Category Sports

Regardless of being the primary Texas Longhorn in historical past to comb the USA Observe & Subject and Cross Nation Coaches Affiliation Observe Athlete of the Yr awards, Julien Alfred continues to be not happy. Alfred is the primary Texas athlete, male or feminine, observe or discipline, to win each the indoor and outside Athlete of the Yr awards in the identical yr, after securing the outside award on Sunday.

Alfred is an 11-time USTFCCCA All-American, two-time indoor NCAA champion, two-time outside NCAA champion and two-time indoor NCAA file holder. Alfred, who’s at the moment coaching for the World Athletics Championships, continues to be hungry for extra.

“Every little thing I’ve achieved up to now, it reveals my exhausting work,” Alfred mentioned. “I feel there’s a much bigger objective to be a world champion.”

Alfred, additionally a Bowerman award finalist, mentioned she wouldn’t have had the success she did with out the assistance of her coaches. Led by head coach Edrick Floréal, often known as Coach Flo, Alfred helped Texas girls’s observe and discipline win its fifth outside nationwide title. 

She mentioned that on the workforce’s facet, they barely confronted any difficulties with profitable the nationwide championship. 

“We actually have nice chemistry, we have now work ethic and I feel everyone works exhausting,” Alfred mentioned. “If one particular person determined to slack off, all of us picked up for one another and we additionally believed in one another.”

Nonetheless, Alfred confronted just a few struggles on her personal with staying targeted mentally, however turned to her coaches to assist her keep optimistic and work via her psychological block. Alfred hopes that the workforce continues its sturdy mentality and work ethic to steer themselves towards one other nationwide championship win. 

“We had such an awesome workforce this yr, and I’m hoping that the athletes coming in may simply see how exhausting this yr was,” Alfred mentioned. “To get to that time and simply by no means be comfy with the sensation of understanding you already received championships as a result of I imply, everyone desires to beat Texas now.”

For Alfred, being the primary Longhorn to win each the indoor and outside observe athlete of the yr just isn’t the whole legacy she desires to go away. 

“It means lots, and I’m hoping it might encourage athletes right here at Texas to do the identical and present them that it’s doable — not solely at UT, but in addition at dwelling,” Alfred mentioned. “No matter you set your thoughts to, you’ll be able to obtain. Having good communication and trusting in your coach and in your self goes a great distance.”

Alfred, a St. Lucia native, desires to encourage younger athletes like her to have the ability to obtain their targets. She mentioned if she might inform her youthful self something, she would inform herself to maintain working exhausting and never hand over on her targets. 

“At the moment, I used to be attempting actually exhausting to get into a brand new surroundings and simply to be in Jamaica and in some unspecified time in the future, I wished to surrender,” Alfred mentioned. “I’ll inform my 14-year-old self that ‘It will get higher and don’t hand over on your self now. It can take loads of exhausting work, dedication and sacrifices to get to the purpose you’re at proper now.’”

With all of her success in faculty, Alfred is simply now getting her skilled profession began. She is at the moment coaching for the World Athletics Championships that start Aug. 19 whereas working towards her objective of being the quickest girl on the planet, with no plans to decelerate any time quickly.  

Whereas many sports activities are in a stalemate through the summer season season, Texas swim and dive was in full pressure Tuesday by Friday in Indianapolis, competing in opposition to a few of the nation’s greatest within the Phillips 66 Nationwide Championships. 

Groups have been vying for a nationwide title and a chance to signify america on the World Aquatics Championships and different occasions that might put them on a global stage. A number of Texas student-athletes took residence honors in a pool of 38 Olympians and 31 Olympic medalists, together with present Longhorn swimmers Lydia Jacoby and Erica Sullivan. 

For Carson Foster, profitable one nationwide title wasn’t sufficient. The Texas junior was victorious within the 200-meter butterfly on Tuesday and within the 400-meter particular person medley on Thursday, qualifying for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships hosted in Japan.

Foster achieved his first gold medal of the meet within the 200-meter butterfly, recording a time of 1:54.32 and barely sneaking previous runner-up Thomas Heilman, who recorded a time of 1:54.54 to get silver.

Two days later, Foster outswam his opponent Chase Kalisz within the 400-meter particular person medley by eight-hundredths of a second with a time of 4:08.14, touchdown one other medal for the Longhorns. Foster’s efficiency helped Texas amass eight medals throughout the first three days of competitors. 

