Texas lost one offensive line target on Saturday when Texas A&M landed a commitment from Dallas Bishop Dunne’s Ishmael Wilson.
The reason for his decision? “Coach [Kevin] Sumlin, enough said,” Wilson told HornsNation in a text message. “He is a great man.”
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound junior gave his pledge during A&M’s junior day today. LSU was his heavy favorite earlier this month, but he left the Tigers’ junior day in Baton Rouge without an offer.
The reason for his decision? “Coach [Kevin] Sumlin, enough said,” Wilson told HornsNation in a text message. “He is a great man.”
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound junior gave his pledge during A&M’s junior day today. LSU was his heavy favorite earlier this month, but he left the Tigers’ junior day in Baton Rouge without an offer.
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Texas' winning streak powered by defense, free throws
February, 17, 2012
2/17/12
3:00
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas has finally figured out that it is offensively limited.
OK, maybe they figured that out when they didn’t break 60 against Oklahoma State at home. It’s just that now Texas has figured out what to do about it. Play defense.
Texas has won four straight and in those games has allowed just 62 points per game. The defense has even become stingier in the second halves of the last two games. Kansas State scored just 24 points and shot 32 percent after leading at halftime against Texas. Oklahoma scored just 25 points and shot 42 percent in the second half after leading at halftime. Now the Longhorns will try for five straight Saturday when they travel to Oklahoma State.
Couple that defense with a more aggressive attack, which allows for Texas to get the free throw line, and that’s why the Longhorns have been successful as of late.
“We got to the free throw line 29 times and shot a nice percentage [against Oklahoma] compared to the fact that they only got there eight times,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said. “That’s a big step for us. If you go back the last couple games, we’ve been getting to the free throw line”
Texas has made it to the free throw line 77 times in the last two games. The Longhorns have converted 59 of those attempts. Their opponents have been 20 times and made 13. That’s a 46-point differential.
The reason those free throw attempts are piling up for Texas, and not for the opponents, is because of the defense. Alexis Wangmene, after watching Texas A&M’s David Loubeau back down into the lane and get to the stripe 10 times, has stepped up his interior defense.
“The one thing you are always searching for is consistency in every single thing,” Barnes said. “What we need him to do for us is to know we can count on him every single night to play defense, rebound and screen for us. He has been a guy that has made some key defensive plays for us.”
With Wangmene playing solid interior defense that allows Texas’ guards, specifically Myck Kabongo and Julien Lewis, to put more pressure on the perimeter players. With that, the ball has a hard time getting into the paint.
With the ball relegated to the perimeter, Kabongo has been able to get active with his hands, force turnovers and get fouled on breakaways (Texas has 19 points off turnovers in the second half against OU). The rest of the Texas players are seeing the success he has had getting to the rim, and subsequently the free throw line, and doing the same.
“We’ve got a couple of freshman that are way ahead of the curve in Myck and Julien,” Barnes said about the pair’s defensive pressure. “The whole key [for the other freshmen] is how quick they can grasp it, how quickly can they pick it up and move forward.”
It appears as if most of them have started to do just that in the last four games.
OK, maybe they figured that out when they didn’t break 60 against Oklahoma State at home. It’s just that now Texas has figured out what to do about it. Play defense.
Texas has won four straight and in those games has allowed just 62 points per game. The defense has even become stingier in the second halves of the last two games. Kansas State scored just 24 points and shot 32 percent after leading at halftime against Texas. Oklahoma scored just 25 points and shot 42 percent in the second half after leading at halftime. Now the Longhorns will try for five straight Saturday when they travel to Oklahoma State.
Couple that defense with a more aggressive attack, which allows for Texas to get the free throw line, and that’s why the Longhorns have been successful as of late.
“We got to the free throw line 29 times and shot a nice percentage [against Oklahoma] compared to the fact that they only got there eight times,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said. “That’s a big step for us. If you go back the last couple games, we’ve been getting to the free throw line”
Texas has made it to the free throw line 77 times in the last two games. The Longhorns have converted 59 of those attempts. Their opponents have been 20 times and made 13. That’s a 46-point differential.
The reason those free throw attempts are piling up for Texas, and not for the opponents, is because of the defense. Alexis Wangmene, after watching Texas A&M’s David Loubeau back down into the lane and get to the stripe 10 times, has stepped up his interior defense.
