Join HornsNation's live chat for the Texas Longhorns spring game at 1:45 p.m. CT.
Welcome to your daily Board Meeting. Each evening we’ll update you on the day’s hottest topics on the HornsNation forum.
1. Rank UT’s defense for 2012: Nicholas74230 posed the topic with his own hopeful response that the Longhorns will finish with the nation’s top-ranked defense. Most of the responses predicted a top 10 finish. What is interesting is that many expect this defense to be better than last year, but that will truly be hard to tell until a few games into the season. It will certainly be hard to gauge the impact of replacing Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho. They were the ringleaders of the defense and much of their value came with getting players in the right positions within Manny Diaz’s scheme. Their roles will now be filled by two first-time starters. Finding another safety and depth in the secondary are also big factors.
The schedule could also play a factor. West Virginia is a point machine and everyone understands Oklahoma’s offensive prowess. What isn’t known is how Baylor and Oklahoma State will replace their litany of playmakers.
1. Rank UT’s defense for 2012: Nicholas74230 posed the topic with his own hopeful response that the Longhorns will finish with the nation’s top-ranked defense. Most of the responses predicted a top 10 finish. What is interesting is that many expect this defense to be better than last year, but that will truly be hard to tell until a few games into the season. It will certainly be hard to gauge the impact of replacing Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho. They were the ringleaders of the defense and much of their value came with getting players in the right positions within Manny Diaz’s scheme. Their roles will now be filled by two first-time starters. Finding another safety and depth in the secondary are also big factors.
The schedule could also play a factor. West Virginia is a point machine and everyone understands Oklahoma’s offensive prowess. What isn’t known is how Baylor and Oklahoma State will replace their litany of playmakers.
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Sean Adams stopped by to talk with HornsNation. Sean covered a lot of topics, but mostly covered the upcoming spring game.
Read the full chat wrap here.
Here are a few of the questions and answers:
Read the full chat wrap here.
Here are a few of the questions and answers:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Video: Spring tasks for Big 12 teams
March, 30, 2012
3/30/12
2:00
PM CT
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Not all springs are created equal. Which Big 12 teams have the biggest tasks this offseason? David Ubben fills you in.
Texas hosts weekend series with Cal
March, 30, 2012
3/30/12
12:09
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Dell Diamond will feature two teams this weekend heading in opposite directions.
The Longhorns, ranked No. 18 by Baseball America, have won 9 of 10 thanks to the plate production of several key bats. Jonathan Walsh leads the way over the last nine games with a .500 average (19-of-38). Erich Weiss (.429), Jordan Etier (.412), Mark Payton (.381) and Alex Silver (.368) have also seen spikes in their averages over that span for Texas (14-9, 5-1 Big 12).
Cal, which made it to the College World Series along with Texas a season ago, has lost 7 of 11 and 3 of 5. The Golden Bears (14-9, 1-5 Pac-12) are in the midst of a grueling 12-game road trip that won't end until April 9th.
Scheduling note: Texas and Cal were supposed to play in a doubleheader on Saturday but will instead play one game at 4 p.m. and then close out the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, March 30, 2012 -- 7 p.m. Central
Texas: RHP Nathan Thornhill (2-2, 3.69 ERA)
California: LHP Justin Jones (2-3, 4.22 ERA)
Saturday, March 31, 2012 -- 4 p.m. Central
Texas: RHP Parker French (3-0, 3.82 ERA)
California: RHP Matt Flemer (3-2, 2.76 ERA)
Sunday, April 1, 2012 -- 1 p.m. Central
Texas: RHP Ricky Jacquez (1-1, 6.84 ERA)
California: LHP Kyle Porter (2-1, 5.40 ERA)
The Longhorns, ranked No. 18 by Baseball America, have won 9 of 10 thanks to the plate production of several key bats. Jonathan Walsh leads the way over the last nine games with a .500 average (19-of-38). Erich Weiss (.429), Jordan Etier (.412), Mark Payton (.381) and Alex Silver (.368) have also seen spikes in their averages over that span for Texas (14-9, 5-1 Big 12).
Cal, which made it to the College World Series along with Texas a season ago, has lost 7 of 11 and 3 of 5. The Golden Bears (14-9, 1-5 Pac-12) are in the midst of a grueling 12-game road trip that won't end until April 9th.
Scheduling note: Texas and Cal were supposed to play in a doubleheader on Saturday but will instead play one game at 4 p.m. and then close out the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, March 30, 2012 -- 7 p.m. Central
Texas: RHP Nathan Thornhill (2-2, 3.69 ERA)
California: LHP Justin Jones (2-3, 4.22 ERA)
Saturday, March 31, 2012 -- 4 p.m. Central
Texas: RHP Parker French (3-0, 3.82 ERA)
California: RHP Matt Flemer (3-2, 2.76 ERA)
Sunday, April 1, 2012 -- 1 p.m. Central
Texas: RHP Ricky Jacquez (1-1, 6.84 ERA)
California: LHP Kyle Porter (2-1, 5.40 ERA)
Visit to Texas A&M or LSU for DT Manning? 
