Tag: ut longhorns

Five-star QB Arch Manning picks Texas over Georgia

Five-star quarterback recruit Arch Manning has committed to the Texas Longhorns. Manning was one of Georgia’s top recruiting targets.

Five-star class of 2023 quarterback recruit Arch Manning has committed to the Texas Longhorns. Manning was one of Georgia’s top recruiting targets among the rising senior class.

Arch Manning is the top-ranked quarterback and the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2023. Manning plays high school football for Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback will look to turn the tide for the Texas football program. The Longhorns have struggled in recent seasons and need to play better before they join the SEC.

Newman High School quarterback Arch Manning (16) drops back to pass. (AP Photo/Ted Jackson)

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs will not give up on recruiting Arch Manning, but the Dawgs face an uphill battle now. Manning is one of the most hyped recruits in recent memory.

Georgia still has a lot of promise at the quarterback position. The Bulldogs have Carson Beck, incoming freshman Gunner Stockton, and Brock Vandagriff waiting for the next opportunity in Athens. Stetson Bennett is expected to start for the Bulldogs in 2022 in what should be (barring injury) his last season with Georgia.

College football’s latest Manning announced his commitment to Texas football via Twitter:

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Mack Brown stated the final play in the National Championship was Vince Young’s call

Former Texas Longhorns head coach Mack Brown joined the Dan Patrick Show. On the topic of Texas he stated the final play was all Vince Young

On Wednesday’s Dan Patrick Show, former National Championship winning coach Mack Brown joined. On the topic of discussions they spoke about the upcoming season, Notre Dame and the National Championship game in 2005.

Patrick asked about why the ACC, Big 12 and SEC are moving forward with football but not the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences.

It seems to me that it just a difference in medical opinions. The medical experts seem to think it is not as safe for Big Ten and the Pac-12.

Brown goes on to talk about the medical experts have been in on every conversation from how many can be in the stands, how they eat, and how they meet. While the Big Ten and Pac-12 have stated that it isn’t safe enough the remaining three Power Five conferences believe that it is indeed safe enough to move forward.

When asked about what is the coolest item that Mack Brown has in his office in North Carolina, he answered the 2005 National Championship Trophy.

The National Championship Trophy that is right over my shoulder that I’m hoping every recruit sees.

Longhorns fans do have fond memories of Mack Brown despite how the relationship ended following the 2013 college football season. Brown led the team to two BCS Championship appearances and one National Championship in 2005. Brown stated that it was Vince Young’s call to run the final play that gave them the late lead.

It was a designed play. It was menu No. 2 because at that time we were going no huddle because it was the end of the game. You had to get the play in very quickly. And I will never for it, it was a place Vince (Young) told us he wanted to run if we got into that situation. Because we said what is your best go to play if we get down to the end and we have got to make a play. So we called it and I will never forget I said look quickly and if they are open throw it. But if not your legs are pretty darn good for five yards. Don’t be hesitant to pull it down and run it.

Mack Brown also discussed why it didn’t work out for Young in the NFL. You can hear the full interview below.

Texas Football Recruiting: With Jalen Milroe out, what is next at quarterback?

The Texas Longhorns recently lost their only quarterback commit of the 2021 class. So where will Mike Yurcich turn to now?

There was plenty of fallout expected following the commitment of 2022 top recruit Quinn Ewers. As we’ve seen already, that fallout came a little sooner than expected. The 2021 recruiting class quarterback commit Jalen Milroe is now Alabama bound which poses the question what does Texas do now?

Of the top 50 quarterbacks of the 2021 cycle, there aren’t many quarterbacks left that aren’t already committed. However, as seen with Milroe there is always the opportunity to flip a commit. As of right now there is one quarterback who was part of the Elite 11 quarterback camp that hasn’t made his mind on where he will go.

Grayson James played quarterback for John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas last season but according to the Dallas Morning News, he is set to play at Duncanville in the fall. Duncanville lost last year’s starting quarterback who signed with the Longhorns. Ja’Quinden Jackson’s deparature and the transfer of backup Chris Parson left a vacancy.

James is the 33rd ranked pro style quarterback in the country according to 247Sports composite rankings. James currently holds 10 scholarship offers but none of which come from a Power Five school. Mike Roach of 247Sports says that it could be a different targeted quarterback that Mike Yurcich and Texas have in mind.

