Category: Texas longhorn

 

Texas assistant coach Elana Lovato made a bold statement to head coach Vic Schaefer last month after the Longhorns were overwhelmed in a 17-point loss to South Carolina.

 

“[She] looked at me and said, ‘We will beat them in a month,’ ” Schaefer said Sunday. “And that’s God’s honest truth.”

 

The No. 4 Longhorns made the most of their national television game on Super Bowl Sunday and won their rematch with No. 2 South Carolina, 66-62, a victory that ended the Gamecocks’ 57-game winning streak in regular-season Southeastern Conference games dating to December 2021.

 

The victory by the Longhorns forged a three-way tie atop the SEC standings with the Gamecocks and LSU, all at 10-1.

 

South Carolina (22-2) had won 17 straight since losing to top-ranked UCLA on Nov. 24. The Gamecocks arrived with confidence and Dawn Staley sporting a Super Bowl sweatshirt in support of her hometown Philadelphia Eagles, who crushed the Chiefs later in the day in New Orleans for the NFL title.

 

 

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Texas’ Madison Booker scored 20 points and Rori Harmon hit two critical free throws in the final seconds to secure the Longhorns’ eighth straight win and 20th in a row at home since January 2024.

 

 

 

Staley, per usual, was one to consider the bigger picture of her sport.

 

“Great atmosphere,” Staley said. ”It’s great for women’s basketball, probably great for TV. Close game, great for our game. It’s just unfortunate somebody had to lose.”

 

Texas (24-2) was never in the first game against South Carolina, shooting a season-low 28 percent. On Sunday, the Longhorns shot 44 percent. They outrebounded the Gamecocks, 42-35, outscored them, 40-26, in the paint and 19-12 in second-chance points.

 

“It took tremendous toughness to win that game,” Schaefer said. “They earned it. I don’t have to tell you how good that team is we played today. In my mind, they’re the number one team in the country. And I mean no disrespect to UCLA.”

 

Booker converted just 3 of 19 shots during the loss at South Carolina. She shot better in the rematch against South Carolina’s tough defense, hitting 7 of 22 shots, and grabbing 11 rebounds, including a critical one late in the game.

 

 

 

“It’s my job to rebound,” Booker said. “I should be down there.”

 

Booker, a sophomore, is not just Texas’ best player, she’s the most versatile. A natural small forward, the 6-foot-1 Booker moved to point guard last season, replacing Harmon after she sustained a season-ending knee injury. Texas recently lost starting power forward Aaliyah Moore to a knee injury, and Booker has asserted herself more as a rebounder.

 

“She was a beast on the boards,” Staley said.

 

Texas centers Taylor Jones and Kyla Oldacre combined for 24 points and 12 rebounds.

 

“That’s my two-headed monster,” Schaefer said.

 

Schaefer proudly put them on display for a national audience.

 

“It makes me really happy to be a part of that,” Harmon said. “The history and just this movement with women’s basketball. To be able to have this game, like a little pre [Super Bowl] game. I think that’s so cool.”

 

Did the NBA trade deadline actually move the needle?

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WATCH: Celtics beat reporter Adam Himmelsbach evaluates if any team around the league did enough to beat Boston in June.

 

1. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)

Jaxson Dart had a phenomenal season, leading the SEC with 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and a 69.3% completion rate. He made huge plays all year, and while his late-season turnovers hurt Ole Miss’ Playoff hopes, he was still the best QB in the conference.

 

2. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)

Nussmeier took over the LSU offense and put up 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was aggressive and pushed the ball downfield, but his 12 interceptions kept him from claiming the top spot.

 

3. Quinn Ewers (Texas)

Ewers threw for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Say what you want to about Ewers, but he was the lone SEC quarterback to lead his team to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, and that’s worth something.

 

4. Carson Beck (Georgia)

Carson Beck had a steady season with 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns. He showed leadership and poise, but his inconsistent play in key moments kept him from climbing higher.

 

5. Jalen Milroe (Alabama)

Milroe was electric at times, but his 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions show just how up-and-down his season was. His athleticism made him dangerous, but Alabama needed more consistency from him.

 

6. DJ Lagway (Florida)

Lagway was one of the most exciting freshmen in the country, throwing for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns, and averaging 10 yards per attempt. He made plenty of highlight-reel plays and showed why he’s Florida’s QB of the future.

 

7. Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee)

Iamaleava put up 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions, proving he could handle the pressure of SEC football. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs makes him one of the most promising quarterbacks moving forward.

 

8. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)

Sellers developed into a strong SEC quarterback towards the end of the season, finishing with 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. His mobility made him a tough challenge for defenses, and South Carolina’s offense looks primed to be very good in 2025.

