Burnt Orange Nation - All PostsRomancing each other since 2004https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47839/BONfavicon.png2024-03-18T21:06:29-05:00http://www.burntorangenation.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T21:06:29-05:002024-03-18T21:06:29-05:00Texas set to host 2026 QB Dia Bell on Tuesday as spring practice opens
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<figcaption>via Dia Bell</figcaption>
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<p>The Longhorns have only offered two quarterbacks in the class, but that could change with Bell’s visit.</p> <p id="fvuvMl">The No. 2 2026 quarterback in the recently-released On3 rankings will be on the Forty Acres on Tuesday as the <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> host Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage standout Dia Bell with spring practice opening.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/TexasFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TexasFootball</a> tomorrow! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HookEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HookEm</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y7CpYDgE1p">pic.twitter.com/Y7CpYDgE1p</a></p>— Dia Bell 2026 QB (@DiaBell3QB1) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiaBell3QB1/status/1769876244026343591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="EmMyM3">Head coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee are taking a deliberate approach to offering quarterbacks in that cycle, only extending offers to Tennessee product Jared Curtis, currently rated as the top player in the class, and California’s Troy Huhn, whose stock should continue to rise during the spring evaluation period.</p>
<p id="EACN7L">Whether Bell joins that list when he meets with the team’s quarterback brain trust remains to be seen, but the 6’3, 195-pounder’s recruitment has taken off this year in landing offers from Arizona, Indiana, Wisconsin, <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a>, Utah, Washington, Colorado, Louisville, and <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> to join the 24 total offers for the son of Raja Bell, the 12-year NBA veteran.</p>
<p id="r9JClE">At the least, Bell is among the handful of quarterbacks on the Longhorns radar patiently waiting to determine how interested Texas is in them.</p>
<div id="oWn37V"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14101835/650adf0ba676c50b28dec938" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24105483/dia-bell-texas-longhorns-visit-recruiting-2026Wescott Eberts2024-03-18T20:09:46-05:002024-03-18T20:09:46-05:00Clutch Bert Auburn solidifies Texas special teams that have to replace some other starters
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<figcaption>Aaron E. Martinez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jeff Banks has to replace his starting punter and both return men and some of that help isn’t arriving until the summer.</p> <p id="OGwgom">Entering the SEC this season, the <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> and special teams coordinator Jeff Banks have one of the most important assets in football — a reliable, veteran kicker capable of making high-pressure field goals in close games.</p>
<p id="E3mLNe">Senior Bert Auburn is back for his fourth season on the Forty Acres after earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023 when he set the school and Big 12 records for most consecutive made field goals with 19, set the Texas single-season record for made field goals (29) and scored 143 points, the most-ever for a Longhorns kicker. </p>
<p id="EqFLwi">Head coach Steve Sarkisian publicly supported Auburn during a tough 3-of-6 stretch early in the season and Auburn rewarded that confidence by hitting four key field goals in the overtime win over <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a>, including a 49-yarder, another 49-yarder among three field goals in the tight road victory against <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com">TCU</a>, and three more field goals in another road win over <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a>, setting his career long of 50 yards.</p>
<p id="M3Fr3C">Along with Auburn’s return, rising junior Will Stone is back as the kickoff specialist after recording 49 touchbacks on a unit that was aggressive forcing opponents to return kicks, although rather average actually covering them, but there are some question marks for the third phase.</p>
<p id="VVsFGY">Chief among them is the departure of Stanford transfer punter Ryan Sanborn, who averaged a career-high 45.7 yards per punt with a long of 64 yards and two punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Banks does have a prospective replacement in Michael Kern, the No. 4 punter nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, but the Florida product doesn’t arrive until the summer, keeping Banks from evaluating his preparedness to start during spring practice.</p>
