With Ehlinger set, UT ponders backup plan
By Danny Davis hasn't been hard to answer. freshman is also eight months [email protected] There simply weren't a lot of removed from a knee injury possible answers. During Tom that ended his spectacular To be clear, Texas has Herman's UTcoaching debut prep career at Duncanville. a starting quarterback. seasonin2017, his only schol That leaves Thompson and Full stop. Period. End of arship quarterbacks were freshman Hudson Card discussion. Ehlinger and Shane Buechele. as the more viable backup Sam is still the man. Sam The next year, Buechele was candidates. Ehlinger enters Ws senior clearly favored over fresh Ifthe season started today season with 33 starts, 8,870 men Cameron Rising and - it actually kicks off with a career passing yards and 68 Casey Thompson. AfterTexas home game against UTEP on touchdown tosses. Only Colt moved Roschon Johnson to Sept. 12 - Thompson would McCoy has thrown for more running back last year, only be the second in line. In this yards and touchdowns at Thompson and a couple of scenario, Herman analyzed Texas quarterbacll Casey Thompson scrambles past Louisiana Tech Texas. walk -ons remained. that experience simply wins defensive end Milton Wiliams late In last year's season opener. But who's Ehlinger's Now there are four scholar out. Thompson got 42 snaps last season as Sam Ehlinger's backup, backup? ship quarterbacks. Ja 'Quinden incblint some mop-up action in the Alamo Bowl win over utah. In past years, that question Jackson is practicing, but the SeeTEXAS, C4 [STEPHEN SPILLMAN/FOR STATESMAN] TEXAS
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"That should be an interesting battle for years to come," Herman said Sunday of Thompson and Card. "But if we played a game tomorrow, certainly Fresllnan Hudson card, the Casey is the most game latest In a string of L.alle Travis ready of the two." quarterbac:b who signed with Thompson, a third-year FBS programs, is battling for sophomore, is the son of the bactup role in the Texas former Oklahoma quar Ofteme, [RICARDO B. BRAZZial/ terback Charles Thompson. AMERICA/11-STATESMAI'{] The four-star signee red shirted in 2018 and saw Car d was the Cavaliers' some mop-up duty last fill-in quarterback in the season, getting 42 snaps 2017Class 6ADivisionltitle while closing out wins game. After Lake Travis lost over Louisiana Tech, Rice, its starter on the first snap, Texas Tech and Utah. He Card totaled 297 yards of completed 8 of 12 passes offense in a 35-33 loss to and scored on a 2 -yard run. Allen. Despite the limited game Referencing Card's time, he still managed to comeback from a foot injury impress some onlookers. during his senior year, Lake Ahead of the Alamo Bowl, Travis head coach Hank Herman recalled a prac Carter described his former tice in which a guest coach quarterback as "tough and nudgedhimandsaid, "Hey, gritty as nails." Carter has that backup you've got is worked at Lake Travis since pretty dang good, isn't he?" 2008, and many of Card's "He's really, really tal attributes - ann strength, ented," Herman said in athleticism and mentality December. "When he gets - remind him of the best his shot, there's no doubt parts of a Cavs quarterback in any of our minds that lineage that includes cur he's got the skill set to be a rent Baylor starter Charlie championship-level quar- Brewer. terback here." "He's kind of a combina Card was among the eight tion of all of them," Carter early enrollees this year, but said. "Tremendous athlete. the four-star freshman was If he had never played quar unable to do much since terback, he would have had spring practices were called the same amount of offers." offbecauseofthecoronavi Texas otight not need to rus pandemic. Still, Herman worry about its backup this said the Longhorns are season. It didn't last year as "veryexcitedwithHudson's Ehlinger remained healthy potential." over 13 games. But two Ehlinger noted last year years ago, Texas wouldn't that Card comes from "a have reached the Sugar long line of successful quar Bowl had it not been able terbacks at Lake Travis." to turn to Buechele after Card is, indeed, the ninth Ehlinger's injuries in wins straight starter from Lake over Baylor and Iowa State. Travis' quarterback factory And four times in 2017, to sign with an FBS-level either an injured Buechele school. (Nate Yarnell, a was replaced by Ehlinger senior and Card's expected or an injured Ehlinger was successor at Lake Travis, is replaced by Buechele. committed to Pittsburgh). Last season, three of Two Lake Travis quarter the top 10 teams in The backs - Baker Mayfield and Associated Press' year-end Garrett Gilbert - are in the poll did not have a quar NFL. terback who started every Card threw 74 touchdown game. No.6 Florida, No. passes in his final two years 8 Alabama and No. 9 Penn in high school. Primarily State all needed to start a used his sophomore year backup at least once because as an all-district receiver, of the starter's injury. Football activities tied to virus cases at Austin-area schools
11 of 25 known Interim Austin -Tr avis COVID-19 cases are Cow1ty Health Authority linked to football Dr. Mark Escott told Austin strength and City Council members conditioning Tuesday that, as a whole, the area is doing well fight By Ryan Autullo ingoffCOVID-19. [email protected] The seven-day average of new cases and daily new Althoughin-personleam hospitalizations are both ing has not started for most at the lowest they've been Austill area schools, public in nearly three months. health offi Now, Escott said, would cials have be a good time for people identified t o schedule elective sur at least 25 geries they might have put coronavi off while hospitals were rus cases at treating more COVID-19 primary and patients. Escott second- But there are two rea ary schools sons for caution, Escott - with nearly half of them said: socializing over the linked to football strength and conditioning activities. See VIRUS, Ab Austill Public Health is risk," Escott said. VIRUS not naming schools where Escott said ilwestiga there are known infec tions are underway in FromPageAl tions. Escott said one coordination with schools school has put a stop to where clusters were found football workouts. to see ifbasic health pre upcoming Labor Day An Austill Independent cautions were taken. holiday weekend and the School District spokes The Austill school dis reopening of schools. woman said Tuesday that trict's guidelines include Lake Travis elementary her office did not have disillfectmg equipment students and others who accesstocoronavirustest used during practices. have opted for in-person results, but that the infor Students are asked to learning can return as mation would! be available bring a reusable water early as Sept. 8. Leander through an open records bottle to practices and to also will resume in-per request. The American wash their uniforms every son learning in phases Statesman made a request day. Staff members and beginning Sept. 8. The Tuesday and is awaiting a students must wear face Austin school district is response. coverings while inside scheduled to open for in Some area school locker rooms, meeting person learning Oct. 5. districts begin official rooms, training rooms Escott said clusters of football practices this and other areas where coronavirus cases have week, moving on from groups congregate. been found at four local the conditio·ning phase Escott is encouraging schools. A cluster is of the preseason. They schools to send letters defined as at least three are scheduled to play their alerting parents to the people at each site testing first games Sept. 25 with risks of their children positive. Early indications stadiums capped at 25% participati11g in extracur are that 11 ofthe25 known capacity. Some smaller ricular activities. cases associated with schools started playing As for the Labor Day the clusters are linked last week. holiday weekend, Escott to football strength and "Even if they are run is encouraging people to conditioning activities, ning on a treadmill or remain disciplined and Escott said. It's unclear liftil1g weights, if they're avoid pool parties and what activities might doing that without a mask barbecues. have contributed to the or have a spotter that's "Ifwe relax too quickly, other cases. standing over them, it's we'll pay for it in two or For privacy reasons, goillg to illcrease their three weeks," he said. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: PRESEASON RANKINGS
