2023 Longhorns Football Offseason News and Notes

[YGIFS 19458]

14 minutes ago, TornACL said:

Who the fuck is Long Island? Baylor is such a pack of cowards.

Yeah, that is low even for Baylor.  They were Div. II until 2019, and are now FCS.  But they're crap even by FCS standards.  They play in a 6,000 capacity stadium.  Not average 6,000 fans per game, but the whole thing gets shut down by the fire marshall at 6,000.

In terms of opponents and road/home...I think we fared okay, maybe even a click better than we anticipated.  Was looking at some of the games our bigger opponents have leading up to ours, some random observations:

BYU gets a rough start in the new league.  In a four week stretch, they'll go @TCU, TX Tech, @Texas, and @WVU.  That's a lot of timezones.  

UH fared well at least leading up to us with Bye Week, WVU-Thursday, then host Texas.  Meaning in the almost 21 days leading up our game there, they'll play 1 game and never leave their campus with an extra 2 days to prepare for us.

ISU plays Kansas and @BYU leading up to our visit to Ames.  Meh. 

KSU has a bit of a stretch before coming down here-@OK-STATE, @TX Tech, TCU, Houston, and then to Austin

OKL is also meh-@Cinncinnati, Iowa State, then Dallas.

TCU has a nice path before they host us-Bye Week, @Tech-Thursday night, and then host the Horns.  so in nearly 21 days, they will have to travel 300 days but a pretty nice setup for them all things considered.  

Edited February 1, 2023 by YGIFS

[Elmer_Fudd 22994]

3 hours ago, lemonandaturd said:

Are they rolling with Lucas Coley at QB?  

The Tech QB that beat us transferred to UH.

[TheMailBox357 213]

Nahlin reported this week that Mo Blackwell is up to 210 LBs now. Seeing that DMO just weighed in at 220 LBs at the Senior Bowl while being 6'4 while Blackwell is 6'1 seems like good news as Blackwell reaching 220 LBs (or starting LB playing weight) seems attainable this offseason. 

Definitely can see Blackwell starting at 1 of the LB spots, but Nahlin says Blackwell is more likely to be the guy at Sam LB (DTD's spot last season) instead of Will LB (Overshown's spot last season). Also surprising to see that Blackwell is gonna be a true Junior this upcoming season. I didn't realize that his redshirt was burned a couple seasons ago.

Edited February 1, 2023 by TheMailBox357

[Post Oak 20568]

I hope it works out for Mo.  

 

[NoName 17148]

  

Athletic: Texas roster construction: How Steve Sarkisian made the Longhorns his own

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Of the 84 scholarship players on the roster for the 2020 Alamo Bowl — the final contest of the Herman era, just four days before Sarkisian’s hiring — only 13 remain. Of the 71 who have departed the program since, 30 have graduated, exhausted their eligibility and/or entered the NFL Draft, 37 have transferred and four retired, three for medical reasons.

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Of the 92 scholarship players who have signed with or entered the program under Sarkisian since January 2021, 74 are high school signees (18 of whom were signed in December 2020 by Herman but enrolled at Texas following Sarkisian’s arrival).

In the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes, Sarkisian inked 52 high school recruits, 39 of whom ranked as four- or five-star prospects, according to the 247Sports Composite. The entire 2022 class remains on the roster.

Residing in a recruiting hotbed, Texas’ approach is logical. Texans account for 65 percent of the Longhorns’ high school signees in the 2022 and 2023 classes — 34 of the 52.

“Just to take a transfer portal guy to fill a number … we don’t do that,” Sarkisian said in July. “I don’t want that. ‘Hey, we need a lineman, let’s take a transfer portal lineman.’

“Well, if he can’t play at whatever state university, why all of a sudden is he going to be a good player for us? … I’d rather take more of a quality high school kid that I know we can develop, and maybe he’s not going to have the immediate impact … but over time, we’re going to have a better player on our roster.”

 

 

text:

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Texas roster construction: How Steve Sarkisian made the Longhorns his own

By Sam Khan Jr.

4h ago

4

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When Steve Sarkisian took the Texas job just more than two years ago, it wasn’t viewed as a massive rebuild.

The Longhorns had a winning record in 2020 and went 32-18 in the four seasons under Tom Herman. Even Sarkisian, the day he was hired, lauded the roster he inherited.

“There’s championship talent on this team,” Sarkisian said on Jan. 2, 2021. “Clearly, there’s work to be done, or a change wouldn’t be made.”

His first season, a 5-7 disaster, revealed more work than perhaps he even realized. Since taking over 25 months ago and amid an 8-5 second season, Sarkisian has spent considerable effort remaking the Longhorns in his vision, with roster management a key piece. As Texas enters 2023, perhaps its final Big 12 season before a looming move to the SEC, the Longhorns look drastically different from the team he took over.

Of the 84 scholarship players on the roster for the 2020 Alamo Bowl — the final contest of the Herman era, just four days before Sarkisian’s hiring — only 13 remain. Of the 71 who have departed the program since, 30 have graduated, exhausted their eligibility and/or entered the NFL Draft, 37 have transferred and four retired, three for medical reasons.

 

With the transfer portal and one-time transfer rule that allows for immediate eligibility, coaches can flip rosters much faster than their predecessors a generation ago or integrate high-impact players more quickly. Last year, the Longhorns signed quarterback Quinn Ewers from Ohio State to pair with a fifth-ranked recruiting class; this year they added former Georgia receiver Adonai Mitchell to complement a high school haul that ranks third, headlined by No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning.

As Sarkisian enters Year 3, The Athletic’s analysis of Texas’ roster construction shows a focus on high school recruiting, strategic use of the portal and an emphasis on offensive and defensive linemen.

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While the Longhorns have utilized the portal in the Sarkisian era, they haven’t lived in it as much as some programs. Sarkisian focused on taking portal players at need positions to fill gaps while largely relying on high school recruiting otherwise.

