Tag: justice finkley

Popular Texas Longhorn edge rusher transfers to Kansas

He has one year of eligibility left and will be looking to take advantage of more playing time on a Kansas team coming off an up and down 2024 campaign

After three years with the Longhorns, Justice Finkley is heading back to the Big 12. The former Texas edge rusher announced on Monday he was joining the Kansas Jayhawks.

He has one year of eligibility left and is seekng more playing time on a Kansas team coming off an up-and-down 2024 campaign.

Finley recorded 26 total tackles and 2 1/2 sacks during his time at Texas. While his playing time was limited, the Alabama native is only one year removed from his best season, in which he recorded 14 total tackles and two sacks. With the Jayhawks, he will have the opportunity to surpass those numbers.

While his time at Texas didn’t go as planned, Finley was heavily recruited out of high school. Before signing with Texas, he received offers from some of the top programs in the country, including LSU, Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Texas A&M, Oregon and Penn State. He was a four-star recruit.

Finkley is joining a Kansas team that ended the season on fire after a slow start. The Jayhawks entered November with a 2-6 record before beating three ranked teams. Two of those wins came on the road.

Although Finkley will have to learn a new playbook, he is no stranger to Kansas. During his time with Texas, he faced the Jayhawks twice. If he can meet expectations, the Kansas defense should get a boost.

LOOK: Several Longhorns strike NIL deal with Vanguard Volkswagen, show off new vehicles

Anthony Hill, Kelvin Banks and a few other Texas players showed off their new rides on Friday.

Some players have been on campus for less than a week, and they are already experiencing the benefits of name, image and likeness opportunities at Texas. Continue reading “LOOK: Several Longhorns strike NIL deal with Vanguard Volkswagen, show off new vehicles”

Impressions from the season kickoff between Texas and ULM

Looking at where the Longhorns can improve after a strong opening win.

In front of an emotionally charged crowd, Texas defeated the ULM Warhawks, 52-10. The game had multiple positives to build on as the season progresses.

The pass rush is perhaps the biggest positive takeaway from Saturday’s game. Barryn Sorrell proved capable and disruptive on the night and could be in store for a big year.

Justice Finkley and Jaylon Guilbeau played like starters. In my estimation, Texas appears to be a more imposing and deeper defense than in years past, but certainly looked more technically sound.

Excellent pursuit from the defense became a consistent theme on the night. The Texas defense consistently swarmed to the football. Multiple defenders surrounded ball carriers on outside runs, making life difficult on ULM running backs.

Albeit, the game did unearth a couple of deficiencies on both sides of the football.

On the defensive side, edges allowed outside runs failing to set the edge.

On offense, Quinn Ewers made some great plays but the deep ball did not connect. Nevertheless, after an early interception Ewers settled in and played well overall.

The team is a work in progress, but the defense appears to be improved from last season. We will see if that trend continues after this week.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Horns Up: Seven Texas players trending up after Saturday’s game

Texas is back in the win column after Saturday’s win.

Texas started its 2022 season with a 52-10 win over the ULM Warhawks. Despite some sloppiness and struggles in different phases, the Longhorns provided a solid performance overall.

Several Texas players emerged as game changers Saturday. Barryn Sorrell had perhaps the biggest impact, accounting for two sacks. If you were wondering where Texas would get its pass rush this year, Sorrell’s two-sack performance may have given you your answer.

Keondre Coburn also had a good night, earning a sack of his own. The defensive line was noticeably more disruptive and explosive which could pay dividends this year.

Several freshman made an immediate contribution on Saturday also. Cole Hutson frequently unlocked early runs for Bijan Robinson by sealing off defenders. Justice Finkley had a good play early, both setting the edge and making an impressive tackle. Kelvin Banks certainly looked like he belonged, while Jaylon Guilbeau looked like a seasoned veteran.

Steve Sarkisian did a solid job involving multiple players offensively. Casey Cain featured his explosiveness, but the biggest news among skill players was the arrival of Ja’Tavion Sanders. Sanders’ performance led all receivers and could be the beginning of a special connection with Quinn Ewers.

