Steve Sarkisian Named Honorary Starter For NASCAR Cup Series Race in Austin - Longhorns Tracker
MAR 20 SARK THE STARTER According to reports from NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian will be the honorary starter for the upcoming Cup Series race in Austin.
Sarkisian will be joined by former Longhorns kicker Cameron Dicker, who will be giving the invocation.
Tyler Reddick (+450) is favored to take home the win in Austin, followed by Chase Elliott (+750) and Sahn Van Gisbergen (+900).
MAR 5 NEW JERSEY NUMBERS COMING The Texas Longhorns are set to welcome a host of new early enrollees into the spring football proceedings, and now they are starting to get their new jersey numbers.
Now, the numbers for those players have been revealed.
You can see the new numbers below:
Ryan Wingo - 5
Kobe Black - 6
Christian Clark - 6
Jerrick Gibson - 9
Collin Simmons - 11
Parker Livingstone - 13
Aaron Butler - 14
Trey Owen - 15
Xavier Filsaime - 20
Zina Umeozulu - 19,
Jordon Johnson Rubell - 23
Tyanthony Smith - 26
Wardell Mack - 27
Daniel Cruz - 51
Brandon Baker - 74
Freddie Dubose - 80
Jordan Washington - 84
Alex January - 97
MAR 2 XAVIER WORTHY 40-YARD DASH Former Texas Longhorns receiver, a fringe first-round pick, might now be a consensus top-20 talent.
Worthy dominated his 40-yard dash as a combine-weekend record 4.25 seconds on his first run. His 10-yard split of 1.45 seconds also was marked at the fastest split of the weekend.
But knowing the record of John Ross' 4.22 40-time within reach, Worthy decided to run it back one more time. With a 1.38 10-yard split, Worthy tied Ross' record before taking off and running through the building.
However, a short time later, the official times came in, with Worthy now standing alone as the fastest man in the history of the NFL Combine with a time of 4.21.
MAR 2 ADONAI MITCHELL 40-YARD DASH Former Texas Longhorns receiver Adonai Mitchell is projected to be a first-round pick in April's draft, but might've just boosted his draft stock even more at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Mitchell had an impressive unofficial time of 4.35 on his first try. This was the fastest time among all receivers during the first attempt.
Take a look:
FEB 29 SEC IN BIG D The SEC released its Media Day information on Thursday, revealing the dates and appearance schedules for the Longhorns' first appearance at the event.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will be taking the stage on Wednesday July 17, alongside Alabama's new coach Kalen DeBoer, Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby, and Florida's Bill Napier.
You can view the full appearance schedule below:
MONDAY, July 15
LSU - Brian Kelly
Ole Miss - Lane Kiffin
South Carolina - Shane Beamer
Vanderbilt - Clark Lea
TUESDAY, July 16
Georgia - Kirby Smart
Missouri - Eliah Drinkwitz
Oklahoma - Brent Venables
Tennessee - Josh Heupel
WEDNESDAY, July 17
Alabama - Kalen DeBoer
Florida - Billy Napier
Mississippi State - Jeff Lebby
Texas - Steve Sarkisian
THURSDAY, July 18
Arkansas - Sam Pittman
Auburn - Hugh Freeze
Kentucky - Mark Stoops
Texas A&M - Mike Elko
FEB 28 BANKS NO. 1 Texas Longhorns defensive tackle and NFL Draft hopeful T'Vondre Sweat has never been shy to speak his mind or sing the praises of his teammates.
And during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday, he continued to do just that, telling reporters that he believed Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks would be the No. 1 offensive tackle off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft next year.
“I’ll tell y’all this about Kelvin Banks, he’s definitely going to be the first tackle off the board next year," Sweat said. "I can promise you that.”
Banks is set to enter his third - and more than likely final - year with the Horns, having been one of top offensive tackles in the nation since the first snap of his true freshman season in 2021.
© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
JAN 28 JUSTIN TUCKER VS. MAHOMES, KELCE Texas Longhorns legend and Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was looking to was looking to practice his pregame kicks at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday prior to the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs.
But as Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce warmed up on the same side of the field, some bullying ensued, and whether it was all fun and games is up for you to decide.
Mahomes can be seen kicking over Tucker's tee multiple times while another video shows Kelce tossing Tucker's helmet and practice footballs to the side in order to give Mahomes more room.
Take a look at both videos:
JAN 21 STEELERS TO HORNS Former standout Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back William Gay has been hired by the Texas Longhorns as a senior analyst for defensive backs, he announced on his Instagram on Saturday.
Gay spent two different stints with the Steelers, from 2007-2011 and 2013-2017, helping Pittsburgh win Super Bowl XLIII.
