Texas Card House is now open at noon every day!
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Texas Card House just opened their new place in Houston!
At I-45 and Spring Cypress Road, the new Texas Card House features a full bar and all the great poker action and team you know and love from Austin. And that's not all - 2003 WSOP Champ Chris Moneymaker will be there August 6th, 7th, and 8th for games and tournaments; there's a $2k Free Roll on Saturday afternoon at 2p, and there's catering every night at 730p including pizza, pasta, and Texas Roadhouse burgers + bbq!
Check out their events calendar at tch.cards/houston, get their SMS updates by texting "TCHHTX" to 33-222, or just stop by any day of the week! Ask for General Manager Mike Major; he'll help you get set up with membership, a tour of the club, and introductions to staff and members.
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(From Anwar)
Texas football coach Tom Herman and a select group of player attended Big 12 Media Days this past week.
Here are the highlights from the Longhorn breakout session:
Tom Herman
--- Herman on Parker Braun expectations prior to fall camp: “I mean it is like trying to learn another language in four weeks … We know that the physical tools are there. It's the technique and fundamentals that he's going to have to learn very, very quickly. We hope that he's able to pick that up, and if not, we feel good about the two guys that finished spring ball as well.”
--- Herman said he intended to have more RPOs in this year’s offense. He expects quarterback Sam Ehlinger to release the ball a lot faster. Herman said Ehlinger worked on a quicker release throughout the offseason and showed a lot of improvement.
--- Here is Herman on running more RPOs: “Really, if you're handing the ball off to the tailback, they've got two extra people right there standing on the line of scrimmage. Where if you let your quarterback run it from time to time, you’ve got one. I think those are the two biggest advantages. You know guys kind of bounce off of him at times when he's in the open field or even in the pocket. And then you steal a blocker in short yardage and goal line, should you choose to. Hopefully, we can be good enough up front and at tailback that we won’t need him near as much on goal line and short yardage, but I'm sure there's going to be some games where we don't overmatched or overpower people that we might need him, and he's proven he can do that.”
--- More from Herman on RPOs: “The beauty of the RPO is, when I grew up learning, spread, zone, read, it was a run-run option, which obviously exposes the quarterback a little bitmore and then when he did keep the football, where now, it's a run-pass option. So, if the defense does something to make you hold the ball out of the running back’s belly, it’s not the quarterback running anymore. It’s the quarterback throwing it. It's a way to get more yards because those throws are a little bit farther down the field. That’s why they have to be out so quick because the o-line is only allowed to be three-yards down the field, when the ball is out. We made it a priority to try to take some of those hits off of Sam. Obviously, Sam is going to scramble, right? You can't avoid that. There’s going to be times when he's pressured on a pass play, and he's going to scramble. There’s going to be times when we call his number on fourth-and-one, ‘Hey, go get us a (first down).’ If we can eliminate the times that he's actually keeping it on a on a read-scheme, that’s two to five tackles a game we’re taking off his body.”
--- In addition, Herman said, “Him running the football is never going to leave our offense. He’s just too good at it. He’s too tough. I do think as the field condenses in the red zone, you need some different answers other than RPOs.That’s where then maybe your read game comes in, your called quarterback runs. Again, we’d like to think that we're good enough up front that we can get some movement and make four-yards with our tailbacks inside the red zone.”
--- Herman said his team is close to winning a Big 12 title, but reminded reporters he was more focused on Wednesday’s summer conditioning workout instead of any future goals.
--- He had high praise for Collin Johnson, Kirk Johnson, and the entire family. Herman said it has been a joy to be around their family since his players grew up as Texas fans. In addition, Herman believes if Collin Johnson can stay healthy and is not double-teamed on every snap, he will have a fantastic season.
--- When asked if he was not satisfied with his fourth quarter defense, Herman said that was a fair assumption. Herman said, “I think part of it was the offense’s fault for being a little too conservative and not making first-downs and giving the ball back quite frequently in the fourth quarter. So, I don't think the blame can be pinned all on the defense. And, you know, we had considerable leads. You want to say, well, Georgia scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. I know. You're up 21 with 10 minutes to go. If you're not playing some form of bend don't break defense here, and they do throw an 80-yard bomb on you, then who's the idiot now? We’ve got to get better in those don't break moments of still keeping the ball in front of us, yet preventing them from making first downs and touchdowns.”
