Texas Longhorns: Donald Hawkins
2012 record: 9-4
2012 conference record: 5-4 (third in the Big 12)
Returning starters: Offense: 10; defense: 9; kicker/punter: 1
Top returners: QB David Ash, RB Johnathan Gray, WR Mike Davis, WR Jaxon Shipley, LT Donald Hawkins, RT Josh Cochran, G Mason Walters, DE Jackson Jeffcoat, LB Jordan Hicks, CB Quandre Diggs, CB Carrington Byndom
Key losses: P Alex King, S Kenny Vaccaro, DE Alex Okafor, WR Marquise Goodwin
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Johnathan Gray* (701 yards)
Passing: David Ash* (2,699 yards)
Receiving: Mike Davis* (939 yards)
Tackles: Kenny Vaccaro (107)
Sacks: Alex Okafor (12.5)
Interceptions: Quandre Diggs* (4)
Spring answers:
1. Under center: Texas has finally ended all the debate about its quarterback situation and settled on David Ash. While Ash has yet to be stellar in his first two years at Texas, the junior has steadily improved -- he was top 25 in pass efficiency rating in 2012 -- and has won the trust of new quarterbacks coach Major Applewhite. Applewhite believes Ash is the quarterback best suited to run the new up-tempo, spread attack.
2. Loaded at linebacker: One year after being the worst tackling team in the Big 12, Texas went into the spring looking to shore up its linebacker position. And it had plenty of options. Texas has seven linebackers who have started at least one game. Included in that group is Jordan Hicks, who is back after missing 10 games last year because of a hip injury. Hicks will team with true sophomores, Dalton Santos and Peter Jinkens for what should be a much faster and aggressive unit in 2013.
3. Along the lines: While there were a sprinkling of injuries along the offensive line this spring (Josh Cochran and Trey Hopkins), Texas appears to have finally solved the depth riddle at that position. Tackle Kennedy Estelle was able to get quality snaps and should prove to be a solid backup and Sedrick Flowers finally emerged as an option at guard. While Texas returns all five starter from a year ago along the line, the Longhorns know that in the new up-tempo offense it will have to lean heavily on these backups.
Fall questions
1. Speed thrills: Texas wants to move the ball fast. So fast that the offensive players were even taught how to quickly get the ball back to the official so that they could put it down and Texas could line up and run the next play. But Texas only decided it wanted to play this way in mid-December when there was a change in playcallers from Bryan Harsin to Applewhite. So Texas has only had a handful of practices to get up to speed. With a schedule that has Texas at BYU for the second game of the season there doesn’t appear to be much time to get things perfected.
2. Safety dance: Texas’ defense was the worst in school history and that was largely due to the play of the back seven on defense. And now the best player in that back seven, Kenny Vaccaro, is gone. He was a first-round draft pick. That has left Texas wondering who will step up and make some stop at the safety position. Adrian Phillips takes over for Vaccaro, but he was inconsistent last season. The coaches blamed a shoulder injury and the fact he missed the spring. Mykkele Thompson and Josh Turner also missed their share of tackles but both are being called on to be possible starters.
3. Receiving praise: Texas has not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Jordan Shipley in 2009. Mike Davis had 939 yards last year and appears poised to break the 1,000-yard mark this season. But to do that he will need help. And right now there are some questions as to where that help will come from. Texas wants to go with four wide receivers but two of the four players expected to fill those roles -- Cayleb Jones and Kendall Sanders -- are currently suspended because of legal issues. Both will probably be back. But even then, Texas is very thin at wide receiver and needs some other players to step up to help take the double teams away from Davis.
