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Earlier today, officials with the California State University system announced students would remain in virtual learning through the fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, ESPN reports. But what does that mean for other California programs hoping to compete this year? That part’s unclear, ESPN notes. From ESPN: “At this point, there is not much clarity about what kind of impact the announcement will have on the football programs at San Diego State, Fresno State and San Jose State, all members of the Mountain West Conference.”
Perhaps you were hoping for better news.
WHAT THE WISE MEN ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
Austin American-Statesman: The Dotted Line: Texas’ defensive recruiting wish list updated following latest commitments
Sports Illustrated: Is former Longhorn Kevin Durant ranked too low on ESPN’s all time NBA players list?
247Sports: Texas Morning Brew: Herman on contingencies for football season
247Sports: The Flagship: Ehlinger’s trajectory, special guest Eric Metcalf
247Sports: Watch: Is Texas on track to replicate LSU’s football success?
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
Sports, science and ethics in the time of coronavirus
WHAT WE’RE READING
Banner Society: How CBS and UConn can crush the SEC
SBNation: What if Cam Newton and the Panthers won Super Bowl 50?
SBNation: Report: NBA owners, executives feeling hopeful for return of season
The Ringer: The best NFL free agents left on the market
ESPN: Who won – and lost – the NFL offseason: Barnwell picks 20 players, team and trends
NEWS ACROSS THE LONGHORN REPUBLIC AND COLLEGE SPORTS
- Former Texas quarterback Shane Buechele, who joined the SMU Mustangs last season as a graduate transfer, launched a coronavirus relief GoFundMe campaign in April. The goal was to raise at least $50,000, and impressively, Buechele did just that, SMU announced. Buechele will now deliver the money to Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson on Thursday morning. “I was impressed with Shane Buechele’s on the field last season for SMU, but I am far more impressed with his commitment to his community here in the city of Dallas,” Johnson said in a statement, per the Austin American-Statesman. “Dallas is a resilient city. We will recover from COVID-19, and the funds raised by Shane and Paige will help us get there.”
SMU QB Shane Buechele raises $50,000 to assist in Dallas’ Covid-19 relief efforts@SamBlum3 | #PonyUpDallashttps://t.co/mUKmKzy65m
— SportsDayDFW (@SportsDayDFW) May 13, 2020
- Texas alum and safety Brandon Jones just inked his deal with the Miami Dolphins, after the Fins went up in the 2020 NFL Draft to grab him in the third round last month, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. From the Sun-Sentinel: “A flurry of signings have occurred within the past week, and the latest to get a deal done is former Texas standout Brandon Jones, who the Dolphins have given a four-year contract worth $4,873,102. As a third-round pick Jones, a versatile defensive back who will likely compete for the starting strong safety spot vacated by the release of Reshad Jones this offseason, will receive a signing bonus that pays him $1,104,072, according to a league source. Jones, who contributed 233 tackles, one sack and four interceptions during the 47 games he played for the Longhorns, will compete with Bobby McCain, Eric Rowe, Steven Parker, Adrian Colbert, and veteran free-agent signees Clayton Fejedelem and Kavon Frazier to determine who mans the two starting safety spots in the secondary.”
Texas Football: Brandon Jones Signs Contract With Dolphins https://t.co/KbGnfjuARB
— LonghornsCountry (@LonghornsSI) May 13, 2020
- CBS Sports’ preseason top 25 rankings has the Texas Longhorns ranked No. 17. From CBS Sports: “In a recent survey of Texas fans by The Athletic, 57.3% of respondents said they believe expectations for the program should be ‘College Football Playoff or bust.’ When asked what they thought Texas’ record would be in 2020, the most popular answer among those respondents was 10-2, with it receiving 32.8% of the vote. Only 9.8% of the voters chose 12-0 or 11-1. That seems to fly in the face of the nearly 60% who believe this program should be competing for the playoff every season. Fantasies and whims of a college football fanbase aside, 2020 looks to be a pivotal year for the Longhorns. While Oklahoma remains the prohibitive favorite, it enters the season with more questions surrounding it than it’s had in recent years. Elsewhere in the conference, a serious contender has yet to emerge. Then there’s Texas. A team with an impressive collection of talent and a senior quarterback. It’s enough to make you wonder if Texas will finally be ‘back’ in 2020, or if it’ll just be back to the blackboard and starting over one more time.”
Brighten your day. Get your chin up. We have some football! @TexasFootball No. 17 on our preseason top 25. @CBSSports https://t.co/eoLmJhpuXI
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) May 13, 2020