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AFTER a down season, the Texas Longhorns got up again and brushed off the dirt from a disappointing regular season. Texas got back on the saddle again in its bowl game win, taking it to No. 11 Utah in the Valero Alamo Bowl that had flashes of a great bowl win a season ago over a Georgia squad that was also favored to take the Horns down. Texas’ dominant 38-10 win over Utah showed the promise that many expected at the start of the season, and — just like last season — offers a lot of offseason hope heading into the upcoming campaign. In 2020 Texas will see a lot of changes in major places, both on the field and on the sidelines. That includes featuring a new coordinator on both sides of the ball: newly installed offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and defensive coordinator Chris Ash. Read on to learn more about both of the new coordinators, along with the new 2020 recruits looking to make an immediate impact. Judging by the 38 points the Longhorns put up in the bowl game, and the 10 points surrendered to Utah, both sides are ready to stampede straight ahead. Horns UP, Hook’Em, and keep up that Texas Fight all day and night, y’all.

2 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

RECRUITING 2020

2020 RECRUITING ISSUE

CONTENTS

DB Chris Adimora and the Longhorns celebrated a seasonending victory over Utah in the Alamo Bowl. Now they face adjustments on both sides with new coaches up and down.

FEATURES

14 RECRUITING 2020 INTRO

Here comes the next batch of Horns hoping to take Texas back to the top. Let’s dig in.

ASH, YURCICH HOPE TO SPARK CHANGE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL

TOP PHOTO COURTESY PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY TREVOR HEINZ/UNIV. OF TEXAS

Go inside the big changes that will shape the Longhorns this season and on into the future. We take a look at new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and defensive coordinator Chris Ash ahead of the 2020 Orange-White Spring Game and the upcoming season.

DEPARTMENTS 7

LEADING OFF

TEXAS’ TRACK RECORD OF LEGENDARY RECRUITING AND LONGHORN LEGENDS MAKING HISTORY

ROUNDUP

SPRING HAPPENINGS AND TITLE CHASES

28 HABE ON THE HORNS

OUR OWN STEVE HABEL DIVES INTO THIS YEAR’S RECRUITING

40 FINAL SCORE

NEW FACES, FAMILIAR PLACES

HERMAN HITS RECRUITING HOME RUN AGAIN

Horns head coach Tom Herman has 7 new coaches joining his staff for the upcoming season, while 4 members of the staff are back in the fold for Texas. Learn about the new faces and what they bring to the Forty Acres, and revisit those who are back for the Longhorns.

AUSTIN’S ARENA SCENE IS GEARING UP FOR A BIG MOOD(Y)

With yet another fantastic recruiting class coming into the fold (some of whom are already enrolled and on the Forty Acres), head coach Tom Herman knows that this year can be, and hopefully will be, a bit different than his first three seasons at Texas. The depth coming from top-tier recruits Bijan Robinson (page 32), Hudson Card (page 34), Jake Majors (page 39) and more (page 36) will be counted on to combine with the incumbents and give the Horns a new edge going forward.

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 3

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6 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

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TEXAS DILLON

REDDING

IS FOR FOOTBALL

SHANAHAN

LEADING

PHOTOS COURTESY UNIV. OF TEXAS

OFF

FROM EVERY EDGE of the state, pigskin is played with adoring fans filling stands and sidelines wanting to watch the unofficial sport of the Lone Star State. At the center of it all, the University of Texas stands tall throughout the decades as legends pass through the Forty Acres, and those coming to town aim to stand amongst the larger-than-life figures. Lifetime Longhorn Bobby Dillon was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year and will be inducted in August of this year. Dillon becomes the fourth Longhorn elected into the Hall of Fame, joining running back Earl Campbell, quarterback Bobby Layne and cornerback Tom Landry, who was elected for his coaching innovation and career as well. Along with Dillonâ€™s honors, former Texas football player Cory Redding was elected to the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame, and Derrick Johnson was named to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. On top of that, Texas football was represented in the Super Bowl for the 15th consecutive season with four former Longhorns having a place in the game: San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower and wide receiver Marquis Goodwin, as well as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Alex Okafor (who missed the game with injury). Meanwhile five former Longhorns were named among the best players in NCAA history in a wide-spanning list released in 2019 by ESPN: Campbell (No. 7) Tommy Nobis (No. 54), Ricky Williams (No. 57), Layne (No. 75) and Vince Young (No. 81).

JOHNSON

LANDRY

NOBIS

CAMPBELL & WILLIAMS

LAYNE

YOUNG RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 7

RECRUITING 2020

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

SEE PLENTY MORE COVERAGE AND PHOTOS OF THE ONGOING ACTION AT HORNSILLUSTRATED.COM.

SOFTBALL

BASEBALL

The Texas baseball team looks forward to a memorable season.

HERE ARE NEARLY as many newcomers as veterans back with the Texas baseball team this year. The Longhorns return 17 players from a season ago while welcoming 13 freshmen and three transfers. On top of that, head coach David Pierce welcomed into the fold former collegiate greats and MLB stars Troy Tulowitzki as an assistant coach and Huston Street as a student assistant. Street is tabbed to have his jersey retired this season as well. Bryce Elder is back as the team’s ace on the mound after an excellent sophomore campaign, followed by sophomores Ty Madden and Coy Cobb as the three-game starters at the outset of 2020. There are a slew of new wrinkles to home games at UFCU Disch-Falk Field this year, where Texas plans to continue the long-standing trend of filling the stands. Last year the Longhorns ranked sixth in the country, and first in the Big 12, in total attendance (175,768) and average attendance (5,493), and have led the Big 12 in attendance for 14 consecutive seasons.

Miranda Elish

Zach Zubia

8 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

RECRUITING 2020

FROM TOP LEFT: JOSE MENDEZ/HORNS ILLUSTRATED; CHANDLER FRUMIN/COURTESY TEXAS SPORTS

ANKED IN THE top 10 to start the season, the Texas softball team has big plans for 2020. Following in the footsteps of legendary Texas ace Cat Osterman, who had her jersey retirement in March this year, senior pitcher/utility Miranda Elish is solidifying her place as one of the best to ever play at Texas — and perhaps beyond. Elish won Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I National Player of the Week honors to start the season, and she is one of three Longhorns, along with junior catcher/third baseman Mary Iakopo and sophomore pitcher Shealyn O’Leary, to be honored on the list of 50 student-athletes named to the prestigious 2020 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List. Both O’Leary and junior second baseman Janae Jefferson were named to the 2020 Softball America Preseason All-American teams as well.

BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

RECRUITING 2020

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Guard Sug Sutton is a steadying presence for the Longhorns.

Guard Andrew Jones is coming on strong spurred by incredible resiliency.

EXAS’ FEEL-GOOD STORY this season has been the full return of guard Andrew Jones, who was diagnosed with leukemia in January 2018 and underwent successful treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Jones, a redshirt sophomore, triumphantly played in two games last season, and this year he is averaging just under 25 minutes played per game, is second on the team in points per game and third in assists while one of only three Longhorns appearing in all of the first 25 games of the season. Junior Matt Coleman III is leading the team in points, assists and minutes, while sophomore Courtney Ramey, junior Jericho Sims and junior Jase Febres have seen the bulk of the action on the floor this season

D ALL PHOTOS: JOSE MENDEZ/HORNS ILLUSTRATED

URING THE 2019-20 campaign, three players from the Texas women’s basketball team have been listed among the top 10 players in the nation at their respective positions — senior point guard Sug Sutton (Nancy Lieberman Award), senior forward Joyner Holmes (Katrina McClain Award) and sophomore Charli Collier (Lisa Leslie Award). The Longhorns have hung tough during the season and are battling for a spot in the NCAA Tournament and a shot at making some noise once they get there behind a talented squad. The highlight (so far) came when Texas toppled No. 1 Stanford 69-64 on Dec. 22.

Joyner Holmes

Charli Collier

Jericho Sims

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 9

GOLF

RECRUITING 2020

MEN’S GOLF

OPHOMORE COLE HAMMER is the No. 2 men’s amateur golfer in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Hammer is helping Texas push toward another title this spring with the Big 12 Championships in April followed by the NCAA Regionals and National Championships in May. At the tail end of 2019, Hammer and Andy Ogletree of Georgia Tech paired together to lead Team USA to a title in the 2019 Spirit International at Whispering Pines Golf Club. Texas is led by Parker Coody, Pierceson Coody, Hammer, Spencer Soosman and Travis Vick this year, putting the Longhorns in position to contend again.

Cole Hammer

WOMEN’S GOLF

EXAS BOASTS THE top amateur player in the world this year. Freshman golfer Sophie Guo came in as the nation’s No. 1 collegiate golfer according to both Golfweek and Golfstat during the first quarter of 2020. Another Longhorn is looking pretty amazing this year as well, as teammate Kaitlyn Papp comes in ranked No. 4 in the world. The duo has led Texas to the top position in women’s golf this year, coming in at a No. 1 team ranking with help from junior Agathe Laisne, senior Emilee Hoffman and sophomore Sara Kouskova. The Big 12 tournament comes at the end of April, with the NCAA Regionals and National Championship tournaments in May.