He played 11 total years in the NFL playing in 16 games in all 11 seasons, and making 101 starts over that time.
He ended his career with 13 interceptions, 577 tackles, 87 pass deflections, and five defensive scores - three of which came in 2014.
Gay retired from the NFL in 2017.
JAN 7 BIJAN AT IT AGAIN Texas Longhorns legend Bijan Robinson might not be winning the Rookie of the Year award this season, but he has one excellent first campaign.
That continued on Sunday when Robinson hauled in a 71-yard touchdown catch from Desmond Ridder, putting the Falcons on top of the Saints 14-7 in the first quarter.
Robinson caught the ball in the flat, taking it 68 yards after the catch, and outrunning the entire Saints defense to the end zone.
Coming into Week 18, Robinson had 203 carries for 948 yards and four touchdowns, with 51 catches for 384 yards and three scores receiving.
After the touchdown catch, Robinson is 42 yards away from eclipsing the thousand-yard mark on the ground and 39 yards from passing 500 yards receiving for the season.
DEC 17 BRANDON JONES TWO PICKS Former Texas Longhorns safety Brandon Jones had himself a day on Sunday. The Miami Dolphins safety snagged two interceptions in a 30-0 blowout win over the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.
With the Dolphins already up big in the second half, Jones feasted in the secondary against Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian, as both of his picks in the second half landed in the arms of Jones.
Take a look at both picks:
NOV 26 BIJAN TD x 2 Bijan Robinson is having arguably the best game of his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The former Texas Longhorns running back now has his first two-touchdown game in the pros after hauling in a 26-yard touchdown to extend Atlanta's lead to 21-12 in the fourth quarter.
Take a look:
NOV 26 BIJAN TD Former Texas Longhorns star Bijan Robinson continued his electric rookie campaign on Sunday afternoon, getting into the end zone vs. the New Orleans Saints in an NFC South divisional matchup for the Atlanta Falcons.
The touchdown came early in the second quarter, putting the Falcons up 14-6 over their division rivals.
NOV 24 JONES IN AUSTIN Owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones is in Austin as the Texas Longhorns are set to host the Texas Tech Red Raiders in their final regular season game as a member of the Big 12.
In a video released to Twitter by the Texas football team's official account, Jones is seen shaking hands with coach Steve Sarkisian and his grandson Paxton Anderson, who is a senior receiver for the Longhorns.
NOV 13 HICKS PROCEDURE According to Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, former Texas Longhorns linebacker Jordan Hicks was hospitalized after undergoing a procedure on Sunday after suffering a shin injury vs. the Saints.
After the injury, Hicks developed compartment syndrome in his right leg, prompting the procedure.
Per WebMD, compartment syndrome is potentially serious, and occurs when "excessive pressure builds up inside an enclosed muscle space in the body."
"If not handled with the utmost level of concern, it could’ve been very serious," O'Connell said.
NOV 12 BIJAN TOUCHDOWN Former Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson has hit a bit of a rough patch as of late midway through his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons.
But in his return to his home state of Arizona on Sunday, Robinson is finding a groove as the Falcons battle the Cardinals at State Farm Stadium, which is about a two-hour drive from his hometown of Tucson, Ariz. He found the end zone on a seven-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter that extended Atlanta's lead to 14-6.
Take a look:
NOV 8 HORNS DOWN The Texas Longhorns have a lot of haters out there. And on Sunday night following the matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb joined the party.
After the game, the two former Sooners both flashed the 'horns down' sign at the cameras when posing for a picture.
The two played together for the Sooners in 2019 when Oklahoma beat Texas 34-27 in Dallas.
The two played together for the Sooners in 2019 when Oklahoma beat Texas 34-27 in Dallas.
OCT 29 ROBINSON SCORES Former Texas Longhorns star Bijan Robinson is back in a big way this week for the Atlanta Falcons.
After suffering from an illness last week and missing most of the game, Robinson was a full-go Sunday and took advantage of his health, soring an electric touchdown vs. the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter.
The touchdown cut the Titans lead down to 21-16, giving the Titans a fighting chance at the win.
Atlanta would ultimately fall 28-23, despite 62 yards on 11 carries from Robinson.
OCT 22 ROBINSON SICK Former Texas Longhorns star running back Bijan Robinson has been used sparingly for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and with good reason.
According to Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who spoke with FOX sideline reporter Kristina Pink after halftime, it is because Robinson is suffering from an undisclosed illness.
"He's not feeling all that great," Smith told Pink.
