Tag: Texas

The Athletic mocks Texas QB Quinn Ewers to Seahawks in 2nd round

The Athletic mocks Texas QB Quinn Ewers to Seahawks in 2nd round

The Seattle Seahawks have more questions at quarterback for this offseason. Geno Smith, who has been the starter for the last three years, is going into the final year of his contract. Smith approached the team about an extension last summer, and will surely be pushing for one again in the coming months.

Extending Smith is certainly a viable option for Seattle, as it would ensure their long-term starter remains in the city and could help alleviate cap concerns. It would also likely signal the Seahawks intention of drafting a quarterback to develop for the coming years.

The quarterback class for the 2025 NFL draft is not considered to be as deep as it was in 2024, but there are still some Seattle should consider as a project. One such quarterback is Texas Longhorns starter Quinn Ewers, who has declared for the draft.

Ewers being a Seahawk is something The Athletic is predicting, as the Longhorn finds his way to the Emerald City in the second round in their latest mock draft. NFL Draft analysist Nick Baumgardner mentioned on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob Show “There’s a lot of really good stuff with him – a lot, a lot, He’s been through a ton of high-pressure situations there at Texas. It’s a hard place to play and he got criticized a lot, but he’s overcome it.”

Ewers had a stellar career on the 40 Acres, especially his last two. Overall, Ewers completed 64% of his passes for 9,128 yards, 68 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He guided Texas to a Bix XII title in 2023 and to the SEC Championship Game in 2024. During the inaugural run of the expanded College Football Playoff, Ewers’ Longhorns won two playoff games – including throwing two critical touchdowns in overtime during the Peach Bowl. Ewers got Texas to the College Football Semi-Final in back to back seasons.

However, he certainly is a project. Perhaps sitting behind Geno Smith for a year or two could help his development at the professional level.

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Poachers from Mexico busted with illegal red snapper haul off Texas

The three men, caught fishing north of the Maritime Boundary Line, were turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The U.S. Coast Guard this week seized a fishing boat with 200 pounds of red snapper caught illegally by Mexican fishermen in federal waters off southern Texas.

The agency explained in a news release that it also transferred the three fishermen to U.S. Customs and Border Protection “for further processing.”

Several Coast Guard crews participated in the bust Tuesday as the men were observed fishing illegally north of the Maritime Boundary Line.

They were aboard a sleek and speedy vessel known as a launcha. Launchas are typically 20 to 30 feet long and powered by a single outboard engine.

The low-profile boats, which can travel at 30 mph, are commonly used for illegal fishing within the United States Exclusive Economic Zone near the U.S.-Mexico border in the Gulf of Mexico.

Launchas are also used in drug-smuggling operations.

The fish were donated to the Harte Research Institute, and Sea Turtle, Inc., to feed turtles under rehabilitation.

Notre Dame extends offer to 2026 four-star offensive tackle recruit

Can the Irish get him?

Notre Dame has turned out an impressive number of offensive linemen in recent years. That position also can be a liability if enough guys get injured, and the Irish had their fair share of those during this past season. All they can do now though is look towards the future.

For [autotag]Kyle Rudolph[/autotag] and the Irish, the hope is that future will include Felix Ojo, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound offensive tackle from Lake Ridge in Mansfield, Texas. The Irish have extended him an offer, the 45th he has received, which says a lot about how much college programs in general value him.

Ojo is a four-star recruit and, according to 247Sports, the No. 4 Texas recruit in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 6 offensive tackle recruit nationally.

Texas reportedly is among the biggest challengers for the Irish, and Ojo was at the Longhorns’ junior day over the weekend. However, Kyle Kelly of Blue and Gold Illustrated is reporting that Rudolph was expected to visit Lake Ridge on Monday. So the competition for his services could be fierce:

https://www.instagram.com/felixtheol/p/DFVx19HuJHc/?img_index=1

Best of luck to Rudolph and the Irish in their pursuit of Ojo.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Packers assistant coach will get up close look at potential first-round targets during Senior Bowl

Packers assistant Wendel Davis will get an up close look at some top prospects while coaching at the Senior Bowl.

