Tag: Texas football recruiting

Report: Oregon WR commit Jordan Anderson planning official visit to Texas

Texas expects to receive a visit from the talented Orgeon commit.

Texas is one of a number of programs keeping in touch with 2024 four-star wide receiver Jordan Anderson. Inside Texas reports the Oregon commit is working on setting up an official visit date to Texas.

The Newport Beach (California) native possesses elite speed and crisp route running that will translate well to the college level.

The 247Sports composite lists Anderson as the No. 14 wide receiver prospect in the nation and the No. 81 overall player in the class of 2024.

Texas has had success flipping key prospects over the past few seasons and hopes Anderson can be next on the list. Expect Steve Sarkisian and wide receivers coach Chris Jackson to continue their pursuit.

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Anderson committed to Oregon in December but is going to take official visits. Colorado, USC and Oklahoma remain in the mix.

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Program Pulse: Grading the health of Texas’ football program

The 2023 squad looks formidable but where will the program go after the season?

The Texas Longhorns are set for a pivotal 2023 season. Recency bias seemingly makes every season feel like the most important one in awhile. Somehow the next one has added urgency.

It’s 2020 all over again in one sense. The pieces are seemingly in place to compete for the league and there is no conference adversary that stands out as a clear favorite. Kansas State and Oklahoma are probably the closest to that, but they’re not without their weaknesses.

Kansas State will be without star running back Deuce Vaughn and edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah taking away their foremost top end playmakers. Oklahoma reloaded through the portal and a strong recruiting class, but has much to prove after a 6-7 season.

Unlike the 2020 squad, Texas has a complete roster this year. The talking point that season was that the Longhorns could have the best quarterback, left tackle and edge in the conference. The talking point this season is that the team could have a top-five quarterback room, wide receiver room, tight end room and offensive line room in the nation.

Here’s a look at where the program is headed this season beyond 2023.

DraftKings sets projected win totals for every Big 12 football team

Texas and Oklahoma lead the way in projected win totals.

Early win total projections are out for the 2023 college football season. The numbers are consistent with what many expect for the upcoming season.

Recently we shared game-by-game predictions for the football program heading into the fall. Texas saw a 10-2 prediction with signature victories over Alabama and Oklahoma and upset losses to TCU and Iowa State. We recently discussed why TCU and Iowa State are likely upsets.

My record predictions slotted Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, TCU and BYU as primary contenders for the Big 12 crown. Kansas State and Oklahoma figure to be around 9 to 11 win teams while Texas Tech, TCU, BYU, Kansas and Baylor stand as wild card picks to win the conference.

Here’s a look at the national view on where Big 12 teams land in conference hierarchy.

Former Texas DT Poona Ford agrees to one-year deal with Buffalo Bills

“Ford turned down more money elsewhere to try to win a ring in Buffalo.”

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Poona Ford is heading to a new NFL team. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Ford has agreed to a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Pelissero had the following thoughts on what Ford’s signing means to the Bills franchise and its 2023 prospects for contention.

“One of the top free agents still available, Ford turned down more money elsewhere to try to win a ring in Buffalo. A big (literally) post-draft addition for Sean McDermott’s defense.”

McDermott earned the head coaching position with the Bills after coaching a dominant Carolina Panthers defense in 2015. Now he has a chance to field a strong defense in Buffalo for his high scoring offense led by quarterback Josh Allen.

In the case of Poona Ford, the undersized defender has a chance to shut down the inside of the line of scrimmage for a championship contending team. He could be a piece that helps catapult the Bills past the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason.

Texas Football: The anticipated starting lineup after spring ball

Texas DL Byron Murphy and Alfred Collins make our starting lineup prediction.

The Texas Longhorns are getting set for what could be a special football season. From top to bottom, the squad is loaded with talented and developed depth. It makes for hotly contested position battles heading into a pivotal season for head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Last year saw a handful of players breakout, some of which we saw coming and others that were unforeseen. Linebacker Jaylan Ford was my biggest breakout prediction ahead of last season. For anyone who watched the linebacker position closely, it was evident Ford had a strong handle on pursuit and field awareness as he consistently found himself near the football.