“The one thing you are always searching for is consistency in every single thing,” Barnes said. “What we need him to do for us is to know we can count on him every single night to play defense, rebound and screen for us. He has been a guy that has made some key defensive plays for us.”
With Wangmene playing solid interior defense that allows Texas’ guards, specifically Myck Kabongo and Julien Lewis, to put more pressure on the perimeter players. With that, the ball has a hard time getting into the paint.
With the ball relegated to the perimeter, Kabongo has been able to get active with his hands, force turnovers and get fouled on breakaways (Texas has 19 points off turnovers in the second half against OU). The rest of the Texas players are seeing the success he has had getting to the rim, and subsequently the free throw line, and doing the same.
“We’ve got a couple of freshman that are way ahead of the curve in Myck and Julien,” Barnes said about the pair’s defensive pressure. “The whole key [for the other freshmen] is how quick they can grasp it, how quickly can they pick it up and move forward.”
It appears as if most of them have started to do just that in the last four games.
Swoopes could be ideal QB for Texas 
February, 17, 2012
2/17/12
1:08
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- There was a time not too long ago around Texas that the quarterback was not a liability, but an asset.
He was a player who could pass and run. He was the one who kept defenses guessing and off balance. The Texas quarterback was not just the best player on his team but one of the best players in the nation.
That six-year run ended in 2009, when Colt McCoy exhausted his eligibility. Texas took a step toward starting another such run when it secured the commitment of Tyrone Swoopes (Whitewright, Texas/Whitewright), arguably the top quarterback in the state and possibly the country.
He was a player who could pass and run. He was the one who kept defenses guessing and off balance. The Texas quarterback was not just the best player on his team but one of the best players in the nation.
That six-year run ended in 2009, when Colt McCoy exhausted his eligibility. Texas took a step toward starting another such run when it secured the commitment of Tyrone Swoopes (Whitewright, Texas/Whitewright), arguably the top quarterback in the state and possibly the country.
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The Georgia Bulldogs have not had a lot of luck building depth on the offensive line, and this most recent recruiting class is a prime example. The Bulldogs were able to sign only three linemen since Chester Brown had to decommit due to a new immigration rule.
With an emphasis again on building up the offensive line for the 2013 class, the coaches in Athens have turned to juco offensive lineman Trenton Brown of Georgia Military College in Milledgeville.
“They offered me about 30 minutes ago,” Brown told DawgNation. “I came in the athletic facility to get some treatment and Coach [Joe] Windon told me they offered. It is a blessing, and I give all the honor to God. It is my second offer, and Georgia is in my top five. The others are Florida State, Alabama, Texas and LSU.”
With an emphasis again on building up the offensive line for the 2013 class, the coaches in Athens have turned to juco offensive lineman Trenton Brown of Georgia Military College in Milledgeville.
“They offered me about 30 minutes ago,” Brown told DawgNation. “I came in the athletic facility to get some treatment and Coach [Joe] Windon told me they offered. It is a blessing, and I give all the honor to God. It is my second offer, and Georgia is in my top five. The others are Florida State, Alabama, Texas and LSU.”
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Spring position review: Quarterbacks
February, 17, 2012
2/17/12
7:30
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
Texas has to find a quarterback.
It was the worst position on the field in 2011.
It was the worst position on the field in 2010.
It was the worst position on the field in 2011.
It was the worst position on the field in 2010.
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Christian Morgan picks up fifth offer
February, 17, 2012
2/17/12
6:00
AM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
ESPNU 150 Watch List tight end Christian Morgan (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood) picked up his fifth offer Wednesday night, as he was offered a scholarship from California.
Morgan, 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, now has offers from Cal, Tulsa, Baylor, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. He said he’s been in contact with his recruiting contact, Cal tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Jeff Genyk.
“It’s great. The education and location would both be incredible,” Morgan said of Cal, which pulled two ESPNU 150 players and seven four-star players in its 2012 recruiting class.
Morgan, 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, now has offers from Cal, Tulsa, Baylor, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. He said he’s been in contact with his recruiting contact, Cal tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Jeff Genyk.
“It’s great. The education and location would both be incredible,” Morgan said of Cal, which pulled two ESPNU 150 players and seven four-star players in its 2012 recruiting class.