Of the 92 scholarship players who have signed with or entered the program under Sarkisian since January 2021, 74 are high school signees (18 of whom were signed in December 2020 by Herman but enrolled at Texas following Sarkisian’s arrival).

In the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes, Sarkisian inked 52 high school recruits, 39 of whom ranked as four- or five-star prospects, according to the 247Sports Composite. The entire 2022 class remains on the roster.

Residing in a recruiting hotbed, Texas’ approach is logical. Texans account for 65 percent of the Longhorns’ high school signees in the 2022 and 2023 classes — 34 of the 52.

“Just to take a transfer portal guy to fill a number … we don’t do that,” Sarkisian said in July. “I don’t want that. ‘Hey, we need a lineman, let’s take a transfer portal lineman.’

“Well, if he can’t play at whatever state university, why all of a sudden is he going to be a good player for us? … I’d rather take more of a quality high school kid that I know we can develop, and maybe he’s not going to have the immediate impact … but over time, we’re going to have a better player on our roster.”

Texas still searches the country for talent. Beyond their home state, the Longhorns have signed players from Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, Utah and Washington.

High school signees	22	28	24
Transfers	6	7	4

 

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Transfers have been valuable to Texas, though, with Sarkisian signing 17 players via the portal. The additions have trended toward a particular position focus or a high-level player. In his first offseason, five of the six portal additions came on defense, including four linebackers (Ben Davis, Ovie Oghoufo, Devin Richardson and Ray Thornton) to address depth issues.

In Sarkisian’s second offseason, Ewers — who won the starting job in 2022 — headlined the haul. But the Longhorns also needed receivers, so they added three: Isaiah Neyor (Wyoming); Agiye Hall (Alabama) and Tarique Milton (Iowa State) among their seven additions.

During the most recent portal window, Texas added four: Mitchell, Wake Forest cornerback Gavin Holmes, Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon and Stanford punter Ryan Sanborn. Mitchell adds a high-level talent to strengthen Texas at receiver, Catalon is a former first-team All-SEC pick who battled injuries the past two years and Holmes and Sanborn provide valuable experience where Texas needs it.

In Sarkisian’s three offseasons, Texas has taken its portal players mostly from three positions: linebackers (five), receivers (four) and defensive backs (four).

Early in 2022, Sarkisian added Bobby Merritt, a former NFL, CFL and SEC scout, to evaluate talent in the portal and how it fits the Longhorns’ needs. Ultimately, the decision on whether to pursue a player rests with Sarkisian.

“We’re really trying to build a program that can sustain long term, but yet we do have some short-term needs,” Sarkisian said in May. “Not every player that goes in the portal — although they may be good players — are fits for the University of Texas.”

Of the 17 transfers, six had only one year of eligibility upon arrival: Davis, Thornton, Milton, cornerback Darion Dunn (who Herman signed in December 2020), linebacker Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey and Sanborn, who punted for Stanford for four years before committing to Texas this winter.

Four transfers — Oghoufo, Richardson, Hall and tight end Jahleel Billingsley — departed Texas with eligibility still left.

The portal has been valuable in plugging gaps left by past attrition. Texas’ 2019 class — which would have been juniors and redshirt sophomores in 2021; seniors and redshirt juniors in 2022 — proved disastrous. Of the 26 members of that class, which ranked third at the time of signing, only six either finished their careers at Texas or are still on the roster. Sixteen of those 26 signees transferred and four medically retired.

Sarkisian-era portal additions

LB Ben Davis (Alabama)	TE Jahleel Billingsley (Alabama)	DB Jalen Catalon (Arkansas)
DB Darion Dunn (McNeese State)	QB Quinn Ewers (Ohio State)	DB Gavin Holmes (Wake Forest)
LB Ovie Oghoufo (Notre Dame)	WR Agiye Hall (Alabama)	WR Adonai Mitchell (Georgia)
LB Devin Richardson (New Mexico State)	WR Tarique Milton (Iowa State)	P Ryan Sanborn (Stanford)
RB Keilan Robinson (Alabama)	WR Isaiah Neyor (Wyoming)
LB Ray Thornton (LSU)	LB Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey (James Madison)
	DB Ryan Watts (Ohio State)

 

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Before his first Texas game against an SEC opponent, Sarkisian flatly explained what the Longhorns were up against.

“There’s a lot of big human beings in the SEC,” said Sarkisian, who spent three seasons on Alabama’s offensive staff, on Sept. 9, 2021. “It’s a big man’s league. … When you cross over to play them, you have to be ready to play that style of football or you get your ass knocked off.”

Those words proved prophetic, as Arkansas hammered Texas 40-21 two days later. It revealed glaring issues within the Longhorns’ roster that resurfaced throughout Sarkisian’s debut season.

The ensuing recruiting class heavily addressed the issue with Sarkisian signing 15 “big humans,” as Sarkisian calls them, along the line of scrimmage: seven offensive linemen and eight defensive linemen or edge rushers. The 2023 class added nine more in the trenches: five offensive linemen and four defensive linemen or edge rushers, giving Texas 24 offensive and defensive linemen in the past two classes. Of those 24 linemen, 17 have come from Texas high schools, and the other seven from out-of-state.

Offensive line play was one of the biggest sore spots in Texas’ disastrous 2021 season, but the unit improved significantly as it injected younger talent. Two of the 2022 signees, former five-star tackle Kelvin Banks and former three-star Cole Hutson, both started every game as true freshmen last season. Hayden Conner, a December 2020 signee was the third new face up front and also started every game. Center Jake Majors and right tackle Christian Jones were the two returning starters from the 2021 O-line. All five 2022 starters are slated to return for 2023.

A year after the loss at Arkansas, the Longhorns fared much better up front in its 20-19 loss to Alabama. They played fast and physical, and despite the youth on the offensive line, held their own.

With the SEC in the offing, Texas has focused on the line of scrimmage the past two recruiting classes like its success in its future league is dependent on the size, talent and depth on the lines.

