Keenan Robinson became the first Longhorn selected in the NFL Draft when the Washington Redskins selected the linebacker late in the fourth round on Saturday afternoon.
Robinson was the No. 119 overall pick and will get a chance to reunite with former Longhorn and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Orakpo in Washington.
At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Robinson projects out as an outside linebacker for the Redskins, a spot where they're already set for the future with Orakpo and 2011 first-rounder Ryan Kerrigan.
The Plano, Texas, native started 39 of his 51 career games at Texas during his five years in the program and earned second-team All-Big 12 and Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP honors last season.
ESPN's Todd McShay called Robinson's measurables "phenomenal" on Saturday but said he didn't think the linebacker reached his potential during his time at Texas.
"I thought early in his career he had star potential, and then he never really improved," McShay said. "He can get from sideline to sideline with the best of them. I think he's one of the best athletes at the linebacker position in this year's class."
Robinson's selection ended Texas' longest NFL Draft drought in more than a decade. No Longhorn was drafted in the first three rounds for the first time since 2000, when sixth-round defensive end Cedric Woodward was UT's only draft pick.
Though he has good range and is solid in man and zone coverage, the knock on Robinson that caused him to fall to late in the fourth round was his ability to take on and shed blocks.
"That's kind of important when you play the linebacker position," McShay said. "He's got to improve in that regard. He's a phenomenal athlete and could pan out but there's a lot of work there that needs to be done there for the Redskins."
Texas linebacker Emmanuel Acho, defensive tackle Kheeston Randall and running back Fozzy Whittaker are still hoping to hear their names called on Saturday during the draft's final three rounds.
Robinson was the No. 119 overall pick and will get a chance to reunite with former Longhorn and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Orakpo in Washington.
At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Robinson projects out as an outside linebacker for the Redskins, a spot where they're already set for the future with Orakpo and 2011 first-rounder Ryan Kerrigan.
The Plano, Texas, native started 39 of his 51 career games at Texas during his five years in the program and earned second-team All-Big 12 and Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP honors last season.
ESPN's Todd McShay called Robinson's measurables "phenomenal" on Saturday but said he didn't think the linebacker reached his potential during his time at Texas.
"I thought early in his career he had star potential, and then he never really improved," McShay said. "He can get from sideline to sideline with the best of them. I think he's one of the best athletes at the linebacker position in this year's class."
Robinson's selection ended Texas' longest NFL Draft drought in more than a decade. No Longhorn was drafted in the first three rounds for the first time since 2000, when sixth-round defensive end Cedric Woodward was UT's only draft pick.
Though he has good range and is solid in man and zone coverage, the knock on Robinson that caused him to fall to late in the fourth round was his ability to take on and shed blocks.
"That's kind of important when you play the linebacker position," McShay said. "He's got to improve in that regard. He's a phenomenal athlete and could pan out but there's a lot of work there that needs to be done there for the Redskins."
Texas linebacker Emmanuel Acho, defensive tackle Kheeston Randall and running back Fozzy Whittaker are still hoping to hear their names called on Saturday during the draft's final three rounds.
UT rally falls short against A&M
April, 27, 2012
4/27/12
11:47
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas couldn't touch Texas A&M pitcher Michael Wacha.
Then something happened.
“They changed pitchers,” Longhorns coach Augie Garrido said.
That led to No. 20 Texas almost taking out the No. 9 Aggies. Down 6-0 in the top of the ninth, Texas came back with a furious five-run rally before being stopped on Jonathan Walsh's ground out to second. The 6-5 loss in front of a record 6,944 fans at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park dropped Texas to 24-15, 11-5. For Texas A&M (30-12, 10-6) the win was the first against Texas in College Station in 10 tries.
“Our survival instinct clicked in,” Garrido said of the final frame.
But all the damage necessary had been done. And while Wacha (6-0) did a lot of the damage, Texas self-inflicted a few wounds of its own. The Longhorns had three errors, allowed four unearned runs, allowed four runs with two outs and suffered two wild pitches.
“We didn't stay together as a team,” Jordan Etier said.
It was Etier who has had a hard time keeping it together. The shortstop has had five errors in the past two games.
“Our defense is not clicking,” Garrido said.
