Tag: Jonathan Brooks

Here’s why NFL Draft prospect Ray Davis deserve more acclaim

Amongst various talent in 2024 NFL Draft class, running back Ray Davis from the University of Kentucky definitely deserves more acclaim.

With all the talk about the superstar talent in the 2024 NFL Draft class, running back Ray Davis from the University of Kentucky definitely deserves more acclaim.

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After five seasons in the NCAA, Davis opted out of what would’ve been his final Bowl game with the Wildcats, and declared for the NFL Draft. Davis produced 21 total touchdowns last season, 14 rushing, and seven receiving. More impressively, Davis rushed for 1,129 yards on 199 carries in arguably the toughest NCAA division in football, the SEC. 

Nimble, swift, and stocky, Davis would be ideal for NFL teams looking for a feature back on passing downs. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.5, Davis isn’t the fastest on the field, but his consistency as both a pass-blocker and pass-catcher do more than make him serviceable. Davis produced a season high 280 rushing yards versus the Florida Gators on Sep. 9, the only game last season where he featured a volume higher than 22 carries.

Davis passes the eye-test and was ranked at No. 6 on PFF’s best running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft class list. Hopefully, NFL scouts find a place for Davis, even if they aren’t sold on him in the Draft.  

Panthers 2024 post-combine meetings tracker

Does anybody need a list of 2024 draft prospects the Panthers have spoken with thus far? We got you.

The 2024 scouting combine is now in the books. 40s have been dashed, 20s have been shuttled, benches have been pressed and vertical and broads have been jumped.

Oh, and there were plenty of talks to be had.

Among the annual activities at the combine are the meetings between prospects and potentially interested teams. And as far as the Carolina Panthers are concerned, we may have to pay a bit more attention to who they’re talking to since their first pick doesn’t pop up until the second round.

So, we’ll help you out.

Here are all the known players—whether they were at the combine, Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl or even the College Gridiron Showcase—the Panthers have spoken with to this point:

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9 early contenders for Cowboys 2nd-round pick at LB, RB, CB

Dallas has had its issues with their second-round picks, here are several early options they hope could be success stories from the round. | From @cdpiglet

Minus the occasional home runs of Demarcus Lawrence and Trevon Diggs, the second-round picks of the Dallas Cowboys haven’t been ideal. Since Lawrence in 2014, the Cowboys have drafted Randy Gregory, Jaylon Smith, Chidobe Awuzie, Connor Williams, Trysten Hill, Trevon Diggs, Kelvin Joseph, Sam Williams, and Luke Schoonmaker. There were a few contributors, but only Diggs stands out as a true game-changer.

Williams and Schoonmaker are too early to call, but none of the others were selections the team would make in a redraft. This team has plenty of talent, but the 2023 draft class had nearly zero impact and the Cowboys need this draft to be different. More often than not Dallas nails their first rounder, but they need more out of the other Top 60 pick.

Even if Jerry Jones sincerely meant it when he said the team was all in and the team added free agents at defensive tackle, running back, linebacker, and cornerback, the team would still need significant contributors behind them for depth in 2024.

Brent Venables discusses the challenges of defending Ollie Gordon on Saturday

Bedlam will be determined by how well the Sooners can slow down the nation’s leading rusher.

Oklahoma Sooners fans might not want to hear this but the [autotag]Oklahoma State Cowboys[/autotag] are arguably the hottest team in the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag]. The Cowboys are winners of four straight after dropping two in a row and looking dead in the water.

But since their bye week, they’ve settled on [autotag]Alan Bowman[/autotag] as their quarterback and have made a concerted effort to give [autotag]Ollie Gordon[/autotag] the football. Gordon had 19 carries for 109 yards in their first three games combined. Since he’s averaging 24.4 carries for 195.6 yards per game. He’s leading the country in rushing yards.

Brent Venables spoke about the challenges of defending Gordon earlier this week.

“Ollie is just so powerful,” Venables said. “He’s got a nice spin move. He does a good job in pass protection. He mows down a lot of people in pass pro. His patience for a big guy is something that’s a little different. He’s not just power, he’s got speed. In the hole, he can make you miss. He makes a lot of people miss.”

Oklahoma faced an elite running back once this season. Texas Longhorns‘ [autotag]Jonathan Brooks[/autotag] is sixth in the nation in rushing yards. The Sooners did a pretty good job containing him for 129 yards and a touchdown with a long of 31 yards.

