Burnt Orange Nation - Tumultuous offseason reshapes Texas QB roomRomancing each other since 2004https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47839/BONfavicon.png2019-03-21T21:59:14-05:00http://www.burntorangenation.com/rss/stream/179817642019-03-21T21:59:14-05:002019-03-21T21:59:14-05:00Sam Ehlinger brings much-needed stability, leadership to Texas QB room
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<p>The most important position in football is arguably in better shape than at any other point in a decade.</p> <p id="WbXwr3">There’s something quite different about the <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> quarterback room this spring. It’s almost unrecognizable from the long-time norms on the Forty Acres. </p>
<p id="RmuuNn">Typically, constant chatter of a quarterback competition hangs like a cloud over the program this time of year, overshadowing all other topics of interest. </p>
<p id="OxTkLd">This spring, though, if you listen closely, you’ll hear, well… nothing. </p>
<p id="Eyd6HE">There’s no praise for a former four-star freshman vying with an unproven vet for the role of QB1. There are no pleas from the Texas coaching staff for someone, anyone, to create separation and solidify the starting position. </p>
<p id="iXjd7d">This time around, seemingly for the first time since <span>Colt McCoy</span>’s final spring on the Forty Acres, Texas undoubtedly has its quarterback, and perhaps better yet, a bona fide budding star in junior <span>Sam Ehlinger</span>. </p>
<p id="oh3rYW">For a Texas program that has wandered through the quarterback wilderness for far too many offseasons, the utter importance of this finally coming to fruition simply can’t be overstated, especially considering the timing of <span>Ehlinger</span>’s rise into this role. To kick off the new year, Texas capped the program’s first 10-win campaign with a 28-21 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sugar-bowl">Sugar Bowl</a> win over Georgia in a showing capped by Ehlinger’s proclamation that Texas is, in fact, back. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam Ehlinger has a message for Texas fans <a href="https://t.co/zWmYYHCV5V">pic.twitter.com/zWmYYHCV5V</a></p>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1080338729615671296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2019</a>
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<p id="QWhXos">“When he said that, I was like keep saying it. That’s the confidence this man exudes to the offense and to the whole team, and I’ve commended him so many times,” senior defensive end <span><strong>Charles Omenihu</strong></span> said after the Sugar Bowl of Ehlinger’s ‘We’re baaack’ proclamation. “And I’ll commend him again for just being the guy he is and the way he is because it’s really been transcending and inspiring to everybody on this whole team and the whole university.”</p>
<p id="7iPzOi">But quite unlike what Ehlinger says is now true of Texas, 13 senior starters that helped the Longhorns turn the proverbial corner are not back, nor is star slot receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey. As expected, those departures leave the Longhorns looking to replace a tremendous amount of leadership. </p>
<p id="Nobl4B">Naturally, all eyes shift towards Ehlinger, who’s set to enter his junior season as not only a confidence-instilling, self-assured alpha male of sorts, as Texas head coach Tom Herman likes to say, but as arguably the top quarterback in the conference. It’s been at least an entire decade since anyone could accurately suggest such praise for anyone quarterbacking in burnt orange, but there is evidence to that end as Ehlinger’s 41 total touchdowns trail only McCoy’s 45 in 2008 for the most in school history, and his 3,292 passing yards mark the third-most among all returning Power 5 quarterbacks, behind only Alabama’s <span>Tua Tagovailoa</span> (3,966) and Stanford’s <span>K.J. Costello</span> (3,540). </p>
<p id="HPwtQX">Though things began to trend this way towards the end of the 2018 season as Ehlinger amassed such stats, Texas is unquestionably his team now — something maybe no Longhorn has been able to boast since McCoy departed a decade ago — even if Ehlinger doesn’t quite see it that way. </p>
<p id="fXOtTo">As spring practice got underway, Ehlinger was asked if Texas was <em>his</em> team, to which he responded, “no, this is <em>our</em> team.” </p>
<p id="Z3hPGr">“That’s what you want from a leader; a guy that defers the praise to his teammates and that shoulders maybe some unnecessary blame when things don’t go well,” Herman said of Ehlinger during a recent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_FDg__L8gY">post-practice media availability</a>. “That was something we didn’t have to teach him. He understands that he’s got the ultimate respect of the guys on this team and he doesn’t need to say it, brag about it, whatever.”</p>
<p id="HGXqfv">In other words, what’s understood doesn’t need to be explained.</p>
<p id="fJS856">This spring mark’s Ehlinger’s third on the Forty Acres, yet for the first time, he isn’t fighting to earn his fair share of first-team reps. He isn’t tasked with proving himself to a locker room that may not be entirely sure if he’s the guy capable of quarterbacking the Texas program back to prominence, as may have been the case last spring after Ehlinger’s 3-4 record as a starter in 2017. </p>
<p id="PsqBlV">Between then and now, Ehlinger cemented one of the greatest single seasons in school history. Far more importantly though, he solidified himself as <em>the </em>quarterback at Texas — so much so that former starter <span>Shane Buechele</span> and former four-star prospect <span>Cameron Rising</span> have each transferred out of the program with the quarterback job no longer in question. </p>
<p id="bDoMwV">For a Texas program’s that’s been all but forced to throw one freshman into the fire after another throughout the past decade, with <span>Buechele</span> and Ehlinger just the most recent examples, there is no better news. </p>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/3/21/18272807/sam-ehlinger-texas-longhorns-quarterback-room-leader-tom-herman-2019-spring-footballCody Daniel2019-02-25T12:29:52-06:002019-02-25T12:29:52-06:00WATCH: Docu-series on Texas QB Roschon Johnson shows his path to success