Green Bay Packers defensive quality control coach Wendel Davis will lead the linebackers and edge rushers for the American Team during Senior Bowl practices throughout the week. It’s a group that includes a pair of players who could be targets for the Packers in the first round of the 2025 draft.

Let’s take a look at five players from this group that could be targets for Brian Gutekunst:

Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

The Purdue transfer recorded 14 tackles for loss, five sacks and 36 pressures during his lone season at College Station. Scourton is a powerful edge rusher, who may have the best spin move in this draft class. If Scourton is on the board when the Packers are on the clock with the 23rd overall pick, it would not be shocking to hear his name get called.

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Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M

The Texas A&M defensive lineman has a unique blend of power and speed. He’s listed at 6-6, 290 pounds and moves closer to a player built like Clay Matthews. Stewart would bring instance juice to Green Bay’s pass rush while providing a powerful presence against the run. If he’s still on the board when Green Bay is on the clock, it would not be surprising to see Gutekunst add Stewart to the defensive line mix.

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Barryn Sorrell, Edge, Texas

A member of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list, Sorrell is a well-put-together edge rusher. As a run defender, he snatches and tosses and sets a hard edge. The Texas edge rusher finished this past season with 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and 49 pressures.

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Shemar James, LB, Florida

James shows good range in pass coverage. He plays with the lateral athleticism to match up with tight ends in coverage. The Florida Gator linebacker shows good burst in pursuit.

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Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Ole Miss

The Florida transfer has a quick first step and is a twitched-up edge rusher. He’d bring instant juice to Green Bay’s pass rush. He finished his lone season as a Rebel with 14.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 55 pressures. He’s not a dominant force against the run, but he has the functional strength to hold up on the edge.

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Jenna Burdette serves as acting head coach in Lady Vols’ loss at Texas

Assistant coach Jenna Burdette serves as acting head coach for the Lady Vols at Texas.

No. 7 Texas (19-2, 5-1 SEC) defeated No. 17 Tennessee (15-4, 3-4 SEC), 80-76, on Thursday at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll.

Tennessee assistant Jenna Burdette served as the Lady Vols’ acting head coach at Texas.

“Head coach Kim Caldwell did not accompany the Tennessee women’s basketball team to Austin for tonight’s game at Texas,” Tennessee announced. “She and husband Justin are the proud parents of a new son, Conor Scott Caldwell. Mom, dad and baby are doing well.

“Assistant coach Jenna Burdette, who is in her fourth season working alongside Caldwell, will serve as the acting head coach in Caldwell’s absence.”

Caldwell is in her first season as the Lady Vols’ head coach.

PHOTOS: Kim Caldwell through the years

Game time, TV changed for Lady Vols at Texas basketball game

Game time and TV network changed for Tennessee’s basketball game at Texas.

No. 17 Tennessee (15-3, 3-3 SEC) will return to action in Southeastern Conference play on Thursday. No. 7 Texas (18-2, 4-1 SEC) will host the Lady Vols at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll.

Tennessee leads the all time women’s basketball series versus Texas, 26-16, dating to 1978. Tennessee is 10-8 all time in games against the Longhorns in Austin, Texas.

PHOTOS: Kim Caldwell through the years

The Tennessee-Texas game was scheduled for a 9 p.m. EST tipoff (SEC Network). Game time and TV network for the SEC game have been changed.

Time and TV were changed after LSU at South Carolina was moved to Friday due to travel issues by Winter Storm Enzo.

Here is how to watch the Tennessee-Texas basketball game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information.