Sarkisian-era offensive line signees

2022	Devon Campbell	10
2022	Kelvin Banks	33
2022	Neto Umeozulu	91
2022	Malik Agbo	269
2022	Cole Hutson	362
2022	Cameron Williams	407
2022	Connor Robertson	600
2023	Jaydon Chatman	192
2023	Trevor Goosby	404
2023	Payton Kirkland	524
2023	Connor Stroh	607
2023	Andre Cojoe	815

 

Sarkisian-era defensive line signees

2022	J’mond Tapp	107
2022	Justice Finkley	116
2022	Jaray Bledsoe	174
2022	Kristopher Ross	250
2022	Derrick Brown	335
2022	Zac Swanson	374
2022	Ethan Burke	379
2022	Aaron Bryant	391
2023	Colton Vasek	107
2023	Derion Gullette	121
2023	Sydir Mitchell	203
2023	Billy Walton	501

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Unsurprisingly, the 2021 signing class endured notable attrition since Sarkisian took over. Typically, classes signed during a head coaching transition see defections, because players might not fit in the new schemes or the new coaching staff may evaluate those players differently than the previous one.

Of the 22 recruits signed in that class (18 signed by Herman, four by Sarkisian), nine are no longer with the program. Six of those nine were signed by Herman, the other three by Sarkisian.

2021 signees no longer on roster

DB	JD Coffey III	Herman
DB	Ishmael Ibraheem	Sarkisian
DB	Jamier Johnson	Herman
DL	Jordon Thomas	Herman
DL	David Abiara	Sarkisian
DL	DJ Harris Jr.	Herman
LB	Terrence Cooks II	Herman
WR	Keithron Lee	Sarkisian
P	Isaac Pearson	Herman

 

But some of those 2021 recruits have become valuable contributors. Ja’Tavion Sanders, the former five-star recruit, is a budding star tight end, finishing second on the team with 54 receptions in 2022. Barryn Sorrell emerged as an effective edge rusher, compiling nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last season.

Conner started all 13 games at left guard in 2022. Running back Jonathon Brooks is set to take on a larger role with Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson moving on. Several other 2021 recruits have been rotational players who should see their roles grow in 2023.

And of the 13 from the 2020 roster who still remain, most played a role in Texas’ 2022 turnaround. Linebacker Jaylan Ford was a contender for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Majors and Jones started all year on the offensive line and Jordan Whittington had his most productive and healthiest year to date.

Scholarship players remaining from 2020

2018	Christian Jones	OL
2019	Jett Bush	LB
2019	David Gbenda	LB
2019	T’Vondre Sweat	DL
2019	Jordan Whittington	WR
2020	Jahdae Barron	DB
2020	Vernon Broughton	DL
2020	Alfred Collins	DL
2020	Kitan Crawford	DB
2020	Jaylan Ford	LB
2020	Sawyer Goram-Welch	OL
2020	Jake Majors	OL
2020	Jerrin Thompson	DB

There’s still work to be done before Texas kicks off its 2023 season versus Rice on Sept. 2. The second signing period begins Wednesday, with the Longhorns possibly adding another 2023 player or two, and Sarkisian and his staff can address any lingering needs through the transfer portal.

But as it sits, Texas’ roster is in good shape, certainly good enough to compete for a Big 12 championship. The Longhorns, who last won the league in 2009, would love to take the next step and take the crown as their exit for the SEC nears.

 

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

Texas Longhorns 2023 Big 12 schedule: A game-by-game look at conference play with schedule revealed

ByJEFF HOWE        71 minutes ago

It hasn’t been officially announced that the 2023 football season will be the last for Texas as a member of the Big 12 Conference, but the league’s long-awaited schedule revealed Tuesday is widely expected to be the final time the Longhorns and those who follow the program will be waiting on the conference office to finalize and put out a slate before Texas and Oklahoma move to the SEC. Along with hosting Rice and Wyoming and traveling to Alabama in non-conference play, the Longhorns will tangle with the Sooners in their annual grudge match at the Cotton Bowl in one of their nine Big 12 games.

The Big 12 schedule brings into focus the reality that 2023 could be the final year for Texas to visit Baylor and TCU in addition to hosting Texas Tech. Conference newcomer Houston will host Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns in the first meeting between the two programs as league foes since 1995, the final season of play for the Southwest Conference before it dissolved in 1996.

Texas only has to make one out-of-state trip in Big 12 play in what figures to be the program’s last trip to Iowa State for the foreseeable future. The same can be said for Kansas and Kansas State, who will visit Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for one of four conference home games the Longhorns will play in Sarkisian’s third season on the job.

With BYU coming to Austin to round out the schedule, the Longhorns have in all likelihood played their final games against Oklahoma State and West Virginia for a while. Texas has a 26-11 lead in the all-time series with the Cowboys, but Mike Gundy has led his alma mater to wins in 11 of their last 13 meetings with the Longhorns; last season’s 38-20 victory over the Mountaineers allowed Texas to even the all-time series, 6-6, although West Virginia has won six of the 11 meetings in the series as a member of the Big 12.

Texas is likely to exit the conference without facing Cincinnati or UCF with the Bearcats and Knights off of the Longhorns’ schedule in their respective debut campaigns in the league. As for who Sarkisian’s squad will face, Horns247 takes a game-by-game look at perhaps the final nine-game Big 12 slate Texas will ever have to navigate.

AT BAYLOR    Sept. 23  McLane Stadium

Last meeting: Texas 38, Baylor 27 (Nov. 25, 2022, in Austin)

Series record: Texas leads 80-28-4 (31-18-2 in Waco)

What to know: We’re pretty much at the end of the line when it comes to the recruits and players Dave Aranda inherited from Matt Rhule. The combination of Aranda and Co. developing the remaining roster holdovers from the Rhule regime and hiring Jeff Grimes away from BYU to run an offense based on a wide zone running scheme was a championship formula for the Bears in 2021.

