Tag: texas longhorns recruiting

Texas Football: Good news is on the horizon

Let’s look at good news happening on the Forty Acres.

It’s only Tuesday, but it’s already been a long week on the Forty Acres. Even so, good news is on its way.

Last week, Texas recruiting operations coordinator Tyler Johnson hinted at some positivity coming the Longhorns’ way. More than that, the Longhorns enter a highly important week of recruiting in which Steve Sarkisian is likely to make inroads towards a top recruiting class.

This week Sarkisian will be making in home visits to some of the major recruits the team is after for 2022. We’ve already mentioned he will look to strengthen his bond with Anthony Hill and the Hill family on Thursday. The Longhorns’ head coach’s authenticity should make the visit a positive one.

This weekend, Texas hosts big-time targets including portal cornerback Gavin Holmes.

Here’s a look at potential good news coming for Texas.

What to expect from Texas and Washington in the Alamo Bowl

Let’s take a look at what we can expect from both teams in the Alamo Bowl.

The No. 20 Texas Longhorns (8-4) face another significant test in their bowl game. They will take on the No. 12 Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl.

Both teams have seen dramatic turnarounds, but the Huskies have made the bigger leap this season. Washington improved its win total by six games in 2022 following a 4-8 season a year ago.

Much of their success revolves around Michael Penix and a lethal passing game. Penix led the nation with 4,345 passing yards on the year. The talented passer completed 330 of 500 passing attempts with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Despite significant growth defensively, Texas has had its share of struggles in pass defense. While the Longhorns are above average in yards per attempt (6.43), they are No. 88 in pass yards allowed per game (239.0).

Let’s take a look at what we can expect from both teams in the Alamo Bowl.

Texas Basketball: Experts project five-star AJ Johnson to the Horns

Texas basketball is close to a second Top 15 commitment.

Texas basketball is having itself a great week. On Wednesday, the Longhorns defeated the No. 2 Gonzaga Bulldogs, 93-74. The signature win appears to have caught one five-star shooting guard’s attention.

AJ Johnson, a combo guard from Southern California, is trending toward Texas following its Gonzaga dismantling.

Two predictions were made in favor of the Longhorns this week. Rob Cassidy and Keenan Womack have Chris Beard adding the elite talent. Beard has already earned a commitment from Ron Holland, the No. 10 overall player in the 247Sports composite.

Johnson has room to fill out his frame, weighing 160 pounds at 6-foot-5. Clearly, his build isn’t keeping him from national recognition.

Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports had the following to say about the dynamic player in his scouting report.

He shoots a good ball from the outside and has a tight handle with both combination moves and stop-and-go change of pace.

The California native is the No. 2 combo guard and No. 15 overall player in the 247Sports composite. He would become the second top 15 recruit for the Longhorns in the 2023 class.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas announces the combining of five game-changing NIL collectives

Even those outside the program are working together to promote Texas football.

The Texas Longhorns are building their empire this week. Five name, image and likeness collectives are combining to leverage the power of the Texas brand.

According to Joseph Cook of Inside Texas, the five collectives are joining forces to create the Texas One Fund.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte appears happy with the news. He had the following to say about the new additions.

We are very pleased with the formation of the Texas One Fund. … We believe this is the best way to bolster NIL initiatives for our student-athletes and support the meaningful interactions they can make in the charitable community.

Alignment has been often used as a goal dating to the Tom Herman era, but this appears to be as close as Texas has been to that ideal. Even Longhorns football fans and alumni appear aligned, and it could be help with recruits.

The greatest positive outcome of the collectives is the ability of players to benefit from the value they add. Texas looks to impress visitors with its on-field product on Saturday.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Where Texas’ 2023 recruiting class would rank with Colton Vasek and Anthony Hill

Steve Sarkisian’s 2023 class would skyrocket should Hill and Vasek choose the Longhorns.

Texas is making waves in recruiting following a huge win over then No. 13 Kansas State. Two premier recruiting targets could be on their way to the Forty Acres.

Multiple crystal ball predictions entered on Monday have Colton Vasek and Anthony Hill Jr headed to the Longhorns. Both players were seen as huge losses when they committed to each of Texas’ top rivals. Lately, they are set to spurn both Oklahoma and Texas A&M.

Vasek, a Texas legacy and elite pass rusher from Austin, first looked to be leaving the Sooners when he took a visit to the Texas game against Iowa State. Some scoffed at the possibility he would choose the Longhorns, but it looks like they could be his No. 1 school presently.

