3yardsandacloud
Administrator Emeritus
2006 Texas Longhorns - Additional Information
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Mack Brown
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Greg Davis - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Gene Chizik - Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Duane Akina - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Bruce Chambers - Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
Oscar Giles - Defensive Ends
Bobby Kennedy - Assistant Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Mac McWhorter - Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
Ken Rucker - Running Backs
Mike Tolleson - Defensive Tackles/Special Teams Coordinator
Cleve Bryant - Associate Athletics Director for Football Operations
Jeff Madden - Assistant Athletics Director for Strength & Conditioning
George Wynn - Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations
Jeff Koonz - Graduate Assistant/Defense
Derek Lewis - Graduate Assistant/Offense
Official School Bio - Mack Brown
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Greg Davis - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Gene Chizik - Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Duane Akina - Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs
Bruce Chambers - Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends
Oscar Giles - Defensive Ends
Bobby Kennedy - Assistant Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers
Mac McWhorter - Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line
Ken Rucker - Running Backs
Mike Tolleson - Defensive Tackles/Special Teams Coordinator
Cleve Bryant - Associate Athletics Director for Football Operations
Jeff Madden - Assistant Athletics Director for Strength & Conditioning
George Wynn - Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations
Jeff Koonz - Graduate Assistant/Defense
Derek Lewis - Graduate Assistant/Offense
Recruiting
Starters Returning: 15 (Offense 7, Defense 7, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Returning: 43 (Offense 19, Defense 23, Special Teams 1)
Notable Returners:
RB Jamaal Charles, S Michael Griffin, DE Tim Crowder, OL Justin Blalock, OL Will Allen,
Starters Lost: 10 (Offense 4, Defense 4, Special Teams 2)
Letterman Lost: 20 (Offense 9, Defense 8, Special Teams 3)
Notable Losses:
QB Vince Young, OT Jonathan Scott, TE David Thomas, S Michael Huff, DT Rodrique Wright, LB Aaron Harris, DB Cedric Griffin
Letterman Returning: 43 (Offense 19, Defense 23, Special Teams 1)
Notable Returners:
RB Jamaal Charles, S Michael Griffin, DE Tim Crowder, OL Justin Blalock, OL Will Allen,
Starters Lost: 10 (Offense 4, Defense 4, Special Teams 2)
Letterman Lost: 20 (Offense 9, Defense 8, Special Teams 3)
Notable Losses:
QB Vince Young, OT Jonathan Scott, TE David Thomas, S Michael Huff, DT Rodrique Wright, LB Aaron Harris, DB Cedric Griffin
Recruiting Report
The Class of 2002
It is quite possible that the 2006 national championship was won in February of 2002. The two top teams in the country in 2006 - Ohio State and Texas - also signed the top two recruiting classes in 2002. Although many of those prep stars are now in the NFL (including first round selections Vince Young, A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Nick Mangold, and Santonio Holmes), several more fifth-year seniors remain as key performers on their respective teams: quarterback Troy Smith, defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, and offensive linemen T.J. Downing, Doug Datish, and Tim Schafer for Ohio State; defensive end Brian Robison, cornerback Aaron Ross, and offensive linemen Justin Blalock, Kasey Studdard, and Brian Sendlein for Texas.
In 2002, Texas signed the consensus number one recruting class of the year, and one of the best classes of all time. The Longhorns signed 27 players that year, 10 of whom were on the Rivals 100 list, including the overall number one prospect in the nation, QB Vince Young. At the time, the only problem with the Longhorns' class was a slight lack of balance - Texas signed 11 linemen, but only 3 defensive backs. In retrospect, the class has suffered an extraordinary amount of attrition, with 10 of the signees having left the program early, including 4 of the Rivals 100 prospects; in addition, there have been a couple of notable busts. However, enough of the core players panned out, and of course Vince Young led the 'Horns to an undisputed National Championship in 2005.
Only 11 players remain from Texas' top-ranked recruiting class of 2002: Justin Blalock (All American; starting right tackle); Tully Janszen (reserve defensive tackle; long snapper); Matt Melton (reserve safety); Marcus Myers (reserve fullback); Brian Robison (starting "power" defensive end); Aaron Ross (starting left cornerback); Lyle Sendlein (starting center); Kasey Studdard (All American; starting left guard); Neale Tweedie (starting tight end); Brett Valdez (reserve offensive lineman); and Selvin Young (reserve tailback).
OL Justin Blalock, Plano (Texas) East (6' 4", 325 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 5* (#15 overall); Scout 5*
[strike]DL Larry Dibbles, Lancaster, Texas (6' 2", 275 lbs, 4.58 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 5*[/strike] graduation
[strike]RB Clint Haney, Spring Branch (Texas) Smithson Valley (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.35 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] left program
[strike]FB Albert Hardy, Galena Park, Texas (5' 11", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike]; injury
[strike]LB Aaron Harris, Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite (6' 0", 230 lbs, 4.63 forty); Rivals 4* (#53 overall); Scout 4*[/strike] NFL Europe
DL Tully Janszen, Keller, Texas (6' 3", 250 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]WR Marquis Johnson, Champaign (Illinois) Centennial (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 5* (#23 overall); Scout 4*[/strike]; academics
[strike]DL Marco Martin, Mesquite (Texas) Mesquite (6' 4", 300 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] left program early
[strike]DB Edorian McCullough, Garland (Texas) North Garland (5' 11", 190 lbs, 4.3 forty); Rivals 5* (#35 overall); Scout 5*[/strike]; academics
DB Matthew Melton, Tyler (Texas) John Tyler (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
[strike]WR Dustin Miksch, Round Rock (Texas) Westwood (6' 0", 165 lbs, 4.37 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*[/strike] left program early
LB Marcus Myers, Pflugerville (Texas) Connally (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
[strike]DL Bryan Pickryl, Jenks, Oklahoma (6' 6", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 5* (#38 overall); Scout 4*[/strike]; injury
[strike]DL Chase Pittman, Shreveport (Louisiana) Evangel Christian (6' 4", 265 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 4* (#81 overall); Scout 4*[/strike]; transfer
LB Brian Robison, Splendora, Texas (6' 3", 248 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 1*
DB Aaron Ross, Tyler (Texas) John Tyler (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
DT Lyle Sendlein, Scottsdale (Arizona) Chapparal (6' 4", 270 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
[strike]LB Garnet Smith, Arlington (Texas) Lamar (6' 3", 221 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 1*[/strike]; transfer
OL Kasey Studdard, Littleton (Colorado) Highlands Ranch (6' 2", 260 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
[strike]TE David Thomas, Wolfforth (Texas) Frenship (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] New England Patriots - third round
[strike]WR Robert Timmons, Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus (6' 2", 205 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] left program early
OL Neale Tweedie, Allen, Texas (6' 5", 260 lbs, 4.9 forty): Rivals, 4* (#89 overall); Scout 1*
OL Brett Valdez, Brownwood, Texas (6' 3", 300 lbs, 5.1 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]LB Michael Williams, Lindale, Texas (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike]; academics
[strike]DT Rodrique Wright, Alief (Texas) Hastings (6' 5", 330 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 5* (#13 overall); Scout 5*[/strike] - Miami Dolphins - free agent
RB Selvin Young, Houston Jersey Village (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.36 forty); Rivals 4* (#75 overall); Scout 4*
[strike]QB Vincent Young, Houston Madison (6' 5", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#1 overall); Scout 5*[/strike] Tennessee Titans - first round
Interestingly, Ohio State signed the consensus number two class in 2002, which contained 25 players, six of whom were members of the Rivals 100 list; the Buckeyes' class had better balance, produced a similar number of star players (Holmes, Hawk, Carpenter, Mangold, Salley, Smith, Pitcock), and has suffered far less attrition (Clarett, Morris, Underwood, Coleman, Roberts). And lest we forget, super-freshman Maurice Clarett was an integral member of the Bucks' 2002 National Championship season.
Player Profile: Starting left guard Kasey Studdard is the son of former Longhorn offensive tackle Dave Studdard (1975-1977), who went on to play ten seasons for the Denver Broncos. The younger Studdard is an All-American candidate, and will likely follow in his father's footsteps as an offensive lineman in the NFL.
The 2002 recruiting classes produced an incredible number of All-Americans. For Texas: quarterback Vince Young (also Heisman runner-up in 2005); defensive tackle Rod Wright; offensive tackle Justin Blalock (2-time selection); and Kasey Studdard (pre-season); and for Ohio State: linebacker A.J. Hawk (2-time selection; also Lombardi winner); center Nick Mangold (2nd team); linebacker Bobby Carpenter (3rd team); safety Nate Salley (3rd team); defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock (pre-season); and quarterback Troy Smith (pre-season; also Heisman candidate).
Now, as fifth-year seniors, the two classes will square off against each other one more time, with each group already sporting a National Championship ring (Ohio State in 2002; Texas in 2005). If one sqaud can win it all in 2006, then that will be the truest test of who really won the mythical recruiting national championship way back in February of 2002.
In 2002, Texas signed the consensus number one recruting class of the year, and one of the best classes of all time. The Longhorns signed 27 players that year, 10 of whom were on the Rivals 100 list, including the overall number one prospect in the nation, QB Vince Young. At the time, the only problem with the Longhorns' class was a slight lack of balance - Texas signed 11 linemen, but only 3 defensive backs. In retrospect, the class has suffered an extraordinary amount of attrition, with 10 of the signees having left the program early, including 4 of the Rivals 100 prospects; in addition, there have been a couple of notable busts. However, enough of the core players panned out, and of course Vince Young led the 'Horns to an undisputed National Championship in 2005.
Only 11 players remain from Texas' top-ranked recruiting class of 2002: Justin Blalock (All American; starting right tackle); Tully Janszen (reserve defensive tackle; long snapper); Matt Melton (reserve safety); Marcus Myers (reserve fullback); Brian Robison (starting "power" defensive end); Aaron Ross (starting left cornerback); Lyle Sendlein (starting center); Kasey Studdard (All American; starting left guard); Neale Tweedie (starting tight end); Brett Valdez (reserve offensive lineman); and Selvin Young (reserve tailback).
OL Justin Blalock, Plano (Texas) East (6' 4", 325 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 5* (#15 overall); Scout 5*
[strike]DL Larry Dibbles, Lancaster, Texas (6' 2", 275 lbs, 4.58 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 5*[/strike] graduation
[strike]RB Clint Haney, Spring Branch (Texas) Smithson Valley (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.35 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] left program
[strike]FB Albert Hardy, Galena Park, Texas (5' 11", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike]; injury
[strike]LB Aaron Harris, Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite (6' 0", 230 lbs, 4.63 forty); Rivals 4* (#53 overall); Scout 4*[/strike] NFL Europe
DL Tully Janszen, Keller, Texas (6' 3", 250 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]WR Marquis Johnson, Champaign (Illinois) Centennial (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 5* (#23 overall); Scout 4*[/strike]; academics
[strike]DL Marco Martin, Mesquite (Texas) Mesquite (6' 4", 300 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] left program early
[strike]DB Edorian McCullough, Garland (Texas) North Garland (5' 11", 190 lbs, 4.3 forty); Rivals 5* (#35 overall); Scout 5*[/strike]; academics
DB Matthew Melton, Tyler (Texas) John Tyler (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
[strike]WR Dustin Miksch, Round Rock (Texas) Westwood (6' 0", 165 lbs, 4.37 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*[/strike] left program early
LB Marcus Myers, Pflugerville (Texas) Connally (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
[strike]DL Bryan Pickryl, Jenks, Oklahoma (6' 6", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 5* (#38 overall); Scout 4*[/strike]; injury
[strike]DL Chase Pittman, Shreveport (Louisiana) Evangel Christian (6' 4", 265 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 4* (#81 overall); Scout 4*[/strike]; transfer
LB Brian Robison, Splendora, Texas (6' 3", 248 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 1*
DB Aaron Ross, Tyler (Texas) John Tyler (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
DT Lyle Sendlein, Scottsdale (Arizona) Chapparal (6' 4", 270 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
[strike]LB Garnet Smith, Arlington (Texas) Lamar (6' 3", 221 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 1*[/strike]; transfer
OL Kasey Studdard, Littleton (Colorado) Highlands Ranch (6' 2", 260 lbs, 4.8 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
[strike]TE David Thomas, Wolfforth (Texas) Frenship (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] New England Patriots - third round
[strike]WR Robert Timmons, Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus (6' 2", 205 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] left program early
OL Neale Tweedie, Allen, Texas (6' 5", 260 lbs, 4.9 forty): Rivals, 4* (#89 overall); Scout 1*
OL Brett Valdez, Brownwood, Texas (6' 3", 300 lbs, 5.1 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]LB Michael Williams, Lindale, Texas (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike]; academics
[strike]DT Rodrique Wright, Alief (Texas) Hastings (6' 5", 330 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 5* (#13 overall); Scout 5*[/strike] - Miami Dolphins - free agent
RB Selvin Young, Houston Jersey Village (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.36 forty); Rivals 4* (#75 overall); Scout 4*
[strike]QB Vincent Young, Houston Madison (6' 5", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#1 overall); Scout 5*[/strike] Tennessee Titans - first round
Interestingly, Ohio State signed the consensus number two class in 2002, which contained 25 players, six of whom were members of the Rivals 100 list; the Buckeyes' class had better balance, produced a similar number of star players (Holmes, Hawk, Carpenter, Mangold, Salley, Smith, Pitcock), and has suffered far less attrition (Clarett, Morris, Underwood, Coleman, Roberts). And lest we forget, super-freshman Maurice Clarett was an integral member of the Bucks' 2002 National Championship season.
