Tag: Texas Longhorns schedule

Texas WR receives deferred adjudication, can compete for starting role

Texas wide receiver Joshua Moore recently received a deferred adjudication which will allow him to avoid the conviction charge.

Texas wide receiver Joshua Moore is clear proof that oftentimes learning from a mistake can make you a better person.

After being arrested in July 2019 for a misdemeanor weapons charge of unlawfully carrying a gun, head coach Tom Herman announced that Moore would be suspended for the season. Herman takes his programs core values very seriously, which includes no drugs, telling the truth and treating women with respect.

Although he was not allowed to play in any games, the coaches allowed Moore to practice on the scout team every day. According to Horns247, Moore was at times the best receiver at practice.

He is now required to undergo counseling and community service, but he took it upon himself to counsel other students on the consequences of his past behavior. Moore also underwent and passed several drug tests amidst the suspension.

Moore recently received a deferred adjudication which will allow him to avoid the conviction charge and compete for a starting role in offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s offense in 2020. If Moore’s record is squeaky clean over the next year, the offense will be dismissed.

As a true freshman at Texas in 2018, Moore recorded seven receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. His potential appeared promising in the short stint he was able to participate.

With fellow wide receiver Brennan Eagles expected to play as the X receiver after Collin Johnson’s departure to the NFL, Moore has a legitimate chance to claim the starting spot as the Z receiver.

 

 

 

 

Former Texas WR Collin Johnson nursing injury, NFL Combine notes

Texas wide receiver Collin Johnson is nursing a hip flexor injury and will not test in a portion of the NFL Combine.

Texas wide receiver Collin Johnson can’t seem to catch a break from the injury bug.

Johnson suffered a hip flexor injury during training that will prevent him from working out at the NFL Combine this week. This isn’t necessarily crucial to test in these drills at the Combine, but considering Johnson’s injury-prone collegiate career, it’s something that teams will likely keep a close eye on.

After missing six games with Texas last season due to a nagging hamstring injury, Johnson was able to impress NFL scouts and executives at the Senior Bowl in January. Fortunately, he will have one more shot to showcase his full abilities at Texas’ Pro Day on April 1st.

In terms of measurements, Johnson is the tallest receiver at the Combine at 6’5 5/8″, but he wants to be known for more than just a big-bodied receiver. There’s no doubt that he will impress throughout the one-on-one interview portions, but Johnson has made it very clear that his injury-riddled past has made him a better person on and off the field.

“I feel like the injuries probably affected my stock, but at the end of the day, I can tell you that I’m better because of it. I’m a better man, and I know to enjoy my time on the field because I know it can be taken away from you at any given moment. So I’m very appreciative of any opportunity to keep playing.”

Johnson is confident in his athleticism and what he’s able to bring to the table, it’s just a matter of staying healthy.

 

 

Texas Softball: Recap, highlights from Top Ten showdown with Louisiana

Texas softball suffered their second loss of the season to No. 10 ranked Louisiana-Lafayette.

Texas softball suffered their second loss of the season.

The Longhorns dropped the first meeting of the top ten showdown with No. 10 ranked Louisiana-Lafayette. After losing 3-2, Texas rebounded to split the home double-header by defeating the Rajin’ Cajuns 2-1.

Although Texas would have preferred to take both games, there were still many positives to take from the split. They handed Louisiana starting pitcher Summer Ellyson her first loss of the season and have out-hit all 18 of their opponents thus far.

Senior pitcher Miranda Elish and junior second baseman Janae Jefferson both went 2-for-3 at the plate in game one. Sophomore catcher Colleen Sullivan and and junior first baseman Lauren Burke each went 2-for-3 in the second meeting.

Texas is now 2-1 against ranked opponents this season.

Four-star Texas commit invited to play in 2021 All-American Bowl

Four-star Texas commit Billy Bowman has been invited to play in the 2021 Adidas All-American Bowl.

Texas is on pace to have another top recruiting class in the nation.

Head coach Tom Herman finished the 2020 recruiting cycle in the No. 9 spot, but the 2021 class is expected to surpass those numbers. Part of that reason is due to four-star athlete Billy Bowman Jr. who verbally committed to the Longhorns in July of this past year.

According to 247Sports Composite, Bowman is currently rated the No. 3 athlete in the nation and the No. 49 overall player. Similar to what happened to five-star recruits such as Bijan Robinson and Alfred Collins in the 2020 class, Bowman still has the ability to increase his prospect grades if he performs well in one of the few invite-only all-star games.

Fortunately for Bowman, he was recently invited to participate in the 2021 Adidas All-American Bowl.

Although major recruiting sites list him as a wide receiver prospect, he is versatile due to his build and can play multiple spots in the secondary if needed.

At Denton High School, he is a three-sport athlete that recently led their football program to a 15-1 overall record and Texas 5A D-I state runner-up finish as a junior.