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<p>The #fUTure19 quarterback signee and current early enrollee stars in a YouTube docu-series that reveals the story behind his high school accomplishment.</p> <p id="OyPFaS"><em>“My nephew was born with a gift. And it’s because of that gift that he is who he is on the football field. And that gift is the ability to turn his desire into reality. He has the focus and discipline to condition himself to achieve whatever he desires.”</em> — Marcus Rax</p>
<p id="Zthb0h">One of the state’s most talented quarterbacks from the 2019 class — Roschon Johnson — is now starring in a docu-series highlighting his life and high school football career <a href="https://youtu.be/iGQHf_zkmuA">released on Youtube</a>. The short film was directed by his uncle, Marcus Rax and Jessie Romar and takes a journey through the early enrollee’s most notable high school achievements and highlight plays, while also providing one-on-one interviews with Johnson and both of his parents.</p>
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<p id="u8bJGq">Johnson started his football journey at around seven years old when he first started playing tackle football. Growing up as the youngest sibling in the family during his flag football days, he’d admire putting on the pads whenever he watched his older brothers play tackle football. </p>
<p id="00pZ06">At around 10 years old, Johnson changed positions, moving from running back to quarterback — he felt as if he could make his biggest impact there given the opportunity to have control of the offense. </p>
<p id="PdNbJS">His family started to recognize how special he was when the coaches would put him at different positions to help his teams. In fact, that’s when Roschon started to realize his own potential, too, which helped him develop a strong work ethic for the game at a young age.</p>
<p id="FSsEeX">Johnson’s brother, Jeremiah Rose, said of his sibling’s talent ability, “I first realized he was going to be really good when he started playing quarterback. Just seeing how dedicated he was to practicing and throwing the football every single day.”</p>
<p id="EMtLfS">Unlike most high school students, Johnson spent the summer before his senior season in the classroom finishing up some credits so he could graduate by December and enroll early at Texas. His weekly offseason summer schedule from Monday through Thursday consisted of early morning workouts, summer classes, team workouts in the afternoon, and throwing practice in the evening.</p>
<p id="0P356p">“He wakes up really early in the morning and will go to the field at least three times a day if necessary,” his parents said. “He will not miss a day, no matter what’s going on. He’ll make time to make sure he gets out on the field, gets his throws in, and gets better.”</p>
<p id="vjp5Bk">Johnson credited his father for instilling competitiveness and faithfulness into him. </p>
<p id="jDHYb9">“My competitive drive comes from my dad. He really instilled in me as a father figure. He mentally influenced me and instilled my drive to dominate in whatever I do — on the field or in the classroom. I stay grounded basically in my faith. My dad really instilled that into me. Being a devoted Christian teaches me to stay humble no matter what. The awards, the accolades, all of that can be taken away in seconds.”</p>
<p id="HmFCGU">The combination of talent, humility, and hard work earned Johnson plenty of attention after his breakout sophomore campaign. Texas A&M offered days after his season ended after three playoff games, with Florida, Houston, Oklahoma, Texas, and Penn State following over the next two months. By the end of May, he’d also landed offers from Tennessee, Oregon, and Ohio State. </p>
<p id="SDk2bm">Before his junior season began, he’d already settled on his decision — Johnson <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/recruiting/2017/7/21/16013590/roschon-johnson-texas-longhorns-commitment-2019-quarterback-port-neches-groves">committed</a> to head coach Tom Herman and his staff during a summer recruiting event.</p>
<p id="a95t9S">“I choose to come to Texas because the culture that is there right now. Coach Herman and his staff, the way that they’re bringing up the guys together and corralling the team together,” Johnson said. “You look at the team now and the wins that they’ve had. I felt like I’d be a fool to not be apart of that.”</p>
<p id="r47ZyP">In the end, it’s not all about football for Johnson, though — his ultimate goal is to have an influence on his community. </p>
<p id="7pJ22K">“Coming up from Port Arthur, Texas, there’s not a lot of successful people,” Johnson said. “I feel like if I can influence somebody else and set an example for them, anything is possible if you dedicate yourself and work hard for it. My main goal is to impact the younger kids around me and be a role model for them.”</p>
<p id="1zoJ62">So no matter what happens on the football field for Johnson at Texas, he’s already on track to make a difference in his community and beyond.</p>
<p id="5GIGcR">“Once he learns how to apply this gift to everything he does in life, he has the potential to be something bigger than anybody can ever expect,” Rax said. “And at that moment he will realize that he’s not lucky to have football, but that football is lucky to have him.”</p>
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<p id="2vSUoA">At 6’1, 192 pounds, Johnson was ranked as the nation’s No. 214 prospect, the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback, and as the No. 28 player in the state, per the 247Sports Composite rankings for his class after playing his high school football at Port Neches-Groves (Divison 5A-2). </p>
<p id="rs8Qm6">As a starting varsity quarterback at Port Neches-Grove, the dual-threat signal caller eclipsed 7,700 career passing yards and 4,900 career rushing yards while amassing 170 total touchdowns over his three-year career (85 passing and 85 rushing).</p>
<p id="KoX1NT">Johnson became the first of the #fUTure19 group to commit to the Longhorns when he made his verbal pledge to Texas back in the summer of 2017. The elite quarterback remained loyal ever since and played a big role in recruiting others for the 2019 class, speaking to his leadership traits as a quarterback.</p>
<p id="pltafk">Following an incredible senior season and a third-round playoff loss, Johnson competed with and against the nation’s top recruits at the 2019 Under Armour All-American Game. He earned the starting nod at quarterback for Team Flash and down the stretch, it was Johnson seeing all the snaps at quarterback.</p>
