Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
The Longhorns could lose their leading tackler from the 2020 season. Juwan Mitchell has entered the transfer portal for the second time.
For the second time in 14 months, Texas linebacker Juwan Mitchell has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Continue reading “Texas LB Juwan Mitchell enters the NCAA transfer portal for the second time”
Here’s six Texas Longhorns that could be on college football award watch lists for the 2021 season.
Here’s six Texas Longhorns that could be on college football award watch lists for the 2021 season.
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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”
With the new defensive scheme being deployed for the Texas Longhorns, let’s take a look at who might be factors at the linebacker position.
Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski is bringing a new scheme to Austin. The defense runs a four-man front with two defensive tackles and two outside linebacker-pass rusher hybrids. At the second level, PK’s scheme deploys two inside linebackers.
In Chris Ash’s scheme, they ran a weakside linebacker (WILL) which was typically DeMarvion Overshown’s role. The second linebacker was the middle linebacker (MIKE) manned by Juwan Mitchell. With Kwiatkowski’s scheme, the linebackers are deployed as two inside linebackers, similar to inside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme.
Texas’ two starters from a year ago are projected to once again be the focal points at the second level in 2021.
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The two linebackers in this scheme will have to be able to play sideline to sideline. That means they must be able to operate in space and cover a lot of area. When it comes to an instinctive, physical player that can handle himself in open space, Overshown is the player that comes to mind immediately.
Someone I highlighted before the season was #Texas LB DeMarvion Overshown, who was making the transition from Safety to LB this season. He has made it seamlessly, as he picks up his second INT of the season here.
Athletic, rangy, still learning, but he's someone to watch. pic.twitter.com/Plgr3FQori
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 30, 2020
With the depth at linebacker, Jaylan Ford would be an ideal candidate for the position as well. He has the ability to move sideline to sideline but lacks the in-game experience, but that should come in time. The 2021 recruiting class additions of Morice Blackwell and Terrence Cooks could find their way to the field as well given their athleticism at the position.
One candidate to move to linebacker is current safety Tyler Owens. He’s a player who can make plays in the open field. That is the biggest key when it comes to playing the position for Kwiatkowski.
The ultimate game preview for the Texas Longhorns-West Virginia Mountaineers matchup that kicks off Saturday at 11:00 CST.
[After losing two games in a row, the Texas Longhorns followed that up with a win over Baylor and the upset win over Oklahoma State. After jumping back into the Big 12 Conference race, the Longhorns face off with West Virginia at home. This game will feature The top scoring offense in the Big 12 against the No. 2 scoring defense in the conference.
Texas head coach Tom Herman is trying to follow up a huge win with another win as they try to march back to the Big 12 Championship. They are currently tied with the Oklahoma Sooners and WVU for fourth in the conference. Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Kansas State all ahead of them. Which could all change this weekend.
As far as the West Virginia Mountaineers are concerned, we break down the full matchup in the ultimate game preview.
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For the Texas Longhorns to stay on track to challenge for a Big 12 Championship, they will need these defenders to guide them Saturday.
A week ago in a hostile environment, the Longhorns defense rose to the occasion. They faced one of the top teams in the country with a three-headed monster on the offensive side of the ball. Chuba Hubbard, Spencer Sanders and Tylan Wallace were ready for their biggest challenge on the year with Texas coming to town. It didn’t go their way.
Wallace was able to do what he wanted against the Longhorns secondary, every one of his 11 catches went for either a first down or touchdown. Texas and Chris Ash didn’t provide much help on the backend as they focused on slowing down Hubbard and the rushing attack. It worked as they allowed only 2.5 yards per rushing attempt with zero rushing touchdowns.
They need to be geared up for this game against West Virginia and Leddie Brown. He is another Big 12 running back that can fill out a stat sheet. Last week against Kansas State they rushed for over 200 yards between their two explosive backs. If the Longhorns are able to slow them down, it will likely be due to three players on defense as the keys.