The winner of a potential quarterback battle between the returning Blake Shapen and Mississippi State transfer Sawyer Robertson has to give Grimes and Co. more consistent play behind center than what Baylor got in 2022 to take advantage of a formidable group of skill players. The loss to Texas was one of four in a row suffered en route to a disappointing 6-7 season and with Aranda making a defensive coordinator change (Ron Roberts out, Matt Powledge in) and in charge of developing his own recruits and transfers, the conference opener is huge if Aranda wants the arrow pointing up when the curtain falls on his fourth season in Waco.

KANSAS   Sept. 30     DKR Memorial Stadium

Last meeting: Texas 55, Kansas 14 (Nov. 19, 2022, in Lawrence)

Series record: Texas leads 17-4 (9-1 in Austin)

What to know: Hosting an Illinois club coming off of an 8-5 season and BYU before coming to Austin should paint a fairly accurate picture of whether or not Lance Leipold has the Jayhawks trending upward after snapping the program’s 12-season bowl drought in 2022. The Longhorns handed Kansas its largest margin of defeat in a memorable campaign with the Jayhawks unable to stop Bijan Robinson or any other Texas ball carrier (427 yards and 7.5 yards per attempt) in the first game back from a shoulder injury for quarterback Jalon Daniels.

A healthy Daniels and the dynamic play-calling of Andy Kotelnicki have a chance to once again make Kansas one of the top offenses in the country (No. 6 nationally last season by averaging 6.98 yards per play). While the Jayhawks can score, their ability to keep opponents out of the end zone (No. 124 nationally with 35.5 points per game allowed) and from running roughshod over their defense (last in the Big 12 with an average of 6.15 yards per play allowed) will be the most significant factor in determining the viability of Kansas as a team capable of getting back to a bowl game and perhaps more.

OKLAHOMA       Oct. 7    Cotton Bowl

Last meeting: Texas 49, Oklahoma 0 

Series record: Texas leads 63-50-5

What to know: The historic shutout of the Sooners is arguably the highlight of Sarkisian’s 25-game tenure. Sarkisian made bringing the Golden Hat back to the Forty Acres an offseason priority and the Longhorns got the job done by suffocating Oklahoma in a forgettable Red River Showdown debut for Brent Venables as head coach.

A healthy Dillon Gabriel took the Sooners’ offense from barely functional to an attack capable of keeping them in games last season. Oklahoma has a favorable schedule before heading to Dallas with no Power Five opponent in non-conference play (the Sooners had to scramble to add SMU when a previously-scheduled game with Georgia was taken off of the books ahead of their conference switch) and conference-opening tilts at Cincinnati and against Iowa State in Norman.

With that said, the defense’s ability to better master Venables’ complex scheme has to be better if Oklahoma is going to rebound from the program’s first losing season since 1998.

AT HOUSTON    Oct. 21   TDECU Stadium

Last meeting: Texas 41, Houston 11 (Sept. 21, 2002, in Austin)

Series record: Texas leads, 16-7-2 (7-3-1 in Houston)

What to know: The primary source of good vibes for Longhorn fans regarding their team facing the Cougars on the road for the first time since 2001 should center around TDECU Stadium being a much better football venue than Robertson Stadium, which was demolished to make room for Houston’s new digs ahead of the 2014 season. As for what kind of team Dana Holgorsen is going to put on the field, Texas is going up against a club that finished 8-5 with an Independence Bowl victory on the heels of a 12-win season in 2021.

The most intriguing addition to Holgorsen’s roster is former Texas Tech quarterback Donovan Smith. Smith threw for 331 yards, ran for 42 more and accounted for three touchdowns in the Red Raiders’ overtime upset of the Longhorns in Lubbock last season, a game where Smith played a significant role in Texas Tech’s 6-for-8 success on fourth down with his ability to move the pile in short-yardage situations.

If Smith is behind center for the Cougars, he’ll give Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense a chance to make right arguably the unit’s most notable wrong in an otherwise outstanding season on that side of the ball.

BYU    Oct. 28  DKR Texas Memorial Stadium

Last meeting: BYU 41, Texas 6 (Sept. 6, 2014, in Austin)

Series record: BYU leads 4-1 (2-1 in Austin)

What to know: The good news is the Longhorns will avoid a trip to Provo 10 years removed from what many program observers consider the worst single-game defensive performance in school history when Texas allowed 550 rushing yards and 679 total yards to Taysom Hill and the Cougars. The bad news is head coach Kalani Sitake has led BYU to 29 wins over the last three seasons, including two over 2023 Big 12 members, and the Cougars are always a handful from a physicality standpoint.

Once viewed as a potential first-round NFL draft choice, former USC and Pittsburgh quarterback Kedon Slovis landed in Provo out of the NCAA transfer portal to lead the BYU offense. The Longhorns get a bye between the Oklahoma and Houston games, which should help when it comes to recovery and the physical preparation needed to battle the Cougars for four quarters.

As is usually the case, the number of newcomers returning to football from LDS missions makes analyzing the BYU roster a bit of a fool’s errand. At the very least, Sarkisian’s understanding of what his alma mater is all about should result in a crystal-clear message to the Longhorns about taking the Cougars seriously, no matter their record.

K-STATE  Nov. 4  DKR Texas Memorial Stadium

Last meeting: Texas 34, K-State 27 (Nov. 5, 2022, in Manhattan)

Series record: Texas leads 13-10 (9-3 in Austin)

What to know: Would the Wildcats have defeated the Longhorns in 2022 if Will Howard had been under center rather than Adrian Martinez? The K-State faithful are going to ponder that hypothetical question over the coming months and beyond, but the job offensive coordinator Collin Klein did to elevate the passing game with Howard pulling the trigger gives the Wildcats more than a puncher’s chance of putting a formidable offense on the field without Deuce Vaughn.

While conference membership has taken turns stacking wins at Texas’ expense since 2010, the same can’t be said for K-State under head coach Chris Klieman. Although three of Klieman’s four games against the Longhorns have been decided by a touchdown or less, the fact that he’s yet to beat Texas gives the reigning Big 12 champions a lot to play with the Longhorns coming off of the schedule until further notice once the SEC transition is complete.