<p id="isWgbu">There’s also only one other punter currently on the roster in sophomore Ian Ratliff, who was ranked as the No. 24 punter in the 2023 class by Kohl’s Kicking, so there’s likely a need to add depth through tryouts in the spring or fall regardless of what Banks sees from Ratliff over the next month.</p>
<p id="BVvQQx">With Xavier Worthy and Keilan Robinson off to the NFL, Texas also has to replace both return men, as well as Robinson’s contributions as a core special teams player who was dangerous enough on punt block units to force opponents to change their protection schemes to account for him. In total, Robinson played at least 20 snaps on four special teams units, including 60 on punt returns as Worthy emerged as one of the nation’s best punt returners and also serving as a gunner on punt coverage, a role also filled by safety Kitan Crawford, who departed via the transfer portal.</p>
<p id="TzbVpw">But Banks didn’t let the needs for return men to go unaddressed in the portal as Texas looked to add wide receivers to replace the departures of Worthy, AD Mitchell, and Jordan Whittington — the first addition, Houston’s Matthew Golden, had two kickoff return touchdowns last season, and <a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com">Oregon State</a> transfer Silas Bolden, set to arrive in June, has experience on both return units, including returning a punt for a touchdown in 2023.</p>
<p id="6Lh3HE">So the Longhorns shouldn’t have much drop off in the return game and return seven of the top 10 players in special teams snaps last season, including the top three in linebacker Leona Lefau, safety Michael Taaffe, and cornerback Austin Jordan.</p>
<p id="J14iu2">Regarded as one of the best special teams coordinators in country, Banks should once again field units that put Texas in position to win games.</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24105402/texas-longhorns-special-teams-bert-auburn-silas-bolden-matthew-goldenWescott Eberts2024-03-18T19:14:23-05:002024-03-18T19:14:23-05:00Jaylan Ford on which Texas LBs will step up: ‘I think it’s going to be all of them’
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Big 12 Football Championship-Oklahoma State at Texas" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pL4qCRkimVZmrApJolwWh_yuvds=/0x178:2331x1732/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73173896/usa_today_22018278.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>At the NFL Combine, the former Longhorns standout expressed his confidence in the position room.</p> <p id="AWScJb">New position coach Johnny Nansen will have a new man in the middle next season for the Texas Longhorns with linebacker Jaylan Ford foregoing his extra season of eligibility to declare for the 2024 NFL Combine, leaving a vacancy at the Mike position for Jeff Choate’s replacement.</p>
<p id="Eer6XK">It’s a significant offensive storyline for the Longhorns this offseason after Ford earned back-to-back first-team All-Big 12 recognition and finished as a Butkus Award semifinalist in 2023, totaling 220 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and six interceptions. </p>
<p id="lKbQkC">In Indianapolis for the combine, Ford expressed confidence in the state of Nansen’s position room when asked about which players will step up, including into the role as the quarterback of the defense filled by the middle linebacker.</p>
<p id="LCMMkD">“I think it’s going go be all of them to be honest — we established a culture there in that linebacker room of whoever is up, it’s their chance to step up to the plate,” <a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/longformarticle/texas-longhorns-football-2024-jaylan-ford-anthony-hill-steve-sarkisian-nfl-combine-mo-blackwell-david-gbenda-draft-indianapolis-big-12-sec-227868833/#2375028">said</a> Ford.</p>
<p id="18Msio">After Choate took a big linebacker class in 2023 before taking over as the head coach at Nevada following the regular season, most of those young players are still developing, including sophomore Liona Lefau, redshirt freshman Derion Gullette, and redshirt freshman S’Maje Burrell. That leaves the returnees mentioned by Ford as the players he expects to fill the void left by his departure — sixth-year senior David Gbenda, senior Mo Blackwell, and sophomore Anthony Hill Jr.</p>
<p id="dFxXV9">“They’ve all been there under Choate and know that standard that we hold ourselves to as linebackers there,” Ford said.</p>
<p id="5NLwDd">Gbenda is the savvy veteran who has the leadership and communication attributes to replace Ford’s presence in the position room, if not as a full-time starter in the lineup. </p>