Some have flirted with the idea that Hill would flip from the Aggies for a couple weeks. Now that he has decommitted, the Texas Longhorns are back in the hunt for another top class.

Let’s look at where Steve Sarkisian’s 2023 class would rank in the 247Sports recruiting rankings should Hill and Vasek choose the Longhorns.

Texas is working to set up visit with five-star linebacker Anthony Hill

Texas is turning up the heat to bring Anthony Hill to the Forty Acres.

Another big time recruit could visit the Texas campus soon. Continue reading “Texas is working to set up visit with five-star linebacker Anthony Hill”

Kansas State has become a must-win game for Texas

With two weeks to prepare, there’s no reason to lose to Kansas State.

The margin for error gets smaller and smaller for the Texas Longhorns as the season progresses. For that reason, Texas’ road battle with Kansas State has become a must-win game for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns.

Sarkisian and company need to win the game for multiple reasons. The first and most obvious reason is that another loss effectively eliminates the team from Big 12 contention. The primary goal for the team this offseason was to win the conference. This Kansas State game also has bigger implications than making the title game.

Losing to the Wildcats would be telling about the Texas head coach, and not in a good way. With two weeks to prepare for the Kansas State while they face Oklahoma State this week, Sarkisian has no excuse to lose the next game.

Should the Longhorns drop their next game, it would bring into question Sarkisian’s ability to prepare the team. In addition, a loss could risk Texas players disengaging as their goals went out of reach.

Texas has all the ability to win the next four games. Their most important step will be winning the next one.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Four-star WR DeAndre Moore expected to visit when Texas faces TCU

Another big time recruit could be present for Texas vs TCU.

Another elite wide receiver could be in attendance for the Texas Longhorns’ game against the TCU Horned Frogs. Four-star talent DeAndre Moore is expected to join five-star tight end Duce Robinson in Austin for the matchup.

Moore is currently a Louisville commit, but is considering all his options moving forward. The talented receiver from St. John Bosco High School in Southern California would be a huge addition for Steve Sarkisian and his staff.

Moore would figure to play a significant role for Texas at some point. The Longhorns don’t lack for receivers with Xavier Worthy and Isaiah Neyor returning. Even so, Sarkisian is not averse to giving other receivers ample opportunities to take hold of playing time.

The Longhorns will have competition for the wide receiver, but appear to be firmly in the running for his recruitment. Moore is the No. 14 wide receiver and No. 89 overall player in the On3 consensus.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Five-star TE Duce Robinson is set to visit for Texas vs TCU

Duce Robinson might be next in line to star at tight end for Texas.

The Texas Longhorns could have a big time visitor on hand for their pivotal game against the TCU Horned Frogs. According to Gerry Hamilton of Inside Texas, 2023 five-star tight end Duce Robinson is planning to attend the game.

It should not be difficult for Robinson to envision himself succeeding in Steve Sarkisian’s offense. Redshirt freshman and former five-star recruit Ja’Tavion Sanders has become one of the better tight ends in college football. Presumably Robinson could enjoy similar success in Austin.

For awhile, the nation’s best tight end has been thought to be a USC lean on the recruiting trail. Lincoln Riley’s offense understandably appeals to playmakers at the high school level. Nevertheless, Texas appears to be in the running for the Phoenix native.

Robinson would be a tremendous win for Steve Sarkisian and company as they build around quarterback commit Arch Manning. With Johntay Cook and Cedric Baxter already in the fold, an elite tight end would add another dimension to the Texas offense.

Robinson is the No. 1 tight end and No. 30 overall player in the On3 consensus.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=none image=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

LOOK: Texas commit Arch Manning has a record-breaking game

Arch Manning passes Peyton and Eli Manning to become Isidore Newman’s all-time passer.

Arch Manning had himself a game on Friday night. The top prospect in the 2023 recruiting class compiled an absurd stat line to become the top passer in Isidore Newman High School history.

Manning threw for 7 touchdowns and 356 yards, completing 17 of his 28 passing attempts. Many questioned his No. 1 recruit ranking in the offseason because of cherry-picked individual statistical performances over his career. Friday’s performance won’t change the minds of critics, but it will challenge the value of their opinions.

Manning passed both of his uncles, Peyton and Eli, to become the most decorated passer in his school’s history. Peyton Manning is widely regarded as one of the 10 best quarterbacks in NFL history, while Eli is a two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Manning projects to thrive in Steve Sarkisian’s offense, though Texas is in no rush to lose Quinn Ewers. Manning is the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 overall player in the On3 consensus for the 2023 class.