The 5-10, 175 pound do-it-all athlete could realistically become a five-star prospect by the end of his recruiting cycle.

 

Highest-rated signees from Texas football’s 2020 recruiting class

Get to know the five highest-rated signees from Texas football’s impressive 2020 recruiting class.

Texas has had an impressive 2020 recruiting class up to this point, currently rated No. 11 in the nation. National Signing Day on the first Wednesday of February could still increase their overall ranking among other programs.

Let’s get to know the five highest-rated signees who could make an immediate impact for the Longhorns this season, courtesy of 247Sports Composite.

Bijan Robinson, RB

  • No. 1 running back in the nation, No. 15 overall prospect
  • Five-star
  • Salpointe Catholic High School (Tucscon, AZ)
  • 6-0, 200 pounds
  • Pro comparison: Alvin Kamara
  • Signed Letter of Intent

Hudson Card, QB

  • No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, No. 57 overall prospect
  • Four-star
  • Lake Travis High School (Austin, TX)
  • 6-2.5, 179 pounds
  • Pro Comparison: Will Grier
  • Early enrollee

Ja’Quinden Jackson, QB

  • No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, No. 73 overall prospect
  • Four-star
  • Duncanville High School (Duncanville, TX)
  • 6-2, 219 pounds
  • Pro comparison: Dak Prescott
  • Signed Letter of Intent

Vernon Broughton, DT

  • No. 14 defensive tackle in the nation, No. 121 overall prospect
  • Four-star
  • Cy Ridge High School (Houston, TX)
  • 6-5, 286 pounds
  • Pro comparison: Chris Wormley
  • Early enrollee

Prince Dorbah, LB

  • No. 7 outside linebacker in the nation, No. 126 overall prospect
  • Four-star
  • Highland Park High School (Dallas, TX)
  • 6-2.5, 208 pounds
  • Pro comparison: D’Andre Walker
  • Signed Letter of Intent

Don’t forget about defensive end Alfred Collins. Currently graded as the No. 64 overall prospect in the country, Collins would be a significant addition to this class. He will be announcing his decision between Texas, Oklahoma, or Alabama on National Signing Day.

If Collins does in fact choose Texas, he would be the third-highest rated prospect in this class. Fortunately for the Longhorns, it’s at a critical position of need as well.

Ehlinger will be returning for his senior season, but the battle between Card and Jackson on who will be his successor will be an interesting one to watch.

Four key losses for the Longhorns in 2020

Head coach Tom Herman has a plethora of highly-rated athletes arriving in Austin this offseason. Several of these young players will need to fill the void left by former Longhorns who have moved on to play in the National Football League. Not only …

Head coach Tom Herman has a plethora of highly-rated athletes arriving in Austin this offseason.

Several of these young players will need to fill the void left by former Longhorns who have moved on to play in the National Football League. Not only will their play on the field be missed, their leadership will suffer a loss also, as three team captains are among them.

Which players will be the toughest to replace?

Devin Duvernay, WR

Duvernay did not miss a single game throughout his four-year collegiate career. His breakout senior season led the nation in total receptions and receptions per game, while earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. Duvernay had a unique combination of a thick lower frame, strong hands, and incredible speed.

Collin Johnson, WR

It’s nearly impossible to replace a 6-foot-6, 221 pound receiver. Although Johnson’s career was riddled with injuries, he always seemed to showcase acrobatic catches in clutch moments for Texas. His athletic abilities are off the charts. Losing both of Ehlinger’s go-to receivers will leave a major void to fill. Johnson was elected as one of the team captains for the 2019 season.

Zach Shackelford, C

Also elected a team captain for the 2019 season, Shackelford started 39 games throughout his collegiate career. Serving as Ehlinger’s long-time center, Shackelford began starting for the Longhorns as a true freshman.

Malcolm Roach, DL

Roach’s versatility and leadership is incomparable. He spent time at both defensive end and linebacker throughout his career. As a senior, Roach started seven games, totaling 20 tackles including five for a loss. Also elected as a team captain for the 2019 season, Roach’s consistent intensity will be sorely missed.

Texas signee ranked No. 1 running back in nation

According to 247Sports final 2020 class rankings, Texas signee Bijan Robinson is now the No. 1 running back in the nation.

As National Signing Day is approaching on the first Wednesday of February, 247Sports released their final rankings for recruits in the 2020 class.

Over the course of the years, there have become two primary signing days worth noting. In December of each year, known as the early signing period, top athletes can commit to their program of choice by signing National Letters of Intent.

Five-star running back Bijan Robinson took advantage of the early signing period, officially inking his commitment to Texas. Throughout much of the recruiting cycle, Robinson was ranked as the No. 2 running back in the nation behind Zachary Evans.