Player Profile: Starting left guard Kasey Studdard is the son of former Longhorn offensive tackle Dave Studdard (1975-1977), who went on to play ten seasons for the Denver Broncos. The younger Studdard is an All-American candidate, and will likely follow in his father's footsteps as an offensive lineman in the NFL.
The 2002 recruiting classes produced an incredible number of All-Americans. For Texas: quarterback Vince Young (also Heisman runner-up in 2005); defensive tackle Rod Wright; offensive tackle Justin Blalock (2-time selection); and Kasey Studdard (pre-season); and for Ohio State: linebacker A.J. Hawk (2-time selection; also Lombardi winner); center Nick Mangold (2nd team); linebacker Bobby Carpenter (3rd team); safety Nate Salley (3rd team); defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock (pre-season); and quarterback Troy Smith (pre-season; also Heisman candidate).
Now, as fifth-year seniors, the two classes will square off against each other one more time, with each group already sporting a National Championship ring (Ohio State in 2002; Texas in 2005). If one sqaud can win it all in 2006, then that will be the truest test of who really won the mythical recruiting national championship way back in February of 2002.
The Class of 2003
After the spectacular class of 2002, The Longhorns' 2003 recruiting haul seemed to be somewhat of a let down - the 18-member class was ranked 16th nationally (by Rivals) and had only four players on the Rivals 100 list. However, that class has to date produced seven starters - cornerback Tarrell Brown, defensive end Tim Crowder, safety Michael Griffin, offensive tackle Tony Hills, Jr., linebacker Robert Killebrew, and wide receivers Billy Pittman and Limas Sweed - and several solid back-ups, while suffering only five casualties. Although this class has yet to produce an All-American, both safety Michael Griffin and defensive end Tim Crowder are All Big 12 selections.
DB Tarell Brown, Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite (5' 11", 178 lbs, 4.32 forty); Rivals 4* (#35 overall); Scout 5*
DL Tim Crowder, Tyler (Texas) John Tyler (6' 4", 227 lbs, 4.67 forty); Rivals 4* (#52 overall); Scout 4*
LB Scott Derry, Pearland, Texas (6' 3", 225 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]ATH Eric Foreman, Corrigan (Texas) Corrigan-Camden (6' 4", 208 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 1*[/strike]
DB Brandon Foster, Arlington (Texas) Bowie (5' 9", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
WR Tyrell Gatewood, Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill (6' 1", 193 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rival 4*; Scout 4*
OL Dallas Griffin, Katy (Texas) Taylor (6' 4", 265 lbs, 4.93 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
DB Michael Griffin, Austin Bowie (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 4* (#60 overall); Scout 3*
[strike]RB Erik Hardeman, Pflugerville, Texas (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike]; academics, criminal activity
TE Tony Hills, Jr., Alief (Texas) Elsik (6' 6", 260 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 5* (#7 overall); Scout 4*
[strike]TE Steve Hogan, Houston Strake Jesuit (6' 5", 242 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike]
DB Erick Jackson, Duncanville, Texas (6' 2", 170 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
LB Robert Killebrew, Klein, Texas (6' 2", 205 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
DT Thomas Marshall, Dallas Bishop Dunne (6' 6", 310 lbs, 5.1 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
ATH Billy Pittman, Cameron (Texas) Yoe (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]ATH Steve Richardson, Garland, Texas (5' 10", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike]; academics
WR Limas Sweed, Brenham, Texas (6' 5", 203 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]OL Kyle Thornton, Dallas St. Mark's (6' 4", 300 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] academics
If Texas's 2003 class was weak, then Ohio State's was absolutely disastrous - the Buckeyes signed only 15 players (3 on the Rivals 100 list), experienced the notorious Signing Day Massacre, and lost two of the top four prospects in Ohio to the University of Michigan. Rivals ranked the Buckeyes' class the 41st in the nation, and that was before seven players were lost due to academic and/or disciplinary issues, and two more to chronic injuries. To date, one of the few bright spots in that class has been CB Ashton Youbouty, recently drafted in the third round by the Buffalo Bills; despite the fact that he prepped at Klein (Texas) High School, Youbouty had no interest in the Longhorns, and he selected Ohio State over Penn State.
Recruiting Battle: For much of the 2003 recruiting season, OL Kyle Thornton from Dallas St. Mark's had Ohio State as his clear leader; however, in January, the Bucks backed off, and Kyle committed to Texas. Before being dismissed from the Longhorn program, Thornton was buried in the depth chart with weight, conditioning, and academic issues.
DB Tarell Brown, Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite (5' 11", 178 lbs, 4.32 forty); Rivals 4* (#35 overall); Scout 5*
DL Tim Crowder, Tyler (Texas) John Tyler (6' 4", 227 lbs, 4.67 forty); Rivals 4* (#52 overall); Scout 4*
LB Scott Derry, Pearland, Texas (6' 3", 225 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]ATH Eric Foreman, Corrigan (Texas) Corrigan-Camden (6' 4", 208 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 1*[/strike]
DB Brandon Foster, Arlington (Texas) Bowie (5' 9", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
WR Tyrell Gatewood, Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill (6' 1", 193 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rival 4*; Scout 4*
OL Dallas Griffin, Katy (Texas) Taylor (6' 4", 265 lbs, 4.93 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
DB Michael Griffin, Austin Bowie (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 4* (#60 overall); Scout 3*
[strike]RB Erik Hardeman, Pflugerville, Texas (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike]; academics, criminal activity
TE Tony Hills, Jr., Alief (Texas) Elsik (6' 6", 260 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 5* (#7 overall); Scout 4*
[strike]TE Steve Hogan, Houston Strake Jesuit (6' 5", 242 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike]
DB Erick Jackson, Duncanville, Texas (6' 2", 170 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
LB Robert Killebrew, Klein, Texas (6' 2", 205 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
DT Thomas Marshall, Dallas Bishop Dunne (6' 6", 310 lbs, 5.1 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
ATH Billy Pittman, Cameron (Texas) Yoe (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]ATH Steve Richardson, Garland, Texas (5' 10", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike]; academics
WR Limas Sweed, Brenham, Texas (6' 5", 203 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]OL Kyle Thornton, Dallas St. Mark's (6' 4", 300 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] academics
If Texas's 2003 class was weak, then Ohio State's was absolutely disastrous - the Buckeyes signed only 15 players (3 on the Rivals 100 list), experienced the notorious Signing Day Massacre, and lost two of the top four prospects in Ohio to the University of Michigan. Rivals ranked the Buckeyes' class the 41st in the nation, and that was before seven players were lost due to academic and/or disciplinary issues, and two more to chronic injuries. To date, one of the few bright spots in that class has been CB Ashton Youbouty, recently drafted in the third round by the Buffalo Bills; despite the fact that he prepped at Klein (Texas) High School, Youbouty had no interest in the Longhorns, and he selected Ohio State over Penn State.
Recruiting Battle: For much of the 2003 recruiting season, OL Kyle Thornton from Dallas St. Mark's had Ohio State as his clear leader; however, in January, the Bucks backed off, and Kyle committed to Texas. Before being dismissed from the Longhorn program, Thornton was buried in the depth chart with weight, conditioning, and academic issues.
The Class of 2004
In 2004, Texas signed the #10 recruiting class according to Rivals; the 19-man class contained 4 members of the Rivals 100 list. To date, six members of the 2004 class have earned starting positions - middle linebacker Rashad Bobino; right guard Cedric Dockery; weakside linebacker Drew Kelson; nose tackle Derek Lokey; fullback Chris Ogbonnaya; and defensive tackle Frank Okam (a pre-season All Big 12 selection).
Although the Longhorns have lost only two players from this class, one of those losses was huge: versatile running back Ramonce Taylor, who last season amassed 513 yards rushing, 265 yards receiving, and scored 15 touchdowns. While already suspended from the team for academics, Taylor was arrested last May for felony drug possession, after police found five pounds of marijuana in his car. That incident sealed Taylor's fate with the 'Horns, and he has since transferred to Texas College, an NAIA school.
The main fault with UT's class was not who they signed, but rather who they didn't sign. The 'Horns lost out on 13 of the top 20 players in Texas (according to Rivals), including the top four QB prospects in the state - Rhett Bomar (#2 overall prospect in Texas) to Oklahoma; Robbie Reid (#6 in Texas) to Oklahoma State; Stephen McGee (#11 in Texas) to Texas A+M; and Kirby Freeman (#16 in Texas) to Miami;, as well as the overall number one prospect in the nation, running back Adrian Peterson, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards as a true freshman for the Oklahoma Sooners, and who is a leading Heisman Trophy candidate this season.
LB Rashad Bobino, La Marque, Texas (5' 9", 220 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
LB Jeremy Campbell, Dallas Lake Highlands (6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.65 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
OL Cedric Dockery, Garland (Texas) Lakeview Centennial (6' 4", 315 lbs, 5.2 forty); Rivals 4* (#55 overall); Scout 3*
OL Greg Dolan, Round Rock (Texas) Westwood (6' 7", 275 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
WR Myron Hardy, Round Rock (Texas) McNeil (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 4* (#99 overall); Scout 3*
WR Nathan Jones, Texarkana (Texas) Texas (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
DB Andrew Kelson, Houston Lamar (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#38 overall); Scout 5*
DT Derek Lokey, Denton (Texas) Ryan (6' 2", 250 lbs, 4.79 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
WR Chris Ogbonnaya, Houston Strake Jesuit (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
DT Franklin Okam, Dallas Lake Highlands (6' 5", 300 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 5* (#18 overall); Scout 5*
DE Brian Orakpo, Houston Lamar (6' 4" 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
DB Ryan Palmer, Arlington (Texas) Bowie (5' 9", 165 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
LB Nic Redwine, Tyler (Texas) Lee (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
WR Jordan Shipley, Burnett, Texas (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]DB Bobby Tatum, Fort Worth Dunbar (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] transfer
[strike]ATH Ramonce Taylor, Belton, Texas (6' 0", 187 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike] academics; criminal activity
OL Adam Ulatoski, Southlake (Texas) Carroll (6' 6", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
TE Peter Ullman, Round Rock (Texas) Round Rock (6' 4", 233 lbs, 4.86 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
WR George Walker, Houston Westbury (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
By comparison, the Buckeyes signed 24 players in the class of 2004, which was ranked #9 by Rivals and contained 3 prospects on the Rivals 100 list. Seven players from the class of 2004 are currently starting for the Buckeyes - wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. (pre-season All American and Heisman candidate); running back Antonio Pittman (leading rusher in 2005); linebacker Marcus Freeman; defensive end Vernon Gholston; tight end Rory Nicol; safety Nick Patterson; and punter A.J. Trapasso. The Buckeyes have lost four players from the 2004 class (Erik Haw, Chad Hoobler, Dennis Kennedy, and Sirjo Welch).
Although the Longhorns have lost only two players from this class, one of those losses was huge: versatile running back Ramonce Taylor, who last season amassed 513 yards rushing, 265 yards receiving, and scored 15 touchdowns. While already suspended from the team for academics, Taylor was arrested last May for felony drug possession, after police found five pounds of marijuana in his car. That incident sealed Taylor's fate with the 'Horns, and he has since transferred to Texas College, an NAIA school.
The main fault with UT's class was not who they signed, but rather who they didn't sign. The 'Horns lost out on 13 of the top 20 players in Texas (according to Rivals), including the top four QB prospects in the state - Rhett Bomar (#2 overall prospect in Texas) to Oklahoma; Robbie Reid (#6 in Texas) to Oklahoma State; Stephen McGee (#11 in Texas) to Texas A+M; and Kirby Freeman (#16 in Texas) to Miami;, as well as the overall number one prospect in the nation, running back Adrian Peterson, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards as a true freshman for the Oklahoma Sooners, and who is a leading Heisman Trophy candidate this season.