Neither were the bats against Wacha.
“That's the sixth or seventh first round pitcher we have faced this year,” Garrido said. “And he was the best of the seven.”
Added Etier: “We couldn't get him off his rhythm.”
The worry for Texas A&M coach Rob Childress is that Texas might have found its rhythm in the ninth.
“You want them leaving here dejected and they're not,” he said.
Texas was able to lifts its collective head slightly after stringing together five hits and drawing two walks in the ninth. That rally was in stark contrast to what happened during the first eight innings.
With Wacha on the mound, Texas was only able to produce four hits and fanned nine times. Texas stranded six runners against Wacha, including Mark Payton after he took the first pitch of the game to the wall for a double.
Texas A&M took little time in grabbing the lead with two in the bottom of the first off Texas starter Nathan Thornhill (4-4). Both runs were unearned, as were the next two given up by Texas in the third.
“The catching position didn't function. The middle of the infield didn't function,” Garrido said. “It's a big problem.”
Texas doesn’t have that much time to figure out the problem as the Aggies will come to Disch Falk-Field for a 2:30 p.m. game Saturday.
Then something happened.
“They changed pitchers,” Longhorns coach Augie Garrido said.
That led to No. 20 Texas almost taking out the No. 9 Aggies. Down 6-0 in the top of the ninth, Texas came back with a furious five-run rally before being stopped on Jonathan Walsh's ground out to second. The 6-5 loss in front of a record 6,944 fans at Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park dropped Texas to 24-15, 11-5. For Texas A&M (30-12, 10-6) the win was the first against Texas in College Station in 10 tries.
“Our survival instinct clicked in,” Garrido said of the final frame.
But all the damage necessary had been done. And while Wacha (6-0) did a lot of the damage, Texas self-inflicted a few wounds of its own. The Longhorns had three errors, allowed four unearned runs, allowed four runs with two outs and suffered two wild pitches.
“We didn't stay together as a team,” Jordan Etier said.
It was Etier who has had a hard time keeping it together. The shortstop has had five errors in the past two games.
“Our defense is not clicking,” Garrido said.
Neither were the bats against Wacha.
“That's the sixth or seventh first round pitcher we have faced this year,” Garrido said. “And he was the best of the seven.”
Added Etier: “We couldn't get him off his rhythm.”
The worry for Texas A&M coach Rob Childress is that Texas might have found its rhythm in the ninth.
“You want them leaving here dejected and they're not,” he said.
Texas was able to lifts its collective head slightly after stringing together five hits and drawing two walks in the ninth. That rally was in stark contrast to what happened during the first eight innings.
With Wacha on the mound, Texas was only able to produce four hits and fanned nine times. Texas stranded six runners against Wacha, including Mark Payton after he took the first pitch of the game to the wall for a double.
Texas A&M took little time in grabbing the lead with two in the bottom of the first off Texas starter Nathan Thornhill (4-4). Both runs were unearned, as were the next two given up by Texas in the third.
“The catching position didn't function. The middle of the infield didn't function,” Garrido said. “It's a big problem.”
Texas doesn’t have that much time to figure out the problem as the Aggies will come to Disch Falk-Field for a 2:30 p.m. game Saturday.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Texas CB A.J. White says he will transfer 
April, 27, 2012
4/27/12
4:30
PM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Texas junior cornerback A.J. White has announced he plans to transfer at the end of the semester.
White received his unconditional release after playing two seasons in Austin. The DeSoto, Texas, native played in 17 games for the Longhorns, and he recorded six tackles in 11 games last season.
"I decided to transfer because I felt like I needed to get a new start," White said in a statement. "I want to give thanks to Coach [Duane] Akina and Coach [Mack] Brown for everything they've done for me here.
White received his unconditional release after playing two seasons in Austin. The DeSoto, Texas, native played in 17 games for the Longhorns, and he recorded six tackles in 11 games last season.
"I decided to transfer because I felt like I needed to get a new start," White said in a statement. "I want to give thanks to Coach [Duane] Akina and Coach [Mack] Brown for everything they've done for me here.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Insider's take on spring QB battles
April, 27, 2012
4/27/12
3:00
PM CT
By HornsNation staff | ESPN.com
College football Insider Travis Haney broke down some of the still undecided QB battles that remain after spring football. Among them Oklahoma State, Florida, Stanford and, of course, Texas.