Sophie Guo

10 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

RECRUITING 2020

COURTESY PATRICK MEREDITH/TEXAS SPORTS; SEAN CARTELL/TEXAS SPORTS

Kaitlyn Papp

TENNIS

RECRUITING 2020

MEN’S TENNIS

T The Texas men’s tennis team seeks to show the world they’re still No. 1 after last year’s national title.

HE CHAMPS ARE back battling their way to a repeat in full force. For more than a full year now, the Texas men’s tennis team has landed in the top 5 in the Oracle/ITA rankings. Senior Yuya Ito stands among the tops in the nation with the No. 2 overall singles position, with fellow veteran senior Christian Sigsgaard staying steady with his game as ever, coming in at No. 6 in the singles rankings. Freshman Siem Woldeab made it up to No. 37 in the February 18th rankings giving the Longhorns a legit shot at bringing the second-ever tennis title to Texas after last year’s National Championship. The Big 12 Tennis Championship is April 17-19 in Stillwater, Okla., followed by the NCAA Regionals to start May, Super Regionals a week later, and the NCAA Championship set for May 15-23 (team and individual championships) back in Stillwater.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

COURTESY ELIZABETH GARABEDIAN/TEXAS SPORTS; MARC JORDAN/TEXAS SPORTS

HE TEXAS WOMEN’S tennis team is looking to reach the apex as well this season, trying to bring a third national title to the Forty Acres — and first since 1995. Led by senior twin sisters Bianca and Anna Turati, the Longhorns have landed as high up as No. 3 overall in the NCAA Oracle/ITA national rankings and have victories over several top teams this year: No. 4 North Carolina, No. 6 Ohio State and No. 11 Georgia Tech. Anna is ranked No. 3 in the nation while Bianca is No. 26 in the Feb. 18 rankings, with teammate freshman Lexi Ryngler in at No. 61. The sisters are also slotted in at No. 20 in the national doubles rankings. The Horns have won two titles (1993, 1995) and been runners-up twice (1992, 2005) as well. The Big 12 Championship will be held April 16-19 with the NCAA first rounds May 1-3. Then the NCAA Super Regionals are May 8-10. The team championships May 1417 and individual championships May 18-23, both in Stillwater, Okla.

Bianca Turati

Anna Turati

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 11

RECRUITING 2020

TRACK & FIELD

OARING AND SPRINTING its way toward titles, the Texas track and field team is, per usual, having a successful spring. Numerous athletes on both the women’s and men’s side of the slate are ranked at or near the top in their respective events, and the team as a whole is on pace for a shot at a national title. The Big 12 Outdoor Championships are May 28-30 in Lawrence, Kan. with the NCAA Outdoor Championships held June 10-13 at Texas’ own Mike A. Myers Stadium. Surging toward a phenomenal finish, the Texas athletes in the NCAA national top 10 at their respective positions (as of Feb. 10):

WOMEN

JULIEN ALFRED • 60m • No. 1 KYNNEDY FLANNEL • 200m • No. 1 TARA DAVIS • Long Jump • No. 3 KENNEDY SIMON • 400m • No. 6 ALEXANDRA CRUZ/SERENITY DOUGLAS/ VALERY TOBIAS/KATHRYN GILLESPIE • Distance Medley Relay • No. 7 DOUGLAS/SIMON/ALFRED/BROOKE JAWORSKI • 4x400m • No. 8 GILLESPIE • Mile • No. 9

Jonathan Jones is a blur on the track for Texas.

MEN

MICAIAH HARRIS • 200m • No. 1 TRIPP PIPERI • Shot Put • No. 1 JONATHAN JONES • 400m • No. 2 O’BRIEN WASOME • Triple Jump • No. 3 WASOME • Long Jump • No. 7 JON MAAS/JONES/HARRIS/MOYO OYEBAMIJI • 4x400m • No. 7

Julien Alfred

Micaiah Harris Kennedy Simon

12 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

Georgia Wahl

RECRUITING 2020

ALL PHOTOS: COURTESY JOHN LANGHAM/TEXAS SPORTS

Tripp Piperi

SWIMMING & DIVING

RECRUITING 2020

Alison Gibson

OTH THE TEXAS men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs captured their respective Big 12 Championships at the end of February. It was the astounding 41st consecutive conference title for the men, and the 8th straight conference championship for the women. Check in at HornsIllustrated. com to see how both teams fared during the 2020 NCAA National Championships, held March 25-28 in Indianapolis.

COURTESY ANGELA WANG/UNIV. OF TEXAS

Halvor Borgstroem

Kelly Pash

Ella Tierney

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 13

SMALL YET

LONGHORNS INK 19 FOR 2020, RANK 9TH NATIONALLY

STRONG BY STEVE HABEL, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

14 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

RECRUITING 2020

F YOU ARE looking for bang for your buck, Texas’ 19-member haul for its 2020 signing class lived up to its expectations. And if you’re a purveyor of class rankings, the Longhorns’ spot at No. 9 in the 247Sports team listings of signees might be just your cup of tea as well. Texas announced a small but, according to Longhorn head coach Tom Herman, talented and fitting 16-member class on Dec. 18, 2019. On a day with few surprises amid a group of signees that stuck to its early guns about playing football on the Forty Acres, Texas has depth and quality coming into the 2020 campaign. The Longhorns’ class includes one fivestar player (according to rivals.com): Tucson Salpointe’s record-setting running back Bijan Robinson, and 12 four-star players, headed by Austin Lake Travis quarterback Hudson Card and Cedar Creek (Bastrop) defensive lineman Alfred Collins.

PREVIOUS PAGE: TOP PHOTO: COURTESY DANIELLE ELLIS/DANIELLEELLIS.COM; BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO: COURTESY UNIV. OF TEXAS THIS PAGE: TOP PHOTO: COURTESY CINTHYA ALVAREZ/CYPRESS RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL; BOTTOM PHOTO: COURTESY TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH

QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY

“I’m really excited about another great class,” Herman said. “We knew, though, that this was going to be a small class because we had only 10 scholarship seniors, and that it would be about quality, not quantity.” The class is made up of: one running back: Robinson two quarterbacks: Card and Duncanville’s Ja’Quinden Jackson one defensive end: Longview’s Sawyer Goram-Welch three wide receivers: Hutto’s DaJon Harrison, Fort Bend Austin’s Troy Omeire and Carthage’s Kelvontay Dixon three defensive backs: Pearland’s Xavion Alford, Lufkin’s Jerrin Thompson and Tyler’s Kitan Crawford Texas also signed: four offensive linemen: Andrej Karic, of Southlake Carroll, Jaylen Garth of Port Neches-Groves, Jake Majors of Prosper and Logan Parr of Helotes O’Connor

TEXAS, OUR TEXAS

Vernon Broughton

three defensive tackles: Collins and Vernon Broughton of Houston Cypress Ridge two linebackers: Prince Dorbah of Highland Park and Jaylan Ford of Frisco Lone Star one player categorized as an “athlete:” Jaden Hullaby of Mansfield Timberview “All those guys committed pretty early and waited ‘till the summer,” Herman explained. “They’re all no nonsense. That really helped that we didn’t really have to worry about this class.” Goram-Welch, Harrison, Hullaby, Garth, Ford and Parr are ranked as three-star recruits. Alford, Broughton, Card, Goram-Welch, Majors, Omeire, Parr and Thompson are all early enrollees, meaning they will be with the Longhorns in spring drills and are already on campus in Austin and working with the Texas staff, a big boost according to Herman.

Robinson is the only one of the 19 players signed who came from outside Texas and is, to understate it, a huge catch for the Longhorns. “It’s something we’re extremely proud of: all but one of our recruits in this class are from the state of Texas,” Herman added. “I want to thank the high school coaches here in the state of Texas and their straight-line recruiting model. We take a lot of pride in getting the best of the best in our home state to play for their flagship university, which is the University of Texas.” Herman has honed in on bringing Texas back to the forefront of, well, recruiting in Texas. “We have over 60 guys on our roster from the state of Texas. Recruiting here in this state is going to be our lifeblood,” Herman said. “We love going out of state when the interest is reciprocated, but we know that for us to have the kind of success that is expected here, we’ve got to do a great job in our state, and I feel like we’ve done that.” Texas corralled the solid class in the early signing period despite working without either an offensive or defensive coordinator on the staff after Tim Beck and Todd Orlando were dismissed at the end of the regular season. “But the original 17 guys literally all stayed with their decision without a coordinator on either side of the ball and then certainly at receiver without a position coach,” Herman said. “And I think that speaks to the level of trust that they have in me that that we’re going to get this coaching search right, and in their level of commitment to not just an individual but to Texas.”

We have over 60 guys on our roster from the state of Texas. Recruiting here in this state is going to be our lifeblood.

