First things first…today…today should be a good day. Hook Em!

Wrapping up the Defensive Back Recruiting

– Super K

This Friday, 2020 CB, Josh Eaton will announce his decision and most feel he is Texas’ to lose.

This summer has been kind to Texas. Despite missing out on Jahari Rogers, Texas has reeled in some elite talent landing commitments from Kitan Crawford, Ethan Pouncey, and Jerrin Thompson as well as the big win pulling Xavion Alford (stud) away from TAMU.

That gives Texas two safeties in Thompson and Alford, a jack of all trades – CB, NB safety – in Crawford and a pure corner in Pouncey.

If they do indeed add Eaton, they’ll be getting another elite cornerback.

That five-man class is loaded with a diversity of skill set and some guys that can flat out run.

From what I gather, the only other addition to this class that they will be looking to make is – indeed – Kelee Ringo.

I believe the rest of the 2020 cycle on the defensive backs front will be about continuing to keep the current commits in the boat and trying to reel Ringo in and make what looks like an already special class, one for the ages.

I did go out and see Ringo in person last month and spoke with him a bit. I’ll review my notes and kick the tires a bit with my sources to bring you any new information on where things are out. I should have that to you sometime this week.

Ty Jordan | Quick Update

– Super K

We are still waiting on an announcement from 2020 RB, Ty Jordan. Texas is one of the schools he’s certainly considering.

I checked with a source close to Jordan. I was told that Jordan is expected to announce a decision before the season starts.

So, I would assume any day now…

Texas Talking Points | Team Captains Announced

– Will Baizer

The Texas Longhorns have announced their team captains for the 2019 season:

QB Sam Ehlinger

WR Collin Johnson

OC Zach Shackelford

DE Malcolm Roach

BS Brandon Jones

This seems to be the first year where I personally do not have any criticism about the staff’s choices in captains. Senior wide receiver Collin Johnson has been a steady leader amongst the skill position players throughout the past two years. Senior center Zach Shackelford may not be the most skilled player on the offensive line (Sam Cosmi), but he is definitely the guy in practice who is the vocal leader.

The biggest “surprise” is the fact that Texas finally has a quarterback as their legit team captain. Their first since David Ash. Sam is another guy in the locker room who everyone appreciates and follows. He has earned that amongst his teammates.

On the defensive side of the ball, the only controversy could be the exclusion of Jeffrey McCulloch. However, when looking from within, senior safety Brandon Jones and senior defensive end Malcolm Roach are the obvious choices. Roach is a bit more of a goofball than Jones, preferring to keep the keep levity and fire amongst his peers, whereas Jones is going to be the guy who keeps the defense organized. He and Caden Sterns will be the coaches on the field if you will.

But enough of my thoughts. What do y’all think about the choices? Anybody you’d like to see with the “C”?

Recruiting Mailbag | Quick-Hitters | Safeties & WRs

– Super K

Had a couple safety questions come in yesterday that I checked on. Also, checked on wide receiver status.

***Some of you asked about whether guys of the caliber of Chris Thompson and Lathan Ransom would be takes right now…assuming they wanted to flip.

I was told it would be a bit of a wait and see. If Josh Eaton commits to Texas that puts Texas at five DBs. Then, you want to get a sense of what Kelee Ringo wants to do. If he starts leaning Texas, can you really take 7 DBs? And does that cost you someone…if its a guy like Lathan, then maybe it’s worth it costing you someone.

But the short answer I was given was they are currently in a holding pattern. In other words, I don’t get the sense there’s any hurry to try to push anyone to flip.

***Also checked on the take status of Javian Hester and LV Bunkley. Again, they are guys that Texas likes but given where Texas is with recruiting momentum and a possible big season, the focus right now is the season and you’re not going to see them try to twist anyone’s arm.

In the case of Bunkley, he isn’t planning on committing until December anyway. And, Hester wants to take visits. So it’s kind of a good situation for both sides. The kids want to take their time and Texas wants to focus on the season and evaluate their wide receiver situation as the season plays out.

Favorable Schedule Ahead in 2019

– CJ Vogel

It’s no secret how important home field advantage is in the world of college football. And even for road games that are relatively close in proximity plays in favor of the larger road team. And this year, that is very prevalent when looking at the Longhorns schedule.

Last season, Texas was 5–1 at home with the lone loss coming as a result of a last second two-point conversion by Will Grier and the West Virginia Mountaineers 42-41.

“Don’t Stop Believin’!” Here is how it looked from our perspective. An incredible moment provided by the fans at DKR. #ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/jy10hMQuvZ — Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 18, 2018

As a result, it’s safe to say the advantage of playing at DKR is certainly back in play moving forward.

If you add in games that were played in the state of Texas alone, the Longhorns went 6–1 in the regular season. Thank Sam Ehlinger and Lil’Jordan Humphrey for their touchdown connection with :24 seconds to sink what would have been a brutal Red Raider comeback.

So let’s take a look ahead at what to expect with the 2019 regular season schedule and just how advantageous this year’s slate plays out for the Longhorns.