Foster wasn’t the one Texas males’s swimmer to take pleasure in victory over the four-day occasion. On Wednesday night time, Luke Hobson received gold within the 200-meter freestyle with a time of 1:45.18, sending him to Japan alongside Foster. Hobson’s success was no shock because the sophomore is already a four-time NCAA nationwide champion for varied freestyle occasions; this win marked his fifth nationwide title total. 

Longhorn David Johnston added to Texas’ first-place assortment on Friday by taking gold within the 400-meter free, claiming the primary nationwide title of his profession. Johnston recorded a private greatest of three:49.07 throughout prelims, then beat that point in finals by three seconds. He’ll be a part of Foster and Hobson on america roster for the World Aquatics Championships. 

Texas ladies’s swim and dive didn’t see any gold medals through the meet however nonetheless contributed many silver and bronze earnings. On day one, incoming Longhorn Jillian Cox positioned second within the ladies’s 800-meter freestyle, beating her total greatest time by 10 seconds and incomes a spot on the senior staff. 

Freshman and Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby secured one other silver medal for Texas within the 50-meter breast, posting a private greatest time of 29.81 seconds. Jacoby received silver within the 100-meter breast on Friday, serving to the Longhorns end the championships with 10 medals. 

The Phillips 66 Nationwide Championships will resume in Irvine, California, on Aug. 1 to conclude the 2022-23 swim and dive season and kick off the upcoming fall semester.      

As many Texas basketball followers tuned into Thursday evening’s NBA Draft, the suspense of listening to a well-known title became disappointment as 60 athletes had been known as to the stage, none of them bearing a Texas alumni title. 

Nevertheless, followers had been in good spirits after the announcement of three Longhorns, Timmy Allen, Marcus Carr and Sir’Jabari Rice, signing to a few separate NBA groups instantly previous the top of the ceremony. 

The primary of the three to obtain a contract was Rice, who signed a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs. A two-way contract grants a group the flexibility to maintain a participant within the NBA’s G-League, a minor-style league used to develop expertise, but additionally provides them the chance to name a participant as much as the NBA if wanted. That is large information for Rice, as he now has a direct path to play within the NBA whereas nonetheless staying very near Austin. The capturing guard may also play within the Summer time League with Victor Wenbanyama, whom the Spurs drafted with the primary total decide and is seen as top-of-the-line prospects of all time.

Carr and Allen each signed Summer time League contracts simply in the future after the draft, with Allen taking part in for the Memphis Grizzlies and Carr taking part in for the Phoenix Suns. Summer time League contracts provides the gamers a group to play with within the pre-season and grants them the chance to be signed by any group as soon as the league finishes. Although neither Carr nor Allen obtained a full supply, a very good displaying within the Summer time League might grant them a two-way contract much like the one Rice signed.

Sir’Jabari Rice to the San Antonio Spurs

Rice spent his first 4 years at New Mexico State earlier than transferring to Texas in his ultimate 12 months of eligibility. Rice received the Sixth Man of the Yr award within the Large 12 whereas averaging 13 factors per sport and capturing over 37% from the three level line. Rice scored over 10 factors in all 4 of the Longhorns NCAA match video games, together with a 23-point efficiency towards Colgate to safe Texas’ first spherical victory. 

The capturing guard brings quite a lot of worth to the younger Spurs roster as he enters the league with expertise in management and a ability set that interprets very effectively to the NBA. Rice was one in all, if not the perfect, shooters for the Longhorns and may match the position of “3 and D” which has change into highly regarded within the NBA due to his size and defensive capacity. Rice additionally possesses top-of-the-line pump fakes in all of basketball, typically faking out defenders for a straightforward drive or shot. Rice probably received’t see a lot NBA motion in 12 months one, however the 6-foot-4-inch guard has so much to offer to a group on the come up just like the San Antonio Spurs.

Timmy Allen to the Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies can be receiving a flexible and veteran chief in Allen, who stayed with Texas throughout his additional 12 months of eligibility as a brilliant senior this previous season with one 12 months at Texas beneath his belt already. The ahead began in all 69 video games throughout two seasons as a Longhorn and was not too long ago named the one lively NCAA Division I participant to acquire not less than 2,000 factors, 900 rebounds and 400 assists in his faculty profession. As for his possibilities at getting a high spot on the Grizzlies roster, Allen may need to step up his 3-point capturing, as Memphis presently has eight younger gamers beneath contract for subsequent season that’ll be competing for the highlight.