LB Rashad Bobino, La Marque, Texas (5' 9", 220 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
LB Jeremy Campbell, Dallas Lake Highlands (6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.65 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
OL Cedric Dockery, Garland (Texas) Lakeview Centennial (6' 4", 315 lbs, 5.2 forty); Rivals 4* (#55 overall); Scout 3*
OL Greg Dolan, Round Rock (Texas) Westwood (6' 7", 275 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
WR Myron Hardy, Round Rock (Texas) McNeil (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 4* (#99 overall); Scout 3*
WR Nathan Jones, Texarkana (Texas) Texas (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.48 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
DB Andrew Kelson, Houston Lamar (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#38 overall); Scout 5*
DT Derek Lokey, Denton (Texas) Ryan (6' 2", 250 lbs, 4.79 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
WR Chris Ogbonnaya, Houston Strake Jesuit (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.46 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
DT Franklin Okam, Dallas Lake Highlands (6' 5", 300 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 5* (#18 overall); Scout 5*
DE Brian Orakpo, Houston Lamar (6' 4" 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*
DB Ryan Palmer, Arlington (Texas) Bowie (5' 9", 165 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
LB Nic Redwine, Tyler (Texas) Lee (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.52 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
WR Jordan Shipley, Burnett, Texas (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
[strike]DB Bobby Tatum, Fort Worth Dunbar (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*[/strike] transfer
[strike]ATH Ramonce Taylor, Belton, Texas (6' 0", 187 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike] academics; criminal activity
OL Adam Ulatoski, Southlake (Texas) Carroll (6' 6", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
TE Peter Ullman, Round Rock (Texas) Round Rock (6' 4", 233 lbs, 4.86 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
WR George Walker, Houston Westbury (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
By comparison, the Buckeyes signed 24 players in the class of 2004, which was ranked #9 by Rivals and contained 3 prospects on the Rivals 100 list. Seven players from the class of 2004 are currently starting for the Buckeyes - wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. (pre-season All American and Heisman candidate); running back Antonio Pittman (leading rusher in 2005); linebacker Marcus Freeman; defensive end Vernon Gholston; tight end Rory Nicol; safety Nick Patterson; and punter A.J. Trapasso. The Buckeyes have lost four players from the 2004 class (Erik Haw, Chad Hoobler, Dennis Kennedy, and Sirjo Welch).
The Class of 2005
In 2005, UT signed a small but talented class which was ranked the nation's 20th best by Rivals; of the 15 signees, 3 made the Rivals 100 squad. To date, however, only three members of that class have earned starting jobs for the Longhorns - quarterback Colt McCoy; running back Jamaal Charles (pre-season All Big 12); and receiver Quan Cosby. McCoy will lead the potent Texas offense this season, and if he can be at least an adequate replacement for Vince Young, then the 'Horns will have a chance to repeat as national champs in 2006.
LB Chris Brown, Texarkana (Texas) Texas (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
RB Jamaal Charles, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial (6' 1", 185 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#57 overall); Scout 4*
ATH Quan Cosby, Mart, Texas (5' 11", 200 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
TE Jermichael Finley, Diboll, Texas (6' 5", 220, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
P Trevor Gerland, Katy (Texas) Cinco Ranch (6' 1", 190 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
OL Chris Hall, Irving, Texas (6' 5", 285 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]RB Michael Houston, Denver Montbello (6' 0", 220 lbs, 4.6 forty);Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] transfer
DE Aaron Lewis, Albuquerque La Cueva (6' 3", 265 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
QB Colt McCoy, Tuscola (Texas) Jim Ned (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.72 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
ATH Henry Melton, Grapevine, Texas (6' 3", 275 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#69 overall); Scout 4*
DL Roy Miller, Killeen (Texas) Shoemaker (6' 2", 302 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 4* (#34 overall); Scout 5*
LB Roddrick Muckelroy, Hallsville, Texas (6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
DB Ishie Oduegwu, Denton (Texas) Ryan (5' 10", 185 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
OL Charlie Tanner, Austin Anderson (6' 4", 268 lbs, 5.03 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]RB Jerrell Wilkerson, San Antonio Clark (5' 7", 170 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] transfer
Player Profile: In high school, Quan Cosby was an outstanding all-around athlete, who was an all-state performer in football, baseball, and track (state champ in 100-meters at 10.46, and 200-meters at 21.31). Quan originally signed a Letter of Intent with the Longhorns in February of 2001, but was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the sixth round of the MLB draft the following June. Cosby selected baseball, but after four years in the Angels' minor league system, he quit the sport and re-signed with the University of Texas as part of the class of 2005. Now a 23-year old sophomore, Cosby plays flanker in the Longhorns' three-wide sets; last season, he had 15 receptions for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns.
In 2005, Ohio State had a solid (and we believe underrated) class which was ranked 12th nationally by Rivals; the 18-member class had three prospects from the Rivals 100 list, and several more who could easily have been chosen. Ohio State has already suffered one academic casualty in that class (Freddie Lenix, who could not gain admission to Ohio State and eventually signed with Cincinnati).
Recruiting Battle: In the summer of 2004, both Ohio State and Texas went hard after super blue chip QB Mark Sanchez (Mission Viejo, California), the top quarterback in the nation, and the #7 overall prospect according to Rivals. After a visit to Columbus, it appeared that the Bucks were Mark's leader, but then a subsequent trip to Austin pushed the 'Horns out in front. Finally, Mark went back home to SoCal, talked things over with his coach and family, and then committed to USC. The Bucks settled for Elite 11 QB Rob Schoenhoft, and Texas got a verbal commitment from Louisiana QB Ryan Perrilloux, the nation's best dual-threat signal caller, and the #16 overall prospect according to Rivals. After missing out on four in-state QB's in 2004 (Bomar, Reid, McGee, and Freeman), and then Sanchez, it looked like the Longhorns finally had their quarterback for the future. However, Perrilloux backed out of his commitment at the last minute and signed with LSU, leaving the UT staff with just Colt McCoy to show for their two-year long quest to find the replacement for Vince Young. In retrospect, maybe Texas ended up with the better end of the bargain - McCoy is now the starting QB for the Longhorns, and Perrilloux is the third-stringer for the Bayou Bengals.
LB Chris Brown, Texarkana (Texas) Texas (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
RB Jamaal Charles, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial (6' 1", 185 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#57 overall); Scout 4*
ATH Quan Cosby, Mart, Texas (5' 11", 200 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
TE Jermichael Finley, Diboll, Texas (6' 5", 220, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
P Trevor Gerland, Katy (Texas) Cinco Ranch (6' 1", 190 lbs, 4.42 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
OL Chris Hall, Irving, Texas (6' 5", 285 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]RB Michael Houston, Denver Montbello (6' 0", 220 lbs, 4.6 forty);Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] transfer
DE Aaron Lewis, Albuquerque La Cueva (6' 3", 265 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
QB Colt McCoy, Tuscola (Texas) Jim Ned (6' 1", 180 lbs, 4.72 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
ATH Henry Melton, Grapevine, Texas (6' 3", 275 lbs, 4.6 forty); Rivals 4* (#69 overall); Scout 4*
DL Roy Miller, Killeen (Texas) Shoemaker (6' 2", 302 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 4* (#34 overall); Scout 5*
LB Roddrick Muckelroy, Hallsville, Texas (6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 4*
DB Ishie Oduegwu, Denton (Texas) Ryan (5' 10", 185 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 4*
OL Charlie Tanner, Austin Anderson (6' 4", 268 lbs, 5.03 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
[strike]RB Jerrell Wilkerson, San Antonio Clark (5' 7", 170 lbs, 4.41 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*[/strike] transfer
Player Profile: In high school, Quan Cosby was an outstanding all-around athlete, who was an all-state performer in football, baseball, and track (state champ in 100-meters at 10.46, and 200-meters at 21.31). Quan originally signed a Letter of Intent with the Longhorns in February of 2001, but was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the sixth round of the MLB draft the following June. Cosby selected baseball, but after four years in the Angels' minor league system, he quit the sport and re-signed with the University of Texas as part of the class of 2005. Now a 23-year old sophomore, Cosby plays flanker in the Longhorns' three-wide sets; last season, he had 15 receptions for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns.
In 2005, Ohio State had a solid (and we believe underrated) class which was ranked 12th nationally by Rivals; the 18-member class had three prospects from the Rivals 100 list, and several more who could easily have been chosen. Ohio State has already suffered one academic casualty in that class (Freddie Lenix, who could not gain admission to Ohio State and eventually signed with Cincinnati).
Recruiting Battle: In the summer of 2004, both Ohio State and Texas went hard after super blue chip QB Mark Sanchez (Mission Viejo, California), the top quarterback in the nation, and the #7 overall prospect according to Rivals. After a visit to Columbus, it appeared that the Bucks were Mark's leader, but then a subsequent trip to Austin pushed the 'Horns out in front. Finally, Mark went back home to SoCal, talked things over with his coach and family, and then committed to USC. The Bucks settled for Elite 11 QB Rob Schoenhoft, and Texas got a verbal commitment from Louisiana QB Ryan Perrilloux, the nation's best dual-threat signal caller, and the #16 overall prospect according to Rivals. After missing out on four in-state QB's in 2004 (Bomar, Reid, McGee, and Freeman), and then Sanchez, it looked like the Longhorns finally had their quarterback for the future. However, Perrilloux backed out of his commitment at the last minute and signed with LSU, leaving the UT staff with just Colt McCoy to show for their two-year long quest to find the replacement for Vince Young. In retrospect, maybe Texas ended up with the better end of the bargain - McCoy is now the starting QB for the Longhorns, and Perrilloux is the third-stringer for the Bayou Bengals.
The Class of 2006
In 2006, Texas signed the nation's fifth-best class according to Rivals (including 9 member of the Rivals 100 list), and the number three class according to Scout. Eleven true freshman have already established themselves on the Longhorns' depth chart, although none has earned a starting position as of yet.
DT Ben Alexander, Anderson (South Carolina) T.L. Hanna (6' 0", 285 lbs, 5.02 forty); Rivals 3* (#12 in South Carolina); Scout 3*
DB Deon Beasley, Orange (Texas) West Orange Stark (5' 10", 160 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*(#77 nationally; #12 in Texas); Scout 5*
DB Chykie Brown, Houston North Shore (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#53 nationally; #6 in Texas); Scout 4*
OL Buck Burnette, Wimberly, Texas (6' 3", 310 lbs, 5.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#33 in Texas); Scout 3*
RB Antwan Cobb, Pflugerville, Texas (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.68 forty); Rivals 3* (#79 in Texas); Scout 3*
LB Dustin Earnest, Texarkana (Texas) Texas (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.58 forty); Rivals 3* (#46 in Texas); Scout 4*
DL Brian Ellis, Grand Prairie (Texas) South Grand Prairie (6' 5", 244 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 3* (#41 in Texas); Scout 4*
QB Sherrod Harris, Arlington (Texas) Bowie, (6' 2", 206 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 3* (#64 in Texas); Scout 4*
DB James Henry, Schertz (Texas) Clemens (6' 2", 195 lbs, 4.44 forty); Rivals 3* (#51 in Texas); Scout 4*
DL Lamarr Houston, Colorado Springs Doherty (6' 2", 257 lbs, 4.94 forty); Rivals 4* (#86 nationally; #2 in Colorado); Scout 4*
DL Eddie Jones, Kilgore, Texas (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 5* (#25 nationally; #3 in Texas); Scout 5*
DB Robert Joseph, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#38 in Texas); Scout 3*
LB Sergio Kindle, Dallas Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 5* (#5 nationally; #1 in Texas); Scout 5*
K Hunter Lawrence, Boerne, Texas (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
WR Josh Marshall, Arlington (Texas) Martin (6' 4", 191 lbs, 4.72 forty); Rivals 3* (#42 in Texas); Scout 4*
RB Vondrell McGee, Longview, Texas (5' 10", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#57 nationally; #7 in Texas); Scout 4*
TE Britt Mitchell, Kilgore, Texas (6' 5", 245 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 3* (#62 in Texas); Scout 3*
[strike]RB Emmanuel Moody, Coppell, Texas (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.44 forty); Rivals 4* (#35 overall); Scout 4*[/strike] signed with Southern Cal
OL Steve Moore, Houston Jersey Village (6' 4", 275 lbs, 5.2 forty); Rivals 3* (#74 in Texas); Scout 3*
LB Jared Norton, Rowlett, Texas (6' 3", 226 lbs, 4.51 forty); Rivals 4* (#89 nationally; #14 in Texas); Scout 4*
WR Phillip Payne, Garland (Texas) South Garland (6' 2", 201 lbs, 4.53 forty); Rivals 4* (#19 in Texas); Scout 4*
[strike]ATH Derke Robinson, Lewisville (Texas) Hebron (6' 0", 193 lbs, 4.66 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike] signed with Arizona
TE Greg Smith, Montgomery, Texas (6' 5", 230 lbs, 4.57 forty); Rivals 3* (#96 in Texas); Scout 2*
QB Jevan Snead, Stephenville, Texas (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.62 forty); Rivals 4* (#61 nationally; #8 in Texas); Scout 4*
OL Roy Watts, Jr., Houston Worthing (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
OL J'Marcus Webb, Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite (6' 8", 285 lbs); Rivals 4* (#63 nationally; #9 in Texas); Scout 5*
WR Montre Webber, Hearne, Texas (6' 3", 191 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#20 nationally); Scout 4*
By comparison, Ohio State signed 20 players in its class of 2006, with four of those prospects earning a place on the Rivals 100 list. Overall, the Buckeyes' class was ranked 12th in the nation by Rivals, and 13th by Scout.
Recruiting Battles: In March of 2005, the Longhorns received a verbal commitment from blue chip running back prospect Emmanuel Moody from Coppell, Texas (Rivals 4*; #70 nationally; #11 in Texas). However, Moody subsequently de-committed from Texas, and eventually signed with Southern Cal. In the mean time, the Longhorn staff were able to steal a prospect of their own, when they convinced quarterback Jevan Snead to come to Austin, after he had already verballed to the University of Florida. As a true freshman, Snead is the back-up QB for the Longhorns, while Moody is buried in the Trojans depth chart.
