Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Johntay Cook made the list of five-star players as the No. 24 overall player in the nation.
The Texas Longhorns have a star-studded class. Look no further than Rivals’ latest recruiting rankings update. Continue reading “Texas signees make appearances in Rivals’ five-star update”
Texas is becoming a destination for top wide receivers like Micah Hudson.
The Forty Acres is a destination for top wide receivers. It appears Micah Hudson is taking notice.
Hudson, the No. 2 wide receiver and No. 6 overall player in the 247Sports composite for 2024, is taking in what Austin has to offer this weekend. This comes just after Georgia receiver transfer Adonai Mitchell chose the Longhorns.
It’s easy to see why big time pass catchers are enamored with playing in Steve Sarkisian’s scheme. Xavier Worthy and Ja’Tavion Sanders each had breakout seasons in their first full-time starting opportunities on campus. Some of their success can be attributed to an offense that leverages the full power of their skillsets.
Sarkisian is known for scheming receivers open and allowing them to get yards after catch in space. As for how he would utilize Hudson, the Longhorns’ offensive play caller may not have to do much scheming to get the elite talent open.
Hudson will be a matchup nightmare regardless of scheme, but playing for Texas certainly wouldn’t hurt his stock. Steve Sarkisian and company will look to make strides in his recruitment.
Mr. Hudson in the house. @iammike1x https://t.co/twj3oL2GoL
— Justin Wells (@justinwells2424) January 21, 2023
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]
Texas might consider bringing this elite player in from the transfer portal.
LSU linebacker Demario Tolan has entered the transfer portal. The four-star talent and No. 23 linebacker in the 2022 On3 consensus recruiting rankings is looking for a change of scenery after a year in Baton Rouge.
Tolan attended Dr. Phillips High School in Florida, the school where Texas found elite offensive lineman Payton Kirkland. It’s uncertain if they have a strong relationship, but familiarity could bode well for Texas should they pursue a commitment.
On3 had the following to say about the Florida native in high school. Highly instinctive linebacker.
Sees the game quickly and plays faster than he tests. Skilled with his ability to blitz, play the run and cover. Shows the ability to strike and finish at a high rate. Impressed with his cover skills in the camp setting. Does not have top long speed in the camp setting.
Tolan ranked as the No. 229 overall player in the 2022 On3 consensus. Both Rivals and ESPN considered him a Top 200 talent. Given depth questions following the loss of DeMarvion Overshown and Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, Texas could use another talented linebacker alongside Jaylan Ford and Anthony Hill.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]
Jackson Arnold donates a football to Derek Williams’ INT collection.
Derek Williams is making his mark on the Under Armor All-America Bowl in Orlando. The five-star safety picked off Elite 11 winner and five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold.
Texas fans hope the interception is the first of many for Williams, and hopefully not his last against Arnold. The opposing quarterback signed his letter of intent to play for The University of Oklahoma.
Texas was a big winner in signing Williams, who hails from Louisiana. He joins the No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning as players crossing the Louisiana border to play football in Texas from the 2023 class.
Poaching two five-star players from the Pelican State was no small feat for Steve Sarkisian and company. They figure to make a huge contribution, perhaps sooner rather than later.
Williams is the No. 3 safety and No. 40 overall player in the On3 consensus. With a void at safety, look for the Louisiana native to compete for a starting role next year.
Texas signee Derek Williams gets in on the action with an INT! #HookEm signees making plays all over in Orlando | @Horns247 pic.twitter.com/V5uJknHE2x
— Hudson Standish (@247Hudson) January 3, 2023
Joel Klatt hints at quarterback controversy in Austin.
Joel Klatt shared his thoughts on Texas and Washington in the Alamo Bowl. Klatt opined that the game rests on the shoulders of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
The highly regarded college football analyst for Fox Sports reasoned the loss of Bijan Robinson will place a heavier load on Ewers’ shoulders. Without Robinson to lean on, it will be sink or swim for the freshman quarterback.
Klatt continued: “Ewers now is sitting there with the shadow of Arch Manning getting larger, and larger and larger.”
He went on to say some Texas fans would hope for Manning to take over the starting job regardless of the bowl results.
While much of that is true, the reality is the fan base doesn’t decide who will be the starting quarterback. As fans clamored for Hudson Card during Ewers’ struggles, Steve Sarkisian stuck with the guy he believes can turn around the program.