 

9. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M)

Reed deserves a spot in the top 10, throwing for 1,864 yards, 15 touchdowns, and showing his ability to take over games. He kept Texas A&M competitive, but he’ll need to take the next step for the Aggies to be a contender in the conference next season.

 

10. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt)

Diego Pavia was Vanderbilt’s offense, accounting for nearly 75% of the team’s total yards. He threw for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 800 yards and eight touchdowns, but the lack of team success dropped him.

 

11. Brady Cook (Missouri)

Cook wasn’t flashy, but he was efficient, throwing for 2,535 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He was a reliable leader for Missouri’s offense.

 

12. Taylen Green (Arkansas)

Green had some big-time plays but struggled with consistency, throwing for 3,154 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. His athleticism was a game-changer, but Arkansas needed more stability at QB.

 

13. Payton Thorne (Auburn)

Thorne’s 2,713 passing yards and 21 touchdowns look solid on paper, but Auburn’s offense struggled too often. He had a few great games but wasn’t the difference-maker Auburn hoped for.

 

14. Michael Van Buren Jr. (Mississippi State)

Van Buren started strong but faded as the season progressed. He finished with 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns, but his struggles against SEC defenses were evident.

 

15. Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma)

Arnold had a tough season, throwing for just 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns. His inconsistency ultimately led to Oklahoma looking elsewhere and, now, he’ll get a chance at a re-do in Auburn.

 

16. Cutter Boley (Kentucky)

Boley took over late in the season, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He showed potential, but there’s a lot of room for growth.

 

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, a former five-star recruit who is entering his third season in Austin, was rated as the No. 1 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class according to 247Sports.

 

While it seems obvious that a talented quarterback from the Manning family should be the No. 1 overall player in the nation, not everyone agreed that Arch was ranked properly.

 

The critics pointed to the fact that Manning played against less-than-stellar competition while suiting up for Isidore Newman in New Orleans.

 

“Manning is already overrated,” wrote recruiting insider Mike Farrell in early 2024. “I’ve said that many times. If his name were Arch Smith and you watched his high school film at that awful level of competition, you’d 3-star him. But alas, people fall for the last name and hype.”

 

That was quite a take from Farrell that doesn’t look great in retrospect (Manning looked very much like a five-star when he saw the field for Texas during the 2024 season).

 

While I’m sure Manning doesn’t agree with that assessment of his talent, he doesn’t dispute that he faced terrible competition in high school.

 

A clip posted on social media this week showed Manning responding to various tweets/social media posts and during one clip, which compared Arch to NFL running back Derrick Henry, the Texas quarterback admitted that he didn’t face the best competition during his time at Isidore Newman.

 

“I wish I was Derrick Henry, he’s a great looking athlete,” says Manning in the clip. “I also played against terrible competition in high school. Not terrible, but like, smaller competition in high school, so it’s not really saying much.”

 

Manning paused to correct himself after saying “terrible”, but the Freudian slip speaks for itself.

 

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what kind of competition Arch played against in high school — he looks like a future early round NFL Draft pick.

 

Great players rise to the level of the competition they’re facing. And that certainly appears to be true for Arch Manning.

 

 

The Texas Longhorns have made a strong return to the top of college football, led by head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Texas finished the season with a 13-3 record and a 7-1 mark in SEC play.

The Longhorns, after defeating Clemson and Arizona State in the postseason, fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes, the eventual national champions, in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Following a successful first season in the SEC, Texas received major recruiting news.

On Wednesday, Texas secured a commitment from offensive tackle Max Wright, according to Hayes Fawcett.

“Texas raised,” Wright remarked.

Wright, a three-star recruit, is ranked as the No. 33 offensive tackle and No. 409 overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports.

Prior to committing to Texas, Wright was pursued by several Power Four programs, including Michigan, Arkansas, SMU, Kansas State, and Arizona State.

Wright’s commitment is significant for Sarkisian and his staff, who have developed some of the best offensive lines in the nation, with standout players like Kelvin Banks. Wright, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 290 pounds, enters with elite size.

 

With Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers declaring for the 2025 NFL draft, Arch Manning’s Texas career is about to take a significant turn.

Although Manning has played in a number of games over the last two seasons, he acknowledged that the transition from high school football to college football was difficult, at least in the weight room.

The workouts were no joke,” Manning told GQ. “It was hard! On one of my visits, a player told me to make sure I run a lot and lift before I get to town.

I took that to heart, so I was pretty prepared, but they are not easy. I think the intensity, and how often [we did them] was the toughest part.

In the summer, we’ll get out there at 6:30 at night, and then you’re back the next morning at 6:30 for another workout. There’s not much time for recovery, but you gotta get the most out of it.”

As he prepares for his first season as a starting quarterback in the collegiate ranks, Manning signed a lucrative deal with Red Bull. “I really like this partnership,” Manning said.