<p id="IBcEkq">Competing with Gbenda for that role is Alabama senior transfer Kendrick Blackshire. Where Gbenda is speedy and relatively undersized to play in the middle, Blackshire is the chiseled, 6’2, 233-pound prototype returning to his home state hoping to become a starter for the first time. After three seasons in Nick Saban’s program, Blackshire should have no problems integrating himself into the Texas culture, but there are concerns that he’s primarily a downhill linebacker who isn’t as effective taking coverage drops.</p>
<p id="OFvdMB">Blackwell is the wild card, a special teams standout who recovered a muffed punt by Washington in the Sugar Bowl and primarily a sub-package player on defense as a hybrid linebacker/defensive back. Recruited out of Arlington Martin as a linebacker, Blackwell spent his freshman season playing at that position at 203 pounds, dropped down to 196 pounds to play defensive back in 2022, and then put on 12 pounds to move back to linebacker last season. </p>
<p id="H2ftFI">Ford said he encourages Blackwell and noted the need for him to continue gaining weight after missing the first three games of 2023 with a knee injury that impacted Blackwell’s development in a potential breakout season.</p>
<p id="oUXwsJ">“He really was looking to get bigger so he can play in the box more and he’s definitely been able to do that. I talked with our strength coach and he said that he’s been flying around out there and he’s gotten heavier so that’s a huge plus,” said Ford.</p>
<p id="4xEFLa">The highest expectations surround Hill, the consensus No. 1 linebacker out of Denton Ryan in 2023 who earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors after recording 66 tackles (40 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble, four quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups. At the combine, former Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy <a href="https://twitter.com/Cory_Mose/status/1762885521334759919">called Hill a future first-round prospect</a> when asked who Longhorns fans should look out for next season.</p>
<p id="ImZA8K">Hill had a breakout performance early in the 2023 season with six tackles and two sacks in the upset win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa before making six starts at weak-side linebacker, recording a sack and a forced fumble in the Big 12 Championship game win over Oklahoma State. Expected to become the full-time starter at Will, Hill is the primary candidate to replace Ford as the team’s best playmaking linebacker.</p>
<p id="avvsRw">Among the young linebackers, the baseline expectation for Lefau is that he maintains his role as a core special teams player and the hope is that Burrell could find his way onto the field under special teams coordinator Jeff Banks, too. Gullette spent much of his true freshman season rehabilitating from a knee injury that prematurely ended his high school career, but received praise at the end of last season from safety Michael Taaffe as a young player to watch defensively.</p>
<p id="cl42Fb">Bolstered by Nansen’s work turning around Arizona as the defensive coordinator for the Wildcats, there’s plenty of reason to believe Ford’s positive assessment of the Texas linebacker room heading into the SEC with the team’s blend of young talent and returning experience.</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/2/29/24086804/jaylan-ford-texas-longhorns-linebackers-anthony-hill-david-gbenda-mo-blackwellWescott Eberts2024-03-18T16:32:32-05:002024-03-18T16:32:32-05:00Reacts Survey: Is Texas preparing for a deep tournament run?
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<figcaption>William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Join the conversation with SB Nation Reacts!</p> <p id="fJh4DK"><em>Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in </em><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com"><em>Texas Longhorns</em></a><em> fans and fans across the country. </em><a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6Q70N2/"><em>Sign up here</em></a><em> to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.</em></p>
<p id="QaRFs6">How many brackets have you filled out? One? Two? Twenty? No matter how many you have filled out, and we aren’t judging, how far do you have the (7) Texas Longhorns going?</p>
<p id="GVE2W3">Rodney Terry and the Horns are back in the Big Dance after last year’s Elite Eight run but with a tougher path ahead.</p>
<p id="mywfeV">Texas awaits the winner of 10 seeds Colorado State-Virginia and if they can win the first game, a potential match-up against (2) Tennessee and Rick Barnes looms. </p>
<p id="Yzu2nX">The Horns finished the season 20-12 (9-9 Big 12) but lasted just one round in the Big 12 Championship Tournament after falling to Kansas State in the Second Round.</p>
<div id="FyFOMT"><iframe id="ss-embed-frame" onload="window.parent.parent.scrollTo(0,0)" src="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/1GQEYX/" style="width:100%;height:400px;border:0px;padding-bottom:4px;" frameborder="0"><a href="https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/1GQEYX/">Please take our survey</a></iframe></div>