Marcus Carr to the Phoenix Suns

Carr spent his final two seasons in Austin, averaging almost 14 factors per sport as a Longhorn and main the group in assists for each years. Carr joins a Phoenix Suns group that’s loaded with expertise, however lacks younger position gamers to help their “tremendous group.” Carr brings excessive power, management and basketball IQ to the desk for the Suns as one of the crucial skilled level guards popping out of faculty. Carr is a wonderful passer and was within the high 5 in assists, scoring and steals within the Large 12, proving that he could be top-of-the-line throughout level guards. Standing at simply 6-foot-2-inches might trigger issues for him defensively, but when he is ready to keep an unselfish playmaker, he has an excellent likelihood of touchdown a promising spot.

Boasting a $2.4 million recruitment spending whole for 2023, Texas has develop into one of many nation’s most distinguished faculties for internet hosting new soccer recruits. This system welcomed 9 extremely touted excessive schoolers, headlined by five-star athletes cornerback Kobe Black, edge rusher Colin Simmons and huge receiver Terry Bussey, to the Forty Acres this weekend.

This comes every week after huge receiver Ryan Wingo, offensive deal with Brandon Baker and edge rusher Jordan Ross joined one other group of recruits visiting Austin. Wingo, Baker, Ross, Black, Simmons and Bussey are all ranked within the high 30 total recruits for the category of 2024, in line with 247sports.com.  

Simmons is regarded by many as one of the best recruit popping out of Texas, and it comes as no shock both. The Dallas Morning Information Defensive Participant of the 12 months was a show-stopper for Duncanville’s protection this season with an astounding 22.5 sacks, breaking the Texas UIL sack file. 

Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples, who was named MaxPreps Nationwide Coach of the 12 months for the 2022 season, loves that Simmons’ recreation isn’t affected when the opposition double groups him on the sphere. 

“He’s relentless. He doesn’t surrender,” Samples mentioned to on3.com. “Individuals know that he has quite a lot of sacks. He’s very disruptive, and he continues to do it recreation after recreation.”

Black is a prolonged nook with ball abilities that might make a direct influence on Pete Kwiatkowski’s protection. Already standing at six ft and 190 kilos, the Waco product is bodily able to play press protection on the faculty degree now, and he has one other yr of highschool to work on his method and physique. 

As he’s listed as an athlete, regardless of the place Bussey decides to play his faculty ball, his place could also be in query. Nonetheless, what isn’t in query is his athletic capacity, as he was named Mr. Texas Soccer 2022 coming off his sophomore season. Bussey is a four-sport varsity athlete for Timpson Excessive Faculty in Timpson, Texas, the place he gained a Texas 2A triple soar title along with excelling in different observe and subject occasions such because the lengthy soar and 100 meter. On the soccer subject, he’s a two-way participant, competing as a dual-threat quarterback, however on the collegiate degree, he’ll possible be a receiver or a defensive again, per outsider predictions.

4-star working again Jerrick Gibson, popping out of IMG Academy, joined his doable future teammates in Austin this previous weekend as nicely. He’s being recruited by Texas working again coach Tashard Selection, who helped recruit then-five-star working again Cedric Baxter to Texas’ 2023 class. He has huge recruiting expertise, securing the dedication of Detroit Lions working again Jahmyr Gibbs to Georgia Tech when he was nonetheless a part of its employees. 

Whereas these younger athletes nonetheless have time to complete out their highschool careers and make a ultimate determination, head coach Steve Sarkisian continues to plan forward and construct his group by way of significant connections that begin with the campus go to course of.

Coming off the heels of a tumultuous 2022-23 season, Texas basketball will sport a completely new look within the first full yr of the Rodney Terry period.

Whereas Terry did an admirable job in not solely steering the ship following the midseason firing of former head coach Chris Beard, pushing it additional because the remnants of his predecessor have made for an offseason of regrouping.