March, 30, 2012
3/30/12
12:00
PM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive tackle Justin Manning (Dallas/Kimball) still has a few hours to answer the big question: Texas A&M or LSU?
Manning has been invited to College Station, Texas, to visit Texas A&M on Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle said he’s also been invited to Baton Rouge, La., to watch LSU spring game, also on Saturday.
So which school will he attend this weekend?
Manning has been invited to College Station, Texas, to visit Texas A&M on Saturday. The 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle said he’s also been invited to Baton Rouge, La., to watch LSU spring game, also on Saturday.
So which school will he attend this weekend?
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The latest edition of the Verbal Commit podcast it out.
RecruitingNation's experts take a look at Florida and Notre Dame's hot starts as well as USC ability to recruit nationwide. The guys also look at the Texas prospects who showed their skills at last weekend's Dallas Elite 11 and NFTC events.
Give it a listen.
RecruitingNation's experts take a look at Florida and Notre Dame's hot starts as well as USC ability to recruit nationwide. The guys also look at the Texas prospects who showed their skills at last weekend's Dallas Elite 11 and NFTC events.
Give it a listen.
UT expecting 200-plus 2014 prospects
March, 30, 2012
3/30/12
8:30
AM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
In the hierarchy of organization you might find The Container Store and your grandmother’s linen closet at the top of the list.
Not far behind, though, would have to be the 2012 version of Mack Brown’s coaching staff.
This time last year, as Texas neared the kickoff of its annual Orange-White game, they were, in essence, running around like kids in an Easter egg hunt. With so many coaches still trying to adjust to their new surroundings, the Longhorns had yet to identify the state’s top targets and entertained only about 25 sophomores at the game.
Not far behind, though, would have to be the 2012 version of Mack Brown’s coaching staff.
This time last year, as Texas neared the kickoff of its annual Orange-White game, they were, in essence, running around like kids in an Easter egg hunt. With so many coaches still trying to adjust to their new surroundings, the Longhorns had yet to identify the state’s top targets and entertained only about 25 sophomores at the game.
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1. A renewed rivalry, sort of?: By all accounts Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill had an impressive performance at his pro day Thursday. ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley reported that a large contingent from the Cleveland Browns were on hand. Perhaps the A&M-Texas rivalry will live on in Browns training camp.
The Browns would have likely drafted Baylor’s Robert Griffen III before the Redskins moved up via trade with the Rams to take RG3. There’s certainly no guarantee that the Browns would take Tannehill with the No. 4 pick. It’s certainly a reach for a player who has more time at receiver than QB. If the Browns do take him, it will set up a camp competition with former Longhorn Colt McCoy.
McCoy suffered a nasty his from the Steelers’ James Harrison and a concussion. McCoy did not play the rest of the season. He has only been in Cleveland for two seasons and came in with high marks from GM Mike Holmgren. McCoy was 2-2 in his career against the Aggies.
2. Drawing the line: Donald Hawkins is one of the more intriguing players to watch in Sunday’s spring game. The junior college transfer arrived at Texas with what some called a bit of an ego. He also proved his ability pretty quickly. To walk in and immediately move into the starting left tackle is no easy task. But if he is as good as advertised, he should solidify the Texas offensive line. There was a pretty steady rotation of players in and out last fall.
Hawkins, guard Mason Walters and center Dominic Espinosa are three solid starters. That leaves some combination of Trey Hopkins, Sedrick Flowers and Josh Cochran in the other two spots. Having a consistent group should only further build David Ash’s confidence.
3. A replacement for Coach G?: The Associated Press reports that North Texas women’s basketball coach Karen Aston has interviewed to the vacant job at Texas. Aston is a former Texas assistant who has coached at Charlotte and North Texas since leaving the Longhorns in 2006.
The report cites Aston as a top recruiter for the Longhorns during her tenure from 1998-2006.
Gail Goestenkors resigned from Texas on March 20.
The Browns would have likely drafted Baylor’s Robert Griffen III before the Redskins moved up via trade with the Rams to take RG3. There’s certainly no guarantee that the Browns would take Tannehill with the No. 4 pick. It’s certainly a reach for a player who has more time at receiver than QB. If the Browns do take him, it will set up a camp competition with former Longhorn Colt McCoy.
McCoy suffered a nasty his from the Steelers’ James Harrison and a concussion. McCoy did not play the rest of the season. He has only been in Cleveland for two seasons and came in with high marks from GM Mike Holmgren. McCoy was 2-2 in his career against the Aggies.
