Tag: Texas football recruiting

LOOK: Texas football unveils sketches of new practice facility

The Longhorns’ new practice facility will be state of the art.

The Texas football program has plans to move out of its old practice facility.

Sketches of a new practice facility were unveiled on social media Friday night. Judging by what we can see of the renderings, the team will have one of the better practice facilities in the nation.

The facility upgrade strengthens an already strong recruiting pitch for the school. The one area in which the program has fallen behind is its outdated indoor practice facility commonly referred to as “the bubble.” The improvements will likely help bring Texas up to par with other top programs facilities.

It appears the practice complex will be across the street from the Moody Center, the new home to Texas basketball. The facility features an outdoor and indoor field with a dark and light green checkered patterned field.

The move to a new facility is indicative of Texas’ big money donors’ commitment to winning football and perhaps its belief in the direction of the program. The 2023 squad will look to begin confirming that belief by putting a good product on the field.

CFB analyst says rival Oklahoma Sooners’ DT room is in a world of hurt

Oklahoma just doesn’t have the defensive tackles necessary to field great defense.

The Oklahoma defensive tackle room is seemingly struggling. That is, if one college football analyst is to be believed.

Ian Boyd of Inside Texas shared his thoughts following the analysis of legendary OU linebacker Teddy Lehman and ex-Sooners offensive lineman Gabe Ikard on Oklahoma’s 2023 squad.

Boyd had the following to say about the Sooners’ diminutive interior defensive linemen.

OU has been taking flyers on DTs from places like Tulane and Texas State… If you look at their recruiting at DT in 2022 and 2023, there’s nothing on the horizon coming to save them. It generally takes a while to build true anchors and even then you need guys with big frames. They’re in a world of hurt.

Boyd is spot on in his analysis here. The lack of playmaking can extend to edge rusher as well with players like Ethan Downs lacking the physical ability to wreak havoc on the opposing quarterback. Downs, like Oklahoma cornerback Woodi Washington, is a good football player without a good positional fit.

With regard to how they match up with Texas, certainly the Longhorns will have to bring their best game in October. Nevertheless, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has to feel good about his team’s prospects against Oklahoma this season offensively.

Texas edge Barryn Sorrell wants “double digit sacks” next season

Barryn Sorrell has lofty goals for 2023.

Texas Longhorns edge rusher Barryn Sorrell has a chip on his shoulder. The productive pass rusher wants to make an even bigger impact in 2023. Continue reading “Texas edge Barryn Sorrell wants “double digit sacks” next season”

WATCH: Texas safety BJ Allen intercepts pass to Xavier Worthy

BJ Allen made quite a play in this interception.

Depth chart positioning is up for grabs this spring in Austin, Texas. BJ Allen might have a grasp on his opportunity if this highlight play is any indication.

Allen was seen in ball hawk mode intercepting a deep pass intended for Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Judging by the context of the play, it looks like the former Aledo safety was getting reps with first team players. The clip shows him making the play with starting safety Jerrin Thompson and cornerback Ryan Watts in the vicinity.

The former four-star player probably would settle behind Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon had the veteran player been healthy. Even so, if Allen continues to make more plays like the one in this highlight the Longhorns might have to find a place for him on the field.

In some ways, Allen shares similarities with Texas safety Jerrin Thompson, who didn’t see as many opportunities early. Should he get his moment, it looks like the young talent is ready to capitalize.

Texas LB’s Derrick Brown, Trevell Johnson enter transfer portal

Round two of the transfer portal is starting early for two Texas linebackers.

Round two of the transfer portal is starting early for two Texas linebackers. Derrick Brown and Trevell Johnson joined wide receiver Brenen Thompson as the most recent Longhorns looking for a change of scenery.

To be clear, all three individuals should contribute at their next stop. Each player will presumably play a pivotal role elsewhere. Albeit, perhaps the fit at Texas wasn’t there.

As for how it affects Texas, the team is now built to absorb roster losses despite the upside each player adds. Even so, the thin linebacker room is reason to anticipate head coach Steve Sarkisian could look to add experienced depth at the position.

The timing of the three transfer portal announcements makes one wonder if Sarkisian has began to tell players where they stand within the depth chart. Clearly, the Texas wide receiver room is reason for Thompson to explore options elsewhere. Nevertheless, one would figure Brown and Johnson could have an opportunity to push for playing time.

There could be more portal entries over the next week. We will continue to monitor how Texas players navigate the end of spring football.

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“Prove it year” starts Saturday for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers can inspire plenty of confidence with a good showing on Saturday.

One of the biggest events of the Texas football offseason will take place on Saturday.

The 2023 squad takes the field for its Orange and White game on April 15. The game is big for several players looking to earn starting jobs this season, but the eyes of the fanbase will be on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Ewers had a roller coaster season last year. The highlights saw Ewers playing at a high level against Alabama and Oklahoma. The low points took place against Oklahoma State and TCU where the Texas passing game went absent without leave.

The Southlake product will look to show fans he’s taken the next step on Saturday. JD PicKell of On3 Sports discussed that topic ahead of the preseason exhibition.

You want to see him look comfortable. … Show me that you have had some more “aha moments” like Steve Sarkisian talked about when he went into the spring. He says it’s starting to make sense more and more for Quinn Ewers.

Inherent in the above sentiment is Ewers needs to improve not only in accuracy but in footwork and reading defenses. If we see him play more consistent football, Texas is set up for a conference title run. We’ll have a firmer grasp on his progression after Saturday’s performance.

Five bold upset predictions for Big 12 football in 2023

Texas and Oklahoma are set to be involved in our five biggest upsets of the Big 12 slate.

Upsets make college football great. The Big 12 should have a handful of upset opportunities before league play even starts. Continue reading “Five bold upset predictions for Big 12 football in 2023”

College Football News predicts every Big 12 football team’s record

College Football News has Texas winning the Big 12 conference.

Another publication is touting the Texas Longhorns as the favorite to win the Big 12. College Football News released their prediction for every Big 12 game last week. Texas had the best record in the conference.

The college football website had the Longhorns finishing 10-2 in 2023. That feels like a reasonable prediction for the team based on its three-win improvement last season and all the production the team returns.

The Longhorns are capable of finishing around the 8-win mark again. We have seen plenty of Texas football teams find a way to underachieve. This squad would probably have to get creative to find a way to fall below 8 wins.

For a fuller view of the national perspective of the Big 12, here’s how College Football News sees the conference finishing in 2023.

On3 Sports ranks Texas in Top 10 of most intriguing spring games Saturday

The Texas spring game is perhaps the most interesting scrimmage of the weekend.

It’s game week. The Texas Longhorns football program will give an early look at their 2023 squad on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading “On3 Sports ranks Texas in Top 10 of most intriguing spring games Saturday”

LOOK: Texas QB Quinn Ewers looks confident and loose this spring

It looks like Quinn Ewers is “in the zone” this spring.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is back to his care-free nature this offseason. It’s that nature that helps him improvise and perform at his best. Continue reading “LOOK: Texas QB Quinn Ewers looks confident and loose this spring”