Tag: longhorns news

Texas at Michigan named biggest non-conference game of 2024 by USA TODAY Sports

USA Today declares Texas Longhorns at Michigan Wolverines ‘the biggest non-conference game’ of 2024 in new Top 10 list.

As a new member of the SEC, the Texas Longhorns will have a lot of big conference games this year. The Horns will take on old rival No. 16 Oklahoma and host No. 1 Georgia in October. Texas will host Florida and renew rivalries with Arkansas and Texas A&M in November. 

But before the Longhorns even start their SEC schedule, they must first travel to Ann Arbor for a huge matchup vs. Michigan. Texas fans have had the game circled on the calendar for years. The anticipation has only increased with the Wolverines as defending national champion and the game coinciding with the year Texas joins the SEC. 

Now, in a new list of the Top 10 best non-conference games of the year, USA TODAY Sports, has declared Texas at Michigan the biggest of the year. The two programs last met in the 2005 Rose Bowl. 

Texas played in arguably the biggest non-conference game last year, when the Longhorns beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Texas carried that momentum all the way to the college football playoff. 

Non-conference games might lose a little impact with the playoff expanding to 12 teams. There will definitely be more wiggle room. But that also should make big, early season non-conference games more prevalent. 

USA Today says the impact of the Texas-Michigan game could be far reaching. 

September 7: Texas Longhorns at Michigan Wolverines

This is the biggest non-conference game of the year. Even if Michigan takes a step back as expected, the defending national champions could upend the early playoff chase by handing Texas a road loss. The fallout from a Michigan win would impact the perception of the SEC and Big Ten, a big deal given that both leagues will have multiple teams in the mix for at-large playoff bids. While the loser wouldn’t be eliminated from the mix by any means, the winner will have a huge tiebreaker to show the selection committee in early December.

Six of the Top 10 non-conference games involve SEC teams:

August 31: Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs (in Atlanta)

August 31: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Texas A&M Aggies

September 1: USC Trojans vs. LSU Tigers (in Las Vegas)

September 7: Texas Longhorns at Michigan Wolverines

September 7: Tennessee Volunteers at NC State Wolfpack

September 14: Alabama Crimson Tide at Wisconsin Badgers

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Does ESPN’s preseason All-American list disrespect the Texas Longhorns?

The Texas Longhorns have a grand total of one player on ESPN’s preseason All-American list.

ESPN has released its 2024 college football All-American team. How many Longhorns are on the list?

Texas was a college football semi-finalist last season. Texas has a Heisman Trophy candidate at QB. Texas is even picked by some in the national media to win the SEC and the national title. 

The 4th ranked Longhorns should be well represented, right?

Nope.

The Longhorns have a grand total of one player on the list – OT Kelvin Banks Jr. is a first-team All-American on the ESPN list. He’s the only Longhorn on the first team. There are zero Longhorns on the second team. 

Of Banks, ESPN says, “Both tackles on our All-America team have been starters since they were true freshmen. The 6-4, 320-pound Banks has started 27 straight games and been a fixture at left tackle for the Longhorns since the day he stepped on campus. He allowed just one sack in 550 pass-blocking situations last season and earned AFCA second-team All-America honors. Banks won’t have to wait long to hear his name called in the 2025 NFL draft.”

ESPN may be right on the money. Some of the Longhorns studs from 2023 have gone to the NFL. Byron Murphy, Xavier Worthy, T’Vondre Sweat, Jonathan Brooks and Adonai Mitchell would all be considered for the All-American team if they were still playing for Texas. Many of their positions have been filled by underclassmen or transfers. 

That said, you can make a good argument that QB Quinn Ewers should be second team All-American instead of Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. It’s a close call. Similarly, PK Bert Auburn could be the second team kicker, but he was beaten out by Andres Borregales of Miami. Another close call. 

Once again, Texas players will have to prove to the national media that they are All-Americans. Longhorns like RB Jaydon Blue, WR Silas Bolden, DE Ethan Burke, LB Anthony Hill and DB Jahdae Barron could all be postseason All-Americans if their seasons, and Texas’ season, go as Longhorns fans hope. 

