Tag: zach shackelford

Steelers host former Tampa Bay Buccaneers center for tryout

The Steelers will need depth at the center position if backup J.C. Hassenauer steps in at guard on Monday versus Bengals.

Zach is back! According to the NFL transaction wire, the Pittsburgh Steelers brought center Zach Shackelford in for a Friday tryout. Shackelford had a tryout earlier this month shortly after Maurkice Pouncey was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Texas Longhorns product started 40 of 43 games at center. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL draft but released him on cut-down day.

With injuries to guards Matt Feiler (pectoral) and Kevin Dotson (shoulder), offensive line depth is thin. Backup center J.C. Hassenauer stepped in at guard during the Buffalo Bills game, and he’ll likely do the same on Monday.

If signed, Shackelford could be backing up Pouncey.

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Steelers host 3 players for tryouts, including former Penn State DE

Pittsburgh hosted three players for visits, including center and tackle positions impacted by Reserve/COVID-19 list and OLB depth.

Two days after his release from the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, former Penn State defensive end Shareef Miller found himself on the other side of Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh.

A fourth-round selection by the Eagles in 2019, Miller was active for just two games his rookie year — two snaps on special teams. He was released before the start of the 2020 season and spent some time with the Carolina Panthers before being re-signed to the Eagles practice squad.

While Miller was a defensive end for the Eagles, his 6’4, 255-lb. frame and pass rush skills project him as an outside linebacker in Pittsburgh. The team needs reinforcements after losing Bud Dupree to a torn ACL in Wednesday’s game.

As a Nittany Lion, Miller played in 40 games and recorded 100 tackles (58 solo), with 31.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two recovered fumbles.

Pittsburgh also brought in former Texas center Zach Shackelford and former Syracuse offensive tackle Cody Conway, according to the NFL transaction wire.

Conway signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans before bouncing around the league with the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. Shackelford signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL draft. He was released on cut-down day.

With the Shackelford tryout, the Steelers must anticipate that center Maurkice Pouncey will be out for some time. He was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list before kickoff on Wednesday.

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Longhorns’ Derek Kerstetter ranked the top power five pass blocker

Pro Football Focus (PFF) has ranked Derek Kerstetter as the best returning pass blocker in the power five conferences.

The Texas Longhorns will have a new man at center this season with the loss of Zach Shackelford heading to the NFL. Derek Kerstetter spent his first three seasons at right tackle. He has started 28 games and played in a total of 37. He will now move to the center for his final year on the Forty Acres. The position change couldn’t have come at a worse time due to the pandemic. He hasn’t been able to get time in with Sam Ehlinger as they work on the snap exchanges.

Recently Pro Football Focus released their pass blocking grades for returning offensive lineman with Kerstetter at the top of the list.

The Longhorns new center comes in just ahead of Penei Sewell who is viewed as the best offensive lineman in college football and a top five draft lock for the 2021 NFL Draft. Kerstetter could find his way into some NFL Draft conversations Along with Samuel Cosmi, Texas has a solid duo of lineman who could make their way to the NFL through the draft. Cosmi is viewed as a first round draft pick. They hype surrounding Kerstetter isn’t there yet but a strong season could change all of that.

The duo of Kerstetter and Cosmi give the Longhorns the only returning duo in the power five conferences with passing grades of 85 or higher. This duo should give the Longhorns offense confidence to allow Sam Ehlinger to attack defenses in the air with two guys who are the best at protecting the quarterback.

 

What would an NFL offense look like comprised of only Texas Longhorns?

The Texas Longhorns have produced a plethora of offensive talent over the years. So what would an offense of only Longhorns look like?

The Texas Longhorns have provided plenty of NFL talent over the years, but a large portion of that talent came during the Mack Brown era. It wasn’t just Brown that produced NFL talent, as the first Longhorn ever drafted dates all the way back to 1938 when Hugh Wolfe was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round.  Other big names include Bobby Layne, Tom Landry, Tommy Nobis, Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, Vince Young and many more.

Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Given the amount of Longhorns that have made the jump to the NFL and AFL, we were curious what an offense of former Texas players would look like in the NFL today. We used players from the XFL as well to fill out the starters. So let’s get started with the quarterback.

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Locked on Longhorns: NFL Draft recap

The Locked on Longhorns podcast duo of Cami and Patrick recap the NFL Draft and a look ahead to next year.

The NFL Draft recap show where Cami and Patrick discuss the NFL Draft, Recapping day two selections of Devin Duvernay and Brandon Jones. Any surprises from the day three of the draft with Collin Johnson and Malcolm Roach?

What are the team fits?

  • Devin Duvernay in Baltimore
  • Collin Johnson in Jacksonville
  • Brandon Jones in Miami

A look forward to the 2021 NFL Draft. Who has the best odds to be the number one overall pick in 2021? Final thoughts from the duo on the NFL Draft and one player to watch in 2020.

