Tag: Texas spring practice

Texas depth, OL noted as reasons for confidence in 2024 squad

Depth is standing out for Texas early on in the spring.

The Texas Longhorns have championship depth this spring. It is one of the more substantive characteristics of the 2024 squad.

Inside Texas’ Eric Nahlin discussed the team’s depth among several other strengths the Longhorns possess in his latest spring update.

The depth shows up most noticeably along the offensive line where Texas has too many starters than starting spots. That’s not the first time we’ve said that about a position group for the team this offseason.

The post-spring portal window could lead to attrition on the roster. The offensive line in particular boasts several players capable of taking a starting role. Even so, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has done well in retaining players the past two offseasons.

Texas might have experience and continuity in spades, but, save for defensive line and linebacker, the team’s depth could extend past the second string across the board. Through the first few spring practices, depth is one of the reasons Sarkisian and company are confident the Longhorns could be even better next season.

LOOK: Texas QB Quinn Ewers looks confident and loose this spring

It looks like Quinn Ewers is “in the zone” this spring.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is back to his care-free nature this offseason. It’s that nature that helps him improvise and perform at his best. Continue reading “LOOK: Texas QB Quinn Ewers looks confident and loose this spring”

LOOK: Texas RB Savion Red looks the part this spring

Some might have written off Savion Red at running back too soon.

Texas has a loaded running back room. Savion Red could not care less. Continue reading “LOOK: Texas RB Savion Red looks the part this spring”

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian is raising the level of urgency this year

Pressure could bring the best out of Steve Sarkisian and Texas players this season.

Expectations are higher on the Forty Acres this year. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian can feel the heat.

On Friday, Sarkisian ramped up the passion on the practice field. It’s apparent the guru of offensive play design understands the importance of this season to the success of his tenure.

Simply looking at photos captured during practice, you can see Sarkisian looks exhausted. What he faces this season is the daunting task of navigating a season with far-and-away the most complete team in the conference. And while we expect Texas will win, the pressure is still felt by the team heading into 2023.

To be clear, the latest third-year bar set by Tom Herman is eclipsing 7-5 and not making immature gestures at the Longhorn Network camera. Sarkisian should be able to clear that marker. That said, Herman isn’t the bar and it’s imperative that this Texas team wins more consistently than it has in the past.

Sarkisian feels the pressure now, but he’s using it to push the team’s limits. For that reason, we should see a better team in his third season in Austin.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Texas Football: Predicting the two-deep ahead of spring practice

We look at what the Texas depth chart looks like ahead of spring ball.

Spring practice begins on Monday, March 6. The sessions soften the blow of a long offseason without football. Continue reading “Texas Football: Predicting the two-deep ahead of spring practice”

Texas WR Brenen Thompson to run track this spring

Brenen Thompson will run track and miss spring practice.

Texas wide receiver Brenen Thompson is a speedy talent. It appears he will be putting his speed to good use as he runs with the Texas Track & Field team this spring.

Thompson undoubtedly will add value to the track team. Albeit, it could come at a cost to his ability to push for a prominent role on the football team this season.

It appears Thompson will not be able to participate in spring football in the next couple weeks. The move doesn’t hurt the already loaded Texas wide receiver room so much as it hurts the speedster’s chances to climb the depth chart.

Certainly, it’s Thompson’s prerogative to choose how he spends the offseason. The Texas staff knew his passion for running before he joined the team. Nevertheless, players who are able to participate in the spring sessions might earn tiebreakers on the depth chart if a depth battle is close.

Texas begins spring practice on March 6.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz52bnpekkafqb player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

WATCH: Texas QB Quinn Ewers tosses touchdown to Xavier Worthy

Texas’ new quarterback was the star of the scrimmage on Saturday.

The quarterback competition in Austin is worthy of the hype its garnering from all over the country.

Hudson Card is in his second year of Steve  Sarkisian’s system and is expected to receive the majority of first team reps through the spring.

Ohio State transfer and former five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers is looking to unseat Card for the starting job prior to the season opener on Sept. 3.

The battle is as close as it could be, and for good reason. Both quarterbacks appear to be playing well. Card is talented in his own right and has more experience, while Ewers held a rare perfect rating coming out of high school.

However, it was Ewers who was the MVP of Texas’ scrimmage on Saturday. One of the highlights of the day was this dime to Xavier Worthy for a touchdown.

Once Ewers is comfortable in Sarkisian’s system and familiarizes himself to the speed of the game again, he could easily make up ground in the competition through fall camp.

Considering Card looks improved in his own right and has taken on more of a leadership role this offseason, Texas fans have to feel good about the future of the position.

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

Texas DB Tyler Owens drops hint at potential position switch to linebacker

Texas safety Tyler Owens struggled to see the field last season. On Wednesday, he hinted at a potential move to linebacker on Twitter.