Westlake football players hoist the state championship trophy after beating Denton Guyer in last year's Class 6A Division II title game. The Chaps enter this season ranked atop the American-Statesman's preseason Class 6A pol. [STEPHEN SPILLMAN/ FOR STATESMAN]
CLASS6A 4.Manor 8-6 Mustangs reloading under new Team 2019 W·L coach James Keller after run to 1. Westlake 15-1 regional finals in Dl Defending Class 6A Division S. Georgetown 8-4 II state champ boasts stel Gritty Eagles return 13 letter lar defense, young offensive men in 01, including dual-threat play makers QB Darson Herman 2. Lake Tiavis 13·2 Also receiving votes: MCCallum, Perennial state contender has EastView made five straight trips to at least state semifinals CLASS 4A AND BELOW 3. Vandegrift 11·1 Vipers haven't lost a regular 1. Lampasas 13-2 season game since 2017 Coming off best playoff run 4. Vista Ridge 8-3 in school history in 4A 01 and All-state QB Kyle Brown returns returns QB Ace Whitehead for dynamic offense 2.. LBJ 8-3 5. Del Valle 5-5 Jags drop to Class 4A 01 after Blue-chip recruits abound for 15 consecutive playoff berths Cardinals at a higher classification Also receiving votes: Round 3. Wimberley 12-4 Rock, Hays QB move-in Matthew Tippie boosts talented offense for 4A CLASS SA 011 team 4. Thorndale 9-3 Team 2019 W·L John Kovar takes over football 1. cedar Park 11·2 after successful stint as the Loaded 01 squad boasts boys basketball coach dynamic passing game, touted 5. Regents 11-2 "Black Rain" defense Former assistant Tim Phillips 2.. Uberty Hll 7-6 takes over for Beck Brydon, who RBs Seward, Simpson led TAPPS powerhouse to five approached 4,000 combined state titles and six other title yards rushing last season game appearances in 20 years. 3. Dripping Springs 9-2 Also receiving votes: Giddings, Tigers have 40-8 record in 01 Lago Vista over past four seasons under coach Galen Zimmerman Thomas ]ones UPON FURTHER REVIEW Fingers crossed: Prep football kicks off
By Rick Cantu The first sign that the Sports reporter season will be a difficult journey came last week. The It should come as no Luling-Columbus opener surprise that high school slated for the first Friday coaches and players in Texas was canceled because one aren't going to let a global Luling player was dia.gnosed pandemic sideline football with the virus. Half the team season. is under quarantine, making Turn on the lights. The it impossible to play, district season - at least for Classes Superintendent Erin Warren 4A to lA - is upon us. The said. glows you will see from the Thrall had its game against freeway Friday night are lola also canceled after an high school games being lola student test positive for played before communi Burnet football players stimd at attention during the national the virus. ties that take pride in their anthem before their first game of the season against Jarrell Still, some area coaches, teams. in Burnet Friday. The football season Ucked off with different such as Westlake's Todd Yet a dark cloud stretching protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic. [LOLA GOMEZ I Dodge and Anderson's from El Paso to Beaumont AMERICAN-STATESMAN] Daniel Hunter, say cancel and Wichita Falls to ing the season would have Brownsville shows no signs an adverse effect on players of dissipating. The year football this fall is risky. No social distancing, masks and would stretch beyond that COVID-19 changed one can dispute that. and hand sanitizer to help the gridiron. everyone's life is not over. Schools are banking on everybody make it through Allowing our kids to play safety measures such as the season. SeePREP, AIO are going to be far more dam such as California, Oregon, a large pool of high school for Classes 6A and SA will not PREP aging than what the virus is Colorado, Illinois and North players and coaches? Those begin until Sept. 24. The pan doing to kids of this age," the Carolina. pro teams have the resources demic does notappearto have FtomPageA7 Tirnberwolves coach said. This is a big gamble for the to check players daily. High scared off many players. Lake "This has been proven as well UIL, the governing body of school athletes, by compari Travis coach Hank Carter said with data points across the high school sports for more son, are not required to be a school-record 350 athletes "I have multiple kids on my country talking about depres than 1,300 schools in Texas, tested. have been preparing to play team that will not graduate sion .... For most kids, this is which led the nation last year "I can't imagine bow that's for the freshman, JV and var if we do not have football," the culmination of multiple with 166,000 kids playing going to be in schools where sity teams. Hunter said. "Football is years of investment, their football. kids may go days before they Abseck reminded us that their main motivation for last chance with their team, The issue concer ns the realize they have (COVID- high school football is a vol school and academics. I am teammates, coaches and rep UIL's medical advisory com 19), and in the meantime they wltary sport aud nothing worried that without foot resenting their community." mittee. During a recent virtual have spread it to multiple in life comes without risk. ball they will be the forgotten Across the country, though, meeting with UIL officials, teammates and classmates," Texas has never been known kids that never graduated, and opinions are divided on a few committee members Fenrich said. for backing away from a battle have little options after high whether to allow fall sports said COVID-19 is a "moving As for the season, the medi withouttrying. The kids have school. n to goon. target" that changes almost cal advisory committee passed a right to try to make it work. Cedar Park's Carl Abseck As the national COVID-19 daily. ameasurerequiringthatstu "At some point we have said players will be left with death toll surpasses 18o,ooo Arnold Fenricb, a pediat dents who test positive for to learn to work within the emotional scars if they don't and total cases approach 6 ric cardiologist from Austin, COVID-19 be cleared by a issues," Abseck said. "They get an opportunity to play. million, more than a dozen wondered, if professional physician before returning to are not going away anytime "If they don't play, the states have elected to shift sports teams are having extracurricular activities. soon. We need to find a way to effects on them mentally, football season to the spring, trouble containing the coro Wbile small schools inTexas live with it. Even with a vac physically and emotionally including football hotbeds navirus, what will it do to such started Friday night, games cine, how effective will it be?"