— Tom Herman

Kitan Crawford

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 15

COURTESY IOWA STATE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

A call to C defense ASH IS HERE TO HELP BOLSTER HORNS’ STOPPING POWER BY STEVE HABEL, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

16 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

RECRUITING 2020

HRIS ASH IS in Austin to make the defense an asset once again. There were times last season when the Texas defense was sponge-like in its porousness, allowing team after team to run up and down the field game after game on the way to a near-school record of futility. Those results sent much-ballyhooed defensive coordinator Todd Orlando packing and prompted Texas head coach Tom Herman to scour the talent pool nationwide before deciding to hire his former colleague Ash to lead the Longhorns’ defense. “After taking a hard look at a lot of options at defensive coordinator, Chris was the one that continued to stand out,” Herman said of Ash. “We couldn’t be more excited what he’ll add to our staff.”

TAKING TEXAS TO THE TOP

The familiarity and the drive to team up with Herman to take another program to the top drew Ash to Texas. “I have a great deal of respect for Coach Herman as a coach and a person,” Ash continued. “If I didn’t believe in him, I wouldn’t be making this move. I have complete confidence and faith and trust in his ability to lead and to coach, and I’m excited to be a part of this program.”

Ash was fired at Rutgers in 2019 after starting the season 1-3 and was 8-32 in his stint in New Jersey. Before he landed that job, Ash spent 16 years as an assistant, moving up the ladder while at Iowa State, San Diego State, Wisconsin and Arkansas, before spending 2014 and 2015 at Ohio State. In those two years, the Buckeyes were among the nation’s best defenses. Ohio State ranked 19th in total defense during its 2014 championship season and finished 22nd nationally, allowing just 22 points per game despite playing in the highpowered Big Ten Conference. In 2015, the Buckeyes ranked second nationally alongside Alabama in scoring defense. Both teams allowed just 12.5 points per game. The Buckeyes ranked ninth in total defense that season as the squad finished 12-1.

STOPPING OFFENSES STARTS NOW

In his five seasons as a defensive coordinator, Ash’s defenses have been ranked in the top 25 nationally in total defense on four occasions. “I’ve witnessed first-hand Chris’ skills as a game planner, his attention to detail and ability to develop players,” Herman said. “He gets the best out of every one of them and has a history of building physical, fundamentally sound, winning defenses. He has done it at the highest level, is a tremendous all-around coach and an awesome person.” Ash came to Austin and sat in on Texas’ coaches meetings the week of the Oklahoma game. That was an early indication that if the Longhorns’ defense didn’t perform better, then there was talent waiting in the wings. That couldn’t have been an easy scenario in which to coach for Orlando, who did what he could to bolster the Texas defense but was sidetracked by injuries to key players, poor schemes at the wrong times and, according to some of the players, a heavy hand when the pressure mounted.

BIG (12) HURT

The group struggled to stay healthy, with a number of key players missing more than one game, including Caden Sterns, B.J. Foster, Jeffrey McCulloch, DeMarvion Overshown, Anthony Cook, Josh Thompson, Chris Brown and Jalen Green hitting the shelf at various times because of injuries. Texas enjoyed a strong defensive start under Herman and Orlando upon their arrival from Houston, producing the second-best defense in the Big 12 in 2017 and was third in 2018. But the Horns fell to eighth this season and allowed 446.3 yards per game, the thirdhighest total in school history.

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 17

COURTESY DAVID STLUKA/WISCONSIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Ash, who for the past three-plus years has been the head coach at Rutgers, has worked on a staff with Herman twice before — in 2009 at Iowa State and during Ohio State’s run to the national championship in 2014, when Ash was the defensive coordinator and Herman ran the offense. “Number one, I’m humbled and extremely honored to be able to coach football at the University of Texas,” Ash said after his hiring. “I want to thank Tom Herman and (athletic director) Chris Del Conte for this opportunity and for their professionalism throughout the process.”

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He gets the best out of every one of them and has a history of building physical, fundamentally sound, winning defenses. He has done it at the highest level, is a tremendous allaround coach and an awesome person.

— Tom Herman

the run on early downs and bringing exotic blitz packages in obvious passing situations.

ASH WANTS D TO LAY THE WOOD

Ash is expected to employ a more traditional look, running quarters coverage, and working with four down linemen in an attempt to control the line of scrimmage first and to overwhelm with talent on the second and third levels. And with all the talent Texas has on defense, the hope is that Ash can better develop it and make crucial stops and key plays.

COURTESY DAVID STLUKA/WISCONSIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS; BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO: COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETICS

The Longhorns also finished the regular season ranked No. 74 in third-down defense, No. 108 in total defense and No. 127 in passing yards allowed. “I felt like we needed to play more fundamentally sound and felt like in order to do that, we needed someone new to come in and lend a fresh, new perspective on defense,” Herman said after Orlando’s dismissal. Orlando’s method of countering the high-powered Big 12 offenses was based on power and numbers, selling out to stop

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 19

YURCICH ADDS EXPERTISE, FLAIR AS NEW OC FORMER OHIO STATE, OKLAHOMA STATE ASSISTANT’S GOAL IS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE LONGHORNS’ BEVY OF WEAPONS BY STEVE HABEL, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FAMILIAR FOE, NOW FRIEND

Yurcich’s offensive units at Oklahoma State were some of the best in school history. “He knows our conference well from his time at Oklahoma State,” Herman added, “and, including the run he had with Ohio State this year, has played a big part in some of the nation’s best offenses for the past several years. 20 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

RECRUITING 2020

COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETICS

F YOU’RE LOOKING for an indication of what to expect from the Texas offensive attack next season in its first go-around under new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, all you have to do is review last year’s highly successful Ohio State passing offense or the overall production of the Oklahoma State attack for the previous six seasons. Pretty impressive stuff. How much the Longhorns’ numbers will change under Yurcich is under debate as Texas will have plenty of questions to answer and a lot of mostly unproven players to fill key roles in the offense in 2020. Having now-veteran Sam Ehlinger back in the saddle at quarterback and Samuel Cosmi at left tackle, along with running backs Keaontay Ingram and Roschon Johnson, will help Yurcich with the transition. “I talked with a number of coaches as we tried to find the best fit at offensive coordinator, and Mike is a guy who really stood out,” head coach Tom Herman said. “I’ve admired his work for many years, he’s very highly regarded and respected in the coaching world, and in talking at length with him, I was extremely impressed with what he’ll bring to our staff.”

We couldn’t be happier with Mike [Yurcich]. I couldn’t have dreamed for a better fit in terms of similarities in the way that we believe in offensive football.

COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETICS

— Tom Herman

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 21

“All of that said, what impresses me most about Mike is how he works with and develops players and the creative ways he utilizes all of his weapons on offense.” The hiring of Yurcich does take a measure of responsibility for calling the offense off the shoulders of coach Tom Herman, who — despite all his denials — more than shared that role the past two seasons with former offensive coordinator Tim Beck. Beck was removed from the OC position at the end of the 2019 regular season but he did coach Ehlinger and Casey Thompson in the Longhorns’ win over Utah in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Herman snatched play-calling duties away from Beck early in the 2018

campaign when Texas got off to a slow start and has called plays ever since.

TOO GOOD TO PASS UP

“When looking at offensive coordinator positions, Texas is a no-brainer career move,” Yurcich said. “I’m excited to work with Coach Herman and the entire staff. Having recruited the state of Texas, and having coordinated in the Big 12, I’m excited and proud to represent Texas football.” Offense was not the Longhorns’ weak link in its 8-5 campaign in 2019. Texas had the third-best attack in the Big 12 this season in yardage (468.2) and points scored (35.0), but underachieved during the regular season mostly because of one of the worst defensive units in school history. From 2013-18 under Yurcich’s tutelage, the Cowboys racked up an average of 38 points per game and went 52-24, producing four 10-win seasons and four bowl victories during that stint. The four bowl game wins included two appearances in New Year’s Six games — the 2016 Sugar Bowl and the 2014 Cotton Bowl. The Cowboys scored 40 or more points 35 times and put up 50 or more points 15 times. Yurcich certainly earned his spurs last season while working with Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, a Heisman finalist and the Big Ten offensive player of the year. During his time as offensive coordinator for the Cowboys, his average numbers per season were slightly above where the Longhorns were a season ago. In the passing game, Yurcich finished his Cowboys coaching tenure with four straight seasons of passing for north of 300 yards per game with an average of 2.5 touchdown passes per game. It would help the Texas attack if it becomes more balanced, like Yurcich’s offense in Columbus last season. Ohio State averaged more than 250 yards rushing per game with J.K. Dobbins and Fields leading the way. Dobbins ran for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns. Fields added 484 yards on the ground and 10 more touchdowns. It could be a similar impact from the combination of Ehlinger and the running back group this season. Ehlinger, a senior, has a lot to play for: he will be a Heisman candidate, and all of the school’s passing records currently owned by Colt McCoy are within reach. “We couldn’t be happier with Mike [Yurcich],” Herman said. “I couldn’t have dreamed for a better fit in terms of similarities in the way that we believe in offensive football, and yet a lengthy track record and resume of success on that side of the ball.”