<p id="zoftGz">Johnson signed his letter of intent to the University of Texas on Dec. 19 and is already enrolled on campus.</p>
<p id="FRqGdq">The gifted dual-threat quarterback now awaits his time at quarterback in burnt orange and white. He’ll enter spring practice as the third-string quarterback behind returning starter <span>Sam Ehlinger</span> and redshirt freshman <span>Casey Thompson</span>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Patiently waiting... <a href="https://t.co/8diWsxs1MS">pic.twitter.com/8diWsxs1MS</a></p>— Shug (@RoschonJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoschonJ/status/1074107933284282368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/2/25/18237960/roschon-johnson-i-am-a-monster-docuseries-texas-longhorns-recruiting-2019-early-enrolleeAnthony Rizzo2019-02-08T17:37:50-06:002019-02-08T17:37:50-06:00Texas will miss Shane Buechele’s leadership and football IQ
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<p>Buechele’s football career in Austin is over, but his legacy is a credit to his integrity and dedication to the program.</p> <p id="Tbl7Mf">Call it mutual admiration. Reciprocity.</p>
<p id="0RzGyo">The rise of <span>Sam Ehlinger</span> as the starting quarterback for the <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> relegated <span>Shane Buechele</span> to a backup role during the 2018 season, <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/2/7/18170084/shane-buechele-graduate-transfer-smu-mustangs-texas-longhorns">leading to his transfer on Thursday</a>, but Buechele never wavered in his commitment to program and head coach Tom Herman never wavered in his admiration for Buechele. Neither did Ehlinger.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everything you taught me on and off the field. Thank you for everything. Can’t wait to watch you tear it up next year. Love you bro❤️ <a href="https://t.co/DUJ1gfynZW">https://t.co/DUJ1gfynZW</a></p>— Sam Ehlinger (@sehlinger3) <a href="https://twitter.com/sehlinger3/status/1093645917939482625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2019</a>
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<p id="L5RHlQ">And for good reason.</p>
<p id="evPfVd">Buechele’s dedication mostly happened out of the public eye or away from notice — his efforts in practice, his engagement on the headset during games, and even before games, when he always greeted his teammates in the tunnel.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is a perfect example of why <a href="https://twitter.com/BGShaneBuechele?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BGShaneBuechele</a> is one of the finest young men I’ve been around. I filmed this before the ‘18 Texas/OU game. Instead of pouting about not bring the starter, he was encouraging his teammates. This guy is loved BIG and is ALL CLASS. <a href="https://t.co/e8pbSzV5kD">pic.twitter.com/e8pbSzV5kD</a></p>— Bob Shipley (@RobertShipley2) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertShipley2/status/1093916735755960320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2019</a>
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<p id="S0E65D">Beyond Buechele’s pre-game ritual, the dedication showed itself primarily in practice. </p>
<p id="O4jvI8">“I have told you guys, and I want to tell the world — <span>Shane Buechele</span> is the most engaged, he’s the most prepared, he’s the most positive coaching backup quarterback I’ve ever been around in my life and I’ve been around some really good ones, really, really good ones,” Herman said after the Baylor game.</p>
<p id="xdjF22">Buechele had replaced an injured <span>Ehlinger</span> and helped the Longhorns to a victory largely enabled by his practice habits.</p>
<p id="3CBtlt">For the first seven weeks of the season, Buechele took his mental reps as Texas worked on quarterback sneaks. There was Buechele, always 15 yards behind the play, crouched down and without have a center in front of him just taking mental reps on air.</p>
<p id="y3Ftnz">So when he was called on, he was ready.</p>
<p id="r3tojA">Texas won’t just lose a highly competent backup quarterback or a good teammate, though — Buechele thinks the game like a coach’s son and helped the offensive staff on the headset during games throughout the season.</p>
<p id="E1cjuc">One particularly impressive example was relayed by wide receiver <span>Collin Johnson</span>, Buechele’s roommate, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiIQAm-WEZY&t=22s">in a recent video</a>. In it, <span>Johnson</span> discussed a 3rd and 11 play against Kansas State in the fourth quarter with the clock under five minutes remaining. As was the case for much of the season, it was a situation in which the Horns were attempting to hold on late.</p>
<p id="UdZeSO">Having noticed a potential vulnerability, Buechele recommended a play to the coaches and when the game was on the line, they trusted him enough to call it. Against zone coverage from a empty set, <span>Johnson</span> was able to find some space on his dig route in the boundary and Ehlinger was able to keep the ball low where only <span>Johnson</span> could catch it.</p>
<p id="CCHQRL">Thanks to the big conversion, Texas was able to run out the clock.</p>
<p id="xkh0BB">As a potential future coach, Buechele was clearly an asset to the offensive staff during games, a contrast highlighted when now-departed freshman quarterback <span>Cameron Rising</span> wasn’t sure what to do on the headset when Buechele replaced Ehlinger in the Baylor game. With Ehlinger in the locker room receiving treatment for his injured shoulder, <span>Rising</span> had to take on that role.</p>
<p id="HZpYkS">“He comes over to me, ‘Coach, what am I supposed it look for?’” Herman recalled after the game. “I said, ‘Just act like you’re playing the game and give us any pointers that you see out there and just be Shane’s sounding board, if you will.’”</p>
<p id="C2lpJG">For quarterbacks who have started their whole lives, it’s an unusual situation. In 2019, redshirt freshman <span>Casey Thompson</span> or true freshman Roschon Johnson will take on that task and the the high standard set by Buechele that comes with it.</p>
<p id="qdunjQ">The bottom line is that Buechele made the most of his opportunities to contribute to the team in any way possible, an example that should serve <span>Thompson</span> well as he matures, and one that the entire quarterback room can pass down to Johnson.</p>
