Longhorns – Page 2 – Syndication Server

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.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Trey Luerssen on Twitter @TreyLuerssen.

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.”

We are excited to join @QuinnEwers team as his apparel sponsor. The Heisman candidate and star QB will become a face of Rhoback U.

We can’t wait to showcase Quinn’s talent and personality through our “EARN IT.” campaign this fall 🤘 #rhobacku #earnit #rhoback #craveactivity pic.twitter.com/VzJoS9kEAc

— RHOBACK (@rhoback) August 12, 2024

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

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.

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

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Trey Luerssen on X @TreyLuerssen.

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.

Texas-Texas A&M tickets cost more than Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving game

The Texas-Texas A&M game is more expensive than the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving game and is the most expensive ticket in college football.

Traditionally, the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game is one of the most expensive football tickets of the year in the Lone Star State. But a rivalry renewed might shatter records this year.

According to Fox 4 in Dallas, the price of the Texas at Texas A&M game on SeekGeek are selling for about $600 dollars a piece. That’s a lot more than the Cowboys Turkey Day game against the NY Giants. Seats for that game start at about $127 dollars.

The Longhorns and Aggies haven’t played in football since 2011, A&M’s final year in the Big 12 before jumping to the SEC. 12 years later, the Horns are joining them in the super league and the rivalry will pick up where it left off.

Texas beat A&M, in what was thought to be the series final game, 27-25 on a Case McCoy led comeback capped by a Justin Tucker FG as time ran out.

SportKeeda has ranked the Top 10 most expensive games in college football this year. The Texas-Texas A&M game ranks No. 1 with the average ticket price at $625 dollars.

Texas plays in three of the top four most expensive games this season, and four of the top 10. The Aggies have two games on the list.

Top 10 most expensive college football tickets in 2024

Texas at Texas A&M – $625
Army vs. Navy – $527
Texas at Michigan – $469
Texas vs. Oklahoma – $445
Ohio State at Oregon – $365
Notre Dame at Texas A&M – $359
Georgia at Texas – $355
Tennessee at Georgia – $348
Alabama at Tennessee – $339
Cincinnati at Colorado – $303

2025 recruiting and why Texas moved up in the rankings

A big commitment this week has moved the Longhorns up four sports in ESPN’s rankings, from 18 to 14 overall. Texas landed one of 2025’s top wide receivers in Kaliq Locket.

Texas has been lagging behind its rivals in the 2025 team recruiting rankings for months. Boasting an already deep roster, the Longhorns worked the transfer portal hard this year to replenish its skill positions.

But a big commitment this week has moved the Horns up four sports in ESPN’s rankings, from 18 to 14 overall. Texas landed one of 2025’s top wide receivers in Kaliq Locket.

Locket ranks 23rd overall in the class and fourth among receivers in ESPN’s rankings. 247 ranks the Sachse High School star as the No. 2 WR in the country and No. 12 overall player.

As a junior, the 6’2, 180 pound wide out had 59 receptions for 1,299 yards and 13 touchdowns. ESPN says, “Locket gives the Longhorns a target with nice length and good speed with the leaping ability to go up and attack the football and win battles for contested balls.”

“Lockett was a big in-state win as one of top offensive players in the Lone Star state; he is a rangy receiver with good speed that also attacks the ball and can high point and win contested matchups.”

Texas now has commitments from 17 players in the 2025 class, including nine from the ESPN Top 300. Locket is the highest ranked of the group, that includes QB K.J. Lacey. Haubert says, “The Longhorns didn’t sign an ESPN 300 quarterback in 2024, but K.J. Lacey is one of the more promising signal-callers in the 2025 class. He lacks ideal size at 5-11 and 180 pounds, but he throws a good deep ball, can create and also change arm angles. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 42 touchdowns as a junior.”

Defensive lineman Lance Jackson is Texas’ top defensive commit. Haubert says, “Jackson has coveted size and frame for the position. He could be a disruptive player in the trenches with good initial quickness and agility. Smith Orogbo is an edge defender with an explosive first step, active hands and very good range.”

PHOTOS: Texas backup QB Arch Manning in fall practice

Check out the latest photos of Texas backup QB Arch Manning during fall practice.

Arch Manning might be the most famous backup in college football. The newest Manning family quarterback, Manning starts his second year in the Texas program.

Nephew to Peyton and Eli, grandson to Archie and son of Cooper, Arch represents the third generation of Manning QBs. He played high school football at Isidore Newman in New Orleans, where he was the first freshman starting QB at the school in 40 years. He went on to start all four seasons at Isidore Newman.

Manning’s family tried to limit the media frenzy that accompanied Arch’s recruiting process. Arch didn’t do media interviews and ran a private Instagram account for just coaches and close friends.

He took visits to Texas, SMU, Clemson, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia and Ole Miss. The 6-foot-4 quarterback committed to the Longhorns on June 23, 2022, and signed his letter of intent on Dec. 21, 2022.

An early enrollee, Manning played in the 2023 spring game. He entered the season third on the depth chart, behind returning starter Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy. He made his college debut on Nov. 24, 2023 during the third quarter of a blowout win against Texas Tech, completing 2-of-5 passing attempts for 30 yards.

Manning enters his second year on campus as the second string backup to Ewers. Murphy transferred to Duke.

Texas softball books spot in NCAA Tournament super regional

The Texas Longhorns softball team defeated Northwestern 7-0 in Game 6 of the Austin regional Sunday.

Teagan Kavan threw a one-hitter, recording 12 strikeouts, as the Texas Longhorns softball team defeated Northwestern 7-0 in Game 6 of the Austin regional to clinch their spot in the super regionals of the NCAA Tournament Sunday in Austin.

Katie Stewart’s two-RBI single in the top of the first kicked off the scoring for Texas before Mia Scott’s three-run home run in the second gave the Longhorns a 5-0 lead. Viviana Martinez and Bella Dayton added RBI for Texas.

Texas takes on Texas A&M in the super regional next weekend. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies twice in the regional round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament with 2-1 and 11-5 victories. Citlaly Gutierrez gave up one run on three hits, striking out five A&M batters in the 2-1 victory. Mac Morgan earned the victory in the second contest, giving up five runs on six hits in five innings pitched, striking out two batters.

Longhorns baseball earns weekend sweep of Kansas in final Big 12 series

The Texas Longhorns baseball team nearly saw an 8-1 lead slip away, but held on for a 9-7 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday.

The Texas Longhorns baseball team nearly saw an 8-1 lead slip away, but held on for a 9-7 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on the last day of Big 12 regular season action Saturday.

With the victory, Texas (35-20, 20-10 Big 12) will be the No. 3 seed in next week’s Big 12 Tournament.

Up 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth, the Longhorns got RBIs from Max Belyeu and Kimble Schuessler before Casey Borba’s two-run shot gave Texas a 7-1 lead.

After Texas added a run in the sixth, Kansas scored four in the seventh and two in the eighth before Jared Thomas’ RBI gave Texas a 9-7 lead.

Lebarron Johnson Jr. (3-4) earned the victory, striking out seven Kansas batters while allowing one run on five hits. Gage Boehm (S, 8) pitched the last 2 1/3 innings to help the Longhorns hold on.

Ten teams qualified for the Big 12 tournament, meaning that the Longhorns take on the No. 10 seed Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first round. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. CT at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.