Robinson had played a handful of snaps but did not touch the football. Despite that, the Falcons have a fourth-quarter lead over Tampa Bay
OCTOBER 16 COWBOYS ELEVATE HORNS EX LB Former Texas Longhorns linebacker Malik Jefferson will be on the Dallas Cowboys' 53-man roster for their Monday night game versus the Los Angeles Chargers after being called up from the practice squad, according to a report from the Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken.
As Gehlken notes, Monday's game will mark the third time this season that Jefferson has been called up to the active roster. So far, this season Jefferson has totaled just two tackles, both of which came in last Sunday's Cowboys 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
OCTOBER 15 HICKS TD Former Texas Longhorns linebacker Jordan Hicks has been an impact player at every stop in his NFL career.
And on Sunday, he was at it again, scoring a defensive touchdown on a scoop and score fumble return against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, giving the Vikings a 19-6 lead in the third quarter.
He also has an interception in the game.
Hicks has 12 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries in his career. He has also had over 100 tackles in each of the last four seasons, including 150 stops in 2019 with the Cardinals.
He is currently on pace for 146 in 2023.
OCTOBER 11 LIL JORDAN RELEASED The Denver Broncos have released former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Lil' Jordan Humphrey on Wednesday, according to reports.
The former Longhorn has appeared in five games for the Broncos this season, making four catches on five targets for 26 yards and one touchdown.
Humphrey spent the first three years of his career with the Saints, before spending last season with the Patriots.
OCTOBER 8 BIJAN'S GRAB Texas Longhorns great and Atlanta Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson continues to impress.
On Sunday, Robinson added another highlight reel play to his resumé vs. the Houston Texans, making an incredible catch for a short touchdown to give his team the lead.
It was Robinson's second touchdown for the season for Atlanta.
OCT 3 QUANDRE DIGGS INT Former Texas Longhorns safety Quandre Diggs has made a name for himself in recent years as a ball-hawking free safety, someone who can man the middle of the field.
On Monday, the ninth-year veteran showcased that ball-hawk ability as he intercepted a pass from New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones in the Seattle Seahawks 24-3 win on ESPN's "Monday Night Football."
The interception is just the first of the season for Diggs but the 24th of his career.
OCT 1 BIJAN'S CRAZY CATCH Former Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson already looks like a star in the NFL.
And on Sunday, he did more to prove it, making an insane one-handed catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Robinson would then go on to make another highlight reel play, juking a Jaguars defender to his knees on another catch.
So far through his first four games, Robinson looks like the Falcons best player, rushing 53 times for 318 yards, and catching 19 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown
SEPT 25 BIJAN NOT HAPPY Bijan Robinson was enjoying a great start to his NFL career through his first two weeks. But in Week 3, things got a little bit more difficult, with Robinson being held in check during Atlanta's 20-6 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Robinson spoke about the loss after the game with an obvious sense of disappointment in the result.
"We can't come out here and lollygag," Robinson said. "We need to go and do what we've got to do to continue to be a great offense that we want to be."
Falcons wideout Drake London believes Atlanta got 'punched in the face' by the Lions.
Robinson, who was limited to just 33 yards on 10 carries while adding four receptions for 27 yards, agreed with London's assessment.
"He hit it on the nail," Robinson said. "That's what happened. They came out more ready than we were. I'm glad we got that feeling because now we know we can't do that no more."
Robinson and the Falcons will be back on the field next week against the Falcons in London.
SEPT 13 STERNS TO IR Former Longhorns safety Caden Sterns, who was knocked out of the team's season-opening game on Sunday, has been officially sent to injured reserve, according to multiple reports.
In a corresponding move, wide receiver Lil' Jordan Humphrey has been elevated to the Broncos active roster.
SEPT 11 STERNS OUT Former Texas Longhorns safety now-turned-Denver Bronco Caden Sterns could be out for the rest of the season after being carted off the field with an apparent knee injury during Sunday's game.
According to a report from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the third-year safety is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn patellar tendon. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for Sterns as Rapoport stated that many expected him to see an increase in snaps this season for the Broncos after playing in just five games a season ago.
SEPT 10 BIJAN'S FIRST TD Former Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson might have some extra juice in the tank after watching his old teammates come up with a huge win over Alabama on Saturday.
Robinson is making his NFL regular-season debut for the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, and is already showing why he was the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft.
The Falcons got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but Robinson quickly flipped the script on the first play of the second quarter. After taking a short pass from quarterback Desmond Ridder, Robinson juked a defender out of his shoes while causing two more would-be tacklers to collide into each other before scampering in for an 11-yard touchdown to give Atlanta a 7-0 lead.
"I think everybody wants to highlight Bijan's talent - he's an incredibly talented player, but I think you've got to see him as a person," Falcons defensive tackle and former Longhorn Ta'Quon Graham said.
