the national level, he is listed as the No. 520 prospect and the No. 21 inside linebacker in the country.

Jeff Banks and linebackers coach Jeff Choate have been listed as the main recruiters for Johnson. Banks is seen as one of the top recruiters in the country and has locked in his first commitment for the Longhorns.

For the second recruiting cycle in a row, the Longhorns have landed a linebacker from Arlington Martin. Four-star outside linebacker Morice Blackwell signed his letter of intent back in December. Defensive end Ernest Cooper is another prospect in the 2022 class Texas will be pushing for.

Texas is now targeting the No. 1 TE in the country

Texas recently sent an offer to four-star prospect Jaleel Skinner, the No. 1 tight end in the country according to 247Sports.

Texas’ new coaching staff has hit the ground running on the recruiting trail. Continue reading “Texas is now targeting the No. 1 TE in the country”

Texas receives commitment from 2021 kicker Bert Auburn

The Longhorns picked up their first 2021 commitment under Steve Sarkisian. They are added an unranked kicker from Flower Mound, Texas.

On Sunday, the Longhorns earned their first 2021 commitment under Steve Sarkisian. Continue reading “Texas receives commitment from 2021 kicker Bert Auburn”

Former Longhorn Emmanuel Acho is excited about Texas football

Former player turned analyst, Emmanuel Acho, released a video on Twitter discussing how excited he is about the team.

It isn’t just the media that seem excited or in approval of the hiring of Steve Sarkisian and his staff. ESPN gave the Texas Longhorns a grade of A- for the hiring. Also, a former player in Emmanuel Acho spoke about his excitement level in a tweet.

The now analyst was once roaming the confines of Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Acho joined the Longhorns in the 2008 recruiting class as a four-star and the No. 23 ranked player in the state of Texas. He would go on to play in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, but is now a member of Fox Sports.

In the opening of his video, Acho spoke to the fact that the Longhorns got it right with the hiring of Sarkisian. Even went as far as to say that he hasn’t “been more excited about Texas football in a decade.” That would date back to the end of the Mack Brown era of Texas football that saw a string of nine or more wins in 12 consecutive years. Brown also was responsible for nine-straight seasons with 10 or more wins.

Acho spoke specifically about the hire of Sarkisian as the best offensive coordinator in the SEC. He mentioned the best special teams coach from the SEC in Jeff Banks. The Fox analyst also couldn’t go on without mentioning his former teammate in Blake Gideon. He was the best special teams coach in all of college football during the 2019 season. Acho would point to the fact that special teams are vitally important to championship level teams.

He finishes up by discussing the additions of Kyle Flood who helped his offensive line with the Joe Moore Award and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski. His defenses have produced first-round talent for the NFL, something Texas hasn’t seen in five years. Not to mention, Kwiatkowskiโ€™s defense has finished top 15 in scoring every year since 2015.

To be a great head coach, you have to be a great delegator of responsibility. And Steve Sarkisian has assembled a miraculous staff. Texas football, get excited.

Acho is bringing the same level of excitement in his tweet that has been seen on most social media platforms.

Nobody wins the offseason quite like the Texas Longhorns.