Malcolm Epps transferred to Pitt, which is where another former Trojan, Kedon Slovis, transferred one year ago.
Former USC and Texas tight end Malcolm Epps, who appeared last year on the John Mackey Award watch list, decided to transfer to Pittsburgh after not getting much playing time last season in L.A as a Trojan.
Epps (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) has 37 receptions for 483 yards and seven touchdowns through five seasons, the past two at USC.
He wasn’t featured in the USC passing game last season but recorded a touchdown catch and interception in the end zone against Fresno State when he was inserted to defend a Hail Mary.
As a redshirt freshman at Texas in 2019, he caught 20 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
Epps will most likely be No. 2 or No. 3 on the depth chart behind Gavin Bartholomhew and Karter Johnson, but he fits this pro-style Pitt offense more than he fit a given offensive system in his previous stops. The Panthers will get great use out of the tight end position.
Epps’ size and athleticism give Pitt a weapon the program hasn’t had in a long time. He is someone a quarterback can throw a jump ball to in one-on-one coverage. He should be a trusted target for former Boston College and Notre Dame quarterback Phil Jurkovec, who will start at quarterback for Pitt. Be on the lookout for Epps to have an impactful year in the ACC.
Nebraska and Colorado are two of the many teams in the mix for the former USC tight end.
As you probably know, former Texas and USC tight end Malcolm Epps is back in the NCAA transfer portal.
Malcolm Epps spent his first three seasons at Texas before transferring to USC in 2021. On3’s Matt Zenitz reports Epps is going to look for a third school as a graduate transfer to spend his final season of eligibility.
Epps has caught 37 passes for 483 yards and seven touchdowns during his college career.
“These last two years at USC have been an absolute blast, I’ve gained friends & memories that I will have for the rest of my life,” Epps wrote on Twitter. “To Coach Helton & Coach Riley, appreciate you for allowing me to be apart of your football team. To all the coaches I’ve come in contact with, I want to thank you all for helping me crow as not only a football player but also a men I will always have Trojan blood running through my veins. With that being said I am entering the transfer portal as a Grad Transfer. The Lord is guiding me to my final destination and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store. 19 out.”
Epps battled for playing time at USC last season in a crowded tight end room. Earlier this season, Epps praised the Trojans’ position group and said it was the best in the country.
Possible destinations for Malcom Epps this upcoming season are: Nebraska, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Colorado, Miami (Florida) and Purdue, among many others.
Former Texas tight end Malcolm Epps is back in the NCAA transfer portal.
Epps spent his first three seasons at Texas before transferring to USC in 2021. On3’s Matt Zenitz reports Epps is going to look for a third school as a graduate transfer to spend his final season of eligibility.
Epps has hauled in 37 passes for 483 yards and seven touchdowns during his college career. His 6-foot-7 frame makes Epps a capable red zone target and a mismatch for most defensive backs. Epps will bring five seasons of major college football experience at two blue blood programs to his next school of choice.
Expect another flow of transfers to enter the portal during the spring semester. Some excellent players in college football are going to be available again in the next few months.
If Notre Dame wins this game, it can thank USC for not taking advantage of numerous opportunities. There were stretches in which both teams looked impressive in the third quarter. Even so, this game should be much closer than it is. Instead, the Irish have a 24-3 lead.
The Trojans got the ball to begin the second half and really were in business after Kedon Slovis’ 30-yard pass to Malcolm Epps. The ball now was at the Irish’s 25-yard line, and that’s where it would stay. The Trojans nearly caught a break when D.J. Brown, subbing for the injured Kyle Hamilton, was flagged for targeting and then vindicated by the obligatory replay review. Parker Lewis promptly missed a 42-yard field goal, so both kickers have had their moments of shame now.
After the teams traded punts, it was the Irish’s turn to have a lengthy drive. Kyren Williams put the offense in business with a 38-yard run to the Trojans’ 26. The run continued to be the Irish’s weapon of choice for the rest of the possession, and it paid off. Aided by some Trojans penalties, the Irish added onto their lead with Williams needing only a single yard for his second touchdown of the game.
The Trojans had the quarter’s final possession and used a combination of runs and passes to get into Irish territory quickly. By the time the clock hit zero, they were right on the cusp of scoring their first touchdown. Stay tuned to see if it happens.
Saturday’s win was memorable for Texas, despite the opponent. Here are five plays that stood out from the win against UTEP on Saturday:
Texas’ season-opening victory against UTEP was the most impressive throughout the Big 12 on Saturday, if not the entire country. Both offensively and defensively, the Longhorns looked as if they were on a different level than years before.
Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich exploded in the first half, scoring points on seven of the eight offensive first-half possessions. Sam Ehlinger set records, throwing for five touchdowns. To make matters better, Yurcich stated he would run a “vanilla” offense before Big 12 play.