AT TCU  Nov. 11  Amon G. Carter Stadium

Last meeting: TCU 17, Texas 10 (Nov. 12, 2022, in Austin)

Series record: Texas leads 64-21-7 (28-12 in Fort Worth)

What to know: In eight of the 11 meetings between the Longhorns and Horned Frogs since TCU joined the Big 12 in 2012, Texas has come out on the short end against a program head coach Sonny Dykes led to the College Football Playoff in his first season on the job. Sarkisian won his first trip to Fort Worth in 2021 by defeating his current special assistant, Gary Patterson, and the Longhorns would surely love to make it two road wins in a row over TCU and end an unsavory chapter in a series that dates back to 1897 on a high note.

Max Duggan, Kendre Miller and Quentin Johnston are all gone, meaning new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and quarterback Chandler Morris won’t have the same cast of characters around them that Garrett Riley and Duggan had in 2022. Even without Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson in the secondary, the Horned Frogs might be best served by leaning on coordinator Joe Gillespie's 3-3-5 defense with All-Big 12 cornerback Josh Newton returning and reigning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Johnny Hodges back in the fold at linebacker, especially early on while the offense is getting established.

AT IOWA STATE  Nov. 18 Jack Trice Stadium

Last meeting: Texas 24, Iowa State 21 (Oct. 15, 2022, in Austin)

Series record: Texas leads 15-5 (6-3 in Ames)

What to know: The Longhorns have won seven of their nine Big 12 meetings with the Cyclones in Austin, many of those coming by decisive margins. Jack Trice Stadium, however, has been a house of horrors for Texas of late with losses in three of the program’s last four trips to Ames under three different head coaches, including a humbling 30-7 loss in 2021, which would’ve been the rock-bottom moment of Sarkisian’s debut if not for the following week's home loss to Kansas.

Following a 4-8 campaign in which the offense failed to muster enough points to help the Cyclones avoid losing six conference games by a touchdown or less, head coach Matt Campbell elevated Nathan Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator. One of the top recruiters in the Big 12 has an experienced quarterback to work with in Hunter Dekkers and it won’t take much for the offense to buoy a stout Iowa State defense with Jon Heacock's group annually ranking among the best in the country, no matter who's filling the 11 spots in his three-safety scheme.

TEXAS TECH  Nov. 24 (Friday)  DKR Texas Memorial Stadium

Last meeting: Texas Tech 37, Texas 34 (OT) (Sept. 24, 2022, in Lubbock)

Series record: Texas leads 54-18 (32-7 in Austin)

What to know: When you lose five games in a season by seven points or less, it’s tough to point to one as the hardest to swallow. Nevertheless, allowing the Red Raiders to rally from a 17-point deficit in the second half before claiming a walk-off win in overtime might be the one the Longhorns would like to have back if they could.

Along with potentially being the final Big 12 regular-season game for Texas, the days leading up to the Black Friday affair should feature plenty of banter revolving around what happened last September. Whether it’s head coach Joey McGuire’s postgame comments about the Longhorns breaking and the Big 12 running through Lubbock or the wild scene that played out at Jones AT&T Stadium with Longhorn players caught in the middle of fans storming the field, expect there to be plenty of juice flowing through DKR for a battle in which Texas would love for there to be a lot on the line with the Big 12 title game taking place in Arlington the following week.

[Had Enough 2120]

Nahlin reported this week that Mo Blackwell is up to 210 LBs now. Seeing that DMO just weighed in at 220 LBs at the Senior Bowl while being 6'4 while Blackwell is 6'1 seems like good news as Blackwell reaching 220 LBs (or starting LB playing weight) seems attainable this offseason. 
Definitely can see Blackwell starting at 1 of the LB spots, but Nahlin says Blackwell is more likely to be the guy at Sam LB (DTD's spot last season) instead of Will LB (Overshown's spot last season). Also surprising to see that Blackwell is gonna be a true Junior this upcoming season. I didn't realize that his redshirt was burned a couple seasons ago.

Does the terminology even mean shit when talking about the LBs? We were most often in Nickel so two LBs. Always saw Ford listed as MLB. He lined up in the slot quite a bit too with DMO inside. Both lined up between the tackles on the same play often when the offensive formation dictated. DTD often took over for DMO, including the bowl game. So we’re saying one is Will and one is a Sam, which would seem to indicate different roles? I didn’t think we went 3 LBs very often and Blackwell was sort of a hybrid at times.

Also remember talk of how DMO was at 230 last year so BS maybe. Whether Blackwell is 200 or 215, his game will be speed/quickness. At 215, the Oline still is kicking his ass if they get to him. The key to our LBs is keeping them clean. Do as we did last year, and he’ll be fine. Blackwell will stick his nose in there so he just needs to keep maturing physically no matter his weight. I’d think the goal is to keep him in space anyway.

[LTtxfan 50005]

 

[Hookem2147 22033]

Kansas State-@TCU-@Iowa State-Texas Tech is probably the 'toughest' stretch on the schedule and it's to end the season. 

We'll see. If you bake in a loss to Bama (which you shouldn't, but it will likely be the only game we won't be favored in), 10-2 means you go 8-1 in conference play. 9-3 means 7-2 in conference play and you are still likely in the title game. Not sure what combo is most likely to get us there, but between the regular season, Big 12 title game and bowl game, there needs to be a 10 or better in the win column at the end of the year.

Edited February 1, 2023 by Hookem2147

[Saint Tacky 1647]

I'm SO looking forward to putting my Tech ticket* in a frame next to the one from the last SWC game.

*or Big12 title game ticket.

Edited February 1, 2023 by Saint Tacky

[LTtxfan 50005]

From article below:  "It sounds like an opportunity for more focus from the coaching staff at running back surfaced for Baxter in the early stages of winter workouts given some other injuries at the position. Redshirt sophomore running back Jonathon Brooks is working his way back from hernia surgery and sophomore Jaydon Blue recently battled a shoulder injury."

 

Thanks for finding this goes to @Sabalo

[LTtxfan 50005]

Hope FOX/ESPN find a way to work this out...