Gone are the foundational items that Texas’s unbelievable Elite Eight run was constructed on: seniors Timmy Allen and Christian Bishop and graduate college students Sir’Jabari Rice and Marcus Carr will transfer on with hopes of constructing it within the professionals. Guard Arterio Morris, the inheritor obvious and clear favourite to exchange Carr within the backcourt, lately transferred to Kansas to play below Invoice Self.

Together with the departure of Morris got here arguably the toughest capsule to swallow, the decommitment of Texas’ two prized five-star recruits Duncanville native Ron Holland, a projected 2024 top-10 decide who will play for the NBA’s G-League Ignite program, and guard AJ Johnson, who will play professionally in Australia.

Transfers apart, the one key holdovers from final yr’s squad embody veterans Dylan Disu and Brock Cunningham, in addition to rising junior Tyrese Hunter and rising sophomore Dillon Mitchell, each of whom examined the 2023 NBA Draft waters however finally determined to return.

Nonetheless, Rodney Terry and his employees have labored to restock the cabinets this offseason, touchdown 4 transfers — probably the most outstanding of which being Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas.

Abmas is a family title for a lot of faculty basketball followers, largely as a consequence of his 2021 marketing campaign by which he led Division I males’s basketball in scoring and willed the Fifteenth-seed Golden Eagles to the Candy 16. From Rockwall, Texas, Abmas has averaged 20.8 factors per recreation throughout 4 seasons whereas taking pictures 38.8% from deep for his collegiate profession, and has actual believers in a possible future within the NBA.

To place it merely, Abmas is an injection of prolific scoring and environment friendly taking pictures right into a staff that desperately wants it, a bit that must be the face of this yr’s Texas staff.

Abmas, because the clear greatest participant on the ground within the majority of contests, could possibly be characterised as heliocentric offensively. He averaged virtually 16 photographs a recreation in his final season, 9.4 of which got here from past the arc, and because the clear-cut primary choice for Oral Roberts might draw criticism for trying to find low-percentage photographs. Alongside higher expertise although, Abmas could really feel much less stress to place the staff on his again each evening.

Journalist Kelly Hines lined the Golden Eagles throughout her time with the Tulsa World newspaper, and mentioned that Abmas would profit from having a while out of the highlight to be able to concentrate on his recreation. 

“There have been instances in video games when there was extra of a burden, if the staff wasn’t enjoying nicely, at instances you felt like he was forcing it just a little bit,” Hines mentioned. “I feel that permitting him to only be Max and never really feel as a lot weight to ship, I feel that’s going to be so huge for him.”

With Texas ideally not relying solely on Abmas as their engine offensively, a diminished position as a shot creator also needs to assist him defensively, an space that’s not essentially his sturdy swimsuit. Standing at 6-feet tall, with a 6-foot-2-inch wingspan, mixed together with his smaller body and lack of elite athleticism, Abmas isn’t a plus defender, a possible space of concern for Texas as they are going to presumably trot him out subsequent to Hunter, one other 6-footer.

Whereas Abmas may not be the sticky defender Carr was, Hines calls him a great defender, if one with room to develop. What Abmas may go away to be desired defensively, he’ll actually make up for on offense — and is working to do extra than simply get buckets. 

Abmas took a step ahead as a facilitator final season, his scoring numbers taking a dip however his help fee rising to the best of his profession at 4.0 per recreation. Subsequent to Hunter, who averaged simply 2.5 assists final yr after placing up practically 5 his freshman season at Iowa State, there’s a really actual likelihood Abmas steps right into a newfound position as a real level guard.

“(He’s) getting into this case the place he doesn’t have to attain 30 factors a recreation for the staff to win,” Hines mentioned. “Perhaps he has 10 assists per recreation as a substitute of scoring 20 plus factors. Simply having the ability to match into regardless of the staff wants, I feel he’s going to have the ability to try this.”

Nonetheless, the soar from the Summit League to the Large 12 could show an impediment for Abmas early on. He received a style of it final season, in a 45-83 loss in opposition to Large 12 newcomer Houston, by which he went 1/13 from the sphere and was completely shut down by guard Marcus Sasser, who figures to listen to his title referred to as within the 2023 NBA Draft.

However enjoying with actual Energy 5 expertise in a extra sound protection and lob threats in gamers like Dillon Mitchell, Abmas figures to regulate shortly to Terry’s scheme. He’s confirmed himself on the most important stage already, eliminating superior competitors within the 2021 event like Ohio State and Florida.