<p id="RNcgkT">After all, the little things like that are the best way to honor Buechele’s legacy at Texas.</p>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/2/8/18195499/shane-buechele-texas-longhorns-transfer-smu-mustangs-leadership-football-iqWescott Eberts2019-02-08T16:37:38-06:002019-02-08T16:37:38-06:00How Texas QB Sam Ehlinger can improve as a junior
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<p>The Austin Westlake product had a tremendous sophomore season, but still has areas of growth for 2019.</p> <p id="3eH7Hx">When <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> quarterback <span>Sam Ehlinger</span> hugged head coach Tom Herman on the field of the Superdome after a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sugar-bowl">Sugar Bowl</a> victory over the <a href="https://www.dawgsports.com/">Georgia Bulldogs</a>, it was after once again out-playing one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. And just before declaring that Texas is back.</p>
<p id="sGymdu">The performance, highlighted by three rushing touchdowns and efficient aerial efforts, capped a sophomore season that broke school and conference records as <span>Ehlinger</span> cemented his position as Texas QB1.</p>
<p id="khvPTD">Ehlinger finished the 2018 campaign with a 146.83 quarterback rating after completing 275-of-425 pass attempts (64.7%) and throwing for 3,292 yards and 25 touchdowns. Following some accuracy issues as a freshman, the Austin Westlake product improved his completion percentage by 7.2 points and his yards per attempt from 7.0 to 7.7.</p>
<p id="fcI1gU">Two interceptions in the season opener at Maryland magnified leftover concerns from 2017, but Ehlinger went more than two months and 10 consecutive games without throwing an interception following his sophomore debut. In the process, he shattered <span>Geno Smith</span>’s Big 12 record (273) for most consecutive passes thrown without throwing an interception. Ehlinger’s streak ended at 308 straight passes in the first half against Kansas. </p>
<p id="GkUmZd">His 5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio was good for second best in the Big 12 behind <span>Kyler Murray</span> at 6-to-1. Overall, Ehlinger’s interception rate dropped from 2.5 as a freshman to 1.2.</p>
<p id="Po4z2E">Those three rushing touchdowns against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl helped Ehlinger set the single-season rushing touchdown record (17) for a quarterback after breaking Vince Young’s mark (15).</p>
<p id="Ffndga">His ability as a power run threat added another dimension to offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s offense, as Ehlinger was effective near the goal line all season long — 16-of-33 red-zone touchdowns for the Horns were a result of his runs.</p>
<p id="9xEXcK">After establishing himself as one of the best quarterbacks in program history, Ehlinger now faces the question of just how much more upside he can tap into in an effort to continue elevating his game and the program by extension. </p>
<p id="3MFmO4">Herman discussed where his quarterback <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2018/11/15/18096965/sam-ehlinger-mechanics-texas-longhorns-tim-beck-tom-herman">improved mechanically</a> last season, areas that Ehlinger can continue to refine this offseason.</p>
<p id="9oV13a">“I think Sam has done a really good job of compacting his base. Big guys tend to overstride when they throw, which causes them to be erratic,” Herman said in mid-November. “He’s compacted his base and his lower body throwing motion, and the thing that he’s done on a continual basis, he still has some bad habits here and there, but he’s holding the ball high, which is allowing him to get the ball out quicker.”</p>
<p id="kMaRiX">Back in November, Beck provided some further perspective on Ehlinger’s mechanics.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I asked Tim Beck about Sam Ehlinger's mechanics tonight and I thought his response was really interesting. Grabbed the video since his demonstration of mechanics was a big part of his response. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HookEm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HookEm</a> <a href="https://t.co/SCqncllggQ">pic.twitter.com/SCqncllggQ</a></p>— Wescott Eberts (@SBN_Wescott) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBN_Wescott/status/1062940884617039873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a>
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<p id="TbpFsZ">So the emphasis on keeping the ball higher has helped Ehlinger shorten what is often an elongated release that also plays a role in his tendency to overstride. Compacting the base and his delivery allows Ehlinger to get more power on his throws, which in turn go where they’re supposed to go more often instead of sailing when he overstrides.</p>
<p id="WsWphX">As a true sophomore, Ehlinger wasn’t a finished product, as he maintained the tendency to let his hands drop, which elongated his delivery and impacted the timing of his foot strike and weight transfer.</p>
<p id="1fVHMQ">Herman and Beck are still working with Ehlinger to counter the muscle memory of those bad habits, a process that may not end during his Longhorns career.</p>
<p id="mI8j9O">“One year to 15 years or whatever,” Beck said when I asked him where Ehlinger is right now in that process. “Because when a guy picks up a ball and he throws it the first time, that’s probably gonna be his motion, whatever that was at two years old.</p>
<p id="Y5G9pQ">“Seriously, that’s what a lot of them do and then you have to re-teach, so we constantly have verbal cues or little things that we say to make sure he knows, this is where you need to be.”</p>
<p id="U65nRw">So the offseason will continue to feature the Texas coaches working with Ehlinger on consistently maintaining that compact base, keeping the ball high, and not dropping his elbow so that his delivery remains short.</p>
<p id="gCVNlX">As Ehlinger does that more frequently, he’ll be able to get the ball out faster and with more velocity to hit small windows in the passing game. And that will be necessary, because the loss of Lil’Jordan Humphrey will only increase the need for such pinpoint accuracy.</p>