Tom Herman can take away a lot of things from Saturday’s game against TCU. Here are three things we learned from the Big 12 season opener:
Texas revealed its true colors against TCU on Saturday, falling to the Horned Frogs for the seventh time in nine seasons, 33-31. Tom Herman’s squad struggled in every facet of the game, falling short in what could have been a winnable matchup.
From the offensive perspective, quarterback Sam Ehlinger struggled. The senior admitted “losing bothers [him] the most.” Ehlinger has been the starting quarterback against TCU four times and has lost three of them. Not connecting with his receivers and head-scratching play-calling from Mike Yurcich led to a struggling offense.
Moving to Chris Ash’s side of the ball and the inability to stop Max Duggan ultimately lost Texas the ballgame. Not only having a solid display in the air but the sophomore quarterback led the Horned Frogs in rushing, getting into the end zone three times. With Spencer Rattler on deck, it will only get harder for the Longhorns’ defense.
A lot can be taken away from the TCU loss if Texas wants to get its hat back into the Big 12 championship race. In year four, Tom Herman should be able to identify the problems and adjust quickly.
Here are three things we learned from the TCU loss:
Three UT players left the scrimmage with injuries. Juwan Mitchell and Al’Vonte Woodard had head injuries and Troy Omerie with a knee issue.
Texas got back to playing football on Saturdays, having an offense vs defense scrimmage. Head coach Tom Herman thought “it was very balanced” and “the defense wound up winning it.”
Unfortunately, there were three different Longhorns who sustained injuries during the matchup.
Starting with linebacker Juwan Mitchell and wide receiver Al’Vonte Woodard, the two had to be helped off the field with head injuries. Herman described them as “stingers” and both are doing well.
“Juwan Mitchell and Al’Vonte Woodard had to be kind of helped off the field,” Herman said. “Nothing serious, it looks like both of them have a stinger or head issue, but (they were) fully functional and everything checked out well.
Losing Mitchell for any amounts of time would be a serious blow to Texas’ defense. The Longhorns are going to be reliant on the junior to anchor the middle of the linebacking core, a group that could serve as the defense’s biggest unknown.
As for Woodard, according to Herman, it seems as if the wide receiver is going to be ok. The former four-star prospect out of Houston is hoping to earn more playing time during his sophomore season.
The third and final injury was suffered by freshman wide receiver Troy Omerie.
“Towards the end, Troy Omeire kind of tweaked his knee a little bit, non-contact just running a route and kind of caught the turf a little bit awkwardly, so we’ll be evaluating him this afternoon.”
Omerie has been a fall camp standout, impressing his teammates and coaches. Coming from Sugar Land, Texas, the freshman was a top 50 wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class.
Injuries are bound to happen, especially after taking a longer than usual break thanks to COVID-19. Hopefully, all three players are able to recover quickly and rejoin the team on the practice field.
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Texas head coach Tom Herman is looking forward to three particular position battles during fall training camp.
Friday provided a sense of normalcy for the Texas football program. Continue reading “Three position battles that intrigue Texas head coach Tom Herman”
Latest Locked on Longhorns Podcast discussing Juwan Mitchell, Camar Wheaton and COVID. Plus where is Texas projected as a title contender?
The show kicks off with a discussion on Juwan Mitchell’s latest tweet regarding representing the University of Texas. The demands that athletes have made to the school are also on the agenda. Plus what about the meeting between school leadership and the football team.
Camar Wheaton is a top five-star prospect at running back in the state. Are the Longhorns in on the hunt for his services. Former Longhorn Collin Johnson has signed his new contract, what is his outlook on the season? Draft Wire named him the biggest steal of the NFL Draft for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has stated that he doesn’t believe there will be football this year, does that feel like a realistic option? The Longhorns find themselves with two dozen players in self isolation, is that a big shock? Plus 247Sports laid out the top contenders in tiers, where is Texas on the list?
