Tag: Texas Longhorns

Athlon Sports lists Texas’ Bijan Robinson as the top breakout running back for 2021

Athlon Sports ranked the top 25 breakout running backs for the 2021 college football season.

First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian has several question marks to sort out on the offensive side of the ball this season, but running back Bijan Robinson is not one of them.

Sarkisian won’t hesitate to give Robinson 20+ touches per game on a consistent basis, something that Longhorn fans were unable to witness last season under Tom Herman.

Although he was used sparingly as a true freshman, Robinson showcased every ounce of his five-star rating. His freshman campaign ended with 703 rushing yards, including 183 in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado. The more impressive part is he accomplished that on 86 carries over nine games.

Robinson set the school record for yards per carry in a game (19.1) at Kansas State and yards per carry in a season (8.2). His rare athleticism coupled with offensive guru Steve Sarkisian is a primary reason Athlon Sports listed Robinson as the top breakout running back in college football for the 2021 season.

The nation’s top running back prospect in the 2020 cycle landed at No. 1. TCU’s Zach Evans and Oklahoma’s Eric Gray landed within the top five.

The combination of the arrival of new coach Steve Sarkisian, along with a heftier workload from Robinson, should turn the sophomore into one of the top running backs in college football. Robinson showcased what’s to come in 2021 by gashing Kansas State for 172 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries and a 183-yard effort versus Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

It’s a solid bet that Robinson will soon become a household name across the country.

WATCH: Highlights from the Longhorns first scrimmage of fall camp

Take a peek at bits and pieces of the scrimmage on Saturday.

The first game against the fighting Billy Napier’s (Louisiana) is just 19 days away, and the Longhorns still have a few I’s to dot and T’s to cross.

One of the unknowns as of right now, is who will be the starting quarterback. The battle is ongoing between young gunslinger Hudson Card, and experienced Casey Thompson who has waited his turn behind Sam Ehlinger.

The two squared off in Texas’ first scrimmage of fall camp that took place on Saturday, and while head coach Steve Sarkisian was hopeful that a quarterback and a couple receivers would step up, he was not content with the offense’s performance.

There were bright spots, as Sarkisian expressed how pleased he was with the running backs and tight ends, but he still wants the offense to take the next step.

Sarkisian also mentioned that he grades the quarterback position the toughest, but as of now, no one has taken the job and supplanted themselves atop the depth chart.

On the opposite side of the ball, Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense was making plays all day, getting sacks on both quarterbacks, and picking off Casey Thompson a couple times.

Let’s take a peek at bits and pieces of the scrimmage on Saturday.

Sarkisian told the media that he expected the defense to be as good as they were, but he would still like to see more from the offense. This next week of training camp will likely decide some very important position battles, and by this time the following week, we may know who will taking reps with the the first team offense.

The ‘All Gas, No Brakes’ era is upon us, and this second week of training camp will be a major factor as to how the team starts off the season.

Oklahoma Sooners land in the top 5 in preseason AP Top 25 Poll

The Oklahoma Sooners landed another top-five ranking with the release of the AP Top 25 Poll.

After coming in third in the USA TODAY AFCA Coaches’ Poll last week, the Oklahoma Sooners poll second in the Associated Press’ preseason Top 25 Poll.

The Sooners come in behind the Alabama Crimson Tide who received 47 of the possible 63 first-place votes. Oklahoma had the second-most six place votes, tied with Clemson, who came in third in the poll behind the Crimson Tide and the Tigers.

The Big 12 had just three teams represented in the poll with Iowa State coming in at seventh and Texas at number 21. Oklahoma State and TCU both received votes in the AP Top 25 poll.

Rank Team Points
1 Alabama 1,548 (47)
2 Oklahoma 1,462 (6)
3 Clemson 1,447 (6)
4 Ohio State 1,393 (1)
5 Georgia 1,364 (3)
6 Texas A&M 1,223
7 Iowa State 1,160
8 Cincinnati 1,014
9 Notre Dame 1,009
10 North Carolina 999
11 Oregon 968
12 Wisconsin 743
13 Florida 728
14 Miami (FL) 663
15 USC 660
16 LSU 631
17 Indiana 549
18 Iowa 513
19 Penn State 456
20 Washington 449
21 Texas 350
22 Coastal Carolina 232
23 Lousiana-Lafayette 208
24 Utah 176
25 Arizona State 125

Others receiving votes:

Oklahoma State 107, Ole Miss 106, TCU 40, Liberty 36, Auburn 32, North Carolina State 14, Michigan 12, Northwestern 8, Boise State 7, Nevada 7, Brigham Young 6, Ball State 6, Houston 5, Boston College 5, UCF 5, West Virginia 3, UAB 2, Army 2, UCLA 2

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

Nine Big 12 players make USA TODAY Sports’ preseason All-America team for 2021

Texas RB Bijan Robinson received first-team honors.

College football is upon us. Continue reading “Nine Big 12 players make USA TODAY Sports’ preseason All-America team for 2021”

How the rookie Longhorns performed in their NFL debut’s

How the Texas rookies performed in their first NFL action.

Over the last few days, the NFL’s first week of preseason football took place. There were familiar Longhorn faces in new places hoping to prove their worth at the next level.

Whether they were one of the five players that heard their name called during the 2021 NFL draft, or if they are getting their opportunity to play in the league as an undrafted free agent, a handful of now former Texas stars were able to partake in their first NFL game action.

It seemed as if almost every Longhorn made a significant impact on the game in one way or another, whether it was Caden Sterns’ touchdown-saving hit, Joseph Ossai taking down Tom Brady, or former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger leading the Indianapolis Colts to a comeback win against the Carolina Panthers.

Let’s take a look at how each of the former Longhorns and now NFL rookies fared in their debuts.

Sam Ehlinger highlights from his NFL debut with the Indianapolis Colts

After a rough start, Ehlinger had an incredible fourth quarter to lead the Colts over the Panthers.

Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger made his NFL debut on Sunday with the Indianapolis Colts after being selected in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Ehlinger is currently battling second-year quarterback Jacob Eason to secure the backup role behind starter Carson Wentz. With the ongoing injury concerns surrounding Wentz, one of the two young signal-callers could be called upon to play meaningful snaps this season.

The Colts’ three preseason games will be a crucial opportunity for Eason or Ehlinger to step up and claim the No. 2 spot.

On Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Eason started and played the first half, while Ehlinger took over for the entirety of the second half. Each had an up and down performance. Eason fumbled which resulted in a turnover, while Ehlinger threw an interception on his first drive.

Eason completed 15 of his 21 passes for 183 yards. Ehlinger made some plays with his legs by rushing for 34 yards, and completed 10 of 15 passes for 155 yards. The former Texas star looked solid in the fourth quarter and made a few huge plays to lead the Colts over the Panthers 21-18 as time expired.

At this point, the battle is far from over. Take a look at a few of Ehlinger’s highlights from his NFL debut:

WATCH: Colts QB Sam Ehlinger completes first NFL pass to high school teammate

Very cool moment for Ehlinger.

Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger made his NFL debut with the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Continue reading “WATCH: Colts QB Sam Ehlinger completes first NFL pass to high school teammate”

Former Texas commit, four-star CB Jaylon Guilbeau announces top three schools

ICYMI: Former Texas commit Jaylon Guilbeau announced his top three schools on Saturday.

On July 22, four-star cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau announced his decommitment from the University of Texas. Continue reading “Former Texas commit, four-star CB Jaylon Guilbeau announces top three schools”

How to watch Sam Ehlinger make his NFL debut with the Colts on Sunday

Ehlinger will make his NFL debut today!

Former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger will make his NFL debut on Sunday.

Ehlinger was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft and was widely viewed as a developmental quarterback at the professional level. When he entered training camp with the Colts, his best case scenario was to try and become the primary backup to Carson Wentz.

However, Wentz is currently sidelined with a foot injury and the timetable of his return is unknown. Ehlinger clearly knew the opportunity that presented itself, and he’s now in an intense position battle with second-year quarterback Jacob Eason for meaningful snaps this season.

Eason and Ehlinger are now splitting first-team reps at practice, but the Colts’ three preseason games will be crucial for each of the young quarterbacks who have yet to throw an NFL pass.

Will the rookie continue to provide a spark in more of a game-like setting?

Here’s how to tune in to Ehlinger’s NFL debut on Sunday.

When

Sunday, August 15, 12 p.m. CST

Where

Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)

How to watch

ABC, CBS, FOX, NFL Network

WATCH: Former Longhorn blasts a receiver to prevent a touchdown

Caden Sterns with huge hitstick in his first NFL preseason game!

Former Texas safety Caden Sterns is looking to carve out a spot in the NFL after a very up and down injury-plagued college career.

Sterns got his shot to play in the league after being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft. He and the Broncos had their first preseason game on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Preseason football is a prime opportunity for rookie and unproven players to make plays and show that they belong at this level, and Sterns made a highlight reel hit that is going viral on Twitter as you read this.

With the opposing team in the red zone, Vikings quarterback Kellen Mond rolled out to his right to evade the pressure and delivered a great pass to an open Whop Philyor, who at first looked like he may have just caught his first career NFL pass for a touchdown. Let’s just say Caden Sterns had other thoughts, as he smacked Philyor forcing him to drop it.

If Sterns keeps making plays like this, he will have a very promising role in Denver.