What channel is Tennessee vs. Texas game on? Time, TV schedule

TV channel: ESPN

Start time: 8 p.m. EST

Sam Gore (play-by-play) and Tamika Catchings (analyst) will be on the call.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Tennessee vs. Texas live on Fubo” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191261?irad=399332&irmp=1205322&subId1=SMG&subId2=NCAAF&subId3=2024″]

Tennessee Lady Vols 2024-25 basketball results

Oct. 31 Carson-Newman (Exhibition — W, 135-49)

Nov. 5 Samford (W, 101-53)

Nov. 7 UT Martin (W, 90-50)

Nov. 12 Middle Tennessee State (W, 89-75)

Nov. 16 Liberty (W, 109-93)

Nov. 26 Western Carolina (W, 102-50)

Dec. 4 Florida State (W, 79-77)

Dec. 7 Iowa (W, 78-68 — Brooklyn, New York)

Dec. 14 North Carolina Central (W, 139-59)

Dec. 18 at Memphis (W, 90-75)

Dec. 20 Richmond (W, 92-67 — West Palm Bech, Florida)

Dec. 21 Tulsa (W, 102-61 — West Palm Beach, Florida)

Dec. 29 Winthrop (W, 114-50)

Jan. 2 at Texas A&M (W, 91-78)

Jan. 5 Oklahoma (L, 87-86)

Jan. 9 LSU (L, 89-87)

Jan. 12 at Arkansas (W, 93-63)

Jan. 16 Mississippi State (W, 86-73)

Jan. 19 at Vanderbilt (L, 71-70)

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What Texas players will shine in Monday’s College Football Playoff championship?

See the Texas products in the National Championship.

The Texas Longhorns fell short of the national championship in a devastating loss at AT&T Stadium against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. But the presence of Texas will still be very much on full display in Atlanta at Monday night’s game.

Among the Texas schools leading the way with athletes competing for Ohio State are Episcopal High School in Bellaire and Clear Creek ISD’s Clear Creek High School in League City. On the other hand, Texas schools leading the way with athletes competing for Notre Dame include Westlake in Austin, Round Rock High School in Round Rock, and Denison High School in Denison.

Ohio State:

  • Morrow Evans – Long snapper – Bellaire Episcopal
  • Jayden Fielding – Kicker – Clear Creek
  • Donovan Jackson – Offensive lineman – Bellaire Episcopal
  • James Peoples – Running back – San Antonio Veterans Memorial
  • Payton Piece – Linebacker – Lucas Lovejoy
  • Calvin Simpson-Hunt – Cornerback – Waxahachie

Notre Dame:

  • Jaden Greathouse – Wide-receiver – Austin Westlake
  • Leonard Moore – Defensive back – Round Rock
  • Jadarian Price – Running back – Denison
  • KK Smith – Wide-receiver – Frisco Reedy
  • Loghan Thomas – Defensive lineman – Katy Paetow
  • Kedren Young – Running back – Lufkin

The Athletic’s 2-round mock draft has Saints drawing from blue-chip programs

There have been a lot of complaints about the Saints spending early-round picks on small-school prospects. That isn’t a problem in The Athletic’s mock draft:

The 2025 NFL draft class is beginning to take shape with underclassmen declaring whether they’ll turn pro and seniors telling their schools goodbye. And while the there’s been plenty of criticism for the New Orleans Saints spending early-round draft picks on prospects from smaller programs, that wasn’t an issue in this two-round mock draft.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler argues the Saints should start their 2025 draft by picking Georgia safety Malaki Starks at No. 9 overall:

Safety might feel like a luxury option for a Saints team that needs help at quarterback, pass catcher and on the defensive line. But Starks can play across the secondary and be a playmaker in different ways. With his athleticism, football IQ and makeup, he will be an easy sell in NFL war rooms.

Starks is an intriguing talent, and if he’s able to play every down defensively he could be well worth the pick. The Saints lack a sure thing next to Tyrann Mathieu on the back end and had to platoon older pros like Will Harris (861 snaps), Ugo Amadi (527), and Johnathan Abram (115) far too often last season. We didn’t see the hoped-for second-year leap out of Jordan Howden, who was limited to 552 snaps across 17 games. Maybe Starks could help them get younger and more dynamic at that spot even if it isn’t as clear an immediate need.

