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D’Onta Foreman looks to propel Texas forward.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
CONTENTS FEATURES
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FOOTBALL
THE LONG ROAD BACK
Entering the 2016 football season, Horns Illustrated asked an alltoo-familiar question — is this the year that head coach Charlie Strong and the Longhorns can turn it all around? With the talent showcased during the spring season (both from the players and the new coaching staff), 2016 could be the turning point. With the new season just on the horizon, we analyze the Longhorns’ schedule, twin brothers D’Onta and Armanti Foreman, Texas’ DBU, as well as the players destined to make an impact in 2016. Our annual Football Preview issue also includes pundits’ picks, Vegas odds and updates on former Longhorn players.
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SOCCER
STARTING A NEW CHAPTER
The 2015 season ended sooner than expected for the Texas soccer team. Even with the leadership of 10 seniors — including goalkeeper Abby Smith — the Longhorns missed the NCAA tournament. Fast forward to 2016 and the team has come together with fresh leadership, guidance from head coach Angela Kelly and the lessons learned from a special book.
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VOLLEYBALL
OVERACHIEVERS
The Texas volleyball team has a simple tradition — winning. The Longhorns, under head coach Jerritt Elliott’s watchful eye, continue to dominate opponents during the regular season, and consistently make their way into the later rounds of the NCAA tournament in the postseason. Can this year’s squad carry on that tradition?
DEPARTMENTS
LEADING OFF
SPIRIT OF THE MONTH — Bevo XV
ROUNDUP
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COVER PHOTO: PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS
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ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS S PREAD: PATRICK MEREDITH/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
LEADING
OFF
Despite playing a man down, the Texas men’s golf team gave a supreme effort before falling 3-2 to Oregon in the NCAA Championship match at the Eugene Country Club. Texas was attempting to win its fourth national crown in program history (1971, 1972 and 2012). The second-place finish at the NCAA Championship concluded an outstanding 2015-16 campaign for the Longhorns, that saw the team win seven tournament titles, including a fourth consecutive Big 12 Conference championship. Junior Doug Ghim evened the match with a 2 and 1 victory against Oregon’s Thomas Lim, but Oregon’s Sulman Raza edged Taylor Funk in 21 holes, clinching the win for the Ducks.
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BETHANY WALTER/UNIV. OF TEXAS
RECORD BREAKING: The NCAA Championships marked the end of another strong season for Texas track & field as the women’s team finished in fourth place. To earn their position in the top four, the women posted some of the best marks in school history and won a pair of event titles. Senior Courtney Okolo won her fourth individual NCAA title and second outdoors title in the 400 meters. She clocked in at 50.36 seconds for the No. 10 time in collegiate history. The win by Okolo gives Texas a total of six titles in the outdoor women’s 400 meters — three more than the next program on the list. Senior Morolake Akinosun finished third in the 100 meters with her time of 11.07 seconds. She came into the meet with the fastest time in the nation but was unable to repeat her top performance from earlier in the season. Akinosun will go down as one of the most decorated athletes in program history as she earned three first-team All-American honors this year to go along with her four awards in 2014 and 2015, plus her handful of indoor All-American honors. Texas completed the indoor/outdoor sweep in the 4x400-meter relay with Chrisann Golden, Akinosun, Zola Gordon and Okolo besting the field with a time of 3:27.64.
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CTAVIOUS BISHOP, WHO was the Longhorns’ starting left tackle in 1998, joined the Texas football staff as Director of Student Leadership and Personal Development. “Having the opportunity to work at Texas was always a dream,” Bishop said. “Being able to come back and share what I’ve learned over the years is truly humbling. “Coach [Charlie] Strong and his staff are passionate about the players, and it’s easy to discern their genuine desire to see them succeed on and off the field,” he added. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know Coach Strong and love that he’s a genuine straight shooter. His plan to help his players with life after football is transformative. The student-athletes in his program will leave the 40 Acres as better men.” In his role, Bishop will work with the football staff to provide strategy and implementation of programs to support student-athlete development. Among the program’s goals and objectives will be personal growth, character enhancement, leadership assessment and development, life skills and career preparation. Since his time as a Texas student-athlete, Bishop has managed a wide range of roles in a career that has focused on the academic, physical wellbeing and mental health needs of student-athletes. “Many of the Texas student-athletes come from backgrounds similar to my own,” Bishop said. “I have a unique perspective, as a former player and student, that many of them will share. The relationships I’ve established outside of football have played a profound role in my professional and personal development.”
IN MEMORIAM
LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Close friends and family will always remember Paul Jetton’s courage and strength.
FORMER TEXAS OFFENSIVE lineman Paul Jetton, 51, passed away on May 13 in Wimberley, Texas. Jetton, from Jersey Village, was a four-year letter winner at Texas from 1984-87. He was named All-Southwest Conference in his junior and senior seasons. “Paul Jetton was one of the toughest and meanest — in a fair way — players that I have ever been around,” former head coach David McWilliams said. “I always thought he would’ve been a great defensive lineman.” The Cincinnati Bengals selected Jetton in the sixth round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played three seasons for the Bengals before joining the New Orleans Saints in 1992, where he played for two more seasons. “The courage he showed over the past several years attests to his character and his love for his family,” McWilliams said. “We’ll miss him because of the inspiration he provided us.” Jetton is survived by his wife, Sherri, and his three children: Conner, Laura and Clayton. Survivors also include his three stepchildren: Mandie, Barron and Caiti; his mother, brother and sister in law; and many loving family and friends.
Octavious Bishop
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TH IS S PREAD CL OCK WIS E FROM TOP LEFT: UNIVERS ITY OF TEXAS S PO RTS PHOTOG RAPHY, PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS, JIM S IGM ON/UNIV. OF TEXAS , BETH ANY WALTER/UN IV. OF TEXAS
LEADING THE WAY
SERVICE MEN
AFTER A STORIED 48-year coaching career, including 20 years at Texas, Augie Garrido accepted a position as Special Assistant to the Athletics Director and relinquished his duties as the Longhorns’ head baseball coach. “I owe everyone at Texas a million heartfelt thank yous,” Garrido said. “I came here to serve and I’m proud to be able to continue to serve the University in my new role as special assistant to Mike Perrin.” College baseball’s all-time wins leader (1,975 wins) boasts a significant list of career accomplishments. He’s the first baseball coach to lead two different schools to national titles (Cal State Fullerton and Texas) and is one of only four coaches in the modern era of NCAA baseball, football and men’s or women’s basketball to do so (Nick Saban, Rick Pitino and Urban Meyer). Garrido guided squads to National Championships in four different decades, and is one of only three coaches in history to win five or more NCAA titles (1979, 1984, 1995, 2002, 2005). During his 48-year coaching tenure, he led his teams to the College World Series 15 times, made 33 NCAA Regional appearances, won 16 NCAA Regional Tournament titles and 25 Conference Championships, while being named National Coach of the Year six times.
DRIVING FORCE: Beau Hossler’s accomplishments this season earned him the Fred Haskins Award.
SALUTING A STANDOUT BEAU HOSSLER RECEIVED the Fred Haskins Award at the end of the 2016 season, becoming one of only five Texas players ever to win the award and the first to do so since 1997. The award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate golfer, as selected by his peers, coaches and the media. Hossler completed his junior year with five wins — the third-most in a single season behind Longhorn legend Ben Crenshaw’s seven in 1973 and six in 1972. He also finished with two runner-up finishes and four additional top-10s in 12 events. He also finished as Texas’ top player in nine events, concluding the season with a 69.73 stroke average. He shot 29 of his 37 rounds at or under par, and carded 18 rounds in the 60s, including two 64s, two 65s and three 67s. “This is such an honor,” Hossler said. “I can’t put into words the work and effort I have put in, but this wouldn’t have been possible without everyone on my team. It’s a huge honor to represent them.”
TEXAS WINNERS OF FRED HASKINS AWARD
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HE TEXAS FOOTBALL program wasn’t busy only on the field and in the classroom this spring, the Longhorns were also active in the community, volunteering more than 575 hours between January and May. "It's critical that everyone in our program realizes the importance of giving back to the community," head coach Charlie Strong said. "Every player is required to complete his community service hours each semester. It's something that we want to be part of their experience at Texas. They're fortunate to be where they are and have what they have, so they need to understand the value in sharing that with others." The Longhorns volunteered at Texas THON in March, raising over $175,000 for the Children's Miracle Network. Several players also helped put on a free football clinic with Hill Country Pop Warner, which was designed to increase youth participation in football. Texas also hosted a group from the Texas Special Olympics in April. The group received a tour of the Moncrief Athletics Complex, took photos on Joe Jamail Field and then watched a spring practice. Following practice, the entire team, along with the coaching staff, took photos and signed autographs for the group. At various times throughout the semester, members of the football program additionally volunteered their time at Explore UT, Dell Children's Hospital, church groups, charity events and more.
2016 1997 1994 1987 1973 1972 1971
BEAU HOSSLER Brad Elder Justin Leonard Bob Estes Ben Crenshaw Ben Crenshaw Ben Crenshaw FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 15
COACH OF WITHIN REACH THE YEAR
Senoj-Jay Givans
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STAKING HIS CLAIM: John Fields claims his second Coach of the Year award in five years.
EXAS MEN'S GOLF head coach John Fields was named the Dave Williams Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the 2016 season. The Williams Award honors the national coach of the year in Division I men’s golf. Fields has now earned coach of the year twice in the past five years; he received his first award in 2012. Fields led Texas to seven wins in 2015-16 and two runner-up finishes, most recently at the NCAA Championship. The Longhorns won their fourth straight Big 12 Championship and advanced to the NCAA Championship for the 10th straight year this season. The Longhorns closed the season finishing in the top four in 10-straight events. This year’s squad included five golfers who finished in the top-10 and two who earned medalist honors at least twice. Fields also received Big 12 Coach of the Year honors for the fourth straight year.
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CLOCKWIS E FRO M TOP L EFT: PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS, B ETHANY W ALTER/UNIV. OF TEXAS
AT THE NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, junior Senoj-Jay Givans became the first Longhorn to finish in the top three in the 100 meters since 1977. Givans came in third place with a time of 10.25 seconds as the field had to run into a strong headwind of 2.3 meters per second. It was one of the closest finishes at the national meet, with only .04 separating first place from fifth. Arkansas’ Jarrion Lawson edged out the field for the win in 10.22 seconds, and Christian Coleman of Tennessee ran 10.23. With his third-place finish Givans scored six points for the Texas men’s team, which represented the team’s only points. The men tied for 36th place overall. During the semifinals, Givans broke the school record and posted the No. 9 time in collegiate history at 9.96 seconds. He was unable to get a strong start out of the blocks and said he was disappointed in the loss. “It kills me that I didn’t win,” he said. “This has been a rough year. I didn’t compete [at NCAA] indoors. I lost the first two months to injury, and to come around in the shape where I know I could’ve won it if I had executed the way I should have, it hurts to know I didn’t do so.” With his time of 9.96, Givans headed home to his native Jamaica for the Olympic Trials, where he placed sixth in the 100-meter event.
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ENIOR TRACK & FIELD star Courtney Okolo has had one of the most decorated careers in program history. She added to her awards when she was named the USTFCCCA South Central Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. Okolo dominated the track this past season, highlighted by her collegiate record performance at the LSU Alumni Gold. Okolo ran an amazing 49.71 seconds in the 400 meters to take .32 off her own previous record from 2014. That time made her just the third woman in history to run sub-50. At the Big 12 Championship, Okolo won her third straight title in the 400 meters and also took third in the 200 meters. Okolo also ran the second leg of the victorious 4x100 relay team at the conference championship meet. She has helped the Longhorns post some of the fastest times in the 4x400-meter relay all season, including the No. 9 time in collegiate history at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds. In her career, Okolo has run three of the fastest six times in collegiate outdoors history in the 400 meters and has been on three 4x400 relay teams that have posted times in the top 10.
BETH ANY W AL TER/UNIV. OF TEXAS
TITLE TOWN
TEXAS OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED its 2015-16 athletics season with a fourth-place showing by the women at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Of the school’s 20 intercollegiate programs, the Longhorns registered seven top-five and 10 top-10 NCAA Championship team finishes during the recent academic year. This marks the most top-five NCAA team finishes by Texas since the Longhorns posted eight in 2008-09. In fact, the seven top-five finishes this year ties the fourth-best total in program history. This also marks the second straight athletics season that Texas has recorded double-digit Top-10 NCAA team finishes. The Longhorns posted 11 Top-10 NCAA team finishes in 2014-15.
GOING OUT ON TOP: Courtney Okolo wrapped up her Texas career with a number of accolades and records.
SPORT
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP FINISH
MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING
National Champions
VOLLEYBALL
Second
MEN’S GOLF
Second
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Fourth
WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Fourth
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Fifth
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Tied for Fifth (NCAA round of 8)
ROWING
Eighth
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Tied for Ninth (NCAA round of 16)
MEN’S TENNIS
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A FRESH OUTLOOK
CALENDAR
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 FOOTBALL SEPTEMBER 3: vs. vs. Alabama State, TBA 10 : a t C o l o r a d o S t a te , Fo r t C o l l i n s , Colo., TBA 16 : v s . A r i z o n a S t a t e , 8 :3 0 p . m . 24: at Old Dominion, Nor folk, Va ., TBA OCTOBER 8: vs. Southern Miss., 11 a.m. 15: at Rice, Houston, 6 p.m. 22: vs. UTEP, TBA 29: vs. North Texas, TBA NOVEMBER 5: at Middle Tennessee State, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1:30 p.m. 12: at Louisiana Tech, Ruston, La., 2:30 p.m. 19: at Texas A&M, College Station, TBA 26: vs. Charlotte, TBA
READY FOR CHANGE: After a declining record in 2015, the Roadrunners are ready to turn things around.
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3: Conference USA Championship Game, TBA
the Roadrunners will make the short trip to College Station to take on Texas A&M in UTSA’s first-ever meeting with an SEC school. The contest will be the first of three road games in November before the team continues closing out the season with the traditional home game. UTSA’s traditional home finale this year will be against Charlotte. With a new coach, the optimism for the 2016 season is high. The question remains, however, if that optimism will be reinforced with improvement.
Jarveon Williams
Frank Wilson
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HE 2016 FOOTBALL season will mark the first season of the Frank Wilson era. The Roadrunners look to embark on yet another historic season — this time with a new head coach. Wilson stepped in as the second coach in program history back in January. Wilson inherited a team with a declining record, thanks to tough schedules and injuries. The cupboard isn’t bare, however, as several key contributors from last season, including Jarveon Williams, the first Roadrunner in school history to rush for 1,000 yards. The schedule also eases up this season, which opens Sept. 3 at Alabama State. The Roadrunners then travel to Fort Collins, Colo., to take on a Colorado State team that UTSA nearly defeated in 2015 in San Antonio. Next, UTSA will face off against Arizona State in a nationally televised home game. The team will then open conference play at Old Dominion on Sept. 24. In October, the Roadrunners play three of four conference games at home. The lone road game will take place in Houston, where UTSA will take on the Rice Owls. The Roadrunners’ final nonconference game takes place in November. On Nov. 19
DECEMBER
THE ROAD AHEAD
CALENDAR
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLLEYBALL AUGUST 26: vs. Sam Houston State, 7 p.m 27: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 1:30 p.m. 27: vs. Sacramento State, 7 p.m. 30: at North Texas, Denton, 7 p.m. SEPTEMBER 2-3: Ole Miss Invitational, Oxford, Miss., TBA 6: at Abilene Christian, Abilene, 6:30 p.m. 9-10: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tournament, Corpus Christi, TBA 16: vs. Samford, 11 a.m. vs. New Mexico, 7 p.m. 17: vs. Houston Baptist, Noon vs. UTEP, 7 p.m. 23: at South Alabama, Mobile, Ala., 6:30 p.m. 25: at Troy, Troy, Ala., Noon 30: vs. Appalachian State, 6:30 p.m.
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HOLDING COURT: The UTA volleyball team will host two nonconference tournaments next season.
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S ONE ACADEMIC year came to a close, the next one is just over the horizon. The UT Arlington volleyball team recently released its 2016 schedule as it begins to prepare for the upcoming season. The Mavericks open the campaign on Aug. 26 against former Southland Conference foe Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. as part of the Maverick Classic. The schedule features four nonconference tournaments, two at College Park Center, and culminates in the Sun Belt Championship hosted by UTA in November. “We’re excited about having the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at our place,” head coach Diane Seymour said. “It will be a great environment and a chance to use our home court to our advantage. Our top goal is winning [the tournament] on our home court.” UTA opens conference play on Sept. 23 to begin a two-match road trip. The conference slate opens at South Alabama and Troy. The Mavs’ SBC home opener is the first of a five-match homestand that begins with Appalachian State on Sept. 30. The stand concludes with rival Texas State on Oct. 13 before UTA finishes the season with seven of its final nine away from home. The Sun Belt Championship begins on Nov. 18, marking the first conference tournament to be at UTA since the College Park Center ’s opening in 2012.