Hines mentioned Abmas is an unselfish and well mannered particular person who will do no matter it takes for his staff. She talked about a narrative shared by former ORU coach Paul Mills about Abmas altering his diploma plan as a consequence of his class schedule interfering with apply. Despite him lastly shifting on to greener pastures, he’s beloved by Oral Roberts trustworthy because the almost-inarguable greatest ever Golden Eagle.

“He was simply such a particular participant for ORU, and I don’t know many locations that might retire the jersey variety of a man who completed their profession elsewhere,” Hines mentioned. “However I feel that’s what ORU will finally do as a result of nobody blamed him for leaving, it was extra like, thanks for staying so long as you probably did. He simply was form of a generational-type participant.”

In August 2022, Texas introduced that seaside volleyball would change into its twenty first intercollegiate sport. With their first on-the-sand season this previous spring on the Division 1 stage and a report of 1-12, the Longhorns realized that a necessary side of their success was lacking — a long-term head coach.

“Volleyball is essential at Texas,” Texas volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott mentioned. “The aim was to search out the most effective coach that had a confirmed report of constructing a seaside volleyball program right into a Nationwide Champion. I stay up for seeing all of our indoor volleyball followers totally assist our Texas Seashore program on their path to being the most effective within the nation.”

On Might 16, Texas introduced that former two-time UCLA NCAA Champion head coach Stein Metzger would be part of the Longhorns on the Forty Acres as head coach of their newly inducted sport.

“We’re completely thrilled that Coach Metzger shall be becoming a member of our illustrious group of elite coaches right here at Texas,” Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte mentioned. “He constructed a Seashore program from the bottom up at UCLA, has had extraordinary success, gained many championships in brief order and is so extremely revered in his sport. Like Coach Elliott’s indoor program, we all know Coach Metzger will construct our seaside program right into a power to be reckoned with.”

Over the previous 11 seasons, Metzger spent his time with the Bruins and led UCLA to 2 back-to-back victorious nationwide championship seasons in 2018 and 2019. Most lately, the Bruins reached the championship sport however fell quick, ending the yr with a 40-4 report.

Earlier than changing into a head coach for the Bruins, Metzger performed for UCLA as an indoor volleyball student-athlete. Whereas in school, he was part of three nationwide championship rosters. Metzger was later inducted into the UCLA Corridor of Fame for his accomplishments. Now, Metzger is able to add the top coach of the Texas seaside volleyball program to his checklist of achievements.

“I’m excited by the distinctive alternative to guide Texas Athletics’ latest sport,” Metzger mentioned. “The Longhorns volleyball fanbase is second to none, and I’m decided to assist create a aggressive seaside volleyball program that’s worthy of their ardour. I got here to Texas as a result of I do know our student-athletes could have the assist and sources to realize their objectives.” 

Getting into the 2023-24 season, Texas soccer faces a lot scrutiny over this system’s future since headliner Bijan Robinson joined the NFL. A group that completed 8-5 general (6-3 within the Massive 12) final season, the Longhorns now look to rebound from what some could have thought-about an underwhelming season. With Robinson’s departure, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s third season on the Forty Acres may have Longhorn followers hopeful for brand new faces who could make a right away impression.

Adonai Mitchell

Merely often called AD, Adonai Mitchell is a 2022 School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Champion. A Missouri Metropolis native, Mitchell transferred to Texas to be nearer to dwelling. Final season, a excessive ankle sprain barred the skin receiver for many of the season. Mitchell then competed in Georgia’s last six video games, enjoying an enormous position within the School Soccer Playoff with a landing in opposition to Ohio State and TCU. Coming in at 6 toes, 4 inches, Mitchell’s body and catch radius will certainly catapult Texas to one of many nation’s prime receiving corps as he joins Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington.

Anthony Hill

A Denton, Texas native, Anthony Hill is certain to have an prompt position in a vastly improved Texas protection. The Denton-Ryan Excessive College linebacker concluded his senior season as a five-star recruit, committing to Texas final December. Defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s defensive schemes enable gamers to thrive in particular roles relative to their strengths. Two of Hill’s biggest strengths are his excellent athleticism and pass-rush skill. These abilities are exactly what Steve Sarkisian appreciated from his entrance seven this spring. 