Courting high expectations•
Westwood's Jessica Lu hammers a forehand during the Class 6A girls singles semifinals at the 2019 state tournament in Colege Station. Lu, who is now a senior at Westwood, is expected to anchor the warriors' tennis team this faiL Tryouts begins Sept. 10. [JOH N GUTIERREZ/FOR STATESMAN] Coach says perennial any season always include a Warriors officially start try tennis powerhouse trip to the state tournament. outs on Sept. 10. poised for another But it's still one day at a Last season, Westwood strong season, this time time for Westwood high went 17-2 with both losses In Region IV school tennis coach Travis coming 10-9 against No. Dalrymple and his squad, 2 Plano West and No. 3 By Butch Hart especially in a time when the Amarillo. The loss to Plano American-Statesman corona virus looms as a con West in the Class 6A Region Correspondent stant threat. II semifinals came after "It has been a long time Westwood held a 9 -7 lead. Team tennis t rophies fill since we have all been the cases at Westwood High together," said Dalrymple See TENNIS, Al2 School, and expectations for with a laugh, noting that the graduate who starred in sportswherepracticetime has TENNIS tennis fort he Warriors. After not been impacted as greatly graduating from Texas State as other sports by the pan FtomPageAB University, he returned to demic, Dalrymple said. his alma mater and became "Playing singles tennis is the Warriors' bead coach 11 certainly maintaining social "Our match with Plano years ago. Under Dalrymple, distance," he said. "The kids West was fierce, and it could Westwood has claimed every are able to play by arriving at have gone either way," district title for a decade after the courts and staying apart. Dalrymple said. "They got us finishing second in his first The actual play is a good outlet on a couple oflate breaks and year at the helm. The cup and keeps them in shape." beat us; it was too bad that board is never bare at a school The Warriors have been they did not win state." with a strong tennis culture, permitted to participate in Plano West, which suffered and Dalrymple believes this skills development an hour a some injuries in the matchup team could make a push for a day and weight training and against Westwood, fell to second state championship in conditioning another hour, Houston Memorial in the three years. but the upcoming team try state-title dueL Westwood was hot heading outs will be the first time In a good sign for the pro into the spring tennis season this year's team will take the gram, the Warriors beat in March before the corona courts together. WestlakeJO-JandLakeTravis virus outbreak closed schools. While Westwood has had 14-5 last season. Westwood "We talked, the kids prac more than its share of suc moves from Region II to ticed, keeping social distance, cess on the courts, academics Region IV for the next two which is pretty easy on the always brings a special pride school years, and Westlake courts," Dalrymple said. "We to Dalrymple. Westwood is and Lake Travis dueled for the had calls and Zoom, but it was consistently ranked as one Region IV crown a year ago. always about being prepared of the top academic public With four boys that togo." schools in the state, and Dalrymple says "could be No. Earlier this year, Dalrymple Dalrymple is quick to point 1 for just about any team in the cited some of the differences out that 28 of his 30 players state" back as well as two of of his sport to others. earned academic all-district the top girls from last year, the "Tennis is a true year -round honors a year ago. coach says he expects a strong Westwood tennis coach Travis Dalrymple, left, with fonner sport," Dalrymple said, refer "And the other two are playoff run. Westwood boys singles player Ga~nv Singh, has led his alma mater ring to the team tennis season really, really close," said "Wearereallyexcitedabout to 10 consecutive cistrict titles. [COURTESY PHOTO) in the fall and individual com Dalrymple. "The students the upcoming season," he petition in the spring. "Team play bard at practice and in said. members then play in club matches, but they really have Dalrymple didn't go into a lot into the individuals they work hard, play hard and and make up their own tour a pride in their classroom suc detail about which players because it would be unfair. study hard. It is an awesome naments in the summer; they cess as well. They understand he expects to step up, saying "But the players earn their group." never really stop." that an education is key to "until tryouts, we can't go positions on the court and Dalrymple is a Westwood Tennis is one of the few your future." BLM shi1·ts planned for class Lake Travis intended to make a But some parents are seniors sell T-shlrts statement by wearing challenging the T-shirt to raise money the shirts on the first plan. for Black Lives day of in -class learning With a senior and Matter charities in September. Seniors freshman at the high traditionally choose a school, resident Michelle By Leslee Bassman special shirt to wear on Woodruff said "it's fine" Contributing writer the first day of school. for the students to wear The students created the shirts to school but For Angela Morrow, social media accounts "didn't know that nec raising her teens to be and order forms, secured essarily the school needs independent thinkers has sponsors and responded to be covering political always been a top prior to questions and con Lawen White, right, a Lake "D-avis sdlool district board issues." ity, along with ensuring cerns "with compassion member, speaks with parents before a school board "Black lives do matter they are "sociallyrespon and respect," Morrow meeting last month. A group showed support of high but the BLM organization sible, empathetic and said in an email last sdlool seniors who pl.-.. to wear T-shirts advocaU!g the is not an organization goal driven. n month to the Lake Travis Blaclll.M!s Matter movement on the first day of in-person that any school or any So when a group of district's school board on learning in September. [PHOTO BY LESLEE BASSMAN] government should be seniors at Lake Travis behalf ofthe students in advocating," she said. High School launched charge of the project. shirt on the first day of of an impact the youth "Politics doesn't belong an inclusivity cam According to the LT school," wit h a portion has," the page stated. in school." paign this summer by Seniors for BLM Twitte.r of the sales contributed "Lake Travis High School Laurie Higginbotham., selling T-shirts embla account created by the to charities supporting is a great place to spread an attorney and Lakeway zoned with "Black Lives seniors, "the goal of the Black Lives Matter awareness and show City Council's mayo.r pro Matter," she supported the project is to have movement. compassion. It is our job tern who spoke on behalf their efforts, especially everyone (who) wants "Recent events have to change our future for ofthe LT Seniors group at because the students to participate wear this shown us how much the better. n a school board meeting last month, said students have the right to wear expres sive clothing as long as it does not interfere with instruction or contain explicit content. The item was not on the agenda but residents addressed the board during the citizen comment portion of the session. "I assure you that you are well grounded to support students' right of expression and that right should be extended to teachers and staff as well," she said. According to the stu dent code of conduct, the district prohibits cloth ing that in the principal's judgment may cause dis ruption of normal school operations. The district also bans clothing with pictures or writings that are lewd, offen sive, vulgar or obscene, or that advertises or depicts tobacco prod ucts, alcoholic beverages, drugs or other prohibited substances. Kristen Donner Valentine, the mother of three teen boys, recently created a community Facebook page to help other local pa.rents feel supported, encouraged and not alone as they navi gate school during the new coronavirus "normal." Valentine posted infor- mation about the T -shirt sales oo her page. "With the recent pandemic, the politi cal climate and George Floyd's murder, our country has shown the best and worst of its people. So has LTISD," Valentine said. "We must allow all our stu dents to use their voices, to stand for what they believe in and feel safe and respected in doing so." The issue brought the Lake Travis Progressives' anti-racism committee to the meeting "to show appreciation for the stu dents who are supporting the idea that Black Lives Matter in Lake Travis." The organization's leaders say they aim to promote inclusion, unity and respect toward all people in Lake Travis. Superintendent Paul Norton said there are guidelines for selling T-shirts on campus, whichapplytoallstudent groups, clubs and organi zations. LT Seniors will be required to follow the same rules and the district is working with them. "By all means, we will support students aca derrrlcally,butequallyas important is our support for social and emotional learning," he said. "We respect and support all student voices. In this particular case, these are young adults who are trying to do good. They are well intended. This is a learning opportunity for our students."
LuzMoreno Lozcmo contributed to this report. Austin-area students returning to classrooms
Several districts to giving priority to special edu reopen school buildings cation and other high-needs starting next week students. Each also is offering online alternatives for stu By Melissa B. Taboada dents who wish to continue [email protected] to take classes remotely. The small districts of SomeAustin-area students Thrall and Wimberley, each will be back in the classroom on the edges of the metro after Labor Day under plans area, already have opened to gradually reopen school in -person classes. The larger buildings as coronavirus districts' plans will signifi cases continue to decline in cantly boost the number of the area. area students learning on The Round Rock, Leander campus, as administrators and Lake Travis school dis seek to gradually reopen tricts, which began the school classrooms safely even as the year with online instruction in area's positivity rates - the August, will begin welcoming percentage of people testing students back to campuses positive for COVID-19 among next week. The Pflugerville those tested - remain higher school district, which also than the 5% threshold that opened online classes last medical experts say is con month, will start limited in sidered safe for returning to person learning beginning Sept. 14. The districts are SeeREnJRN, A6
Dahlstrom Middle School engineering teacher Aaron Higdon decorates his car with a lego man for a back-to-school parade Wednesday as the Hays school district prepares for its first virtual day of school next Tuesday. UAY JANNER/AMERICAN·STAT!SMAN) sixth and ninth graders. lessons. RETURN All other grade levels may The vast majority of return to campuses Sept. Hays students will learn FromPageAl 21. from home, though about The Leander district to% of the district's stu will rollout its plan in four dents without internet classrooms. The weekly phases. Starting Tuesday access or child care at average positivity rate through Sept. 18, the dis home, will come on cam Wednesday in Travis trict will offer in-person puses and learn virtually County was 6.2%. In learning to children in from there. They will be Williamson County, it special education; prekin spread out in cafeterias wass.8%. dergarten; first, sixth and or other large places. Districts can only offer ninth grades; and children "Some indicated they online-only instruc of staff members. More had no other option tion for the first four grade levels then will be but to send their kids in weeks of the school year added each week through person," Hays district before reopening school Oct. 5, until all students spokesman Tim Savoy buildings for the gradual who wish to return to said. "It's an option for return of students, or the classrooms are back in parents who both work or districts risk losing state school. the family has no access to funding. In Pflugerville, students technology." State leaders last month who opt for in-person While the Austin dis said local health authori learning would come back trict has not yet released ties couldn't preemptively to school beginning Sept. its plans in full, campuses close school buildings, as 14, but campuses would be largely will remain closed the interim healthauthority limited to 25% capacity. to students during the had done in Travis COUllty District leaders said they first few weeks of school, until after Labor Day. Such will assess public health with students returning decisions should be left to conditions the week of to campuses beginning individual districts, the Sept. 28 before determin Oct. s. The district is dis officials said, but, even ing whether to increase couraging students from then, districts couldn't capacity. turning up on campuses choose to exclusively offer The Round Rock district prior to that time and has remote learning for long. on Thursday will begin been working to secure Theflaidreopeningplans teaching special education laptops and Wi-Fi bot and changing guidelines students in sell-con spots to ensure all stu have rankled educators tained classrooms, and dents have access to their who have been trying to other students who wish virtual classrooms. hammer out back-to to learn in person can Austin Superintendent school plans, as well as do so starting Sept. 15. Stephanie Elizalde has some families who have Superintendent Steve said she will closely mon been anxious to send their Flores said tbe district's ito r the reopening plans children back to school or phase -in plan is con tin in neighboring school who l1ave no alternatives gent on health conditions. districts. for child care. "We must think of Austin, Hays reopening our schools Phased reopening as turning the dimmer The Austin and Hays switch, rather than turn In the Lake Travis dis school districts are start ing the switch on and off. trict, in-person learning ing school Tuesday online. We want to use phases initially is open to spe Teachers, some of whom as we come back to our cial education students, will instruct from home schools," Elizalde told children of employees, and others in the class school board members in elementary students and room, will offer virtual a recent update. COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2020 SEASON PREVIEW