TRACK & FIELD UT ARLINGTON FRESHMAN Alexus Henry tied for 17th in the women’s high jump on the final day of the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. Henry cleared 5 feet, 8 inches (1.73 meters), on her opening attempt. She was unable to clear the next height (5 feet, 10 inches) on her next three attempts.
Henry was one of just three freshmen in the 24-person field and was the first UTA female ever to qualify for the NCAA Championships in the high jump. In her rookie season, Henry became the school record holder in the indoor high jump (5 feet, 11 1/2 inches) and posted the second-best outdoor mark in school annals (5 feet, 10 3/4 inches).
MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH Scott Cross announced a late addition to his team’s 2016 recruiting class after Turkish forward Erkam Kiris signed with the Mavs. Cross said Kiris is a versatile athlete who should be able to contribute to the team in numerous ways. “I’m extremely excited about the addition of Erkam to our basketball team,” Cross said. “He’s a well-rounded basketball player and possesses a very high basketball IQ.” Kiris plays for the Turkish under-18 national team and has been named to the Turkish under-18 preliminary roster for the 2016 European Championships, which will be played in Istanbul, Turkey. “At 6’8’’, Kiris provides additional size and length at the forward positions,” Cross said. “The U-18 Turkish national team has been extremely successful, and it’s quite an honor for us to be able to coach a player like Kiris. I cannot wait for Kiris to join our team after he competes for the European Championships this summer.”
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HE SEARCH FOR the new Bevo is complete. This September, when the Longhorn football team takes the field against Notre Dame for its season opener, a new live mascot will appear on the sidelines to represent the University of Texas. The Silver Spurs announced this past spring the debut of Bevo XV, which will take place on Sept. 4 — the same day as the 100year anniversary of Bevo’s first appearance at a Longhorn football game. Bevo’s first appearance was in 1916. “Bevo has embodied Longhorn pride and Texas spirit for 100 years,” University of Texas President Greg Fenves said. “He’s part of our campus culture and has watched our football team’s successes for decades. I’m looking forward to seeing Bevo XV in his place of honor on the field this coming season.” Bevo XV will replace Bevo XIV, who passed away last season. Bevo XIV was present for many significant Texas football moments since 2004, including the 2005 national championship victory over USC. 20 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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The Silver Spurs organization is responsible for caring for Bevo and took the lead in searching for the next live mascot after Bevo XIV’s death last fall. The Silver Spurs, founded in 1937, also give students the opportunity to give back to the community through the Bevo endowment. Thanks to his public appearances and partnerships, Bevo contributes to the Neighborhood Longhorns Program, university scholarships and other philanthropic endeavors. “Bevo XIV was the most charitable mascot in the country,” Ricky Brennes, executive director of the Silver Spurs Alumni Association, said. “He did more for his community and university than any other live mascot. Over his last two years, Bevo XIV provided more than $300,000 to Neighborhood Longhorns. We look forward to Bevo XV continuing that legacy of giving back.” Bevo XV will resume these responsibilities with his debut. “Bevo XV has all of the characteristics that we were looking for — he’s a beautiful steer with great disposition, color and a championship pedigree,” Brennes added. “He’s gentle, smart and curious. He’s used to being around people and enjoys the attention. He’ll be ready for game day.”
MICHAEL GRIFFIN WAS a member of the 2003 recruiting class, which ranked 15th in the nation. Other Texas standouts from that class included Tony Hills, Limas Sweed, Tim Crowder and Tarell Brown. Griffin was born in Austin and played for Bowie High School. He was a two-year starter at running back for the Bulldogs and played defensive back his senior year. Two years after arriving on the 40 Acres, Griffin backed up Michael Huff and even started at safety against Michigan in the Rose Bowl. As a junior, he was a member of the 2005 National Championship team. One of Griffin’s most memorable plays happened during that game, when he intercepted USC quarterback Matt Leinart at the goal line. Griffin led the team in tackles (124 total) that season and received second-team All-Big 12 Conference honors. Griffin continued to start at free safety for Texas his senior year, after moving to the position the previous year. He again led the Longhorns in tackles with 126 total — a career high. Griffin finished the season with secondteam All-American honors, as well as being named first-team All-Big 12 Conference. In 2007, the Tennessee Titans selected Griffin with the 19th overall draft pick. He played nine seasons for the Titans, recording 25 interceptions and an average of 85 tackles per season. This season, he’ll continue his professional career with the Minnesota Vikings.
COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOG RAPHY , COURTESY ICO N S PORTSW IRE
BEVO XV
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Tyrone Swoopes
GOT OPTIONS? TEXAS HAS THE TOOLS TO REVERSE AN UNSAVORY TREND IN THE RED ZONE
BETH ANY WAL TER/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
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TATISTICS THAT PAINT the Texas offense in a negative light for the way the unit has performed in recent years shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone who follows the program. Nevertheless, it’s startling to see how Texas stacks up against the rest of the Big 12 when it comes to offensive prowess, or lack thereof. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Longhorns rank in the Big 12 in offensive red-zone efficiency for conference play against conference opponents. The team has held this ranking since 2012. Of their last 36 conference games, 60.6 percent of the Longhorns’ trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line have resulted in a touchdown. In fact, the team ranks ninth in the league in yards per play in the red zone (2.99) and last in yards per pass attempt. The Longhorns’ red-zone production last season indicated how well Texas was able to compete in both nonconference play and in Big 12 action. Against Notre Dame, TCU and Iowa State — games the Longhorns lost by a combined score of 112-10 — Texas made a total of two red zone trips in quarters of play, coming away with zero points. On the flipside, close losses to California, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech by a combined seven points saw the Longhorns score touchdowns on seven of 10 red zone possessions. Texas scored 12 touchdowns on 19 trips inside the red zone in its
five victories in 2015. That’s the kind of production the Longhorns need this season. Quarterback Tyrone Swoopes, running back D’Onta Foreman and running back Chris Warren combined for 21 rushing touchdowns last season, and those three could form a tremendous short-yardage package. Swoopes thrived last season in the “18 Wheeler” package, an effective set that was on display most prominently in wins over Oklahoma and Kansas State. Foreman’s proven ability along with Warren’s emergence late in the season, combined with Swoopes’ presence keeping defenses on their toes, should make the Longhorns tough to stop when trying to punch it across the goal line. In addition a tight end Caleb Bluiett, who proved last season he can be a threat in the passing game (his 2-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of the AT&T Red River Showdown was a critical play in that game), John Burt and Collin Johnson make ideal red-zone targets. Inside the 20 is also an area of the field where Texas could deploy bigger inside receivers such as DeAndre McNeal and Jake Oliver, who should help in the run game while keeping defenders honest. Offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert will have plenty of options when it comes to determining how the Longhorns can score once the field shrinks and the defense stiffens up. With placekicker among the things Texas will need to figure out during preseason practice, shortyardage and red-zone efficiency are two of the most critical statistics that fall in line with ultimate success or failure in 2016. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 21
JOHNNY WALKER REVIEW FORMER LONGHORN JOHNNY WALKER DISCUSSES RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM EACH OF TEXAS’ TOP THREE SPORTS
JOHNNY WALKER'S RESUME • Played football and baseball at Texas from 1987-90 • Two-time All-Southwest Conference GREAT EXPECTATIONS: New baseball head coach David Pierce (left) has some big shoes to fill.
• Caught the game-winning reception to beat Oklahoma in 1989 • Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1990 (4th round)
TEXAS IS A TOP RECRUITING SCHOOL IN THE STATE. TEXAS IS ALSO CONSISTENTLY PULLING IN TOP-10 CLASSES IN THE COUNTRY.
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JIM S IGMO N/UNIV. OF TEXAS
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THE CLOSERS: Sam Ehlinger and Malik Jefferson are ready to convert the nation’s top prospects over to Texas.
READY TO DELIVER
COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOG RAPHY
EHLINGER IS ALREADY OUT ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL FOR THE LONGHORNS
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EXAS 2017 QUARTERBACK commit Sam Ehlinger was in Oregon in early July competing in the Elite 11 finals before partaking in The Opening finals. While the No. 152 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings is focused on competing and proving himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country, he’s also spending time recruiting for the Longhorns. During a recent media session, Ehlinger named several big-time recruits he’s looking to get in the fold for what will be head coach Charlie Strong’s third full-cycle recruiting class. “Baron [Browning] is on my team and that would be a great pickup,” Ehlinger said. “Anthony Hines is another big one. I have to get on my Ohio State boy, J.K. Dobbins. I’m focused on all of the top guys in Texas that everyone thinks about and talks about.” According to 247Sports’ Crystal Ball feature, Texas is the favorite to
land Browning, Browning, the No. 10 overall prospect in the country and a five-star linebacker out of Kennedale. The Longhorns have garnered 38 percent of the 13 Crystal Ball predictions. Hines, a four-star linebacker from Plano and No. 71 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings, is likely to wind up at either Oklahoma or Texas, with the Sooners currently leading the projections. Dobbins has been committed to Ohio State since March, but the La Grange running back (No. 49 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings) is still interested in the Longhorns. Texas had several other targets competing in Oregon,, including Houston Bellaire Episcopal defensive tackle Marvin Wilson and offensive tackle Walker Little, Lancaster wide receiver Omar Manning and Lewisville wide receiver Tyrell Shavers. Ehlinger’s goal while in Oregon was to get to know the recruits and create bonds with them with the hope that some will like what he has to say about the Longhorns. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 23
Social Buzz If you attend the University of Texas and you play football please don’t speak on A&M. That isn’t our business! — Armanti Foreman (@_hetoohollywood)
DID YOU KNOW? Nearly five months after National Signing Day, head coach Charlie Strong added four elite prospects to the Longhorns’ 2016 signing class. Here’s what fans had to say after the story appeared on the Horns Illustrated Facebook page.
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Thanks to Baylor for letting the kids out to pursue their dreams. Either way, I see big things for Texas this fall!
during the week of 9/7 - 9/14
Hell yea, can’t wait until college football starts! Hook ’em Horns!
Well back goes Baylor to mediocrity. At least KU will have someone to compete with for last place pretty soon.
— Beau Hossler (@beauhossler)
Our “Reach” was over
1 MILLION Averaged over
60K VISITS PER DAY OVER 80K POST CLICKS
A team will only go as far as the guys in the trenches can take them. It all starts up front. Get ready for a special season. — Connor Williams (@Connorwi1liams)
1300+ 2500+
INSTAGRAM followers Horns_Illustrated Views on the YouTube Channel last month
Watching people do CrossFit while I work out bugs me more than anything. Their form gets under my skin. — Paige Brown (@paigebrown01)
hornsillustrated.com/
I want results; not some kid’s name or previous record. Results not hype. Hook ’em! Building a team doesn’t require elites it requires building a brotherhood, where each one will fight for the good of all.
Special thanks to @Strong_TexasFB for being so gracious and taking a photo! — @jonescr1
24 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
HAS OVER 120K FANS IN TEXAS READ BY FANS IN 152 COUNTRIES IN 2014
So this happened just now! @BGShaneBuechele best weekend ever! #HookEm just before he blows up! — @Medel75G
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
To my future wife ... do not let me go to a boat dealership alone. You will not like what you see in the driveway when I get home. — Beau Ridgeway (@Beau_Knows)
My brother sent this to me today and I love it! So in love with my niece! — @Lizzmarie_12
The energy in Austin is crazy. Walking along when a longtime UT fan and mailman stopped to show his excitement. — @32jbanks
CL OCK WIS E F ROM TOP RIGHT: ALL TWITTER PH OTOS COURTES Y TW ITTER.COM , ALL OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY INSTAGRAM.COM AND RESPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS.
Strong is pulling these recruits just like he did at Louisville. It takes a good coach to recruit if a team isn’t winning. Nowadays kids don’t care about tradition. They want to win, and need to be convinced that they’ll be a major part of that.
/hornsillustrated
I wish I could roll a few putts on those Wimbledon courts.
MEET THE T-ASSOCIATION
The T-Association is an organization made up of former varsity athletics letter winners. An additional designation for the T-Association members is the T-Ring, which is awarded to an athlete who lettered for 2 or more years, who did not compete the last 2 years of eligibility anywhere other than The University of Texas and who graduated from college. David McWilliams, former Longhorn head football coach, currently serves as the executive director for the T-Association. T-Association Mission - The T-Association’s mission is to create and maintain an enhanced atmosphere and structure whereby UT student-athletes become lifetime members of The University of Texas Athletics family and are welcomed, involved and encouraged to participate during and after their college tenure. TAPN Mission - The Letter Winner’s Professional Network exists to unite the members of the T-Association on a professional level by providing networking opportunities and a database of contacts, thereby furthering the opportunities, community, education and success of Longhorn Letter Winners.
JIM S IGMON/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
CONTACT INFORMATION: t-association@ athletics.utexas.edu 512.471.6864
THE HABE ON THE HORNS
RAISING THE BAR FOR STRONG AND THE LONGHORNS, IT’S PUT-UP TIME.
N
O ONE UNDERSTANDS the importance of the coming season more than head coach Charlie Strong, who begins his third season on the 40 Acres with the unspoken, but certainly implied, mandate to win eight games or else. Strong continues to state that losing is not an option at the University of Texas, and that he and his staff will be held responsible for returning the Longhorns to their former position among the elite teams of college football. “Even the players know what we have to accomplish,’” Strong said during a mid-June media availability. “They know that in order for this to happen, we’re going to have to work, build and come together as a team.” The margin for error that was generous — some say overly so — in Strong’s first two seasons has all but disappeared. Texas has won 11 of the 25 games coached by Strong and his staff, lost in blowout fashion to a mediocre Arkansas team in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl after the 2014 campaign and stayed at home during the bowl season last year. The Longhorns will be better this year (compared to the past two seasons) and that gives the team a chance to reach its goal of constant improvement and a bowl game. But the problem is that Texas doesn’t play in a bubble. None of the other teams in the Big 12 Conference are backing up — Oklahoma, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and West Virginia will all be as good if not better than they were in 2015. Baylor is a wild card with the turmoil in Waco, and two of the three squads the Longhorns play in their nonconference games (Notre Dame and Cal) will be as good as they were last year, too. Texas lost six of its seven games last year to the teams listed above (the seventh defeat was a 24-0 shutout at the hands of lowly Iowa State). Nine of the Longhorns’ 12 opponents this fall went to bowl games last season.
Experts are already ranking Texas’ schedule as one of the toughest in the country. No one is afraid of the Texas mystique these days; the Longhorns will need to earn every yard and every point they get. “We’re young and talented and you just don’t know,” Strong admitted. “It’s all about how you come out and compete. We know we have to improve and get better.” The feeling in this corner is that Texas has too many questions to answer to make the jump from five to eight wins against the kind of competition it will face week in and week out. But I do see the Longhorns making a bowl game and winning in the postseason for the first time since 2012. But wouldn’t it be cool to see Strong’s group catch lightning in a bottle by winning its first three games and building enough momentum to make a run at the conference title? Just sayin’, ya know?
The Habe is Steve Habel, Horns Illustrated’s senior editor. He was the magazine’s first staff member, in 1994 and has covered Texas sports ever since. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 25
SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW
CHARGING FORWARD: Mikayla Flores and the Texas soccer team are moving forward, armed with a new game plan.
STARTING A NEW CHAPTER OMETIMES SIMPLICITY CAN lead to so much more. After 10 seniors left the Texas soccer team this past spring, the remaining team members had to step up, as nearly every player played the entire 90 minutes of each spring match. The players stuck to their roots, OEILHEł A@ =J@ HKKGA@ BKNS=N@ PK KRAN?KIEJC a disappointing fall season. Falling short of internal expectations in the fall left the remaining Longhorns in a rebuilding mode. Every practice and every workout was a chance to strengthen the core of the team and create a culture for this season — and for the future. 26 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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“We had a small team in the spring so we had a lot more work, and it strengthened our team and our chemistry,� senior defender Isabelle Kerr said. “We ended on a great note [in Corpus Christi] this spring. We’re excited to go into the fall with this mindset and the skills we have.� Kerr and Fellow senior defensive leader Julia Dyche, by happenstance, are both working summer internships for different companies in the same building up in Dallas, Their schedules haven’t allowed for a lot of face-to-face time, but they communicate often. “It’s no secret that we didn’t perform to where we wanted to be, so we were disappointed in the results in our season,� Dyche said. “That motivated us in the spring.