There will be a quarterback competition in the spring and over fall camp. Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning will have a shot to win the job. Even so, Texas is only focused on doing what the coaching staff believes is best for the program regardless of outside noise.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]
Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.
Texas seeks its fifth five-star recruit of the 2023 cycle.
Five-star tight end Duce Robinson probably isn’t choosing the Longhorns. That doesn’t mean Steve Sarkisian and company should stop trying. It appears Texas signees haven’t given up on the talented pass catcher.
Texas’ most recent signee DeAndre Moore championed the burnt orange recruiting pitch on Thursday. Moore, like Johntay Cook and Ryan Niblett, has the ability to play right away. It appears the playmaker wouldn’t mind sacrificing opportunities to share the football with the nation’s best tight end recruit.
Robinson would undoubtedly thrive at Texas opposite a complete tight end like Ja’Tavion Sanders. With Sanders, Xavier Worthy, Isaiah Neyor and Jordan Whittington potentially returning, the Longhorns should have no problem getting its elite receivers open. Brenen Thompson and Savion Red could have a role in the offense as well.
Georgia currently trends to land a commitment from the matchup nightmare at tight end. That said, with Bijan Robinson departing for the NFL, Texas figures to be more pass-centric offensively with a better scheme than the Bulldogs.
Duce Robinson’s recruitment might be a long shot, but the Longhorns can still aim for a cherry on top of their loaded recruiting class.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]
Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.
Texas should own the line of scrimmage in 2023.
Texas returns a host of talent on the line of scrimmage next season. As a result, the Longhorns could impose their will on Big 12 opponents.
Multiple returning players made a huge impact up front as early as the Alabama game. Kelvin Banks neutralized Alabama pass rushers, while T’Vondre Sweat wreaked havoc defensively in the middle.
The fun continued into the Red River game where Texas lines had success on both sides of the football. The Longhorns’ front should continue to own the trenches next season.
Offensive line coach Kyle Flood is set to return at least four starting offensive linemen. Should Christian Jones return from a strong campaign the Longhorns would have all five linemen return. Cam Williams and Devon Campbell are primed to start should Jones depart for the NFL.
T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy would counter the losses of Keondre Coburn and Moro Ojomo at defensive tackle. On the outside, Barryn Sorrell could be on the verge of All-Big 12 recognition.
Here’s a look at impact players who could return for Texas offensive and defensive lines.
Oklahoma took second place to Texas in recruiting and on the field this year.
We have reached the final months of the 2023 recruiting cycle and the picture for each team is clearer than it was prior to Wednesday’s signatures. Texas solidified a significant portion of its recruiting class on the day.
The Longhorns and their rival Sooners have accumulated impressive recruiting classes that both figure to finish in the Top 10 of the 2023 team recruiting rankings.
Due to proximity, there is plenty of overlap in the players to which each team has offered scholarships. Many of each team’s targets hail from the state of Texas.
While the Sooners have put up an impressive class in Brent Venables’ first full cycle, they haven’t fared as well with players who Texas also offered. Even the state’s top quarterback Jackson Arnold did not receive a scholarship offer from Texas.
Here’s a look at how the two teams fared with players that each team offered.
Elite development could have more players jumping in the boat.
The Texas Longhorns won a massive recruiting battle over the Oklahoma Sooners for Tausili Akana. The win might only be the beginning of the day’s good news.
According to Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns might not be done yet. Texas could push for another win or two before the day is done.
It’s been an uneventful day with regard to negative news. Texas signed all of its commits and added an elite pass rusher to the class.
Say what you will about NIL or past recruiting success in Austin. This year, Texas held on to its 2023 recruits with its on-field product.
More than an 8-4 record, individual players have produced on the field. In a few months, Texas will likely have multiple players drafted higher than expected heading into the season.
The Longhorns are reaping the benefits of the elite initial coaching staff Steve Sarkisian assembled, headlined by Kyle Flood, Jeff Banks and Bo Davis.
Terry Joseph has over delivered in secondary recruiting. Jeff Choate and Pete Kwiatkowski can now simply point to film to win over recruits.
Texas might not be done yet, and they have Steve Sarkisian to thank for assembling this staff.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]
Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.
Texas could be on its way to receiving two more Top 150 recruits in the next few days.
The Texas Longhorns are generating some buzz on the recruiting trail. Recruiting experts are taking notice. Continue reading “Texas receives projections to land DeAndre Moore and Jelani McDonald”