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New offer Prevot hopes to make junior day
February, 16, 2012
2/16/12
8:16
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Class of 2013 defensive end Torrodney Prevot (Houston/Alief Taylor) woke up Thursday morning with three offers. By mid afternoon he’d doubled that.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Prevot received an offer from Baylor early in the morning and added offers from Oklahoma and Texas after that.
“It was a crazy day for me,” said Prevot, who already had offers from LSU, Texas A&M and Utah.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Prevot received an offer from Baylor early in the morning and added offers from Oklahoma and Texas after that.
“It was a crazy day for me,” said Prevot, who already had offers from LSU, Texas A&M and Utah.
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Gustafson unsure after Texas junior day invite
February, 16, 2012
2/16/12
5:14
PM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Texas coaches have put another offensive tackle target on their board, but they may already be too late.
Dallas Jesuit lineman J.J. Gustafson, a teammate of new UT commit Jake Oliver, said Texas coaches called Jesuit coach Brandon Hickman on Monday to extend Gustafson an offer to the Feb. 25 junior day.
At this point, he’s not sure he wants to make the trip. Gustafson said he’s never spoken with a UT coach and assumed they weren’t calling because they preferred touted 2013 tackle Kent Perkins (Dallas/Lake Highlands).
Dallas Jesuit lineman J.J. Gustafson, a teammate of new UT commit Jake Oliver, said Texas coaches called Jesuit coach Brandon Hickman on Monday to extend Gustafson an offer to the Feb. 25 junior day.
At this point, he’s not sure he wants to make the trip. Gustafson said he’s never spoken with a UT coach and assumed they weren’t calling because they preferred touted 2013 tackle Kent Perkins (Dallas/Lake Highlands).
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UT gets big, versatile athlete in Robinson
February, 16, 2012
2/16/12
4:03
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
A'Shawn Robinson is the definition of a gentle giant.
He’s as soft spoken a person as you’ll find off the field, sometimes even coming across inaudible if you’re standing right next to him.
But don’t mistake his coy demeanor for weakness. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound junior is a completely different person on the field, one that you’d be wise to stay away from if given the opportunity.
He’s as soft spoken a person as you’ll find off the field, sometimes even coming across inaudible if you’re standing right next to him.
But don’t mistake his coy demeanor for weakness. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound junior is a completely different person on the field, one that you’d be wise to stay away from if given the opportunity.
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We had to check out of this week's Tuesday chat, but we keep it fair here on the Big 12 Blog.
To do so, here's a mid-week Mailbag.
If you've got something to say or ask, here's where to reach me. We'll have another on Friday, so get your questions in now.
Bruce in Houston writes: "So, what are you guys doing on Nov. 17? Texas and Texas A&M are both off that weekend. Just a thought, you know. In case you got a wild hair to stop being petty, Longhorns."Stop being petty??? How about you stop being a hater. It's business. TAMU made their choice and Texas is not going to let them have their cake and eat it to. Don't be a jerk.
David Ubben: No, it's not business. That's literally the worst defense possible. It's pettiness.
It's business? Let's do some math. What game's going to bring in the most TV revenue and be a guaranteed sellout? Wyoming? New Mexico? Ole Miss? What's going to pack the silver bleachers in Austin which have had crowds thinning the past few years?
What's going to attract attention? What's going to move the needle with the fan base? Playing Texas A&M every year. Texas can pretend all they want in this. At least Kansas is up front about their pettiness in discontinuing the rivalry with Mizzou. I respect that, even if I disagree with it.
To do so, here's a mid-week Mailbag.
If you've got something to say or ask, here's where to reach me. We'll have another on Friday, so get your questions in now.
Bruce in Houston writes: "So, what are you guys doing on Nov. 17? Texas and Texas A&M are both off that weekend. Just a thought, you know. In case you got a wild hair to stop being petty, Longhorns."Stop being petty??? How about you stop being a hater. It's business. TAMU made their choice and Texas is not going to let them have their cake and eat it to. Don't be a jerk.
David Ubben: No, it's not business. That's literally the worst defense possible. It's pettiness.
It's business? Let's do some math. What game's going to bring in the most TV revenue and be a guaranteed sellout? Wyoming? New Mexico? Ole Miss? What's going to pack the silver bleachers in Austin which have had crowds thinning the past few years?
What's going to attract attention? What's going to move the needle with the fan base? Playing Texas A&M every year. Texas can pretend all they want in this. At least Kansas is up front about their pettiness in discontinuing the rivalry with Mizzou. I respect that, even if I disagree with it.