DT Ben Alexander, Anderson (South Carolina) T.L. Hanna (6' 0", 285 lbs, 5.02 forty); Rivals 3* (#12 in South Carolina); Scout 3*
DB Deon Beasley, Orange (Texas) West Orange Stark (5' 10", 160 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4*(#77 nationally; #12 in Texas); Scout 5*
DB Chykie Brown, Houston North Shore (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#53 nationally; #6 in Texas); Scout 4*
OL Buck Burnette, Wimberly, Texas (6' 3", 310 lbs, 5.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#33 in Texas); Scout 3*
RB Antwan Cobb, Pflugerville, Texas (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.68 forty); Rivals 3* (#79 in Texas); Scout 3*
LB Dustin Earnest, Texarkana (Texas) Texas (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.58 forty); Rivals 3* (#46 in Texas); Scout 4*
DL Brian Ellis, Grand Prairie (Texas) South Grand Prairie (6' 5", 244 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 3* (#41 in Texas); Scout 4*
QB Sherrod Harris, Arlington (Texas) Bowie, (6' 2", 206 lbs, 4.45 forty); Rivals 3* (#64 in Texas); Scout 4*
DB James Henry, Schertz (Texas) Clemens (6' 2", 195 lbs, 4.44 forty); Rivals 3* (#51 in Texas); Scout 4*
DL Lamarr Houston, Colorado Springs Doherty (6' 2", 257 lbs, 4.94 forty); Rivals 4* (#86 nationally; #2 in Colorado); Scout 4*
DL Eddie Jones, Kilgore, Texas (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 5* (#25 nationally; #3 in Texas); Scout 5*
DB Robert Joseph, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#38 in Texas); Scout 3*
LB Sergio Kindle, Dallas Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 5* (#5 nationally; #1 in Texas); Scout 5*
K Hunter Lawrence, Boerne, Texas (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.9 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 2*
WR Josh Marshall, Arlington (Texas) Martin (6' 4", 191 lbs, 4.72 forty); Rivals 3* (#42 in Texas); Scout 4*
RB Vondrell McGee, Longview, Texas (5' 10", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#57 nationally; #7 in Texas); Scout 4*
TE Britt Mitchell, Kilgore, Texas (6' 5", 245 lbs, 4.75 forty); Rivals 3* (#62 in Texas); Scout 3*
[strike]RB Emmanuel Moody, Coppell, Texas (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.44 forty); Rivals 4* (#35 overall); Scout 4*[/strike] signed with Southern Cal
OL Steve Moore, Houston Jersey Village (6' 4", 275 lbs, 5.2 forty); Rivals 3* (#74 in Texas); Scout 3*
LB Jared Norton, Rowlett, Texas (6' 3", 226 lbs, 4.51 forty); Rivals 4* (#89 nationally; #14 in Texas); Scout 4*
WR Phillip Payne, Garland (Texas) South Garland (6' 2", 201 lbs, 4.53 forty); Rivals 4* (#19 in Texas); Scout 4*
[strike]ATH Derke Robinson, Lewisville (Texas) Hebron (6' 0", 193 lbs, 4.66 forty); Rivals 4*; Scout 3*[/strike] signed with Arizona
TE Greg Smith, Montgomery, Texas (6' 5", 230 lbs, 4.57 forty); Rivals 3* (#96 in Texas); Scout 2*
QB Jevan Snead, Stephenville, Texas (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.62 forty); Rivals 4* (#61 nationally; #8 in Texas); Scout 4*
OL Roy Watts, Jr., Houston Worthing (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.0 forty); Rivals 3*; Scout 3*
OL J'Marcus Webb, Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite (6' 8", 285 lbs); Rivals 4* (#63 nationally; #9 in Texas); Scout 5*
WR Montre Webber, Hearne, Texas (6' 3", 191 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#20 nationally); Scout 4*
By comparison, Ohio State signed 20 players in its class of 2006, with four of those prospects earning a place on the Rivals 100 list. Overall, the Buckeyes' class was ranked 12th in the nation by Rivals, and 13th by Scout.
Recruiting Battles: In March of 2005, the Longhorns received a verbal commitment from blue chip running back prospect Emmanuel Moody from Coppell, Texas (Rivals 4*; #70 nationally; #11 in Texas). However, Moody subsequently de-committed from Texas, and eventually signed with Southern Cal. In the mean time, the Longhorn staff were able to steal a prospect of their own, when they convinced quarterback Jevan Snead to come to Austin, after he had already verballed to the University of Florida. As a true freshman, Snead is the back-up QB for the Longhorns, while Moody is buried in the Trojans depth chart.
The Class of 2007
As usual, Texas is off to a fast start to the recruiting season, as the Longhorns have already netted 23 verbal commitments, with nine of those prospects being on the pre-season edition of the Rivals 100 list. With verbals from blue chippers such as quarterback John Brantley, offensive linemen Tray Allen and Michael Huey, and versatile athletes Curtis Brown and John Chiles, Texas is a strong contender to sign the nation's number one recruiting class in 2007.
DE Sam Acho, Dallas St. Mark's (6' 2", 250 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (#40 in Texas); Scout
OL Tray Allen, Grand Prairie (Texas) South (6' 4", 305 lbs); Rivals 5* (#8 nationally; #1 in Texas); Scout
QB John Brantley, Ocala (Florida) Trinity Catholic (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.64 forty); Rivals 5* (#9 nationally); Scout
ATH Curtis Brown, Gilmer, Texas (6' 0", 174 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#26 nationally; #4 in Texas); Scout
DE Russell Carter, Houston Westbury (6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 4* (#16 in Texas); Scout
ATH John Chiles, Mansfield (Texas) Summit (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#13 nationally; #3 in Texas); Scout
ATH Brandon Collins, Brenham, Texas (6' 0", 167 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#39 in Texas); Scout
OL Jerrod Gooch, Vidor, Texas (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 3* (#78 in Texas); Scout
OL Kyle Hix, Aledo, Texas (6' 6", 290 lbs); Rivals 4* (#23 in Texas); Scout
TE Ahmard Howard, Brenham, Texas (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.67 forty); Rivals 4* (#21 in Texas); Scout
OL Michael Huey, Kilgore, Texas (6' 5", 290 lbs); Rivals 4* (#36 nationally; #6 in Texas); Scout
TE Blaine Irby, Ventura (California) St. Bonaventure (6' 2", 224 lbs, 4.587 forty); Rivals 4* (#21 in California); Scout
FB Cody Johnson, Waller, Texas (5' 10", 225 lbs); Rivals 4* (#17 in Texas); Scout
DT Andre Jones, El Paso Andress (6' 4", 305 lbs); Rivals 4* (#58 nationally; #9 in Texas); Scout
OL Aundre McGaskey, La Marque, Texas (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 4* (#92 nationally, #13 in Texas); Scout
OL Matt Nader, Austin Westlake (6' 6", 295 lbs); Rivals 4* (#19 in Texas); Scout
TE Zack Pianalto, Springdale, Arkansas (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.63 forty); Rivals 3* (#7 in Arkansas); Scout
LB Keenan Robinson, Plano (Texas) East (6' 3", 211 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#15 in Texas); Scout
ATH Earl Thomas, Orange (Texas) West-Orange Stark (5' 10", 174 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#20 in Texas); Scout
CB Ben Wells, Beaumont (Texas) Ozen (6' 0", 174 lbsm 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#72 nationally; #10 in Texas); Scout
RB Foswhitt Whittaker, Pearland, Texas (5' 9", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#37 in Texas); Scout
DT Michael Wilcoxon, Aledo, Texas (6' 2", 271 lbs, 4.78 forty); Rivals 3* (#75 in Texas); Scout
WR Malcolm Williams, Garland, Texas (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.43 forty); Rivals 4* (#77 nationally, #11 in Texas); Scout
By comparison, Ohio State has only eight verbal commitments for its class of 2007, only one of whom (Brandon Saine) is a member of the Rivals 100.
DE Sam Acho, Dallas St. Mark's (6' 2", 250 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 3* (#40 in Texas); Scout
OL Tray Allen, Grand Prairie (Texas) South (6' 4", 305 lbs); Rivals 5* (#8 nationally; #1 in Texas); Scout
QB John Brantley, Ocala (Florida) Trinity Catholic (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.64 forty); Rivals 5* (#9 nationally); Scout
ATH Curtis Brown, Gilmer, Texas (6' 0", 174 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#26 nationally; #4 in Texas); Scout
DE Russell Carter, Houston Westbury (6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 4* (#16 in Texas); Scout
ATH John Chiles, Mansfield (Texas) Summit (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 5* (#13 nationally; #3 in Texas); Scout
ATH Brandon Collins, Brenham, Texas (6' 0", 167 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#39 in Texas); Scout
OL Jerrod Gooch, Vidor, Texas (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 3* (#78 in Texas); Scout
OL Kyle Hix, Aledo, Texas (6' 6", 290 lbs); Rivals 4* (#23 in Texas); Scout
TE Ahmard Howard, Brenham, Texas (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.67 forty); Rivals 4* (#21 in Texas); Scout
OL Michael Huey, Kilgore, Texas (6' 5", 290 lbs); Rivals 4* (#36 nationally; #6 in Texas); Scout
TE Blaine Irby, Ventura (California) St. Bonaventure (6' 2", 224 lbs, 4.587 forty); Rivals 4* (#21 in California); Scout
FB Cody Johnson, Waller, Texas (5' 10", 225 lbs); Rivals 4* (#17 in Texas); Scout
DT Andre Jones, El Paso Andress (6' 4", 305 lbs); Rivals 4* (#58 nationally; #9 in Texas); Scout
OL Aundre McGaskey, La Marque, Texas (6' 4", 290 lbs); Rivals 4* (#92 nationally, #13 in Texas); Scout
OL Matt Nader, Austin Westlake (6' 6", 295 lbs); Rivals 4* (#19 in Texas); Scout
TE Zack Pianalto, Springdale, Arkansas (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.63 forty); Rivals 3* (#7 in Arkansas); Scout
LB Keenan Robinson, Plano (Texas) East (6' 3", 211 lbs, 4.5 forty); Rivals 4* (#15 in Texas); Scout
ATH Earl Thomas, Orange (Texas) West-Orange Stark (5' 10", 174 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 4* (#20 in Texas); Scout
CB Ben Wells, Beaumont (Texas) Ozen (6' 0", 174 lbsm 4.45 forty); Rivals 4* (#72 nationally; #10 in Texas); Scout
RB Foswhitt Whittaker, Pearland, Texas (5' 9", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Rivals 3* (#37 in Texas); Scout
DT Michael Wilcoxon, Aledo, Texas (6' 2", 271 lbs, 4.78 forty); Rivals 3* (#75 in Texas); Scout
WR Malcolm Williams, Garland, Texas (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.43 forty); Rivals 4* (#77 nationally, #11 in Texas); Scout
By comparison, Ohio State has only eight verbal commitments for its class of 2007, only one of whom (Brandon Saine) is a member of the Rivals 100.
The Class of 2008
As of September 4th, neither Texas not Ohio State has a verbal commitment for the class of 2008. However, both programs have offered and will strongly pursue top offensive line prospect J.B. Shugarts, a six-foot-seven, 290-pound tackle from Klein, Texas (the alma mater of former Buckeye cornerback Ashton Youboty). Currently, the Buckeyes are thought to lead for Shugarts, but the Longhorns will not let one of the top prospects from the Lone Star State leave town without a fight. J.B. will attend the Texas-OSU game this Saturday, and is scheduled to be in Columbus on September 23rd when the Bucks battle the Nittany Lions from Penn State.
UT Traditions
You won't hear any calls from Longhorn fans for new traditions. Like <ST1><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city w:st="on">Ohio State</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">UT</st1:state></ST1> is rich with them. It would take a book-length study to list them all, but we will provide you with some more popular (or more interesting) UT traditions.<O>
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- Simply put, UT has a tradition of winning. Only Notre Dame and Meatchicken have won more football games.
- "Hook 'em Horns" is the UT symbol and slogan, introduced at a pep rally in 1955. The Hook 'em was voted by Sports Illustrated as the nation's top hand gesture. SI featured the symbol in front of a <st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state> pennant on the cover of their September 10, 1973, issue, the same issue that highlighted the <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> football program as the worst in the nation at that time.
- Bevo is the school mascot, a live <ST1><st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state></ST1> longhorn steer present at all games.
- "Smokey the Cannon" is fired in celebration of gameday, at the moment of kickoff and after UT scores.
- While traditionally their largest rival is <ST1><ST1>University</ST1> of <ST1>Oklahoma</ST1></ST1>, the Texas A&M Aggies are obsessed with UT. Ever year UT and the Aggies play each other the day after Thanksgiving.
- "Red River Shootout" is the term given for that game between <ST1><st1:state w:st="on">Oklahoma</st1:state></ST1> and UT. It is held annually in<st1:city w:st="on"><ST1> Dallas</ST1></st1:city> at the Cotton Bowl. They play in <ST1><st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city></ST1> because it is halfway between the two teams' campuses.
- During the week of the OU/UT game, they hold an annual Torchlight Parade. The rally features performances by a variety of student groups and performers and appearances by the <ST1><st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state></ST1> cheerleaders, the Longhorn Band, "Smokey the Cannon," and Bevo. The rally also includes the dropping of a huge <st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state> flag that drapes the Main Building<ST1></ST1> (or UT Tower). The Torchlight Parade and Rally tradition is organized and operated by UT students and alumni. The first Torchlight Parade at UT took place on the day before Thanksgiving (prior to the Texas A&M game) in 1916.