In a recent post on Horns247, Roach mentioned another Elite 11 finalist in Maddox Kopp. He is expected to make his commitment announcement on September 1st but there is still time for the Longhorns to get involved.  Kopp feels more like what Yurcich wants at the quarterback position.

When he was part of the Oklahoma State Cowboys staff, he brought Mason Rudolph to Stillwater. Rudolph was the 16th ranked Pro Style quarterback of the 2014 recruiting cycle. Kopp is similar to Rudolph in terms of size and style of play. Obviously with all coaches, they have a type of quarterback they want to run their system. Kopp is choosing between Ole Miss and Houston but Texas could change everything according to Roach.

On Milroe’s exit he stated that “I wasn’t your guy” in terms of being what Mike Yurcich wanted at the position. That also might give some indication as to what the Longhorns might do with their quarterback in the post Ehlinger-era. All indications is that Hudson Card could be the favorite.

 

Baseball America reveals never too early rankings, Texas top 15

The 2021 Texas Longhorns baseball team is already receiving attention in Baseball America’s never too early top 25 rankings.

It is really never too early to start talking baseball around Austin. The Texas Longhorns baseball got off to a good start in their 2020 campaign before the pandemic shut down their season. The Longhorns were 14-3 and in the midst of a four-game winning streak before it was ended.

The Longhorns are now looking forward to what should be a full season in 2021, fingers crossed anyway. National baseball publication Baseball America has released their “never too early” top 25 rankings. Texas currently sitting inside the top 15 teams in American at number 11.

The Longhorns are joined by Texas Tech, Texas Christian and Oklahoma in the rankings.

  • Texas Tech (2)
  • Texas (11)
  • Texas Christian (16)
  • Oklahoma (18)

The Longhorns lost two key members from their team a year ago with Duke Ellis and Bryce Elder making the jump to Major League Baseball. However outfielder Austin Todd, first baseman Zach Zubia and catcher D.J. Petrinsky are all back for another season.

Prior to the season, Baseball America ranked their 2020 recruiting class number one in the nation. It will be interesting to see how that group plays for the Longhorns in 2021. One of the top prospects in the MLB Draft went undrafted meaning that Tanner Witt will play for the Longhorns in 2021. His signability being a major concern. MLB teams didn’t want to use a pick on a play they may or may not be able to sign since the draft was only five rounds this year.

Given the players who decided to return in 2021 and the rise of freshman pitcher Pete Hansen, the Longhorns look to rise to the challenge of taking back the Big 12.

WATCH: Texas running back Roschon Johnson showcases elite footwork

A short video surfaced on Twitter of Texas running back Roschon Johnson demonstrating impressive footwork.

Texas running back Roschon Johnson is taking complete advantage of a full offseason of preparation at his new position. Continue reading “WATCH: Texas running back Roschon Johnson showcases elite footwork”

Roger Clemens named USA TODAY Sports greatest No. 19 pick in MLB Draft

USA TODAY Sports recently released the greatest first round picks in MLB Draft history. Roger Clemens named the best at number 19.

The MLB Draft has come and gone. The Longhorns saw one of their own in pitcher Bryce Elder taken. Baseball has the University of Texas has a long and storied history. They have won multiple National Championships with the most recent coming in 2005. The Longhorns have the second-most titles in NCAA history, tied with LSU. While they have won six titles, they been invited to play for six more.

In a recent article on USA TODAY Sports, the best players were discussed as it pertains to their draft slot. Former Longhorn Roger Clemens made the list as the best ever to be selected at pick 19. He would go on to play in the Majors for a total of 24 years.

Roger Clemens (1983, Red Sox) – With 354 career wins and 4,672 strikeouts, Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers ever.

Others: Bobby Grich (1967, Orioles), Shannon Stewart (1992, Blue Jays), Alex Rios (1999, Blue Jays)

Clemens is currently third on the all-time list for strikeouts behind Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. He finished his career with 536 more strikeouts than Steve Carlton. Clemens’ 354 career wins puts him ninth in MLB history, one behind Greg Maddux.

The man nicknamed “The Rocket” played two seasons for the Texas Longhorns after transferring from San Jacinto College North.