2012 conference record: 5-4 (third in the Big 12)
Returning starters: Offense: 10; defense: 9; kicker/punter: 1
Top returners: QB David Ash, RB Johnathan Gray, WR Mike Davis, WR Jaxon Shipley, LT Donald Hawkins, RT Josh Cochran, G Mason Walters, DE Jackson Jeffcoat, LB Jordan Hicks, CB Quandre Diggs, CB Carrington Byndom
Key losses: P Alex King, S Kenny Vaccaro, DE Alex Okafor, WR Marquise Goodwin
2012 statistical leaders (*returners)
Rushing: Johnathan Gray* (701 yards)
Passing: David Ash* (2,699 yards)
Receiving: Mike Davis* (939 yards)
Tackles: Kenny Vaccaro (107)
Sacks: Alex Okafor (12.5)
Interceptions: Quandre Diggs* (4)
Spring answers:
1. Under center: Texas has finally ended all the debate about its quarterback situation and settled on David Ash. While Ash has yet to be stellar in his first two years at Texas, the junior has steadily improved -- he was top 25 in pass efficiency rating in 2012 -- and has won the trust of new quarterbacks coach Major Applewhite. Applewhite believes Ash is the quarterback best suited to run the new up-tempo, spread attack.
2. Loaded at linebacker: One year after being the worst tackling team in the Big 12, Texas went into the spring looking to shore up its linebacker position. And it had plenty of options. Texas has seven linebackers who have started at least one game. Included in that group is Jordan Hicks, who is back after missing 10 games last year because of a hip injury. Hicks will team with true sophomores, Dalton Santos and Peter Jinkens for what should be a much faster and aggressive unit in 2013.
3. Along the lines: While there were a sprinkling of injuries along the offensive line this spring (Josh Cochran and Trey Hopkins), Texas appears to have finally solved the depth riddle at that position. Tackle Kennedy Estelle was able to get quality snaps and should prove to be a solid backup and Sedrick Flowers finally emerged as an option at guard. While Texas returns all five starter from a year ago along the line, the Longhorns know that in the new up-tempo offense it will have to lean heavily on these backups.
Fall questions
1. Speed thrills: Texas wants to move the ball fast. So fast that the offensive players were even taught how to quickly get the ball back to the official so that they could put it down and Texas could line up and run the next play. But Texas only decided it wanted to play this way in mid-December when there was a change in playcallers from Bryan Harsin to Applewhite. So Texas has only had a handful of practices to get up to speed. With a schedule that has Texas at BYU for the second game of the season there doesn’t appear to be much time to get things perfected.
2. Safety dance: Texas’ defense was the worst in school history and that was largely due to the play of the back seven on defense. And now the best player in that back seven, Kenny Vaccaro, is gone. He was a first-round draft pick. That has left Texas wondering who will step up and make some stop at the safety position. Adrian Phillips takes over for Vaccaro, but he was inconsistent last season. The coaches blamed a shoulder injury and the fact he missed the spring. Mykkele Thompson and Josh Turner also missed their share of tackles but both are being called on to be possible starters.
3. Receiving praise: Texas has not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Jordan Shipley in 2009. Mike Davis had 939 yards last year and appears poised to break the 1,000-yard mark this season. But to do that he will need help. And right now there are some questions as to where that help will come from. Texas wants to go with four wide receivers but two of the four players expected to fill those roles -- Cayleb Jones and Kendall Sanders -- are currently suspended because of legal issues. Both will probably be back. But even then, Texas is very thin at wide receiver and needs some other players to step up to help take the double teams away from Davis.
AUSTIN, Texas -- Maybe the score didn’t matter in the Orange-White scrimmage but don’t be fooled -- everybody was keeping score.
Play was critiqued. Judgments were made. Assumptions, both good and bad, were confirmed. And undoubtedly there were players who fell to both sides of the ledger: Some excelled and some didn’t. Hey, spring football is a wheat-from-the-chaff thing.
Play was critiqued. Judgments were made. Assumptions, both good and bad, were confirmed. And undoubtedly there were players who fell to both sides of the ledger: Some excelled and some didn’t. Hey, spring football is a wheat-from-the-chaff thing.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Each week during the season, HornsNation will rank Texas' top 10 performers of the season up to this point. Here's a ranking of the top contributors from the Orange-White spring game on Saturday.
1. QB David Ash: The junior quarterback didn’t exactly unfurl a cape and fly to new heights in the spring game. But, aside from two huge miscues, Ash proved he is capable of running the up-tempo offense and appears to understand what play-caller Major Applewhite wants.