PICK SIX: WHO'S IN? WHO'S ALREADY OUT? A CAOSS·YOUA·FINGEAS LOOK AT THE 2020 SEASON
By Kevin Lyttle remains punchless. 2c.!-pound corner? The son American-StatesDWI Arllans.liS: Since the of the ex-Miami Dolphins Correspondent Razorbacks posted 10- and star allowed a mere 681 11-win seasons a decade yards on 986 coverage This college football cam ago, they haven't topped snaps. Had 42 tackles. eight paign will be like no other, 8-5 and were 2-10 the past passes defensed and three stripped of many teams, two years. In the current forced fumbles. pageantry and plenty four-year recruiting cycle Trevon Moehrlg-Woodard of passion played out In Arkansas ranked 11th, (rCU S): The Smithson sparsely filled, or empty, loth, 14th and loth in the Valley product was the stadiums. And that's SEC by 247Sports. highest-graded FBS safety assuming the whole thing Texas Tech: Still can't by PFF. He allowed only 2 of doesn't get completely figure out how a Patrick 17 contested targets to be sacked by COVI D-19. Mahomes team could not caught In a 61-tackle, four Our annual college football make even a minor bowl INT campaign. pick six preview snows in his final season. The Dylan Moses
2020 CENTRAL TEXAS ALL-COLLEGE TEAM That college try: Area products excelling at next level By Thomas Jones [email protected]
From Rhode Island's Brown Universitytothe University of California-Berkeley, football players from the Austin area are thriving at the next level. Many of those players won't take the field in 2020 because of the coronav:i.rw; pamlemic that has triggered a wave of postponements and cancel lations. Regardless of their season status, let's take a look at an all-Central Texas team made up of players who hail from the Austin area. Offense Q.B: Sam Eblinger, Texas (Westlake). The Reisman candidate enters his senior season with 33 career starts and career numbers of10,400 total yards of offense and 93 total IDs. RB: Mulbab Car,Houston (Reagan/Northeast). The AISD's all-time leading rusher, now a redshirt senior, has 1,294 career yards rushing and appears poised to start for the Cougars. WR: Garrett Wi1son, Ohio State (Lake Travis). Now a sophomore, the state's No. 1 college prospect from 2019 made an instant impact as a freshman last fall, playing inall14 games andcatching30 passes for 4 32 yards and five IDs. WR: Beau Corrales, North Carolina (Georgetown). The senior enters this fall with 16 career starts, 67 catches, 938 yards receiving and 11 TDs. WR :Josh Wainwright, Columbia (Bowie). The fifth -year senior holds school records that include most receiving yards in a season (1,001 as a sophomore in 2017), career receptions per game (5.90) and fastest to 1,000-yards receiving (14 games, 77 receptions). TE: Kylen Granson, SMU (Westlake). After transfer ring from Rice and sitting out a season, the senior enjoyed a breakout2019 (43-721-9). His nine TDs set a school record for a tight end. OL: Shea Baker, Rice (Cedar Ridge). The red shirt junior has started 24 of 25 career games at guard and center, and he earned All Conference USA honors last year. OL: Brandt Peterson, Rice (Hyde P.ark Baptist). An all-state tight end in high school, Peterson converted to tackle at Rice and emerged as a starterlast year. OL: Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska (Lake Travis). The All-Big Ten senior left tackle has made 33 consecu tive starts forthe Cornhuskers and has developed into an
See COLLEGE, A8 garnesandmade21startsover cornerback, Green has COLLEGE the last three seasons and bas amassed 88 career tackles careertotalsof9otackles, t7.5 and 10 pass breakups in 35 FromPageA7 tackles for loss and six sacks. career games. DL: Scalelglebon, Boise DB: DaMarcus Fields, State (DelValle). Thepow TexasTech(Taylor). The NFL prospect. erbouse junior bas appeared redshirt senior has started 21 OL: Dominic Pastucci, in 25 games with five starts games the past two seasons ursA (Hendrickson). The and appears in line to start at at comerback while tallying senior guard has played in32 one of the tackle spots. 92 tackles, 16 pass breaks career games and emerged as LB: Alex Hensley, Lewis and three interceptions. a starter last season. and Clark (Leander). DB: Tobias Harris, OL: Alex Costilla, Texas The middle linebacker has West Texas A&M state(SanMarcos). After played in all iS games his (Hendrickson). The two all-conference seasons at first two seasons at the Division II All-American Tyler Junior College, the tackle Portland college and bas 72 bad 68 tackles and a team spumed offers from schools career tackles, totacklesfor high four interceptions including Nebraska, Missouri aloss and three sacks. while ranking 15th nation and West Virginia tosign with LB: Chris Sanders, ally in pass br eakups in his hometown Bobcats. Tyler Junior College 2019, and he also set single K: Cameron Dicker, (LBJ). The inside linebacker season and career records in Tex.as(LakeTravis). Third· led the JU CO powerhouse in punt retum yards. year junior has made 32 of his tackles a year ago while earn DB: Clayton Perrin, J4careerfield-goalattempts, ing all-American honors, Brown (Hendrickson). including a 57-yard field but remains uncommitted The junior, a projected starter goal against Rice last season to afour-year program. at safety, led all freshmen on and the game winner over LB: Cameron Wilkins, his Ivy League team with 53 Oklahoma in 2018, and he's Missouri (DelValle). The tackles in 2018 and earned the tied for the second longest junior bas played in 21 career starting role in 2019 before field goal in school history. games with two starts and injuries ended his season. appears in line to be a full P: Oscar Draguicevich Defense time starter after racking up III, Washington State 33 tackles last season. (Hutto). The r edshirt DL: Ocbaun Mathis, LB: Edward McDonald, senior , who played at TCU (Manor). The red Texas College (Connally). Incamate Word and Tyler shirt sophomore started all One of the leading tack Junior College before trans 12 games last season and lers for the HBCU school in ferringto Wazzu, punted 30 racked up 40 tackles, nine Tyer, the inside linebacker times for 1,352 yards and a tackles for loss and 2. 5 sacks. enters his junior year as the 45.1 average while earning DL: Tevin Paul, leader ofthe defense. a spot on the watch list for California (Lake Travis). DB: Allie Green, Tulsa the Ray Guy A ward, which The hybrid edge rusher bas (LBJ). A senior entering honors college football's top played in 35 of 38 possible his third season as a starting punter. TRIPLETS OF THE BIG 12 A tour of each conference team's top QB, RB and WR