<p id="h5mIQc">Check back later in the week for the results!</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24105209/reacts-survey-is-texas-preparing-for-a-deep-tournament-runKyle TheleCameron Parker2024-03-18T15:43:53-05:002024-03-18T15:43:53-05:00Texas continues to search for answers at edge
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<img alt="Texas v Iowa State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ceRqCCq-z6MkAzd3yiyE8dfqPm0=/0x254:3600x2654/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216341/1802191113.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Unable to create consistent havoc from the edge, Texas needs to find answers in the spring.</p> <p id="aHbeVd">For several years running, the <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> have needed answers on the edge, especially when it comes to rushing the passer. </p>
<p id="ZwRdau">While Texas showed improvement from 2022 to 2023, with five additional sacks pushing them from No. 5 in the Big 12 to one sack behind West Virginia for the conference lead, the Longhorns were third of the four CFP teams, behind the <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a> and <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>. When compared to the SEC, where Texas will play in 2024, the Longhorns would have been smack in the middle and 10 sacks behind the leader in the conference. </p>
<p id="JUy2mI">Texas has the advantage of returning its sack leader from a year ago, Ethan Burke, but may see a dip in his production due to the loss of Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. Part of what created leverage for Burke to produce was the need for offenses to account for the boulders in the middle of the defense, as well as Murphy’s ability to create havoc in the middle. </p>
<p id="bB2AeK">Barryn Sorrell and Justice Finkley both flashed as well, but neither was a consistent presence for Texas on the edge, especially considering Sorrell’s preseason goal of reaching dougle-digit sacks. Instead, the New Orleans product only managed four, 1.5 less than 2022. </p>
<p id="DagIk9">Texas’s priority to add weapons on the outside, both out of the portal and in the high school ranks, will perhaps be the biggest story of the offseason. </p>
<p id="H2NUtZ">Adding Trey Moore from UTSA, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year who would have been the team leader by 12 sacks a year ago, along with elite high school edge rusher Collin Simmons from Duncanville, should raise both the floor and the ceiling for the group. Getting both in for spring practice allows them ample time to get acclimated and Simmons specifically should benefit from getting the same treatment Anthony Hill did in 2023 — a specific package and set of responsibilities to hold for the defense. </p>
<p id="DND509"> Texas also has a number of young players fighting for snaps in the rotation, including redshirt freshman Colton Vasek, the nation’s No. 107 prospect out of Austin Westlake in the 2023 class who put on 14 pounds since last year, when he did not see game action due to a back injury. There’s also redshirt freshman Billy Walton, who was massively productive at South Oak Cliff, and 2024 signee Zina Umeozulu, a long, rangy athlete with prototypical size for the position.</p>
<p id="k7a6kq">The more veteran returning player facing a critical spring is rising junior J’Mond Tapp. Like Vasek, Tapp was the No. 107 prospect in his class and did have three quarterback hurries in 98 snaps last season, but the Longhorns are still waiting for the light switch to come on for him and time is running out with all the young talent on campus.</p>
<p id="Q6nF1h">Whoever the stars will be for that unit, Texas needs that group to step up in a major way in order to achieve its goals in 2024 as they make the change to the SEC.</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24104524/texas-longhorns-edge-ethan-burke-barryn-sorrell-trey-moore-colin-simmonsGerald Goodridge2024-03-18T15:00:07-05:002024-03-18T15:00:07-05:00Longhorns Daily News: Vic Schaefer on Texas WBB’s No. 1 tournament seed: ‘Go live it now’
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<img alt="Syndication: Austin American-Statesman" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tZ90DGDVLipD8h2tGtM5rJgWQY4=/0x0:2880x1920/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73216224/usa_today_22681151.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Plus: Texas softball clinched BYU series </p> <p id="6p0DCA"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> women’s basketball recently secured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. </p>