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

[Mother mopar 3386]

Hope FOX/ESPN find a way to work this out...
 

This is discussed at length in the realignment thread.

[LTtxfan 50005]

 

[TheMailBox357 213]

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

On 2/4/2023 at 5:07 PM, LTtxfan said:

 

Another one...

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

He's in... We got another one 🤘

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

[Hookem2147 22033]

FCB on Chris Jackson

— I asked a few team sources for some initial impressions of new receivers coach Chris Jackson.

“Groundedness, balance and calm confidence,” said one team source. “The players are gravitating to him.”

Steve Sarkisian told folks in his inner circle he wanted to hire a receivers coach who is a technician who can develop high-end talent and hold the position room accountable.

Jackson, a college teammate Texas tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Jeff Banks at Washington State and a legend catching passes in the Arena Football League, was the receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 under first-year coach Doug Pederson.

The Jaguars’ receiver room went from one of the least productive in the NFL in 2021 (Marvin Jones Jr, 73 catches 832 yards, 4 TDs; Laviska Shenault, 63 rec., 619 yards, 0 TDs; Laquon Treadwell, 33 rec., 434 yards, 1 TD) to one of the more productive rooms on a playoff team in 2022 (Christian Kirk, 84 rec., 1,108 yards, 8 TDs; Zay Jones, 82 rec., 823 yards, 5 TDs; Marvin Jones Jr., 46 rec., 529 yards, 3 TDs).

A source close to Zay Jones, an Austin High product, told Horns247 Jackson is "direct and transparent and knows what he's doing. A rising star."

The veteran in the Texas receivers room is senior Jordan Whittington, and Whittington was the first to gravitate to Jackson, and the rest of the room has followed, I’m told.

Jackson has all kinds of talent to work with in a room with Whittington, Xavier Worthy, Isaiah Neyor, Georgia transfer AD Mitchell, Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore, Casey Cain, Brenen Thompson, Savion Red and Ryan Niblett.

The development and production of the Longhorns’ receiver room will be one of the top storylines for Texas in 2023 because of all the talent (and speed) in that room and because of Steve Sarkisian’s desire to back up opposing safeties by throwing the ball downfield.

[Hornbeliever 740]

36 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

FCB on Chris Jackson

— I asked a few team sources for some initial impressions of new receivers coach Chris Jackson.

“Groundedness, balance and calm confidence,” said one team source. “The players are gravitating to him.”

Steve Sarkisian told folks in his inner circle he wanted to hire a receivers coach who is a technician who can develop high-end talent and hold the position room accountable.

Jackson, a college teammate Texas tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Jeff Banks at Washington State and a legend catching passes in the Arena Football League, was the receivers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 under first-year coach Doug Pederson.

The Jaguars’ receiver room went from one of the least productive in the NFL in 2021 (Marvin Jones Jr, 73 catches 832 yards, 4 TDs; Laviska Shenault, 63 rec., 619 yards, 0 TDs; Laquon Treadwell, 33 rec., 434 yards, 1 TD) to one of the more productive rooms on a playoff team in 2022 (Christian Kirk, 84 rec., 1,108 yards, 8 TDs; Zay Jones, 82 rec., 823 yards, 5 TDs; Marvin Jones Jr., 46 rec., 529 yards, 3 TDs).

A source close to Zay Jones, an Austin High product, told Horns247 Jackson is "direct and transparent and knows what he's doing. A rising star."

The veteran in the Texas receivers room is senior Jordan Whittington, and Whittington was the first to gravitate to Jackson, and the rest of the room has followed, I’m told.

Jackson has all kinds of talent to work with in a room with Whittington, Xavier Worthy, Isaiah Neyor, Georgia transfer AD Mitchell, Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore, Casey Cain, Brenen Thompson, Savion Red and Ryan Niblett.

The development and production of the Longhorns’ receiver room will be one of the top storylines for Texas in 2023 because of all the talent (and speed) in that room and because of Steve Sarkisian’s desire to back up opposing safeties by throwing the ball downfield.

Chat GPT, please write a $9.95 article that I will still annoyingly enjoy.  Optimistic tone and add "I'm told"

[NoName 17148]

29 minutes ago, Hornbeliever said:

Chat GPT, please write a $9.95 article that I will still annoyingly enjoy.  Optimistic tone and add "I'm told"

someone should start running 9.95ers articles through those "was this written by an API" filter.

[TheMailBox357 213]

Anybody got these new Nahlin offseason notes?: https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/news/texas-team-quick-hitters-to-satiate-offseason-thirst/

 

@OB3 @Wizlon

[OB3 3636]

4 hours ago, TheMailBox357 said:

Anybody got these new Nahlin offseason notes?: https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/news/texas-team-quick-hitters-to-satiate-offseason-thirst/

 

@OB3 @Wizlon

Spoiler

This time of year the information spigot is a slow drip, like when you don’t want your pipes to freeze. I know, too soon for those of you in Austin, Dallas, East Texas, and points in between. Hopefully you made it out okay.

Fortunately, the flow will start picking up as things thaw and the players progress into spring ball. 

Here are some quick hitters to satiate that winter offseason thirst.
 

***As you know, this time of year the players are divided into 8 teams for a player driven competition designed to cultivate leaders, reinforce culture in the older players, and instill it in the new ones. The competition has little to do with football ability or athletic excellence. Punctuality, nutrition, academics, etc. are all part of the point system. In other words, the things the players are directly in control of themselves. This program seemed to work wonders last year.

One team is partially led by quarterback Quinn Ewers and that team is currently in first place. I say partially led because each team has two leaders and we’re not sure who the other one is.

***Sophomore defensive back Jaylon Guilbeau‘s health for spring remains uncertain. What we know is, he’s not a full participant in running and lifting sessions. That would indicate he’s at least questionable for spring ball. 

It’s sort of an odd situation. IT originally heard his injury was a meniscus. We knew he’d miss the rest of the regular season but didn’t think it would affect spring. We’ll keep digging on this. 