<p id="9TmtQr">Off-platform throws like those made quickly in the run-pass option game will almost certainly be a point of emphasis, as well — Ehlinger improved on those throws throughout the season, both in terms of decision making and placement, but can still get better in both areas.</p>
<p id="DDFq0J">Other passes like screens, hitches and crossing routes, the underneath throws, require Ehlinger to deliver with a precision allowing receivers to consistently catch the ball in stride and get up field or make defenders miss. When Herman talks about increasing explosive plays on those short throws, Ehlinger has a significant responsibility in terms of throwing the right ball to the right spot, something he improved upon throughout his sophomore season.</p>
<p id="tNGiSk">Beyond pure mechanics, Ehlinger must also get better at <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2018/10/27/18029096/texas-longhorns-passing-game-devin-duvernay-shot-plays-quarterbacks-tim-beck">connecting with his speedy wide receivers on post routes</a>. In 2018, those issues manifested as difficulties hitting <span>Devin Duvernay</span>, especially early against Kansas State, a pass that Beck characterized as a “bad ball.”</p>
<p id="roOJJB">Co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Herb Hand was philosophical when asked by Burnt Orange Nation about that missed throw.</p>
<p id="iFZMhg">“When we come out and have some plays in mind that we want to open up the game with, sure, you’d like to hit those, and you take those shots on downs where it makes sense,” offensive line coach Herb Hand told me after that game.</p>
<p id="spmCRL">“When we miss a shot play, we tell our guys before the game, ‘Hey, we’re going to throw the ball down the field; we’re going to press them vertically.’ We’re not going to be able to hit them all.”</p>
<p id="68i0hW">However, those plays are designed during the week to use formations and specific play calls to take advantage of vulnerable personnel and coverages that defensive coordinators could quickly tweak during games — Texas won in Manhattan by a narrow margin and never had another opportunity like the one Ehlinger missed in targeting <span>Duvernay</span>.</p>
<p id="m9h5Xj">As Beck explained, it is a tough throw.</p>
<p id="BVKxb4">“You know, the angle, it’s kind of weird,” Beck told BON. “The quarterback sees the big picture, right? So he can see the backside safety or the backside corner, how far I need to throw him across the field, how far I don’t.”</p>
<p id="Wbfw9A">The receiver, on the other hand, just sees the defender on top of him. He’s trying to win inside at all costs. Winning outside is a recipe for an interception.</p>
<p id="1oDFrG">The quarterback is trying to throw the ball into an open area to allow the wide receiver to go get it, but sometimes a backside safety might cause that throw to come out at a higher angle. If the defender flattens out the wide receiver, the angle of the throw has to flatten out in response.</p>
<p id="qgQ6ve">It’s a difficult throw that requires the quarterback to anticipate it quickly and get the ball out on time — the alternatives are risking a sack or taking a sack by holding it too long. On Ehlinger’s throw against Kansas State, he didn’t throw in rhythm or put the right trajectory on the ball to allow Duvernay the opportunity to run under it.</p>
<p id="a4KMpX">“That’s why they’re called shot plays,” Beck said. “Sometimes you hit them, sometimes you don’t, but we keep working on those areas. We’re probably better throwing the verticals — the seams, the gos — because of the angles. I think our quarterbacks are extremely accurate on those deep balls and our guys have been extremely good going up and getting them. But that’s an area where we continue to try to work.”</p>
<p id="PAEsle">While all of that is true — post routes do often involve quick post-snap reads after holding a safety and are difficult throws, the reality is that if Ehlinger wants to maximize the 2019 offense, he’ll need to more consistently judge that throw and deliver it more accurately.</p>
<p id="0zyLCr">The fact that multiple potential deep threats like Bru McCoy, Jordan Whittington, and Jake Smith are joining or have joined the program only increases the need to take advantage of that speed, although whether McCoy will be eligible this season is still an unknown. Overall, however, the point still stands. </p>
<p id="bawSfP">It may be the case that improved confidence resulting from moving past the avoidance phase of his development will help Ehlinger keep from erring on the side of throwing that ball too long.</p>
<p id="C4vrJj">With Humphrey off to the NFL, along with his 1,000 receiving yards and his 25 catches for first downs on 49 such conversions, Ehlinger must improve on his ability to go through progressions on third down while improving or merely establishing a rapport and comfort level with the other receivers.</p>
<p id="YAzLtP">The additions of elite talents like Whittington and Smith should help in that regard, as well as the potential eligibility of McCoy, who is currently enrolled at Texas while pursuing a transfer waiver.</p>
<p id="6wkxXv">The challenge is that none of those receivers have the height of Humphrey, whose length and basketball skills combined to make him a lethal jump-ball threat in the slot. His big body also helped screen defenders on passes thrown on his numbers.</p>
<p id="TdeGZN">In general, Humphrey and <span>Collin Johnson</span> provided Ehlinger with big security blankets on third downs, so it’s not unreasonable to suggest that the Texas quarterback has room for growth in terms of going through his progressions after the snap. At times last season, Ehlinger was content to wait for one of those two receivers to beat coverage or just throw them open.</p>
<p id="emjfYk">Clearly, that was a winning proposition, as both players had huge years and Ehlinger didn’t consistently endanger the football by making those throws, but he could find more big plays this season by not locking onto those decisions before the snap.</p>
<p id="plggFd">The improved explosiveness at wide receiver means that each of those opportunities have the potential to go for more yards.</p>
<p id="pq3RYd">As a runner, Ehlinger has become an elite short-yardage threat, prompting TCU head coach Gary Patterson to <a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article218637085.html">acknowledge that running ability</a> last September.</p>
