Tag: Todd Dodge

Todd Dodge cautions Texas about starting QB Quinn Ewers too soon

Does Texas need to be patient with Quinn Ewers?

Something Texas fans likely don’t want to think about when looking forward to 2022, but truly should, is the absurdly high expectations they have for young players.

With the most expectations being placed on the shoulders and mullet of quarterback Quinn Ewers, who is viewed as the prodigal son of Texas football. While Ewers is expected to lead the program to glory, his high school coach’s father and legendary Texas high school football coach, Todd Dodge, expressed his concern about him playing too soon.

In an interview with 247Sports’ Chip Brown, Dodge explained that Ewers will need time to adapt to the college game even with his year spent at Ohio State.

Here is what the seven-time winning state championship coach had to say:

“If a true freshman — and that’s what Quinn is, because Quinn didn’t pay his senior year in high school. He really hasn’t played any football at all since that state championship game about a year ago about right now. I believe that universities all across America are getting really fired up about true freshman. They’ve got to clam down a bit. It is not in the best interest of your football team if you are starting a true freshman. “

He continued, comparing his situation to that of Trevor Lawrence and Caleb Williams’ saying:

“I don’t care how good he is. You have the Trevor Lawrences of the world and the Tua (Tagovailoa)s of the world and then Caleb Williams came on, but nobody (at Texas) really followed Caleb after the Texas game. Caleb had his freshman moments too.”

The Longhorns do have one experienced quarterback on the roster in Hudson Card, and while Texas fans likely want to see Ewers by yesterday, it may be in the best interest if he gets time to learn and sit before playing.

It will be interesting to see how Sarkisian handles the quarterback situation in his second year as the head coach, because the way he handled it last year did not go smoothly by any means.

 

5-star Clemson QB signee goes out a winner: ‘You couldn’t have written it up any better’

If there’s one Cade Klubnik knows how to do, it’s to win. Clemson’s five-star quarterback signee out of Westlake (Texas) finished out his high school career on a high note. He led Westlake to its third straight state championship in a 40-21 win over …

If there’s one Cade Klubnik knows how to do, it’s to win.

Clemson’s five-star quarterback signee out of Westlake (Texas) finished out his high school career on a high note. He led Westlake to its third straight state championship in a 40-21 win over Denton Guyer (Texas) on Saturday night.

But, it wasn’t all pretty.

Klubnik was a little erratic in the first half and Westlake went into the locker room at halftime down 14-13.

They faced adversity, but Klubnik and his teammates didn’t back down from sending their head coach and their senior class out as winners. After an uneven first half of play, Klubnik rallied back with a huge second half, finishing 14-of-21 for 280 yards and four passing touchdowns.

“He’s such a leader,” Westlake head coach Todd Dodge said of Klubnik. “He is such a great player.”

They went into the locker room and got back to the basics. They were playing in their third consecutive state championship for a reason and there was still work to be done.

“Coach Dodge just let us know we can’t play any worse than that,” Klubnik said postgame. “I take all the ownership in the first half. I was kind of all over the place, not making some throws, with the pick and stuff. I just had to put trust in my teammates.

“We just went out and we played like we’re in a place that we always dreamed of playing — the state championship — we just had so much fun with it, let loose in the second half, and just played like us.”

Klubnik never lost in his high school career. He went a perfect 27-0.

What a way to go out for Clemson’s future quarterback, who will officially enroll on Jan. 9, 2022.

“You couldn’t have written it up any better” Klubnik said. “You just couldn’t have. It means the world.”

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Former Longhorn Todd Dodge will face his son in Texas state championship

Former Texas quarterback Todd Dodge will face off against his son Riley in the Texas 6A state championship on Saturday.

There will be plenty of Texas ties when Austin Westlake takes on Southlake Carroll in the Texas 6A Division 1 state championship game on Saturday. Continue reading “Former Longhorn Todd Dodge will face his son in Texas state championship”

Texas Football Recruiting: 2022 Austin QB was waiting on Longhorns offer

In the fallout of the Quinn Ewers decision, the Longhorns needed a replacement recruit. Texas turned to Austin-Westlake’s junior passer.

In the fallout of the Quinn Ewers decommitment, the Texas Longhorns had to find a new quarterback target. ESPN recently reported on what could be next for the No. 1 recruit in the 2022 class. All signs currently point to the Ohio State Buckeyes according to 247Sports crystal ball predictions.

ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren weighed in on the situation.

The Longhorns aren’t technically out of this recruitment, but it is very difficult to get back in after a decision like this without something major happening. Again, if Ewers makes a quick decision, it does not bode well for Texas.

Something major? Like the hiring of Urban Meyer perhaps?

VanHaaren mentioned the Longhorns have Casey Thompson, Hudson Card, Ja’Quinden Jackson in line if Sam Ehlinger does leave after the season. However, missing out on Ewers is massive because he was likely a program changing recruit like Vince Young was.

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Recently newly offered Austin-Westlake quarterback Cade Klubnik spoke with Mike Craven of HookEm.com (Austin-American Statesman). In the article, Klubnik is referred to as a friend of the program. He mentioned that he wasn’t expecting the offer but thought it could happen after the decommitment of Ewers.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but it was something I thought could happen following the decommitment (of Ewers),” said Klubnik said. “I was pretty excited. It felt like I had a great connection with the Texas coaches for a while, so it was satisfying. I had been waiting for that offer.”

“Sam is a good friend of mine, and of course I’m coached by Todd Dodge,” he said. “Those guys are legends, but they’re not going to pressure me at all. They want what is best for me. It is a blessing to lean on those guys because they can answer any question I could come up with in the recruiting process. Coach Dodge has helped a dozen quarterbacks go through this.”

“The culture of the school because I want to be comfortable being a student even if football doesn’t work out is going to be really important, as will the people inside the program,” Klubnik said. “Consistency of greatness also matters because I want to be improved as a player after I get to college. And, of course, education because we all know football will end.”

While he might not be ready to make an offer, Klubnik is likely the best option at this point for their 2022 quarterback. At least barring a miracle that could bring Ewers back to the program he grew up cheering for.

Sam Ehlinger Watches His High School Win the State Championship

Last night was the 6A D2 state championship where Austin Westlake took on Denton Guyer. Sam Ehlinger was on the sidelines for the game.

Last night was the 6A Division 2 state championship where Austin Westlake took on Denton Guyer. Taking place at AT&T Stadium, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was on the sidelines for the game, cheering on his former school.

Getting as far as the state championship game in 2015, Ehlinger was never able to lead the Chaparrals to a championship. He lost to the 2015 game 21-14 in overtime and lost in the quarterfinals his senior season.

The Chaparrals dominated the entire game, winning 24-0. It was only the second state championship in the school’s history, with the first coming in 1994 when Drew Brees was in charge. Ehlinger was there to congratulate his former head coach after the victory. After the game, Todd Dodge announced he would return to Westlake next season, taking his name out of consideration for any other jobs.

Ehlinger’s focus will now turn to the bowl game on New Year’s Eve. The Longhorns will face off against Utah in the Alamo Bowl at 6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN.

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