Here is what Haney had to say about the Longhorns' QB race:
Here is what Haney had to say about the Longhorns' QB race:
Second-year coordinator Bryan Harsin is a pretty close-to-the-vest sort of guy, and he isn't saying much this spring to indicate who has the lead between returning co-starters David Ash and Case McCoy. Every indication around Austin, even during last season, was that Ash gave the Horns the better chance to win in the long term. He has the better physical skill set, but he sometimes made it impossible to play him, as evidenced by his 4-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio.To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Video: College football bowls vs. playoffs
April, 27, 2012
4/27/12
1:00
PM CT
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Ivan Maisel and Gene Wojciechowski debate whether the bowls or a playoff system is the way to go.
Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Cory Redding returned to his old stomping grounds at the University of Texas on Friday to announce the Cory and Pricilla Redding Family Scholarship.
The endowment will help provide educational opportunities to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.
“My wife is a graduate of the College of Education,” Redding said. “I am still working to get my degree from the College of Education. Education is important. We need more teachers and motivators to keep our kids on the right track.”
Redding, who is actively pursuing the completion of his degree in Youth and Community Studies, grew up with humble beginnings and understands the importance that something like this -- monetary peace of mind -- can have on a young person’s life. Even more important than that, perhaps, is the comfort of people leading you in the right direction, which he plans to do personally.
“I feel like anyone in my position can write a check,” said Redding, who was selected with the 66th overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft by Detroit. “But that’s not me. If anyone knows Cory Redding, I am hands-on in anything that I do because I am that proud of it. With that being said, I look forward to being very involved with the scholars who receiver this endowment.”
None of this comes as a surprise to Longhorns coach Mack Brown, who knew Redding had the ability and understanding to do something like this because of his passion and leadership skills while at Texas.
“To have the foresight to give back is a great gift and not a lot of athletes give back because they feel like they spent their time giving back while on campus,” Brown said. “This should be a message to athletes across the country that when you have people in your life that have done so much for you like the College of Education, not only can you mentor those students but you can say thank you.”
University president Bill Powers said this is “about as good as it gets as a college president” to see a student-athlete give back to the university in this way.
“We say that we change people’s lives here at the university and what they do is go out and be a big part of their communities, give back and help. Cory and Pricilla, we are proud of you.
“As Cory said, this will be more than financial support. He will mentor these students. I think it will be neat come Sunday afternoon when one of these kids says ‘Mom and dad, you know that family that gave me the ability to come to Texas, well he just got a sack.’”
He’s recorded 25.5 of those over his career.
The endowment will help provide educational opportunities to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.
“My wife is a graduate of the College of Education,” Redding said. “I am still working to get my degree from the College of Education. Education is important. We need more teachers and motivators to keep our kids on the right track.”
Redding, who is actively pursuing the completion of his degree in Youth and Community Studies, grew up with humble beginnings and understands the importance that something like this -- monetary peace of mind -- can have on a young person’s life. Even more important than that, perhaps, is the comfort of people leading you in the right direction, which he plans to do personally.
“I feel like anyone in my position can write a check,” said Redding, who was selected with the 66th overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft by Detroit. “But that’s not me. If anyone knows Cory Redding, I am hands-on in anything that I do because I am that proud of it. With that being said, I look forward to being very involved with the scholars who receiver this endowment.”
None of this comes as a surprise to Longhorns coach Mack Brown, who knew Redding had the ability and understanding to do something like this because of his passion and leadership skills while at Texas.
“To have the foresight to give back is a great gift and not a lot of athletes give back because they feel like they spent their time giving back while on campus,” Brown said. “This should be a message to athletes across the country that when you have people in your life that have done so much for you like the College of Education, not only can you mentor those students but you can say thank you.”
University president Bill Powers said this is “about as good as it gets as a college president” to see a student-athlete give back to the university in this way.
“We say that we change people’s lives here at the university and what they do is go out and be a big part of their communities, give back and help. Cory and Pricilla, we are proud of you.