<p id="oYuEZU">“We’ve just got a lot of players playing at a really, really high level, and whether they’ll be at this level with Rory still on the team, we won’t know that,” Schaefer said, according to <a href="https://www.si.com/college/texas/news/texas-longhorns-coach-schaefer-no-1-seed-ncaa-womens-tournament"><em>Sports Illustrated</em></a>. “What I do know is that they have absolutely elevated their game to another level because of what happened, and it had to happen that way for us to be where we are today.”</p>
<p id="IAdlUB">Schaefer later added, referring to how he hopes his team approaches this season’s tournament, “We’ve got to go live it now.” </p>
<h3 id="9fodaU"><strong>WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS </strong></h3>
<p id="UG3hwA"><a href="https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/womens-basketball/2024/03/17/texas-vs-drexel-prediction-march-madness-ncaa-womens-pick/72921540007/"><em>Austin American-Statesman</em></a>: Can Texas get a good start to its NCAA Tournament run against Drexel? </p>
<p id="lZWRIM"><a href="https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/womens-basketball/2024/03/17/texas-womens-basketball-march-madness-final-four-predictions-2024-ncaa-tournament-for-longhorns/73010699007/"><em>Austin American-Statesman</em></a>: Is it Cleveland or bust? How far we think the Texas women will advance </p>
<p id="pcRlQb"><a href="https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/mens-basketball/2024/03/17/texas-longhorns-march-madness-elite-eight-predictions-2024-ncaa-tournament/73010569007/"><em>Austin American-Statesman</em></a>: So you’re sayin’ there’s a chance? How far we think Texas will advance </p>
<p id="uaFlZT"><a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/longformarticle/texas-longhorns-football-2024-steve-sarkisian-jeff-banks-bert-auburn-lance-st-louis--228891819/">247Sports</a>: One Day to Spring Football: Texas position inventory continues with the special teams</p>
<p id="uuRL7g"><a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/longformarticle/texas-longhorns-womens-basketball-apollo-13-ncaa-tournament-big-12-tournament-champions-228859798/">247Sports</a>: Fifth-ranked Texas women have gone from ‘Apollo 13’ comparison to No. 1 seed heading into the NCAA Tournament</p>
<p id="8qKnON"><a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/longformarticle/texas-longhorns-spring-football-cornerbacks-malik-muhammad-terrance-brooks-gavin-holmes-steve-sarkisian-228820254/">247Sports</a>: Two Days to Spring Football: Texas Position Inventory continues with the cornerbacks</p>
<p id="otgEg0"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/news/spring-storyline-the-next-stage-of-the-longhorn-run-game/">Inside Texas</a>: Spring Storyline: The next stage of the Longhorn run game</p>
<p id="4hwwWI"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/news/a-look-at-the-teams-in-texas-portion-of-the-midwest-regional-of-the-ncaa-tournament/">Inside Texas</a>: A look at the teams in Texas’ portion of the Midwest regional of the NCAA Tournament</p>
<p id="64e29j"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/news/spring-storyline-a-veteran-secondary-looks-to-improve/">Inside Texas</a>: Spring Storyline: A veteran secondary looks to improve</p>
<h3 id="7xgFMm"><strong>ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION </strong></h3>
<p id="xguNMU"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/17/24104475/texas-longhorns-virginia-cavaliers-colorado-state-rams-ncaa-tournament">Texas preparing to face either Virginia or Colorado State to open NCAA Tournament</a></p>
<p id="aBHw2j"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/16/24103402/texas-longhorns-3-washington-huskies-5-ace-whitehead">No. 23 Texas drops series to Washington with 5-3 loss</a></p>
<p id="ckbFi9"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/15/24102586/texas-longhorns-3-washington-huskies-9-grant-cunningham-jeter-ybarra">Washington blasts past No. 23 Texas with six-run inning for 9-3 win</a></p>
<p id="20oQRj"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/16/24101485/texas-longhorns-spring-practice-steve-sarkisian-quinn-ewers-isaiah-bond-johnny-nansen">Five storylines to watch heading into Texas spring practice</a></p>
<p id="GMa28F"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24104489/texas-longhorns-defensive-line-alfted-collins-vernon-broughton-pete-kwiatkowski-kenny-baker">Texas literally has big holes to fill on the DL</a></p>
<p id="6bXUeg"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/17/24103553/texas-longhorns-offensive-line-kyle-flood-kelvin-banks">Four returning starters make the OL once again a strength for Texas</a></p>
<p id="OJpRBv"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/16/24103162/texas-longhorns-tight-ends-amari-niblack-gunnar-helm-jatavion-sanders">Needing to replace Ja’Tavion Sanders, the Texas TE room now features Alabama transfer Amari Niblack</a></p>
<p id="67oUSc"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/17/24103924/texas-longhorns-spring-practice-position-previews">Texas spring practice position previews</a></p>