If he’s out, there are a couple of courses of action for the staff with one seemingly making more sense than the other. With the competition at corner, Texas could cross train sophomore Austin Jordan at the position. If they feel that would be a disservice to his development, they may not do that, though Star and corner are pretty similar. They could also return Michael Taaffe to the position. Now, that certainly doesn’t fit with their usage of the position, but Taaffe has experience there and already knows boundary safety. Texas needs to get Jalen Catalon up to speed on the playbook while also continuing to develop Kitan Crawford, B.J. Allen,Larry Turner-Gooden, and anyone else I might be forgetting.

***Gary Patterson is still part of the Texas program. This may be a dumb non-story and he intends on being at Texas for another year, but we have yet to confirm either way and we’ve received info that points to both outcomes.

***On new arrivals, we’ve heard AD Mitchell looks like a player in drills, which is no surprise since he is a player on the field. We continue to hear positives about Johntay Cook and Malik Muhammad. You know how as a senior in high school you could pick out the freshman who would run the halls one day? That’s Cook and Muhammad.

 

[Buzzrock 15136]

T-Chizzle is the fucking man

[Hookem2147 22033]

Savion Red moved to RB, per IT

[LTtxfan 50005]

3 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

Savion Red moved to RB, per IT

[TheMailBox357 213]

2 hours ago, Hookem2147 said:

Savion Red moved to RB, per IT

Makes sense. Both Johnathan Brooks & Jaydon Blue are hurt right now. I always thought it was weird folks would list him as just a WR instead of an ATH when talking about the '22 recruiting class, when he's capable of playing multiple positions on both sides of ball. I guess this fixes the issue of UT needing another between-the-tackles RB from portal.

Edited February 8, 2023 by TheMailBox357

[NoName 17148]

9 hours ago, TheMailBox357 said:

Makes sense. Both Johnathan Brooks & Jaydon Blue are hurt right now. I always thought it was weird folks would list him as just a WR instead of an ATH when talking about the '22 recruiting class, when he's capable of playing multiple positions on both sides of ball. I guess this fixes the issue of UT needing another between-the-tackles RB from portal.

he's listed as 5'10" and 209 on the Texas Roster and he played WR last year.

he is not a between-the-tackles RB.

[Atticus 4216]

Why would that size keep him from being an in-between the tackles kind of guy?

[Elmer_Fudd 22994]

 

[DigglerontheHoof 21551]

2 hours ago, NoName said:

he's listed as 5'10" and 209 on the Texas Roster and he played WR last year.

he is not a between-the-tackles RB.

Maybe we'll try to use him like SF utilizes Deebo Samuel...jack of all trades who creates mismatches. 

[Codaxx 6254]

2 hours ago, NoName said:

he's listed as 5'10" and 209 on the Texas Roster and he played WR last year.

he is not a between-the-tackles RB.

 I am going to bet he is sub 5'10 and you put on 5-10 pounds and he could be a little bowling ball. Brooks is listed at 6'0 and 200 pounds, so its hard to say he is cut out for 3rd and 1. He has that upright style, though Marcus Allen had that and was somehow was one of the best short yardage runners ever (vision goes a long way). It is sad to say, but the only RB I would be confident in giving the ball to on 3rd and 1 is Baxter. 

Edited February 8, 2023 by Codaxx

[Atticus 4216]

Red at least as big as Blue, but Red has that dog in him. Unless he has issues in pass protection, I think he’ll do well enough to get snaps by next year. 

[Codaxx 6254]

27 minutes ago, Atticus said:

Red at least as big as Blue, but Red has that dog in him. Unless he has issues in pass protection, I think he’ll do well enough to get snaps by next year. 

here is the crazy thing, based on published weights Red would be the second heaviest RB in the room (Baxter heaviest)

[closetohumping 17818]

On 2/6/2023 at 12:46 PM, TheMailBox357 said:

 

Alright.  It is that time.  That time where we talk about how much more jacked our team looks this year compared to last

[Red Five 41738]

9 minutes ago, closetohumping said:

Alright.  It is that time.  That time where we talk about how much more jacked our team looks this year compared to last

The team just looks different this spring. Everyone gained 20-30 lbs of muscle.

Freshmen look like they belong. One of our defenders tried to tackle Cedric Baxter and he ended up on row 12 of the east side upper deck. Everyone was pretty impressed. 

[Elmer_Fudd 22994]

 

[NoName 17148]

6 hours ago, Atticus said:

Why would that size keep him from being an in-between the tackles kind of guy?

why would you think that a guy who has never really played RB full time would suddenly be a between the tackles and short yardage RB?!

5 hours ago, DigglerontheHoof said:

Maybe we'll try to use him like SF utilizes Deebo Samuel...jack of all trades who creates mismatches. 

Debo doesn't run between the tackles though. here is is run chart from the first game of the 2022 season:

here is another one from 2021 season

Spoiler

 

4 hours ago, Codaxx said:

 I am going to bet he is sub 5'10 and you put on 5-10 pounds and he could be a little bowling ball. Brooks is listed at 6'0 and 200 pounds, so its hard to say he is cut out for 3rd and 1. He has that upright style, though Marcus Allen had that and was somehow was one of the best short yardage runners ever (vision goes a long way). It is sad to say, but the only RB I would be confident in giving the ball to on 3rd and 1 is Baxter. 

the bowling ball guy that a lot of people end up comparing any Texas RB to is Cody Johnson, who was listed as 5'11" and 252.

i just don't see a universe where Savion Red, who has not played RB at any level, is suddenly some short yardage savant.

 

[Codaxx 6254]

3 minutes ago, NoName said:

why would you think that a guy who has never really played RB full time would suddenly be a between the tackles and short yardage RB?!

Debo doesn't run between the tackles though. here is is run chart from the first game of the 2022 season:

here is another one from 2021 season

  Hide contents

 

the bowling ball guy that a lot of people end up comparing any Texas RB to is Cody Johnson, who was listed as 5'11" and 252.

i just don't see a universe where Savion Red, who has not played RB at any level, is suddenly some short yardage savant.