“As Cory said, this will be more than financial support. He will mentor these students. I think it will be neat come Sunday afternoon when one of these kids says ‘Mom and dad, you know that family that gave me the ability to come to Texas, well he just got a sack.’”
He’s recorded 25.5 of those over his career.
After three days of meetings between BCS conference commissioners, one thing is abundantly clear. College football will have a playoff system.
As Mark Schlabach reports, there is still much to hammer out. Between sites, formats and the involvement of certain bowls, the commissioners have several details that will determine what the model looks like.
Read the full story here.
The 11 Football Bowl Subdivision conference commissioners and Notre Dame athletics director Jack Swarbrick didn't finalize much during three days of meetings here, but it's evident that college football will have a four-team playoff in place by the 2014 season.
There are plenty of details that must still be settled: how the four teams will be selected, where and when two semifinals and a championship game will be played, and how the current BCS bowl games (Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar) will fit into the sport's new playoff model, if at all.
Regardless of the details, college football will finally have a playoff to determine its national champion.
As Mark Schlabach reports, there is still much to hammer out. Between sites, formats and the involvement of certain bowls, the commissioners have several details that will determine what the model looks like.
Read the full story here.
I've been inspired by the boys at the Big Ten Blog, and this should be a fun walk-through each week in the new-look Big 12 next season. I'll pick one game a week during the season that I'd attend if it were entirely up to me. I don't make the call, and things change as games are played, of course. But right now, this is how it would look if it were up to me. I'll include road nonconference games, too.
Here's the Week 11 slate in the Big 12:
Somehow, we made it until Week 11 before I got a chance to see the Horned Frogs play. In Week 11, it would be at TCU's shiny, brand-new Amon G. Carter Stadium. As we've mentioned before, it's tough to project how the Big 12 standings will look this late in the season, but this game could serve as a de facto elimination game in the Big 12 title race.
That may be more true for TCU than Kansas State, but this will be a fun game with a whole lot of purple. The Horned Frogs and Wildcats are two of the most physical teams in the entire league, and we'll see a game that doesn't look like all that much of a "Big 12" game once it starts. K-State has two 900-yard rushers in John Hubert and Collin Klein, and Robert Rose has come on strong this spring.
TCU boast three 700-yard rushers, but has a more evolved passing game than anything Kansas State showed through 2011. Will that change with another year of experience. Could be.
Klein could show something special in what would be a huge win for Kansas State, or an even bigger one for TCU.
- Week 1: West Virginia vs. Marshall
- Week 2: Kansas State vs. Miami
- Week 3: Texas at Ole Miss
- Week 4: Kansas State at Oklahoma
- Week 5: Texas at Oklahoma State
- Week 6: West Virginia at Texas
- Week 7: Oklahoma vs. Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas
- Week 8: Kansas State at West Virginia
- Week 9: Notre Dame at Oklahoma
- Week 10: Oklahoma State at Kansas State
Here's the Week 11 slate in the Big 12:
- Baylor at Oklahoma
- Iowa State at Texas
- Kansas at Texas Tech
- Kansas State at TCU
- West Virginia at Oklahoma State
Somehow, we made it until Week 11 before I got a chance to see the Horned Frogs play. In Week 11, it would be at TCU's shiny, brand-new Amon G. Carter Stadium. As we've mentioned before, it's tough to project how the Big 12 standings will look this late in the season, but this game could serve as a de facto elimination game in the Big 12 title race.
That may be more true for TCU than Kansas State, but this will be a fun game with a whole lot of purple. The Horned Frogs and Wildcats are two of the most physical teams in the entire league, and we'll see a game that doesn't look like all that much of a "Big 12" game once it starts. K-State has two 900-yard rushers in John Hubert and Collin Klein, and Robert Rose has come on strong this spring.
TCU boast three 700-yard rushers, but has a more evolved passing game than anything Kansas State showed through 2011. Will that change with another year of experience. Could be.
Klein could show something special in what would be a huge win for Kansas State, or an even bigger one for TCU.
Texas comes late to Massington recruiting
April, 27, 2012
4/27/12
9:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Eldridge Massington received an apology this week, one he’d been looking forward to hearing.
Ever since the four-star receiver from West Mesquite attended Texas’ second junior day in February, he has felt Texas coaches have been ignoring him. That changed on Wednesday night.
