Five Texas Longhorns earn AP All-Americans honors

That list includes Anthony Hill Jr., Jahdae Barron, Kelvin Banks Jr., Alfred Collins, and Michael Taaffe.

With the 2024 college football regular season in the books, the Longhorns have made headlines as awards have been handed out. On Tuesday, that continued when five players were named All-Americans by the Associated Press. That list includes Anthony Hill Jr., Jahdae Barron, Kelvin Banks Jr., Alfred Collins, and Michael Taaffe.

While all five have been key to the Longhorns’ success, only Barron and Banks earned first-team honors. During his fifth season with the Longhorns, Barron has started all 13 games and leads the conference in interceptions with five. As a senior, he has added 47 tackles to his resume.

On the offensive side of the ball, Banks has been one of the Longhorns’ best players and a model of consistency. The Texas native has started every game this season and helped protect quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. He has also added two SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors to his resume.

AP All-Americans 🤘 pic.twitter.com/AFVvH7BZe0

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 16, 2024

Hill, Collins, and Taaffe earned spots on the second team. The talented trio were human highlight reels, making life difficult for offensive coordinators. Hill led the way with a team-high 90 tackles, including six for a loss.

He also got some help from Taaffe, who finished the season with 61 total tackles. The local star was also named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and the Burlsworth Trophy National Player following the Longhorns win over Vanderbilt earlier this season.

Rounding out the list is Collins, who has taken his game to another level over the past few months. In 13 games, Collins set career highs in tackles with 43 and pass deflections with seven. For the Longhorns, his improved play was a welcome sign.

The Longhorns and this talented group will now focus on making a deep playoff run and building on a memorable 2024 season.

Getting to know Texas Longhorns Week 1 opponent Colorado State

Get to know the Texas Longhorns 2024 college football season opener opponent, the Colorado State Rams.

Colorado State is a member of the Mountain West Conference, and its nickname is the Rams. CSU is a public land-grant research university, similar to Penn State and Michigan State.

It is located in Fort Collins, an hour’s drive north of Denver. However, let’s discuss the Rams football team heading into their week-one matchup with the Texas Longhorns.

The Colorado State football program’s third-year head coach, Jay Norvell, has an 8-16 record and is in charge of the Rams. Some Longhorns fans may know him because he was the 2011–2014 Oklahoma Sooners co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach before becoming the Texas Longhorns wide receivers coach in 2015. He became Nevada’s head coach from 2017 to 2021, and shortly after that, he took the head coaching job at CSU.

𝘖𝘕𝘌 𝘞𝘌𝘌𝘒 𝘖𝘜𝘛 ⏳#Stalwart x #RamGrit🐏 pic.twitter.com/z20RWbVfuO

— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) August 24, 2024

Last season, the Rams went 5-7 and missed out on a bowl game due to their season finale loss at Hawaii. They lost two road games by three or fewer points last season, as well as losing to their top rival Colorado on the road in double overtime.

This season, Coach Novrvell and the Rams appear to be heading in the right direction. They have the second highest recruiting class in the Mountain West, according to 247 Sports for the 2023 and 24 classes, as well as getting a commitment from a four star recruit like Dagan Myers.

Heading into this season, the Rams are predicted to finish fifth in the Mountain West in the media preseason poll. Players selected by the media for the preseason All-Mountain West offense team for Colorado State include wide receiver Tory Horton and offensive lineman Jacob Gardner. On defense, the media selected defensive back Jack Howell and linebacker Chase Wilson.

The top player on the Colorado State roster is Horton, whom some consider to be one of the best wide receivers in all of college football. Center Gardner anchors the offensive line for the Rams as CSU hopes to improve their run game this season. At quarterback for Colorado State is Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. Although he threw for an impressive 3,460 yards (fourth-most in a season at CSU) and 22 touchdowns (fifth-most in a season at CSU), he also threw for 16 interceptions during the previous season.

Howell, a defensive safety for the Rams, anchors the Rams secondary. He is entering his third season and, according to some, can win the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award in 2024. Dom Jones also solidifies a strong secondary for the Rams, as a cornerback who had two interceptions last season and looks to increase that total this year. The leader of the Rams defense is Wilson, who is a redshirt senior linebacker and is a captain of the football team as well.