Texas’ defense also tried not to show too much but still played at an elite level. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash switch to the 4-3 base defense while running a lot of nickel is taking shape. Now, it will be time to test it against Big 12 offenses.
It was a memorable win for the Longhorns, despite the opponent. Here are five plays that stood out from the win against UTEP on Saturday:
Brennan Eagles is expected to be the starter after contributing last season. Here is a breakdown of the X-receiver position for UT in 2020:
Going into the 2019 season, the wide receiver position was supposed to be a positive for the Longhorns with Collin Johnson, Devin Duvernay, and incoming freshman Bru McCoy. Flash forward one season and McCoy is out west at Southern California, while Duvernay and Johnson are off in the NFL.
As for the X-receiver, replacing Johnson was never going to be an easy job. Throughout his four year career in Austin, the wideout had 2,624 yards and 15 touchdowns. While he did deal with injuries, Johnson was one of Sam Ehlinger’s favorite targets.
Now, a new era and targets will be needed on the outside for Ehlinger. Junior Brennan Eagles is expected to be the starter after contributing nicely last season. There are a couple of players who could join the rotation and play as a back up to Eagles.
Here is a breakdown of the X-receiver position for Texas in 2020:
The countdown to the college football season continues with numbers 84 and 85. Which Longhorns were the best to wear that number?
Kickoff to the season opener against the South Florida Bulls is now down to just 84 days. Longhorns Wire continues the countdown to kickoff for the best players in Texas football history. We continue with the best players to wear 84 and 85.
Number 85
Tom Stolhandske (1950-52)
(AP Photo/Carl E. Linde)
Stolhandske spent three years with the Texas Longhorns football team. He was named All-SWC End and All-American in 1952. He averaged 15.6 yards per catch over his career with 64 total receptions. However, according to sports-reference, Stolhandske is credited with 61 receptions and a 15.7 yards per reception average. In 1952 he hauled in 30 receptions for 519 yards and five touchdowns. Stolhandske would finish with 61 receptions for 955 yards and eight touchdowns. Texas won the SWC Championships in 1950 and 1952. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1952.
Malcolm Epps (2018-current)
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Currently wide receiver/tight end Malcolm Epps wears number 85. Last season due to injuries at the position, Epps was moved outside due to his size. He finished the year with 20 receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Epps touchdown receptions against Iowa State helped the Longhorns comeback late in the game. The catch gave them the lead but ultimately the Cyclones found a way to win the game as time expired. He will be more focused at tight end this year.
Tom Herman announced position changes for the 2020 season. Significant on both offense and defense, they will impact UT big time next year.
In his first time talking to the media since wrapping up the 2020 recruiting class and completing his coaching staff, Tom Herman spoke about both sides of the ball. When asked about players moving positions, Herman named seven different players that will be in new spots next season.
On the defensive side of the ball, there are a few changes starting with Anthony Cook. The junior will be the nickel corner, coming in to give the defense five defensive backs. In 18 career games for the Longhorns, he has made five starts, with his best moment coming in this year’s Red River Shootout, causing a fumble from Jalen Hurts.
The biggest jump will be former defensive back DeMarvion Overshown moving to the linebacker position. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 210 pounds, Overshown has the size to play the position. Herman said he is “excited” about the switch.
Alamo Bowl MVP Joseph Ossai will be moving to the jack position with Byron Vaughns, primarily rushing the passer. That was a huge problem for Texas last season, being in the bottom half of the Big 12 in sacks. Ossai proved against Utah how disruptive in the backfield he can be, totaling three sacks and six tackles for loss. Vaughns, who will be a redshirt sophomore, only played in six games last season, securing 12 tackles.
Flipping over to offense, there are some significant changes that have the chance to make the Longhorn offense even better than it was last season. Beginning with former five-star prospect Jordan Whittington, he will be playing slot receiver, a move that has been anticipated. His athletic ability gives him the option to play anywhere on the field, but a loaded running back room makes it too difficult to get him touches.
Part of the reason the backfield will be so crowded next season will be because former third-string quarterback Roschon Johnson will be sticking to running back going forward. Making the move last season after the position was thin, he played at a high level. Rushing for 649 yards and seven touchdowns, Johnson will now be competing with junior Keaontay Ingram and true freshman Bijan Robinson for snaps.
Another significant move for the offense is Malcolm Epps moving to tight end. It was a position that produced nearly nothing last season, with Cade Brewer having 11 catches for 159 yards. While Brewer will be returning in 2020, he will now have another body competing for his spot. Epps is a huge 6 feet 5 inches that has the chance to be a big target for Ehlinger next season.
Each change will bring a dynamic change to both sides of the ball for Texas next season. With new offensive coordinator Mike Yurich and new defensive coordinator Chris Ash, it will be their responsibility to make sure the players produce. If they can, the Longhorns will be one of the best teams in the Big 12 next season.