1. QB David Ash: The junior quarterback didn’t exactly unfurl a cape and fly to new heights in the spring game. But, aside from two huge miscues, Ash proved he is capable of running the up-tempo offense and appears to understand what play-caller Major Applewhite wants.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Position breakdown: Offensive line 
February, 15, 2013
Feb 15
8:00
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas' offensive line is stacked with returning starters at every position.
Yet, every position remains open.
Welcome to the new world of the offensive line. The Longhorns, not satisfied with the blocking against teams even remotely talented on the defensive line (The Longhorns, despite having two of the most-hyped running backs in the country, failed to gain 100 rushing yards on TCU, Oklahoma or Kansas State.) could be in a position to change things up across the line.
Yet, every position remains open.
Welcome to the new world of the offensive line. The Longhorns, not satisfied with the blocking against teams even remotely talented on the defensive line (The Longhorns, despite having two of the most-hyped running backs in the country, failed to gain 100 rushing yards on TCU, Oklahoma or Kansas State.) could be in a position to change things up across the line.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas A&M was the talk of the state in 2013 with its 32-man recruiting class. Don’t be shocked if Texas comes close to those numbers with its 2014 class.
As always, it’s a matter of math. Texas, by rule, can sign no more than 50 recruits in any two-year period. The Longhorns inked 15 this year, so 35 is the absolute maximum for 2014.
Texas isn’t going for 35 this year. Its 2013 team will feature 15 seniors if Jordan Hicks is granted his medical redshirt. A full class of 25 signees is likely. But don’t rule out the possibility of 30.
As always, it’s a matter of math. Texas, by rule, can sign no more than 50 recruits in any two-year period. The Longhorns inked 15 this year, so 35 is the absolute maximum for 2014.
Texas isn’t going for 35 this year. Its 2013 team will feature 15 seniors if Jordan Hicks is granted his medical redshirt. A full class of 25 signees is likely. But don’t rule out the possibility of 30.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, HornsNation’s William Wilkerson is breaking down every commitment in the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Offensive lineman Darius James, Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights | 6-foot-5, 340 pounds
Committed: March 5, 2012
Vitals: Offensive lineman Darius James, Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights | 6-foot-5, 340 pounds
Committed: March 5, 2012
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, HornsNation’s William Wilkerson is breaking down every commitment in the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Offensive lineman Kent Perkins, Lake Highlands, Texas/Lake Highlands | 6-foot-5, 300 pounds
Vitals: Offensive lineman Kent Perkins, Lake Highlands, Texas/Lake Highlands | 6-foot-5, 300 pounds
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
AUSTIN, Texas -- Not much of the top talent in the state escaped the top program in the state in 2010.
Texas, coming off a national championship appearance, won the recruiting battle for defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and just about every other player it went after. The Longhorns locked up four of the top five recruits from Texas in ESPN’s 150. The lone miss was defensive back Ahmad Dixon out of Waco. And Texas even had Dixon for a short period. He committed to Texas after junior day in February of 2009 only later to decommit and commit to Baylor. He then decommitted to Baylor in favor of Tennessee only to decommit from Tennessee as he eventually signed with Baylor.
Another year, another recruiting saga.
Texas, coming off a national championship appearance, won the recruiting battle for defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and just about every other player it went after. The Longhorns locked up four of the top five recruits from Texas in ESPN’s 150. The lone miss was defensive back Ahmad Dixon out of Waco. And Texas even had Dixon for a short period. He committed to Texas after junior day in February of 2009 only later to decommit and commit to Baylor. He then decommitted to Baylor in favor of Tennessee only to decommit from Tennessee as he eventually signed with Baylor.
Another year, another recruiting saga.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
First down: It all starts up front
I love football. I love big plays. I love pretty athletes with a beautiful stride breaking down angles and creating separation. How can you not love the special speed of players such as former Longhorns Jamaal Charles, DJ Monroe and Marquise Goodwin and current Longhorn Daje Johnson?
I love football. I love big plays. I love pretty athletes with a beautiful stride breaking down angles and creating separation. How can you not love the special speed of players such as former Longhorns Jamaal Charles, DJ Monroe and Marquise Goodwin and current Longhorn Daje Johnson?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Harrison adds to questions on O-line
January, 21, 2013
Jan 21
2:31
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Go ahead and pencil Texas’ newest commitment Desmond Harrison (Contra Costa College) in at left tackle.
