Tag: texas longhorns football news

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian dishes on how Nick Saban revived his career

Nick Saban gave Steve Sarkisian a chance when he needed it most.

Steve Sarkisian’s coaching career was in significant jeopardy after getting fired from USC back in 2015. Sarkisian dealt with struggles on and off the football field, most notably an alcohol issue that impacted his work life.

Looking to get back into the game of football, Sarkisian fielded little interest from any college or professional programs. Sarkisian was ready to take a job in TV before Nick Saban came calling.

The legendary Alabama head coach gave Sarkisian an opportunity in an analyst role. A low-paying analyst role was a major step down compared to his prestigious head coaching job at USC, but it was Sarkisian’s best chance to rebuild his career.

Sarkisian took the role with Alabama for the 2016 season, where he quickly earned the trust of Saban.

Former Alabama offensive coordinator and now Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin left the Tide for the FAU job ahead of the CFP national championship game. Saban chose to promote Sarkisian to call plays in the most important game of the year.

Sarkisian had a quick stint in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons before returning to Alabama as the offensive coordinator in 2020.

Alabama won the 2020 national title anchored by a historic offensive attack led by Sarkisian, leading to Texas hiring Sarkisian as its head coach following the season.

Sarkisian went into detail about his relationship with Saban on “The Pivot” podcast. He credits Saban with “saving his coaching career.”

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Texas Football: Injury report ahead of Orange-White spring game

DJ Campbell and Jalen Catalon are out for Saturday’s spring game.

Texas’ annual Orange-White spring game is set to take place this Saturday. It will be the first opportunity to see the Longhorns on the field until they kick off the 2023 season in the fall.

Steve Sarkisian announced in his media session on Tuesday DJ Campbell and Jalen Catalon will not participate in Saturday’s contest.

Campbell is a second-year offensive lineman who appeared in seven games throughout his freshman season. The former five-star is battling for a starting spot in Texas’ offensive line. Sarkisian highlighted Campbell as a player standing out throughout the spring.

Catalon is a highly touted defensive back transfer from Arkansas. He earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2020 and has since been hindered by injuries. Texas expects Catalon to play a significant role in the secondary this season.

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Texas Football: Early enrollees continue to impress in spring practice

Texas’ freshman class is gaining the respect of the veterans.

14 players from Texas’ highly touted 2023 signing class are already on campus participating in spring ball.

Texas’ 2023 signing class ranked as the No. 3 overall class in the nation. It marks the best group Texas has signed since the 2010 cycle under Mack Brown.

Texas has seen multiple freshmen come in and make an immediate impact over the past couple of seasons. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy (2021) and offensive lineman Kelvin Banks (2022) earned freshman All-American honors for the Longhorns.

The trend of breakout freshman stars has a good chance to continue for Texas this upcoming season.

Former five-star Arch Manning, Anthony Hill, Cedric Baxter and Johntay Cook highlight a few of the uber-talented prospects who decided to enroll early for the spring semester.

It appears the newcomers are gaining the respect of the veterans around the program. When speaking with the media this week, many of the older players on the roster had nothing but praise for the Longhorns’ freshman class.

WATCH: Texas RB Savion Red excites the Longhorns at practice

Savion Red is taking to the running back spot well.

Second-year Longhorn Savion Red has made the position switch from wide receiver to running back this offseason.

Red played sparingly in his true freshman season, flashing some high upside at times with the ball in his hands. With Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson NFL bound along with some talented freshman wideouts joining the squad, Red has found a new home in the Texas backfield.

Red can profile as that Roschon Johnson type, short yardage back for the Longhorns. He holds a stocky frame with plus pass-catching with speed, working as a nice change of pace to Jonathan Brooks and Keilan Robinson.

Steve Sarkisian has praised Red for his willingness to change positions. It appears Red is taking to his new position well.

Watch Red slice through the Texas defense and score a touchdown in this clip from spring practice. He had the entire team excited including Bijan Robinson who was in attendance.

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Texas makes the top five for elite 2024 OT Blake Frazier

Texas makes the cut for the four-star from Austin.

2024 offensive tackle Blake Fraizer is narrowing down his recruitment.

The four-star out of Austin Vandergrift has announced his top five schools, including Clemson, Florida, LSU, Michigan and Texas.

Frazier is rated as the No. 15 offensive tackle and a top 200 prospect in the nation according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He has picked up 25 offers following his junior season of high school.

On3 Sports sat down with Fraizer to discuss his five finalists. He spoke highly of his hometown Longhorns.

“Having grown up in Austin I’ve probably gone to more Longhorn games than any other school,” Frazier said. “The Longhorns are a staple within the city and everyone of my friends loves them and everywhere you go it’s a Hook ‘Em shirt. It’s hard to hate the horns and I definitely have enjoyed the process with them being in it.”

Texas offensive line recruiting has ramped up since Steve Sarkisian took over in 2021. Fraizer fits the profile of what Kyle Flood is looking for in an offensive line prospect.

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Steve Sarkisian mentions four players standing out in spring practice

These four Longhorns could see significant playing time in the fall.

Texas is in the midst of an important spring semester in year three under Steve Sarkisian. Continue reading “Steve Sarkisian mentions four players standing out in spring practice”

Arch Manning, Bronny James headline On3’s NIL valuations

Arch Manning and Bronny James are NIL gold mines.

Name, Image and Likeness has taken the world of college sports by storm over the past couple of years. Continue reading “Arch Manning, Bronny James headline On3’s NIL valuations”

LOOK: Archie Manning visits grandson Arch at Texas

Arch was recently paid a visit by his grandfather Archie Manning. 

Texas freshman quarterback Arch Manning is in the midst of his first spring semester at the college level. The former five-star is already turning heads by showing off his ability at team practices.

Arch comes from one of the more high-profile families in football. He was recently paid a visit by his grandfather Archie Manning.

Archie played college ball at Ole Miss before having an accomplished career as the quarterback of the New Orleans Saints. He is the father of NFL hall of fame signal-callers Peyton and Eli Manning, as well as Arch’s dad Cooper, who was forced to medically retire from football prematurely.

Football comes naturally to the Manning family. Arch is hoping to carve out his own path to success as a Texas Longhorn.

Arch shared a photo of him and his grandfather in Texas’ practice bubble on his Instagram.

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Report: Texas QB Maailk Murphy is now a full participant in spring practice

Texas QB Maalik Murphy took second-team snaps on Tuesday.

Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy is back to taking reps after starting spring ball limited by a leg injury. Continue reading “Report: Texas QB Maailk Murphy is now a full participant in spring practice”

Xavier Worthy serving as a mentor for Texas’ young WRs

Worthy’s leadership is a great testament to the culture Steve Sarkisian is building at Texas.

Injuries and inconsistent quarterback play led to a down year for Texas’ wide receiver core in 2022. Steve Sarkisian and his staff revamped the Longhorns’ pass-catching unit via the transfer portal and high school ranks.

AD Mitchell brings in big-game experience and a downfield threat from Georgia. He is a two-time national champ, adding a veteran presence to Texas’ offense.

A talented duo of freshmen is creating some excitement around the team early in spring ball. Johntay Cook and DeAndre Moore enrolled early and are standing out in practices.

Sarkisian stated during his media availability that Xavier Worthy is serving as a fantastic role model for the young wideouts of the roster.

Worthy’s leadership is a great testament to the culture Steve Sarkisian is building at Texas. The Longhorns wide receivers have the chance to be one of the best groups in the nation this season.

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