“Everyone at Red Bull has been super nice to me and my family and I can’t wait to get it going. Plus, I like a Red Bull in the morning. We got early meetings — need a little energy.”

The future Longhorns starting quarterback also sat down with Red Bull for an interview where he was asked to name the “Great of All Time” in a number of categories.

For the film section he named “Wolf of Wall Street” while dropping Margot Robbie’s name, hinting at his celebrity crush.

During the 2024 college football season, Manning completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions while running for 108 yards and four scores.

 

 

 

A Super Bowl champion will be crowned on Sunday, when the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face off in New Orleans.

 

While those two teams are locked in on being the final team standing, the other 30 teams across the league are in draft mode. This year’s draft, in particular, poses an interesting challenge for the teams needing a quarterback.

 

Unlike last year’s, which saw six signal-callers go in round one, this year’s class is viewed as having less star power. However, the free agency market also isn’t anything to write home about either, which means teams may take a chance on a quarterback in the draft.

 

Someone who could benefit from both of these scenarios is Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who, in ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft, went early in the second round at pick No. 42. Matt Miller tabbed him as a possible option for the New York Jets, who could be hoping to replace Aaron Rodgers.

 

“It will be fascinating to watch Ewers’ predraft process, and a strong combine could boost him into Round 1,” wrote Miller. “The Jets need an heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers and might need that successor to start immediately. Three seasons as a starter at Texas would have Ewers ready for that task. He threw for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this past season.”

 

 

Rodgers inked a three-year deal worth over $112 million prior to 2023, but his tenure with the team has been far from pretty.

 

Through the first couple of weeks in the season, Ewers appeared to be on track to have a Heisman-caliber season, but an oblique injury sidelined him for two weeks. On top of that, he wasn’t fully healthy when he returned and it was obvious in his play.

 

Regardless, teams are still quite intrigued by the former No. 1 overall recruit, who has a chance to soar up draft boards with a strong pre-draft process.

 

Former Denver Broncos player Peyton Manning with his son Marshall.

 

Former Texas and Washington wide receiver Johntay Cook II, the top available prospect in 247Sports’ Transfer Rankings, was arrested Tuesday on charges of property theft and interference of public duties, according to a listing in Tarrant County, Texas’ inmate database. Cook is currently being held at Lon Evans Correctional Center in Fort Worth.

 

Cook, a former top-40 prospect in the 2023 class out of DeSoto, Texas, spent the first two years of his career at the University of Texas. The Longhorns and Cook mutually parted ways midway through the 2024 season before he entered the transfer portal.

 

Cook initially transferred to and enrolled at Washington. At the time, he was the only wideout the Huskies signed via the transfer portal. But shortly after he arrived on campus, Cook and Washington coach Jedd Fisch made the decision to move on from one another in a meeting. Cook re-entered the transfer portal on Jan. 14.

 

He logged eight catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 A majority of that work came in blowout wins against Colorado State and UTSA where he totaled six receptions for 91 yards, and he hauled in both of his scores against the Roadrunners. He also had 136 yards receiving as a true freshman in 2023.

 

Quinn Ewers improved in each year while at Texas, but one specific analyst believes the Longhorns’ fanbase was let down by his performances.

Quinn Ewers improved in each year while at Texas, but one specific analyst believes the Longhorns’ fanbase was let down by his performances.

‘Wasn’t Who We Thought He Would Be’ – CFB Analyst Drops a Reality Check for Quinn Ewers as Longhorns Trust in Arch Manning for 2025

 

Quinn Ewers improved in each year while at Texas, but one specific analyst believes the Longhorns’ fanbase was let down by his performances.

 

Former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was one of the biggest names in college football. Before he declared for the draft, fans and media closely followed his on-field performances and off-field appearances. It seemed college football couldn’t go a week without an Ewers-related headline. Now, there is a noticeable silence as we wait for the 2025 NFL Draft to determine his future.

 

With Arch Manning set to replace Ewers as Texas’ starting quarterback, fans are naturally looking back at Ewers’ career with the Longhorns and asking, How good was he? Well, On3’s J.D. Pickell doesn’t think Ewers lived up to the hype.

 

 

College Football Network’s Transfer Portal Tracker follows along with all the movement from the transfer portal, including portal entrants, commitments, decommitments, and more, from all your favorite schools.

CFB Analyst Claims Former Texas QB Left “Something to be Desired”

Ewers has been one of the most debated quarterbacks in college football. As a former five-star recruit with a highly touted arm, fans once projected him as a future Heisman Trophy finalist. Now, some are questioning whether he was even a good quarterback. On3’s J.D. Pickell believes Ewers failed to meet expectations.

 

“In the conference, did Quinn Ewers leave something to be desired through the air? Let’s be real about this—he wasn’t who we thought he would be,” Pickell said.