It was our best spring yet. We all pushed each other really hard ‌ we had smaller numbers in the weight room and at practice, which in that sense you get more reps in. But on the Ĺ‚ AH@ EP S=O IKNA ?D=HHAJCEJC >QP SA CKP >APPAN >A?=QOA SA SANA =HH KJ PDA Ĺ‚ AH@ BKN minutes.â€? Both players have taken it upon themselves to be a uniting force for the team. “Julia is one of my best friends since we ran together freshman year,â€? Kerr said. Äź4A†NA >KPD @EOO=PEOĹ‚ A@ SEPD H=OP OA=OKJ J@ we both want to make change.â€? THE BOOK THAT BINDS Looking toward the future started with head coach Angela Kelly (who loves to read) when she distributed a copy of the book
ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS S PREAD: BETHANY WALTER/UNIV. OF TEXAS
S
GUIDED WITH LESSONS FROM THE ALL BLACKS, THE LONGHORNS ARE READY TO START ANEW
SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW
BY THE BOOK: Head coach Angela Kelly handed out “Legacy� to the entire team this summer.
Olivia Brook
“Legacyâ€? to her current team. The book details the rise of the famous New Zealand rugby squad — the All Blacks — from despondency to becoming a world-renowned club because of their chemistry, character and ability to integrate players into a culture that’s all about winning. Both Kerr and Dyche loved the book and the lessons the team shared week to week for their “soccer book club.â€? The team met to discuss passages from the book and how they planned to apply those passages to themselves and to the team. Kelly also sent the book to the incoming freshmen and transfer class. #KN PDA Ĺ‚ NOP PEIA PDA EJ?KIEJC ?H=OO will arrived on campus for a summer session during July. Both Dyche and Kerr drove down from Dallas to meet with the incoming freshmen to relay the lessons they remember learning as freshmen. They wanted to integrate the newcomers quickly, and go over expectations for the team, the upcoming season and to discuss the book. “How [the All Blacks] achieved the culture they have, striving to be consistent, it really opened everyone’s mind to how consistency can look in a team,â€? Kerr said. “It’s perfect for us coming off the disappointment of last year, and it’s a great way to not repeat the past.â€? The intertwining of ideas during the book discussions stood out as a key component to the creation of this new Texas soccer team, according to Dyche. “We talked about a preparation plan and rituals we go through, how we want to create this culture of our team,â€? she said. “[The All Blacks’] mentality whenever they stepped KJ PDA Ĺ‚ AH@ PK SEJ =P =HH ?KOPO EO SD=P UKQ need to be successful. That resonated with KQN PA=I 4A JAA@ PK LQP PA=II=PAO Ĺ‚ NOP >A QJOAHĹ‚ OD =J@ @K ARANUPDEJC BKN PDA >APPAN KB the team. That resonated with me.â€? Coming into last season, the team looked as though it was on the cusp of making a big change. Yet, when the season came to an end with an 8-6-4 record (4-3-1 in Big 12 play) and the Longhorns didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament, the time to rebuild the CNKQJ@ Ĺƒ KKN >AC=J =JAS There were no sore feelings internally, though, despite the feeling of disappointment that stayed with the team through the winter. “The key takeaway was learning what went wrong,’â€? Kerr said. “We have an expectation to not only make the tournament, but advance in it. Over my past three years I’ve learned so much, especially the success and struggles we’ve had as a team. I’ve gotten closer with my teammates each year.â€? TIME TO TURN THE PAGE Although 10 seniors left the team this L=OP OLNEJC PDA )KJCDKNJO Ĺ‚ HHA@ PDA AILPU FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 27
SOCCER SEASON PREVIEW
BETH ANY WAL TER/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: Senior Julia Dyche plans to play at the highest possible level this upcoming season.
roster spots with nine newcomers. The new Longhorns will need to contribute from the get-go, which is why this summer has the PA=I SKNGEJC IKNA ABBA?PERAHU =J@ ABĹ‚ ?EAJPHU “It’s hard going into freshman year; it’s really hard,â€? Dyche said. “Our hope is hanging out with them, getting them used to us, will help in the transition. We have high expectations for them and we’re excited.â€? “That’s an important part of getting them integrated to the team,â€? Kerr added. “We know what it’s like. You want to be friends with the older girls, but you also want to play. There are struggles with being a freshman. We’ve been there before and we want to make them as comfortable as possible.â€? The new class is diverse, and even includes
three goalkeepers. Those three players will be an important part of Texas’ transition back into the top tier of the Big 12 teams again, as the team lost incumbent goal keeper Abby 0IEPD PK CN=@Q=PEKJ 0IEPD >A?=IA PDA Ĺ‚ NOP Longhorn ever drafted into the National Women’s Soccer League this winter and made her debut for the club this season before undergoing surgery for injury. Smith was the anchor of the defense the past few years, but the leadership she imparted on this year’s senior class will spread throughout the team for generations. Äź& NAIAI>AN IU Ĺ‚ NOP C=IA ÄĽ=P 1AT=O9 Â… & was the only freshman starting,â€? Kerr said. “I was so nervous on the back line. I remember Abby coming up and giving me a tap on the
back and said, ‘You can do this. You got this.’ Since then, our relationship developed and it’s been fun watching her get better and better.� Having more of a voice on the pitch is the biggest takeaway Dyche had from her time playing with Smith. No matter who starts in the net for the Longhorns this fall, it will be a new experience and a new defense that needs to meld into a singularity. Both senior defenders believe that is within the team’s grasp. “Our team wants to play at the highest level,� Dyche said. “The sky is the limit with this program.�
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VOLLEYBALL SEASON PREVIEW
THE REAL MCCOY: Entering her junior season, Cat McCoy knows what it takes to reach the Final Four and win a conference title.
OVERACHIEVERS
W
HEN THE LONGHORNS begin the 2016 season, they’ll get the perfect opportunity to avenge last year’s unfortunate ending. The Texas volleyball team ended the 2015 season with a 3-0 loss to Nebraska in the national championship game, concluding what was an otherwise dominating season. Entering 2016, the Longhorns will face their foe when they open their nonconference season in Eugene, Ore., playing back-to-back games against host Oregon and reigning champion Nebraska. If they win, the Longhorns will start off 30 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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on the right foot as they move toward their ultimate goal — returning right back to the national title match, a place they’ve become increasingly familiar with over the past decade. Despite losing three impact players to graduation, the Longhorns return enough ł NALKSAN … EJ =@@EPEKJ PK =?MQENEJC PKL notch freshmen — to keep expectations high. Texas remains the favorite to win the Big 12 again this season, and pundits expect the team to make another trip to the Final Four. To get there, Texas needs to play and defeat the nation’s best, and so the longhorns took on another challenging schedule for the 2016 season. Nine of the Longhorns’ opponents NA?AERA@ RKPAO EJ PDA ł J=H LKHH KB PDA season. Following the season openers against
Oregon and defending champion Nebraska, the Longhorns will return home to host a tournament featuring UTSA, Lipscomb, Army and Miami. Next they’ll travel to Fort Collins, Colo., to face Colorado State and Wichita State. Towards the middle of September, the Longhorns host former Big 12 rival Texas A&M in a midweek game. The Longhorns last faced the Aggies during the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2013. Texas defeated the Aggies 3-1 to advance to the next round. The team wraps up its nonconference schedule against Wisconsin at home. Texas opens its Big 12 conference schedule on the road against West Virginia on Sept. 20 and returns to Gregory Gym just four days later for its home opener against Kansas. The Longhorns conclude their regular season on
ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS S PREAD: PATRICK MEREDITH/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
THIS YEAR’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM IS ON A MISSION TO SURPASS THE STANDARDS SET BY LAST YEAR’S SQUAD
VOLLEYBALL SEASON PREVIEW Nov. 26 at home against West Virginia. The Longhorns remained active all year long, including a full spring season. This past spring, the Longhorns faced several challenging opponents, including UTSA, Rice and Texas A&M, in addition to conference rivals Oklahoma and Baylor. Texas kicked off the spring season with a 4-1 victory over UTSA at home toward the end of March before traveling to Houston in April for the F.A.S.T. tournament. During the tournament, the Longhorns won two games against Houston and Stephen F. Austin and tied against Oklahoma and Mississippi State. Following the tournament, the Longhorns fell to Rice at home 3-1 in the middle of April. They closed out the spring season at the Collegiate Showcase in Dallas with victories over Texas A&M and Baylor and a loss to Oklahoma. Going into the fall, this year’s squad needs to learn from its losses in the spring in order to achieve the same level of success reached in 2015. The team’s 30-3 record last season, along with a Big 12 Player of the Year honor and another conference championship, will set the bar for the upcoming season. Last year’s heartbreaker concluded a successful 2015 regular season and an impressive run through the postseason. In 2015, the Longhorns lost only two regularseason games, with one of those losses coming at home. Texas hosted several tournaments in 2015 to prepare for a deep NCAA tournament run. As part of their nonconference schedule, the )KJCDKNJO B=?A@ I=JU @EBĹ‚ ?QHP KLLKJAJPO including Rice, LSU, Florida and Nebraska. Their only conference loss came against Florida at the start of the season, a loss they avenged in the postseason. 1DA )KJCDKNJO ?=LPQNA@ PDAEN Ĺ‚ BPD OPN=ECDP Big 12 Conference title, and ninth overall, with a 15-1 conference record. Their only loss came on the road against TCU. At the conclusion of the season, seven Texas players received conference accolades. During the postseason, Texas received the +K N=JGEJC SDEHA DKOPEJC PDA Ĺ‚ NOP PDNAA rounds of the NCAA tournament. The team defeated UCLA and Florida in the regional to reach the NCAA Final Four. In Omaha, the Longhorns defeated No. 2 seed Minnesota 3-1 to set up the national championship game against Nebraska. “We expect to be in that position every year,â€? head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “We’ve set a standard at this program. We expect to be in a position to compete for a championship every year.â€? Even though four players graduated this past May, the Longhorns lost only three players for the 2016 season. Senior Nicole Dalton
has one more year of eligibility left due to a medical redshirt back in the 2013 season. The team will look to a strong incoming freshman class and a deep returning roster PK ł HH PDA ?NEPE?=H NKHAO KB IU +A=H *KHHU McCage and Kat Brooks. +A=H ł JEODA@ DAN ?=NAAN =O KJA KB PDA Longhorns’ leading outside hitters, as well as the 2015 Big 12 Player of the Year and a member of the All-Big 12 First Team. She concluded the 2015 season with 482 kills and a .260 hitting clip and led the conference in service aces per set. At outside hitter, sophomore Yaasmeen
Bedart-Ghani, junior Ebony Nwanebu and OAJEKN -=QHEJ= -NEAPK AN=IA SEHH HKKG PK Ĺ‚ HH the void left behind by Neal. The team expects freshman Micaya White to contribute as well. Both White and Nwanebu are coming off of injuries after sitting out last season. BedartGhani was a member of the 2015 All-Big 12 Freshman and 2015 NCAA All-Tournament teams. McCage, a middle blocker from Spring, Texas, came to the 40 Acres as the No. 1 ranked player in the nation by Prep Volleyball EJ &J DAN Ĺ‚ J=H UA=N SEPD PDA )KJCDKNJO McCage joined Neal as a member of the 2015
BACK FOR MORE: Senior Nicole Dalton returns for one more year, even though she already graduated. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 31
BLOCK PARTY: Senior Chiaka Ogbogu will lead the blocking effort for the Longhorns this season. 32 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS S PREAD: PATRICK MEREDITH/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
Orie Agbaji
Yasmeen Bedart-Ghani
Chloe Collins
All-Big 12 First Team. Last season, she set the Texas career record for block assists (459) and Ĺ‚ JEODA@ PDEN@ EJ PKP=H >HK?GO Ä At middle blocker, the Longhorns will rely on senior Chiaka Ogbogu to lead the blocking efforts at the net. Along with Neal and McCage, Ogbogu was a member of the 2015 All-Big 12 First Team and was named a 2015 AVCA First1A=I HH IANE?=J 0DA Ĺ‚ JEODA@ SEPD nine solo blocks and 127 block assists. Sophomore Morgan Johnson, junior Mirta Baselovic and along with newcomers Blair Westerlund and Orie Agbaji, will join Ogbogu at the net. Brooks provided unmatched consistency and leadership on the back row for the
Blair Westerlund
Longhorns during her career at Texas. In 2015, Brooks was named to the 2015 Academic All-Big 12 First Team and the 2015 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Dalton and junior Cat McCoy will take over for Brooks, >KPD SEPD OECJEł ?=JP OP=NPEJC ATLANEAJ?A BKN the Longhorns. Sophomores Natalie Gilbert and Lauren Beard, junior Kate Palladino and freshman Claire Hahn will provide valuable depth on defense. At setter, the Longhorns return two seniors — Dalton and Chloe Collins. Freshman Riley Fisbeck will also contribute to that position this season. A large and talented freshman class will contribute early on for the Longhorns and
provide valuable depth in the upcoming season. 1AT=O OECJA@ Ĺ‚ RA JAS =PDHAPAO PDEO L=OP year, including Fisbeck, Hahn, Autumn Rounsaville and Blair Westerlund and Agbaji. Most of the incoming players hail from Central Texas (with the exception of Agbaji, who’s joining the Longhorns from Kansas City, Mo.), and each was named an Under Armour AllAmerican at some point in their career. Agbaji, an outside hitter, was named one of Volleyball Magazine’s Top 5 Players in her class. She dominated at the high school level, A=NJEJC Ĺ‚ NOP PA=I DKJKNO DAN OAJEKN OA=OKJ including First Team All-State. She was a 2016 Under Armour First-Team All-American and selected to the 2015 Women’s Junior National Team. “Orie is a big-time athlete — she’s very physical, touching around 10-8,â€? Elliott said. “She has a great upside and her work ethic stands out to me. She’s determined to be great.â€? Westerlund was named to the 2016 Under Armour All-American Third Team and was a 2016 Prep Volleyball Senior Ace. At Brentwood Christian School, she earned AllState Tournament Team honors and First Team All-District, All-Region and All-Conference honors. Rounsaville, a libero, was also named a 2016 PrepVolleyball Senior Ace and to the 2016 Under Armour All-America Third Team. As a senior, she was named the Outstanding Defensive Player at the Adidas Texas Volleball Invitational and was a Prep Volleyball Preseason All-American. Fishbeck was named an AVCA Under Armour All-American as a senior and a 2015 PrepVolleyball Senior Ace. She was also earned a spot on the Lonestar Volleyball AllTexas team in 2015-16. Hahn was named 2016 Under Armour Second-Team All-American and was named All-District her senior year and MVP of District 14-6A. “Autumn has a good feel and a touch for the ball,â€? Elliott said. “There are some things from a high level of volleyball IQ that she >NEJCO PK PDA Ĺƒ KKN 0DA†HH ?KILHAIAJP SD=P we have right now and is another player that will be competing for a starting position in the back court from day one.â€? The Texas coaching staff clearly expects for PDAOA Ĺ‚ RA BNAODIAJ PK =@@ R=HQ=>HA @ALPD =J@ a fresh presence on the court. “We’re letting them know we’re ?KJĹ‚ @AJP EJ SD=P PDAU ?=J @K ‡ "HHEKPP O=E@ of the freshman class. “We’re counting on everybody to play at a high level. We’ve said from the very beginning that in order to win a championship, you need freshmen to be a part of it. They’re embracing that, and they understand that.â€? FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 33
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
THE LONG ROAD BACK
BETH ANY WAL TER/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
CAN TEXAS FINALLY FIND ITS STRIDE THIS SEASON?
34 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
T
HE TIME IS now. It’s that simple. The baggage of two straight losing seasons and a bowl-less campaign have created a put-up-or-shut-up mentality for the Texas football team. The Longhorns =NA JKS ł CDPEJC PK R=QHP PDAIOAHRAO >=?G PK SDANA they belong. Head coach Charlie Strong, in the third year KB = ł RA UA=N ?KJPN=?P DA OECJA@ EJ '=JQ=NU NAODQBŃ A@ DEO OP=BB =C=EJ @QNEJC PDA KBBOA=OKJ =J@ moves into the coming season with a team rebuilt to his desired strengths. %EO IEOOEKJ EO PK ł J@ = S=U PK >NEJC PKCAPDAN PDA P=HAJP … >KPD from his players and his coaches — while dodging the sinkhole of KRANEJŃ =PA@ ATLA?P=PEKJO =J@ PDA SEJ =P =JU ?KOP IAJP=HEPU AILHKUA@ by some college football programs (we’re pointing at you, Baylor). The Longhorns are big, strong and hungry in the trenches. The team possesses a linebacker corps that is among the best in the nation and a secondary that’s a mix of proven performance, experience, youthful exuberance and swagger. Texas’ up-tempo offense — revamped and NARRA@ QL QJ@AN ł NOP UA=N ?KKN@EJ=PKN 0PANHEJ $EH>ANP … D=O LNKRAJ stars at running back and a genuine playmaker at wide receiver. There are questions aplenty, and the answers to those issues will determine just how much the Longhorns have improved. #ENOP =J@ BKNAIKOP 1AT=O JAA@O PK ł J@ = MQ=NPAN>=?G EP ?=J NAHU KJ to trigger Gilbert’s new attack, as well as options for the throws from whoever receives the snap from center. The team must build depth, especially in the defensive line. The @ABAJOA D=O PK ł J@ = S=U PK OPKL PDA NQJ =J@ >A?KIA SKNH@O >APPAN than it was in 2015. The Longhorns also need a proven placekicker, a situation that could undermine great performances elsewhere when close games are decided in the clutch. The coming season could be a turnaround for the Longhorns program or the end of a grand experiment gone wrong and three years wasted. Thanks to a renewed attitude and an improvement in talent across the depth chart, we’re predicting the former. One thing’s for sure — 2016 will be an interesting season.