On special teams, the Rams kickers did not have outstanding seasons in 2023 but solid ones. The field goal kicker, Jordan Noyes, was 15-19 on field goals and was ten for ten from 39 yards and in. CSU’s punter is Paddy Turner, who averaged 43.3 yards on his punts last season and, like Wilson, is one of the team’s captains this season.

Our pride, our legacy, our 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/aUgDCilYgC

— Colorado State Football (@CSUFootball) August 23, 2024

Colorado State preseason rankings vary across different publications, such as ESPN ranking them 105 in their power index rankings and the NYTimes/Athletic having them ranked 86.

The game against Colorado State in the Longhorns season opener should go well for Texas, as they should win this game by four touchdowns or more, according to many media outlets. It is a home game against a decent group five opponent, unlike Oklahoma, which is playing Temple and will not be tested in their season opener, or Texas A&M, which is playing No. 7 ranked Notre Dame and is being challenged right out of the gate, the season opener for the Longhorns is a good in-between game to open their season.

Will Texas football fans miss playing certain in-state schools?

Football just means more in the state of Texas and with the Longhorns now playing in the SEC, they will no longer annually play the four state of Texas teams in the Big 12 on a year in basis.

The Longhorns are used to playing teams from the Long Star State. Texas’ helmets have a sticker shaped like the state to track wins over in-state opponents. But the number of in-state opponents is getting heavily trimmed.

To put it in perspective, the Texas Longhorns played five teams from Texas last season, four from Texas in 2022, and four from Texas in 2021. This season, the Longhorns only play two teams from the state of Texas. Yes, Texas re-ignites its rivalry with Texas A&M but no longer plays three key in-state rivals this season. Let’s first look at who Texas has played these past three seasons before we look at who the Longhorns will be playing from the state of Texas this season.

2021

Defeated Rice by a final score of 58-0.

Beat Texas Tech 70-35.

Defeated TCU on the road by a score of 32-27.

Lost to Baylor on the road by a final score of 31-24.

The Longhorns went 3-1 against in-state opponents that season.

2022

Defeated UTSA at home by a score of 41-20.

Lost at Texas Tech in overtime on the road by a score of 37-34.

Longhorns were defeated by No. 4 ranked TCU at home by a final score of 17-10.

Won against Baylor at home by a score of 38-27.

Texas went 2-2 for that season as they lost two close games to in-state rivals

2023

Texas won their season opener against Rice by a final score of 37-10.

Won easily on the road against Baylor by a score of 38-6.

The Longhorns went on the road and defeated Houston by a final score of 31-24.

Texas got revenge on the Horned Frogs and defeated TCU by a score of 29-26 for a road victory that would eventually propel them into the college football playoffs.

The Longhorns dominated Texas Tech defeating the Red Raiders by a score of 57-7.

Last season is a perfect example of why not playing in-state schools will be missed. Not only did Texas go undefeated, 5-0, but they defeated those in-state schools, and Longhorn fans enjoyed those wins a little more than some other victories against out-of-state opponents, with the exception of their road victory at Alabama.

Over the course of several decades, Texas has played three in-state teams from the Big 12 conference. All three have been the Longhorns’ historically significant adversaries and rivals, and they have formed some of the most intense and passionate rivalries in the history of sports in the state of Texas.

Texas going to the SEC and Baylor, TCU, and Texas Tech remaining in the Big 12 will mean that the Longhorns will not play their historical in-state rivals in the future.

Here are some reasons why Longhorns fans will miss playing four or more in-state opponents during the football season annually.

Loss of Tradition: These rivalries are deeply ingrained in the culture of football in the state of Texas. It could potentially be a significant disruption to a long-standing tradition that has played a significant role in shaping the identity of the state as a football powerhouse if the Longhorns do not schedule in-state rivals in years to come.

Recruiting Impact: The allure of playing in these high-profile in-state rivalries would be a significant factor in attracting top-tier recruits to Texas, which could have a significant impact on recruiting. In the absence of them, the Longhorns’ efforts to recruit new players might be met with difficulties. For example, hosting in-state recruits when playing Baylor, TCU, or Texas Tech at home will no longer be a possibility in the near future.