Here’s a look at Texas players’ whose stock is rising following Saturday’s game.

Texas among top schools for four-star DL Hunter Osborne

Texas made the cut along with Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU and Tennessee. 

Texas is continuing to build its recruiting presence in SEC territory.

Talented defensive lineman from Alabama Hunter Osborne announced the top six schools left in his recruitment. Texas made the cut along with Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU and Tennessee.

Osborne recorded 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and nine pass breakups as a junior for Hewitt-Trussville High School, the same school Texas freshman Juscite Finkley attended.

247Sprots recruiting analyst Cooper Petanga had strong remarks about Osburne in his scouting report.

Flashes a good first step off the line of scrimmage, displaying good foot and body quickness at the point of attack. Plays with good knee bend and flexibility, showing the ability to bend the edge. Sudden rusher, moves efficiency in his pass rush. Can win with speed, quickness, and power. Shows the ability to go speed to power at the point of attack, plays with a good understanding of leverage and body control. Closes space quickly and flashes excellent backside pursuit ability. Appears to have a good motor.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas DL Jordon Thomas enters the transfer portal

The mass exodus of Longhorns entering the transfer portal continues.

The mass exodus of Longhorns entering the transfer portal continues as defensive lineman Jordon Thomas will look for a new home. Continue reading “Texas DL Jordon Thomas enters the transfer portal”

Five freshmen to watch in Texas’ Orange-White spring game

These talented freshmen are ready to make their Texas debut.

Texas’ 2022 Orange-White spring game is filled with plenty of intriguing storylines. Continue reading “Five freshmen to watch in Texas’ Orange-White spring game”

Four Texas Longhorns to look out for this college football season

These Longhorns could be rising stars in 2022.

There is plenty of hype surrounding Texas when it comes to the 2022 college football season, but there are players that may be getting a tad overlooked.

Everyone is well aware of the likes of Quinn Ewers, Bijan Robinson, Xavier Worthy, and DeMarvion Overshown. However, there are a handful of Longhorns that can make an impact that are not getting talked about nearly enough.

Whether these players may have already played a significant role in years past, or are looking to carve out a spot to do so for the first time in 2022, there will certainly be some commonly overlooked names being said this year.

Steve Sarkisian and his staff are now in year two, and not only does that mean the fan base has higher expectations considering the first year went so poorly, but it also means the players on the roster have had consistency for the first time in a couple years. This allows for players to grow in the system and blossom into stars.

Here are a few players that have a great chance of contributing in the 2022 season whether it be as a starter or a role player.

Texas releases 2022 spring football roster, jersey numbers of newcomers

There are some fantastic jersey number selections in here. How do we feel about Justice Finkley sporting No. 1?

Spring football is quickly approaching. Several transfers and early enrollees have been acclimating themselves to college life in Austin over the last few weeks. Continue reading “Texas releases 2022 spring football roster, jersey numbers of newcomers”

WATCH: Longhorns are going hard during offseason lifts

Texas’ workouts are ramping up ahead of the 2022 season.

Texas is looking to redeem themselves after the horrendous year they had in 2021.

The team will be full of new faces as the Longhorns welcomed over 30 new scholarship players to a team that went 5-7 in 2021, but seemed to have the foundation of a squad capable of much more.

Players like Bijan Robinson and Xavier Worthy shined brightly on a team that struggled throughout the season. The staff is now ensuring that everyone is bought into the culture and what they are expecting from them. The offseason workouts provide players new and old a chance to stand out ahead of the spring.

Strength and conditioning coach Torre Becton is making sure all the players are reaching their maximum potential, especially freshman Justice Finkley who decided to enroll early.

Other freshmen or even cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau are expected to push for starting roles, or at the very worst contribute as a rotational player. Texas will likely have a slew of youngsters contending for major roles, and the ones getting a head start as early enrollees are in a prime situation to do so.