Juwan Mitchell’s entrance into the transfer portal, again, has left a hole in the middle of Texas’ defense. Last season’s leading tackler and starting middle linebacker will not be returning to the team this time, and Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate will be looking for a replacement.

In our bold predictions for the spring, Longhorns Wire mentioned that Mitchell’s loss will not hurt the team too badly — for good reason.

Based on last season’s depth chart, Jaylan Ford or David Gbenda both seem reasonable options. Each was recruited as a linebacker and each is in position to compete for Mitchell’s starting spot. However, could there be another safety to linebacker transition?

DeMarvion Overshown was moved into the box last season, thriving as an outside linebacker and becoming a real leader of Texas’ defense. On Wednesday, safety Tyler Owens hinted at the possibility of him making a similar move, joining Overshown at linebacker.

Owens was a hard-hitting safety coming out of Plano East High School. Even better, he is one of the fastest players on the field. Owens’ personal-best 100-meter time in high school was 10.29, but he ran a 10.38 to finish second in the state at the 6A level in 2019. Good luck to opposing offenses on finding a player who can outrun Owens.

Overshown seemed to enjoy the idea as well…

Agent Zero is correct, seeing him and Owens in the same box would be a scary sight for offenses. Linebackers with coverage skills as former defensive backs are a plus, especially with how often Kwiatkowski drops eight.

Owens has struggled to see the field during his two seasons. B.J. Foster and Chris Brown have held down the strong safety spots, with the former projected to start there this season. A switch to linebacker would be a fast track to playing time for Owens.

Texas RB Roschon Johnson names four players who have stood out in spring practice

Roschon Johnson spoke to the media, laying out four players, two on both offense and defense, who have stood out on the practice field.

Roschon Johnson has been one of the most surprising developments surrounding Texas football the past couple of years. He was recruited as a quarterback, converted to a running back, and now, is a fan favorite.

Bijan Robinson may be the starting running back and star of Sarkisian’s new-look offense, but Johnson has emerged as a leader within the locker room. The rising junior has a chance to be one of the captains for the upcoming season.

Johnson spoke to the media on Tuesday, laying out four players, two on offense and two on defense, who have stood out to him on the practice field. Two are new to campus, while one will be looking to live up to his lofty recruiting expectations.

Wide receiver Jordan Whittington was the first player highlighted by the running back. “[Whittington] has come a long way,” Johnson said. “I’m just glad to see him healthy, running around, catching balls.”

With Jake Smith out of spring practice due to a foot injury, Whittington has the opportunity to become Texas’ top wide receiver. Injuries have held him back during his two seasons on campus, only playing in seven career games up to this point. Health pending, Whittington may benefit the most from Sarkisian’s offensive scheme.

Freshman Gunnar Helm was the other offensive player Johnson pointed out. After having two tight ends decommit from the 2021 class, Helm ended up being the choice under Tom Herman’s staff. With Jeff Banks in charge of tight ends, it is no surprise Helm is having early success in practice.

Moving to the defensive side of the ball, outside linebacker Ray Thornton was praised by Johnson. “He’s one of those leaders that comes in and everyone feels him,” Thompson said of Thornton.

Joseph Ossai was such an important part of Texas’ defensive success at the jack position. Thornton was brought in from LSU, hoping he can replace Ossai’s production. Hearing he is standing out only a couple of practices in is certainly encouraging. The former Tiger also has experience at middle linebacker, playing there for Bo Pelini last year.

Safety Jerrin Thompson is the final name Johnson offered during his media availability on Tuesday. The sophomore took over at free safety when Caden Sterns opted out of the season for the NFL draft. He secured an interception in the Kansas State game and led the team in tackles against Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

As spring practice continues, more players will stand out. Johnson mentioned how well Sarkisian is doing with the running backs, saying they will be “lethal threats.”

Players within the program seem excited about the direction Sarkisian is taking them in.

WATCH: Texas releases video after first spring practice in pads

Texas has returned to spring practice after a COVID-19 pause. After their first full day in practice, Sarkisian released a hype video.

The Texas Longhorns have returned to spring practice. After a delay due to COVID-19 problems, Texas was back on the field and even got into their first day of padded practice.

Players were able to hit each other for the first time under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Seeing how the offensive line and defensive line match up against each other, along with the quarterbacks being in more game-like situations will be interesting to watch early on.

With Sarkisian adding to the concept of “All gas, no breaks”, he released a highlight video via Twitter. After watching, your excitement for the upcoming 2021 season will only increase. The video shows a glimpse of the high points from the practice.

You can watch the full video below.

One thing that coach Sarkisian really knows how to do is get fans excited. With Texas releasing more and more of these videos, as well as with the possibility of stadiums being at 100% capacity for the season, it only heightens the excitement.

With the annual Orange and White game just around the corner, expect to see more sneak peeks of spring practices. Until the spring game, fans will have to wait in anticipation to see the new look Longhorn football team in person.