--- Herman was very proud of the fact the Longhorns have emerged into a player-led team, and his coaches can rely on their leaders: “When someone has a moment of weakness and doesn't toe the line or do something to our standard, when a teammate beats a coach to the discipline, or to the scolding, if you will, that's pretty cool. That happens quite a bit with this team. That's not to say that we as coaches, we've got our feet propped up, and we just let them take the ball and run with it. We’ve still got a job to do as well, and that is to make sure that everything is running smoothly, but I coach the heck out of these guys, and the other few guys on my leadership council, and that message gets disseminated throughout the team.”
--- Herman said Kansas coach Les Miles brings another championship to the Big 12. He said Miles was very vocal during conference meetings earlier this year and described him as entertaining.
--- When asked about the Mike linebacker position, Herman said Ayodele Adeoye and Caleb Johnson are fighting to start. Herman said, “Depending on the personnel, that goes back to getting the best 11 on the field, if neither of them were productive enough to stay in that role, and we wanted to put another safety on the field, that would move Jeff [McCulloch] to Mac and Joe Ossai to Rover and put another safety on the field.”
--- Herman praised Kenyatta Watson for being one of the most prepared freshman cornerbacks he has ever seen. He could not think of a player who has matched Watson’s readiness: “I was pleasantly surprised with how well he tested, in terms of his 40, shuttle and vertical jump. Outside of Tyler Owens and Jake Smith, he was a close third behind those guys from a measurable standpoint.”
--- Herman said the only real change when it comes to the transfer portal is having an automated system. The coaches association has discussed not allowing waivers for players who transfer, but if an athlete graduates, they get that year back. Herman said it incentivizes graduating.
Sam Ehlinger
--- Media members began placing tripods in front of Sam Ehlinger’s podium at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, which says a lot considering he was not slated to speak until 2:30 p.m. There were probably no fewer than 50 reporters surrounding Ehlinger for at least an hour. When asked about the spotlight being on him, Ehlinger said, “I don't look at it like that. Tell you the truth, I think the moment you start believing the hype, orbelieve in the hate, that’s when you can deviate from the path, so, I don't buy into that, and I focus on what I can control.”
--- Ehlinger said being comfortable with the game and having continuity within the system are the reasons why he was successful last year.
--- He was asked what is like to be back in the stadium where Texas was defeated by Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game. He said: “Obviously, there's still a feeling of disappointment, but that's past us now, so, I think now it's a little bit more motivation. I know we’ve got to come back over here, and it reminded us of what happened last time we were in here. I'm sure we'll return to workouts with a little bit extra pep in our step.”
--- Ehlinger said everyone in the program is extremely confident right know after competing at a high level against Oklahoma and Georgia last season.
--- His reaction to Baker Mayfield’s jab: “Didn't have much reaction at all. Kind of in one ear out the other. I'm not really focused on that right now. I'm focused on what I can do to make my team better.”
--- Collin Johnson has picked up where Lil’Jordan Humphrey left off and leads the receiver room, according to Ehlinger: “He's been working his tail off, and that's whether he has off time in the workouts during the summer. Whatever it is, he's always working his hardest, and he's doing a great job of improving on the things that he thinks he needs to work on. Obviously, he doesn't have a whole lot of deficiencies, and he's an incredible receiver. Just a continual effort to be to be the best that he can and the hard-working mentality on top of the leadership really proves to me that he's doing everything he can to be the best.”
--- Ehlinger on seeing Texas vs. Texas A&M rivalry renewed (no, I did not ask):“Absolutely. I grew up watching that game around Thanksgiving. Obviously, Texas A&M is an incredible program, and the rivalry was such a tradition. It was a family tradition for Aggies and Longhorns. I think that rivalry definitely should come back because it just has such rich recruiting tradition, and it's two extremely respectable universities going against each other.”