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PATRICK MEREDITH/UN IV. O F TEXAS
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
AT T H E F O R E F R O N T 36 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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F
OR THE FOREMAN twins, functioning at the forefront in a successful offense is a lifelong endeavor. Juniors Armanti and D’Onta Foreman have huddled up on the same teams together since the start of their football careers and have always led their teams with a ferocious competitive resolve. They share a common winning mindset, which they’re confidently helping create within a Texas football team that has undergone recent coaching and tactical changes. “We’re two of the oldest people in the room now,” D’Onta said. “We have to go out and set the example. It’s my time to help the guys underneath me and help them get to where they need to be. My brother is taking the same approach.” The brothers may come together as a team on the field, but D’Onta and Armanti are always competing against one another, as brothers are prone to do. Yet a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right? “Being the best I can be — it came from us being competitive with each other,” Armanti said. “We always wanted to beat each other. That’s how we’ve done things our whole life.” “I feel like players feed off of other players,” he added. “They see us being competitive with each other and working hard, and they follow that example.”
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 According to D’Onta, this is the time for this Texas team to take hold of its own identity. Each player needs to understand his place within the program and recognize the pressure that comes with playing football for Texas. “We are chasing ghosts here,” said D’Onta, who came to the 40 Acres behind former Longhorns Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown. “There are so many great people that did so many great things here. We can never forget the work ethic it takes to be a champion. “You have to come in with the mindset that you’re not those people,” he added. “You might get compared to other people but understand you are yourself. To be yourself you have to work. You can never come in with an entitled attitude. You aren’t entitled.” THE INFLUENCER Derrick Haddock, who coached the brothers through their younger days playing for the Texas City Stingrays, isn’t surprised to see the Foreman brothers excelling at the college level. “I remember talking about them [playing collegiately and professionally] when they were 10 years old,” he said. “To see them on that track, to see a dream starting to come true is crazy.” D’Onta and Armanti played on youth teams that also featured other current Division I players, including Texas Tech linebacker D’Vonta Hinton and New Mexico State quarterback Andrew Allen. Most youth teams are run-heavy on offense to because of a lack of quality quarterback development, but having Allen as a signal caller allowed both Foreman brothers to learn the more intricate ins and outs of the offensive game at a much younger age. D’Onta and Armanti, even at a young age, put in the work and showed signs of dedication that still resonates with Haddock today. “No matter what, Armanti planned on becoming a professional athlete,” Haddock said. “There was something in him.” Armanti started his football career as a running back, and might still be in that position had Haddock not changed him to wide receiver. This was a risky move, as Haddock was dealing with an 11-year-old with big aspirations and who was zoned for a high school team that never featured the pass. Yet Haddock saw a potential change with this group because they had the talent to both run and pass. “After practice we were throwing the ball around and [Haddock] said he liked the 38 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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way I attacked the ball,” Armanti recalled. “He told me to go home and study the wide receiver position. So I studied the plays and tried to do the best at what I could do. We were younger but we had a decent quarterback that could throw, so we made the change.” Haddock also recognized D’Onta’s potential as an athlete. “D’Onta always had to work,” he added. “He always had special guys in front of him. He never got the respect he deserved but everything that’s taking place with them right now is well deserved.” The leadership Haddock taught the brothers is the same substance and resolve that D’Onta and Armanti carried with them in high school and even today. “He was big with us and always talked about doing the right things,” D’Onta said. “He says make sure you go back where you are from and tell them they can make it out. I did that even when I was in high school — I went and spoke to those kids because I knew they looked up to me on Friday nights. On Saturday mornings, I’d be at their games rooting for them. So now that I’m on a big stage, I have to go back, they have to know I care and I want it to be a positive place.” Haddock’s influence is another reason why, should the NFL not come calling, D’Onta would choose to coach and teach. “When they get a break in the summer, I always have all of them — all my guys — come in and coach a practice,” Haddock said. “This helps them understand they have options if they don’t make it pro. And they’re good at it.” NEW LEADERSHIP D’Onta, known as a bruising yet agile running back, and Armanti, the slick and quick wide receiver, both played in just 10 games last year to for to different reasons. This season, however, both are expected to be at the forefront of a fast-paced and balanced offensive attack. D’Onta finished five carries short of landing the third-place position in the nation for yards per carry. Armanti, despite missing two games, still finished third on the team in receiving yards with 182, fourth in catches with 11 and tied for first with two receiving touchdowns. Armanti and D’Onta should see those numbers increase in 2016. The Longhorns, with the hiring of new coaches, clearly look to return their status of a dominant offensive force. The new coaches, including new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, will help highlight the skills of every player. “With any offense you have to establish a run game to open up the offense and the
Being the best I can be — it came from us being competitive with each other, we always wanted to beat each other. That’s how we’ve done things our whole life. pass,” D’Onta said. “I’m looking forward to that, and I’ve worked to transform my body to be able to play a whole four quarters and take the ball any time they need me. In crunch time, if I need the ball however many times, I need to be able to take the load.” “I like everything with the new coaches,” Armanti added. “The coaches are the coaches for a reason. I believe in everything they’re bringing to the team.” NEXT STEPS The dream to play together began at a young age, and progressed to the twins wanting to play collegiate ball together after high school. After they both committed to and then signed with Texas, they had dreams of leading the Longhorns to Big 12 and national championships. This year’s squad is already undergoing the changes needed to take the steps toward becoming contenders for such titles. “I think the fans will see an improvement and maturity,” Armanti said. “We did a lot of growing up, because we have more experience.” The next step for D’Onta and Armanti is to continue their careers in the NFL, another dream they’ve always shared. However, that would likely mean splitting up the brothers for the first time, as it’s likely they’ll play for different teams if drafted. “We’ve had a couple of conversations about playing in the NFL,” Armanti said. “We understand that, as men, at one time or another, we have to go our separate ways. The bond we have, we’ll never be separated. We’re always going to be together.”
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
PUTTING THEIR FOOT DOWN: Holton Hill and the Longhorns are ready to stake their claim as the nation’s one and only DBU.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
PATRICK M EREDITH/U NIV. OF TEXAS
TEXAS’ VAUNTED UNDERCLASSMEN CARRY ON THE TRADITION OF DBU
W
HEN IT COMES to tradition, young players are responsible for picking up the baton and maintaining the level of excellence established by their predecessors. Texas’ strong secondary play goes back to the early 1980s, when the Longhorns’ stable of talented defensive backs featured standouts such as Johnnie Johnson, Jerry Gray and current defensive coordinator Vance Bedford. This unit also featured members of the secondary who made hay by rushing up to stop the run more
than dropping into coverage across a spread ł AH@ The Longhorns even adopted a nickname for their prowess — Texas DBU for Defensive Back University. The moniker not only summed up the success of past players but also acted as a harbinger — and expectation — for achievement in the future. Texas’ list of secondary members who have achieved acclaim is long and impressive. Think about guys like Quentin Jammer, Nathan 3=ODAN *E?D=AH %QBB A@NE? $NEBł J *E?D=AH $NEBł J =NKJ /KOO =J@ "=NH 1DKI=O LH=UEJC EJ burnt orange and white before heading off to stellar careers in the NFL.
Players like Tarell Brown, Aaron Williams, Kenny Vaccaro and Quandre Diggs represent the Longhorns on Sundays at the highest level of the game after stopping high-powered offenses while on the 40 Acres. Longtime Longhorn followers will recognize Noble Doss, Raymond Clayborn, Bobby Dillon, Jack Crain, Ricky Churchman, Glenn Blackwood and “Superâ€? Bill Bradley as the early cornerstones in the foundation of Texas’ claim to DBU. The current crop of Texas defensive backs D=RA >EC ODKAO PK Ĺ‚ HH >QP PDAU ?=IA PK QOPEJ with enough desire and hunger to earn a mention in the same paragraph as the players FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 39
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 listed above. These players step onto the Ĺ‚ AH@ SEPD = ?HA=N OAJOA KB SD=P B=JO =J@ PDA coaching staff expect of them on a daily basis. “We have a lot of potential right now and we need to build depth,â€? Bedford said this spring. “And we do have young talent in the back end. They’re all young; therefore we need to rotate guys. They might not start the game but if we have the high hand in the game, they IECDP CAP BKQN PK Ĺ‚ RA OJ=LO 4A JAA@ JQI>ANO against these high up-tempo offenses we play against.â€? ANALYSIS SHOWS TEXAS CAN LAY CLAIM TO DBU Some college football insiders opine that other programs, most notably Louisiana State, Alabama and Florida, have stolen the Longhorns’ claim to the title of DBU. In April, a CBS Sports feature penned by Jon Solomon showed that Texas still owned the crown, based on criteria that included the amount of NFL starts for former players, the number of Pro Bowl selections, the number of @N=BP OAHA?PEKJO =J@ PDA JQI>AN KB Ĺ‚ NOP NKQJ@ picks drafted since 2006. The competition EJ?HQ@A@ PDA )KJCDKNJO =J@ Ĺ‚ RA KPDAN O?DKKHO — South Carolina, Ohio State, LSU, Miami and Florida — all of which have staked a claim as DBU in the past decade. Not only did Texas keep the title, but it also dominated the analysis by 42 points, with South Carolina second (surprisingly), Ohio State third and LSU fourth. “Florida and LSU often boast that they’re Defensive Back U,â€? Solomon said. “In reality, Texas deserves the title with an impressive amount of quality depth over the past decade. Since 2016, only Alabama had more defensive backs drafted (14) than Texas (12). The Longhorns are tied with Alabama for the most Ĺ‚ NOP NKQJ@ LE?GO =P @ABAJOERA >=?G Ä Ĺ‚ RA ‡ The big difference, according to Solomon, is that the Longhorns’ defensive backs have started 200-plus more NFL games than those from Alabama since 2006. CONTINUING THE TRADITION From 2001 to 14, the Longhorns set the gold standard in the college game for defensive >=?G LH=U A=NJEJC Ĺ‚ NOP PA=I HH EC selections,winning two Thorpe Awards and producing 13 NFL Draft picks. &J DA=@ ?K=?D D=NHEA 0PNKJC†O Ĺ‚ NOP OA=OKJ in Austin in 2014, the Longhorns relied on QLLAN?H=OOI=J ATLANEAJ?A =J@ Ĺ‚ JEODA@ PD EJ the nation in passing yards allowed per game, with two of its stalwarts, Quandre Diggs and Mykkele Thompson, chosen to play at the next level. Last season, with a mostly green group led by a trio of freshman cornerbacks, the secondary often struggled in coverage and fell 40 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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to 73rd in the country in passing yards allowed per game. This season, young, talented players, who showed they have the swagger and talent to play against some of the nation’s top passing attacks stock the roster. Yes, there were plenty of growing pains in 2015, but the experience gained by the Longhorns’ young secondary members will be a deposit that could pay dividends as soon as this season. Sophomore corner Holton Hill started PDA ł J=H AECDP C=IAO H=OP OA=OKJ =J@ ł JEODA@ with 49 tackles and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Once in the lineup, Hill — a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder — adopted the challenge of covering the opponent’s top receiver each week, and excelled with the test, earning honorable mention all-conference honors. ,J PDA KPDAN OE@A KB PDA ł AH@ *E=IE native Davante Davis also earned honorable mention all-conference honors after leading the Longhorns with seven pass breakups. Davis is bigger (6’2�, 199 pounds) and a bit more physical than Hill. Davis should be more of a monster this season after spending a year with strength coach Pat Moorer and learning the position rather than playing by instinct. Because of Hill and Davis’ larger-thannormal size at the cornerback position, they’re already on the watch list for NFL teams. Kris Boyd, a third true sophomore, will also provide depth at corner while challenging for the starting role at nickel. He can be a force at multiple positions but will need to show he’s more than just a special teams’ standout and serial Tweeter. Antwuan Davis, John Bonney, and sixthyear senior Sheroid Evans will back up that trio. Evans, an all-out speedster plagued by GJAA EJFQNEAO OEJ?A PDA OA=OKJ EO ł J=HHU recovered and healthy. Expect Bonney to be in the mix for nickelback, and Evans to be a role player in blitzes and maybe on special teams — anything the Longhorns get from him at this stage in his career is a bonus. The Longhorns’ most experienced secondary members are at the two safety spots, where senior Dylan Haines and junior Jason Hall return as starters. Haines was the team leader in interceptions last year and will be better in coverage this season at the strong safety spot. Hall is a big player (6’3�, 219 pounds) who’s also a big hitter as the true last line of defense at free safety; he battled minor injuries through the 2015 campaign but enters this season healthy and with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. DeShon Elliott, P.J. Locke and Kevin Vaccaro will challenge Haines and Hall for playing time. Locke will be in the rotation at the nickel, and he could very well become the starter there. Elliott, who was injured last
TEXAS TOP 10
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Texas wears the hard-fought mantle of DBU (Defensive Backs University) with pride and expectation. Here’s our list of the top players to man the secondary on the 40 Acres and the seasons they played for the Longhorns.
1 JERRY GRAY
(1981-84)
2 JOHNNIE JOHNSON
(1977-79)
3 EARL THOMAS
(2007-09)
4 MICHAEL HUFF
(2002-05)
5 NATHAN VASHER
(2000-03)
6 AARON ROSS
(2003-06)
7 MICHAEL GRIFFIN
(2003-06)
8 QUINTIN JAMMER
(1997-2001)
9 RAYMOND CLAYBORN (1974-77) 10 BILL BRADLEY
(1965-68)
PJ Locke
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 OA=OKJ EO = D=J@BQH KJ PDA Ĺ‚ AH@ Vaccaro, the younger (and smaller) brother of former Texas headhunter Kenny Vaccaro, will knock receivers silly and may be the Longhorns’ toughest player. The Longhorns also add talented incoming freshmen Brandon Jones (who could push for starting time at safety), Chris Brown and Eric Cuffee. “When you look at the corners that we D=RA & PDEJG SA D=RA BKQN KN Ĺ‚ RA CQUO PD=P can come in and play,â€? Bedford said. “I see teams playing a lot of guys. It’s not just upfront anymore — people are playing eight defensive backs.â€? The bottom line is that Texas is loaded and deep in the secondary and will have one of, if not the best group of defensive backs in the Big 12. New defensive backs coach Clay Jennings, who for the past two seasons was defensive backs coach at Arkansas, has assumed control KRAN = P=HAJP Ĺ‚ HHA@ ?KNLO PD=P†O NA=@U PK P=GA PDA college football world by storm. Texas’ title as DBU is secure and, arguably, more stable than it’s been in years. The talent is on campus and ready – now it’s time to be more than just a great collection of players; it’s time to make a statement as a defense. “The greatest thing is if you want to know where you’re going, you have to know where you’re at,â€? Jennings said. “The kids that play here have to pay homage to the history. It’s our responsibility to make sure that we’re carrying the torch, not only in between the lines but outside the lines as well. We need to make sure we carry ourselves in a great manner within the community, but inside the lines we have to play with a high level swagger and a high level KB ?KJĹ‚ @AJ?A ‡
Devante Davis
Kris Boyd
Jason Hall 42 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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John Bonney
ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS PAGE: PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS
Dylan Haines
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
TEXAS TOP TEN
WATCH PARTY HORNS ILLUSTRATED SELECTS ITS NINE POSITIONS — AND ONE COACH — TO WATCH THIS SEASON
OFFENSE Chris Warren III
Tyrone Swoopes
Jerrod Heard
Shane Buechele
TYRONE SWOOPES, JERROD HEARD and SHANE BUECHELE QUARTERBACK
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D’Onta Foreman
D’ONTA FOREMAN and CHRIS WARREN III RUNNING BACK
The Longhorns’ two-headed running back monster will take pressure off whoever plays at quarterback. Foreman, a 6-foot, 238-pound junior, had 681 yards on 95 carries in 2015, leading the team in total rushing, in yards per game (68.1 per game in 10 contests) and yards per carry (7.2). Warren, a sophomore runaway bull at 6’2” and 255 pounds, played in eight games with two starts and racked up 470 yards on 71 totes. Both players wreaked havoc on their teammates in spring practice and in the spring game. Opponents should be anxious to step up into a hole when either runner comes through with a full head of steam. How good are Foreman and Warren? None other than Ricky Williams, the former Texas running back and Heisman Trophy winner, predicted that both backs would run for more than 1,000 yards this season.
