Tag: tcu football recruiting

How the transfer portal shakeup impacts Texas football for 2023

Texas probably won’t make any more dramatic upgrades in the portal this offseason.

Big 12 rosters are in flux as players enter the transfer portal this spring. The portal is hitting one program from the state of Texas hard, but it’s not the Longhorns who are taking a significant hit.

It appears TCU Horned Frogs are set to lose big-time wide receiver Jordan Hudson to the transfer portal. He’s joined by a handful of TCU players including cornerback Kyron Chambers, defensive back Noah Daniels, defensive lineman Landyn Watson and offensive lineman Noah Bolticoff.

The Longhorns are not likely to benefit much from the newly reopened portal due to an already loaded roster. Nevertheless, other aspiring Big 12 contenders could find it worthwhile. Many speculate that SMU could be the main player for Hudson which could mean the Big 12 transfer market for Texas transfer wide receiver Brenen Thompson could heat up quickly.

As for conference balance, the gap between Texas and TCU widens as the Horned Frogs endure more significant losses. As it stands now, Texas is head-and-shoulders above the Big 12 conference in its mix of talent, development and returning production. Should a team like Oklahoma haul in Brenen Thompson, it could shorten the gap between the two teams.

The reality is, teams around the Longhorns are likely to upgrade by filling needs. The Texas schedule could look tougher than it does presently, but the team is in a strong enough position as currently constructed to compete in the conference.

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College football analyst leans toward Texas to win the Big 12 in 2023

Texas is the Big 12 favorite, but who is the biggest challenger?

Talking season is ramping up another level as spring football nears its end. The Texas Longhorns are just a week away from the Orange and White game.

Texas is a trending conference title pick for the conference though many will have reservations in choosing the team. As recently as 2020, the Longhorns were tabbed as contenders to unseat the Oklahoma Sooners. Behind veteran stars in quarterback Sam Ehlinger, left tackle Sam Cosmi and edge rusher Joseph Ossai the team looked like a clear contender. Texas started 2-2 and ultimately missed the Big 12 title game.

Unlike that team, there are two identifiable holes (linebacker and edge rusher) for Texas heading into 2023. We anticipate Anthony Hill and David Gbenda to answer the linebacker question. One analyst isn’t too concerned about the Longhorns’ roster either.

Ian Boyd of Inside Texas is leaning heavily toward the Longhorns to win the Big 12 this season. The question is, who will challenge the team from earning the title?

Texas returns 10 of 11 starters on offense. The team now boasts elite talents in wide receivers Xavier Worthy, AD Mitchell and Isaiah Neyor along with two dangerous chains movers in Ja’Tavion Sanders and Jordan Whittington. They can also claim perhaps their best offensive line in a decade and a half.

Here are a few of Boyd’s thoughts on the league.

Paul Wadlington: Texas needs to win the Big 12 in 2023

“If Texas isn’t in the Big 12 title game, I’m gonna wonder what happened.”

It’s no longer rebuilding time for the Texas Longhorns football program. With a foundation laid in recruiting, development and overall team talent, Longhorns fans are ready to reap success.

Paul Wadlington of Inside Texas gave credence to the idea that Texas needs to start producing on the football field. He said the following on his “Everyone Gets a Trophy” podcast.

The more I dig into (Big 12 programs for 2023)… Texas should win the Big 12. Texas needs to win the Big 12 and should win the Big 12.

Wadlington went on to explain that losing in the conference title game would not be alarming, but not making it to the game would be cause for concern. Texas’ returning talent paired with rebuilds across the conference should lead to more expectations for Steve Sarkisian’s team.

Texas Tech and Kansas State were mentioned among teams that could challenge the Longhorns in their bid for a title. Kansas State returns all five offensive linemen to block for quarterback Will Howard. Outside of those teams, the Inside Texas analyst has questions about Oklahoma and TCU heading into next year.

Perhaps the raised standard of expectation can push the Longhorns to new heights over the next football season.

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Longhorns Wire All-Big 12 team 1.0 for the 2023 season

Will any Big 12 receiver rank ahead of the Longhorns trio on the All-Conference team?

Spring practice is around the corner as Texas embarks on a consequential 2023 season. Last year’s team featured a high volume of underclassmen contributors. This group is laden with experience.

The Longhorns are toward the top of the Big 12 in returning proven commodities with even more talent influx this season. For that reason Steve Sarkisian’s team should have plenty of players vying for All-Big 12 honors in 2023.

TCU, Oklahoma and Kansas State join Texas among the league’s best with several quality players. On paper, Oklahoma looks like the most improved team after adding four starting caliber defensive players.

Baylor, Texas Tech and Iowa State will have their fair share of talent return for the conference’s final season with Oklahoma and Texas.

Here’s a look at who could be recognized among the conference’s best.

WATCH: Texas signee Cedric Baxter scores first TD of All-America game

Baxter takes off past the opposing all-american defense.

Cedric Baxter might be more versatile than we thought. The country’s No. 1 running back according to On3 Sports flashed an elite speed attribute we may have underestimated prior to the Under Armor All-America game.

Baxter turned the corner and beat the opposing defense to the edge for a 13-yard touchdown. It’s the type of play you don’t expect from a player of his size. Perhaps we should expect more from the Florida native.

The complete running back is not all that different from Brian Robinson and Najee Harris, two players who excelled in Steve Sarkisian’s Alabama offense. He appeared to be more of a downhill runner than Texas had with Bijan Robinson in past highlights, but his athleticism was on full display in Tuesday’s touchdown run.

It is worth monitoring how quickly Baxter can move up the depth chart with Bijan departing for the NFL. Jonathon Brooks, Keilan Robinson and Jaydon Blue will all push for carries in 2023.

Five-star RB Zach Evans finally makes commitment

Five-star running back Zach Evans has finally made his commitment after initially being considered by the Georgia Bulldogs.

Five-star running back Zach Evans has finally made his commitment in what has been the longest odyssey for any recruit in the class of 2020. Evans was initially expected to sign with the Georgia Bulldogs back at the Under Armour All-American Game.

Now, he has committed to play for the TCU Horned Frogs. Evans is arguably the top running back in the class of 2020. He has loads of talent and is staying close to home.

Evans played high school football at North Shore in Houston, Texas. Evans had some off-the-field issues in high school that caused Georgia to not be interested in signing him.

Evans’ commitment to TCU is good news for Georgia Bulldog fans. Evans won’t be the one who got away, but stayed or transferred in the SEC.

Georgia signed a pair of running backs in the class of 2020 and is looking to replace second round pick D’Andre Swift. Evans would have been ideal, but it wasn’t meant to be. Zamir White, James Cook, and Kenny McIntosh are favored to lead the Dawgs in carries next season.

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