Alignment Adjustments Made to the Conference: Now that Texas has withdrawn from the Big 12 Conference and is now a member of the SEC, and, unlike last season, no longer plays TCU, Baylor, Houston, or Texas Tech at the present time with no plans of scheduling any of them in the future, Longhorn fans may deeply miss those in-state annual games on the football field.

The best part of Texas going to the SEC was them now playing Texas A&M again annually on the football field. The Longhorns and the Aggies playing on the last scheduled game of the regular season will be a sight to see again. However, unlike last season, where Texas played four in-state schools in Big 12 play, the Longhorns will only play one school in 2024 in SEC play.

Financially speaking, the Big 12 needed the Longhorns more than Texas needed the Big 12. You can make a strong argument as well that the Longhorns didn’t need to play the four in-state Big 12 schools as much as they needed to play them. However, in-state rivals in the state of Texas, where football is the king sport of the state, mean that these football games amongst these in-state rivals will be more missed than many fans think.

At first, these rivalries won’t be missed, as the exhilaration of the Longhorns and Aggie rivalry will be felt and the four Big 12 state of Texas schools will have the opportunity to continue to play one another in conference play year in and year out. But, over time, the people living in the state of Texas who love college football will yearn for the days of seeing their schools go against each other annually on the football field because, as the SEC motto goes, “football just means more,” especially in the state of Texas.

Ranking the Texas Longhorns top five rivals in football

Which teams are ranked in the Texas Longhorns top five rivalries

There is much debate about ranking the Longhorn’s top rivals in football but we will rank their top five rivals.

The Texas Longhorns have a rich history of rivalries on the football field as many fans can imagine. While the departure of Texas from the Big 12 has shifted who the Longhorns will consistently play on the football field, a group of football programs continue to hold significant importance on the football field with Texas. Here is a brief look at the Longhorns’ football rivals before we rank them one through five.

Oklahoma Sooners: This is arguably one of the most historic and popular rivalries in college football. Known simply as the Red River Shootout, but the name has changed over the years as it was briefly named the SBC Red River Rivalry as the name was used in 2005 to distance the game from gun violence and then the AT&T Red River Showdown in 2014 after AT&T became a sponsor and finally, the Allstate Red River Rivalry used in 2023 after Allstate secured naming rights for the annual game.

TCU Horned Frogs: The rivalry intensified once the Horn Frogs joined the Big 12, fueled by both teams’ success in conference play. They have played one another every year from 2012 to 2023 but that is changing with the Longhorns’ move to the SEC. This matchup has become increasingly competitive throughout the past four years with each game being decided by a touchdown or less.

Texas A&M Aggies: The Lone Star Showdown is arguably one of the top three fierce and intense in-state rivalries with deep-rooted animosity between the two schools. The move of Texas to the SEC has only intensified the rivalry as these two teams will play one another in football for the first time since 2011.

Arkansas Razorbacks: Although not as intense of a rivalry in the 21st century compared to the 20th century since these two schools have played one another only six times this century, the rivalry with Arkansas has historical significance and carries importance for both fanbases and is revised since both schools are now in the SEC.

Nebraska Cornhuskers: Although the Cornhuskers left the Big 12 in 2012, there is still a great deal of animosity among alums and fans of both teams. Though the two programs have only faced off 14 times, a good number of those matches have been exciting with them playing one another three times in the Big 12 Championship game. The last four times they have played one another, the games have been decided by seven or less points.

Rice Owls: The Longhorns and Owls were conference rivals years ago in the Southwest Conference from 1915 to 1995. The Longhorns have played the Owls nearly a hundred times on the football field throughout the years.

Baylor Bears: While not always at the same level as the other in-state rivals, the in-state rivalry with Baylor has grown in intensity, especially with Baylor’s success in recent years with the Bears winning two of the last five games they have played one another. However, like TCU, these two teams are unlikely to play one another with the Longhorns now in the SEC.

Texas Tech Red Raiders: The last time that these two teams did not play one another was way back in 1959. In the Battle For The Chancellor’s Spurs, this rivalry has been intense and high-scoring recently in games going back to 2015. The Longhorns have the upper hand in this historic meeting but Texas Tech even if they lose to Texas, they make the games more interesting than not in terms of the final score.