PATRICK MEREDITH/UN IV. O F TEXAS, JIM S IGMO N/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
Each one of the three options for Texas at quarterback has his strenghts and weaknesses. Yet someone has to step up and take the bull by the horns and lead this team. Deciding who’ll become the Longhorns’ man behind center is a focal point of the offseason and likely won’t be decided by the time the season opens at home versus Notre Dame on Sept. 5. Heard started 10 of Texas’ 12 games last season but missed the season finale at Baylor with a head injury and a good portion of the spring with a shoulder injury. This offseason, Heard needed the reps to help build new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert’s confidence in him. Swoopes, a senior, started the other two games in 2015 and was the first quarterback on the field in the spring game. He’ll have a role in the offense in his “18 Wheeler” package even if he doesn’t garner the starting quarterback berth. Buechele had the best spring of any of the three candidates and was impressive enough in the spring game for fans and a handful of media members to anoint him as the starter against Notre Dame. But Buechele was working against a porous Texas defense that was missing some key players. He’s a true freshman, making his move to the No. 1 quarterback position a crapshoot at best. Expect Heard, if healthy, to start the Notre Dame game, Swoopes to play in the power running formation and Buechele to eventually be the starter, maybe as soon as the Longhorns’ third game of the season at California.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
ARMANTI FOREMAN WIDE RECEIVER
Sophomore John Burt can stretch the field from the right side of the offense, but Texas needs another wide receiver threat — maybe even two more — to make tough catches and keep defenses from leaning to Burt’s side in pass coverage. Foreman, the 5-foot-11, 209-pound speedster and brother of D’Onta, is a likely choice to fill, and exceed, in that role. The statistics from Foreman’s freshman and sophomore seasons were nearly identical — he had 10 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns in 2014 and 11 catches for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns last year. The difference — and it’s a huge one — is that as a freshman Foreman was a surprise change-of-pace player on a team that had proven receivers. As a sophomore, he was expected to carry more of the load and didn’t. Foreman is already on the right track, hauling in six throws for 81 yards and a 27-yard touchdown in the Orange and White Game, showing off more reliable hands and route-running skills than he has in the past.
ZACH SHACKELFORD
Caleb Bluiett
PATRICK MEREDITH/UN IV. O F TEXAS, BETHANY WAL TER/ UNIV. OF TEXAS
CENTER
The Longhorns started two true freshmen — left tackle Connor Williams and right guard Patrick Vahe — on the offensive line last season, and both performed well enough to earn freshman All-American honors. The latest in the line of young players in the trenches is Shackelford, who started at center position in the Orange-White Game after enrolling early and making an immediate impression on the Texas coaches and players. Being a freshman will lead to difficult adjustments in fall workouts and as Shackelford learns on the fly during the season. His work ethic is one of the few things that he can control, and the 6-foot-3, 296-pounder from Belton has done all he can to win the starting job. Shackelford was a lightly regarded three-star prospect, but he was coveted by Kansas State so much that Yoda-old coach Bill Snyder made a personal visit to Belton to try to keep him from switching his commitment to Texas. Shackelford has shown a nasty streak that has often given him the upper hand against older and more experienced defenders. He’ll need that — and a lot more — to help the Longhorns this season and beyond.
Andrew Beck
ANDREW BECK and CALEB BLUIETT TIGHT END
New offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert told the media that the tight end position would be a key role in the Longhorns’ scheme this season. With Beck, a junior, and Bluiett, a senior, Texas has two players capable of making some big catches and moving the chains. The Longhorns haven’t had a tight end as a focal point since Jermichael Finley in 2007. Both Beck (6’3” and 244 pounds) and Bluiett (6’3” and 266 pounds) caught eight passes in 2015, with Bluiett gaining more yards (167-77) thanks mostly to a 57-yard touchdown reception in the season finale against Baylor. Bluiett is a converted defensive end, and his familiarity with physical play should help him seal the end of the offensive line in his run-game blocking duties. Beck is a better overall pass catcher is faster. If Gilbert’s offense finds a way to get a combined 40 catches out of the position, it will be a huge positive for the Longhorns. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 45
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
DEFENSE MALIK JEFFERSON LINEBACKER
Jefferson won freshman All-American honors and Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year last season despite playing out of position at middle linebacker, as well as learning on the fly about the speed and intensity of the college game. After a year as one of the Longhorns’ true leaders both on and off the field, Jefferson will need to up his game and his consistency even more to make his mark. Jefferson (6’3” and 238 pounds) played in 11 games in 2015, starting nine, and finished second on the team in tackles (61), led the Longhorns in quarterback pressures (six) and was fourth in tackles for a loss (seven). He added 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown.
DYLAN HAINES Haines worked his way from the scout team walk-on to one of the most important players on the roster over the past two seasons. This season, he’s primed to have his best year in his senior campaign on the 40 Acres. Haines, a 6-foot-1, 201-pounder, has played in 24 games with 23 starts and ranks second in Texas history with 200 career interception return yards. He started the first 11 games of the 2015 season before missing the Baylor game due to injury. He led the team and ranked third in the Big 12 with five interceptions and paced the Longhorns with eight passes defended. Haines was sixth on the team last season with 47 tackles, while his three tackles for a loss and one sack tied for the lead among defensive backs. Haines will need to become a leader to the younger secondary members the Longhorns stockpiled over the past two seasons. 46 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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BETH ANY WAL TER/ UNIV. OF TEXAS ,
SAFETY
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
BRYCE COTTRELL DEFENSIVE END
Some saw Cottrell’s performance in 2015 as uneven, but the upside is that the 6-foot-2, 266-pound Plano West product was at his best for the final two-thirds of the season. If he continues that level of effort, Cottrell has a chance to be a real difference-maker in his senior campaign. So which version of Cottrell will the Longhorns get this season? Will it be the player who was almost nonexistent in the first four games of the season or the player who started the final eight games and produced 18 tackles and four sacks? Cottrell raised expectations heading into 2015 with a solid spring and then took a step back early in the season. He was great again in this year’s spring camp and secured a spot in the defensive end rotation, so much so that much-ballyhooed junior-to-be Derick Roberson transferred because his role was being limited, thanks to Naashon Hughes and Cottrell. The more practice time Cottrell gets, the better he plays. He’s fundamentally sound without being flashy and could be the player Texas needs on the corner against the Big 12 wide-open offenses.
VANCE BEDFORD DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
PAUL BOYETTE, JR. ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS PAGE: PATRICK MEREDITH/UNIV. OF TEXAS ,
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
With Hassan Ridgeway’s early move to the NFL and the graduation of Tank Jackson, Texas is short on proven men in the middle of the defense. Boyette can fill a huge hole as long as he continues to harvest the nastiness and desire he showed last season when he was second among the squad’s defensive tackles in tackles (37) and third overall in tackles for loss (eight). Boyette (6’3” and 314 pounds) will take over for Jackson at the nose tackle and combine with Poona Ford, Chris Nelson and the incoming class of interior linemen to take away Texas’ opponents’ run game between the tackles. Boyette has shown that he can create havoc in spurts, producing three sacks, three quarterback pressures and two passes batted down while playing in every game for the Longhorns last year. His consistency was illustrated by the fact that he garnered at least three tackles in six games and has 68 tackles over the past three seasons, a healthy total for a player who’s fighting off two blockers on every snap.
No one is debating Bedford’s ability to get top-shelf athletes to play for his Texas defense. And everyone knows that head coach Charlie Strong is a huge supporter of Bedford and his chops as both a coach and a motivator. But there’s also no denying that the Texas defense has underperformed, especially in 2015 when the Longhorns gave up 5,431 total yards (an average of 452.6 yards per game) in 12 games — the most in school history. They gave up the second most points (364) in school history and the 2,630 rushing yards allowed were the third most ever by a Texas team. Maybe the days of a dominating defense are over. Remember when Strong came to Austin and proclaimed that he would build the Longhorns into a defense-first team? Regardless of the explosiveness of the teams in the Big 12, winning and losing games comes down to making more stops than your opponent and keeping the opposition out of the end zone. Bedford has assembled the best cast of defenders on a Texas team since the 2009 season. It’s time for the Longhorns to rise to the occasion on defense and assert themselves — doing so will be the difference between success and failure in this benchmark season for both the staff and the program. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 47
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
2016 FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
CHARLIE STRONG Head Coach
VANCE BEDFORD
CHARLIE STRONG PH OTO: JIM S IGMON/ UNIV. OF TEXAS , ALL OTHER PHOTOS: COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY
Defensive Coordinator/Secondary
STERLIN GILBERT Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
BRICK HALEY Defensive Line
BRIAN JEAN-MARY Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator 48 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
2016 FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
CLAY JENNINGS Defensive Backs
ANTHONY JOHNSON Running Backs
MATT MATTOX Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator
JEFF TRAYLOR Tight Ends/Special Teams
CHARLIE WILLIAMS Wide Receivers FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 49
50 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
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SCHEDULE ANALYSIS THIS SEASON BRINGS THE LONGHORNS TOGETHER WITH SOME OF THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS IN THE NATION
VS. NOTRE DAME
1
GAME WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 4 SERIES RECORD: Texas 2, Notre Dame 9 LAST: Texas 3, No. 11 Notre Dame 38 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT NOTRE DAME 2016 SCHEDULE SEPT. 4 AT TEXAS Sept. 10 vs. Nevada Sept. 17 vs. Michigan State Sept. 24 vs Duke Oct. 1 at Syracuse Oct. 8 at NC State Oct. 15 vs. Stanford Oct. 29 vs. Miami (Fla.) Nov. 5 vs. Navy Nov. 12 vs. Army
COURTESY FIGHTING IRIS H M EDIA
Malik Zaire
TWO OF THE most popular teams in the nation faced off in last year’s season opener, but the game didn’t come close to living up to the fanfare surrounding a matchup between programs of such marquee stature. The Fighting Irish, who began the season ranked No. 11 in the country, dominated 38-3. If the Longhorns are going to gain a measure of revenge in 2016, the offense will have to vastly improve after mustering just 103 passing yards and eight first downs last year in South Bend. Notre Dame lost several top players from last year’s team, including defensive tackle Sheldon Day, linebacker Jaylon Smith, center Nick Martin, running back C.J. Prosise, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and wide receiver Will Fuller (who scored a pair of touchdowns against Texas last season). But
Notre Dame has a loaded roster again, including two potential stars at quarterback in DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire, and most feel the Fighting Irish will be in the running for a spot in the national championship playoffs. If the Longhorns plan to close the gap or even beat the Irish, it will be because of improved offensive production and likely will have to come from significant improvement at the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame lost its two best offensive linemen and two best defensive linemen from a year ago, and if the adage that “football success starts at the line of scrimmage” is true, that’s where the Longhorns will have to turn the tide to dictate a better outcome.
Nov. 19 vs. Virginia Tech Nov. 26 at USC HEAD COACH: Brian Kelly STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Notre Dame Stadium, capacity 80,795 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: Independent 2015 RECORD: 10-3 ALL TIME RECORD: 892-313-42
DID YOU KNOW? Notre Dame has the most individual Heisman trophy winners at seven.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
2
VS. UTEP
GAME
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 10 SERIES RECORD: Texas 4, UTEP 0 LAST: No.2 Texas 64, UTEP 7 (2009)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT UTEP 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. New Mexico State SEPT. 10 AT TEXAS Sept. 17 vs. Army Sept. 24 vs. Southern Miss Oct. 1 at Louisiana Tech Oct. 8 vs. Florida International Oct. 22 at UTSA Oct. 29 vs. Old Dominion Nov. 5 vs. Houston Baptist Nov. 12 at Florida Atlantic Nov. 19 at Rice Nov. 26 vs. North Texas
DID YOU KNOW? The 1960s were a hotbed for political expression and little-to-no inhibition at UTEP. On several occasions, naked students were seen streaking down University Avenue. 52 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
TK Powell
AFTER THE MINERS regressed to 5-7 in 2015 head coach Sean Kugler’s third season in El Paso, he made significant changes to try to improve his team’s fortunes. He added five new faces — including former Kentucky, Baylor, Boise State and Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease and former Nevada, SMU and Hawaii defensive coordinator Tom Mason — to his coaching staff. Mason is an excellent coach, but he inherits a UTEP defense with modest talent. The unit was better (ranking fourth overall in Conference USA) in 2015 than it was the year before, when it was one of the nation’s worst, but still hardly potent, surrendering at least 30 points six times last season, 40 or more four times and 50 or more twice, including a 69-point explosion last year by
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Texas Tech. In other words, if there are wrinkles to work out for the Texas offense — and every unit on every team has them (such as, perhaps, Shane Buechele getting some early playing time at quarterback?) — UTEP could be an ideal early opponent. On the other side of the ball, the UTEP offense was perhaps even more modest, scoring 30 or more points just once last year, in a 50-47 win over New Mexico State. The Miners are better at running the ball than throwing it, ranking fourth in Conference USA with an average of 207.8 rushing yards per game. Unfortunately, last year’s top rusher, Aaron Jones (104.5 yards per game) is gone. His backup, TK Powell, takes over after averaging 44.7 yards per game a year ago.
COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOG RAPHY
HEAD COACH: Sean Kugler STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Sun Bowl Stadium, capacity 51,500 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 4th (Conference USA West) 2015 RECORD: 5-7 ALL TIME RECORD: 385-564-28
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3
@ CALIFORNIA
GAME WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 17 SERIES RECORD: Texas 5, California 1 LAST: Texas 44, California 45 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT CALIFORNIA 2016 SCHEDULE Aug. 26 vs. Hawaii Sept. 10 at San Diego State SEPT. 17 VS. TEXAS Sept. 24 at Arizona State Oct. 1 vs. Utah Oct. 8 at Oregon State Oct. 21 vs. Oregon Oct. 27 at USC Nov. 5 vs. Washington Nov. 12 at Washington State
COURTESY UT ATHLETICS PHOTOG RAPHY
Davis Webb
WHEN CAL QUARTERBACK Jared Goff declared he was foregoing his senior season in order to enter the 2016 NFL Draft, the Texas defensive coaches had to smile. When the teams met last year, Goff completed 73 percent of his passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-44 Cal victory over the Longhorns. Among those hoping to take over the reins of the Golden Bears’ offense is former Texas Tech quarterback Davis Webb, who enrolled in the spring as a graduate transfer and is very familiar with the Texas defense. Regardless of who lines up under center, the Golden Bears will face a learning curve trying to replace the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams.
Therefore, the key to Cal’s season is likely the defense, which ranked 108th overall last year, allowing 453.7 yards per game. The defense was particularly passive in the red zone in 2015, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on 32 of 52 trips inside the 20-yard line. Yes, Cal has new players in place, but it lost a lot from its defense, including three key cornerbacks, starting safety Stefan McClure, starting linebacker Jalen Jefferson and five defensive linemen who played in at least eight games. Cal went 8-5 last year, in large part because of Goff and the passing game. The Golden Bears started fast, winning their first five games. This year their offense will rely more, at least initially, on the running game, and returns its top three rushing threats from 2015.
Nov. 19 vs. Stanford Nov. 26 vs. UCLA
HEAD COACH: Sonny Dykes STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: California Memorial Stadium, capacity 63,000 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 4th (Pac-12 North) 2015 RECORD: 8-5 ALL TIME RECORD: 653-521-51
DID YOU KNOW? Only one football player in Cal history has had his number retired, and that player is Joe Roth. And every year, the USC or UCLA game is designated as the Joe Roth Memorial Game, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. Roth was Cal’s starting quarterback in 1975 and 1976. During his senior season, Roth began to feel unwell and, shortly after the season ended, was diagnosed with a recurrence of melanoma. Although his doctors told him had only had months to live, Roth played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl, despite being in the midst of chemotherapy. Roth died at his apartment in Berkeley in February 1977 at the age of 21.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 53
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4
@ OKLAHOMA STATE
GAME WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 1 SERIES RECORD: Texas 23, Oklahoma State 6 LAST: Texas 27, No. 24 Oklahoma State 30 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT OKLAHOMA STATE 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. Southeast Louisiana Sept. 10 vs. Central Michigan Sept. 17 vs. Pittsburgh Sept. 24 at Baylor OCT. 1 VS. TEXAS Oct. 8 vs. Iowa State Oct. 22 at Kansas Oct. 29 vs. West Virginia Nov. 5 at Kansas State Nov. 12 vs. Texas Tech Nov. 19 at TCU Dec. 3 at Oklahoma
DID YOU KNOW? OSU’s Pistol Pete has been voted the best mascot in both pro and collegiate sports.