“I believe we’ve got some good packages now the place we are able to get individuals on the sector in sure combos, and they are often very disruptive,” Sarkisian stated. “I believe our linebackers are good rushers as effectively.” 

Whereas he’s not but an official starter, Hill is primed to have constant enjoying time as a freshman.

Jalen Catalon

One other Texas native, Jalen Catalon, was introduced in by the switch portal. Initially from Mansfield, the security is a redshirt senior who transferred from Arkansas. Catalan’s redshirt freshman season (2020) was his greatest, garnering him All-SEC first-team honors (AP) with 99 complete tackles, three interceptions and 4 passes damaged up. However Catalon’s switch comes with an damage historical past. Since that 2020 season, Catalon has had consecutive season-ending accidents, enjoying simply seven video games up to now two seasons. Catalon could be a much-needed addition to a Texas defensive backroom if wholesome. 

Texas will open its 2023-24 season at dwelling in opposition to Rice on Sep. 2, the place these new, impactful gamers can present they’ve what it takes to be a Longhorn amid Texas’ last Massive 12 season. 

After spending 4 years at Previous Dominion College in Norfolk, Virginia, graduate scholar and girls’s tennis athlete Tanya Sasnouskaya has discovered her new residence in Austin. Introduced on June 8 by Texas girls’s tennis head coach Howard Joffe, the crew has formally signed Sasnouskaya, who will be a part of the Longhorns for his or her 2023-24 season.

Initially from Minsk, Belarus, Sasnouskaya stood because the No. 19-ranked Belarus feminine participant and had a dominant season proper out of the gate her freshman yr, ending with an 8–3 and seven–2 report in singles and doubles, respectively.

Throughout her sophomore yr in 2021, Sasnouskaya completed with a 14–2 singles report and was awarded the Convention USA Freshman of the Yr. Because the second highest ranked singles participant in Convention USA All-Freshman Workforce, Sasnouskaya additionally performed for the All-Convention USA Singles and Doubles First Workforce.

Sasnouskaya, who has a bachelor’s diploma in cybersecurity, completed her junior and senior yr with the Monarchs with an general Common Tennis Ranking of 10.68. Throughout her junior yr, Sasnouskaya superior to Spherical 16 on the NCAA Championships with a 33–7 doubles report, together with Yuliia Starodubtseva. The duo completed at No. 7 within the ITA nationwide doubles rankings and gained second place within the ITA All-American and ITA Fall Nationwide Championship video games. Sasnouskaya completed her junior yr ranked No. 108 within the ITA nationwide singles rankings.

As a senior in the course of the 2022-23 season, Sasnouskaya superior to the second spherical of the NCAA Championship, ending the yr ranked No. 25 and No. 26 in ITA nationwide singles and doubles rankings. On the Solar Belt Convention, she gained the honour of Solar Belt Participant of the Yr, a title voted on by 14 girls’s tennis head coaches.

Sasnouskaya completed out her senior yr with the Monarchs with a 22–6 report in singles and a 20–8 report in doubles, and now seems to be to assist the Longhorns in claiming the Huge 12 match title for the fourth consecutive yr.

“Tanya’s inclusion to our program makes us as soon as once more a formidable drive,” Joffe mentioned. “She has the fervour, capability and software to maintain enhancing. As a coach, I see the chance right here in our program to assist her make one other consequential bounce to have the ability to play professional tennis after her graduate work is finished.”

As Texas and Oklahoma put together to maneuver to the Southeastern Convention in 2024, the SEC launched soccer opponents for the upcoming season. Many present SEC opponents are former Huge 12 rivals, making Texas’ transfer to the brand new convention thrilling for followers and foes alike. 

With the Texas and Oklahoma transfer, the SEC dissolved its present East and West division mannequin, as a substitute shifting to an eight-opponent schedule. All 16 groups’ opponents had been revealed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening. 

In its first 12 months of SEC play, Texas will face Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi State at dwelling within the Darrell Ok Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, and journey to Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M. Texas may even see Oklahoma on the Cotton Bowl. Whereas Texas will technically be the away crew in Dallas in 2024, the ambiance will certainly make either side really feel at dwelling.

The Longhorns will journey to Nashville to tackle the Vanderbilt Commodores, renewing a matchup that hasn’t occurred since 1928, when Texas fell 13-12 at dwelling to Vanderbilt. Nonetheless, Vanderbilt has not seen a lot success in current seasons, going 5-7 in 2022, its finest file since 2018. 