After impressive performances in the All-American Bowl and Polynesian Bowl, Robinson climbed to the top spot in 247Sports final class rankings. The margin is slim between Robinson and Evans, but Robinson is the total package both on and off the field.

The Tucson, Arizona native became the first running back in Arizona history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in three different seasons.

Robinson should make an immediate impact as a true freshman at Texas.

 

Five key Texas football players returning in 2020

These five Texas football players must have significant impact in 2020 in order for the Longhorns to reach the College Football Playoffs.

Texas head coach Tom Herman’s reshaped coaching staff will have a plethora of talented athletes throughout the 2020 season.

Expectations are sky high regarding the Longhorns football program. Although Texas has won two major bowl games the past two years, they’ve underwhelmed throughout the regular seasons.

Texas has consistently had one of the top recruiting classes each year, but player development has lacked. With the recent staff shakeup, Texas needs to compete for the Big 12 Championship and make a legitimate run for the College Football Playoffs in order to prevent another disappointing season under Herman’s guidance.

These five returning players will make a significant impact on the Longhorns success this upcoming season.

Sam Ehlinger, QB

Obvious. Ehlinger is the heart and soul of Texas’ offense. He has consistently improved each year, surpassing several of Longhorn legend Vince Young’s school records in the process. Ehlinger has a serious chance to take home the Heisman Trophy as a senior.

Sam Cosmi, LT

Protect Ehlinger. Team captain and center Zach Shackelford is not returning, therefore left tackle Sam Cosmi will be critical in anchoring the trenches. Cosmi started every game at left tackle for the Longhorns in 2019. After forgoing the 2020 NFL Draft, Cosmi will likely groom into a top draft prospect in 2021 if another impressive season is on the horizon.

Caden Sterns, DB

Sterns must stay healthy. The Junior defensive back will be a critical part of this Texas defense in 2020. Sterns started the first 13 games of his career as a true freshman, earning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 honors. Injuries riddled most of his 2019 season, but his potential, knowledge, and athleticism is through the roof.

Joseph Ossai, LB

Ossai appeared in 14 games as a true freshman in 2018. After leading the team with eight tackles in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Georgia, Ossai garnered more playing time, starting in eight games throughout the 2019 season. He logged a career-high 10 tackles, including five solo stops against TCU. A breakout season is in his foreseeable future.

Jordan Whittington, RB/WR

Potential. Many fans have not yet been able to witness the talent and impact Whittington can make each time he touches the ball. Due to a sports hernia surgery, Whittington missed the majority of the 2019 season. The former five-star prospect was initially recruited as a wide receiver but desperately switched positions to running back due to lack of depth. Whittington is the prototypical swiss army knife player that will likely be tasked with playing both positions in 2020.

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger given fourth-best odds of winning Heisman Trophy

According to a recent study by SuperBook, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger has the fourth-best odds of winning the 2020 Heisman Trophy.

The odds of winning the Heisman Trophy in 2020 for Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger continue to rise.

According to a recent study by SportsBook, Ehlinger has climbed to the fourth-best chances of taking home this prestigious honor.

Assuming Ehlinger remains healthy and continues the same path of progress as he has each year, he could undoubtedly lead Texas to the college football playoffs in his senior season. Although quarterbacks Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence are the clear front-runners, it’s hard to bet against Ehlinger.

By the end of the 2019 season, Ehlinger quietly surpassed Longhorn legend Vince Young in career total offense, single season passing yards, and total touchdowns.

Ehlinger will have a plethora of weapons to play alongside this season, including five-star running back Bijan Robinson and promising running back and wide receiver Jordan Whittington. Left tackle Sam Cosmi will also be returning to anchor the offensive line.

 

 

 

Tres Barrera Hopes of Earning Big League Opportunity

Former Longhorns catcher Tres Barrera is hoping to get his Major League Baseball opportunity with the Nationals in 2020.

Tres Barrera’s major league career has been a short one so far. After being drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals. The former Longhorns catcher was invited to the Nats’ major league camp in 2019 before being assigned to Double A Harrisburg Senators.

In the minors during the 2019 season, Barrera batted .249 with eight HRs and 46 RBIs. He was called up to the big leagues on September 8th. He went hitless in two at bats while appearing in two games. He was not a part of the postseason roster as the Nationals defeated the Houston Astros to win the World Series.

In 2020, Barrera will be looking to have more of a role with the Nationals. Following the World Series victory for Washington they declined the second-year option of catch Yan Gomes who was behind the plate for the final four games of the fall classic. That might have opened the door for Barrera, however Gomes was brought back on a new two-year deal.

The other catcher on the roster Kurt Suzuki will be in the final year of his contract. Suzuki will be 36 this season which marks his 14th in the league. Given that Gomes and Suzuki are in place for the Nat’s title defense run, it might be another year that Barrera will have to plug away in the minors in hopes of earning his shot in 2021.