<p id="e6fQHW">“He’s a running back playing quarterback. He beats you with his feet. He’s won a lot of ballgames because of taking off, running draws, powers, quarterback stretches, all of those kind of things,” Patterson said.</p>
<p id="wHGq9I">“We didn’t play him a year ago, so you’ve got to be ready. He’s the X-factor in their offense.”</p>
<p id="ZJs9HA">The concern for Ehlinger and the coaching staff heading into his junior season is whether he can stay healthy serving as a de facto running back on so many plays. Ehlinger certainly doesn’t turn down many opportunities for a collision.</p>
<p id="Z4tdSO">Still, wondering about whether Ehlinger can avoid enough of those hits to stay on the field for a full season stands in stark contrast to the narrative coming out of his freshman season and every other offseason since <span>Colt McCoy</span>, with the exception of one.</p>
<p id="hM3Xhy">In 2012, <span>David Ash</span> showed signs that he could become an elite quarterback before concussion issues derailed his career. Even so, <span>Ash</span> never quite displayed the same upside that Ehlinger demonstrated last season — the local product enters 2019 with a chance to further secure his legacy as one of the three best quarterbacks in modern school history.</p>
<p id="B5n4K4">Given that Ehlinger still isn’t a finished product, it’s heartening to consider how much better he can become if he even approximates the trajectory from his freshman to sophomore seasons.</p>
<p id="4DF7nX">Call it a consideration worthy of confetti.</p>
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<cite>Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/2/8/18207624/sam-ehlinger-texas-longhorns-improvement-mechanicsWescott Eberts2019-02-07T16:07:50-06:002019-02-07T16:07:50-06:00Texas QB Shane Buechele transferring to SMU
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<p>Buechele entered the NCAA transfer portal weeks ago and will have two seasons of eligibility after he graduates in May.</p> <p id="Q6BNhb">Junior quarterback Shane Buechele announced his decision to transfer from the Texas Longhorns and spend his final two seasons of eligibility with the SMU Mustangs on Thursday, marking an intended return to the Metroplex for the former Arlington Lamar standout:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thank you Longhorn Nation. On to the next chapter. <a href="https://t.co/3Wk65mSByf">pic.twitter.com/3Wk65mSByf</a></p>— Shane Buechele (@BGShaneBuechele) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGShaneBuechele/status/1093628728968708097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2019</a>
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<p id="yVYt2U">The decision ended weeks of speculating about Buechele after he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal in mid-January. In the immediate aftermath of that decision, head coach Tom Herman left open the possibility that Buechele would continue working out with the team throughout the spring, but Buechele ultimately declined.</p>
<p id="EpjRff">“Shane Buechele didn’t feel right being around his team,” Herman said on Wednesday.</p>
<p id="IjDRgz">As a result, he’s still on scholarship and still has access to the facilities to train, but he’s not going through the offseason conditioning program at Texas and won’t participate in spring practice. The Longhorns staff still checks on him once a week to see if he needs anything academically as he finishes up his degree in sport management.</p>
<p id="jbnG9k">The former starting quarterback appeared in two games this season filling in for an injured Sam Ehlinger. Texas won both games, thanks to solid game management against Baylor and a perfect passing performance against Iowa State.</p>
<p id="XfA7eU">Since he only played in two games this season, Buechele was able to maintain his redshirt season. That also means he has the opportunity to play anywhere right away being a redshirt transfer. He will enter next season as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining.</p>
<p id="N9lDuT">After Ehlinger injured his shoulder early on against Baylor, Buechele filled in nicely coming in cold off the bench, completing 20-of-34 passes for 186 yards and throwing a touchdown in the narrow 23-17 win over Baylor.</p>
<p id="5L1dLL">Against Iowa State on Senior Day — and what turned out to be Buechele’s final game at DKR — he was a perfect 10-for-10 passing for yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p id="oWUpea">Buechele was a key part in the development of Ehlinger throughout his first two seasons, too, as he remained committed as a backup and played the role of a young quarterback coach with the headset on.</p>
<p id="ysI2W3">As a freshman, in Sterlin Gilbert’s veer-and-shoot offense, Buechele played in 12 games and threw for 2,958 yards and 21 touchdowns. He became the first UT player since Bobby Layne (1944) to start his first career game. As a sophomore, Buechele appeared in nine games last season, including as the starter against Maryland and in the bowl win over Missouri. He threw for 1,405 yards and seven touchdowns while conceding starting quarterback reps to Ehlinger.</p>
<p id="SATN65">So while Beuchele won’t go down as one of the top quarterbacks in team history, he will go done as an extraordinarily committed teammate who has drawn the praise of his coaching staff at every turn. </p>
<p id="mEbuQR">Good luck at SMU, Boo.</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/2/7/18170084/shane-buechele-graduate-transfer-smu-mustangs-texas-longhornsAnthony Rizzo2019-01-19T13:29:44-06:002019-01-19T13:29:44-06:00Texas QB Casey Thompson has told coaches he will return to the program
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<figcaption>Getty Images via 247Sports.</figcaption>
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<p>The redshirting freshman put his name in the NCAA transfer portal weeks ago, but will spend at least another spring on the Forty Acres.</p> <p id="YiOy5h">Is the remarkable 2018-19 <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> quarterback drama now resolved after one confirmed departure, another looming departure, and weeks in the NCAA transfer portal for another player?</p>