ESPN Preseason All-Americans by the Numbers: 

Georgia: 3 First Team | 1 Second Team

Alabama: 3 First Team | 1 Second Team

Michigan: 3 First Team | 0 Second Team

LSU: 2 First Team | 1 Second Team

Ohio State: 1 First Team | 4 Second Team

Oklahoma: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team

Oregon: 0 First Team | 2 Second Team 

Texas A&M: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

Tennessee: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

Notre Dame: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

Clemson: 1 First Team | 0 Second Team 

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PHOTOS: Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers through the years

Take a look back at Junior Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers college career.

Quinn Ewers enters the 2024 season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy and is expected to lead the Texas Longhorns back to the College Football Playoffs.

As a junior at Southlake Carroll, Ewers was the top-ranked player in the country for the 2022 recruiting class. That summer, Ewers committed to the University of Texas.

But the Texas native made the unusual choice to skip his senior season in high school. Instead, he decommitted from Texas and enrolled at Ohio State to profit off his Name, Image and Likeness. Texas law prevented high schoolers in the state from making money in endorsements.

Ewers enrolled at Ohio State in August 2021 and joined the team for fall camp. Ewers made his debut for the Buckeyes on November 20, 2021 against the Michigan State, taking two snaps at the end of the game in the Buckeyes’ win. He played in only one game.

After the season was over, Ewers decided to transfer to his original school of choice, Texas, and was named the Longhorns starter going into the 2022 season.

Ewers played 10 games in an up and down 2022 season. Texas finished 6-4, with the QB throwing for 2,177 yards and 15 TDs.

2023 would be a watershed year for the sophomore. Ewers played in 12 games, amassing 3,479 yards and 22 TDs. Texas won the Big 12 Championship game in its final year in the conference. Ewers set the record for most passing yards in a Big 12 Championship game and was named MVP. The Longhorns went to the College Football Playoff semi-final, ultimately losing to Washington 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl. 

Ewers will once again lead the Horns as a junior in what is expected to be his final year on the 40 Acres.

Texas Longhorns RB Christian Clark out for 2024 season with torn Achilles

Texas has announced freshman RB Christian Clark suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Clark will undergo surgery and miss the 2024 season.

The injury report is back for Texas running back Christian Clark, and it isn’t good. The freshman RB suffered a torn Achilles tendon. In a statement released on Tuesday, school officials said Clark will undergo surgery and miss the 2024 season.

Clark is the second Longhorn RB to suffer a season-ending injury in as many weeks. Last week, starter CJ Baxter tore both his lateral cruciate ligament  and posterior cruciate ligament.

The two serious injuries have cut the Longhorns’ running back depth almost in half. The Texas coaching staff is considering moving players from other positions to bolster the running back room.

Even before Clark’s injury, Steve Sarkisian said: “We’re looking at some different options, and I think we’re looking at it creatively, whether it’s a couple of guys on the offensive side of the ball, a potential player on the defensive side of the ball, or two, for that matter. … So we’re kind of taking it day by day again. We’ve got plenty of time. We’re just trying to get a sense and a feel of how, not only will they play on offense at the runner, but how does that impact us at other positions if we take a player.”

Three names have emerged as possible candidates to move to running back: wide receiver Ryan Niblett,  linebacker Derion Gullette and safety Jelani McDonald.

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Down 2 running backs, Texas considers position changes to bolster RB corps

With injuries to CJ Baxter and now Christian Clark, Texas is considering position changes to add depth to running back corps.

Last week, the Longhorns lost starting running back CJ Baxter to a season ending knee injury. This week, it’s Christian Clark. The freshman RB suffered what has been described as “a serious lower leg injury” during Monday’s practice.  

Late Tuesday, University of Texas officials announced Clark suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the 2024 season.

Before Clark’s injury even happened, the Longhorns coaching staff were considering other options at running back. “We’re looking at some different options, and I think we’re looking at it creatively, whether it’s a couple of guys on the offensive side of the ball, a potential player on the defensive side of the ball, or two, for that matter,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. ” … So we’re kind of taking it day by day again. We’ve got plenty of time. We’re just trying to get a sense and a feel of how, not only will they play on offense at the runner, but how does that impact us at other positions if we take a player.”