- Similar to "O-H" "I-O" they holler "<st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas"</ST1></st1:state> with a return of "Fight."
- The "Eyes of Texas," "Texas Fight," "Deep in the Heart of Texas," "William Tell Overture," "Wabash Cannonball," and "March Grandioso" are the band's traditional songs performed at each game.
- Script <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> is performed by the band during halftime. (Damn, they steal a lot of shit from us!
)
- Founded in 1900, their band is nicknamed "The Showband of the Southwest." They are 350 members strong.
- The band features "Big Bertha" once the world's largest bass drum. The drum is operated by the Bertha Crew, which moves the drum around during performances and twirls it when they score. They refer to it as "Sweetheart of the Longhorn Band."
- The "Eyes of Texas" is the alma mater written in 1903 in response to a request that a song be written for the Cowboy Minstrel Show. John Sinclair, the author, used a famous saying by the president of the university, "the eyes are always upon you," and the lyrics were put to the jingle "I've been working on the railroad." This song is played at the opening and closing of all sporting events at UT.
- The Hex Rally was originated by a palm reader. The students asked the palm reader to place a curse on the Aggies to end a UT losing streak. The Longhorns won the game, and the rally became an annual tradition. Each year before the game against the Aggies, thousands of fans, led by spirit groups, light candles and converge on the steps of UT's Main Building to hex the Aggies once again.
- On January 1, 1961, the Texas Longhorns played <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Mississippi</ST1> </st1:state>in the Cotton Bowl. At halftime, the Mississippi Rebel Band unfurled a huge <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> flag measuring 51 feet wide and 90 feet long. After the game, which UT won 12–7, the flag was presented to <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> governor Price Daniel, who gave it to the Longhorn Band. The band asked Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity, to "run the flag" at that year's <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> vs. Texas A&M football game. The current flag, the largest state flag in the world, measures 75 feet by 125 feet and weighs 500 pounds. Alpha Phi Omega members still run the <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> flag—a symbol of school spirit and a proud tradition—before every home game.
- Students from Texas A&M and the University of Oklahoma usually taunt <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> students by threatening to "saw off" Bevo's horns, citing Psalms 75:10, "I shall cut off the horns of the wicked." As it turns out, that's not the entire verse, and as a response, <st1:state w:st="on"><ST1>Texas</ST1></st1:state> students tell Aggies and Sooners to "read the rest." The rest of the verse is "but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up." This appears on shirts, usually with "Hook 'Em" written underneath.
Rival Perspective (by EngineerHorn)
Week 1 - OSU
NOW we have a bunch to talk about.
On tOSU ... Troy Smith, as expected, looked fantastic. Very precise and accurate. One of my favorite things to watch in college football is a veteran quarterback throwing to good receivers. I don't think Troy will be able to hit Ginn and Gonzo deep as often, if at all, against UT, but since he was hitting everything else, I am sure Texas is going to give up some passing yards.
And were there seriously no option plays? I remember seeing an option pass or two, but no option runs. No need to, I guess. I'm sure that will change next week. I would consider it a major accomplishment if we held Troy Smith to 250 total yards next week.
I was impressed with Chris Wells, he showed all of us why he was so highly rated coming out of high school. Fast, agile, and strong. Pittman looked like he did at the end of last year. Ohio State is stacked at running back.
And the defense... well, I'm not going to jump to any conclusions, especially in regards to how that performance translates to our game. I think the struggles can be attributed to a combination of things:
-Garrett Wolfe is a very, very good running back with a good O-line by MAC standards.
-Since NIU is a mid-major, the intensity on defense might not have been as high.
-The game was over by the end of the first quarter. That can only hurt a defense's intensity.
-Heacock kept it plain vanilla.
-9 new starters (duh). They obviously aren't a cohesive unit yet.
-The tOSU D just flat out isn't as good as last year, and we all expected that.
With all that said, there is lots of room for improvement, and lots of things the UT coaching staff will pay a lot of attention to. There was that one strange stretch play that Wolfe gained over half his yards on- it was like a counter in that the backside tackle and guard pulled to the strong side outside the TE, but there was no deceptive movement on part of the OL, RB, or QB. Where the hell were the linebackers? Safeties had to constantly make the stop 15 yards downfield.
But take the good with the bad. NIU's inside running game was non-existent. It seems the tOSU DT's are worthy of their hype. I was also impressed at the pressure the defensive line got on Horvath. He never had more than 2-3 seconds to get rid of the ball, sometimes less.
It was hard to judge the secondary. NIU never went downfield as they kept dumping it off to Wolfe (smartly so). Their tackling was pretty good other than that ole' the three defenders did on Wolfe's only touchdown. I won't comment anymore because there isn't really anything more to talk about.
The big picture: tOSU held an offense with a Heisman trophy candidate at running back and a veteran quarterback to 12 points. That's pretty damn good. But it can be argued that NIU provided a model for how to beat the tOSU defense.
Based on what I saw yesterday in both our games, I expect UT to line up a lot of the time in the two-TE ace formation. Lots of counters and stretch plays. I'm not sure how the UT spread running game will work against. Intuitively, it should work well since there are a lot of counters and zone plays run outside the tackles. We'll see.
Week 1 - Texas
Let's get the quarterback situation out of the way. I echo what your boy Kirk had to say about Colt: Given the level of competition, he did as well as can possibly be expected of him. Yes, yes, yes, I realize UNT sucks. That's not the point. Given what little live action we have seen of him, I think we can all agree that Colt is ahead of the curve. He did NOT look like a freshman.
Except for one play. I don't know what he was looking at, but he threw it to a big mass of humanity consisting of two UT receivers and three UNT defenders. Freshman moment, even the smart ones have them.
He went 12 of 19. He had three of his passes dropped (yes, drops are part of the game, but again, that is not the point). That means he had 15 of 19 passes that were very catchable. Groovy.
Finally, I was impressed with Colt's mobility. He's a little faster than I thought he was.
Snead looked okay. His interception came on a dropped pass. It was a little behind the receiver, but still very catchable. Speaking of…
Other than Sweed, I was disappointed with the receivers. 5 drops. If I recall correctly, 2 were by Pittman, 2 were by Shipley, and 1 was by Hardy. Very frustrating to watch, especially since Shipley has the best hands on the team. It's his first live action in 3 years though, so I'll give him a break. Hardy's drop and one of Pittman's were completely inexcusable. Colt hit'em right in the hands. Help out your freshman quarterback, guys. With all that said, I don't think we'll have this problem next week.
Running game: I'm a little disappointed. Selvin and Jamaal ran very well, but they at times struggled to get 3 yards. No long gains. Offensive line? Not sure, but I don't think so. I think it was UNT completely selling out to stop the run. In fact, I know that's it as the UNT coach said as much. If there is no safety help 10 yards downfield on a slant pattern (Sweed's long TD), then you have sold out to stop the run. Still, I would've liked to see a long run or two.
Defense. Yes, the UNT offense sucks. Once again, that's not the point. If you limit a Division 1 offense to less than 100 yards, then your defense has done a fantastic job. I'm even more pleased that 80 of their 91 however many total yards came on one drive- UNT's first of the second half (per Chizik's words, it was a lack of intensity), meaning they gained 11 yards on their other drives combined. The defensive line is the strength of
the defense. They were always in the backfield.
It was nice to see the backups play well. We have very good depth on D, particularly on the defensive line. Muckelroy had some nice plays, and Orakpo proved he's more than just a passing down pass rusher (even if he's very good at it).
The UT defense vs. the tOSU offense will be a clash of titans.
Final score prediction: 27-24. Flip a coin for the winner.
Week 2 - In Austin
So the question is... what in the wide, wide world of sports does all this have to do in our game next week? We really can't take a whole lot from our respective games as they were both blowouts. I'm most interested in knowing how these teams and individual players react when the game is on the line.
I think tOSU has a slight advantage there. Their defense is still an unknown, but a team generally takes on the attitude of its veteran, Heisman trophy candidate leader at QB. Just like Vince and the 2005 Texas team. If I'm a Buckeye fan, I feel pretty confident in a close game, but I'm also a little worried that the defense might not come up with a stop in a clutch situation.
For Texas fans, we have to worry about Troy's ability to pull something out of his rear end, much like Vince did last year. I have all the confidence in the world in our defense, but Sept 9 will be the only time this year the UT D sees such a dynamic player.
And as much as we all liked Colt's first game, he's still an unknown at QB. Think about it: a freshman quarterback who spent the first 18 years of his life in a small West Texas town, in the second game of his college career, playing in a 1 vs. 2 matchup on national TV. Wow. A recipe for disaster? I can see it going one of two ways. One, he plays to his potential but doesn't come up with crucial scoring drives when the game is on the line. Just as well, he's a freshman. What do you expect him to do? Or two, he plays within himself, runs the offense efficiently, and leads a scoring drive in the fourth quarter to put Texas in the lead.
Maybe I can't look at my team objectively, but I honestly think the latter scenario has an equal chance of happening as the former. Colt McCoy thought there was something wrong with him because he wasn't nervous before the UNT game (per the Austin American Statesman). Seriously. I think that speaks volumes about his mental state and psyche. If the latter does happen (please God), Colt's short career will already be enough for an NBC made-for-TV movie. Texas Gunslinger: the story Colt McCoy, a humble West Texas country boy quarterback with ice in his veins. Yeah, I'd watch it. But at the same time I'm ashamed of myself for actually typing the previous 3 sentences.
So that's how I'm looking at the game. Two known quantities: UT's defense and the tOSU offense. We know what to expect from those two units. They are both ridiculously good. The immovable object versus the unstoppable force. We know how that scenario usually turns out: spectacular plays from both sides and 21-28 points from the offense.
Then the two unknowns: the UT offense and the tOSU defense. I wouldn't be surprised to see 3 points or 35 points from the UT offense. That's a big range.
So that's how I came up with the prediction: Winner-27, Loser-24. Flip a coin.
NOW we have a bunch to talk about.
On tOSU ... Troy Smith, as expected, looked fantastic. Very precise and accurate. One of my favorite things to watch in college football is a veteran quarterback throwing to good receivers. I don't think Troy will be able to hit Ginn and Gonzo deep as often, if at all, against UT, but since he was hitting everything else, I am sure Texas is going to give up some passing yards.
And were there seriously no option plays? I remember seeing an option pass or two, but no option runs. No need to, I guess. I'm sure that will change next week. I would consider it a major accomplishment if we held Troy Smith to 250 total yards next week.
I was impressed with Chris Wells, he showed all of us why he was so highly rated coming out of high school. Fast, agile, and strong. Pittman looked like he did at the end of last year. Ohio State is stacked at running back.
And the defense... well, I'm not going to jump to any conclusions, especially in regards to how that performance translates to our game. I think the struggles can be attributed to a combination of things:
-Garrett Wolfe is a very, very good running back with a good O-line by MAC standards.
-Since NIU is a mid-major, the intensity on defense might not have been as high.
-The game was over by the end of the first quarter. That can only hurt a defense's intensity.
-Heacock kept it plain vanilla.
-9 new starters (duh). They obviously aren't a cohesive unit yet.
-The tOSU D just flat out isn't as good as last year, and we all expected that.
With all that said, there is lots of room for improvement, and lots of things the UT coaching staff will pay a lot of attention to. There was that one strange stretch play that Wolfe gained over half his yards on- it was like a counter in that the backside tackle and guard pulled to the strong side outside the TE, but there was no deceptive movement on part of the OL, RB, or QB. Where the hell were the linebackers? Safeties had to constantly make the stop 15 yards downfield.
But take the good with the bad. NIU's inside running game was non-existent. It seems the tOSU DT's are worthy of their hype. I was also impressed at the pressure the defensive line got on Horvath. He never had more than 2-3 seconds to get rid of the ball, sometimes less.
It was hard to judge the secondary. NIU never went downfield as they kept dumping it off to Wolfe (smartly so). Their tackling was pretty good other than that ole' the three defenders did on Wolfe's only touchdown. I won't comment anymore because there isn't really anything more to talk about.
The big picture: tOSU held an offense with a Heisman trophy candidate at running back and a veteran quarterback to 12 points. That's pretty damn good. But it can be argued that NIU provided a model for how to beat the tOSU defense.
Based on what I saw yesterday in both our games, I expect UT to line up a lot of the time in the two-TE ace formation. Lots of counters and stretch plays. I'm not sure how the UT spread running game will work against. Intuitively, it should work well since there are a lot of counters and zone plays run outside the tackles. We'll see.
Week 1 - Texas
Let's get the quarterback situation out of the way. I echo what your boy Kirk had to say about Colt: Given the level of competition, he did as well as can possibly be expected of him. Yes, yes, yes, I realize UNT sucks. That's not the point. Given what little live action we have seen of him, I think we can all agree that Colt is ahead of the curve. He did NOT look like a freshman.
Except for one play. I don't know what he was looking at, but he threw it to a big mass of humanity consisting of two UT receivers and three UNT defenders. Freshman moment, even the smart ones have them.
He went 12 of 19. He had three of his passes dropped (yes, drops are part of the game, but again, that is not the point). That means he had 15 of 19 passes that were very catchable. Groovy.