<p id="PLveRL"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/16/24103264/andrew-marsh-official-visit-texas-longhorns-recruiting-2025">Four-star WR Andrew Marsh schedules official visit to Texas</a></p>
<h3 id="sMIHsm"><strong>RECRUITING ROUNDUP </strong></h3>
<p id="pOoM8f"><a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/longformarticle/texas-football-recruiting-the-stampede-texas-recruiting-buzz-from-under-armour-houston--228881887/">247Sports</a>: The Stampede: Texas recruiting buzz from Under Armour Houston</p>
<p id="NY3fIv"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/news/texas-getting-closer-to-on3-industry-ranking-five-star-wr-kaliq-lockett/">Inside Texas</a>: Texas getting closer to On3 Industry Ranking five-star WR Kaliq Lockett</p>
<p id="bA7x2z"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/texas-longhorns/news/texas-commit-raycine-guillory-ranks-no-100-in-initial-2026-on300/">Inside Texas</a>: Texas commit Raycine Guillory ranks No. 100 in initial 2026 On300</p>
<h3 id="B2gvyt"><strong>BIG 12 BREAKDOWN </strong></h3>
<p id="2re1ji"><a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/high-school-sports/basketball/2024/03/18/10-dallas-area-basketball-products-to-watch-in-the-ncaa-tournament/"><em>Dallas Morning News</em></a>: 10 locals to watch in NCAA men’s basketball tournament: Max Abmas, Ja’Kobe Walter and more</p>
<p id="9OWnb9"><a href="https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/college-sports/2024/03/16/iowa-state-hoops-romps-no-1-houston-to-win-big-12-thats-only-getting-bigger-better/"><em>Dallas Morning News</em></a>: <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a> hoops romps No. 1 Houston to win Big 12 that’s only getting bigger, better</p>
<p id="NZaZ1c"><a href="https://www.ourdailybears.com/baylor-basketball/2024/3/17/24104317/2024-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-bears-earn-a-3-seed-9-overall">Our Daily Bears</a>: Bears earn a No. 3 seed, No. 9 overall in March Madness</p>
<p id="GqAC63"><a href="https://www.frogsowar.com/2024/3/17/24104344/tcu-mens-basketball-earns-9-seed-in-2024-ncaa-tournament-march-madness-bracket-selection-sunday">Frogs O’ War</a>: <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com">TCU</a> men’s basketball earns 9-seed in 2024 NCAA Tournament</p>
<p id="HMpGHM"><a href="https://www.smokingmusket.com/2024/3/18/24104725/west-virginia-mountaineers-wvu-football-basketball-baseball-sports-big-12-ncaa-news-links">The Smoking Musket</a>: The Mountaineer women are dancing, JT Daniels begins his coaching career, and we’ve witnessed the most ridiculous jersey swap ever</p>
<p id="QBBr7w"><a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com/2024/3/17/24104158/iowa-state-selected-as-a-two-seed-in-the-ncaa-tournament-will-play-south-dakota-state-in-omaha">Wide Right & Natty Lite</a>: Iowa State selected as a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, will play South Dakota State in Omaha</p>
<p id="XaIeBZ"><a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com/2024/3/16/24103504/iowa-state-wins-the-big-12-tournament-behind-dominate-win-over-houston">Wide Right & Natty Lite</a>: Iowa State wins the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-12-basketball-tournament">Big 12 Tournament</a> behind dominant win over Houston</p>
<p id="zpqMCG"><a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2024/3/14/24101416/kansas-state-wildcats-iowa-state-cyclones-turnovers-doom-k-state-in-76-57-blowout-loss-to-iowa-state">Bring On The Cats</a>: Turnovers doom K-State in 76-57 blowout loss to Iowa State</p>
<p id="GbR9Ax"><a href="https://www.rockchalktalk.com/2024/3/17/24104428/kansas-draws-samford-for-opening-round-of-tournament-jayhawks-basketball">Rock Chalk Talk</a>: Kansas draws Samford for opening round of tournament</p>
<p id="gZ726N"><a href="https://www.blackandgoldbanneret.com/mens-basketball/2024/3/18/24104565/ucf-usf-war-on-i-4-in-nit-first-round-2024-big-12-aac-march-madness">Black & Gold Banneret</a>: UCF to rekindle War on I-4 in NIT first round</p>
<p id="oCIUiB"><a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com/2024/3/17/24104302/byu-basketball-gets-6-seed-to-open-versus-duquesne-ncaa-tournament-march-madness">Vanquish The Foe</a>: <a href="https://www.vanquishthefoe.com">BYU</a> gets 6-seed, to open versus Duquesne</p>
<h3 id="JYNkv4"><strong>WHAT WE’RE READING </strong></h3>
<p id="4LPoro"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2024/3/17/24104244/ncaa-tournament-reactions-march-madness-bracket-men-2024-uconn-south-virginia">SB Nation</a>: <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> got screwed in March Madness draw, and 9 other reactions from men’s NCAA bracket release</p>
<p id="j1FRjg"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2024/3/18/24104721/anthony-black-gradey-dick-nba-jersey-swap-meme">SB Nation</a>: Anthony Black and Gradey Dick gave NBA fans the jersey swap meme they were cravingAnthony Black and Gradey Dick gave NBA fans the jersey swap meme they were craving</p>