Clark wasn’t expected to be the primary replacement for Baxter. That duty will fall to junior Jaydon Blue. Blue was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list last week, which is handed out annually to the nation’s most versatile player.

Texas has also brought in two running backs in each of the last two recruiting classes. Behind Blue, Sarkisian can turn to Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson. 

But with the loss of Clark, it’s depth at RB that has the Longhorns staff concerned. Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods reports that the coaching staff is considering moving freshman WR Ryan Niblett to running back. 

Niblett is a redshirt freshman from Aldine Eisenhower in Houston. A 2023 All-American Bowl participant, Niblett was ranked No. 77 nationally, No. 12 among wide receivers and No. 16 overall in the state of Texas by Rivals. As a senior at Eisenhower, he caught 55 passes for 1,088 yards and 10 TD with an average of 108.8 receiving yards per game.

Coaches are also considering moving linebacker Derion Gullette to running back. Gullette played some offense in high school and is already taking snaps at RB at Longhorns practice. Texas’ depth at LB makes Gullette possibly more valuable on offense. Gullette could take on the roll of short-yardage power back.

Gullette, another redshirt freshman, went to high school at Teague in Marlin, TX. The former 4-star recruit starred at RB, but was also named first-team 3A All-State as both a WR and punter. 

Another name being considered is safety Jelani McDonald. Out of Connally High School in Waco, McDonald was was a 4-star recruit ranked No. 204 nationally, No. 6 among athletes and No. 35 overall in the state of Texas by Rivals.

Playing on both slides of the ball, he was named the 11-4A Division 2 offensive MVP after running the ball 77 times for 852 yards and nine touchdowns and posting four separate games of 100 yards rushing. 

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Texas QB Quinn Ewers new ‘face’ of premium apparel company Rhoback

Rhoback has announced Texas QB Quinn Ewers will be the ‘face’ of its new ‘Rhoback U’ line of apparel.

In the new NIL era of college football, student athletes are getting more and more opportunities to join with sponsors and companies for marketing and advertising. 

Being the starting QB at the University of Texas affords some pretty hefty earning power for any player in that position. Throw in Heisman candidate/playoff favorite, and Quinn Ewers is one of the hottest names in the NIL realm. Rhoback has announced Ewers will be the ‘face’ of its new ‘Rhoback U’ line of apparel. The company says, “We can’t wait to showcase Quinn’s talent and personality through our “EARN IT.” campaign this fall.” 

Rhoback is a premium apparel line founded in 2016. The Charlottesville, Virginia-based brand sells activewear “designed to transition from one activity to another.” 

The brand’s name comes from the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog breed. Rhodeisn Ridgebacks are known for being active and typically have a ridge down the middle of its back. Rhoback says they wanted to “create a high-end, fun, and stylish activewear line that was sweat-wicking.” Affluent males are the company’s target consumer. 

Rhoback U is a line of Rhoback clothing designed to highlight college athletics. The company has signed Ewers to an exclusive apparel deal that includes a base fee plus revenue share. On3 reports Ewers’ deal is worth between $100,000 to $150,000 dollars.

“I am incredibly excited to be working with Rhoback as my official apparel sponsor and to become a leading face of their Rhoback U program. It’s exciting to see their presence really take off within the college athletics community. Their products are the most comfortable I have worn, and it’s been such a fun experience being able to create some awesome content with their team. I’m a big fan of their involvement in the Texas community and I’m pumped to be a part of Team Rhoback and Rhoback U this season.” – Quinn Ewers statement

The deal also involves the release of an officially licensed Texas Longhorns collection from Rhoback. Ewers will earn a portion of net sales from new customers who use Ewers specific discount link – HERE!