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Zach Shackelford signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Zach Shackelford has found a new home in Tampa Bay as an undrafted FA. He will now be on an offensive line trying to protect Tom Brady.

Zach Shackelford was one of the leaders for the Longhorns’ last season, pairing nicely with quarterback Sam Ehlinger. The center out of Belton, Texas went into this year’s draft hoping to be a late-round draft pick.

Instead, he has found a new home in Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent. Shackelford will now have the chance to protect one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady. Provided he works his way up the depth chart.

He joins first-round pick Tristian Wirfs out of Iowa as new members of the Buccaneers’ offensive line.

Shackelford signing with the Bucs now makes five new Longhorns in the NFL. Three were drafted, while Malcolm Roach was able to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints.

Fighting for a position to make the team, Shackelford’s experience should help him. He started in 40 of the 43 games he played in, while also earning first-team All-Big 12 honors along the way. Either at center or somewhere else on the offensive line, Shackelford should be able to help protect Tom Brady.

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Locked on Longhorns: NFL Draft edition

The Locked on Longhorns podcast discusses the events of day one of the NFL Draft and which Longhorns could go on day two.

Cami and Patrick open the show discussing the first day of the NFL Draft. How well represented was the Big 12 Conference? A first glance at how it all played out?

The Longhorns trio of draft prospects are next up for the draft. Where do they feel Devin Duvernay, Collin Johnson and Brandon Jones will end up? What are some best fits at the next level?

The duo wraps up the show with their favorite selections of the first round. Plus which Texas Longhorns could make the first day of the NFL Draft in 2021? And what is Sam Ehlinger’s draft outlook?

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2020 NFL Draft: Trio of Longhorns watch begins

The 2020 NFL Draft enters day two on Friday. Where could the trio of Longhorns eventually end up if any selected on day two?

The 2020 NFL Draft enters day two on Friday evening and this is the territory where the trio could get that long awaited phone call. On Thursday there was a run on wide receiver that saw six finding their new homes for 2020. Teams that need receiver help passed in round one setting up day two for a heavy dose of selections.

Teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles are need of a pass catcher. Despite the fact that they used their first pick on receiver, that offense needs another one. The New York Jets are another team that passed on wide receiver in round one in favor of an offensive tackle. Either Devin Duvernay or Collin Johnson would make a ton of sense for that team.

Other teams in need of a wide receiver:

  • Chicago Bears
  • Indianapolis Colts
  •  Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Arizona Cardinals
  • New York Giants
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • New England Patriots
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Baltimore Ravens

In one of the bigger shocks of the first round was no safety being selected in the first 32 picks. This could have the reverse impact that the wide receivers did, pushing a player like Brandon Jones further back in the draft. On the flip side, that could create a run on safety in rounds two and three where some have Jones projected to be selected.

Teams in need of a safety:

  • Chicago Bears
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Miami Dolphins
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • New York Giants
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Las Vegas Raiders

Texas Longhorns first round picks since 1999

Take a journey back to every Texas Longhorn to be drafted in the first round since 1999.

The 2020 NFL Draft is just hours away from officially kicking off. There are a few ways that you can tune into the festivities on Thursday Night. Despite the fact that the Texas Longhorns don’t have a first round caliber player according to almost every major draft analysts board, we take a journey back to every first round selection since 1999. The Longhorns could have a first round pick next year if Samuel Cosmi decides to declare or another name jumps to the front.

1999

Ricky Williams: 5th overall to the New Orleans Saints

Brian Bahr /Allsport

In 1999 the New Orleans Saints and head coach Mike Ditka gave up their entire draft just to secure the rights for Ricky Williams. Williams went on to play for the Saints until 2001 when he had a career year for the Miami Dolphins in 2002. He earned his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors that season with 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Williams played for one other team before hanging up the cleats, the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. He finished his 11-year career with 10,009 yards rushing and 66 touchdowns. Adding another eight receiving. His career was never the same after retiring in 2004 and returning to the NFL in 2005.

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How to watch, listen, or stream 2020 NFL Draft

Everything you need to know to tune into this year’s virtual event of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The 2020 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25. Although it will not be held live in Las Vegas due to COVID-19 concerns, the virtual draft will present the first round on Thursday night, rounds two and three will air on Friday night before concluding on Saturday afternoon.

Safety Brandon Jones and wide receivers Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson are Texas’ top draft prospects, while defensive lineman Malcolm Roach and offensive lineman Zach Shackelford have the potential to be selected in the later rounds.

Here is everything you need to know to tune in for this year’s virtual event and witness childhood dreams become a reality.

DATE: Thursday, April 23
TIME: 7 p.m. CST
LOCATION: Virtual
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes
LIVE STREAM: fuboTV
RADIO COVERAGE: SiriusXM, Westwood One, ESPN Radio