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COURTESY UNIV. OF TEXAS

REAL BALANCE

2020 TEXAS FOOTBALL

HOME SCHEDULE SEPT 5 SOUTH FLORIDA

OCT 31 BAYLOR*

SEPT 19 UTEP

NOV 14 TCU*

OCT 17 WEST VIRGINIA*

NOV 21 IOWA STATE*

* BIG 12 CONFERENCE GAME DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

THIS IS

MYTEXAS.

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TEXAS HAS REVAMPED its coaching staff since the end of the 2019 regular season, replacing both its offensive and defensive coordinators and five of the assistants who worked under the former coordinators. Let’s take a look at the seven new coaches and hear what they had to say when they met with the media on Feb. 11:

Defensive Coordinator/Safeties

CHRIS ASH

Texas confirmed the hiring of Ash on Dec. 17, nearly three months he was fired as head coach at Rutgers. Ash went 8-32 in three and a half years with the Scarlet Knights, but also has a national championship (2014 Ohio State) and four Big Ten titles as a defensive coordinator on his list of achievements. “I’ll stand here before you today and tell you I won’t make any predictions about anything,” Ash said. “And I’m not concerned about what’s happened in the past. We want to be able to build a playoff-caliber defensive line and have them play that way. We have the talent on this side of the ball to improve significantly.”

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With both Ash and Yurcich, as well as Herman, having spent time at Ohio State, continuity and flexibilty will be big for the Longhorns this season. As Yurcich added, “There’s a lot familiarity from Ohio State’s offensive system and what’s in place here with Coach Herman. A lot of that stems from Coach (Urban) Meyer and his offensive system and how that’s branched. Every year it’s going to morph, change, and develop as it has each year at Texas. That’s what you have to do — adapt your system as your personnel changes. You have to adapt your system to your personnel. We’ll tweak, add and delete. That’s a process that’ll continue as we get into spring ball.”

Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

MIKE YURCICH

Yurcich was brought to Austin after helping Ohio State to a 13-1 record as the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season. The Buckeyes set the school’s single-season record by averaging 46.9 points per game. Yurich also spent six years at Oklahoma State, where the Cowboys averaged 38 points and 478.3 yards per game during his time. “Players, formations, plays. That’s the philosophy moving forward and that’s what is most important. We gotta get these guys playing fast so that when they come off the ball, there’s absolutely no hesitation and that they know their offensive schemes better than the defense knows their defensive schemes. That’s how they can play their maximum and play to the best of their ability”

TOP PHOTO: COURTESY OF PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS; LEFT PHOTO: COURTESY RUTGERS ATHLETICS; RIGHT PHOTO: COURTESY BRUCE WATERFIELD/OKLAHOMA STATE ATHLETICS

BY STEVE HABEL, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Wide Receivers

ANDRE COLEMAN

Texas promoted Coleman to wide receivers coach after he spent most of 2019 as an analyst for the Longhorns. Coleman has experience at Kansas State as a wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator and eventually an offensive coordinator before he headed to Texas. “(Receivers) can be divas,” Coleman said. “I always tell ’em, ‘I know. I used to be one of you.’ You know what I mean? I’m very quick to let them know that. I like to say that I have fun with my guys, but I am very serious about my craft. I’m very serious about what I do. I tell them, this is how I feed my family. I ain’t going to let you or anyone else stand in the way of that.”

Associate Head Coach for Special Teams/Tight Ends

JAY BOULWARE

Herman hired Boulware after he spent the past seven years with Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma. He served as the Sooners’ special teams coordinator and running backs coach for the first five seasons and tight ends coach in the last two. Boulware is a former Longhorn both as a player (1991-93) and as a student coach (1994-95) and eventually a graduate assistant (1996). “My wife has Longhorn slippers that she wore around the house. I just told her to hide ‘em when the players came over,” Boulware said about loving his alma mater. “This is my heart. This is my home. I love this place.”

Co-Defensinve Coordinator/Linebackers

COLEMAN HUTZLER

Hutzler joins Texas after spending the last four years as the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at South Carolina under former Texas assistant Will Muschamp. He was nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in the nation. “Obviously the brand and program that is Texas football is second to none, and I’m ready to get started,” Hutzler said. ”I have a ton of respect for Coach Herman and all the great things he’s done. He’s done a tremendous job everywhere he’s been, we know a lot of the same people and just to have this opportunity to come and work for him is exciting.” “Coach Muschamp, I told him it was his fault because he bragged about Austin and Texas so much. It’s his own fault I’m here,” Hutzler added.

Cornerbacks

JAY VALAI A native of Euless, Texas, Valai served as cornerbacks coach last season at Rutgers. Valai spent the 2018 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, serving as defensive quality control and assistant defensive backs coach. He was at Georgia in 2016 and 2017 seasons as defensive quality control coach, including the Bulldogs’ trip to the National Championship. Valai was a four-year letterwinner at Wisconsin. “This is the blessing of a lifetime,” Valai said. “Growing up as a kid in Texas and watching Aaron Ross and Michael Huff and all these guys play, and being part of the culture that is Texas high school football, which is second to none...I’m just elated.”

COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY

Associate Head Coach for Defense/Defensive Lines

MARK HAGEN

Hagen will split duties with Oscar Giles, who heads into his fourth year on Herman’s staff. At least this position is closer to his family than his last job at Indiana. Hagen, who worked at Texas A&M from 2013-15, said his family continued to live in College Station in recent years. “There’s talent up front, but I also know the challenges of moving to a 4-3 from a 3-4 (base defense),” Hagen said. “You don’t just automatically create that weakside defensive end. We had to do that four years ago when I went to Indiana, and there’s a process involved. But there’s guys to do it.”

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 25

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BACK IN THE FOLD Associate Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs

STAN DRAYTON

DRAYTON IS BACK with Texas for a fourth season to lead the running backs, who could quite possibly hold the key to Texas success this season. Drayton leads a stable of capable running backs with a few more coming into the fold this season and the Horns may just need to run over a few more opponents this year. Drayton has NCAA championship and NFL experience during his 25-year career, having worked under Herman for three seasons at Ohio State and as part of title winners at Florida and Ohio State. He was with the Chicago Bears from 2015-16.

Defensive Line

OSCAR GILES

A LONGHORN THROUGH and through, Giles spent time on the field at DKR before coming to help the current players looking to make their defensive mark there now. Giles also enters his fourth season with Herman and the Horns, and enters his second decade on the Forty Acres. Giles was a defensive end from 1987-1990, was a graduate assistant in 1999 and became defensive ends coach from 2005-2013 before returning to Texas along with Herman in 2017. He’s seen two Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year under his tutelage in just the past three years: Poona Ford in 2017 and Charles Omenihu in 2018. He worked with Herman at Houston in 2015-16 and spent a stint at Louisiana Tech in 2014. Giles’ group will need to exceed any expectation in 2020 and dominate the line of scrimmage once more to solidify the Horns as front-runners.

COURTESY PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS; COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY

Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line

HERB HAND

HAND HAS A wealth and breadth of experience in 28 years of coaching offensive lines, and is ready for his third season at Texas. He went from successful runs at West Virginia (2001-06) to Tulsa (2007-09) to Vanderbilt (201013) to Penn State (2014-15) to Auburn (2016-17) before Herman recruited him to guide the Longhorn O-line in 2018. Under his watch all five offensive lineman nabbed Big 12 honors in 2018 and he’s been nominated for Offensive Line Coach of the Year in 2008, 2016 and 2017. If the Horns start to pass and run over Big 12 defenses again this season, the highly-respected Hand will certainly figure heavily in that success as a respected and trusted man by his players and coaches alike.

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Football

YANCY MCKNIGHT

ALSO ALONG FOR another season under Herman, McKnight came to Texas in 2017 and while his results aren’t all measurable, there’s no doubting that he’s behind a lot of what Texas accomplished when things were going well. He came from Houston along with Herman, and plenty of players mention him as someone who works behind the scenes to make them shine on game day.