Finally, I was impressed with Colt's mobility. He's a little faster than I thought he was.
Snead looked okay. His interception came on a dropped pass. It was a little behind the receiver, but still very catchable. Speaking of…
Other than Sweed, I was disappointed with the receivers. 5 drops. If I recall correctly, 2 were by Pittman, 2 were by Shipley, and 1 was by Hardy. Very frustrating to watch, especially since Shipley has the best hands on the team. It's his first live action in 3 years though, so I'll give him a break. Hardy's drop and one of Pittman's were completely inexcusable. Colt hit'em right in the hands. Help out your freshman quarterback, guys. With all that said, I don't think we'll have this problem next week.
Running game: I'm a little disappointed. Selvin and Jamaal ran very well, but they at times struggled to get 3 yards. No long gains. Offensive line? Not sure, but I don't think so. I think it was UNT completely selling out to stop the run. In fact, I know that's it as the UNT coach said as much. If there is no safety help 10 yards downfield on a slant pattern (Sweed's long TD), then you have sold out to stop the run. Still, I would've liked to see a long run or two.
Defense. Yes, the UNT offense sucks. Once again, that's not the point. If you limit a Division 1 offense to less than 100 yards, then your defense has done a fantastic job. I'm even more pleased that 80 of their 91 however many total yards came on one drive- UNT's first of the second half (per Chizik's words, it was a lack of intensity), meaning they gained 11 yards on their other drives combined. The defensive line is the strength of
the defense. They were always in the backfield.
It was nice to see the backups play well. We have very good depth on D, particularly on the defensive line. Muckelroy had some nice plays, and Orakpo proved he's more than just a passing down pass rusher (even if he's very good at it).
The UT defense vs. the tOSU offense will be a clash of titans.
Final score prediction: 27-24. Flip a coin for the winner.
Week 2 - In Austin
So the question is... what in the wide, wide world of sports does all this have to do in our game next week? We really can't take a whole lot from our respective games as they were both blowouts. I'm most interested in knowing how these teams and individual players react when the game is on the line.
I think tOSU has a slight advantage there. Their defense is still an unknown, but a team generally takes on the attitude of its veteran, Heisman trophy candidate leader at QB. Just like Vince and the 2005 Texas team. If I'm a Buckeye fan, I feel pretty confident in a close game, but I'm also a little worried that the defense might not come up with a stop in a clutch situation.
For Texas fans, we have to worry about Troy's ability to pull something out of his rear end, much like Vince did last year. I have all the confidence in the world in our defense, but Sept 9 will be the only time this year the UT D sees such a dynamic player.
And as much as we all liked Colt's first game, he's still an unknown at QB. Think about it: a freshman quarterback who spent the first 18 years of his life in a small West Texas town, in the second game of his college career, playing in a 1 vs. 2 matchup on national TV. Wow. A recipe for disaster? I can see it going one of two ways. One, he plays to his potential but doesn't come up with crucial scoring drives when the game is on the line. Just as well, he's a freshman. What do you expect him to do? Or two, he plays within himself, runs the offense efficiently, and leads a scoring drive in the fourth quarter to put Texas in the lead.
Maybe I can't look at my team objectively, but I honestly think the latter scenario has an equal chance of happening as the former. Colt McCoy thought there was something wrong with him because he wasn't nervous before the UNT game (per the Austin American Statesman). Seriously. I think that speaks volumes about his mental state and psyche. If the latter does happen (please God), Colt's short career will already be enough for an NBC made-for-TV movie. Texas Gunslinger: the story Colt McCoy, a humble West Texas country boy quarterback with ice in his veins. Yeah, I'd watch it. But at the same time I'm ashamed of myself for actually typing the previous 3 sentences.
So that's how I'm looking at the game. Two known quantities: UT's defense and the tOSU offense. We know what to expect from those two units. They are both ridiculously good. The immovable object versus the unstoppable force. We know how that scenario usually turns out: spectacular plays from both sides and 21-28 points from the offense.
Then the two unknowns: the UT offense and the tOSU defense. I wouldn't be surprised to see 3 points or 35 points from the UT offense. That's a big range.
So that's how I came up with the prediction: Winner-27, Loser-24. Flip a coin.
The Lighter Side
Recap: It's a good thing for NIU fans that football is played for 60 minutes and not merely for 15:10. As some of you might recall, there was some objection to my suggestion last week that NIU was like my little sister. Ultimately, the comparison was warranted. Tressel and company built an early crushing lead and then coasted for the remaining 44:50, Tressel - as predicted - having concluded, "OK, that's enough." Ah, the memories of childhood this game brought back... Still, this week, I won't be comparing Texas to any of my family members - particularly the unathletic ones. (Although, I do have an uncle who drinks a lot of beer, drives around in a red caddy with longhorn horns on the grill, all the while wearing a 10 gallon hat, continually smoking a cigar, which you can only miss if you are mesmerized by his pinkie-ring. Strangely, he considers himself more of a hockey fan.)
Before getting too far into this, I should say something directly. Any Texas fans reading this... before you run to your boards complaining that I'm "unprofessional," "immature," and the like, please keep in mind that what follows is just written in jest. Well, kind of. I'm sure you are all fine people, with good families, nice pets, and a healthy appreciation for God and Country. Actually, on this last point, you probably have more than a "healthy" appreciation. None the less, just relax, and remember, this piece isn't intended to make the national airwaives and become the future mindset for a nation. Thank you.
Now, I have heard that "everything is bigger in Texas." Having been there, I have to tell you, everything seems to be pretty much the same size as like objects I've seen elsewhere in the world. But, you live there and I figure you know what you're talking about. So, in the interest of fairness, I made a few calls. My research reveals that there are no manufacturers who have a special "Texas Size" inventory meant for sale only in your State. I bring this up because I did learn something that I did not know before.
I called Nike and asked them if they made bigger uniforms for Texas. They laughed, said "No, but we get the question all the time." I gave a bit of an embarrassed laugh, "Now wait a minute, are you sure that when you're making a jersey for say, Colt McCoy, you're not adding even a little extra fabric just to account for his being bigger than any other quarterback?" The reply I took as quite curious. "Nope," they said, "We had the Texas uniforms and Tennessee uniforms divided up and sent their respective ways just like always." I said, "What?" They said, "Oh yeah, you didn't know? Tennessee and Texas uniforms are the exact same color." This surprised me until I thought about it.
Anyone who's been on the Texas game Thread is by now aware of a number of things. A short list includes the following; Ted Ginn, Jr. would lose a footrace to any Texas Linebacker, Troy Smith will probably be yanked for Zwick owing to his poor performance, the "replacement" players Texas will field in this Game are actually better than those players who graduated or who now play on Sunday, and it's really, really HOT in Texas. All the time. Everywhere. Especially in Austin.
And that's when I realized, Tennessee Orange and Texas Orange MUST be the same color at the factory. Of course. As soon as the Texas uniforms arrive in Texas, owing to the inhumane heat, they become Burnt Orange. Considering the fact that my favorite team has no prayer of competing with the Big Boys down in Austin, I bring this up because it truly makes me happy to know Ohio State will be wearing white on this trip. Because we're wearing whites, we can at least maintain our dignity. It would be more than I could bear if, not only did Ohio State choose this year to change the stripes on the best jersey in football (Burnt Orange aside, of course) but if OSU went down there in their Scarlet jerseys and had to play the rest of the year with not only no Grey on the uniform but also in some "Burnt Scarlet" color that only Crayola could possibly reproduce. Getting demolished by Texas' all world studs is bad enough, but changing our school colors, too? As I said, at least we'll be wearing our whites.
So, what can I tell you about this matchup? Well, I do know this: If North Texas played last year's Colerain squad in the Herbstreit Challenge like they were supposed to, Texas would boast another victory over Ohio. Tyler Lee is a great school, for sure, but they're only that good because the Texas High School Association correctly said, "North Texas High should be playing D-IA college ball from here on out." No question North Texas High, with nothing but Texas talent on its roster, would beat most colleges, including Ohio State, let alone poor Colerain. The fact that Texas beat North Texas High last week is pure testament to how good Colt McCoy is. Lesser men have tried to throw for almost 200 yards against North Texas High, and all have failed... or worse. But not McCoy. Don't let the baby-faced looks fool you. McCoy is second only to ... strike that. He's second to no one. If he doesn't win 4 Heismans, it's only because Jamaal Charles wins at least 2 of them.
OK.. enough of that. So, what do I expect to see this Saturday? Well, for one thing, I expect to see two football fields, one the actual field, and the other an illusion caused by the heat. But, and this is in line with the superior talent we've all be hearing about at Texas, I expect Mack Brown to treat us all to the same favor he treated the nation to last year. Of course, last year, Mack didn't field his best team each week, opting instead to keep this year's studs on the bench so as not to embarrass people, and hopefully keep people interested in college football, as if there was any question as to who would win the Championship. I expect the good samaritan ways to continue. Fortunately for Ohio State, while this year's Texas team is obviously far and away more talented than the last, the REAL talent is - thankfully - sitting on the bench, waiting in the wings.
That being so, and again because Mack Brown has his heart in the right place for the future of college football, I expect Ohio State and Texas to have an epic battle. Of course, it will be a sham, but it'll have the look of an instant classic.
However, beware Texas fans...
This year.... I'm employing a team of witchdoctors. In fact, It's the same group of Voodoo Professionals responsible for the Wolverine curse on John Cooper (Before any of my Buckeye breathern get upset that I'm in league with these guys, rest assured, as soon as I became aware of them, I paid them a handsome amount of vCash to stop working for IVoyd, and the rest is... as they say, history.) Thus, while the unsuspecting Brown will, for the good of the game, try to keep it close, recognizing his weakness - I'll give the order. It will, no doubt, take all their magic to overcome the pure skill that Texas has, but you saw what they did in the 1995 and 1996 OSU-Michigan games. They're up to the task. Believe me.
Actually... don't believe me. Like I said... This piece is just in jest. Or... is it? Afterall, I did say NIU was just like my sister... (cue eerie organ)
Before getting too far into this, I should say something directly. Any Texas fans reading this... before you run to your boards complaining that I'm "unprofessional," "immature," and the like, please keep in mind that what follows is just written in jest. Well, kind of. I'm sure you are all fine people, with good families, nice pets, and a healthy appreciation for God and Country. Actually, on this last point, you probably have more than a "healthy" appreciation. None the less, just relax, and remember, this piece isn't intended to make the national airwaives and become the future mindset for a nation. Thank you.
Now, I have heard that "everything is bigger in Texas." Having been there, I have to tell you, everything seems to be pretty much the same size as like objects I've seen elsewhere in the world. But, you live there and I figure you know what you're talking about. So, in the interest of fairness, I made a few calls. My research reveals that there are no manufacturers who have a special "Texas Size" inventory meant for sale only in your State. I bring this up because I did learn something that I did not know before.
I called Nike and asked them if they made bigger uniforms for Texas. They laughed, said "No, but we get the question all the time." I gave a bit of an embarrassed laugh, "Now wait a minute, are you sure that when you're making a jersey for say, Colt McCoy, you're not adding even a little extra fabric just to account for his being bigger than any other quarterback?" The reply I took as quite curious. "Nope," they said, "We had the Texas uniforms and Tennessee uniforms divided up and sent their respective ways just like always." I said, "What?" They said, "Oh yeah, you didn't know? Tennessee and Texas uniforms are the exact same color." This surprised me until I thought about it.
Anyone who's been on the Texas game Thread is by now aware of a number of things. A short list includes the following; Ted Ginn, Jr. would lose a footrace to any Texas Linebacker, Troy Smith will probably be yanked for Zwick owing to his poor performance, the "replacement" players Texas will field in this Game are actually better than those players who graduated or who now play on Sunday, and it's really, really HOT in Texas. All the time. Everywhere. Especially in Austin.
And that's when I realized, Tennessee Orange and Texas Orange MUST be the same color at the factory. Of course. As soon as the Texas uniforms arrive in Texas, owing to the inhumane heat, they become Burnt Orange. Considering the fact that my favorite team has no prayer of competing with the Big Boys down in Austin, I bring this up because it truly makes me happy to know Ohio State will be wearing white on this trip. Because we're wearing whites, we can at least maintain our dignity. It would be more than I could bear if, not only did Ohio State choose this year to change the stripes on the best jersey in football (Burnt Orange aside, of course) but if OSU went down there in their Scarlet jerseys and had to play the rest of the year with not only no Grey on the uniform but also in some "Burnt Scarlet" color that only Crayola could possibly reproduce. Getting demolished by Texas' all world studs is bad enough, but changing our school colors, too? As I said, at least we'll be wearing our whites.
So, what can I tell you about this matchup? Well, I do know this: If North Texas played last year's Colerain squad in the Herbstreit Challenge like they were supposed to, Texas would boast another victory over Ohio. Tyler Lee is a great school, for sure, but they're only that good because the Texas High School Association correctly said, "North Texas High should be playing D-IA college ball from here on out." No question North Texas High, with nothing but Texas talent on its roster, would beat most colleges, including Ohio State, let alone poor Colerain. The fact that Texas beat North Texas High last week is pure testament to how good Colt McCoy is. Lesser men have tried to throw for almost 200 yards against North Texas High, and all have failed... or worse. But not McCoy. Don't let the baby-faced looks fool you. McCoy is second only to ... strike that. He's second to no one. If he doesn't win 4 Heismans, it's only because Jamaal Charles wins at least 2 of them.