By Ross Burkhart improved his yards-per-carry American-Statesman average by nearly one yard per Correspondent attempt, and he became more involved in the passing game. In our annual Tripl ets of (last year: 144-853·7) the Big 12, we look at every WR: Bremml Eqles. Collin conference school's expected Johnson and Devin Duvernay leaders at quarterback, run have moved on, and Eagles ning back and receiver this was third on the team last year season. in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdowns. He also Baylor averaged 163 yards per catch, which led the team. Michigan QB: Chartie Brewer. Brewer, out graduate transfer Tarik Black of lake Travis. helped elevate could start opposite him on the Bears last season by lead the outside, and slot guys Jake ing them to 11 wins and a Sugar Smith and Jordan Whittington Bowl appearance. The biggest also will draw targets. (last question Is about his health. year: 32·522·6) Former Bears coach Matt Rhule previously said Brewer suffered Texas Tech three concussions in his career. including last year's Big 12 QB: Alan Bowman. Back in 2018, championship game, in which as a freshman. Bowman looked he was removed. (last year: like he was on the fast track to 251·389-3,161 yards. 21 TDs. 7 Oklahoma defensive lineman Neville Gall more trtes to bring down Kansas ruMing bact Poolla Wiliams becoming one of the Big 12's INTs) Jr. during last year's game. Wiliams has been a flxb.lre of the Jayhawb' offense since he anived in top passers. His 69.4% comple RB: John Lovett He's led Baylor Lawrence. [CHARLIE RIEDEL/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS] tion rate led the country, in rushing each of the last three just ahead of Alabama's Tua years. but has yet to command Tagovaiola and Oklahoma's the position. A year ago he split - who was going to start in Oklahoma in 2018. Wallace missed the Kyler Murray. But he played carries with JaMycal Hasty. 2019 until carter Stanley beat final five games last year with a only eight games before suffer· He'll likely do the same this fall him out- or Miles Kendrick, QB: Spencer Rattler. Uncoln torn ACL but has been practlc· ing a partially collapsed lung, alongside fellow senior Trestan who didn't play last year but Riley's next project. The ing in preseason camp. (Last and then missed the final nine Ebner. Lovett's average of 6.4 did In 2018. MacVittle is 6-5, redshirt freshman was widely year: 53-903·8) games last season with a non yards per carry matched the Kendrick is 5-10. (last year: regarded as one of the coun throwing arm shoulder injury. likes of Oklahoma's Kennedy 0-1-Q yards, 0 TOS, 1 INT) try's top QB recruits in 2019. TCU (last year: 101·154·1,020 yards. Brooks (6.5) and Oklahoma RB: Pooka Wiliams Jr. Williams and he currently holds the 6 TOS, 3 INTs) State's Chuba Hubbard (6.4), has been an all-conference second-best odds to win QB: uauhew Downing. In All: 5aRodorlct 11lompson. although with a notably regular, earning second-team the Heisman Trophy. Baker late August, Max Duggan He's the ideal RB for the pass smaller sample size. (Last year: honors as a freshman in 2018 Mayfield, Kyler Murray and announced he would be out heavy Red Raiders. He's quick. 103-655·5) and first-team honors last Jalen Hurts thrived under indefinitely after a COVII>-19 elusive and has good hands. WR: Tyquan Thornton. He's year. He does need to improve Riley's tutelage. (Last year: test revealed an unrelated It may be difficult for him to the heif apparent in Baylor's on getting into the end zone, 7·11-81 yards,! TO, no INTs) heart condition that he has cross the l,OOO·yard t hreshold passing game to Denzel Mims. however; there were 56 play RB: TJ. Pledger. The 5-9 junior unknowingly lived with his in Lubbock, but his field vision who's now with the New York ers in the country who rushed has been buried on ou·s depth whole life. The Horned Frogs paid off with the third-most Jets. His average of 17.4 yards for 1,000 yards last year, and chart, but circumstances hope he can return sometime touchdowns in the Big 12 last per catch last season ranked Williams was tied for the have given him a chance. RB this fall. Downing - Duggan's season. (last year: 160·765·12) Mims for targets. (Last year: of only two Jayhawks named for Ohio State as a graduate play) season too. Tech missed a bowl 45-782-5) to the Big 12's preseason team, transfer, and Kennedy Brooks is RB: Darwin Barlow. He arrived game last year, but Ezukanma Parchment started his career opting out of the season. (last on campus as the highest- saved his best performance Iowa State by playing at Northern Illinois year: 10-65-1) ranked recruit of TCU's 2019 for last- seven catches for a for two seasons before he WR: Charleston Rambo. He fm· signing class. But the Horned season·h igh 135 yards and a QB: Brodt Purdy. Purdy Is transferred to Kansas. (Last Is hed second 0111 the team last Frogs also now have zach touchdown against Texas. (last receiving NFL buzz - and right- year: 65-831-7) year in catches, receiving yards Evans, the five-star freshman year: 42-664-4) fully so. He's already shattered and touchdowns. only behind who ended up at TCU after con- numerous school single-game Kansas State CeeDee lamb, who's now with sidering Alabama, Texas A&M, West VIrginia and season passing records, the Dallas COwboys. He had a LSU. Georgia and Tennessee. and he's only seven touch- QB: Skylar Thompson. Uh oh. 56-yard TO in his first career There likely will be a commit- QB: Jarret Doege. The former downs away from becoming The Wildcats lost their top start, vs. Houston, and then tee approach to running back. Bowling Green transfer started the school's all-time leader. two running backs from 2019, torched UCLA for 116 yards and (last year: 22-99-1) three games In 2019, improv- Four of his targets had at least their most productive receiver two scores two weeks later. WR: Taye Barber. Injuries ham- ing his yardage numbers each 675 receiving yards last season. and the entire offensive line. (last year: 43-743·5) pered his sophomore season, game, but he finished with a Three of those four caught Thompson is accustomed to but Barber still led the team in three-interception performanei! more than 50 balls. Two of scrambling, but he may be Oklahoma State receiving yards over his final In the season finale. Doege was them are back this fall. (last doing more than usual this fall. seven games. when he aver- 2-1 in his three starts. (79-120- year: 312·457-3,982 