2019 Schedule

8/31 Louisiana Tech – HOME

9/7 LSU – HOME

9/14 Rice – NEUTRAL (Played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Tx)

9/21 Oklahoma State – HOME

10/5 West Virginia – AWAY

10/12 Oklahoma – NEUTRAL (Played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tx)

10/19 Kansas – HOME

10/26 TCU – AWAY

11/9 Kansas State – HOME

11/16 Iowa State – AWAY

11/23 Baylor – AWAY

11/29 Texas Tech – HOME

At first glance, a schedule with exactly 50% of the games at their home stadium doesn’t look all too juicy, especially when most schools in other power five conferences host 7-8 home games a year. For instance:

Alabama – 8 home games

Michigan – 7 home games

Texas A&M – 7 home games

Ohio State – 7 home games

Clemson – 7 home games

However, a deeper look shows the schedule is in fact real favorable for the Longhorns. Texas has two games the entire season out of the state with most in-state road games being no more than a couple hour drive.

Outside of West Virginia and Iowa State, which very well could be the toughest game on the schedule when it’s all said and done, Texas is the beneficiary of 10 of their 12 games being within a three-hour drive of Austin.

Rice at NRG Stadium – 2 hours, 45 minutes

Oklahoma at Cotton Bowl – 2 hours, 58 minutes

TCU at Amon G Carter Stadium – 2 hours, 51 minutes

Baylor at McLane Stadium – 1 hour, 32 minutes

With hopes and expectations at its highest since 2009, it is more than safe to expect Texas fans to travel very well to all four of these games, providing a road advantage that is hard to come by.

A large road contingency is exactly what Texas will need for these road games as well. In the last 6 seasons, Texas has a 1–2 record in Fort Worth, 2–1 record in Morgantown and 2–1 record in Waco. If my math adds up, that’s a 5–4 record.

While one may point out the Big 12 schedule is the same as the 2015 and 2017 seasons the looming difference is the pre-conference slate. Texas had to travel to Notre Dame and USC in each season respectively while hosting LSU at DKR is a massive turnaround with the one “road” coming at a neutral site against Rice. Quite a difference in my opinion.

So, will a favorable schedule guarantee the Longhorns an improvement on a 10–4 season with a win in the Sugar Bowl? No. But it certainly plays into their favor and sets up what could be their best full season since 2009.

Position Breakdown | Defensive Line

– CJ Vogel

Now that the 2019 season is just days away, it’s time to focus in on the strengths and weaknesses of each position group on this year’s team. We’ll start on the defensive line, a group with one of the biggest facelifts of any position groups this season.

Departures

DE Charles Omenihu (48 games played)

DE Breckyn Hager (42 games played)

DT Chris Nelson (37 games played)

Additions

DE Jacoby Jones

Freshman DE Peter Mpagi

Freshman DE Myron Warren

Freshman DT T’Vondre Sweat

Off the bat, a lot of production is gone from last year’s team at the defensive line position, which immediately causes some concern heading into the next season.

Texas recorded 32 total sacks last year by 13 different players. Of those 32 sacks, only 12.5 came from members of the defensive line which was accumulated by just three different players.

Charles Omenihu – 9.5 sacks

Breckyn Hager – 2.5 sacks

Ta’Quon Graham – 0.5 sacks

Is it a concern that 96% of last year’s sacks by the defensive line won’t be returning? Well yes, losing the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year certainly isn’t a great note, however the depth on the DL in 2019 is something Texas hasn’t had in years.

The 12.5 sacks are the fewest a Longhorns DL group has produced in at least the last decade.

From what we have seen through the first two weeks of fall camp, is a combination of speed and big bodies.

First Team DL:

DE: Malcolm Roach

DT: Keondre Coburn

DE: Taquon Graham

Second Team DL:

DE: Marquez Bimage

DT: Gerald Wilson

DE: Jamari Chisholm

The group of freshman that joined Oscar Giles’ squad this fall has been amongst the team’s largest weight gainers as well. T’Vondre Sweat (285 at NSD to 320), Peter Mpagi (225 at NSD to 260) and Myron Warren (240 at NSD to 270) all figure to see the field in at least four games to keep their redshirt intact.

At the end of the day, the defensive line group is rather inexperienced. Coburn and Graham got a taste of Big 12 play last year, but neither got the volume they are expected to take over once Louisiana Tech comes to town. On the bright side, however, having a team captain like Malcolm Roach and veteran Gerald Wilbon in the group will 100% keep the group on track.

I do think this group will be an improvement from last year. At times last year, Breckyn Hager was near unplayable, and at the moment I don’t think there is a weak link like that so far that is expected to be in the early rotation.

Consistency alone should be an improvement in the passing game with the 12.5 sack mark very likely be surpassed.

Wide Receiver Recruit To Keep An Eye On

– Andrew King

In Super K’s most recent post, he mentioned how two WR recruits Texas is in a good spot with in LV Buckley and JJ Hester. Something else he noted is that with all the recruiting momentum, Texas isn’t necessarily pushing them to commit in the near future. Part of the reason is that other recruits who didn’t have much interest in Texas early on could start changing their tune when it comes to the Longhorns.

One guy to keep an eye on is Rockwall (TX) Ohio State WR commit Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He committed to the Buckeyes back in November. But there have been some rumblings he might end up wanting to stay closer to home. I reached out and he told me he has been in contact with the Texas staff. Nothing is set in terms of visits, but he said it’s something he could look at down the line. But like I said, nothing is for sure right now.

Either way, Smith-Njigba is a top three WR in the state of Texas. So this is something to keep an eye on moving forward.