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Wyoming Crumbles in Fourth Quarter, Texas Prevail 31-10

The Wyoming Cowboys football team was unable to come out of Austin, Texas with an upset victory over the No. 4 Texas Longhorns.

Cowboys Crumble in Fourth Quarter, Longhorns Prevail

Wyoming Cowboys fall to No. 4 Texas 31-10 after 21-point final quarter by Longhorns

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Heading into the fourth quarter, Wyoming had battled toe-to-toe with the fourth ranked team in the country, tied at 10. However, quickly Texas would score 21 points to take control of the game and prevent Wyoming from seeing their first ever victory over an AP top-10 team.

The Wyoming Cowboys began the showdown without starting quarterback Andrew Peasley, who was suited up but stood on the sidelines. Instead, sophomore Evan Svoboda began the game.

With his first snaps of the season, Svoboda handed the ball off to another Cowboy making his first appearance of the season, Harrison Waylee, who took the ball for a 62-yard rushing touchdown giving Wyoming a 7-0 lead.

Texas would answer back after a three and out by both teams with a field goal after a near interception by Wyoming in the endzone. The Bert Auburn 37-yard field goal would cut the Pokes lead, 7-3 in the first.

Ending the first quarter and into the start of the second, Texas would drive 90 yards, taking over eight minutes of the clock to score their first touchdown with a one-yard touchdown to defensive lineman Byron Murphy II to take a 10-7 lead.

The remaining time in the second quarter would see only 50 yards of offense by both teams and the halftime score would be 10-7, Texas leading. The Cowboys had stunned the Austin crowd with more yards than the Longhorn, 163-120, and a better 3^rd down conversion rate at three for eight compared to zero for six.

Opening the second half, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, and running back Jonathon Brooks would take the Longhorns to Wyoming’s 28-yard line before a Sebastian Harsh sack that knocked them out of field goal range.

The Pokes would answer with a 77-yard, 10-minute drive to Texas’ 19-yard line and tie the game at 10 with a 36-yard field goal from the Red Shoe, John Hoyland, right before the end of the third quarter.

TIE BALL GAME 💥@jahoyland1 drills it from 3️⃣6️⃣ out pic.twitter.com/D2Oa7s8hmC

— Wyoming Cowboy Football (@wyo_football) September 17, 2023

At this point, Wyoming had outgained the Longhorns by 50 yards with 225 total yards compared to 175. A surprising outcome, the game wouldn’t favor the Cowboys the rest of the way.

Ewers and the Longhorn offense would quickly flip the momentum in the fourth, beginning with a quick pass to Xavier Worthy and a 44-yard touchdown to give Texas the lead only 48 seconds into the quarter.

After a Wyoming three and out, a 61-yard rush by Brooks gave Texas the opportunity for a five-yard touchdown rush by Ewers to extend their lead to 14.

15 seconds later, Svoboda would throw an interception to Jerrin Thompson who returned it for a touchdown. Texas would take a 21-point lead.

Wyoming would force a fumble, recovered by Tyrecus Davis, with just under six minutes left in the game but not able to add any more points before the conclusion of the game.

Svoboda finished 17 for 28 with 136 yards and the interception. Waylee’s first appearance as a Cowboy concluded with 110 yards and the touchdown. Wyatt Wieland snagged 62 yards through the air.

Defensive lineman Harsh recorded the only sack in the game and only tackles for loss with two.

Ewers would only throw for 131 yards, but the Longhorns would combine for 185 rushing yards led by Brooks with 164 yards.

Up Next

The Wyoming Cowboys will host Appalachian State next Saturday, Sept. 23 with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. MT.

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Texas offers four-star defensive end, top rated player in Arizona

Texas recently sent an offer to the No. 1 overall rated player in the state of Arizona from the 2022 recruiting class.

This particular 6-5, 279-pound three-sport athlete out of Chaparral High School is an intriguing prospect. Continue reading “Texas offers four-star defensive end, top rated player in Arizona”

Texas offers tough, physical wide receiver from 2021 recruiting class

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Texas is now targeting a wide receiver prospect out of Kosciusko, Mississippi. Continue reading “Texas offers tough, physical wide receiver from 2021 recruiting class”

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