--- Ehlinger believes backup quarterback Casey Thompson has a very high ceiling. Thompson is getting stronger, and Ehlinger does not believe there will be a drop off if his backup must play this season.
--- He described Jake Smith as freak fast. He does not know who would win in a race between Devin Duvernay and Smith, but believes it would be close. Smith has straight-line speed, but also a twitch, according to Ehlinger.
--- Speaking of slot receivers, Ehlinger said if a defensive back makes one wrong move against Joshua Moore or Smith, those guys can beat you by five yards.
--- He believes Cade Brewer can be just as good as Andrew Beck, and potentially better. Not only is Brewer a great pass-catcher, he has improved as a run-blocker.
--- Ehlinger currently lives with Brandon Jones, Cade Brewer and Josh Thompson.
Center Zach Shackelford
--- His view of running back Jordan Whittington: “From what I’ve seen, he’s very good. Very good work ethic. He’s a great guy. Personable. He’s a very good individual. He works hard. He doesn’t talk much. Just goes about his business. He’s already super good. I’m just looking forward to seeing how he progresses with the new strength and speed.”
Safety Brandon Jones
--- As a result of his injury during the spring, Jones spent most of his time studying film. Here is what he told me when I asked to explain how he has grown in that area: “I don’t think I did [watch a lot of film] because I knew my role as a freshman. I was on special. Basically, run down here and hit this dude. I knew my role. With this coaching staff, I had to prove myself. These guys didn’t recruit (me). It went from there.”
Receiver Collin Johnson
--- Johnson on creating big plays this season: “I take full ownership. Not just as an individual, but as an offense. You can’t have any excuses. The opportunities were there. We could have definitely had some of those plays, and that’s an area I think our offense can grow. We did a great job of protecting the football. That’s the reason why we were able to compete with the best of the best, in regards to keeping up with offenses. OU’s offense, all of them. We were neck-and-neck with them, and I think that’s because we took care of the ball. We got to take care of the ball on top of explosive plays.”
--- In addition, Johnson said Jake Smith is fast, but he is more impressed with the receiver’s work ethic. According to Johnson, nobody has to tell Smith to show up early and work hard.
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(From Suchomel)
When Vernon Broughton committed to Texas on Wednesday night, it put an end to what will almost certainly be one of the more interesting recruitments of this cycle. Early on, it looked like Texas was a runaway leader for Broughton, only to see predictions pop up for a few different schools once he started taking official visits. Even the timing of Broughton’s commitment was a bit of a wild card, with there being talk he would commit on Monday, then talk of a late-week commitment, then talk from Broughton and those close to him that nothing would happen until next week at the earliest. Then, on Wednesday night, we got our answer at an unexpected time.
A few thoughts (and some background) on how this one went down …
--- Texas was long-believed to be a strong leader in this one, and the Longhorns surged to the top in the eyes of Broughton and his family after Vernon’s official visit in early May.
After that visit, I spoke with Broughton’s mother, Yolanda, who gave extremely high reviews of everything they saw. One thing she mentioned but asked me not to report (because she didn’t want to tip of other schools to what Texas did that impressed her so much … she wanted to see if other schools could match it without using the Texas visit as a crutch) was that the Texas staff spent a lot of time with her and her mother on Saturday night playing spades and bonding over some lengthy card games. The family spends a lot of time around holidays playing games like spades or UNO, and Yolanda said the time spent with the coaches playing cards really sold both her and her mother (I believe Tom Herman was teamed up with grandma, and grandma didn’t lose a game).
“I think mom and grandma are hooked,” Yolanda said the weekend of that visit.
--- Big credit to Oscar Giles, who did a great job of recruiting the entire family. Craig Naivar also deserves recognition, as do members of the support staff. While Broughton’s mind tended to change from time to time, the foundation that the staff built with Broughton’s mother and grandmother was instrumental in Texas winning this one in the end.
--- After just about every official visit, Broughton came out really feeling good about that school. After his Arkansas visit, he informed one reporter I know that he told Chad Morris he was going there and had talked to that reporter about hooking up to shoot a commitment video after he took the rest of his official visits.