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 27

HORNS RECRUITING CLASS IS A GOOD ONE, NOW IT’S TIME TO COACH EM UP

HE ART OF recruiting — and don’t be mistaken, it is an art — is the lifeblood of college football. And, it seems, Longhorn head coach Tom Herman and his staff (even while in flux) at the University of Texas have a way with the brush, painting successful classes over the past four seasons that have returned the Longhorns to a place of prominence in the sport. The 19-member class Texas signed beginning in December and ending on Feb. 5 has been ranked in the top 10 by all the services and outlets that keep track of such things. It’s the top class in the Big 12 Conference, ahead of league champion Oklahoma (which signed 23 players) and far better than any of the eight other Big 12 teams. The bell-cow of the class is running back Bijan Robinson from Tucson, Ariz., who set most every rushing and scoring record in that state while amassing more than 8,000 yards from scrimmage in his prep career. He’s the only 5-star player signed this go-around by the Longhorns and the only player in the class from outside the Lone Star State. Robinson was uber-impressive in high school, but it remains to be seen how his success in Arizona translates to 40 snaps a game against the rough and tumble players in the Big 12. I think the strength of the class is the two defensive tackles — Cedar Creek (Bastrop) defensive lineman Alfred Collins (who signed on Feb. 5) and Vernon Broughton of Houston Cypress Ridge, Combined

with returning players Keondre Coburn and Ta’Quon Graham, the two signees will form an impressive interior stockpile of talent, and an talented, strong group for new defensive coordinator Chris Ash to build his four-down-linemen attack around. Another impressive member in the class is quarterback Hudson Card of Austin Lake Travis, who I expect to quickly take the place of redshirt freshman Casey Thompson as the Longhorns’ No. 2 quarterback. Herman even dubbed Card as “definitely the face of the class.” Signing a great class does not a great team make. Herman and his coaches will have to get this group to buy into what the Longhorns are selling, get them on the same page as the team’s leaders and standouts, and mine their talent as soon as possible to get Texas to the place it expects to be — past those pesky Sooners, the on-the-rise Baylor Bears, Oklahoma State and the rest of the Big 12 and into the discussion for a run at the national championship. Is this the class to get it done? Maybe not this year. Even though the Longhorns will have record-setting quarterback Sam Ehlinger at the helm and talent all over the field, there are plenty of questions to be answered and some great players to replace. And with a game against defending national champion LSU (on the road) before the Big 12 gauntlet, the Longhorns will have to come together in a real hurry. Just sayin’, ya know?

The Habe is Steve Habel, former senior editor of Horns Illustrated and now a senior contributing writer. Habel was this magazine’s first employee, in 1994. 28 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

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COURTESY PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS

BY STEVE HABEL, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

NEW RECRUITS SET SIGHTS ON ELEVATING LONGHORNS DUBBED THE “CloUT 2020” CLASS, PLENTY OF WELL-ROUNDED TALENT IS COMING TO TEXAS THIS YEAR

BY 247SPORTS.COM STAFF EDITED BY HABEAB KURDI EEPING WITH RECENT tradition, Texas signed 17 commits during the early signing period in December 2019, including seven newcomers who decided to enroll early at UT and are currently on campus and training with the team. The Longhorns picked up two more signees in February to bring the total class to 19 as head coach Tom Herman said it’s all about quality, not quantity, with this year’s bunch.

“February is not really regular signing day anymore. It’s almost late signing day. We had most of our class wrapped up in December — something we’re extremely proud of,” Herman said. “We addressed a lot of areas of need and a lot of guys that we think have the ability to come in and play early.”

9 12 1 BIG RANK

NATIONAL RANK

TOP PHOTO + INSETS COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY; BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO COURTESY ALL-AMERICAN BOWL; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY DANIEL FAIRS/UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME

THE EARLY ENROLLEES XAVION ALFORD

VERNON BROUGHTON

DB • 6’0” • 184 POUNDS SHADOW CREEK PEARLAND, TEXAS

DL • 6’5” • 285 POUNDS CY-RIDGE HOUSTON, TEXAS

PRODUCTIVE SAFETY WITH an above-average frame relative to projected position. Possesses aboveaverage height and the frame space to add bulk in college. Flashes good ball skills that manifest in strong production against the pass. High-points jump balls like a receiver. Owns a bigger catch radius thanks to frame. Around the ball a lot. “Physical, athletic,” Herman said. High ceiling as a hitter thanks to downhill acceleration and frame potential. Tracks downfield throws well. Athletic enough to keep up with most receivers at the high school level. Can improve on-field strength. Does not always provide expected point-of-impact power against the run. Can get better in tackling technique consistency. Long-strider who can improve fluidity. Doesn’t always take the best pursuit angles against the run. High-major safety prospect who should become a quality starter at the Power Five level with long-term NFL Draft potential.

BIG-BODIED DEFENSIVE LINEMAN with potential to fit multiple positions depending on scheme. Broad-shouldered and possesses terrific height. College-ready size with frame space to easily get north of 300 pounds with good weight. “Really athletic, basketball background, the kid keeps getting bigger and bigger everytime I see him and he’s got a great motor,” Herman said. Has predominantly played four-man end, but likely best fits fourman tackle or odd-front end in college. Flashes impressive quickness off the ball relative to size. Solid tackler who wraps and drives. Shows noticeable close-quarters power on tape. Active defender with a high motor. Engaged and aware vs. the run. Athletic enough to track down plays from behind in backside situations. Does a great job minding pad level and playing with leverage. Shows a promising inside spin move, but will need to expand passrushing repertoire. Can improve arm extension and consistency with hands, in both placement and violence. Athletic build for his size, but a bit top-heavy. Power Five starter and potential all-conference player who should hear his name called in the NFL Draft.

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 29

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

THE EARLY ENROLLEES JERRIN THOMPSON

SAWYER GORAM-WELCH

DB • 6’0 1/2” • 180 POUNDS LUFKIN LUFKIN, TEXAS

DL • 6’4” • 289 POUNDS LONGVIEW LONGVIEW, TEXAS

BIG-BODIED DEFENSIVE LINEMAN with potential position and scheme versatility. Stout lower body and broad across the shoulders. Experience playing outside and inside but likely fits best inside in a four-man front. Could also play across a three-man look. Has played in high-pressure situations for storied Texas 6A program. “A guy that is a testament to making sure you don’t fill up your (recruiting) class too early because this is a guy who had a tremendous senior year,” Herman said. “(He) helped Longview to win a state championship (in 2018) and continued to get better as a senior.” Shows impressive phone booth strength at the point of attack. Active against the run with size and strength to plug gaps. Plays hard every snap. Has shown improved pass-rushing ability from junior to senior year, including an expanded move set. Can improve fluidity and lateral mobility. Shedding power can get more consistent. Shows some wasted motion in pass rush. Versatile defensive lineman with a winning pedigree and intense on-field demeanor who projects to Power Five level.

TROY OMEIRE

LOGAN PARR

WR • 6’5” • 202 POUNDS FORT BEND AUSTIN SUGAR LAND, TEXAS

OG • 6’4” • 278 POUNDS O’CONNOR HELOTES, TEXAS

OMEIRE WON DISTRICT 20-6A MVP honors and earned his way to being a three-time all-district honoree while playing at Fort Bend Austin. He comes to Texas as the No. 33 wide receiver as ranked nationally by rivals.com and No. 27 on the ESPN 300 list. “Great ball skills, great toughness,” Herman said. Racked up more than 1,000 total yards his senior season, with 65 catches for 906 yards, which was a whopping 13.9 yards per catch, and added 364 yards on 57 rushes for 6.4 yards per carry on the ground. Another Texas recruit in the line of do-it-all like Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Omeire also completed six passes for 38 yards showing he can do a bit of it all.

ADEQUATELY SIZED INTERIOR offensive lineman who plays bigger than listed size. Not overly long, but owns enough frame space to reach requisite mass in college. Experience at multiple spots in high school. Will bring valuable positional flexibility and experience to the college game. Quick off the ball and gets to the second level deftly. “Tough, nasty,” Herman said. “Very well-coached, (comes from a) great program.” Projected to guard and demeanor as a run-game block-finisher fits that role. Possesses a lot of potential as a drive-blocker. Plays with a high motor and does not give up on plays. Aware in pass pro and is rarely beaten outside. Encouraging verified shuttle of 4.64, but can improve overall fluidity. Improved hand violence and placement will help maximize run-game potential. Plays upright at times, particularly in pass pro. High-floor offensive lineman who’s a fairly safe bet to become a dependable guard-to-guard P5 starter.

Recruiting Roundup continued on Page 36

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COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY; BACKGROUND IMAGE: COURTESY DANIELLE ELLIS/DANIELLEELLIS.COM

RANGY SAFETY WITH adequate height and frame potential for the position. Long and lean and will need to fill out frame in college. Plays with strong safety mentality and free safety range. Consistently strong tackler. “Comes from a great program in Lufkin, and a physical, physical player,” Herman said. Arrives with good leverage, then wraps and drives through his target. Will drop the hammer when the opportunity is available. Active, willing and engaged against the run. Plays with a mean streak. Disruptive at the catch point. Encouraging ability to track throws in the deep portion of the field. Above average verified testing numbers (4.61 40, 4.20 shuttle). Athleticism and playing style could create a special teams terror in college. Could provide position and personnel flexibility. Must add bulk to lean, sinewy frame to maximize strength. Occasionally will take chances with his hits. Will need to hone coverage technique to reach potential against the pass at the next level. One of Texas’ top safeties in the 2020 class with all-conference potential at the Power Five level and long-term NFL Draft ceiling.

ROBINSON READY TO ROCK Backfield to the Future BY STEVE HABEL, SENIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER

College football is better when Texas is good. Trying to get them back to the top is my mindset.