Accomplishments

  • 12-2 record with 1.99 ERA in 1982
  • 13-5 record with 3.04 ERA in 1983
  • Winning pitcher in the 1983 National Champion game against Alabama
  • Led the Longhorns to consecutive College World Series appearances in 1982-83
  • 1986 American League MVP
  • AL Cy Young Award winner in 1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2004 (National League)
  • One of four pitchers to win the Cy Young in both leagues.
  • Oldest to ever win the Cy Young
  • Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame inductee in 2014
  • Texas Hall of Honor inductee in 1994

 

Bryce Elder named second team All-American

SP Bryce Elder was named to the Collegiate Baseball 2020 All-American second-team. Elder had four starts, going 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA for UT.

Before Texas’ baseball season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Longhorns were 14-3 and in the midst of a four-game winning streak. Big 12 play was just a week away and Texas was one of the favorites to win the conference.

Starting pitcher Bryce Elder was one of the stars for the Longhorns, being named to the Collegiate Baseball 2020 All-American second-team. Elder had four starts, going 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA.

His best game of the season came in the first game of the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic against No. 11 LSU. Playing at Minute Maid Park, Elder went 6.1 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits. Adding 10 strikeouts, it was his second double-digit strikeout effort, also having 11 against Boise State.

While no Big 12 player made the first team, three others made the second team along with Elder. Relief pitchers Haylen Green of TCU and Micah Dallas of Texas Tech made it, while second baseman Brian Klien from Texas Tech was the only positional player in the team.

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Two sons try and go yard off Texas Legend Roger Clemens

COVID-19 has postponed baseball, leaving players to work out on their own. The Clemens family has been working out together to stay in shape.

The coronavirus has taken its toll on athletes across the country, whether their sport was in season or out of season. Baseball was just getting started, with all teams in spring training before the season getting delayed.

For former Longhorn Kacy Clemens, he was entering his fourth season in MLB’s minor league system with the Toronto Blue Jays. Spanning from low A ball to AA, the lefty is hitting a career .226 with 26 home runs and 115 RBIs.

A more recent UT grad in Kody Clemens would have been in the middle of his third professional baseball season with the Houston Astros organization. Kody has hit a career .248 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs.

Despite the shut down of baseball, Kacy and Kody have been staying in shape with the help of their 7x Cy Young-winning father, Roger Clemens.

The family even participated in the Texas virtual tailgate, with Kody and Kacy trying to hit home runs off their father.

Soon enough, both Clemens brothers will be back on the field playing for their respective minor league baseball teams. With the Blue Jays and Astros have great minor league systems, both were on the edge of making the AA squad in 2020.

Until then, Roger will be pitching to them in a virtual ballpark, hopefully not giving up too many more home runs in Fenway Park.

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Texas baseball’s weekend series against New Mexico canceled

Texas’ weekend series against New Mexico will be canceled. The Lobos were scheduled to play games in Austin on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Like many sports across the country, Texas’ weekend series against New Mexico will be canceled. The Lobos were scheduled to come to Austin and play games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The news broke when the Mountain West Conference announced they had suspended baseball season until further notice. While the Big 12 has not done the same, an announcement of similar nature is expected soon.

Up until this point of the season, the Longhorns were 14-3 and riding a four-game winning streak. Conference play was slated to begin on March 20 with Texas traveling to Oklahoma.

With many sporting events throughout the country being suspended or canceled, Texas fans can only wait until the Big 12 has made an official announcement on the status of spring sports.

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Texas Baseball: USA Today’s Coaches Poll has Longhorns ranked No 22

The USA Today/Coaches poll has been released and the Texas Longhorns are currently ranked 22nd in the nation.

The Texas Longhorns baseball team has started off hot winning 13 of their first 16 games. In the Shriners Hospital for Children College Classic, the Longhorns beat the number six ranked Arkansas Razorbacks 8-7 and dropped a game to the 11th ranked LSU Tigers 4-3. The Longhorns have also played three weekend series going a perfect 9-0.

In the latest USA Today Coaches Poll that was released on March 9th, the Longhorns came in at number 22 in the poll. They are just two points based on votes behind the number 21 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Texas finished seven points ahead of Texas A&M who comes in at 23rd. The Aggies and Longhorns will have a one-game duel in College Station on March 31st.

Big 12 Teams in the top 25:

  • Texas Tech (3)
  • Oklahoma (13)

Following the five games left on their nine-game homestead, the Longhorns will travel to Frisco, Texas for a matchup with UT-Arlington. The team then starts Big 12 play with a trip to Norman for a three-game set with Oklahoma.