The day after Broughton finished his A&M visit (the last of his five), he made his way to Atlanta for the Five-Star Challenge. I talked to him there on the record. With a microphone in his face, he listed all five schools he had visited as being equal and in contention. A few minutes after that interview, he and I talked off the record in a more informal fashion. I asked him which schools were legitimately in contention, and he told me it was Texas A&M, Texas and Ohio State. LSU and Arkansas really weren’t factors. When asked if there was any one school that was standing out prior to him sitting down with his family to go over his options, Broughton told me it was Texas A&M and Ohio State on top, with Texas sitting below those two.
The A&M new wasn’t exactly a surprise coming off of his Aggie official visit. Ohio State being that high on his list was a surprise … nobody I know of was really taking the Buckeyes seriously, mostly due to proximity. The following day, after letting things sink in for a bit, I asked Broughton to gauge how close the race was. If A&M and Ohio State were a 10 in his mind, where was Texas? Were the Longhorns a 2, a 5, a 9.5? “I’d say a solid 8,” Broughton told me (again, off the record). It was at that time that I reported that I felt Texas had some ground to make up in Broughton’s mind, with the caveat that Broughton’s meeting with his mother and grandmother would be key and could sway this one.
As has happened with all of his visits, the high from the A&M visit eventually wore off with Broughton and last week, I got word from a couple different sources that the confidence on the Texas side was growing, that Broughton would be shooting a UT commitment video over the weekend and he was actually going to take an under-the-radar visit with a family to see the UT campus on Friday. Later that day, when Broughton put on Instagram that he was in Austin, the pieces of this puzzle were pretty much complete and it was just a matter of timing at that point.
There were some nervous moments when Broughton didn’t release his commitment video when everyone thought he would (Was he drumming up suspense? Having second thoughts? Not sure, honestly) but everything was pretty much in the bag about a week ago … it was just a matter of Broughton ripping off the band-aid and going public with his decision.
In the end, he did it on Wednesday night, putting an end to a wild last month in which there were several twists and turns and some curveballs thrown in terms of conflicting information. Texas’ consistency and relationships won out, giving the Longhorns maybe their biggest commitment of the year.
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When I spoke with Blake Brockermeyer earlier this week to confirm that he had taken a new role as an assistant D-line coach with SMU, we got to talking about his sons, James Brockermeyer and Tommy Brockermeyer.
The twins, members of the 2021 class, have visited several schools over the course of the spring and summer. I asked Blake if him being at SMU would have any impact on James and Tommy and he basically said it would not … that both boys are looking for the best fit for themselves. He said they’ve been impressed by a few different schools, but there’s not been a perfect school that they’ve found. The family is looking at lots of factors and while some have come close to checking all the boxes, including Texas, there’s no such thing as perfection just yet.
“It’s going to be their decision on where they go. Hopefully it’s the same school – that would make my wife and my life a lot easier – but it might not be,” Blake said.
As for where Texas fits in … “They’re definitely at the top of the food chain, but there are two or three others at the top of the food chain as well.”
Blake also spoke highly of schools like Alabama and Clemson and how well they recruit (recent winning tradition certainly doesn’t hurt either). Texas does have an ace up its sleeve with the twins’ older brother Luke being a part of the UT program. As Blake said, Luke gets to see the true nitty gritty of the Texas program and if there’s ever a person that would offer up the twins an honest evaluation, it’s Luke. Thankfully for Texas, Blake said Luke loves his time in Austin and he’s trying to get his brothers to join him.
“Their brother is a great recruiter for Texas. He loves it,” Blake said.
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Recent Texas 2021 tight end commitment Lake McRee said he’s completely locked in with his decision after giving UT a pledge on Monday of last week.
“I’m pretty much just shutting it down at this point,” McRee said. “I knew where I wanted to go. I wanted to do it early, didn’t want to waste my time or other coaches’ time.”
McRee is currently carrying 220 pounds on his 6-5 frame. A former quarterback, he’s still new to the tight end position but said he feels good about his development at this stage of his career.