54 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
Mason Rudolph
THE LONGHORNS AND the then-No. 24 Cowboys played one of the closest games of the year last season. Two OSU field goals in the final 93 seconds lifted the Cowboys to victory and then en route to a 10-3 season — a record many feel the team has a chance to meet, or even exceed, in 2016. Oklahoma State brings back nine starters on an offense that averaged 39.54 points per game (14th in the nation) last season and 24th in the country in total offense, including starting quarterback Mason Rudolph. Rudolph completed more than 62 percent of his passes for 3,770 yards, 21 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions in 2015. But if OSU wants to improve upon last season, it has to improve a rushing attack that ranked 107th in the country a year ago. The hope in Stillwater is that
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the return of all five starting offensive linemen plus the addition of junior college All-American offensive lineman Larry Williams will help pave the way for returning leading rusher Chris Carson and graduate transfer Barry J. Sanders — yes, the son of the former OSU star. The Cowboys won their first 10 games and lost their last three. To find the difference, look no further than the defense: in the 10 victories, OSU gave up 24.5 points per game; in the losses, that total ballooned to 50.3 points per game. The unit lost four starters from last season, including All-American defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. But there’s a lot of athleticism and talent on this Cowboys defense, which collected six sacks and 12 tackles for loss against the Longhorns last year.
COURTESY OKLAHO MA STATE ATHLETICS
HEAD COACH: Mike Gundy STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Boone Pickens Stadium, capacity 60,218 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 2nd (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 10-3 ALL TIME RECORD: 562-533-47
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VS. OKLAHOMA
(DALLAS)
5
GAME
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 8 SERIES RECORD: Texas 61, Oklahoma 44 LAST: Texas 24, No. 10 Oklahoma 17 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT OKLAHOMA 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. Houston Sept. 10 vs. UL Monroe Sept. 17 vs. Ohio State Oct. 1 at TCU OCT. 8 VS. TEXAS (DALLAS) Oct. 15 vs. Kansas State Oct. 22 at Texas Tech Oct. 29 vs. Kansas Nov. 3 at Iowa State Nov. 12 vs. Baylor Nov. 19 at West Virginia Dec. 3 vs. Oklahoma State
PATRICK MEREDITH/UN IV. O F TEXAS
Baker Mayfield
TEXAS HEAD COACH Charlie Strong created legions of personal fans last year when his struggling Longhorns went to Dallas and knocked off their biggest rival, the previously undefeated Oklahoma Sooners. The victory didn’t heal all of the wounds from a 5-7 season, but in the eyes of many fans, beating Oklahoma is bigger than a victory over any other team, at least during the regular season. Repeating Texas’ victory over OU in 2016 will require another extraordinary performance. The Sooners bring back eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Pundits picked Oklahoma to win the Big 12 championship this season, and some have them atop the list of possible national champions. The Oklahoma offense could be even better than it was last year, when the Sooners averaged 530.2 yards and 43.5 points per game. Quarterback
Baker Mayfield earned All-American honors and was viewed as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate after passing for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns while being picked off just seven times all season. Also back is the Big 12’s best pair of running backs: Samaje Perine, who averaged 103.8 yards per game and ran for 16 touchdowns, and Joe Mixon, who ran for 57.9 yards per game and reached the end zone seven times. The Sooners ranked first in the Big 12 a year ago in total defense, allowing 364.5 yards per game, and in passing defense (202.8). All three starting linebackers — including stars Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander — are gone from last year, as is defensive end Charles Tapper. The Sooners, however, have a stable of talented athletes ready to step in on an otherwise stacked defense that allowed just 22.0 points per game.
HEAD COACH: Bob Stoops STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, capacity 82,112 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 1st (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 11-2 ALL TIME RECORD: 861-318-53
DID YOU KNOW? The OU football team holds the NCAA record for most consecutive wins by a major college program at 47 straight.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 55
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6
VS. IOWA STATE
GAME
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15 SERIES RECORD: Texas 11, Iowa State 2 LAST: Texas 0, Iowa State 24 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT IOWA STATE 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. Northern Iowa Sept. 10 at Iowa Sept. 17 at TCU Sept. 24 vs. San Jose State Oct. 1 vs. Baylor Oct. 8 at Oklahoma State OCT. 15 AT TEXAS Oct. 29 vs. Kansas State Nov. 3 vs. Oklahoma Nov. 12 at Kansas Nov. 19 vs. Texas Tech Nov. 26 vs. West Virginia
DID YOU KNOW? Iowa State has made 40 appearances in the AP poll over 10 seasons, including one week in the top 10. Iowa State has finished the year ranked in the final AP poll of the season only twice: in 1976 (19th) and 2000 (25th). 56 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
Mike Warren
IN A SEASON of many lows, the Iowa State Cyclones’ biggest high of the 2015 season was their 24-0 shutout of Texas, a game in which the Longhorns were held to 204 yards of total offense and 11 first downs. When the Cyclones visit in Austin this October, they’ll do so under first-year head coach Matt Campbell, who headed to Ames after a stellar run as the head coach at Toledo that included three trips to bowl games. At ISU, he inherited a team that might be a little better than its record suggested. The Cyclones were outscored last season by an average score of 32.7-25.0. Other than a 36-point loss to Oklahoma and a 34-point loss to Texas Tech, the three most lopsided games of the year were
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ISU’s three victories. Fourteen or fewer points decided four of those losses. Campbell will lean heavily, at least at first, on Mike Warren, the Big 12’s third-leading rusher last year with an average of 111.6 yards per game. Joel Lanning returns at quarterback after passing for 1,247 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions while splitting time last season with Sam Richardson. Part of Campbell’s job will be to revive a pedestrian defense that finished ninht in the 10-team Big 12 in both scoring defense and seventh in total defense. Other than the shutout of the Longhorns, Iowa State held just one opponent (Northern Iowa) to fewer than 10 points, and just one more (Kansas) to fewer than 30.
COURTESY IOWA STATE ATH LETIC COMM UNICATIONS
HEAD COACH: Matt Campbell STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Jack Trice Stadium, capacity 61,500 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 9th (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 3-9 ALL TIME RECORD: 510-620-46
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@ KANSAS STATE
7
GAME WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22 SERIES RECORD: Texas 7, Kansas State 9 LAST: Texas 23, Kansas State 9 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT KANSAS STATE 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 2 at Stanford Sept. 17 vs. FAU Sept. 24 vs. Missouri State Oct. 1 at West Virginia Oct. 8 vs. Texas Tech Oct. 15 at Oklahoma OCT. 22 VS. TEXAS Nov. 5 vs. Oklahoma State Nov. 19 at Baylor Nov. 26 vs. Kansas Dec. 3 at TCU
COURTESY KANS AS STATE ATHLETICS
Elijah Lee
THE LONGHORNS TURNED in one of their best performances of the 2015 season when they piled up 274 rushing yards and collected five quarterback sacks en route to a 23-9 victory over visiting Kansas State. The 2015 Wildcats were decent at just about everything, but not exceptionally good or bad at anything, getting outscored last season by an average of 31.5-29.9 points per game. Running back Charles Jones and quarterback Joe Hubener — are back after leading the team’s ground game with 53.5 and 47.2 yard per game, respectively. Hubener ran the passing game inconsistently — 47.6 completion percentage, 1,837 passing yards, just nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions — and should be challenged, at least, by the return of Jesse Ertz and Alex Delton from season-ending knee injuries. When
healthy, Ertz is thought to be the team’s best passer and thoroughly alters the complexion of the Kansas State offense. Throughout his tenure at Kansas State, head coach Bill Snyder normally has constructed solid — and sometimes outstanding — defenses. The 2015 version was a middle-of-the-pack unit, finishing sixth in the Big 12 in total defense, allowing 452.2 yards per game, and seventh in scoring defense, allowing 31.5 points per game. Expectations are high in Manhattan for a defense that has a chance to be exceptional in 2016, thanks to a much-improved group of linebackers led by übertalented Elijah Lee and a secondary that should get a major boost from the return safety Dante Barnett, who missed almost all of last season.
HEAD COACH: Bill Snyder STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, capacity 50,000 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 8th (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 6-7 ALL TIME RECORD: 509-631-41
DID YOU KNOW? Kansas State was the first team in college football history to lose 500 games.
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8
VS. BAYLOR
GAME WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29 SERIES RECORD: Texas 75, Baylor 26 LAST: Texas 23, Baylor 17 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT BAYLOR 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 2 vs. Northwestern State Sept. 10 vs. SMU Sept. 16 at Rice Sept. 24 vs. Oklahoma State Oct. 1 at Iowa State Oct. 15 vs. Kansas OCT. 29 AT TEXAS Nov. 5 vs. TCU Nov. 12 at Oklahoma Nov. 19 vs. Kansas State Nov. 25 vs. Texas Tech Dec. 3 at West Virginia
HEAD COACH: Jim Grobe STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: McLane Stadium, capacity 45,140 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 4th (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 10-3 ALL TIME RECORD: 581-551-44
DID YOU KNOW? In 1914, after 70 years without an official mascot, Baylor students voted to name the Bear the official “Patron Saint of all Baylordom.” The bear was chosen over plenty of other animals, including the buffalo, eagle, antelope and bookworm. 58 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
IF THE TEXAS victory over Oklahoma was the season’s biggest game, the biggest surprise surely was the season-ending victory over then-No. 12 Baylor. The Longhorns held the nation’s top scoring offense to more than 30 points below its 48.1-point average. Predicting this game is like no other. As would be expected for any team vying for a chance to play for a national championship, last year’s Baylor roster was loaded with elite players, many of whom — including wide receivers Jay Lee and Corey Coleman, offensive tackle Spencer Drango, nose tackle Andrew Billings and cornerback Xavien Howard — left for the NFL. But the biggest change for the Bears is on the sideline, where the school fired with intent to terminate head coach Art Briles after his role in the sexual assault scandal that rocked the campus in the offseason. In his place, the school hired Jim Grobe, a fine coach who once won the Atlantic
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Coast Conference at Wake Forest, of all places. How Grobe interacts with his new team, and how his new players respond to him, remains to be seen. But there’s no argument that the Baylor roster remains loaded with talent. Quarterback Seth Russell was the starter last year before he got hurt. Running back Shock Linwood averaged 110.8 rushing yards per game last season, which was the fourth-highest average in the Big 12 and a big part of why Baylor had the second-best running game in the country. The Bears lost four of five starting 2015 offensive linemen, although the one returning starter — center Kyle Fuller — joined Linwood in earning All-Big 12 honors. The Baylor defense will have to rebuild its front seven, which brings back just one starter from a year ago — linebacker Taylor Young. Several returning linemen played backup roles last season, including likely starting nose tackle Byron Bonds.
COURTESY BAYLOR ATH LETICS
Shock Linwood
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9
@ TEXAS TECH
GAME WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 5 SERIES RECORD: Texas 49, Texas Tech 16 LAST: Texas 45, Texas Tech 48 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT TEXAS TECH 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. SF Austin Sept. 10 at Arizona State Sept. 17 vs. LA Tech Sept. 29 vs. Kansas Oct. 8 at Kansas State Oct. 15 vs. West Virginia Oct. 22 vs. Oklahoma Oct. 29 at TCU NOV. 5 VS. TEXAS Nov. 12 at Oklahoma State Nov. 19 at Iowa State Nov. 25 vs. Baylor
DID YOU KNOW? The Red Raiders have one of the most successful bowl resumes in college football. With 36 post-season appearances, Texas Tech ranks 4th in the Big 12 and 17th in the NCAA.
60 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
Pat Mahomes
THE LONGHORNS LOST a 48-45 shootout in Austin last year against Texas Tech in a game that was absolutely typical for the Red Raiders, who generally can score on just about anybody but offer little defensive resistance to opposing offenses. Want evidence? The 7-6 Red Raiders scored an average of 45.1 points per game … while allowing an average of 43.6. Tech’s offense finished second in the nation in scoring, total offense and passing offense — and quarterback Pat Mahomes is only a junior in 2016. As a sophomore, he threw for 4,653 yards and ran for 456, and was one of just five quarterbacks in FBS history to pass for atleast 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 450 yards and 10 scores. He also led the nation with an average of 390 yards of total offense per game.
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The running game will have a new look, after the departure of DeAndre Washington, who finished first among the Red Raiders and second in the Big 12 with an average of 114.8 rushing yards per game. Mahomes was the team’s secondleading rusher, at 35.1 yards per game, while Justin Stockton, the presumed starter in 2016, averaged 28.2. Only one defense in the entire country ranked behind Texas Tech after the Red Raiders coughed up 548 yards per game of total offense. The secondary is expected to be better, and the defensive front seven is being built around promising defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko, who had 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and an interception in his freshman season.
COURTESY TEXAS TECH ATHL ETICS
HEAD COACH: Kliff Kingsbury STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Jones AT&T Stadium, capacity 60,454 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 6th (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 7-6 ALL TIME RECORD: 544-419-32
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VS. WEST VIRGINIA
10 GAME
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12 SERIES RECORD: Texas 2, West Virginia 3 LAST: Texas 20, West Virginia 38 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT W. VIRGINIA 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. Missouri Sept. 10 vs. Youngstown State Sept. 24 vs. BYU Oct. 1 vs. Kansas State Oct. 15 at Texas Tech Oct. 22 vs. TCU Oct. 29 at Oklahoma State Nov. 5 vs. Kansas NOV. 12 AT TEXAS Nov. 19 vs. Oklahoma Nov. 26 at Iowa State Dec. 3 vs. Baylor
COURTESY WEST VIRG INIA ATHL ETICS
Shelton Gibson
WEST VIRGINIA BEAT Texas 38-20 last season in Morgantown en route to an 8-5 final record, and many think the Mountaineers are poised to be significantly better in 2016. The WVU offense put up an average of 34.0 points per game last season, thanks in large part to the efforts of quarterback (and Fort Worth native) Skyler Howard, who threw for 3,145 yards and 26 touchdowns and was the team’s third-leading rusher with 502 yards on the ground. Running back Wendell Smallwood, who led the entire Big 12 with an average of 116.8 rushing yards per game, is gone, but Rushel Shell (54.5 per game) is back to carry the load for a rushing attack that anchored the No. 23 offense in the nation. Daikiel Shorts led the team with 45 receptions a year ago, but the most dangerous target, who
also is back in 2016, is Shelton Gibson. Gibson led the Mountaineers with 68.2 receiving yards per game and scored on almost a quarter of his receptions, reaching the end zone on nine out of 37 receptions. Giving up 24.6 points per game isn’t the kind of number that makes some defensive coaches brag, but in the Big 12 which features so many explosive offenses, WVU’s defense gave up the second-fewest points in the entire league. The Mountaineers will have to restock their linebackers, but the front line is strong, especially with defensive tackle Darrien Howard and defensive end (and Wylie, Texas native) Noble Nwachukwu, who combined for 63 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
HEAD COACH: Dana Holgorsen STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium, capacity 60,000 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 5th (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 8-5 ALL TIME RECORD: 731-482-45
DID YOU KNOW? West Virginia has yet to beat the following Big 12 teams as a member of the Big 12 conference: Oklahoma and Kansas State.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 61
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11 WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 19 SERIES RECORD: Texas 13, Kansas 2 LAST: Texas 59, Kansas 20 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT KANSAS 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. URI Sept. 10 vs. Ohio Sept. 17 at Memphis Sept. 29 at Texas Tech Oct. 8 vs. TCU Oct. 15 at Baylor Oct. 22 vs. Oklahoma State Oct. 29 at Oklahoma Nov. 5 at West Virginia Nov. 12 vs. Iowa State NOV. 19 VS. TEXAS Nov. 26 at Kansas State
62 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
HEAD COACH: David Beaty STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Memorial Stadium, capacity 50,071 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 10th (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 0-12 ALL TIME RECORD: 579-610-58
DID YOU KNOW? Kansas’ world famous Rock Chalk Chant evolved from a cheer that a chemistry professor, E.H.S. Bailey, created for the KU science club in 1886.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
KANSAS HIRED DAVID Beaty before the 2015 season in an effort to revive the Jayhawks’ stagnant program. Suffice to say, a lot of work remains after the team lost all 12 games in Beaty’s first season on the job. The Jayhawks didn’t just lose — they endured lopsided beatings, being outscored by an average score of 46.0 to 15.3. Only once all season did Kansas score more than 23 points, and only twice did opponents fail to score more than 30. The Longhorns’ 59-20 win marked their biggest offensive output of the year by two touchdowns. Ryan Willis took over as the Jayhawks’ quarterback and, like any freshman leading an offense, took his lumps. But he also showed signs of considerable talent, breaking the school’s freshman record with 1,719 passing yards. He also threw nine touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. Running back Ke’aun Kinner, from Little Elm, Texas, (just north of Dallas) is back for his senior season after leading the Jayhawks with 566 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Montell Cozart is not the passer Willis is, but he’s a better running threat, so it’s possible both will play. Anything that sparks the rushing offense will be significant, as Kansas ran for seven touchdowns in its first three games against South Dakota State, Memphis and Rutgers, but only three in the nine Big 12 games. The Kansas defense was the worst in the nation last year, and Beaty and his staff recruited heavily for defensive help in the offseason. The Jayhawks have to approach the defensive overhaul as a work in progress, hoping that the front seven can stop the run well enough on first and second down to force a few third-and-long situations. Doing so will give a secondary that includes safety Fish Smithson a chance to shine. Smithson led the Big 12 in tackles for two reasons: he’s a talented player and the front seven didn’t make nearly enough plays in front of him. South Dakota State was the only team that didn’t rush for at least 200 yards against Kansas last year, and eight opponents had three or more rushing touchdowns. For the Jayhawks to reverse their fortunes, that has to change.