– Bijan Robinson

GREAT PLACE to start talking about Texas running back recruit Bijan Robinson is to tell you what he’s not, rather than list his lengthy accomplishments on the football field. Robinson is not big-headed. He’s not wishy-washy. He’s not a product or even a fan of his many on-field accolades. He’s not a typical prep football star. Robinson is so much more.

HERE TO BE A HUMBLE HORN

Texas head coach Tom Herman talked about Robinson’s uniqueness and why the Longhorns coveted the talented back from a few states over. “You know when you walk in to the school and they know who you’re there to see and all that stuff,” Herman said, “everybody says ‘hey, 32 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

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coach. Let me take two minutes of your time. I want to tell you about Bijan.’” “Humble” isn’t just a word with Robinson, it’s his character resonating with everyone around him. “He’s the most humble guy. I mean, humble,” Herman continued. “This guy would drive the bus and take out the trash if you asked him to, and that is coming from not coaches but assistant principals to security guards at the at the front gate. I mean, everybody wants to brag on what kind of young man he is.” Now comes the numbers, the eye-popping stats that made Robinson, from Salpointe High School in Tucson, the state of Arizona’s Gatorade Player of the Year.

SPECIAL BEYOND WORDS

Robinson possesses uncanny cutting ability as well as speed and finesse, and his 6 feet, 200-pound

COURTESY HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER

ARIZONA’S GATORADE PLAYER OF THE YEAR, LONGHORNS’ LONE 5-STAR SIGNEE IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A GREAT BALLCARRIER

frame will certainly serve a purpose within the Texas offense in the years to come. He’s ranked as the No. 21 best player nationally by 247Sports, which also considers Robinson the top running back in the country. Robinson totaled 8,440 all-purpose yards over his prep career, 7,673 of which came in just the past three years. The running back surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing mark in each of those three seasons, the last of which included nearly 400 receiving yards. As a senior, he averaged more than 250 allpurpose yards per game. His 114 career touchdowns is a state record. He ran for 7,036 yards in his career. That is a record for the state’s big-school conferences (6A through 4A). Robinson also averaged 26 yards a catch and had three receiving scores. Oh, and he returned a kickoff for a touchdown. All those stats allowed Robinson to be voted as the only two-time winner of the Ed Doherty Award for best high school football player in Arizona. But Robinson’s legacy is much more than football, retiring Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene said. “Bijan is an amazing young man who I watched grow up right in front of my eyes,” Bene said. “His actions have always spoken louder than his words. He truly represents all that is good in a person. He is a giver not a taker. His humility and faith exemplify his character. He is special beyond words. “He is outstanding in every way, not just on the field, but as a student and a teammate. He is really happy, and that is what matters to me.”

TOP PHOTO: COURTESY DANIELLE ELLIS/DANIELLEELLIS.COM; BOTTOM RIGHT PHOTO: COURTESY 247SPORTS

TEXAS’ LONE 5-STAR

Robinson is the lone 5-star player in Texas’ 2020 recruiting class and is the first 5-star running back to sign to play for the Longhorns since Johnathan Gray in 2012. He’s the second-highest-rated prospect to sign with Texas during the Herman era, trailing only Bru McCoy (No. 10 nationally), who never played a snap at Texas before transferring to USC. Robinson chose to play for the Longhorns after receiving offers from Alabama, USC, Ohio State and more.

“College football is better when Texas is good,” Robinson explained. “Trying to get them back to the top is my mindset. I mean, I could go to Ohio State or LSU or a team that’s already enjoying great success. But getting Texas back to where it needs to be is what my focus is.” Robinson was impressive in the multiple postseason all-star games in which he’s played. At both the All-American Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl, he was praised for his smooth athleticism and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

Robinson of what he wants to accomplish in Austin. “I know Texas is in the struggle right now, but I just have to keep working hard for myself, and then when I get up there, put in as much work as I did here.” Robinson in intent on making things happen off the football field as well. “This is a lot bigger than football,” he said. “This is about what you can use football for. I know I have a platform, but I want to use it for the better, to help people. I’m not like LeBron James, but I can use the platform I have to help people out and make people happy. Make them smile.” There are smiles aplenty in Austin these days at the prospect of Robinson being half as good in college as he was in high school. So, at least in part, his work on the Forty Acres is already underway. “I just know I have to come in there and work hard,” Robinson said. “There’s still a lot of great running backs that go to Texas. I know a lot of people expect me to be there right away, start right away. Any kid has to work hard, I don’t care who you are. You still have to make a presence and love competition when the days keep going.”

‘HERO TO A LOT OF PEOPLE’

He was given the name Bijan, and the original pronunciation was BYE-jan, although he has taken to and prefers BEE-zhahn. “It’s actually a Persian name,” his mother, LaMore Sauls said. “It means ‘hero.’ I really feel like he will be a hero to a lot of people.” Robinson will head to Austin this summer looking to make an immediate impact and give incumbent running backs Keaontay Ingram and Roschon Johnson a run for their money. “I want to progress as a man and as a player, then everything will take care of itself,” said

This is about what you can use football for. I know I have a platform, but I want to use it for the better, to help people. – Bijan Robinson

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 33

Surreal Reality in the Cards

LOCAL LAKE TRAVIS QB HOPES TO BECOME THE NEXT LEGENDARY AUSTINITE BY RILEY ZAYAS CONTRIBUTING WRITER

It is such a blessing to even be given the chance to play at the next level — much less at UT. They have always been my favorite college team, and it’s surreal to be given the opportunity to be (here).

– Hudson Card

WIDE VIEW OF WIDEOUT TO QB

Flashback two-plus years to his sophomore season, one filled with unexpected change. Heading into that season, Card was practicing route running and getting his hands quick to catch passes as a receiver downfield. 34 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

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The second year wideout had blazing speed, excellent hand-eye coordination and showed it off on multiple plays that 2017 season, his first on varsity, catching 69 passes for 13 touchdowns. Those stats could have been inflated too, had injury not struck the Cavalier quarterback unit. Current TCU quarterback Matthew Baldwin had been the No. 1 guy under center all season leading Lake Travis to 8-2 record and deep playoff run. However, late in a game against Katy, Baldwin went down with an ACL injury, ending his season and forcing head coach Hank Carter to quickly find a replacement during a crucial playoff game. While Card had seen action at quarterback throughout the season, the pressure wasn’t ever on like it was at that moment. With a tremendous weight placed upon his shoulders, he took the field on the Cavs’ final possession, helping to run out the clock and book LT’s trip to the state title game in Dallas.

UNSELFISH AND ATHLETIC

Card played phenomenally as the starter in the biggest game of the year against Allen, the top team in Texas, as he kept the Cavs within striking distance all game long. They fell 35-33, but on that day, Card’s football career changed forever. No longer would he be the guy catching the touchdown passes, he’d be the one throwing them. Carter took more away from that permanent position switch than what can just be seen on the surface. To him, it revealed something deeper about Card’s attitude and character. Something that will become crucial as he begins his first season as a Longhorn. “It showed he was unselfish and versatile,” Carter said. “Not to mention, extremely athletic.” Athletic he is, making him one of the topranked dual-threat quarterback in the state. His ability to take off and run, similar to Sam Ehlinger, is what keeps defenses on their toes.

COURTESY DANIEL FAIRS/UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME

LL 6 FEET, 2 inches, 180 pounds of Hudson Card stood staring at the field, his mind and heart filled with mixed emotions. Card and his Lake Travis Cavaliers had just fallen to the eventual Texas Class 6A state champions, North Shore, for the second straight season, and it marked the last time he’d ever play high school football. At the same time, he was moving up to the next level in just a few weeks as an early enrollee at the University of Texas, prepared to become a Longhorn quarterback and follow in the footsteps of his favorite UT QB, Vince Young, in his quest to one day bring a national championship back to Austin. Indeed, Card was ready to step up and take his game to the next level. However, it wasn’t anything new, it was something he’d been doing and envisioning for the past several years. It’s the reason why Texas head coach Tom Herman went after Card, and called him the “face of the class” when talking about the 2020 Longhorn signing class. “He is definitely the face of the class,” Herman said. “He was the first to commit and we’ve had our sights set on Hudson for multiple years now and are really excited to get to (be) working with him. A really competitive, competitive young man.” Already enrolled at Texas after shining in the All-America Game, Card is working hard to make sure he lives up to the hype. “It is such a blessing to even be given the chance to play at the next level — much less at UT,” Card said. “They have always been my favorite college team, and it’s surreal to be given the opportunity to be (here).”

“[He] uses his athleticism to escape the rush and make off-platform throws and pick up big chunks on the ground,” 247 Sports said about the four-star recruit who garnered offers from heavyweights like Michigan, Alabama and Ohio State. While his speed is a huge plus, the way that he can scramble outside of the pocket and look downfield for the open receiver will pay big dividends at UT, especially since he’ll face plenty of linebackers who are just as speedy and will keep him from taking off and running with the ball.