<p id="3n5b8u">Indeed it is — on Friday evening, Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods reported that freshman quarterback <span>Casey Thompson</span> will return to the Forty Acres this spring:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Casey Thompson informed Texas on Friday night he intends to return to Texas after entering his name in the transfer portal prior to the Sugar Bowl. Sam Ehlinger will be the No.1 QB on the depth chart this offseason, followed by Thompson and incoming freshman Roschon Johnson</p>— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnwarRichardson/status/1086478200425926656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2019</a>
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<p id="kMtCVf">On Saturday afternoon, a school spokesman <a href="https://twitter.com/BDavisAAS/status/1086700649847443457">confirmed the news</a> to Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman, shortly before Thompson sent the following tweet:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Confirmed. ✔️</p>— Casey Thompson (@LilThurm) <a href="https://twitter.com/LilThurm/status/1086717768454549505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2019</a>
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<p id="r4KRw0">A 6’1, 190-pounder who is the son of former Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson, the remaining member of the 2018 quarterback recruiting class for Texas <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/1/17/18186778/casey-thompson-stay-return-texas-longhorns-freshman-quarterback-cameron-rising-shane-buechele">denied a similar report about his decision to stay in Austin on Thursday</a>.</p>
<p id="Pe5kXz"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/1/17/18171092/cameron-rising-transfer-announcement-utah-utes-texas-longhorns">With fellow redshirting freshman Cameron Rising already departed for Utah</a> and <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/1/17/18186651/texas-longhorns-quarterbacks-cameron-rising-wont-return-shane-buechele-enter-ncaa-transfer-portal">redshirting junior Shane Buechele also an entrant into the transfer portal with the intent to become a graduate transfer</a>, there were legitimate concerns about massive casualties in a position room that had suddenly become crowded.</p>
<p id="lDlvCW">Instead, the news of Thompson’s return represents what was always the most likely scenario — that at least one of the two freshman would remain in the program, especially in the case of <span>Buechele</span> leaving.</p>
<p id="VUsWHi">Basically, there wasn’t a ton of incentive for Thompson to leave with the prospect that he would rise from No. 4 to No. 2 on the Longhorns depth chart when the other possibility was transferring, sitting out a year, and then competing for a job.</p>
<p id="fcMe38">After a rare year with four scholarship quarterbacks, head coach Tom Herman and his staff won’t be thrilled about entering the 2019 season with three scholarship quarterbacks, but there were never really overwhelming odds that it would be worse than that.</p>
<p id="25Y3I8">And it will not be worse than that. So go ahead and take a deep breath.</p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/1/18/18189148/casey-thompson-return-texas-longhorns-football-quarterback-transferWescott Eberts2019-01-17T17:59:58-06:002019-01-17T17:59:58-06:00Texas freshman QB Cameron Rising announces transfer to Utah
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<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The California product will head back west in an effort to find playing time in 2020.</p> <p id="Nk02eM">Freshman quarterback <span>Cameron Rising</span> announced his decision to transfer from the <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> on Thursday, ending weeks of speculation since he entered the NCAA transfer portal nearly a month ago.</p>
<p id="vhO97l">Following an official visit to Salt Lake City last weekend, <span>Rising</span> is now a member of the <a href="https://www.blocku.com/">Utah Utes</a> program.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” Go Utes! <a href="https://t.co/HRu18tDZCQ">pic.twitter.com/HRu18tDZCQ</a></p>— Cameron Rising (@crising7) <a href="https://twitter.com/crising7/status/1086040952614006784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2019</a>
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<p id="kz38co">Rising, who was an early enrollee in the 2019 class, still has four years of eligibility remaining since he redshirted this season. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he will have to sit out a season before competing for the starting job at Utah, so he’ll have three seasons of eligibility to play in the Pac-12.</p>
<p id="QZkUUR">The Utes return their top two quarterbacks next season — junior Tyler Huntler (1,788 passing yards, 304 rushing yards, 16 total TDs, 6 INTs) and freshman <span>Jason Shelley</span> (1,162 passing yards, 192 rushing yards, 8 total TDs, 6 INTs).</p>
<p id="rqymPu">At 6’2, 230 pounds, Rising has a more than ideal frame for a quarterback. He showed off that strong arm of his back in April when he completed 6-of-9 passes for 57 yards in the Orange-White Spring game last spring. During the 2018 season, Rising did not see any action as the third-string quarterback.</p>
<p id="pqZ7vp">A former consensus four-star prospect, Rising ranked among the top 250 players nationally and as the No. 11 pro-style quarterback in the 2018 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.</p>
<p id="ojrOO9">Rising’s departure may not be the last from the Texas quarterback room, as fellow freshman quarterback <span>Casey Thompson</span> is still in the NCAA transfer portal and on Thursday <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/1/17/18186778/casey-thompson-stay-return-texas-longhorns-freshman-quarterback-cameron-rising-shane-buechele">denied a report that he’ll return to the program</a>. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore quarterback <span>Shane Buechele</span> is the program’s <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/1/17/18186651/texas-longhorns-quarterbacks-cameron-rising-wont-return-shane-buechele-enter-ncaa-transfer-portal">most recent addition to the transfer portal</a> and could return to the Metroplex as a graduate transfer at SMU. <span>Buechele</span> has two seasons of eligibility remaining after redshirting in 2018.</p>
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https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/1/17/18171092/cameron-rising-transfer-announcement-utah-utes-texas-longhornsAnthony Rizzo2019-01-17T08:36:28-06:002019-01-17T08:36:28-06:00Report: QB Cameron Rising won’t return to Texas, QB Shane Buechele to enter NCAA Transfer Portal