Renewing an previous rivalry with plenty of historical past, Texas will journey to Fayetteville to tackle the Arkansas Razorbacks for the primary time since 2021, when Arkansas received the “Welcome to the SEC” recreation 40-21. 

In essentially the most anticipated rivalry renewal, Texas will return to Kyle Area to tackle the Texas A&M Aggies for the primary time since Justin Tucker’s last-second walk-off subject aim in 2011. Since then, the chatter across the two groups’ subsequent matchup has been countless, and followers on either side now have a solution. 

“I’m most excited in regards to the (Texas A&M) rivalry (being renewed),” stated electrical and laptop engineering junior Robert Taylor. “It’s native, I’ve a whole lot of associates that go there and it’s at all times enjoyable to compete with them.” 

In contrast to with Texas A&M and Arkansas, the Longhorns don’t have a protracted historical past of enjoying with groups like Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi State, with essentially the most memorable win over Georgia coming within the 2019 Sugar Bowl. 

“I’m excited to see new opponents,” Taylor stated. “Attending to play good groups (like SEC groups) ought to make our crew higher. Taking part in higher groups makes you higher your self.” 

Texas’ SEC transfer was met with excessive expectations because the announcement in 2021, and this sturdy first-year schedule will permit the crew to show it may well compete with the very best of the very best.

In collegiate observe and area, there may be not an A-list. 

As an alternative, there’s the B-list, or The Bowerman Watch Checklist, which names the highest 10 female and male athletes throughout all occasions throughout every month of the season.

Texas Girls’s observe and area athletes Ackelia Smith, Rhasidat Adeleke and Julien Alfred labored their approach on to the 2023 Girls’s Pre-NCAA Outside Championships Bowerman’s Watch Checklist, making Texas the seventh program within the Watch Checklist’s historical past to have three or extra ladies on the identical checklist. 

Junior sprinter Adeleke and sophomore jumper Smith debuted on the checklist this 12 months. Adeleke was on the checklist 4 instances on and off this season, whereas Smith made the checklist for the primary time within the Pre-NCAA revision. 

Graduate scholar and sprinter Alfred has made the checklist 11 instances, courting again to 2020. 

Nevertheless, the top purpose is extra than simply making the checklist. The Bowerman is probably the most prestigious collegiate observe and area honor given to the highest man and girl within the sport yearly. 

The Bowerman Advisory Board, composed of NCAA collegiate directors, media personnel and observe and area statisticians, chooses the winner of the Bowerman after an 11-month evaluate course of.

All three Texas ladies achieved a lot this 12 months, from breaking data to contributing to a Texas crew championship win. 

Smith jumped 6.73 meters to interrupt the quantity two all-time indoor report in her first lengthy leap of the season, profitable the Commonwealth Faculty Opener. The Jamaican sophomore jumped even additional on the NCAA Outside Championships at 6.88 meters, profitable gold. 

On the indoor championship, Smith turned the primary Longhorn to complete within the high three in each the lengthy leap and triple leap on the similar championship. She once more positioned within the high three in each occasions on the out of doors championship.

 Adeleke’s 400-meter time of 49.20 seconds gave her a private greatest and a meet report on the NCAA Outside Championships. Moreover, Adeleke turned the eighth Longhorn to win the 400-meter at nationals and the primary Irish victor within the NCAA since 2006. 

Adeleke and Alfred additionally achieved collegiate data on the Texas Relays. The relay crew clocked 42.0 seconds for the 4×100 meter, which Texas has since damaged. Each ladies set the collegiate report for the 4×200 meter at 1:28:05 minutes and the dash medley relay at 3:36:10 minutes. 

Alfred additionally earned many particular person accolades this 12 months, together with the Huge 12 Outside Performer of the Week thrice, USTFCCCA Nationwide Athlete of the Week 4 instances and USTFCCCA Nationwide Girls’s Indoor Monitor Athlete of the Yr. 

Final 12 months, Alfred turned a Bowerman Semifinalist and was certainly one of 4 ladies to look on all eight of the Bowerman Watch Lists this 12 months. 

After the three ladies’s performances on the NCAA Outside Championship, they every have an excellent probability of reaching the Bowerman semifinalist spherical, if not additional.