MAIN PHOTO: COURTESY LAKE TRAVIS ATHLETICS; TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY 247 SPORTS

CAVALIER TO LONGHORN

In an era where college quarterbacks have to be balanced in both passing and running, Card comes in with potential to become one of the Big 12’s dual-threat quarterbacks and grow his local legend status the same way current quarterback Ehlinger did, jumping from starring at local Westlake High School to becoming a young leader on the Forty Acres. Like many of the greats to set foot on the gridiron, from Bo Jackson to Deion Sanders, Card wasn’t only ever just a football player. He also played basketball for the Cavaliers, which developed his jumping ability, flexibility and coordination skills that are vital to a quarterback. “I think basketball has helped him a ton in football,” Carter said. “I’m a strong supporter of kids playing multiple sports.” Every one of these experiences has helped Card grow in one way or another on his way to stardom in the Austin area, and gain in notoriety amongst sports fans that is sure to increase when he one day takes the reigns of this offense. Texas has had success with hometown quarterbacks such as Ehlinger, and there is good reason to say that Card can and will do the same when he finally gets to prove himself at the collegiate level. RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 35

RECRUITING ROUNDUP

THE COMPLETE RECRUITING CLASS JA’QUINDEN JACKSON

PRINCE DORBAH

ATH/QB • 6’2” • 220 POUNDS DUNCANVILLE DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS

LB • 6’4” • 215 POUNDS HIGHLAND PARK DALLAS, TEXAS

POWERFULLY BUILT, ATHLETIC, rocked up athlete. High school quarterback that is good enough to play quarterback effectively in college. Athletic traits offer more upside at other positions, most notably on defense as a safety or linebacker. Usually looks like the best player on the field in Texas’ highest classification. “Phenomenal quarterback, very athletic and extremely competitive,” Herman said. “He’s a leader amongst leaders.” Has outstanding competitive temperament. Shows feel and patience as a runner finding holes and creating big plays. Will finish runs with toughness. Lack of experience playing other positions creates significant unknown to his transition. Likely hybrid linebacker that should be able to parlay quarterback instincts into playmaking ability on the next level. Too talented to not become an impact Power Five talent at some position with early to midround NFL Draft upside.

LEAN, ATHLETIC BUILD with some space to add bulk. Active edge defender who could fit multiple schemes as an edge-bending pass-rusher, but size may require a more traditional off-the-line LB role. Bursts off the line of scrimmage. Has provided outstanding production for a state power in Texas Class 5A. “Two-time state champ, 5A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior,” Herman said. “Really athletic, tremendous pass rusher.” Closes fast. Dangerous chasing from backside. High ceiling as a pass-rusher. Gets low off the edge and runs the arc naturally. Pursues downfield when needed. Has played odd-front end in fourpoint stance, so is accustomed to playing above listed size vs. heavier opponents. However, lacks ideal size at point of attack. Will need to diversify pass-rushing repertoire in college to complement motor and on-field athleticism. Occasionally gets washed out in the ground game. Must add overall bulk to lean, athletic frame to combat bigger, stronger opponents, especially in the run game. Can improve hand violence and disengaging ability. Would likely face learning curve — especially in coverage — if moving to traditional LB role. Productive pass-rusher with a nose for the ball who may provide scheme versatility and could be a Power Five impact player with NFL Draft potential.

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LEFT PHOTO: COURTESY 247 SPORTS; RIGHT PHOTO: COURTESY DANIELLE ELLIS/DANIELLEELLIS.COM

Recruiting Roundup continued from Page 30

TOP LEFT PHOTO: COURTESY DANIEL FAIRS/UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME; ALL OTHER PHOTOS: COURTESY 247 SPORTS

KITAN CRAWFORD

ALFRED COLLINS

DB • 5’11” • 190 POUNDS JOHN TYLER TYLER, TEXAS

DL • 6’5” • 285 POUNDS CEDAR CREEK BASTROP, TEXAS

ADEQUATE HEIGHT AND sturdy build, reminiscent of a running back’s frame and broad-shouldered look. Impressive on the hoof relative to projected position. Owns terrific speed verified in a track setting. Several sub-11.00-second 100-meter times, including 10.60 personal record. Track speed translates to ability to run with receivers in vertical game. Shows turn-and-run capabilities, especially outside the numbers. “Probably the best adjective I can use for him is versatile,” Herman said. “Tremendous three-way player — offense, defense and in the return game.” Also plays running back, where lateral fluidity and foot quickness should help full-time development at corner in college. Plays with good awareness. Turns and locates the ball well. Shows above-average ball skills. Must improve pad level in coverage and as a tackler. Needs to show more physicality on the perimeter vs. the run. Occasionally comes out of his backpedal too high. Technically raw and may need time to translate terrific athleticism to cornerback craft. High-ceiling player with great athletic profile who could develop into all-conference player and eventual NFL Draft prospect. In 2019 he was a first-team all-district selection as both RB and CB as a senior.

HIGH-CEILING DEFENSIVE LINEMAN who could fit multiple roles in multiple schemes. Still growing into tall, long frame. Owns outstanding height and frame length with through-the-roof frame potential. Long and lanky with a ton of space to add mass. Has lined up inside and on the edge in a four-man front in high school. Willing participant against the run. Doesn’t quit on plays. “All of the boxes were checked a long time ago from a character and work-ethic standpoint,” Herman said. “When you turn the film on, this is a guy who just continues to get better.” Hustles downfield to chase when necessary. Plays with active hands and uses long arm extension to his advantage. Flashes encouraging upper-body strength at the point of attack. Has shown ability to bull rush from interior and collapse the pocket. Plays high. Must improve leverage consistency. Can improve balance and body control. Must expand pass-rushing arsenal. Needs to increase lower-body strength to help with taking on double teams and standing up against the run in college. Raw and still learning, but plays with a high motor and owns elite physical tools that project to a quality Power Five starter with early-round NFL Draft potential.

KELVONTAY DIXON

JAYLEN GARTH

WR • 6’0” • 180 POUNDS CARTHAGE CARTHAGE NECHES, TEXAS

OL • 6’5” • 285 POUNDS PORT NECHES-GROVES PORT NECHES, TEXAS

POSSESSES ADEQUATE TO above-average height for multi-position offensive athlete. Gradually grown into his lean, sinewy frame. Not overly long, but owns space to add some more good weight. Versatile offensive playmaker who can line up wide, in the slot, or in the backfield. “With him, you get a ton of speed, a ton of aggressiveness and a knack for finding the football,” Herman said. “And you get a guy that has played a lot of different positions in his career in high school.” Terrific track athlete with several sub-11.00 100-meter times. Runs multiple relays and is a state contender in triple jump. Athleticism translates to the field. Shows impressive short-area elusiveness to make multiple defenders miss. Dangerous after the catch. Flashes strong combination of impressive burst and good long speed. Highly productive for perennial Texas 4A D-I title contender. All-around football player. Has return game value. Must continue to add bulk and strength. Needs to improve ball security and continue honing route-running and technique. High-ceiling athlete who needs some more development, but possesses long-term all-conference and perhaps NFL Draft potential.

LONG-ARMED WITH THE requisite height and frame length of a high-major offensive tackle. Wears weight fairly well and owns frame space to add a good bit more bulk. Blockfinisher who aims to bury his target. Shows encouraging ability to mirror speed rushers to the outside. Displays promising smoothness and fluidity in pass set. Athletic enough to get to the second level on schedule. Experience playing both tackle spots. “Great length, comes from a great program at PNG,” Herman said. Plays with active feet and a sturdy base. Consistent bender with high pass-blocking ceiling. Can improve body control, particularly when hunting or engaged in the running game. Hand placement consistency in the run game can improve. Pass-pro punch comes and goes, resulting in more catching than punching at times. Bends well, but can be better in leverage consistency. Expected to be a Power Five starter at either tackle with true left tackle potential and early-round NFL Draft ceiling.

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 37

JADEN HULLABY

OL • 6’5” • 280 POUNDS SOUTHLAKE CARROLL SOUTLAKE, TEXAS

ATH • 6’2” • 210 POUNDS MANSFIELD TIMBERVIEW ARLINGTON, TEXAS

SOMEWHAT LEAN, ATHLETIC offensive lineman with tackle experience whose lack of length may force him inside long-term. Quickfooted and aggressive. Plays very hard with a mean streak that even shows in practices. Has faced great competition relative to high school level. Gets to the second level with relative ease when required. “The one thing that stands out is (his) length and athleticism,” Herman said. “This guy, I hear it all the time‚ the comparisons to Sam Cosmi and they’re pretty spot-on. Andrej’s actually bigger now than Sam was at this time in his career.” Shows athleticism to mirror edge speed in pass pro. Lacks ideal wingspan for a true tackle. Can improve hand placement consistency. Must continue to add bulk and strength to maximize frame. Motor runs very high, but added punch power will help block-finishing ability. Tackle experience with interior long-term physical tools that project to high-major level and possibly the NFL Draft.