Starks would be a perfect young player to have lock down the secondary for the next few years in New Orleans. He is a smart player that can do a lot across the defense.. The defensive back had 197 career tackles with six interceptions and 17 passes broken up. He is mostly known for making highlight plays in coverage, but that isn’t all he does.

This was a two-round mock draft, and while Brugler didn’t go into detail about the Saints’ selection at No. 40, he did have them picking Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden. And that might be a controversial decision. Golden has the production you look for from players coming out of a blue-chip program — he led the Longhorns this season with 987 receiving yards and 9 touchdown catches — but he’s got a similar frame to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed at a listed 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds. He wouldn’t add much of a size element fans have been looking for since Michael Thomas left the team.

Still, Golden was the fourth receiver taken in Brugler’s mock draft (out of seven). He would be an absolute steal in the second round, as some consider him to be in the conversation for the best wide receiver prospect in the draft class. At some point the team needs to just draft the best players available and raise the roster’s overall talent level. Olave’s history of concussions and looming contract issues can’t be ignored. Assuming the Saints pick up his fifth-year option this spring, he’ll be up for free agency in 2027 with Shaheed hitting the market in 2026. Drafting Golden in 2025 could give the Saints a viable successor for at least one of those two receivers.

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PFF believes 49ers should prioritize OL 1st in 2025 NFL draft

The Texas star offensive tackle was voted a unanimous All-American and named to the All-SEC First Team.

While eight teams are still alive in the NFL postseason, the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason is already in full swing. With no playoff appearance on the docket for the first time in three years, the 49ers will get a jumpstart in preparing for the 2025 edition of the NFL draft.

With draft season underway and a flurry of mock drafts predicting what the 49ers will do in April, Pro Football Focus recently released their “Team Needs Tracker” for each team in the NFL. When it came to the 49ers, PFF listed guard, offensive tackle, interior defensive line and edge rusher as team needs.

PFF also listed a potential option for the 49ers in the 2025 draft. Texas star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks was penned to the 49ers by PFF.

Via PFF:

A down season sees the 49ers with a top-15 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that would give them the opportunity to bolster their offensive line. Banks was elite as a pass blocker in 2024, allowing just four total pressures on 143 true pass sets.

Read the full list of team needs via PFF here.

The 6-foot-4 offensive tackle earned an 86 overall grade in 15 games for the Longhorns in 2024. Banks allowed only one sack in 935 snaps in his final season in Austin.

In 2024, Banks won the Outland Trophy for the best interior lineman in the college football along with winning the Lombardi Trophy for best offensive lineman in the country. Banks was a unanimous All-American and named to the All-SEC first team.

The 49ers are set to hit the clock at No. 11 in the first round of the NFL Draft in April. The first round is set for April 24 in Green Bay.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Potential Steelers target declares for 2025 NFL draft

Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond declared for the 2025 NFL draft.

The plan, when wide receiver Isaiah Bond transferred from Alabama to Texas was for him to come in and become the Longhorns No. 1 receiving option and the best deep threat in college football.

Unfortunately, an injury and inconsistency at quarterback turned Bond’s dream scenario into a nightmare and made his year with Texas forgettable. But Bond can put all that behind him now that he’s declared for the 2025 NFL draft and can focus on getting healthy.

Bond is a huge risk/reward player and one the Pittsburgh Steelers needs to keep an eye on during the predraft process. Bond has some ugly drops this season that reminded me a lot of Diontae Johnson but when he’s focused and playing well, he’s much better than Johnson at his best.

Taking Bond in the first round isn’t realistic given his potential red flags but late in the second or even the third round, Bond would be that prototypical Steelers-type of pick.

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