Video: Jake Oliver talks commitment
February, 16, 2012
2/16/12
3:00
PM CT
By HornsNation staff | ESPN.com
Texas: The Big 12 title favorite in 2012?
February, 16, 2012
2/16/12
12:45
PM CT
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Entering 2012, most folks -- yours truly included -- see the Oklahoma Sooners as the favorites to win the Big 12 in 2012.
They're not as heavy a favorite as they were in 2011, but behind the Sooners is a group of five or six teams that could win it, too.
Among them: Texas.
ESPN Insider KC Joyner says the Longhorns should be the favorites, though
.
It's definitely a pretty interesting, well-reasoned take with eight reasons the Longhorns should be favorites.
One of the biggest overall reasons: Texas' ability to stop the pass, which is much better than any other team in the pass-heavy Big 12.
I could see Texas winning the Big 12, but I'm not sure I buy the favorite. Joyner's making me think, though. What do you think? Should the Longhorns be the favorite?
Vote in our poll.
They're not as heavy a favorite as they were in 2011, but behind the Sooners is a group of five or six teams that could win it, too.
Among them: Texas.
ESPN Insider KC Joyner says the Longhorns should be the favorites, though
.
It's definitely a pretty interesting, well-reasoned take with eight reasons the Longhorns should be favorites.
One of the biggest overall reasons: Texas' ability to stop the pass, which is much better than any other team in the pass-heavy Big 12.
Texas ranked first in the Big 12 in passing yards per attempt (YPA), passer rating and passing yards per game allowed, but the real upside for this defense can be found in its showing in the bad decision rate (BDR) metric.
BDR measures how often a passer makes a mental mistake with the ball that leads either to a turnover or a near turnover (such as a dropped interception).
The Texas defense had a phenomenally high 5.7 percent BDR last year. To get an idea of just how dominant that is, consider that the Alabama Crimson Tide defense posted a 4.6 percent BDR in an eight-game review of its season. And Texas did this while facing the Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M Aggies' passing offenses, while Alabama was facing a string of injury-riddled or otherwise limited SEC passing games
I could see Texas winning the Big 12, but I'm not sure I buy the favorite. Joyner's making me think, though. What do you think? Should the Longhorns be the favorite?
Vote in our poll.
Our countdown of the Big 12's top 25 players continues. The official list is locked away in a vault in an undisclosed location, but we're revealing a new member of the list every day.
Here's a quick rundown on my criteria for this list.
No. 20: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
2011 numbers: Made 71 tackles (46 solo) and 6.5 tackles for loss. Had two sacks and broke up eight passes.
Most recent ranking: Vaccaro was unranked in our preseason list of the top 25 players.
Making the case for Vaccaro: Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz unleashed one of the best quotes of 2011 when he set out to describe Vaccaro's playing style, saying he was "like a pack of rattlesnakes." That's about right. Vaccaro's quick and hits hard, but he's also one of the most versatile players in the Big 12, which landed him on this list.
Here's a quick rundown on my criteria for this list.
No. 20: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
2011 numbers: Made 71 tackles (46 solo) and 6.5 tackles for loss. Had two sacks and broke up eight passes.
Most recent ranking: Vaccaro was unranked in our preseason list of the top 25 players.
Making the case for Vaccaro: Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz unleashed one of the best quotes of 2011 when he set out to describe Vaccaro's playing style, saying he was "like a pack of rattlesnakes." That's about right. Vaccaro's quick and hits hard, but he's also one of the most versatile players in the Big 12, which landed him on this list.
Spring position review: Running backs
February, 16, 2012
2/16/12
9:00
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
Mack Brown and Texas want balance when it comes to the offense.
Since that is the case, Texas needs to start working on its quarterback situation because the running game is doing more than its share.
When healthy, Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron proved to be Texas’ best one-two combination at running back since Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young in 2006. That pair rushed for 1,422 yards on 293 carries. Brown and Bergeron rushed for 1,205 yards on 244 carries.
Since that is the case, Texas needs to start working on its quarterback situation because the running game is doing more than its share.
When healthy, Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron proved to be Texas’ best one-two combination at running back since Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young in 2006. That pair rushed for 1,422 yards on 293 carries. Brown and Bergeron rushed for 1,205 yards on 244 carries.
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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.