The key to this game will be similar to what it was for the Red River Rivalry. If they can hold Gordon under 150 yards like they did Brooks, the Sooners have a good chance of winning. But if the Sooners tackle or get pushed around like they did vs. the [autotag]Kansas Jayhawks[/autotag], it could be a long day in Stillwater.

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Four Longhorns that can emerge as stars in 2023

These four players could explode in 2023.

The Texas Longhorns are being mentioned as the favorite to win the Big 12 this college football season and maybe even make a playoff appearance.

If they were to win the Big 12 it would be the first time they’ve done so since No. 12 (Colt McCoy) was leading the offense. When looking at this roster on paper combined with what we saw during the spring game, it is hard to think of a team from the past decade that looks as good as this one. However, even with all of the hype there are still players that have much to prove in 2023.

That is why I decided to pinpoint four emerging stars for Texas. These are names you absolutely need to look out for this upcoming season. Whether they were starters last season or not, these four Longhorns will have much higher expectations as Texas looks to return to glory.

Steve Sarkisian updates injury report at the start of spring practice

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”

Report: Three key Longhorns to skip Alamo Bowl game vs. Washington

Texas will enter its matchup vs. Washington in the Alamo Bowl without a few key contributors. 

Texas will enter its matchup vs. Washington in the Alamo Bowl without a few key contributors. Continue reading “Report: Three key Longhorns to skip Alamo Bowl game vs. Washington”

Bijan Robinson leads Texas past Kansas 55-17

It was the Bijan Robinson show in Kansas on Saturday. 

It was the Bijan Robinson show in Kansas on Saturday.

The Longhorns’ star running back ran wild all over the Jayhawks’ defense en route to a 55-7 victory. Robinson ran for a career-high 243 yards and four touchdowns in the romp.

Bijan capped off his historical performance with a 32 yards touchdown scamper in the third quarter.

Steve Sarkisian made establishing the run a point of emphasis and his team delivered. Texas ran a whopping 427 yards. Jonathan Brooks went over 100 yards in a tremendous second-half effort.

Texas’ defense stepped up to the table for the second straight week. Pete Kwaitkowsik’s unit held an explosive Kansas offense to just 346 total yards and 104 on the ground. Jaylan Ford continued his strong season with five tackles and an interception.

Fourth downs proved to be a massive reason for the success for the Horns. Texas picked up 3-of-3 fourth down conversation on offense while limiting Kansas to an 0-for-2 mark.

Texas has the opportunity to get to 8-4 and potentially play for a spot in the Big 12 title game with some help next week against Baylor.

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Texas Football: Ranking each position group from strongest to weakest

Taking a look at which position units inspire the most confidence on the Texas roster this season.

Texas’ offseason featured a high influx of talent for Steve Sarkisian’s team. The Longhorns will now feature a more potent roster with stronger depth than last season.

The roster improved most at skill positions by adding Isaiah Neyor, Agiye Hall, Jahleel Billingsley, and Tarique Milton.

Linebackers coach Jeff Choate improved defensive depth by adding Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey. Dorsey may compete for and win a starting job at inside linebacker prior to the 2022 season.

Much of the conversation this offseason revolves around what they did not add through the portal. Offensive tackles and edge rushers underwhelmed last season, perhaps due in part to new technique and strength and conditioning routines. With Texas unable to bring in elite edge transfers, they may have to manufacture their pass rush.

Here is how I would rank my confidence in each of the position units.

Early position outlook: Texas is locked and loaded at RB

The running back room led by Bijan Robinson is locked and loaded for 2022.

Many teams across the country would love to have as much talent and depth as Texas does at running back.

Bijan Robinson, who headlines the room, is one most electric players in college football. The junior-to-be is must-see TV every time he touches the ball.

Robinson is a star, but what makes this running back room so great is the number of quality players behind him.

Senior Roschon Johnson is a tough runner who provides excellent leadership. Johnson finished the season with a monster performance against Kansas State. His 179 yards helped Texas end a seven-game losing skid to cap the season.

After Johnson is speedy Keilan Robinson. The Alabama transfer flashed his wheels in 2021. Many Texas fans hope to see more of No. 7 next fall.

Young Johnathan Brooks passed the eye test during his freshman season. Brooks showed a mix of great vision and quickness in a limited number of snaps in his first year at Texas.

The 2022 class features Jaydon Blue. A four-star prospect who sat his senior year to prepare for college football. Blue enrolled early for the spring semester and was already getting to work.

Here is an early look at Texas running back depth chart heading into spring ball: