Collin Johnson Has Opportunity To Improve Draft Stock

With the bowl game and Senior Bowl ahead, Texas Longhorns wide receiver Collin Johnson has time to impress NFL scouts.

When you look at Collin Johnson he has what NFL Scouts will fall in love with. He has the size to be a serious red zone threat and makes some miraculous catches that will leave your jaw on the floor. After posting career best numbers in every statistical category, the sky was the limit for Johnson. Unfortunately for the former four-star recruit, injuries have limited his season. Head Coach Tom Herman has said that Johnson will be available for the Alamo Bowl, and that could be the start that helps his draft stock rise.

Collin Johnson will have two games left to impress scouts ahead of the pre-draft workouts and team visits. Johnson has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl in Mobile Alabama in which he will get to work with a NFL coaching staff, another opportunity to show what Johnson does best.

His frame is more on the slender side but Johnson shows off that huge catch radius that coaches will love. He has very reliable hands as evident with some of the circus level snags he is able to come down with. During the Senior Bowl practices, Johnson has an opportunity to get coached up on his techniques to help him off the line. He can struggle with separation at the line but with a big frame, Johnson is still able to bring down his fair share of passes. Johnson needs to show that he can beat press coverage off the line if he wants to make it at the next level.

Unfortunately enough, Jaylon Johnson who has declared for the draft won’t play in the Alamo Bowl against Texas. Johnson was named to the 2019 Associated Press All-American second team and it would have been quite the challenge for Collin. Utah still has other playmakers on the defensive side of the ball to challenge the 6’6″ wide receiver.

There is still a long way to go before the NFL Draft but Collin Johnson has all the opportunity to rise up draft boards and it starts in the bowl game.

Texas Quarterback of the decade: Sam Ehlinger

Ever since Colt McCoy left Texas in 2009 consistent play from their quarterback has lacked. Sam Ehlinger has been the guy starting in 2017.

Ever since Colt McCoy left the 40 acres at the end of the 2009 season, one thing has been lacking for Texas. Consistent play from their quarterback. Starting last season for the Longhorns, Sam Ehlinger has been the guy, taking over the signal calling for the offense under Tom Herman.

While he split snaps with Shane Buechele in his freshman season, Ehlinger won the starting job before the opening game against Maryland in 2018. From that point on, Texas has been ride or die with Ehlinger, with him starting in all 26 games played over the last two seasons.

His sophomore season was his best, leading Texas to their first 10 win season since the 2009 National Championship season. He also took Texas as far as the Sugar Bowl, getting a crucial victory against Georgia to end the season. That year only had their first Big 12 championship appearance since the 2009 win against Nebraska.

Other quarterbacks in the 2010s included Garrett Gilbert, David Ash, Case McCoy, Tyrone Swoopes, Jerrod Heard, and Shane Buechele. The only one of those who comes relatively close to what Ehlinger has done for this program is Buechele. Even then, it is not close, with the junior quarterback from Austin getting the nod as the best quarterback to play for Texas this decade.

Years played: 2017, 2018, 2019

Passing Stats: 63.1 completion percentage, 8,669 passing yards, 65 touchdowns, 21 interceptions

Rushing stats: 430 rushing attempts, 1,453 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns

Best game: vs Oklahoma, 2018. 24-35 with 314 yards, two passing touchdowns, no interceptions. 19 rushing attempts for 72 yards and three rushing touchdowns

Best moment: Second touchdown run against Oklahoma in 2018

Accomplishments: 2019 Sugar Bowl MVP

More than likely coming back for his senior season, Ehlinger has made a huge impact on Texas in his first three. He is already up there statistically with the all-time UT quarterback greats like Vince Young, Colt McCoy, and Major Applewhite, but is just missing one thing. Some form of championship. Ehlinger brought the Longhorns close in 2018 with a Big 12 championship appearance but will need to win one to cement himself as a Longhorn legend.

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Former Longhorn Alex Okafor Done For The Year

Former Texas Longhorn defensive end Alex Okafor is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

Former Texas Longhorn and current Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive end Alex Okafor is likely done for the season. Okafor left the game against the Broncos with what was reported as a chest injury when he sacked Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock in the first quarter.

Okafor is in his seventh season in the NFL. This year he has recorded 22 total tackles, five tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and nine quarterback hits. This marks Okafor’s first season with the Chiefs after spending his first four years with the Arizona Cardinals and the last two with the New Orleans Saints. Okafor was enjoying the best season of his career since 2014.

The fear of this injury was that Alex Okafor sustained a torn pectoral muscle and the team was awaiting MRI results. The team later announced that they would place Okafor on the injured reserve to make room for Terrell Suggs, who was claimed off waivers.

 

Three star defensive tackle Sawyer Goram-Welch commits to Texas

Texas has landed another defensive tackle commit in the 2020 class with Sawyer Goram-Welch. He is a three star prospect out of Longview, TX.

Texas has landed three-star defensive tackle Sawyer Goram-Welch out of Longview, Texas. It was a quick change of events for Goram-Welch, who flipped from Oklahoma State two months after announcing he would be committing.

When Goram-Welch decommitted from the Cowboys on Dec. 7, the Longhorns had already offered him a scholarship five days earlier. Making his official visit to Texas this weekend, Goram-Welch made the decision to join the No. 7 ranked 2020 recruiting class on Sunday night.

 

Goram-Welch is listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 278 pounds. Coming out of Longview High School, he had 64 tackles in his senior season. 15 of them were for losses, including eight sacks. While he did not force any turnovers this year, he forced three fumbles in his junior season in 2018.

Joining Vernon Broughton as the other defensive tackle in the 2020 class, the Longhorns are now up to six defensive commits. Gorman-Welch plans on signing with Texas during the early signing period, enrolling in the University in the spring.

Early period signing day is on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Texas currently is the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the 2020 class, with Oklahoma being the closest to the Longhorns at No. 10.

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Former Longhorn Jordan Hicks’ Play Stands Out

Former Longhorns linebacker Jordan Hicks is having a big season and chasing a franchise record for the Arizona Cardinals.

Former Texas Longhorns linebacker and current Arizona Cardinal is having a big year for their defense. Following a stint with the Philadelphia Eagles where Jordan Hicks help that team win a Super Bowl, he joined the Cardinals this offseason. His play has been big in a season that been mostly forgettable for the Cardinals. After five seasons for the horns, Jordan Hicks posted a huge senior season that tallied 116 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks to go with his two interceptions. That season earned him a 3rd-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.

This year Jordan Hicks is near the top in most defensive categories for linebackers. Hicks is currently tied for fifth-most passes defended with three other linebackers including 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Darius Leonard. He also is currently 2nd to Leonard and Joe Schobert in interceptions with three. The numbers don’t stop there.

Jordan Hicks is currently third in the NFL for total tackles with 121 combined tackles, that puts him just three ahead of teammate Budda Baker. Baker leads the league in solo tackles with Jordan being tied for fifth most at 74. Statistically Jordan Hicks is up near the top in most defensive categories and he is proving that he deserved every penny and more of the four-year deal that he signed this offseason.

Jordan Hicks has an opportunity to set the Cardinals record for most sacks in a single season. He sits 26 tackles away from tying Ronald McKinnon who set the mark in 2000. That season McKinnon and Pat Tillman combined for 312 tackles. Hicks and Baker currently sit at 239 with three games remaining.

Texas Longhorns Canned Food Drive

Texas Longhorns are hosting a canned food drive ahead of matchup with Central Michigan.

Following the Texas Longhorns victory over former rival Texas A&M in men’s basketball, the team looks to continue their winning ways against Central Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The Horns are currently on a four-game win streak following their lone loss of the season to the Georgetown Hoyas.

Ahead of their matchup on the hardwood, the team is holding a canned food drive where fans can donate their non-perishable foods before the game. Those who donate will receive a coupon to get a free Whataburger. Show up and cheer on the 8-1 Longhorns and donate for a good cause.

 

Longhorns’ Tim Beck Linked To Head Coach Opportunity

Former Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck is linked to the head coaching job for the Lamar Cardinals.

Following the Texas Longhorns recent changes to the coaching staff, former offensive coordinator and now quarterback’s coach has been linked as a possible head coach for the Lamar Cardinals. The Cardinals play in division one of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).  This was reported by Football Scoop in which Tim Beck was named as one of the potential candidates.

The Lamar Cardinals football team played from 1923-1989 before shutting down the program until 2010. They are located in Beaumont, Texas which is a reason that Beck would make sense. They need someone who can recruit in the state of Texas. From 1999-2004, Tim Beck spent his time as a high school football coach before pursuing a coaching career in division one. He has coached at Kansas, Nebraska before joining Ohio State and following Tom Herman to Texas.

It might not be a big time program but after the recent demotion for Beck, this could be a way to get a fresh start and to run his own program as head coach. If Tim Beck wants to eventually run his own program in FBS, this could be the stepping stone that moves him in that direction.

Seven of nation’s top 10 teams highlight field at 2020 ANNIKA Intercollegiate

The ANNIKA Foundation announced the first 11 teams in the field for the 2020 ANNIKA Intercollegiate, with a 12th team to be announced later.

The ANNIKA Intercollegiate Presented by 3M boasts the most competitive field in women’s collegiate golf, and the 2020 event will be no different.

The ANNIKA Foundation announced on Thursday the first 11 teams who will be competing for the title Sept. 13-16 at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.

Seven of the top 10 teams in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings are in the field, including No. 1 Texas, 2019 champion Wake Forest, No. 2 Arizona State, No. 3 Arizona, No. 4 USC, No. 9 South Carolina and No. 10 Duke. Also in the field is 2018 ANNIKA Intercollegiate champion Alabama, UCLA, Vanderbilt and host Minnesota.

The 12th and final team will be announced following the 2020 NCAA Championship in May.

“For the seventh-consecutive year, we’re honored to welcome a collection of women’s golf’s most-powerful and storied programs,” said LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam. “Royal Golf Club has proven to be a great host venue for the last two editions, and we look forward to returning to Minnesota during an ideal time of year for weather and course conditions.”

To find out more about the work the ANNIKA Foundation does for women’s golf, go to annikafoundation.org.

How to watch, listen, or stream Texas Longhorns vs Central Michigan basketball

Everything you need to know to catch the Texas Longhorns basketball team take on the Central Michigan Chippewas

The Texas Longhorns basketball team looks to continue its winning ways as they are set to take on the Central Michigan Chippewas this Saturday. Texas is sporting an 8-1 record and riding high on five straight wins. Though the record looks nice, it hasn’t been enough to rejoin the top-25. Close wins against weak teams don’t inspire much confidence in voters, and that has been reflected in the polls. At this point, Texas just has to keep stringing the wins together and plan on making noise come tournament time.

Nov 21, 2019; New York, NY, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Kai Jones (22) shoots the ball against Georgetown Hoyas forward Jamorko Pickett (1) and center Qudus Wahab (34) and forward Josh LeBlanc (23) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Here is everything you need to know to catch the Longhorns in action:

Date: Saturday, December 14

Time: 1 p.m. CT

Location: Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas

TV: Longhorn Network

Stream:  WatchESPN

Radio: TexasSports.com/audio —Austin 104.9FM, 99.3FM, 98.5FM, 1260AM; Dallas 1080AM; El Paso 600AM; Houston 790AM; San Antonio 1200AM — Spanish: Austin 105.3FM; Dallas 990AM, 99.9FM

Watch: Hype video includes all of Longhorn Brandon Jones’ highlights

Texas Longhorns’ safety Brandon Jones released a hype video with highlights from his four years at Texas

It seems like everyone has their own videography team nowadays. Texas Longhorns’ safety Brandon Jones dropped a professional-looking hype video on his Twitter earlier.

Jones’ highlight reel includes interceptions, forced fumbles, sacks, and big hits. A lot of big hits. Check it out here:

The senior safety has totaled 232 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries over the course of his four-year career at Texas.

Jones is a physical defender who isn’t afraid to fly around the field and put a hit on someone. He isn’t a day-one prospect in the NFL Draft, but he will get his chance on an NFL roster.