OK.. enough of that. So, what do I expect to see this Saturday? Well, for one thing, I expect to see two football fields, one the actual field, and the other an illusion caused by the heat. But, and this is in line with the superior talent we've all be hearing about at Texas, I expect Mack Brown to treat us all to the same favor he treated the nation to last year. Of course, last year, Mack didn't field his best team each week, opting instead to keep this year's studs on the bench so as not to embarrass people, and hopefully keep people interested in college football, as if there was any question as to who would win the Championship. I expect the good samaritan ways to continue. Fortunately for Ohio State, while this year's Texas team is obviously far and away more talented than the last, the REAL talent is - thankfully - sitting on the bench, waiting in the wings.
That being so, and again because Mack Brown has his heart in the right place for the future of college football, I expect Ohio State and Texas to have an epic battle. Of course, it will be a sham, but it'll have the look of an instant classic.
However, beware Texas fans...
This year.... I'm employing a team of witchdoctors. In fact, It's the same group of Voodoo Professionals responsible for the Wolverine curse on John Cooper (Before any of my Buckeye breathern get upset that I'm in league with these guys, rest assured, as soon as I became aware of them, I paid them a handsome amount of vCash to stop working for IVoyd, and the rest is... as they say, history.) Thus, while the unsuspecting Brown will, for the good of the game, try to keep it close, recognizing his weakness - I'll give the order. It will, no doubt, take all their magic to overcome the pure skill that Texas has, but you saw what they did in the 1995 and 1996 OSU-Michigan games. They're up to the task. Believe me.
Actually... don't believe me. Like I said... This piece is just in jest. Or... is it? Afterall, I did say NIU was just like my sister... (cue eerie organ)
Historical Data
University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas) Founded in 1883
Football 1st Season: 1893
Stadium: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Renovated in 1999 and 2006)
Constructed: 1924 (Godzillatron, 55 by 134 feet, added in 2006)
Seating Capacity: 85,123
Playing Surface: TifSport Certified Bermudagrass (Joe Jamail Field)
Conference: Big 12
Colors: Burnt Orange & White
Mascot: Longhorn Steer (Bevo XIV)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 31, 2 TIAA, 19 Southwest Conference Championships plus 6 Co-Championships, and 2 Big 12 Conference Championships, 2 Big 12 South Division Championships
Consensus All-Americans: 43 (37 different players as of 2004)
College Hall-of-Famers: 15
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 4 (Earl Campbell, Tom Landry, Bobby Layne, Tex Schramm)
Award Winners:
Stadium: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (Renovated in 1999 and 2006)
Constructed: 1924 (Godzillatron, 55 by 134 feet, added in 2006)
Seating Capacity: 85,123
Playing Surface: TifSport Certified Bermudagrass (Joe Jamail Field)
Conference: Big 12
Colors: Burnt Orange & White
Mascot: Longhorn Steer (Bevo XIV)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 31, 2 TIAA, 19 Southwest Conference Championships plus 6 Co-Championships, and 2 Big 12 Conference Championships, 2 Big 12 South Division Championships
Consensus All-Americans: 43 (37 different players as of 2004)
College Hall-of-Famers: 15
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 4 (Earl Campbell, Tom Landry, Bobby Layne, Tex Schramm)
Award Winners:
Heisman Trophy (best player) - Earle Campbell, 1977; Ricky Williams, 1998
Maxwell Award (best player) - Tommy Nobis, 1965; Ricky Williams, 1998; Vince Young, 2005
Walter Camp (best player) - Ricky Williams, 1998
AP Player of the Year - Ricky Williams, 1998
Lombardi Award (best lineman/linebacker) - Kenneth Sims, 1981; Tony Degrate, 1984
Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) - Scott Appleton, 1963; Tommy Nobis, 1965; Brad Shearer, 1977
Butkus Award (best LB) - Derrick Johnson, 2004
Butkus Silver Anniversary - Tommy Nobis, 1990
Bronko Nagurski (best defenseman) - Derrick Johnson, 2004
Davey O'Brien Award (best QB) - Vince Young, 2005
Manning Award (best QB) - Vince Young, 2005
Doak Walker Award (best RB) - Ricky Williams, 1997 & 1998
Jim Thorpe Award (best DB) - Michael Huff, 2005
AFCA Coach of the Year - Darrell Royal, 1963
Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year - Darrell Royal, 1961 & 1963
Bear Bryant Coach of the Year - Darrell Royal, 1963; Mack Brown, 2005
National Championships: 4 Recognized National Titles (1963, 1969, 1970 and 2005) and 9 others (1914, 1918, 1941, 1947, 1950, 1961, 1968, 1977, 1981)Maxwell Award (best player) - Tommy Nobis, 1965; Ricky Williams, 1998; Vince Young, 2005
Walter Camp (best player) - Ricky Williams, 1998
AP Player of the Year - Ricky Williams, 1998
Lombardi Award (best lineman/linebacker) - Kenneth Sims, 1981; Tony Degrate, 1984
Outland Trophy (best interior lineman) - Scott Appleton, 1963; Tommy Nobis, 1965; Brad Shearer, 1977
Butkus Award (best LB) - Derrick Johnson, 2004
Butkus Silver Anniversary - Tommy Nobis, 1990
Bronko Nagurski (best defenseman) - Derrick Johnson, 2004
Davey O'Brien Award (best QB) - Vince Young, 2005
Manning Award (best QB) - Vince Young, 2005
Doak Walker Award (best RB) - Ricky Williams, 1997 & 1998
Jim Thorpe Award (best DB) - Michael Huff, 2005
AFCA Coach of the Year - Darrell Royal, 1963
Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year - Darrell Royal, 1961 & 1963
Bear Bryant Coach of the Year - Darrell Royal, 1963; Mack Brown, 2005
Believe it or not, Ohio State is the major factor in three of the four recognized national championships claimed by the University of Texas. Of course, the Longhorns' 2005 championship would not have been possible but for their narrow victory over Ohio State, 25-21, in the second game of the year. After defeating the Buckeyes, Texas rolled through the rest of their opponents, and earned a berth in the national championship game against defending champs, Southern California. While the Trojans led for most of the contest, Texas quarterback Vince Young engineered an incredible last-minute comeback and the 'Horns prevailed, 41-38.
After completing a perfect season and winning a consensus national championship in 1968 with a sophomore-laden team, the Buckeyes were the clear favorites to run the table once again in 1969. Although Ohio State was generally regarded as the best team in the nation throughout the first three months of the season, the Buckeyes stumbled against the Michigan Wolverines in the final game, and that loss opened the door for the Longhorns, who won rivalry games during the final two weeks of the regular season (49-12 over Texas A+M, and 15-14 over #2 Arkansas), and then defeated the Notre Dame fighting Irish in the Cotton Bowl (21-17) to finish a perfect 11-0 and national champs in both major polls.
Led by the remaining "Super Sophs" from the '68 championship team - LB Jack Tatum, QB Rex Kern, DL Jim Stillwagon, RB John Brockington, DB Mike Sensibaugh, DB Tim Anderson, TE Jan White, WB Leo Hayden, and WB Larry Zelina - Ohio State was once again the pre-season number one team in both major polls in 1970. However, during a string of unimpressive victories against lackluster competition, the second-ranked Longhorns leap-frogged the Buckeyes in the UPI poll, and by the end of the regular season, Texas, riding a 30-game winning streak, was ahead in both polls. Despite losing the top billing, Ohio State still had a chance for a national championship, if only they could post an impressive victory in the Rose Bowl. The undefeated Buckeye squad headed to Pasadena as a heavy favorite against an undermanned Stanford team featuring future NFL star quarterback Jim Plunkett, and his favorite receiver target, Randy Vataha. Of course, Ohio State came from ahead to lose the game in the fourth quarter, and Texas was poised for back-to-back national titles. However, the Longhorns lost a Cotton Bowl re-match to sixth-ranked Notre Dame, leaving third-ranked Nebraska as the national champions by default. Despite flaming out in their final contests, both Ohio State and Texas claim national championships for 1970 - Texas (10-1) won the UPI title, and Ohio State (9-1) was named best team in the nation by National Football Foundation; it should be noted that both organizations made their respective selections prior to the New Year's Day bowl games. Nebraska (11-0-1, Sugar Bowl champs) won the AP championship, which was awarded after the conclusion of the bowl season, and today most non-partisan observers believe that the Huskers were the true national champs in 1970. And most Buckeye and Longhorn fans can only wonder "what if...."
Bottom line: Without some valuable assistance from the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Texas Longhorns would have a lone national championship star on their resume.
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-41 years, Coaches-36 yearsAfter completing a perfect season and winning a consensus national championship in 1968 with a sophomore-laden team, the Buckeyes were the clear favorites to run the table once again in 1969. Although Ohio State was generally regarded as the best team in the nation throughout the first three months of the season, the Buckeyes stumbled against the Michigan Wolverines in the final game, and that loss opened the door for the Longhorns, who won rivalry games during the final two weeks of the regular season (49-12 over Texas A+M, and 15-14 over #2 Arkansas), and then defeated the Notre Dame fighting Irish in the Cotton Bowl (21-17) to finish a perfect 11-0 and national champs in both major polls.
Led by the remaining "Super Sophs" from the '68 championship team - LB Jack Tatum, QB Rex Kern, DL Jim Stillwagon, RB John Brockington, DB Mike Sensibaugh, DB Tim Anderson, TE Jan White, WB Leo Hayden, and WB Larry Zelina - Ohio State was once again the pre-season number one team in both major polls in 1970. However, during a string of unimpressive victories against lackluster competition, the second-ranked Longhorns leap-frogged the Buckeyes in the UPI poll, and by the end of the regular season, Texas, riding a 30-game winning streak, was ahead in both polls. Despite losing the top billing, Ohio State still had a chance for a national championship, if only they could post an impressive victory in the Rose Bowl. The undefeated Buckeye squad headed to Pasadena as a heavy favorite against an undermanned Stanford team featuring future NFL star quarterback Jim Plunkett, and his favorite receiver target, Randy Vataha. Of course, Ohio State came from ahead to lose the game in the fourth quarter, and Texas was poised for back-to-back national titles. However, the Longhorns lost a Cotton Bowl re-match to sixth-ranked Notre Dame, leaving third-ranked Nebraska as the national champions by default. Despite flaming out in their final contests, both Ohio State and Texas claim national championships for 1970 - Texas (10-1) won the UPI title, and Ohio State (9-1) was named best team in the nation by National Football Foundation; it should be noted that both organizations made their respective selections prior to the New Year's Day bowl games. Nebraska (11-0-1, Sugar Bowl champs) won the AP championship, which was awarded after the conclusion of the bowl season, and today most non-partisan observers believe that the Huskers were the true national champs in 1970. And most Buckeye and Longhorn fans can only wonder "what if...."
Bottom line: Without some valuable assistance from the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Texas Longhorns would have a lone national championship star on their resume.
Records
All Time: 801-313-34 (.7125)
Bowl Games: 22-21-2 (.511), most recently a win over USC (2006) in the Rose Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 8-5-0 (.615) versus teams with conference membership at time of game (10-6 against current members all-time).
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 1-0-0 (1.000) most recently a 25-22 win over Ohio State in Columbus (2005)
Coach’s Reord: Mack Brown, (1983-2006) 170-93-1 (.646), since joining Texas (1998-2006) 84-19-0 (.815)
Last Season: 13-0-0 (1.000)
W - Louisiana-Lafayette (60-3)
W - Ohio St. (25-21)
W - Rice (51-10)
W - Missouri (51-20)
W - Oklahoma (45-12)
W - Colorado (42-17)
W - Texas Tech (52-17)
W - Oklahoma St. (47-28)
W - Baylor (62-0)
W - Kansas (66-14)
W - Texas A&M (40-29)
W - Colorado (70-3) Big 12 Championship Game
W - Southern California (41-38) Rose Bowl
2001-2005: 56-8-0 (.875)
1996-2005: 95-31-0 (.754)
Bowl Games: 22-21-2 (.511), most recently a win over USC (2006) in the Rose Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 8-5-0 (.615) versus teams with conference membership at time of game (10-6 against current members all-time).
