Tag: quarterback competition

Why Texas QB Hudson Card being the field goal holder is a big deal

There was an interesting nugget from the Orange and White game, a possible tip as to why Hudson Card may be the favorite to win the QB job.

Much of the attention surrounding Hudson Card was on how he would perform with the second-team offense on Team White. The freshman is in the midst of a position battle with Casey Thompson for the starting quarterback role.

Card finished 15-25 for 168 yards and a touchdown. His presence in the pocket stood out a bit more than Thompson’s, even with the second-team offensive line getting bullied all day. To reference the type of receiver’s Card was dealing with, Kai Money was his favorite target.

Overall, it was a good day for Card and one that improved his chances to become the starting quarterback. However, there was an interesting nugget from the Orange and White game and a possible tip as to why Card may be the favorite to win the job.

Tight ends/special teams coach Jeff Banks was one of the most important staff hires for Steve Sarkisian. Banks is considered an elite coach on the field, along with his recruiting ability within the state of Texas. Special teams are really what Banks loved, improving Alabama’s third phase significantly.

One thing Banks did during his three seasons in Tuscaloosa was have his starting quarterbacks be the field goal holder. Tua Tagovailoa held for Joseph Bulovas during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, while Mac Jones held for Will Reichard last season. The latter went a perfect 98 for 98 on kicks.

The role was taken seriously by Jones last season, dropping a hype video for the Holder of the Year award.

For Texas, Cameron Dicker made four out of his five field goal attempts during the Orange and White game, something Texas fans are used to seeing.

What was more interesting about the field goal personnel was how Card was the one holding Dicker’s kicks. Even when Team Orange was attempting kicks, Card would rush out there to be the holder.

Could this be a sign from Sarkisian and Banks as to who the starting quarterback is going to be? Much of what the two did at Alabama is going to be replicated at Texas. Why would you not emulate the best college football dynasty of all time?

Card’s role in the kicking game is a small hint as to who could have the upper hand in the quarterback competition. If Thompson pulls away as the favorite during the fall, he could easily be inserted as the place holder.

For now, any kind of clue as to who has the upper hand in the quarterback competition will be examined to the max.

Is Texas QB Hudson Card a better fit for Steve Sarkisian’s offense?

The highly publicized quarterback battle at Texas between Casey Thompson and Hudson Card is nowhere near finished.

The highly publicized quarterback battle at Texas between Casey Thompson and Hudson Card is nowhere near finished. Continue reading “Is Texas QB Hudson Card a better fit for Steve Sarkisian’s offense?”

Texas QB’s Casey Thompson, Hudson Card spoke to the media on Wednesday

Texas Longhorns quarterbacks Casey Thompson and Hudson Card both speak to the media in lieu of their starting competition.

The biggest question marks for Texas football heading into the 2021 season center around who will win the quarterback battle between Casey Thompson and Hudson Card.

It’s been a highly publicized battle throughout spring practices and it doesn’t appear that either one has separated from the other up to this point. They’re still splitting first-team reps evenly. Regardless, first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian is pleased with how both signal-callers have progressed over the past few weeks.

Thompson has developed under former quarterback Sam Ehlinger for the last three seasons, while Card enrolled early as a four-star prospect in 2020. If the season were to begin today, it’s likely that Thompson would be more fit for the job due to his experience. However, Card seemingly provides more upside as a passer. Fortunately for the both of them, they’re getting a fair look under a new coaching staff.

How do they feel about the competition?

Thompson and Card were available virtually to speak with the media on Wednesday for the first time and answered questions from reporters from all angles about the ongoing battle.

Take a look at everything each quarterback had to say on the next page.

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Texas Longhorns Football: Three storylines to watch as we head into spring ball

Excitement is within the Texas program, with expectations rising on the daily. Here are three storylines to watch for going into the spring.

Spring practice is scheduled to begin for the first time under Steve Sarkisian on Tuesday. Texas will practice 14 times before the spring game will take place on April 24.

Excitement is once again within the Longhorns program, with expectations rising now that Sarkisian is running the show. Practices will wiggle out position battles taking place, while incoming freshman can show their worth. Coaches will be able to evaluate players better compared to the normal offseason workouts that had been taking place.

Of course, there will be plenty of storylines to follow over the next month. Much of the focus will be on how Sarkisian’s offense looks, especially after the lackluster performances last season. However, the defense provides interesting questions as well.

Here are three storyline to watch for going into spring ball.

First, Casey Thompson vs Hudson Card

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Longhorns Profile Snapshot: No. 3 Ja’Quinden Jackson

LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the UT roster. Today, we will be looking at fresh. QB Ja’Quinden Jackson.

Going into the 2020 football season, LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster.

Over the summer, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Tom Herman this season.

Today, we will be looking at freshman quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson.

Ja’Quinden Jackson, Quarterback

Ja'Quinden Jackson Duncanville Texas Longhorns
(Mike Craven / HookEm.com / USA TODAY Network)

Height: 6-2 / Weight:ย 232

Class:ย Freshman

Hometown:ย Dallas, Texas

High School:ย Duncanville

HS ranking (247Sports): Four-star / No. 46 overall / No. 3 position / No. 7 in-state

HS ranking (Rivals): Four-star / No. 180 overall / No. 5 position / No. 26 in-state

Analysis:ย Ja’Quinden Jackson comes out of Duncanville High School, one of the best football programs in the country. The No. 3 overall dual-threat quarterback in the 2020 class, Jackson will have his chance at the starting quarterback job next season.

For now, Jackson is still dealing with a partially torn ACL he suffered in December. The freshman recovered throughout the summer and prolonged break and has been back out on the practice field. For now, he stands as the team’s fourth-string quarterback.

A threat in the passing game and the running game, Jackson ran for 1,030 yards and 16 touchdowns his senior year. He took Duncanville all the way to the state semi-final game before suffering his injury. Once he is back to 100% healthy, it will be hard to count him out in next season’s quarterback competition.

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Texas Football: Quarterback outlook after Ehlinger era

The quarterback room at Texas is suddenly loaded with talent.

Texas went through a quarterback rut between the likes of Colt McCoy and Sam Ehlinger. Continue reading “Texas Football: Quarterback outlook after Ehlinger era”

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