OWNS VIRTUALLY COLLEGE-READY size for a running back, but has also been recruited as a linebacker and even H-back. Best long-term fit is likely running back, where he possesses outstanding height and frame potential. Experience playing running back and quarterback against strong high school competition. “Another athlete — much bigger stature, but kind of do-everything guy. We’re excited to see where he fits in the puzzle there in terms of [the] position that he’ll play. My guess is he’ll probably play a few of them before his time is up here.” Flashes encouraging closequarters mobility relative to size to elude the first defender. Owns the size and build for a highvolume role if needed. Presses the line of scrimmage and shows encouraging patience to allow blocks to materialize. Can improve initial explosiveness, as well as top-end speed. May lack home run long speed at the next level. Power Five-caliber athlete who fits best at running back and should become a reliable contributor.

DAJON HARRISON

JAYLAN FORD

ATH/WR • 5’10” • 178 POUNDS HUTTO HUTTO, TEXAS

LB • 6’3” • 210 POUNDS LONE STAR FRISCO, TEXAS

SHORT, COMPACT BUILD that projects best to an inside receiver spot. Limited frame for bulk addition, but built fairly well relative to listed size. Experience at receiver, running back, cornerback, and on special teams. Primarily recruited as a receiver, but also has gotten looks as an athlete or corner. Type of offensive athlete with whom a staff can get creative. “Another versatile guy that can play anywhere on offense, can play in the defensive backfield, return guy, very explosive athlete,” Herman said. Pretty quick off the line and shows impressive lateral mobility in the short area. Capable of stringing together moves to maximize runs and run-after-catch opportunities. Provides consistent big-play ability. Stretches the field in vertical game. Limited defensive experience but encouraging play there. Solid tackler relative to size. Total athletic profile lacks context from measurable standpoint. No verified 40 or shuttle, but owns a promising 100-meter time (11.14). Shows good on-field burst but can improve top-end speed and consistency. Lack of size limits blocking effectiveness at the next level and long-term physical ceiling. Also would present potential red-zone issues in a corner role. Athletic, productive, big-play prospect who projects to Power Five level.

AMASSED AN INCREDIBLE 142 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, one sack, six pressures, one interception, one pass breakup and one forced fumble during his senior season as he earned District 15-5A Defensive MVP honors. “His coaches, and everyone we talked with, just raved about his character and leadership qualities,” Herman said. “He checks all the boxes and will be a great fit in our program.” He was also a Class 5A All-State honorable mention selection his junior season. He actually flipped his commitment from Utah, the team Texas beat in the Alamo Bowl this season, to become a Longhorn.

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PHOTOS COURTESY 247 SPORTS

ANDREJ KARIC

Major talent takes center stage INCOMING OL EXPECTED TO DEVELOP INTO LONG-TERM SOLUTION AT CENTER

COURTESY 247 SPORTS

VEN WHEN JAKE Majors was an eighth grader, Prosper High head football coach Brandon Schmidt already knew his young offensive lineman had major talent, and motivation to go along with it. This kid, Schmidt thought, will play at the college level. Majors only kept proving that throughout his high school career, which reached its climax when he signed with Texas this past winter. If Majors had a slogan, there’s a good chance it would be, “Lead by example.” “Tough, very well-coached, extremely smart,” Texas head coach Tom Herman said. “We’re going to start him playing at center and hope that he can develop into a multiyear starter at that position.” Heading into the 2019 season, Schmidt had his concerns with the lack of experience on his offensive line. After all, if the line doesn’t function properly, the entire offense will find itself in trouble. Those five guys up front are depended on to create the lanes for running backs and fend off pass rushers trying to get to the quarterback. So the fifth-year head coach turned to Majors, his most experienced and talented O-lineman, who helped tremendously in the young program’s development. Majors immediately took charge, showing the other starters the ropes as Prosper’s offensive line paved the way for a successful season that included an 11-3 record. Not to mention, they reached the state quarterfinals, the farthest the program has gone since 2009, when they were a 3A school. “The way he carries himself, he’s someone who the other kids on the team can look to as a model for how things are supposed to be done,” said Schmidt when asked what makes Majors such a phenomenal leader. “Jake was crucial [this season on the

BY RILEY ZAYAS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER offensive line] in being a leader up there and getting the new starters to buy in and work hard every day.” But it’s not just on the gridiron that he sets himself apart as a leader. He’s also a dedicated student, always working to keep school first. His second team all-state academic selection is evidence to prove it. “I’m excited, I know I can compete, it’s just putting all the pieces together,” Majors said. “I’m ready to bring my motivated mentality to Texas.” As he puts it, “you’re a student first then an athlete.” With that kind of mindset, Majors should have no problem handling the heavy academic workload at UT while still competing at a high caliber. Amongst those who closely cover Longhorn football, there’s a real reason to believe that Majors will no longer be suiting up at the guard position when he arrives in Austin. Herman even said as much. Instead, new offensive coordinator Mike Yurich will have the 6’3, 285-pound early enrollee at the heart of it all. While Majors has the necessary speed to excel at an outside position, the Horns lost starting center Zach Shackelford, Georgia Tech transfer Parker Braun, Ishan Rison and J.P Urquidez after the season, creating a few holes that will need to be filled next fall. Majors is well aware of this possibility as he practiced as a center throughout the week at the Under Armour All-American game in Orlando on January 4th, preparing and educating himself at the position in case that’s the role he’ll have to fill. With a large group of freshmen and sophomores competing for playing time in 2020, Majors just wants to see the field, he’s not worried about what position he’ll play.

“I don’t care,” said Majors when asked about the possibility of the position switch. “I just want to see the field. I really enjoy playing center and I know they’ll need help at the center spot with Shackelford leaving, so I kind of took on that role during practice at the AllAmerican game.“ Enrolling early in January should only improve his chances of seeing quality playing time as freshman. His college career started several months before many of the other O-Line signees, so he’s already had a head start on learning the playbook and everything else that comes with the high school-tocollege transition. “I think for offensive linemen and defensive linemen it’s a tougher transition [to the college level] because you’re playing guys with two, three, sometimes four years of experience in a college football program,” said Schmidt. “But Jake’s up to the challenge. He’ll do a great job.” Unfortunately, during the All-American game, a typical play resulted in a painful and frustrating setback, which ended his high school career. His right ring finger got caught in a jersey and was yanked back, ripping away tendons and resulting in an immediate surgery just five days afterward. While this has the potential to sideline some for months, Majors was focused on getting back out onto the field within a month, another example of his motivation and driven attitude. “Yeah it’s all good,” Majors said a few days before the surgery. “That’s part of the game. I’ll have the surgery then it’ll take about a month to recover so I’m not too worried about it.” A guy who had Texas on the top of his list since they offered him, Majors is ready to make a major impact on this Texas O-Line that became so well-known over the years, paving the lanes for NFL caliber running backs and protecting All-American quarterbacks.

RECRUITING 2020 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 39

FINAL SCORE

A NEW BEACON FOR

BASKETBALL

A NEW CENTER for Longhorn celebrations is already bringing good vibes to the Forty Acres. Lead by the “Minister of Culture” Matthew McConaughey, in December 2019 the University of Texas broke ground on the new stateof-the-art basketball and entertainment center coming soon to a campus near you. One year prior, Texas and a group led by the Oak View Group announced the plan to construct what is now known as the Moody Center on campus, serving as the Texas men’s and women’s basketball home arena as well as an event center for graduations, concerts and more. “The Moody Center is going to be a place that two tremendous brands are going to be represented by — one brand being the city of Austin and the other brand being the University of Texas,” McConaughey said at the groundbreaking. “What we have to do is ensure that both of these — the city of Austin and the University of Texas — are specifically and authentically represented. For Austin, this place needs to be the first that any big band in the world wants to come play. For the University of Texas, it needs to be the very last place that any visiting basketball team wants to come play.” The 10,000-seat arena is set to replace (and upgrade on) the Erwin Center as more than just a basketball arena. Additionally, the $338 million Moody Center is designed to expand to 15,000 seats and function as a worldclass venue for touring concerts and shows, too. The Moody Center is expected to open in 2022. “Kevin Durant once said, ‘My wildest dreams are when I’m wide awake.’ And 40 HORNS ILLUSTRATED

RECRUITING 2020

that’s exactly how I feel about Moody Center. This truly seems like a dream,” said President Gregory L. Fenves. “This is a historic moment for the University of Texas.” “It’s one thing to talk about it, but (now) it’s happening,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris Del Conte added. “The shovels are in the ground. You’re going to see a 60-foot hole here in no time, and before you know it, we’ll have the finest arena in college athletics. This is truly a great day for the University of Texas.” In November 2019, UT announced a $130 million grant from the Moody Foundation, bringing the Longhorns one step closer to opening the new state-of-the-art arena. The grant to support Texas Athletics is the single largest gift from a foundation in the university’s history. “It feels great to be able to do this. I never envisioned in my 30-plus years as a foundation trustee that we would ever give a gift this big,” said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and chairman and CEO of National Western Life Group. “It’s the foundation’s largest gift, the largest gift to the University of Texas from a foundation and we are building a beautiful basketball and multi-purpose arena for the city of Austin and UT. For us, it was a no-brainer.”

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