Texas co-recruiting coordinators Bruce Chambers and Darrell Wyatt called West Mesquite’s coaching staff on Wednesday night to express their renewed interest in Massington and asked that Massington give them a call.
Ever since the four-star receiver from West Mesquite attended Texas’ second junior day in February, he has felt Texas coaches have been ignoring him. That changed on Wednesday night.
Texas co-recruiting coordinators Bruce Chambers and Darrell Wyatt called West Mesquite’s coaching staff on Wednesday night to express their renewed interest in Massington and asked that Massington give them a call.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Chat reminder: Sean Adams, Fri. 11 a.m. CT
April, 26, 2012
4/26/12
9:00
PM CT
By HornsNation staff | ESPN.com
Sean Adams will be joining SportsNation Friday at 11 a.m. CT. He'll be chatting NFL draft, the end of the A&M-Texas rivalry and so much.
Submit your questions here.
Remember, the conversation is always going in The Forum and be sure to hear more from Sean Adams and former Texas QB Chance Mock daily from 1-4 p.m. CT on The Adams Theory.
Submit your questions here.
Remember, the conversation is always going in The Forum and be sure to hear more from Sean Adams and former Texas QB Chance Mock daily from 1-4 p.m. CT on The Adams Theory.
Welcome to your daily Board Meeting. Each evening we’ll update you on the day’s hottest topics on the HornsNation forum.
1. Nick Foles on not playing for Texas : Arizona QB Nick Foles was on Jon Gruden’s QB camp talking about not going to Texas. And Longhorns fans might not want to think too much about the QBs taken in this weekend’s NFL draft. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill could all go in the first round. All are Texans and, of course, none wore the burnt orange.
Hindsight is 20/20 and nowhere is that more true than recruiting, but it does make the point that the Lone Star State is producing elite QB, just none of the recent players have been Longhorns.
1. Nick Foles on not playing for Texas : Arizona QB Nick Foles was on Jon Gruden’s QB camp talking about not going to Texas. And Longhorns fans might not want to think too much about the QBs taken in this weekend’s NFL draft. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill could all go in the first round. All are Texans and, of course, none wore the burnt orange.
Hindsight is 20/20 and nowhere is that more true than recruiting, but it does make the point that the Lone Star State is producing elite QB, just none of the recent players have been Longhorns.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Among the ESPN 150-ranked defensive tackles still uncommitted is Dallas Kimball prospect Justin Manning. Here's what the experts say about Manning's recruiting thus far:
For a while, it was believed that Oklahoma was, without question, the leader in the Manning sweepstakes (his brother is former OU standout DeMarcus Granger). As more schools show interest, and with the Sooners only recently offering, the race for Manning now seems to be wide open. Texas A&M was his first offer, and LSU arguably is his most intriguing offer. Texas would also love to steal away the younger brother of the former Sooner. Manning has gone on record to say he won't make a decision until the end of his senior season.
Read the full story here.
College Football 411: Playoff dreaming
April, 26, 2012
4/26/12
3:00
PM CT
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Cassidy Hubbarth and the college football bloggers go around the country to explain how a playoff system would help everyone.
ABOUT HORNSNATION
Sean Adams
Sean Adams has covered the Texas Longhorns and college football for the last 12 years as a writer and radio host. Sean co-hosts "The Big Show" with Erin Hogan each afternoon on ESPN Austin 104.9 The Horn. He lives with his family in Round Rock, Texas. Email him at thisean@gmail.com.
Max Olson
Max Olson joined ESPN in 2012 after covering the University of Nebraska for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald and high school and college sports for the World-Herald and Rivals.com. Olson is a University of Nebraska graduate and lives in Austin, Texas. Email him at maxolsonespn@gmail.com.
Carter Strickand
Carter Strickland joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the University of Oklahoma for The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman and Washington State University for The (Spokane, Wash.) Spokesman-Review. Strickland lives with his wife and family in Austin. Email him at cstrickland70@gmail.com.
William Wilkerson
William Wilkerson joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering high school sports, college sports and the Texas Rangers over four years at the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram. William is a University of Texas graduate and lives in Austin. He can be reached at wilkerson.espn@gmail.com.