 

A guy that is probably 5'8"/5'9" and listed at 210 is actually kind of thick. If he got to ~220 that would not be a small RB, I am not sure he can get there. Rojo served as the power RB at 220-225 the last couple years at 6'2". Red is short, but he is not sub 200 pounds. To be honest, I am a bit mystified by this move. RB room has a plethora of 3rd down RBs and a dearth of guys that can go between the tackles. His HS film did show a tough runner. I have to imagine the coaches think that can translate to RB, because I really can not come up with another reason to make that move (unless the are some injuries/issues we are unaware of). It seems redundant, if the coaches are looking to make him another 3rd down type back with Wisner, Robinson, and Blue. 

[NoName 17148]

10 minutes ago, Codaxx said:

A guy that is probably 5'8"/5'9" and listed at 210 is actually kind of thick. If he got to ~220 that would not be a small RB, I am not sure he can get there. Rojo served as the power RB at 220-225 the last couple years at 6'2". Red is short, but he is not sub 200 pounds. To be honest, I am a bit mystified by this move. RB room has a plethora of 3rd down RBs and a dearth of guys that can go between the tackles. His HS film did show a tough runner. I have to imagine the coaches think that can translate to RB, because I really can not come up with another reason to make that move (unless the are some injuries/issues we are unaware of). It seems redundant, if the coaches are looking to make him another 3rd down type back with Wisner, Robinson, and Blue. 

I assume he is shifting over to help in case KRob leaves in the second window or he gets tabbed as the KRob RB replacement? he has some experience playing RB and they are worried about depth in the room for the spring maybe?

guessing we see him "moved back to WR" in the fall or summer after he spends the spring at RB. idk what role you want him to fill that in theory Wisner can't fill in the fall?

Edited February 8, 2023 by NoName

[Elmer_Fudd 22994]

1 hour ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

 

 

[Codaxx 6254]

2 hours ago, NoName said:

I assume he is shifting over to help in case KRob leaves in the second window or he gets tabbed as the KRob RB replacement? he has some experience playing RB and they are worried about depth in the room for the spring maybe?

guessing we see him "moved back to WR" in the fall or summer after he spends the spring at RB. idk what role you want him to fill that in theory Wisner can't fill in the fall?

It’s odd. There could be several reasons:

1. They think they can make him into a RB

2. Want to make him a versatile piece of the offense

3. just need bodies for spring

4. they think he is a pain in the ass and are burying him on the depth chart to encourage a a transfer 

 

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

6 hours ago, Codaxx said:

here is the crazy thing, based on published weights Red would be the second heaviest RB in the room (Baxter heaviest)

Savion Red talk in here... starts around 9:45

 

On Texas Football:  Texas Football Building Powerhouse Recruiting Staff | Savion Red Changing Positions?  

[Elmer_Fudd 22994]

 

[TheMailBox357 213]

 

 

[LTtxfan 50005]

15 hours ago, Codaxx said:

I am a bit mystified by this move. RB room has a plethora of 3rd down RBs and a dearth of guys that can go between the tackles. His HS film did show a tough runner. I have to imagine the coaches think that can translate to RB, because I really can not come up with another reason to make that move (unless the are some injuries/issues we are unaware of). It seems redundant, if the coaches are looking to make him another 3rd down type back with Wisner, Robinson, and Blue. 

Nahlin said he expects Red to add at least 10 lbs which would make him 219 lbs. at 5'10".  Nahlin sees him as a good option for running between tackles, and also great flexibility for Sark's offense where Red can motion/flex out of the backfield as a pass receiver...

 

Not a comparable but interesting playing size note:  Earl Campbell was 5 ft 11 inch, 232 lb 

 

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by LTtxfan

[Codaxx 6254]

20 minutes ago, LTtxfan said:

Nahlin said he expects Red to add at least 10 lbs which would make him 219 lbs. at 5'10".  Nahlin sees him as a good option for running between tackles, and also great flexibility for Sark's offense where Red can motion/flex out of the backfield as a pass receiver...

 

Not a comparable but interesting playing size note:  Earl Campbell was 5 ft 11 inch, 232 lb 

 

 

Didnt I say that or is this just an add for Nahlin? 

 

A guy that is probably 5'8"/5'9" and listed at 210 is actually kind of thick. If he got to ~220 that would not be a small RB, I am not sure he can get there. Rojo served as the power RB at 220-225 the last couple years at 6'2". Red is short, but he is not sub 200 pounds. To be honest, I am a bit mystified by this move. RB room has a plethora of 3rd down RBs and a dearth of guys that can go between the tackles. His HS film did show a tough runner. I have to imagine the coaches think that can translate to RB, because I really can not come up with another reason to make that move (unless the are some injuries/issues we are unaware of). It seems redundant, if the coaches are looking to make him another 3rd down type back with Wisner, Robinson, and Blue. 

that is not including the "little bowling ball" comment above this one

Edited February 9, 2023 by Codaxx

[Laxtonto 13302]

41 minutes ago, Codaxx said:

Didnt I say that or is this just an add for Nahlin? 

 

A guy that is probably 5'8"/5'9" and listed at 210 is actually kind of thick. If he got to ~220 that would not be a small RB, I am not sure he can get there. Rojo served as the power RB at 220-225 the last couple years at 6'2". Red is short, but he is not sub 200 pounds. To be honest, I am a bit mystified by this move. RB room has a plethora of 3rd down RBs and a dearth of guys that can go between the tackles. His HS film did show a tough runner. I have to imagine the coaches think that can translate to RB, because I really can not come up with another reason to make that move (unless the are some injuries/issues we are unaware of). It seems redundant, if the coaches are looking to make him another 3rd down type back with Wisner, Robinson, and Blue. 

that is not including the "little bowling ball" comment above this one

Maybe they are expecting Blue to transfer after the Spring after his previous pouting behavior... If so, put Red back there as insurance and let him cross-train some at the slot. It isn't like the Sark view of a RB doesn't include a ton of reps as a pass catcher out of the backfield