“We are excited to join Quinn Ewers team as his official apparel sponsor. The Heisman candidate and new face of Rhoback U will lead the program this Fall and help set a new standard for what it means to be a premier collegiate athlete. Quinn’s leadership, demeanor, and love for the game immediately stood out to us. Quinn’s qualities will make a big appearance within our Earn It campaign this Fall and we couldn’t be more excited to introduce them to the Rhoback community. Quinn’s talent and personality will help us showcase new trendsetting content, and we can’t wait to share. Quinn will also help unveil our licensed Texas collection. We are proud to be a part of Quinn’s team as he guides the Rhoback U program to the next level.” – Rhoback statement 

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UPDATE: Another Longhorns RB injures leg, thought to be serious

Last week, the Longhorns lost starting RB CJ Baxter for the season with a knee injury. Now, it looks like another running back is hurt.

Last week, the Longhorns lost starting running back CJ Baxter for the season with a knee injury. This week isn’t starting out any better at Texas practice.

RB Christian Clark was injured at practice on Monday. The severity is unknown, although Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods reports it is believed to be serious.

 

Though the nature of the injury is a mystery, Bobby Burton of OnTexasFootball says, “It does not sound good on its face.”

Clark is a freshman running back out of Arizona. He was slated to be a backup in 2024, but with the injury to Baxter last week, every RB had moved up the depth chart a slot.

https://twitter.com/ontexasfootball/status/1823144013278679125https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkLr41VnTL4

OnTexasFootball’s CJ Vogel wrote, “He came down awkward after leaping for a pass. He needed assistance to get off the field. Again it sounds like a lower body injury. It doesn’t sound great. We don’t know the severity. We do know however Christian Clark was unable to finish practice.”

Burton adds: “I feel like they’re a little bit snake bit at the position. The Longhorns have four scholarship running backs available, including Clark. If Clark were to be out, that would be three. We will see what that means.”

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Texas Longhorns begin season ranked No. 4 in initial AP Poll

The first AP Poll of the season is out and Texas is ranked No. 4 to begin the highly-anticipated 2024 campaign. 

The first AP Poll of the season is out and the Longhorns are ranked No. 4 to begin the highly-anticipated 2024 campaign. This is the first time Texas has debuted in the AP preseason Top 5 since 2009, when the Horns lost in the BCS Championship game against Alabama at the Rose Bowl.  

The top seven teams in the AP Poll mirrors the top seven in the US LBM Coaches Poll released last week.

Georgia, Ohio State and Oregon rank ahead of Texas in the initial poll. The Bulldogs received 46 first place votes, the Buckeyes got 15 first place votes and the Ducks received 1 first place votes. Texas landed zero first place votes.

As the “super conference” era begins, the expanded SEC and Big Ten dominate the rankings with four teams apiece in the Top 10. Only four conferences are represented in the preseason rankings overall. The SEC leads the conference race with nine teams in the Top 25. The Big Ten has six representatives. The Big 12 lands five in the poll, while the ACC has four.

Texas rivals Oklahoma and Texas A&M also made the list at No. 16 and No. 20 respectively.

Five teams from the preseason AP Top 25 are on the Longhorns’ schedule:

9/7 at No. 9 Michigan

10/12 vs. No. 16 Oklahoma (in Dallas)

10/19 vs. No. 1 Georgia

11/20 at No. 20 Texas A&M

Texas finished the 2023 season ranked No. 3 in the AP Poll after losing the College Football Playoff Semifinal vs. Washington. The Longhorns 2024 season begins on 8/31 vs. Colorado State.

A look at the full preseason AP Poll:

Ranking Team Points
1 Georgia Bulldogs 1,532 (46)
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 1,490 (15)
3 Oregon Ducks 1,403 (1)
4 Texas Longhorns 1,386
5 Alabama Crimson Tide 1,260
6 Ole Miss Rebels 1,189
7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 1,122
8 Penn State Nittany Lions 1,060
9 Michigan Wolverines 995
10 Florida State Seminoles 971
11 Missouri Tigers 927
12 Utah Utes 887
13 LSU Tigers 804
14 Clemson Tigers 689
15 Tennessee Volunteers 629
16 Oklahoma Sooners 566
17 Oklahoma State Cowboys 538
18 Kansas State Wildcats 526
19 Miami Hurricanes 492
20 Texas A&M Aggies 292
21 Arizona Wildcats 237
22 Kansas Jayhawks 231
23 USC Trojans 172
24 North Carolina State Wolfpack 171
25 Iowa Hawkeyes 140