2. Drawing the line: Donald Hawkins is one of the more intriguing players to watch in Sunday’s spring game. The junior college transfer arrived at Texas with what some called a bit of an ego. He also proved his ability pretty quickly. To walk in and immediately move into the starting left tackle is no easy task. But if he is as good as advertised, he should solidify the Texas offensive line. There was a pretty steady rotation of players in and out last fall.
Hawkins, guard Mason Walters and center Dominic Espinosa are three solid starters. That leaves some combination of Trey Hopkins, Sedrick Flowers and Josh Cochran in the other two spots. Having a consistent group should only further build David Ash’s confidence.
3. A replacement for Coach G?: The Associated Press reports that North Texas women’s basketball coach Karen Aston has interviewed to the vacant job at Texas. Aston is a former Texas assistant who has coached at Charlotte and North Texas since leaving the Longhorns in 2006.
The report cites Aston as a top recruiter for the Longhorns during her tenure from 1998-2006.
Gail Goestenkors resigned from Texas on March 20.
Chat reminder: Sean Adams, 11 a.m. CT Friday
March, 29, 2012
3/29/12
9:15
PM CT
By HornsNation staff | ESPN.com
Sean Adams will join HornsNation for his weekly chat at 11 a.m. CT Friday.
With only a few days to go until the spring game, make sure and get your questions in for Sean. We won't just be talking spring game, hoops, recruiting, it's fair game.
Submit your questions here.
With only a few days to go until the spring game, make sure and get your questions in for Sean. We won't just be talking spring game, hoops, recruiting, it's fair game.
Submit your questions here.
Welcome to your daily Board Meeting. Each evening we’ll update you on the day’s hottest topics on the HornsNation forum.
1. Texas unveils new practice uniforms: Nothing seems to get people talking like messing around with traditions or team uniforms. The Texas football equipment staff set the Twitter world abuzz this morning by tweeting out photos of Nike Pro Combat-inspired practice uniforms that featured black, orange and white jerseys and pants to match. Cue the retweets and calls to radio shows. And message board posts. The response has been both positive and negative.
From katzinthecradle30: "Those uniforms are awesome … Great recruiting move."
1. Texas unveils new practice uniforms: Nothing seems to get people talking like messing around with traditions or team uniforms. The Texas football equipment staff set the Twitter world abuzz this morning by tweeting out photos of Nike Pro Combat-inspired practice uniforms that featured black, orange and white jerseys and pants to match. Cue the retweets and calls to radio shows. And message board posts. The response has been both positive and negative.
From katzinthecradle30: "Those uniforms are awesome … Great recruiting move."
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Is the Longhorns RB trio the nation's best?
March, 29, 2012
3/29/12
3:30
PM CT
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Texas' backfield is young, but it's the most highly recruited in the nation and looks to be productive in 2012.
Malcolm Brown, Joe Bergeron and Johnathan Gray could all be big names soon. We introduced you to Bergeron on the blog earlier this week.
This season, what are the odds that the trio is better than any backfield in the nation? It could happen, especially if they develop like their recruiting rankings suggest they should.
KC Joyner examines the possibility here
:
You'll need ESPN Insider to see it all, but it's an interesting note. Texas doesn't have a proven home-run hitter yet, but we'll see what Gray offers when he gets on campus.
Joyner notes that in eight of Brown's 14 seasons at Texas, he's used a single back as his premier ballcarrier, but that could be changing now.
Malcolm Brown, Joe Bergeron and Johnathan Gray could all be big names soon. We introduced you to Bergeron on the blog earlier this week.
This season, what are the odds that the trio is better than any backfield in the nation? It could happen, especially if they develop like their recruiting rankings suggest they should.
KC Joyner examines the possibility here
:
Texas' impressive collection of offensive line talent (the Longhorns return four starters up front) also helped the team post a 44.3 percent run blocking win rate and a 6.8-yard total in the good blocking yards per attempt (GBYPA) metric. (GBYPA is a metric that measures how productive a ballcarrier is when he is given good blocking, which is loosely defined as when the offense does not allow the defense to do anything to disrupt a rush attempt.)
Both of those figures are solid numbers and are a big part of why the Longhorns tallied 2,634 rushing yards last year, a total that ranked 21st in the FBS in that category.
Just getting everyone on the same page could go a long ways towards moving the rushing numbers up to an elite level, but an incredibly favorable schedule will also help matters a lot. Texas plays eight teams (Wyoming Cowboys, New Mexico Lobos, Ole Miss Rebels, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Baylor Bears, Kansas Jayhawks, Texas Tech Red Raiders and Iowa State Cyclones) that ranked in the bottom 40 in the FBS in rush yards per game allowed last year.
You'll need ESPN Insider to see it all, but it's an interesting note. Texas doesn't have a proven home-run hitter yet, but we'll see what Gray offers when he gets on campus.
Joyner notes that in eight of Brown's 14 seasons at Texas, he's used a single back as his premier ballcarrier, but that could be changing now.
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.