Tag: Joshua Moore

Four Texas players that can step up in Jordan Whittington’s absence

Keilan Robinson?

Texas received news that only adds more salt in the wound after Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma.

Star receiver Jordan Whittington is set to have surgery on his clavicle after going down in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma. Head coach Steve Sarkisian told the media on Monday that there is no timetable for the injury, but it is one that will likely keep him out for an extended amount of time.

Unfortunately, Whittington has been unable to avoid the injury bug during his collegiate career up to this point, as he played in the same amount of games this season (six), as he did in the first two years combined. The sophomore out of Cuero, Texas was poised to have a big season if he could stay healthy.

He is currently tied with Xavier Worthy for the most catches on the team with 24, and is second on the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He is clearly a huge loss for the Longhorns, as the receiver group has struggled at times to be consistent.

Whittington was quarterback Casey Thompson’s most reliable option on third down, as he had nine third down receptions on the season. The Longhorns lost a good one, and will need someone to step up to fill the void.

Here are four players that can step up and possibly fill the shoes of Whittington.

247Sports lists Texas WR Joshua Moore as an elite player who needs more touches

247Sports is calling for more Joshua Moore touches.

When Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian took over, many thought that nearly every player on offense would benefit greatly from the offensive guru.

However, a combination of terrible offensive line play combined with the switching of quarterbacks due to inconsistent play, has actually affected the Longhorns receivers the most. There has only been one 100-yard receiver so far through three games, and the team has yet to have two receivers surpass 45 yards receiving in the same game.

Again, this can be attributed to a combination of things, therefore the blame is not solely on the receivers. Regardless, one thing that was not expected was the lack of sustained success that the group would have, specifically junior Joshua Moore, who led the team in receiving yards and touchdown catches last season.

Moore currently has a four catches for 39 yards and no touchdowns, a mark that caused 247Sports to include him on their list of elite players that need more touches.

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To compare, in the first three games last season, Moore had already collected 19 catches for 283 yards, and five touchdowns. He is currently averaging a little over one catch per game for 13 yards. Moore has shown flashes of being an elite weapon, but he has yet to be utilized heavily in the new offense. He has been on the receiving end of many overthrows, but he is still only averaging three targets per game.

If Sarkisian can figure out ways to give Texas’ most experienced pass catcher the ball more, only good things can happen. There could be potential for more targets with the implementation of Casey Thompson at quarterback, but as of right now, Moore is the receiver on the outside looking in.

Steve Sarkisian views Joshua Moore as fall camp standout

Steve Sarkisian believes Joshua Moore is poised for a breakout year.

The wide receiver position is one that will likely benefit the most with Steve Sarkisian taking over as the head coach and play caller for Texas.

The only issue for what seemed to be almost all of camp, was that the receiver group was not living up to the expectations that the first-year head coach had.

However, in a recent interview on ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill and Zubin, Sarkisian spoke highly of one receiver in particular. He views Joshua Moore as having the potential to breakout this season. Moore was the Longhorns’ leader in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns last season.

Sarkisian complimented what Moore has shown in recent weeks at fall camp.

“Yeah, I would say, one guy who’s really kind of jumped up and really started to play well throughout camp and had a really good scrimmage was Josh Moore,” Sarkisian said on Keyshawn, JWill and Zubin. “You know he’s got the explosiveness, he has range. His playmaking ability, he’s been a really bright spot.

Moore does have the capability to be the best receiver on the team, he just needs to be a more consistent player. During the first three games of the 2020 season, he got off to a great start catching 19 passes for 283 yards, and five touchdowns. He fizzled out after the Oklahoma game, as during the next four games he only averaged 1.5 catches per game, 25 yards receieving, and while only accounted for two touchdowns.

During the Alamo Bowl, Moore returned to the player that we saw through the first three games, as he caught five passes for 86 yards, and two touchdowns, which was more productive than the prior four games combined.

Given that Moore is the most experienced receiver on the team, and has the most production to show for it, Texas really needs him to assert himself to not only help the team succeed, but more importantly help whoever the new quarterback will be.

Top 10 players for the Texas Longhorns heading into 2021 season

On offense and defense, Texas has first-team All-Big 12 caliber players. Here are the top 10 players heading into the 2021 season.

Year 1 of the Steve Sarkisian era and the pressure is already on. Texas is in a scenario where winning double-digit games is a must for a multitude of reasons. Rarely does a first-year head coach have immediate expectations with little wiggle room.

Ever since the 2009 national championship loss, the on-the-field product has been below standard. Getting some of the best players in the country on campus has never been an issue, despite the struggles. Every single season, the blue-chip ratio gets posted online and Texas is near the top, but without all of the winning.

Sarkisian took the job to take an already talented roster and turn it into a winner. Not even Oklahoma has as good of a roster as Texas when it comes to the 247Sports composite. Maybe Lincoln Riley would have a national championship if the two schools flopped rosters.