yards, 27 He showed off his footwork In QB: Spencer sanders. The Big aged more receptions per game 818 yards, 7 TOS, 3 INTs) TDs,91NTs) the 48-41 upset of Oklahoma 12's offensive f reshman of the than Jalen Reagor, who's now RB: Leddie Brown. He was the RB: Breece Hall. He didn't last year, rushing for four year produced more than 200 with the Philadelphia Eagles. team's leading rusher last emerge until October, with a scores. (Last year: 177-297- all-purpose yards in all but (last year: 29-372-5) year, but averaged only 3.4 132-yard, three-touchdown 2,315 yards, 12 fos. 5 INfs) one of his 11 starts, and he yards per carry as he worked night against West Virg inia, but RB: Hury Trotter. His produc- answered any q,uestions about Texas behind a young offensive line. he then established himself as tion was limited in 2019- he whether osu would slip with- The Mountaineers had the one of the Big 12's top run- started three games, playing ou t former QB Mason Rudolph. QB: Sam Ehlnver. Followed up second fewest rushing yards ners. He and Purdy both landed behind seniors James Gilbert Sanders has plenty of room to his breakout sophomore season in the country, beating out on the all-conference second and Jordon Brown - but develop Into one of the Big 12's of 2018 with the second-most only Akron, which didn't win team. (last year: 186-897-9) Trotter flashed moments of top QBs. (Last year: 155-247- passing yards by a Longhorn a single game. Brown started WR: Tarlque Ullt.on. He aver- quality running, Including a 2,065 yards,16 TDs,lliNTs) In school history. He has a new only three games but led all aged 20.6 yards per catch last 92-yard game against Kansas. RB: Chuba HubiNrd. The offensive coordinator and a RBs in carries. (Last ynr: season. which ranked seventh (last year: 66-203·3) nation's leading rusher last different playbook. and his 117-367-1) nationally. He didn't have a lot WR: uat• Knowles. Texas fans season, Hubbard topped 100 receivers are generally young. WR: sam James. He's likely the of receptions, but his volume may remember Knowles from yards in all but one game as a He enters the season as Texas' Mountaineers' most exciting should increase now that he's a cool 70-yard touchdown play sophomore. He should be the No.2 career passing leader. offensive player. James set the Cyclones' No. 1 wideout within the first two minutes early favorite tG win the Doak (Last season: 296-454-3,603 a school freshman receiving (last year: 35-722-3) of last year's game. He was Walker Award; he was runner- yards, 32TOS,10 INTs) record but also was wildly up and down in 2019, but with up to Wisconsin·•s Jonathan RB: Keaontily Ingram. inconsistent He scorched Kansas former Wildcats receiver Taylor last year. (last year: Suddenly, Texas' running Texas Tech (14 catches for 223 Dalton SchGen havi ng moved 328-2,094·21) backs room feels crowded yards, the fourth-best receiv- QB: Tbomas MacVIttle. on, Knowles assumes the top WR: Tylan Walace. He has with Ingram, Roschon Johnson lng game In WVU history), but Probably. Jayhawks coach Les spot among KSU wideouts. received the bulk of the team's and five-star freshman Bijan then managed only 54 com· Miles hasn't named his starter, (last year: 27-397-3) targets the last two years and Robinson, who was the coun- blned yards over the next three and it'll be either MacVittie was a Biletnikoff Award finalist try's No. 1 RB prospect. Ingram weeks. (Last year: 69-677-2) COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: BIG 12 Riley, OU's QB whisperer, takes on Spencer Rattler
By JennJ Carlson quarterback ever. He lived in Spencer Rattler The Oldahoman the spotlight in high school. lsreplad~ He was featured in a Netflix 2019 Heisman OKLAHOMA CITY - Being documentary, was front and Trophy runner-up in thespotlightispartofbeing center at the prestigious Jalea Hurts. who thestarting quarterback at OU. Elite 11 quarterback compe replaced 2018 Spencer Rattler will soon tition and was followed by Heisman winner find that out. more than 100,000 people Kyler Murray, who But the second-year fresh on Instagram before he ever replaced 2017 man who was named the stepped foot on campus in Heisman winner starter earlier this week may Norman, Okla. Baker Mayfield. step into the job as prepared [BRAN TERRY/THE for the heat as any Sooners SeeOU, Co OKLAHOMAN] Riley first arrived in Norman benched midway through uextfall -while Murray had place now because of the place ou as the offensive coordinator the year. But Murray didn't the longest stretch, more than he has been for the past year in January2015. All three who hold onto the job. He finished 21J2 years. - learning at the feet of the FtomPageCl came before Rattler spent at that season with a completion But it's evident how much quarterback wbisperer. least eight months with Riley percentage under 6o% and better all of them got just from "1 would say his kuowl before taking over the start more interceptions (seven) that time meeting with and edge of our offense and what All of that probably made ingjob. than passing touchdowns learning from Riley. we want to do and why we're the past year or so a bit jar All were better for it. (five). Even though they all threw doing things and just the ring for him. The way Baker Mayfield, And Hurts went from start it more than they bad before, understanding the whole pic Rattler went dark. Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts ing as a true freshman at their percentages and touch ture there has probably been At least publicly. played for the Sooners, it Alabama to getting benched downs went up while their the biggest area of improve Rattler was Oklahoma's might be hard to recall the as a sophomore during the interceptions and mistakes ment," Riley said. "The level third -string quarterback way theyplayed before arriv national championship game. went down. All three had of preparation at this level to last season, an afterthought ing at OU. So, let's rewind a He just didn't throw it well some of the best statistical play that position the way we really to the sports world. minute. enough to keep elite defenses seasons in the history of col expect is ... " Sure, there were occasional Mayfield, you'llremember, honest. His completion per lege foot ball. Riley paused. musings on social media and made history in 2013 when centage his first two seasons So, what does this all mean "I don't care what high sports radio about him. But he earned the starting job at was just about 6o%, and his for Rattler? school you came out of, this for the most part, Rattler Texas Tech as a true freshman yards per attempt only aver First of all, it doesn't mean is a different deaL" went about day-to-day life walk-on out of Lake Travis aged around 7 or 8. he's going to be as good right That's the case even for in anonymity. High SchooL But what he did Hurts, Murray and Mayfield away as Mayfield or Murray a guy as highly regarded as And