Then what?
Then what?
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Texas kicked off on Monday what could be a fruitful final few weeks of 2013 recruiting by picking up its first verbal commit since October.
The Longhorns have landed pledge No. 14 from Contra Costa (Calif.) College offensive lineman Desmond Harrison.
The three-star prospect chose Texas over Arizona State, USC, Oklahoma and offers from more than 20 schools.
“This feels real good,” Harrison said. “I feel like I just made the best decision. It was a tight decision. It really boiled down to Arizona State and Texas, and they really made it difficult. It just felt like Texas was the best for me.”
Harrison had been leaning toward choosing Texas for a while, but the final decision was tougher than he’d expected.
“It was a last-minute decision,” he said. “Everything came down to the end. I was still thinking about it today."
A 6-foot-8, 310-pound lineman who is being recruited to play left tackle, Harrison took an official visit to Texas on Dec. 7 and is the program’s second junior college pledge, joining Butte (Calif.) College tight end signee Geoff Swaim.
The Longhorns have landed pledge No. 14 from Contra Costa (Calif.) College offensive lineman Desmond Harrison.
- Desmond Harrison
- Offensive tackle (JC)
- 2013
- Committed: Texas
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| | 77 | San Pablo, CA |
“This feels real good,” Harrison said. “I feel like I just made the best decision. It was a tight decision. It really boiled down to Arizona State and Texas, and they really made it difficult. It just felt like Texas was the best for me.”
Harrison had been leaning toward choosing Texas for a while, but the final decision was tougher than he’d expected.
“It was a last-minute decision,” he said. “Everything came down to the end. I was still thinking about it today."
A 6-foot-8, 310-pound lineman who is being recruited to play left tackle, Harrison took an official visit to Texas on Dec. 7 and is the program’s second junior college pledge, joining Butte (Calif.) College tight end signee Geoff Swaim.
Stats to watch: Texas has experience in '13
January, 21, 2013
Jan 21
1:00
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- The offseason, especially around Texas these past few years, is typically fraught with worry, speculation and maybe even a smidge of hope.
Everyone wants to know what will happen come fall. No one, despite consultations with tea leaves, crystal balls, the ghost of Madam Hipple, the endless blogs at every corner of the Internet and preseason magazines, ever really does.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t signs or clues of what could happen. History is kind that way, leaving behind a trail that could help tell a future tale.
Everyone wants to know what will happen come fall. No one, despite consultations with tea leaves, crystal balls, the ghost of Madam Hipple, the endless blogs at every corner of the Internet and preseason magazines, ever really does.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t signs or clues of what could happen. History is kind that way, leaving behind a trail that could help tell a future tale.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Roundtable: Most important visitor?
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
10:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Every Friday, HornsNation recruiting writers William Wilkerson and Max Olson will answer a question about the Longhorns.
This week's question: Which banquet visitor this weekend is the most important and why?
William Wilkerson: The answer to this question, for me at least, isn’t really cut and dry. I think you could pick any number of recruits here.
This week's question: Which banquet visitor this weekend is the most important and why?
William Wilkerson: The answer to this question, for me at least, isn’t really cut and dry. I think you could pick any number of recruits here.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Each week Sean Adams takes a look at some topics around the Texas Longhorns and college football.
First Down: The senior class for 2012
While there are some seniors that are the leaders on this team like Alex Okafor, Mason Walters and Kenny Vaccaro, this is a generally a class that has been gutted and marginalized.
First Down: The senior class for 2012
While there are some seniors that are the leaders on this team like Alex Okafor, Mason Walters and Kenny Vaccaro, this is a generally a class that has been gutted and marginalized.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Five storylines: TCU vs. Texas
November, 21, 2012
11/21/12
11:30
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
Five storylines for TCU vs. Texas on Thursday:
1. Back in the mix
As it currently stands, ESPN has Texas projected to play in the Cotton Bowl.
1. Back in the mix
As it currently stands, ESPN has Texas projected to play in the Cotton Bowl.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
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.