On offense and defense, there are first-team All-Big 12 caliber players. A few come from the 2018 recruiting class, while a bunch of youngsters are ready to break onto the scene.

Here are Texas’ top 10 players heading into the 2021 season.

Texas WR Joshua Moore not practicing due to shoulder injury

Joshua Moore did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a shoulder injury. According to Texas, the wide receiver is listed as day-to-day.

The injury bug has been nice to Texas early on in fall camp. No significant injuries have occurred, keeping Steve Sarkisian’s squad fresh before the season opener against Louisiana.

However, one of the Longhorns’ projected top offensive players will be missing some practice time.

Joshua Moore did not participate in Wednesday’s practice due to a shoulder injury. According to Texas, the wide receiver is listed as day-to-day, hoping to get back on the field as soon as possible.

Dealing with injuries is nothing new for Moore. He suffered a knee injury against TCU last season and then a shoulder injury against Oklahoma State. Despite the setbacks, Moore was able to have a solid season on paper.

Being the leading receiver last season, Moore hauled in 30 receptions for 472 yards and nine touchdowns. If the 2021 season were to start today, he is expected to be one of the starters.

Being able to gain weight has been a big part of Moore’s offseason, now weighing in at 176 pounds.

“I’ve always been the smallest player on the field my whole life,” said Moore. “It’s just about your heart in my opinion.”

After playing last season 12 pounds lighter, Moore is ready to play in Sarkisian’s offense. He knows how well the head coach can scheme wide receivers into good positions.

“What makes [Sarkisian’s offense] so unique, every receiver that runs a route, no matter what defense they play, somebody will be open.”

Once the shoulder is healthy, Moore should be back on the practice field with the first team. Working with both Casey Thompson and Hudson Card every day, he should be a major factor in helping Texas decide the starting spot. However, he credits the quarterbacks for early camp success.

“Both of them sling the rock,” Moore said. “They make us look good. It’s not that we make them look good. If you come to practice, you’ll see for yourself. They’re putting it right where it needs to be, and it’s a strong battle right now.”

With Texas’ scrimmage scheduled for Saturday, Moore’s status will be one of the things to keep an eye out for.

12 Texas Longhorns make Athlon Sports’ preseason All-Big 12 teams

Oklahoma and Iowa State led the conference with the most selections in Athlon Sports’ preseason All-Big 12 teams.

Athlon Sports recently honored the best players in the Big 12 conference for the 2021 college football season. Continue reading “12 Texas Longhorns make Athlon Sports’ preseason All-Big 12 teams”

Six Texas football players that need to have a solid spring game

Here’s a list of six Texas football players who could benefit most from a productive showing on Saturday.

Texas will hold their annual Orange-White game on Saturday, April 24.

It’s a great opportunity for fans to witness how certain players will be utilized under the new coaching staff. On top of that, an intense quarterback battle will be showcased for the first time in four years.

When speaking to the media between spring practices, first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian has mentioned numerous players that have consistently caught his eye. Jordan Whittington, Ray Thornton, Josh Thompson, Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson and D’Shawn Jamison among a few others appear to have solidified their roles and proven what they’re capable of over the last few weeks.

However, there’s still a lot of uncertainty on the roster.

For example, the Longhorns are clearly in need of a big-play threat down field. Who is going to step up in that role? How reliable is the depth at linebacker? There’s several close position battles on both sides of the ball that will hopefully receive some clarity after the spring game.

Take a look at our list of which players could benefit most from a productive showing on Saturday.

Looking ahead at potential NFL draft prospects for Texas in 2022

Here’s a list of seven Texas Longhorns that we could see as potential NFL draft prospects in 2022.

With the 2021 NFL draft just around the corner, eight Texas Longhorns will be waiting patiently to hear their named called throughout the three day event.

Joesph Ossai and Samuel Cosmi are expected to be among the first Longhorns selected. Ta’Quon Graham and Caden Sterns could be taken off of the board as high as day two.

Unfortunately, the trio of Chris Brown, Tarik Black and Brennan Eagles look like they’re going to be late day three picks or more than likely become undrafted free agents.

What about Sam Ehlinger? The Longhorns star quarterback could go anywhere on day two or three, or even potentially undrafted. His stock is all over the place.

Now that the 2021 Longhorns have their feet in the draft, let’s look ahead to next year. These are seven Texas players who could be among the next patch of prospects after the 2022 season.

Texas football 2021 projected depth chart, pre-spring offense

Leading up to the season in September, Longhorns Wire will project what the depth chart could look like for Texas. These will often change.

It’s no secret that Steve Sarkisian is inheriting a talented roster at Texas, but how he utilizes each playmaker will be interesting to see. Continue reading “Texas football 2021 projected depth chart, pre-spring offense”

Six Texas football players that could be on early award watch lists

Here’s six Texas Longhorns that could be on college football award watch lists for the 2021 season.

It may be a little too early in the year, but new head coach Steve Sarkisian has been giving Longhorn faithful plenty to be excited about. Continue reading “Six Texas football players that could be on early award watch lists”

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