<p id="v6SCNC"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2024/3/18/24104446/march-madness-reaction-bracket-selection-committee-mistakes-seeding">SB Nation</a>: March Madness men’s bracket makes no sense thanks to selection committee</p>
<h3 id="NGlMaT"><strong>NEWS ACROSS LONGHORN NATION AND BEYOND </strong></h3>
<ul><li id="B90NEA">Texas women’s basketball will open the NCAA Tournament versus Drexel. </li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WE'RE DANCING AS A 1 SEED <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HookEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HookEm</a> <a href="https://t.co/MsYmVNxkig">pic.twitter.com/MsYmVNxkig</a></p>— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasWBB/status/1769522382564106590?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="Lij5rD">Texas softball clinched their series versus BYU over the weekend. </li></ul>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">had a series <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HookEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HookEm</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasLonghorns?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TexasLonghorns</a> <a href="https://t.co/fFkLxymQwZ">pic.twitter.com/fFkLxymQwZ</a></p>— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasSoftball/status/1769399869746082189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24105110/longhorns-daily-news-vic-schaefer-texas-wbbs-ncaa-tournament-big-12Xander Peters2024-03-18T13:55:07-05:002024-03-18T13:55:07-05:00No. 23 Texas avoids sweep with 4-3 win over Washington
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Z1XJfuW2Ei52ZgUOFV7fiWB_L2M=/0x0:1638x1092/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215899/grubby.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Texas baseball</figcaption>
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<p>A game that ended in the eighth inning due to a curfew helped keep the Longhorns from dropping all three games to the Huskies.</p> <p id="aj9nbl">The first weekend start by right-hander Max Grubbs was a successful and important one for the <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> as the sophomore pitched six one-run innings to set up a 4-3 win in eight innings on Sunday over the <a href="https://www.uwdawgpound.com">Washington Huskies</a> at UFCU Disch-Falk Field to avoid a sweep.</p>
<p id="bBFp0j">In a game delayed by roughly 80 minutes due to lightning in the area, a 4:45 p.m. Central curfew for Washington proved pivotal after Grubbs scattered five hits with two strikeouts and no walks. The worst jams faced by the Arlington Martin product were a result of four errors made by the infield, but catcher Peyton Powell, in his second college start behind the plate, provided some help to Grubbs and reliever Andre Duplantier, who earned the save by recording the final three outs, by throwing out two attempted base stealers. The second came with one out in the eighth inning and Duplantier did the rest, striking out the final batter swinging on four pitches to secure the victory.</p>
<p id="Ieyyor">Washington had looked poised for another comeback win similar to Friday’s 9-3 triumph over Texas thanks to a six-run seventh inning against the Longhorns bullpen. On Sunday, the Huskies led off the eighth with a single and a two-run home run off right-hander Cole Selvig, forcing Duplantier into the game to get the last three outs.</p>
<p id="wanatd">Texas hitters didn’t supply much support for the pitching staff with only four hits in the game, two of which came from second baseman Jack O’Dowd, including a double that represented one of two extra-base hits for the Longhorns. </p>
<p id="qX7apB">After failing to draw a walk on Saturday, Texas at least forced Washington to throw strikes, taking back-to-back free passes to start the game, scoring a run on a fielder’s choice by left fielder Porter Brown and another on a groundout. </p>
<p id="lOwgdx">In the second, O’Dowd led off with a double, center fielder Will Gasparino drew a full-count walk, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Another walk loaded the bases before O’Dowd scored when shortstop Jalin Flores hit a fly ball into short right-center field in between the outfielders, forcing the second baseman to make an impressive running catch to keep multiple runs from scoring. When Brown grounded out to second base, the Horns had to settle for the single run with two runners left on base.</p>
<p id="DkJvnx">Texas scored for the final time in the third inning thanks to a two-out rally — third baseman Casey Borba was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by O’Dowd. Gasparino loaded the bases with a walk, allowing Borba to score when first baseman Jared Thomas drew a second straight walk. </p>