it could well be the best on the field was fairly for all spent the better part of a or Hurts. Those guys had Spencer Rattler. He might've thing to ever happen for him. gettable. He threw too many year or more learning under played major-college foot been ready a year ago to After all, spending time interceptions and made too Riley before becoming the ball before becoming OU's handle the spotlight that immersed in the teachings of many questionable decisions. starter. Mayfield and Hurts starting quarterback. Rattler comes with being the start Lincoln Riley bas worked out It's why be ultimately lost the only had about eight months has not. He is bound to have ing quarterback at OU - but pretty dam well for OU sig starting job. each - Mayfield had been on growing pains. he wasn't ready to actually be nalcallers who've come before Murray, a backup most campus about a year before But he won't have as many the starting quarterback. Rattler. of 2015 as a true freshman Riley was hired, and Hurts as be would've bad be been Now, he's ready. He will be the fourth start at Texas A&M, became the came as a grad transfer in the thrust into the starting role a For the spotlight and the ing quarterback for OU since starter when Kyle Allen was winter before starting the year ago. Rattler is in a better job. EYES ON TEXAS
Texas head coach Tom Henn• greets quarterllacll Sam Ehlinger upon tile team's aTival for last yeWS Red Riwr Showdown game with <*lahoma at the COtton Bowl. Ehlinger Is entering hiS senior season wltll the Lollglloms. [RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL/AMERICAN·STATESMAN] Horns' Tom Herman is acing Roster Management 101
What exactly is recruiting living room and ate your better) players. all about? Coaches are paid mother's cooking - will be Now, with the advent of to find someone better than out there actively looking for the NCAA transfer portal, you. your replacement. roster management has If you're ranked No. 1 on On the college level, this a different look and feeL the American -Statesman's is how roster management Anyone who puts their name Fabulous 55, congratula worked for decades. You in the portal is fair game tions! We'll make a big to-do recruited good players, to be contacted by a rival et's start today with about it. We'll shower you coached 'em up, figured school. Someone at Texas is the cold, unvar- in glory! Urn, but next year, out who was good and then responsible for looking at the L nished truth for all the your coach - the same guy replaced the mediocre ones recruits, no matter the sport. who hugged you, sat in your with younger (hopefully SeeDAVIS, C3 athletes to pursue a second DAVIS bachelor'sdegreeattheirnew school. All that means is an ath FtomJ>ageCl lete simply has to be accepted as a regular student. 'That's easier to do at UT, as it is almostevery list every day, or they should be, whereelse, especially when the anyway. And frankly, that list prospective transfer already has should be made public. a degree from another four -year Roster management has college. become one of Texas coach Tom So Herman picked up Michigan Hennan'sstrengths in three-plus receiver Tarik Black to bolster a years in Austin. He fights to keep thin receivlng corps. Black had good players from leavlng via the 40 career receptions with the portal while actively picking up Wolverines from 2017-19 as inju graduate transfers to fill specific ries slowed his time there. He'll needs. bethefirstUTplayertowear Flash baok to 2018. Heading jersey No. o. into the Sugar Bowl, both of "When it comes to watching Texas' backup quarterbacks put the video, studying his playbook, their name in the portal Herman as well as taking care ofhis body, allowed Casey Thompson and that'sa~yyoujustreallydon't Cam Rising to both stay with havetoremindhimtodoanyof the team in New Orleans and those things because of his matu partici~Xlte in team functions. rity level," Herman said. Thompson ended up staying The Longhorns also were while Rising left for Utah. Now, expected to sign Arizona trans Thompson is No. 2 on the depth fer Brenden Schooler, who had chart while Herman went out and 4 3 receptions and four career signed Lalce Travis' Hudson Card touchdowns. He first played and Dwcanville's Ja'Quinden at Oregon, then transferred to Jackson. Arizona. Now that the Pac-u Texas' quarterbaclcdepth, has canceled its season, Schooler a point of derision under is expected to sign with UT, Olarlie Strong, now looks quite although the school has not impressive. made it official just yet. This past offseason, offen Maybe Texas pursued sive lineman Denzel Okafor, Schooler as a way to get his cornerback Anthony Cook brother, grad transfer Colin and defensive line= Myron Schooler, a terrific linebacker Warren all put their names in the with nine career sacks for portal. Sometime passed, they Arizona. Colin Schooler ended opted to stay and all are expected up choosing Texas Tech. to contribute in some capacity Hetman is also expected to this season. UT t}'Jically does add Sioux Falls running back not COIIDnent on why ~ayers p1t Gabriel Watson, who led all their names in or take them out. Division n rushers in 2018. The Horns have lost only one Watson is another player that truedifference-makerviathe UTbas yet to form:illy 81lllounce portal High school All-American but those inside the building Bru McCoy signed with and e•ctittohappen. enrolled trt USC, transferred to Blaclc. Schooler and Wtrtson Texas and enroDed in Austin, would :ill be one-year additions, and then abruptly went baclc to same as offensive tackle Calvin Los Angeles. That was a case of Anderson (Rice) and running someone wbo was horresick. It backTre Watson (Cal)were. wasn't because of anything Texas Every grad transfer Herman has did oc didn't do. signed thus far has helped the The grad transfer marlcet is Longhoms immediately. where Herman and his staff Make no mistake, Herman are taking roster management takes great pride in offering to a new level. It's the closest some of the lowest scholarship thing the NCAA has to true free totals in the Big 12 each year. He agency. credits the staff's diligence and The NCAA relaxed its rules on homework. Texasdoesn'twant grad transfers in April. Anyone tothrowouthugefi&llngnets who completes a bacheloc's and see who bites. It wants to degree and still has athJetic make calculated offers; some hit, eligibility remaining can transfer some won't. without sitting out a year. But This is what college football there was a catch. Tile athlete roster management looks like must be accepted into a graduate in 2020. You sign good players, program at his new school, as if keep them, coach 'emup and the athlete was going to pursue plug the holes where needed a master's degree. Foc a lot of when you can with graduate athletes, that was anon-starter transfers. at Texas. It's not the NFL waiver wire, Now, theNCAA:illowsfor but it's close enough.