 

It’s no secret that fans and analysts have found Ewers’ performance as Texas’ starting quarterback underwhelming at times. However, there’s a reason head coach Steve Sarkisian stuck with him. Ewers led Texas to an SEC title game and a College Football Playoff semifinal despite battling injuries and facing criticism from the fanbase.

 

It’s easy to forget that Ewers arrived at Texas after Sarkisian’s 5-7 debut season, carrying the expectation of turning the program around. He exceeded those expectations, leading Texas to a 25-8 record, a Big 12 championship, and multiple playoff appearances, including a grueling fight in their SEC title game bid.

 

Ewers wasn’t perfect, but given his injuries and the weight of expectations, he performed well.

 

Former Texas Starting QB Quinn Ewers Offers Successor Arch Manning Solid Advice

As Ewers sets his sights on the NFL, the Arch Manning era officially begins in Austin. Naturally, Manning is already feeling the pressure that comes with being a team’s starting quarterback. However, some advice from Ewers has helped him focus on the bigger picture.

 

During an interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith, Manning shared the wise words Ewers gave him following Texas’ Playoff semifinal loss to Ohio State.

 

“Kind of right after the Ohio State game, I was with Quinn in the locker room,” Manning said. “He was like, ‘Enjoy every moment. It goes by quickly. So love on your teammates and have fun.’”

 

Manning spent two seasons as Ewers’ backup, watching closely and gaining experience. Now that Ewers has passed the torch, it’s up to Manning to lead Texas’ offense and keep the team in championship contention.

 

In his two starts for Texas against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State, Manning threw for 583 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while completing 68.3% of his passes. He led Texas to victory in both games. Fans will expect even more from him next season as they set their sights on a national championship run.

 

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Arch Manning’s Texas career is set to take a major step after Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers declared for the 2025 NFL draft.

 

Manning has been featured in several games over the past two seasons, but admitted the step between high school football and college was a challenge – at least in the weight room.

 

“The workouts were no joke,” Manning told GQ. “It was hard! On one of my visits, a player told me to make sure I run a lot and lift before I get to town. I took that to heart, so I was pretty prepared, but they are not easy. I think the intensity, and how often [we did them] was the toughest part. In the summer, we’ll get out there at 6:30 at night, and then you’re back the next morning at 6:30 for another workout. There’s not much time for recovery, but you gotta get the most out of it.”

.

Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

As he prepares for his first season as a starting quarterback in the collegiate ranks, Manning signed a lucrative deal with Red Bull.

 

“I really like this partnership,” Manning said. “Everyone at Red Bull has been super nice to me and my family and I can’t wait to get it going. Plus, I like a Red Bull in the morning. We got early meetings — need a little energy.”

 

The future Longhorns starting quarterback also sat down with Red Bull for an interview where he was asked to name the “Great of All Time” in a number of categories. For the film section he named “Wolf of Wall Street” while dropping Margot Robbie’s name, hinting at his celebrity crush.

 

During the 2024 college football season, Manning completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions while running for 108 yards and four scores.

 

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 26, 2025.

Arch Manning, the Texas Longhorns quarterback, has been a backup for the past two years, yet remains one of college football’s biggest stars.

The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning entered Austin as the top-ranked recruit in 2023 and has impressed in his limited playtime. During the two games he started while Quinn Ewers was injured, fans across the country were captivated by his strong arm and impressive speed.

Despite fans and analysts calling for him to take over as the starter, it didn’t happen, as Texas’ season ended in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Ohio State. However, with Ewers declaring for the draft, it’s now officially the Manning era in Austin.

While fans are excited to see what Arch can do as the full-time starter, a Saturday social media post teased another Manning rising through the ranks, one that could generate even more excitement. As the post revealed, fans are already buzzing about Peyton Manning’s 13-year-old son, Marshall.

“Sir another Manning has dropped,” quipped one fan.

“The Manning family set to dominate football for another two decades, wow,” predicted another.

“Marshall Manning vs Gunner Rivers in 2035 is gonna be insane,” commented a third.

“Arch and Marshall will rule the NFL together just like their family members,” speculated another.

Arch Manning, quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. Arch Manning, quarterback for the Texas Longhorns. © Sara Diggins/American-States. Marshall Manning is still too young to be ranked by recruiting sites, and it’s uncertain if he’ll follow in the footsteps of his uncle, cousin, father, and grandfather, Archie. But with such a renowned family, he’ll have no shortage of role models for guidance.

Additionally, being Peyton Manning’s son has given Marshall unique experiences, like going viral in 2023 for throwing a pass to Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson at the Pro Bowl Games.

If Arch Manning fulfills his immense potential, with some analysts projecting him as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft if eligible, and Marshall Manning grows into a star, the Manning family could become the most influential in football history.

However, both Arch and Marshall still have a long way to go before reaching the legendary status of their family members.