“I think I’m really balanced as a tight end. I feel like I can block and catch as a tight end. I’m not super strong or weak in any area, need to get stronger and work on my blocking technique,” McRee said. “Last year was my first year at tight end. Also running routes is new to me, so I need to work on my quickness and getting off the line, working on creating mismatches.”
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(From McComas)
A few brief hoops recruiting notes with Peach Jam and one of the final evaluation periods in the rear-view mirror:
I don’t think much has changed. This recruitment isn’t going to be easy for Texas with Auburn, North Carolina, and Memphis trying to make a hard push. In particular, Memphis is especially going to be a pain for Texas. But two things I keep going back to: Brown’s father is a big fan of Shaka Smart, and Brown has often stopped by the UT campus to play pickup basketball with the current players. Relationship and comfort with current players and future teammates is a big deal for Brown, and he’s bonded with players in the UT program more than any other.
Of course, the big news a while back about Cunningham came when Oklahoma State announced it was hiring his older brother to be an assistant coach despite very limited experience. Even before then, because of the likely news, people thought Oklahoma State would become the leader the moment the hire was made.
Cunningham has downplayed the move some, but has even admitted it matters a lot in the decision-making process. He’ll probably release a list soon, but I’m not sure how much it’ll matter. Oklahoma State is the leader, and I think the only thing that could now beat the Cowboys is someone like Kentucky making a huge push and selling Cunningham on the idea of going to a winning program over one that hasn’t won lately.
This still sounds like mostly a two-team race between Texas and Texas Tech with a group of other programs trying to break into that tier. Right now, I’ve heard Texas trails Texas Tech slightly, and it’s largely because Peavy’s father, who is the head coach at Duncanville, played under Chris Beard. But a couple people in the know believed Texas could realistically make up the ground and win out.
It seems with one recruitment each cycle Texas prioritizes a player, puts itself in great shape, and then Duke or Kentucky makes a late-July offer. That recruitment this cycle is DJ Steward, who was recently offered by Duke immediately after the Peach Jam and then yesterday added an offer from North Carolina. Prior to those offers, Texas, Louisville, and Illinois were all in the best position for the very tough, talented combo guard. Now, who knows?
One thing we know for sure: this won’t deter Texas, who has prioritized Steward as much as any program recruiting him, and probably more. Texas thinks extremely highly of him both on and off the court. Expect Steward to release an updated list soon.
--- A fairly new name being prioritized by the Longhorns, Ighodaro was being recruited by Luke Yaklich while the new Longhorns assistant coach was on the Michigan staff. Earlier this week, Ighodaro announced a final four of Marquette, Stanford, Texas, and Vanderbilt.
Right now, Ighodaro’s stock is soaring, and Smart watched him during the recent evaluation period. The interest from Texas is very real, and it’s expected to soon receive a visit. Keep an eye on this one.
--- Another guy Smart watched in person during the evaluation period is big-time Canadian point guard Karim Mane. He was recently asked which programs are recruiting him the most:
“There are a couple of schools right now. I would say Maryland, Texas, Oregon, Wake Forest, Kansas has been talking to me. Kentucky has been the latest to reach out, and Seton Hall,” he told David Sisk of Rivals.com.
Texas offered Mane early in the spring/summer cycle and has aggressively recruited him. It seems the Longhorns are currently in the top group contending for his services. If he was rated in the Rivals150, he’d probably be around 35-50 overall.
Texas also remains heavily recruiting prospects like Caleb Love, Moses Moody, and Josh Hall, but there hasn't been much movement yet in those recruitments.
--- If you missed it earlier today, we had an update on Texas Baseball assistant coaches Sean Allen and Philip Miller having interest, and potentially being targets for the open head coach position at Sam Houston State.
From what I’ve heard, Sam Houston State began to reach out to candidates this evening, and both Miller and Allen are expected to receive calls. What happens from there? We’ll see. Sam Houston State will likely want to move quickly with freshman around the country reporting and classes beginning soon. The Bearkats thought Matt Deggs would stay, so they weren’t prepared to begin a search immediately. While Allen and Miller are both on the shortlist, they'll have tough competition for the job from a few other candidates.