COURTESY KANS AS ATH LETICS
VS. KANSAS
GAME
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
12
VS. TCU
GAME
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 25 SERIES RECORD: Texas 62, TCU 22 LAST: Texas 7, No. 4 TCU 50 (2015)
ABOUT THE OPPONENT TCU 2016 SCHEDULE Sept. 3 vs. South Dakota State Sept. 10 vs. Arkansas Sept. 17 vs. Iowa State Sept. 23 at SMU Oct. 1 vs. Oklahoma Oct. 8 at Kansas Oct. 22 at West Virginia Oct. 29 vs. Texas Tech Nov. 5 at Baylor Nov. 19 vs. Oklahoma State NOV. 25 AT TEXAS Dec. 3 vs. Kansas State
COURTESY TCU ATH LETICS MEDIA RELATIO NS
Josh Carraway
THE LONGHORNS' MOST lopsided defeat last year came in Fort Worth in a 50-7 loss to TCU. The Horned Frogs will look a lot different in 2016 — especially on an offense that brings back just three starters — but should still be a strong team. Among those gone from the offense are quarterback Trevone Boykin, the do-everything catalyst for the offense who completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for 3,575 yards and 31 touchdowns and the team’s second-leading rusher with 612 yards and nine touchdowns; running back Aaron Green, who led the team with 1,272 rushing yards and 11 scores; wide receiver Josh Doctson, who led the team in receptions (79), receiving yards (1,327) and receiving touchdowns (14); receiver Kolby Listenbee, who had 30 receptions for 597 yards and five touchdowns, and led the team with an average of 19.9 yards per catch; and four starting offensive linemen.
Foster Sawyer takes over for Boykin after showing in limited action that he’s a talented passer capable of leading the offense. Kyle Hicks is expected to lead the running attack, and wideout KaVontae Turpin is an absurdly fast deep threat who will be one of the team’s key weapons in the passing game. But who will fill many of the roles, especially on the offensive line, will be determined in preseason competition. The TCU defense will look a lot more familiar and will be counted on to lead the way while the offense finds its footing. Head coach Gary Patterson always has a strong defense, and 2016 should be no different, starting with a line that brings back three starters, including senior defensive end Josh Carraway, who had 47 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks last year.
HEAD COACH: Gary Patterson STADIUM NAME AND CAPACITY: Amon G. Carter Stadium, capacity 45,000 2015 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDING: 2nd (Big 12) 2015 RECORD: 11-2 ALL TIME RECORD: 626-531-15
DID YOU KNOW? TCU’s school colors of purple and white were chosen to represent royalty and clean play.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 63
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
SENIOR BIOS MEET THE PLAYERS WHO PLAN TO LEAD THIS YEAR’S SQUAD TO VICTORY
KYLE ASHBY
DEEP SNAPPER
One of the most important — and underrated — players on every football team is the deep snapper. The deep snapper is responsible for getting the ball to the punter without issue and to the holder on placekicks, right in time for the ball to be kicked before the rushing defense encroaches. The 6-foot, 229-pound Ashby, whose prep career was as a left tackle and center at Brazoswood High School, played in every game last season and in 25 contests over his three-year career on the 40 Acres. In 2015, he helped the punt unit average 41.3 yards per kick with 32 fair catches, 19 kicks inside the 20 and 17 punts over 50 yards. 1AT=O ?KJRANPA@ KB ł AH@ CK=HO =J@ KB ATPN= LKEJP GE?GO SEPD OD>U =O PDA ł NOP KB PDA PDNAA HEJGO EJ PD=P ?D=EJ NA=?PEKJ
TIGHT END
Bluiett has seen a bit of everything in his four-year career, including a switch from defensive end to tight end last season and a junior campaign in which he hauled in eight passes for 167 yards. He shined the brightest in Texas’ two biggest wins, gathering a 2-yard touchdown pass in the Longhorns’ upset over Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout and a stunning 57-yard scoring catch-andrun on the opening series of Texas’ win against Baylor. Bluiett, at 6-foot-3â€? and 266 pounds, has played in 33 career games with Ĺ‚ RA OP=NPO Ä PDNAA =P @ABAJOERA AJ@ =J@ PSK =P PECDP AJ@ "0-+2 N=JGA@ DEI =O PDA No. 25 defensive end in the nation coming out of Beaumont West Brook High School. He accumulated 43 tackles, 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for a loss while lining up in that position for Texas in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. As a prep player, Bluiett played defensive end, defensive tackle, middle linebacker, outside linebacker, tight end and long snapper and was selected to play in the 2012 International Bowl, in which he was named team captain. He remains one of the Longhorns’ most versatile players and, based on his production at tight end and the scheme of Texas’ new offensive attack, is poised for a breakout senior season.
64 HORNS ILLUSTRATED
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS S PREAD: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SPORTS PH OTOGRAPH Y
CALEB BLUIETT
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
PAUL BOYETTE JR.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Boyette, a 6-foot-3, 314-pound monster in the middle, played in all 12 games for Texas and started against Oklahoma State, TCU, Oklahoma, Kansas 0P=PA 1AT=O 1A?D =J@ =UHKN EJ %A ł JEODA@ OA?KJ@ =IKJC PDA OMQ=@†O defensive tackles in tackles (37) and third overall in tackles for loss (eight), while producing three sacks, three quarterback pressures and two passes batted down. He also collected at least three tackles in six games. Boyette, the husband of former Texas basketball player Imani Boyette and a LNK@Q?P KB %QI>HA %ECD 0?DKKH D=O LH=UA@ EJ C=IAO EJ DEO ł NOP PDNAA =?PERA seasons, recording 68 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. %A†O ODKSJ Ń =ODAO KB >NEHHE=J?A =J@ BNAJAPE? =>EHEPU PK @EONQLP PDA KLLKOEPEKJ Boyette is more athletic than his size may suggest and will be a great role model for the team’s younger defensive tackles.
TIMOTHY COLE
LINEBACKER
Cole, a 6-foot-1, 240-pounder from Brenham, is a workmanlike player for 1AT=O NA?KN@EJC P=?GHAO EJ PDA C=IAO DA LH=UA@ DEO ł NOP PDNAA UA=NO %A even had the chance to start three times last year and had eight tackles (six of them OKHK =C=EJOP 1AT=O 1A?D %A =HOK P=HHEA@ DEO ł NOP ?=NAAN O=?G EJ PDA )KJCDKNJO† loss to Oklahoma State. Cole, who spent most of the 2015 season as the backup at middle linebacker, OP=NPA@ KJ PDA OPNKJCOE@A EJ PDA ł J=H C=IA KB PDA UA=N =P =UHKN =J@ SEHH HEGAHU >A EJ PDA IET PK ł HH PD=P NKHA EJ This season is Cole’s time to shine and he knows it. He led the team in tackles (seven) in the Orange-White Spring Game, serving notice that he’s ready for when the season begins in September.
BRYCE COTTRELL
DEFENSIVE END
KPPNAHH S=O KJA KB 1AT=O† >AOP LH=UANO KRAN PDA Å‚ J=H PSK PDEN@O KB PDA season, a stretch of time where the 6-foot-2, 266-pound Plano West product OP=NPA@ AECDP C=IAO =J@ LNK@Q?A@ P=?GHAO =J@ BKQN O=?GO AJKQCD PK Å‚ JEOD third on the team in the latter. Cottrell played in all 12 games last year and posted multiple tackles in eight C=IAO PUEJC BKN Å‚ BPD EJ P=?GHAO BKN = HKOO Ä =J@ NA?KN@EJC PKP=H P=?GHAO %A D=O LH=UA@ EJ C=IAO EJ DEO PEIA KJ PDA ?NAO N=?GEJC QL P=?GHAO Å‚ RA sacks and three passes defended. Cottrell is a great practice player and does just about everything right. He’ll I=GA DEO OD=NA KB LH=UO Ä =J@ JKP EJ = Ń =ODU S=U =J@ SEHH CAP = ?D=J?A PK =@@ PK his totals while in the mix at defensive end this season.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
SHEROID EVANS
CORNERBACK
Evans, a sixth-year player, missed the entire 2015 season with a knee injury he suffered during a non-contact drill in spring workouts. He entered last spring as a projected starter. Perhaps the fastest player on the team, Evans played in 27 career games after coming to Texas as a two-sport athlete (football and track) and as one of The Sporting News’ top 100 national prospects. In 2013, Evans saw action as a reserve defensive back and on special teams in PDA ł NOP ł RA C=IAO >ABKNA IEOOEJC PDA NAI=EJ@AN KB PDA OA=OKJ =BPAN OQBBANEJC = torn ACL against Iowa State. He had a career-high six tackles against New Mexico State in 2013, and had 27 career tackles (11 of them solo) and a forced fumble in his three years on campus. Before the 2013 season, Evans was named the seventh-fastest player in college football. He’ll be a factor on special teams and expect Evans to get some playing time behind the two starting cornerbacks, especially against spread offense teams.
DYLAN HAINES
SAFETY
TREY HOLTZ
QUARTERBACK/HOLDER
Holtz, a 6-foot-1, 188-pound backup quarterback, has yet to throw a pass BKN PDA )KJCDKNJO EJ DEO ł NOP PDNAA UA=NO KB =?PEKJ But the Tampa Plant-product, the son of current Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz and the grandson of College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz, earned a letter last season as the holder on placekicks. 1DA OQNA D=J@A@ %KHPV DAHLA@ 1AT=O ?KJRANP KB ł AH@ CK=HO =J@ KB ATPN= LKEJP GE?GO EJ %A†HH ł HH PDA O=IA NKHA PDEO OA=OKJ
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ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS PAGE: UN IVERSITY OF TEXAS S PORTS PHOTO GRAPHY
Haines is truly a picture of perseverance, working his way up from the walkon ranks to one of the Big 12 Conference’s top safeties. Haines, from the Austin suburb of Lago Vista, has played in 24 games with 23 starts and ranks second in Texas history with 200 career interception return yards. BKKP LKQJ@AN %=EJAO OP=NPA@ PDA ł NOP C=IAO KB PDA season before missing the Baylor game due to injury. He led the team, ranked PDEN@ EJ PDA EC =J@ S=O PD EJ PDA J=PEKJ SEPD ł RA EJPAN?ALPEKJO %A L=?A@ the Longhorns and ranked 14th in the conference with eight passes defended. Haines was sixth on the team last season with 47 tackles, while his three tackles for a loss and one sack tied for the lead among defensive backs. For his career, Haines has amassed 133 tackles, 89 of those unassisted, and nine interceptions. He’s one of the most important players for the Longhorns this season, a far cry from his status as a hardworking, non-scholarship player just two seasons ago. Haines enters the season as a candidate for the 2016 Lott IMPACT Trophy.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
KENT PERKINS
GUARD/TACKLE
“Big Perk,â€? as coach Charlie Strong likes to call the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Perkins, was a versatile cog on the Longhorns’ offensive line last season, starting all 10 games in which he played (he missed the TCU and Oklahoma games due to injury). -ANGEJO = !=HH=O )=GA %ECDH=J@O LNK@Q?P LH=UA@ DEO Ĺ‚ NOP AECDP C=IAO =P NECDP tackle then slid to right guard following an injury to starter Patrick Vahe. In those two roles, he helped block for a rushing attack that ranked 18th in the nation and third in the Big 12 with 224.8 yards per game, including an average of 263 yards per game in the last seven contests. He has played in 29 career games with 24 starts (12 each at right guard and right tackle) after being rated the No. 6 offensive tackle in the country by ESPN as a senior in high school.
QUARTEBACK
No player is under the microscope more this season than Swoopes, who’s LH=UA@ EJ C=IAO EJ DEO Ĺ‚ NOP PDNAA UA=NO =P 1AT=O =J@ OP=NPA@ >ADEJ@ PDA ?AJPAN times, 12 of those coming in the 2014 season. Last year, Swoopes — a 6-foot-4, 254-pound rocket-armed specimen from Whitewright — started two games, including the opener against Notre Dame and the season-ender versus Baylor. He did, however, play in all but one of the Longhorns’ games as the center of the “18 Wheelerâ€? power running package. Swoopes is a bit of an enigma wrapped in a large package. He ranks 13th on the Longhorns’ career passing yards list (with 2,972 yards), and his three 300-yard passing games rank No. 6 on the Texas career list. He has two of the longer streaks in school history without throwing an interception (77 passes in 2014 and 104 passes, also in 2014). Last year, Swoopes led the team in scoring among non-kickers (72 points) by more than double (42-point margin) and ranked second in total offense with 988 yards. He enters this season in the mix — along with part-time starter Jerrod Heard and true freshman Shane Buechele — to be the starting quarterback as he CAPO = JAS ?D=J?A PK EILNAOO 1AT=O Ĺ‚ NOP UA=N KBBAJOERA ?KKN@EJ=PKN 0PANHEJ $EH>ANP Swoopes will have a role in the offense somewhere, it’s just a matter of determining where he’ll land.
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ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS S PREAD: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SPORTS PH OTOGRAPH Y
TYRONE SWOOPES
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
TY TEMPLIN
WIDE RECEIVER
Another heralded player who made his name with his scout team prowess, the 6-foot, 194-pound Templin is a wideout from Granbury who missed all but two games last season with an injury. As a freshman, Templin earned Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week leading up to the New Mexico State, Iowa State and Kansas games Templin, a three-year prep starter at wide receiver and safety at Trinity Valley School, has played in 13 career games for the Longhorns. He’s a six-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and a 2014 Academic All-Big 12 selection. He made one tackle last season as a special teams player and has one career catch for seven yards against Kansas in 2014.
KEVIN VACCARO
SAFETY
Vaccaro, the younger brother of former Texas secondary stalwart Kenny Vaccaro, has built his own reputation for toughness and clutch play over his three seasons on the 40 Acres. Last year, Vaccaro played in nine games and recorded 15 tackles (11 solo), forced a fumble and broke up a pass. His biggest contribution came against Cal when he posted nine tackles (seven solo), a pass breakup and a forced fumble that D=HPA@ = @NERA =P PDA 1AT=O U=N@ HEJA =J@ HA@ PK = ł AH@ CK=H @NERA Vaccaro is a 5-foot-8, 184-pound mighty mite from Brownwood who likes to hit. He has played in 32 career games as a reserve defensive back and special teams performer, and has 19 tackles. He’ll be in the mix for playing time in the Longhorns’ deep secondary.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
QUINCY VASSER
DEFENSIVE END
Vasser, a 6-foot-4, 286-pound junior college transfer from Navarro College, played in eight games in 2015 on defense and special teams. He recorded seven tackles, three of which came in the TCU game. Vasser was ranked as the No. 36 JUCO player nationally and No. 4 JUCO overall in Texas by 247Sports in 2014, when he earned second-team National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American honors. He’ll add to the Longhorns’ depth at the position and push for more playing time in 2016.
JACOREY WARRICK
WIDE RECEIVER
NON-SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS FRANK LOPEZ OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
ALEX MERCADO DEFENSIVE TACKLE
JOHNNY TSENG LINEBACKER
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ALL PHOTOS IN TH IS PAGE: UN IVERSITY OF TEXAS S PORTS PHOTO GRAPHY
Warrick was injured in his senior prep season at Houston Cypress Falls and is still waiting to have the breakout season his considerable talent could’ve produced over the past three seasons at Texas. A fourth-year wide receiver, the speedy, 5-foot-11, 172-pounder has played in ?=NAAN C=IAO =J@ S=O IKOP LNKHEĹ‚ ? EJ SDAJ DA ?=QCDP OET L=OOAO BKN yards and set season highs with four catches for 42 yards versus Kansas. Strong calls Warrick “Peteyâ€? after the player’s likeness to former Florida State wideout Peter Warrick. However, Warrick will need to have an over-the-top OA=OKJ PK Ĺ‚ JEOD DEO 1AT=O ?=NAAN SEPD = Ĺƒ KQNEOD He’s hauled in 16 passes for 129 total yards in his stint as a Longhorn and was a 2014 Academic All-Big 12 selection and a member of the 2013 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
LONGHORNS IN THE NFL Get ready football fans, because it’s that time of the year again. The NFL season is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time for Horns Illustrated to honor the former Longhorn players who are representing the university in the league. Since 1938, the Texas program has produced top-level athletes who go on to prove their skills and excellence at the professional level every Sunday and Monday nighht
CARRINGTON BYNDOM CORNERBACK ARIZONA CARDINALS
Byndom joins a star-studded secondary after spending portions of the 2015 season on the practice squad with the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers.