<p id="ItyG1K">The season-long homestand continues with two midweek games against Air Force.</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24105074/texas-longhorns-4-washington-huskies-3-max-grubbsWescott Eberts2024-03-18T13:22:23-05:002024-03-18T13:22:23-05:00Texas literally has big holes to fill on the DL
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Texas at Houston" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/r3Gpev-Jxz1USQHZ7OyV_1gmm1I=/0x0:5153x3435/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215825/usa_today_21704634.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Replacing T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy is a tall task for the Texas defense.</p> <p id="WLsC6W">It’s perhaps the understatement of the year that the <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> defense is going to look significantly different in 2024.</p>
<p id="Wm5lRr">Losing either the conference Defensive Player of the Year or the Defensive Lineman of the Year would be a massive hit to any defensive unit. Losing both in the same year, a pair that anchored one of the best run defenses in the country, means that Pete Kwiatkowski and new defensive line coach Kenny Baker.</p>
<p id="SoaokD">While T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy were great players in 2022, their ascension to elite defenders in 2023 came as a bonus to helm the defense. Texas was one of the top rush defenses in the Big 12, leading in line yards, stuff rate, and success rate, which created a ton of advantage for the Longhorns by making most opponents one-dimensionally reliant on the passing game. After coming to campus in 2020 with high expectations, the pair of Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton will need to have a similar level up to produce anything resembling the same impact. </p>
<p id="q2jBg9">A pair of top-200 defensive ends committed to Oscar Giles, both have shown flashes of what evaluators and coaches saw as they fought for their services years ago, but neither has truly lived up to the potential from four years ago. However, one of the biggest changes that has come to Texas under Steve Sarkisian’s tenure has been improved development on both sides of the ball. That development from the interior lineman came under Bo Davis, who left for the <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU Tigers</a> to coach his son, so Baker — who has shown an ability to develop both in college and the NFL — will be called upon to show his value early.</p>
<p id="pTVUIX">Bolstering the talent of those two is <a href="https://www.azdesertswarm.com">Arizona Wildcats</a> transfer Tiaoalii Savea, who joined the Longhorns this offseason alongside former Arizona defensive coordinator Johnny Nansen. </p>
<p id="ANy6YO">Savea is a more proven run-stopper, so his development curve may be trying to learn his pass responsibilities for the defense unless Kwiatkowski and Baker opt for a rotational corps to maximize his abilities alongside the rest of the unit. </p>
<p id="clBWom">“I do think that that room is going to be a strength of ours,” said Sarkisian last month. “Those two guys were so good a year ago and we’re talking about two potential first-round picks. How many teams have that? We’ve got some really talented players in the room now and that’s part of building a program and developing a program and not having to throw a guy out there as a true freshman, but letting him develop as the other guys are playing.”</p>
<p id="OEBL1E">Texas will also need to get valuable minutes from key underclassmen, with Aaron Bryant and Sydir Mitchell needing to step in and pick up the second unit minutes that Collins and Broughton played last season. Mitchell played sparingly last year as a true freshman and is now listed at 372 pounds, 37 pounds heavier than last year.</p>
<p id="6RrGjO">The potential breakout player to watch is rising redshirt sophomore Jaray Bledsoe, perhaps the best athlete on the interior defensive line. After arriving at Texas as a 260-pounder two years ago, Bledsoe is now up to 293 pounds.</p>
<p id="n0ZazB">The loss of Kristopher Ross shortens the development curve for those players and the defense will need them to have a quick path to competence to hold up in the trenches of the SEC.</p>
<p id="gt0GYt">Sarkisian understands that with the extended College Football Playoffs, the college schedule is now looking more like the NFL and demanding more depth as a result.</p>
<p id="m25pLc">“The last thing we want to have happen is you’re in the second round of the playoffs — if we’re fortunate enough to make it there — a guy gets injured and now you’ve got to put a kid out there hadn’t played all year. So we’re gonna have to adapt to that and we’re gonna have to adapt to play more people and what that looks like and how we develop those rotations in the right way.”</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/3/18/24104489/texas-longhorns-defensive-line-alfted-collins-vernon-broughton-pete-kwiatkowski-kenny-bakerGerald Goodridge