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 1-0-0 (1.000) most recently a 25-22 win over Ohio State in Columbus (2005)
Coach’s Reord: Mack Brown, (1983-2006) 170-93-1 (.646), since joining Texas (1998-2006) 84-19-0 (.815)
Last Season: 13-0-0 (1.000)
W - Louisiana-Lafayette (60-3)
W - Ohio St. (25-21)
W - Rice (51-10)
W - Missouri (51-20)
W - Oklahoma (45-12)
W - Colorado (42-17)
W - Texas Tech (52-17)
W - Oklahoma St. (47-28)
W - Baylor (62-0)
W - Kansas (66-14)
W - Texas A&M (40-29)
W - Colorado (70-3) Big 12 Championship Game
W - Southern California (41-38) Rose Bowl
2001-2005: 56-8-0 (.875)
1996-2005: 95-31-0 (.754)
Links
Official Sites:
Official School Site - University of Texas
Student Publications - Texas Student Publications
Student Newspaper - Daily Texan
Official Athletic Site - University of Texas Athletics
Official Football Site - Mack Brown-Texas Football
Official Conference Site - Big 12 Conference
Official Fan Site - Horn Fans
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Official Fan Site - Horn Fans (Official)
Message Boards - Inside Texas (Scout)
Message Boards - Orange Bloods (Rivals)
Message Boards - Austin 360 (Independent)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - College Football News
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Yahoo
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - CNN/SI Team Page
Team Page - The Sporting News
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Local News Sources:
Austin American-Statesman - Local News
Austin 360 - Local News
Dallas Morning News - Local News
Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram - Local News
Houston Chronicle - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
TEXAS Team Report (01/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (02/03/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (03/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (04/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (04/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (06/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (06/27/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (06/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (07/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (07/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (08/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (08/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (08/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (09/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
Prospectus, Rosters & Other Info.:
2006 Roster - Mack Brown-Texas Football
2006 Prospectus (PDF) - Mack Brown-Texas Football
2006 News Releases - Mack Brown-Texas Football
2006 Big12 Spring Looks - CFN
2006 Big12 Spring Storylines - CFN
2006 Preview - CFN
2006 Preview - Offense - CFN
2006 Preview - Defense - CFN
2006 Preview - Further Analysis - CFN
2006 Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2006 Team Preview - Top 25 (#7) - Athlon
2006 Team Preview - Athlon
2006 Team Preview - Top 25 - CNN/SI
2006 Team Preview - The Sporting News
2006 Team Preview - Football.com
2006 Team Preview - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Offense - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Defense - Just College Football
Travel:
Gameday Information - Mack Brown-Texas Football
Big 12 Conference:
2006 Big 12 Spring Prospectus (PDF) - Big 12 Conference
2006 Big 12 Schedule (By Date) - Big 12 Conference
Official School Site - University of Texas
Student Publications - Texas Student Publications
Student Newspaper - Daily Texan
Official Athletic Site - University of Texas Athletics
Official Football Site - Mack Brown-Texas Football
Official Conference Site - Big 12 Conference
Official Fan Site - Horn Fans
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Official Fan Site - Horn Fans (Official)
Message Boards - Inside Texas (Scout)
Message Boards - Orange Bloods (Rivals)
Message Boards - Austin 360 (Independent)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - College Football News
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Yahoo
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - CNN/SI Team Page
Team Page - The Sporting News
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Local News Sources:
Austin American-Statesman - Local News
Austin 360 - Local News
Dallas Morning News - Local News
Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram - Local News
Houston Chronicle - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
TEXAS Team Report (01/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (02/03/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (03/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (04/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (04/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (05/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (06/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (06/27/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (06/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (07/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (07/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (08/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (08/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (08/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
TEXAS Team Report (09/04/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
Prospectus, Rosters & Other Info.:
2006 Roster - Mack Brown-Texas Football
2006 Prospectus (PDF) - Mack Brown-Texas Football
2006 News Releases - Mack Brown-Texas Football
2006 Big12 Spring Looks - CFN
2006 Big12 Spring Storylines - CFN
2006 Preview - CFN
2006 Preview - Offense - CFN
2006 Preview - Defense - CFN
2006 Preview - Further Analysis - CFN
2006 Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2006 Team Preview - Top 25 (#7) - Athlon
2006 Team Preview - Athlon
2006 Team Preview - Top 25 - CNN/SI
2006 Team Preview - The Sporting News
2006 Team Preview - Football.com
2006 Team Preview - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Offense - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Defense - Just College Football
Travel:
Gameday Information - Mack Brown-Texas Football
Big 12 Conference:
2006 Big 12 Spring Prospectus (PDF) - Big 12 Conference
2006 Big 12 Schedule (By Date) - Big 12 Conference
Preseason Rankings
1. College Football News
1. StatFox.com
1. College Football Poll (Projected Final)
1. College Football Poll (Opening Rank)
1. CollegeRivals.org
1. CompRank
2. USA Today/Coaches Poll
2. ESPN - Power 16
2. Phil Steele - Power Poll
2. Sports Illustrated (Stewart Mandel - Spring)
2. NationalChamps.net
2. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3. Associated Press
3. Sports Illustrated
3. Street & Smith's
3. Blue Ribbon
3. JustCollegeFootball.com
3. Game Plan
4. ESPN - Ivan Maisel (Post Spring)
4. Lindy's Power Rankings
4. Playboy
4. Yahoo / Terry Bowden's Sweet 16
4. ATS Consulting
5. Phil Steele - Expected Season Finish
5. Rivals
5. Real Football 365
5. AutumnSpectacle.com
5. Football.com
5. College Football Resource
5. CBS Sportsline - Dennis Dodd UPDATED
6. CBS Sportsline - Dennis Dodd Post Spring
6. The Gold Sheet
7. CBS SportsLine.com (Preview Magazine)
7. Athlon
7. The Sporting News
7. SouthernPigskin.com
7. Surefire Scouting
13. VegasInsider.com
1. StatFox.com
1. College Football Poll (Projected Final)
1. College Football Poll (Opening Rank)
1. CollegeRivals.org
1. CompRank
2. USA Today/Coaches Poll
2. ESPN - Power 16
2. Phil Steele - Power Poll
2. Sports Illustrated (Stewart Mandel - Spring)
2. NationalChamps.net
2. Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3. Associated Press
3. Sports Illustrated
3. Street & Smith's
3. Blue Ribbon
3. JustCollegeFootball.com
3. Game Plan
4. ESPN - Ivan Maisel (Post Spring)
4. Lindy's Power Rankings
4. Playboy
4. Yahoo / Terry Bowden's Sweet 16
4. ATS Consulting
5. Phil Steele - Expected Season Finish
5. Rivals
5. Real Football 365
5. AutumnSpectacle.com
5. Football.com
5. College Football Resource
5. CBS Sportsline - Dennis Dodd UPDATED
6. CBS Sportsline - Dennis Dodd Post Spring
6. The Gold Sheet
7. CBS SportsLine.com (Preview Magazine)
7. Athlon
7. The Sporting News
7. SouthernPigskin.com
7. Surefire Scouting
13. VegasInsider.com
2006 Preseason Award Watch Lists
2006 Lott Trophy - Watch List (Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation)
Tim Crowder, Sr., DE, Texas, 6-4, 270
Michael Griffin, Sr., S, Texas, 6-0, 205
2006 Lombardi Award - Watch List (The Rotary Club of Houston)
Justin Blalock, OT, Texas
Tim Crowder DE Texas
2006 Bronko Nagurski - Watch List (Charlotte Touchdown Club)
Michael Griffin, Texas S Sr. Austin, Texas
2006 Outland Trophy - Watch List (FWAA)
Justin Blalock, Texas OT
2006 Rimington Award - Watch List (Boomer Esiason Foundation/Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/Canon)
Lyle Sendlein - Texas Junior 6’5" 305 lbs
2006 Ted Hendricks Award - Watch List (Ted Hendricks Foundation)
Tim Crowder, Texas SR, 6'4" 270
Brian Robison, Texas SR, 6'3" 275
2006 Jim Thorpe Award - Watch List (Jim Thorpe Association)
Michael Griffin - Texas
2006 Maxwell Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Charles, Jamaal - University of Texas
2006 Benarik Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Crowder, Tim - University of Texas
Griffin, Michael - University of Texas
Okam, Frank - University of Texas
2006 Lou Groza Award - Watch List (FedEx Orange Bowl and the Palm Beach Co. Sports Commission)
Pino, David - Texas, Senior
2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year - Watch List (Walter Camp Foundation)
Jamaal Charles, RB, Soph., Texas
2006 Doak Walker Award - Watch List (SMU Athletic Forum)
Selvin Young (Sr.), Texas
2006 Heisman Trophy Award - Watch List (Downtown Athletic Club of New York)
No Official List is Published by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York. Using the top 20 from CFN.
18. RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
Tim Crowder, Sr., DE, Texas, 6-4, 270
Michael Griffin, Sr., S, Texas, 6-0, 205
2006 Lombardi Award - Watch List (The Rotary Club of Houston)
Justin Blalock, OT, Texas
Tim Crowder DE Texas
2006 Bronko Nagurski - Watch List (Charlotte Touchdown Club)
Michael Griffin, Texas S Sr. Austin, Texas
2006 Outland Trophy - Watch List (FWAA)
Justin Blalock, Texas OT
2006 Rimington Award - Watch List (Boomer Esiason Foundation/Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/Canon)
Lyle Sendlein - Texas Junior 6’5" 305 lbs
2006 Ted Hendricks Award - Watch List (Ted Hendricks Foundation)
Tim Crowder, Texas SR, 6'4" 270
Brian Robison, Texas SR, 6'3" 275
2006 Jim Thorpe Award - Watch List (Jim Thorpe Association)
Michael Griffin - Texas
2006 Maxwell Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Charles, Jamaal - University of Texas
2006 Benarik Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Crowder, Tim - University of Texas
Griffin, Michael - University of Texas
Okam, Frank - University of Texas
2006 Lou Groza Award - Watch List (FedEx Orange Bowl and the Palm Beach Co. Sports Commission)
Pino, David - Texas, Senior
2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year - Watch List (Walter Camp Foundation)
Jamaal Charles, RB, Soph., Texas
2006 Doak Walker Award - Watch List (SMU Athletic Forum)
Selvin Young (Sr.), Texas
2006 Heisman Trophy Award - Watch List (Downtown Athletic Club of New York)
No Official List is Published by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York. Using the top 20 from CFN.
18. RB Jamaal Charles, Texas
Preseason Conference Accolades
2006 Big 12 Football Media Day
2006 Big 12 Preseason Media Poll
North
1. Nebraska (21) 160
2. Iowa State (5) 128
3. Colorado (2) 93
4. Kansas 85
5. Missouri 82
6. Kansas State 40
South
1. Oklahoma (23) 163
2. Texas (5) 144
3. Texas Tech 106
4. Texas A&M 81
5. Oklahoma State 49
6. Baylor 46
First place votes in parentheses
2006 Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma (RB, 6-2, 210, Jr/2L, Palestine, Texas)
2006 Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma (LB, 6-1, 231, Sr/3L, Baton Rouge, La.)
2006 Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Sergio Kindle, Texas (LB, 6-4, 225, Fr, Dallas, Texas)
2006 All-Big 12 Preseason Football Team (Media Vote)
Offense
WR Todd Blythe - Iowa State
TE Martin Rucker - Missouri
OL Justin Blalock - Texas
OL Manuel Ramirez - Texas Tech
C Mark Fenton - Colorado
OL Kasey Studdard - Texas
OL Corey Hilliard - Oklahoma State
WR Jarrett Hicks - Texas Tech
QB Bret Meyer - Iowa State
RB Adrian Peterson - Oklahoma
RB Jamaal Charles - Texas
PK Mason Crosby - Colorado
KR DeAndre Jackson - Iowa State
Defense
DL Adam Carriker - Nebraska
DL Tim Crowder - Texas
DL Frank Okam - Texas
DL Brent Curvey - Iowa State
LB Rufus Alexander - Oklahoma
LB Thaddaeus Washington - Colorado
LB Corey McKeon - Nebraska
DB Michael Griffin - Texas
DB DeAndre Jackson - Iowa State
DB David Overstreet - Missouri
DB Aqib Talib - Kansas
P Daniel Sepulveda - Baylor
PR Terrence Nunn - Nebraska
2006 Big 12 Preseason Media Poll
North
1. Nebraska (21) 160
2. Iowa State (5) 128
3. Colorado (2) 93
4. Kansas 85
5. Missouri 82
6. Kansas State 40
South
1. Oklahoma (23) 163
2. Texas (5) 144
3. Texas Tech 106
4. Texas A&M 81
5. Oklahoma State 49
6. Baylor 46
First place votes in parentheses
2006 Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma (RB, 6-2, 210, Jr/2L, Palestine, Texas)
2006 Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma (LB, 6-1, 231, Sr/3L, Baton Rouge, La.)
2006 Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Sergio Kindle, Texas (LB, 6-4, 225, Fr, Dallas, Texas)
2006 All-Big 12 Preseason Football Team (Media Vote)
Offense
WR Todd Blythe - Iowa State
TE Martin Rucker - Missouri
OL Justin Blalock - Texas
OL Manuel Ramirez - Texas Tech
C Mark Fenton - Colorado
OL Kasey Studdard - Texas
OL Corey Hilliard - Oklahoma State
WR Jarrett Hicks - Texas Tech
QB Bret Meyer - Iowa State
RB Adrian Peterson - Oklahoma
RB Jamaal Charles - Texas
PK Mason Crosby - Colorado
KR DeAndre Jackson - Iowa State
Defense
DL Adam Carriker - Nebraska
DL Tim Crowder - Texas
DL Frank Okam - Texas
DL Brent Curvey - Iowa State
LB Rufus Alexander - Oklahoma
LB Thaddaeus Washington - Colorado
LB Corey McKeon - Nebraska
DB Michael Griffin - Texas
DB DeAndre Jackson - Iowa State
DB David Overstreet - Missouri
DB Aqib Talib - Kansas
P Daniel Sepulveda - Baylor
PR Terrence Nunn - Nebraska
Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
Two Cousins College Football Emporium - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data
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