SAM ACHO
QUANDRE DIGGS
Acho found a home in Chicago last season after spending four years with the Arizona Cardinals. He started seven games with the Bears last season, and looks to improve on the seven sacks from last season his rookie season in 2016.
The corner and younger brother of NFL great Quentin Jammer contributed immediately in his rookie year, recording 38 tackles.
CHYKIE BROWN
WIDE RECEIVER BUFFALO BILLS
LINEBACKER CHICAGO BEARS
CORNERBACK DETROIT LIONS
The Bengals signed Brown, who was out of the league last year, to add maturity to a somewhat volatile defense. The AFC North will be no stranger to the cornerback, as Brown won a Super Bowl with the 2012 Baltimore Ravens and played in every game that year.
MALCOLM BROWN RUNNING BACK LOS ANGELES RAMS
Brown fought his way as an undrafted free agent in 2015 into a stable of top-tier running backs. Todd Gurley took the bulk of that carries last year for the Rams, and Brown ran four times for 17 yards on the season.
JAMAAL CHARLES RUNNING BACK KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The NFL’s all-time career leader in yards per carry (5.5 yards) hopes to return to his All-Pro form after tearing his ACL early in the 2015 season. He suffered a similar injury in 2011, and when healthy, Charles is arguably the most electrifying back in the league.
Goodwin is finding more success in track & field than in the NFL at the moment. He caught only two passes in 2015 for the Bills but earned a silver medal in the long jump at last year’s Pan Am Games. He also won the long jump at the Meeting Region Guadeloupe in 2016.
SHIRO DAVIS
LINEBACKER WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Davis impressed many teams with a promising Pro Day workout, and agreed to a deal as a rookie free agent with Washington.
MALCOM BROWN
PHIL DAWSON
MICHAEL GRIFFIN
No. 90, backed by Alan Branch and Terrance Knighton, looks to lead a trio of run stoppers in his second season with the perennial title contending Pats. He recorded 48 tackles and three sacks and recovered two fumbles in his rookie season.
The Longhorn legend is entering his 18th year in the league this season, after connecting on 88.9 percent of his field goal attempts last season with the 49ers. Not bad for a kicker who came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 1998.
Griffin shows no signs of slowing down after recording 101 tackles, one sack, one interception and three pass deflections for the Tennessee Titans. He now takes his twotime Pro Bowl pedigree to the Minnesota Vikings.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
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KICKER SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
SAFETY MINNESOTA VIKINGS
ACHO CHARLES AND DIGG S: COURTES Y USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES, G RIFFIN: COURTESY ICON SPORTSWIRE
CORNERBACK CINCINNATI BENGALS
MARQUISE GOODWIN
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
DONALD HAWKINS
DAJE JOHNSON
COLT MCCOY
The journeyman lineman joins the sixth team in his career and will add to the offensive line depth of the NFC Champion Panthers.
Few Longhorns have the big play ability or mercurial nature of Johnson, who impressed the Falcons enough to get a look this season. If Johnson can maintain his focus, he has the potential to be a special player.
The former Heisman contender played one game in 2015, making way for starter Kirk Cousins. He went 7-for-11 to the tune of 108 yards and a touchdown. He signed a three-year extension with the Redskins in March.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE CAROLINA PANTHERS
JORDAN HICKS
LINEBACKER PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The second-year middle linebacker looks determined to take the starting spot in the middle of the Philly defense. He made his presence felt as a rookie before tearing a pectoral muscle and prematurely ending his season.
WIDE RECEIVER ATLANTA FALCONS
MARCUS JOHNSON WIDE RECEIVER PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The undrafted rookie free agent has enough athleticism to make a name for himself. The Eagles’ receiving core is in need of a dependable vertical threat.
QUARTERBACK WASHINGTON REDSKINS
ROY MILLER
DEFENSIVE TACKLE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The Killeen native has played in the league since 2009. Miller recorded 40 tackles and four sacks in his third season with the Jaguars last year.
TREY HOPKINS
ALEX OKAFOR
Cincinnati signed Hopkins in 2014 after he went undrafted. He’ll fight for a roster spot in 2016.
The Cardinals possess one of the deadliest defenses in the NFL and Okafor stands in the middle of it with newly acquired Chandler Jones and Markus Golden. He fought through injuries in 2015, including a toe ailment that ended his playoff run, but is back to full speed in 2016.
GUARD CINCINNATI BENGALS
LAMARR HOUSTON LINEBACKER CHICAGO BEARS
LINEBACKER ARIZONA CARDINALS
Last season brought a new look for Houston, after he moved to linebacker with the Bears. He tore the roof off the top of offenses to the tune of eight sacks and one fumble recovery.
MICHAEL HUEY GUARD ATLANTA FALCONS
Huey spent time on the practice squad for the San Diego Chargers and will try to make the roster for the Atlanta Falcons this year.
JACKSON JEFFCOAT LINEBACKER CLEVELAND BROWNS
COURTESY USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
Placed on injured reserve by Washington last season before being waived in April, Jeffcoat was picked up by the Browns and will look for a fresh start in the AFC.
DERRICK JOHNSON LINEBACKER KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Johnson returned to the 100-tackle club after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2014. Johnson is the heart and soul of the Chiefs’ defense and was selected for the 2015 Pro Bowl. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 73
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BRIAN ORAKPO
JAXON SHIPLEY
JUSTIN TUCKER
The former member of the Washington Redskins and Geico Insurance spokesman recorded 51 tackles and seven sacks in his first season with the Titans. He was also named defensive captain for the team.
Shipley opened eyes with an impressive preseason in 2015 and re-signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad in January.
No player in the NFL has more resolve than Tucker, who is Adam Vinatieri 2.0. He went 33-of-40 in field-goal attempts and is hands down the best kicker in the league. Tucker recently signed a four-year contract to stay in Baltimore.
LINEBACKER TENNESSEE TITANS
WIDE RECEIVER ARIZONA CARDINALS
ADRIAN PHILLIPS SAFETY SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
GEOFF SWAIM TIGHT END DALLAS COWBOYS
Phillips spent time in his second season on the Chargers’ practice roster before being promoted to the active roster.
The seventh-round pick played in four games last season as a rookie and will be expected to grow in his second year with Dallas. Jason Witten can’t play forever … right?
CEDRIC REED
EARL THOMAS
Reed signed with Buffalo as an undrafted free agent and found his way onto the practice roster by the end of the 2015 season.
Adam Schein of NFL.com recently called Thomas one of the league’s most indispensable defensive players and we completely agree. Thomas locked down offenses with 64 tackles, five interceptions and one forced fumble. Those stats are even more impressive when you consider he was recovering from surgery for a torn labrum in his shoulder.
DEFENSIVE END BUFFALO BILLS
KICKER BALTIMORE RAVENS
SAFETY SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DEFENSIVE TACKLE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Indianapolis signed the honorable mention All-Big 12 defender after drafting him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Ridgeway will need to shake health concerns to become a productive pro.
KEENAN ROBINSON LINEBACKER NEW YORK GIANTS
Robinson jumps from one NFC East foe to another, signing with the Giants after playing for the Washington Redskins. He recorded 63 tackles, one fumble recovery, and an interception in 2015.
BRIAN ROBISON DEFENSIVE END MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Ten years into his career, Robison is still a dependable player, racking up 34 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in the 2015 season.
DUKE THOMAS CORNERBACK
HOUSTON TEXANS
Thomas joined Houston as an undrafted free agent. His blinding speed, leadership and continued progress will need to impress the Texans coaches in order for Thomas to see playing time this season.
MYKELLE THOMPSON SAFETY NEW YORK GIANTS
A torn Achilles tendon dampened Thompson’s rookie season, but the healthy defender has his eye on making the 53-man roster this year. He’ll compete with a group of young safeties and appears to have a real chance to make an impact.
KENNY VACCARO STRONG SAFETY NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The human missile connected his helmet with plenty of offensive players, recording 104 tackles and three sacks in 2015. Vaccaro is moving up experts’ lists as one of the most dynamic safeties in the league, and he’s one of the lone stars in a lagging New Orleans defense.
FOZZY WHITTAKER RUNNING BACK CAROLINA PANTHERS
Whittaker is known as much for his leadership as his tenacity out on the playing field. He rushed 25 times for 108 yards and a score, and caught 12 passes in 2015.
NICK ROSE
AARON WILLIAMS
The big-legged rookie will fight with Matt Bryant for the starting spot as kicker for Atlanta. He’ll get a fair shake, as the 41-yearold Bryant rehabs a right quad injury.
Buffalo fans’ hearts stopped in week two of the 2015 season when Williams went down with a neck injury that doctors speculated as career ending. Thankfully the doctors’ speculations may be wrong, and the fifth-year safety plans to be on the field again.
SAFETY BUFFALO BILLS
KICKER ATLANTA FALCONS
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COURTESY USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
HASSAN RIDGEWAY
FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016
PUNDITS’ PICK THE PUNDITS’ PREDICTIONS ARE IN
PUNDIT
KIRK BOHLS
BIG 12 CHAMP
BIG 12 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
BIG 12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
BIG 12 FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MOST UNDERRATED BIG 12 TEAM
OKLAHOMA
PATRICK MAHOMES
CHARLES WALKER
SHANE BUECHELE
WEST VIRGINIA
Austin American-Statesman
GREG TEPPER
(TEXAS TECH) (OKLAHOMA)
OKLAHOMA
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
BRIAN DAVIS
OKLAHOMA
Austin American-Statesman
RICKY DOYLE
OKLAHOMA
TWC News
STEVE HABEL
OKLAHOMA
JOHNNY WALKER
(TEXAS)
(TCU)
BAKER MAYFIELD
JORDAN WILLIS
SHANE BUECHELE
(OKLAHOMA
(KANSAS STATE)
(TEXAS)
SHANE BAKER MALIK MAYFIELD JEFFERSON BUECHELE
OKLAHOMA
(TEXAS)
(TEXAS)
(TEXAS)
DANA CLEMSON HOLGORSEN VS. (WEST NOTRE DAME VIRGINIA)
HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER
TEXAS SEASON RECORD
TEXAS MVP
TEXAS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
TEXAS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CLEMSON
DESHAUN WATSON
7-5
MALIK JEFFERSON
D'ONTA FOREMAN
MALIK JEFFERSON
7-5
CHRIS MALIK MALIK JEFFERSON WARREN III JEFFERSON
7-5
SHANE BUECHELE
D’ONTA FOREMAN
MALIK JEFFERSON
7-5
CHRIS WARREN
SHANE BUECHELE
MALIK JEFFERSON
(CLEMSON)
ALABAMA
OKLAHOMA MIKE GUNDY ALABAMA VS. STATE (OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA STATE)
ALABAMA
BOB STOOPS
ALABAMA
BOB STOOPS
FLORIDA STATE
OKLAHOMA STATE
TEXAS TECH
BOB STOOPS
NATIONAL CHAMPION
ALABAMA VS. (OKLAHOMA) FLORIDA STATE
(TEXAS)
ALABAMA VS. (OKLAHOMA) OKLAHOMA FLORIDA STATE (OKLAHOMA) VS. OKLAHOMA
COLLIN OKLAHOMA MIKE GUNDY CLEMSON JOHNSON (OKLAHOMA STATE VS. (TEXAS) STATE) ALABAMA
CHRIS MALIK SAM WARREN III JEFFERSON BUECHELE (TEXAS)
Horns Illustrated
(TEXAS)
BAKER MALIK MAYFIELD JEFFERSON (OKLAHOMA)
OKLAHOMA
(TEXAS)
SHANE PATRICK MALIK MAHOMES JEFFERSON BUECHELE (TEXAS TECH)
KVUE NEWS
TEXAS TECH SEWO OLONILUA
(TEXAS TECH)
(OKLAHOMA)
Horns Illustrated
MIKE BARNES
PATRICK MALIK MAHOMES JEFFERSON
(TEXAS)
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
BIG 12 COACH OF THE YEAR
BAYLOR
(TEXAS)
CHARLIE STRONG (TEXAS)
VEGAS ODDS
OHIO STATE VS. ALABAMA
LEONARD FOURNETTE (LSU)
LEONARD FOURNETTE (LSU)
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (STANFORD)
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY
7-5
CHRIS MALIK MALIK JEFFERSON WARREN III JEFFERSON
7-5
CHRIS MALIK MALIK JEFFERSON WARREN III JEFFERSON
10-2
SHANE CHRIS MALIK BUECHELE WARREN III JEFFERSON
(STANFORD)
CLEMSON
BAKER MAYFIELD (OKLAHOMA)
OHIO STATE
GREG WARD (HOUSTON)
ODDS AS OF JULY 11 AT VEGASINSIDER.COM
TO WIN 2016 COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TEAM
ODDS
TEAM
ODDS
TEAM
ODDS
TEAM
ODDS
Alabama Ohio State Clemson LSU Michigan Oklahoma Florida State Tennessee Notre Dame Stanford Ole Miss USC Michigan State Oregon TCU Baylor
7/1 15/2 8/1 12/1 12/1 12/1 16/1 16/1 20/1 28/1 30/1 35/1 40/1 40/1 40/1 45/1
Georgia Auburn Florida UCLA Houston Louisville Oklahoma State Washington Texas A&M Iowa Miami, Fl. Texas Arkansas Boise State Nebraska North Carolina
45/1 50/1 50/1 50/1 60/1 60/1 60/1 60/1 65/1 75/1 80/1 80/1 100/1 100/1 100/1 100/1
Utah Wisconsin Arizona State Washington State West Virginia Arizona BYU Mississippi State Missouri Penn State South Carolina Virginia Tech Virginia California Georgia Tech Kansas State
100/1 100/1 150/1 150/1 250/1 300/1 300/1 300/1 300/1 300/1 300/1 300/1 350/1 400/1 500/1 500/1
Minnesota NC State Pittsburgh Texas Tech Boston College Cincinnati Kentucky Northwestern San Diego State South Florida Temple Utah State Colorado Duke Illinois Indiana
500/1 500/1 500/1 500/1 1000/1 1000/1 1000/1 1000/1 1000/1 1000/1 1000/1 1000/1 2000/1 2000/1 2000/1 2000/1
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Horns Illustrated (ISSN 1096-2573), Volume 23, Number 4. Copyright Š 2016 by Texan Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Published seven times a year (monthly in January/February, March/April, May/June, July-September, October, November and December) in the United States by Horns Illustrated, 9417 B Solana Vista Loop, Austin, TX 78750. Subscription Inquiries: Send new or renewal notices or change of address (send both old and new addresses) to Horns Illustrated, P.O. Box 50069, Austin, TX 78763. Allow 6-8 weeks for change of address. Subscription Problems: Call 855-246-7677. Subscription Costs: U.S. and its possessions, one year basic rate, $39.00. Periodicals Postage Paid =P QOPEJ 1AT=O =J@ =@@EPEKJ=H I=EHEJC KBł ?AO POSTMASTER – send address changes to Horns Illustrated - P.O. Box 50069, Austin, TX 78763. Tel. (855) 246-7677. Publisher disclaims all responsibility to return unsolicited editorial matter, and all rights in portions published vest in publisher. Letters to Horns Illustrated magazine or its editors are assumed intended for publication in whole or in part without permission from the writer. Any similarity between persons or places mentioned EJ PDA ł ?PEKJ KN OAIE ł ?PEKJ =J@ NA=H LH=?AO KN persons living or dead is coincidental. Single copies: $4.95 in U.S. FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016 HORNS ILLUSTRATED 79
FINAL SCORE
WELCOME TO THE FOLD
JIM S IGMO N/UNIV. OF TEXAS
David Pierce spent most of his 27-year career coaching in the state of Texas, and now he gets to come back to the Lone Star State as the new head baseball coach. Pierce, just the fifth Longhorn head coach since 1911, is the 13th head coach in 122 years of Texas baseball. “Texas is second to no one,” Pierce said. “I played against guys in the mid-’80s and understood the tradition, history and the expectation of being a Longhorn. I understand it’s a position that holds a lot of responsibility, and I’m ready to accept that.” The 53-year-old Pierce comes to Texas from Tulane, where he spent the past two seasons as head coach following a three-year stint at Sam Houston State in that role. His teams have qualified for the NCAA tournament in each of his five years as a head coach. This summer, he was also named an assistant coach with the 2016 U.S. Collegiate National Team. In his five seasons as a Division I head coach, Pierce has posted a 197-109 (.644) overall record, including a 76-46 (.623) mark at Tulane. Joining the Green Wave in 2015, the Houston native guided the school into its first season in the American Athletic Conference. His team posted a school-record nine shutouts, which ranked fourth in the nation, en route to a 35-25 record and the program’s first regional appearance since 2008.
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2016