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<figcaption>Texas quarterbacks Shane Buechele (left) and Cameron Rising (right). | Getty Images via 247Sports.</figcaption>
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<p>The Longhorns are set to lose at least one, if not two talents from the quarterback room. </p> <p id="Q3t3uV">After finally enjoying some depth at the position in 2018, the <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/">Texas Longhorns</a> are set to suffer some significant attrition in the quarterback room entering the spring. </p>
<p id="8ulRyY">According to a <a href="https://twitter.com/AnwarRichardson/status/1085722450736922629">report from Orangebloods’ Anwar Richardson</a>, true freshman quarterback <span>Cameron Rising</span>, who entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal in late December and officially visited Utah last weekend, has informed the staff that he will not be returning to Texas. The report also notes that in addition to <span>Rising</span>’s departure, junior quarterback <span>Shane Buechele</span> has informed the Longhorns staff that he intends to enter his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal and explore his options. </p>
<p id="xJ4mRy">Despite Rising expressing interest to pursue other opportunities, Texas head coach Tom Herman noted ahead of the Sugar Bowl that he wanted not only Rising, but fellow true freshman quarterback Casey Thompson, who entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal, as well, to stick around. </p>
<p id="LpHeB5">“We don’t want to lose either one of them,” Herman said of Rising and Thompson. </p>
<p id="M2hpx9">The former four-star gunslinger out of Newbury Park (Calif.) remained with the team throughout the Longhorns 28-21 Sugar Bowl win over No. 5 Georgia, and reports indicated that Rising’s experience in New Orleans caused him to reconsider leaving the Longhorns, at least initially. </p>
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<cite>247Sports.</cite>
<figcaption>Former Texas QB Cameron Rising on his official visit to Utah.</figcaption>
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<p id="kLbgSY">However, Rising did go on to take his official visit to Utah over the weekend, and just days later, the Orangebloods report indicates that Rising’s time at Texas has, in fact, come to a close. </p>
<p id="vwpHDS">It’s unclear whether or not Rising’s decision to officially leave the Longhorns is an indication that he’s headed to Utah, but the move would make sense from a potential playing time standpoint, as BON’s <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/1/11/18178663/cameron-rising-official-visit-utah-utes-texas-longhorns-transfer-portal">Wescott Eberts recently noted</a>. </p>
<p id="mckR3M">“Utah starter <span><strong>Tyler Huntley</strong></span> will exhaust his eligibility following the 2019 season, which Rising would have to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules. The back up, freshman <span><strong>Jason Shelley</strong></span>, struggled at times as Huntley’s replacement due to injury in 2018, throwing six interceptions against five touchdowns and completing less than 60 percent of his passes.”</p>
<p id="Zptl4V">In Buechele’s case, though the Transfer Portal allows a player to evaluate their options and visit other programs while retaining the option to return to their current program, should they choose to do so, it appears as if Buechele has sights set on a fresh start. Per a report <a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Texas-Longhorns-Casey-Thompson-stay-Cameron-Rising-Shane-Buechele-transfer-127942454/">from Horns247</a>, reportedly told the Longhorns coaches that he plans to complete his degree at Texas in May and then pursue a graduate transfer opportunity. After redshirting in 2018, Buechele will have two years of eligibility remaining. </p>
<p id="FJf1ZZ">Throughout his three years on the Forty Acres, Buechele played in 23 games, including 19 starts; most of which came as a true freshman in 2016. </p>
<p id="u1Ig0M">It initially appeared as if that debut campaign saw Buechele emerge as the Longhorns quarterback of the future after he completed 236-of-291 attempts for 2,958 yards and 21 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions. Despite the arrival of former four-star quarterback Sam Ehlinger the following offseason, Buechele outlasted Ehlinger and earned the starting nod entering the 2017 season, but early injuries opened the door for what became a season-long quarterback battle, with the two often exchanging series within a single game. </p>
<p id="469FQk">The following offseason, however, to cap what Herman dubbed as the toughest decision he’s had to make throughout his entire coaching career, Ehlinger was promoted to first-team duties ahead of the 2018 slate. Ehlinger didn’t relent those reps, going on to enjoy a breakout sophomore season en route to 41 total touchdowns; the second-most ever by any Longhorn. Meanwhile, Buechele was limited to reserve reps, completing 20-of-34 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown while leading the Longhorns to a 23-17 win over Baylor in his season debut after Ehlinger suffered an early shoulder injury. Weeks later, in a 24-10 win over Iowa State, Buechele stepped in for an injured Ehlinger yet again, completing each of his 10 attempts for 89 yards and a touchdown. </p>
<p id="uVOlx3">With Rising now gone from the program and Buechele seemingly set to follow in those footsteps, Texas will now be tasked with reconstructed its quarterback room after losing its third-string quarterback, and likely its second-string quarterback. </p>
<p id="XedDfM">To that end, Thompson <a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas/Article/Texas-Longhorns-Casey-Thompson-stay-Cameron-Rising-Shane-Buechele-transfer-127942454/">will reportedly return</a> to Texas in the aftermath of Rising electing to leave and Buechele eyeing a graduate transfer opportunity. The Longhorns are also set to incorporate four-star dual-threat All-American quarterback Roschon Johnson into the mix, who will compete for reps this spring as an early enrollee. </p>
https://www.burntorangenation.com/football/2019/1/17/18186651/texas-longhorns-quarterbacks-cameron-rising-wont-return-shane-buechele-enter-ncaa-transfer-portalCody Daniel