Others Receiving Votes

Louisville 111, Virginia Tech 77, Boise St. 47, SMU 33, Iowa St. 33, Liberty 32, Washington 23, West Virginia 17, Memphis 16, Nebraska 16, Wisconsin 15, UTSA 6, Tulane 5, Appalachian St. 4, Kentucky 3, Auburn 2, Colorado 1.

 

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Longhorns Freshman Report: Two emerge in fall camp

Two freshman have stood out so far in Longhorns fall camp – WR Ryan Wingo and Edge Colin Simmons. Both should get significant playing time.

Texas Longhorns fall camp has been in full swing for a little over a week in Austin, capped by a closed scrimmage on Saturday. Longhorns fans know all about the returning stars on the team, such as Quinn Ewers and Anthony Hill. But how are the freshmen doing? Have any emerged as true impact players in 2024?

OnTexasFootball’s Bobby Burton and Gerry Hamilton report that two freshman are standing out so far in camp: wide receiver Ryan Wingo and edge Colin Simmons.

“They are guys right now that will be in the rotation we believe when Texas plays Colorado State,” Burton said. “They may not play 50 snaps, but I think they’re going to play 15-25. They’ve booth stood out. I think they both get an A or A-plus as a grade right now.”

Wingo caught four passes for 81 yards and 2 TDs in the Texas spring game. An All-American Bowl participant, the St. Louis native was ranked fifth overall and second among wide receivers in the recruiting class by 247Sports. 

The true freshman from St. Louis has been everything and then some that Steve Sarkisian could want. He made more than one play in Saturday’s scrimmage, including a couple tantalizing catches, as well as the every down catch. He’s just got to learn more than one position. Right now Sark said he’s kinda pigeon-holed as that outside receiver because he’s so young. He’s trying to get everything down in the game. This is as good a receiver prospect, full prospect, as we’ve seen at Texas since Roy Williams out of Odessa Permian now more than 25 years ago. — Bobby Burton of OnTexasFootball

Simmons is a two-time state champion out of Duncanville who was 22nd overall by 247Sports and played in both the 2024 Under Armour All-American Game and 2024 Polynesian Bowl. 

We knew he’d have a role as an edge rusher. We didn’t know if it’d be third downs early in the season. The interesting thing to me is he’s showing versatility. In the NASCAR package they broke out in the scrimmage, he was playing Sam Linebacker. He’s showing beyond his gifts athletically and how he’s built up his frame. He’s showing football intelligence. They feel like they can work him in multiple spots before he’s ever played a game as a freshman in college. — Gerry Hamilton of OnTexasFootball

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Is Arch Manning leaving Texas? Paul Finebaum weighs in

There has been speculation on Arch Manning’s future at Texas since before he even got on campus. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum gives his take.

There has been speculation on Arch Manning’s future at Texas since before he arrived on campus. Manning’s commitment to Texas caught many SEC fans off guard. The expectation was he would go to LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia or Ole Miss. 

PHOTOS: Texas’ Arch Manning in Fall Practice

Media speculation ramped up when Quinn Ewers beat out Manning in last season’s QB competition. Indeed, Manning was third string for much of the season. There was an expectation Ewers might go pro before this season, opening the door for Manning to start. 

When Ewers announced he was coming back to the 40 Acres, the speculation of Manning’s departure hit an all-time high. Especially from the national media that doesn’t cover the Longhorns day-to-day. 

But one national voice believes Texas fans have nothing to worry about. ESPN SEC guru Paul Finebaum said on his show, “Manning had every opportunity to leave, but he chose to stay. I’ve been down to Austin twice recently, and the consensus is that Arch Manning is fully committed to the Longhorns’ program.”

It will be interesting to see how much playing time Manning gets this season as Ewers primary backup QB. Either way, Arch should be ready to take over in 2025.

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