This year, defensive tackles Byron Murphy and Alfred Collins are generating some of the most chatter. Murphy appears to be a bull in a china closet over the spring, while Collins is coming into his own.

Here’s a look at who we could see starting for the Longhorns in 2023.

Texas football is disproving another Stewart Mandel prediction

Stewart Mandel had Texas losing Arch Manning or Quinn Ewers by the 2023 season.

Texas football has done what many thought was impossible. The team has retained all three quarterbacks following spring practice. Continue reading “Texas football is disproving another Stewart Mandel prediction”

Examining every Big 12 team’s record in one score games last season

Some Big 12 football programs are due for better luck in 2023.

Luck is an important factor in college football. Continue reading “Examining every Big 12 team’s record in one score games last season”

David Pollack: ‘Not a chance’ that Texas football wins the Big 12

ESPN analyst David Pollack does not believe Texas will win the Big 12.

ESPN college football analyst David Pollack doesn’t like the Texas Longhorns’ prospects to win the Big 12. When asked if the team would take home the conference crown in 2023, Pollack emphatically refuted the idea.

It’s not the first time the former Georgia defensive lineman has doubted the Longhorns and almost certainly won’t be the last. Last fall ahead of the Alabama game, Pollack had the following to say about the team.

“They’re gonna get smoked today. Absolutely smoked. Alabama is the best team in the country for a reason. Texas, just try to hold on, try to stay healthy. Have a fun rest of the year, but you ain’t winning today.”

Texas didn’t exactly get smoked. Alabama won on a late field goal. Nevertheless, until the team lives up to expectations, the national talking point will be that the Longhorns continue to underwhelm.

Despite past failures, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian leads the prohibitive favorite to win the conference. Unlike past teams, the depth of talent is not lacking at receiver. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood has perhaps the program’s best offensive line since Colt McCoy’s freshman season, led by an All-American left tackle candidate in Kelvin Banks. Over the spring, quarterback Quinn Ewers looks more like the player who had Alabama on the ropes in 2022.

On the other side, coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense has finally put it all together. We’ll have a better idea of how high the team can climb after they face the Crimson Tide. Nevertheless, in regard to Texas winning the Big 12, there is certainly a chance.

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Texas DL Moro Ojomo deemed one of Daniel Jeremiah’s best value picks

Philly got a steal in the seventh round with Moro Ojomo.

The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the better drafts in the league over the weekend. Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo could be a key part of the team over the next few seasons.

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recognized Ojomo as his best value pick of the seventh round. Jeremiah’s experience in three NFL scouting departments should carry more weight with those looking for draft analysis.

The underlying assertion behind Jeremiah’s value rankings is that Ojomo probably should have been drafted before the seventh round. As is the case with several players every year, the Texas defensive lineman had his name go uncalled for awhile despite a reputation for great play on the field. Regardless of his draft status, it appears he’s found a home in Philadelphia.

The Eagles are getting a solid player. Ojomo joins what could be the beginning of a great Eagles defense. Three standout Georgia defenders in its first four rounds of picks headlined Philadelphia’s strong draft haul. Defensive lineman Jalen Carter, edge rusher Nolan Smith and cornerback Kelee Ringo look to continue their winning ways with last year’s NFC champion.

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Philadelphia Eagles select Texas DL Moro Ojomo in seventh round of NFL draft

Moro Ojomo begins his NFL journey with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 249 pick in the seventh round. He joins running back Bijan Robinson and others among Texas players selected in the 2023 draft thus far.

Ojomo possesses the traits to succeed at the next level. He displayed the ability to rush from the inside and outside in his time at Texas, lining up inside the guard or tackle and on rare occasion rushing off the edge.

While he is technically sound, he possesses a long wingspan to keep offensive linemen at bay. His ability paired with his assignment discipline makes the Nigerian-born player a valuable part of the Eagles organization.

In his final season in Austin, Ojomo amassed five sacks and 20 quarterback hurries, earning a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.5. His 17% pass rush win rate led Big 12 defensive tackles in 2022.

Moro continues the trend of Texas defensive linemen finding a place in the league. He joins Poona Ford and Malcolm Roach among other former Longhorns at his position.

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