Top 3 Thursday – Herman’s Renovations, Foreman/NFL & Austin is #1!
Here’s how Texas Football is making news this week in the first installment of Top 3 Thursday.
(1) We’re #1!
Ah yes, the battle cry of every sports fan looking at a camera is throwing up one index finger and shouting, “We’re Number One!” Even if your team is ranked #23 in the country and holding on to a three-point lead in the third quarter.
But, Texas fans can actually say that Texas is #1 this week.
U.S. News released a new report ranking Austin, Texas as the #1 best place to live in the country. The report cited Austin’s lively music scene, South by Southwest, and affordable real estate as the driving force. But, we know the real draw in Austin is Longhorns sports.
At least, that’s what new head coach Tom Herman and his coaching staff will be pitching to recruits. Coach Herman is laser-focused on the 2018 recruiting class to help build the type of program he envisions for the Longhorns. Speaking of which…
(2) Texas Football Renovations
ESPN.com writer Max Olson filed a report on Tom Herman’s ambitious renovation plans for Texas Football.
The article describes Coach Herman walking into Austin with a vision for how to get the Longhorns back in the upper level of football facilities. It’s big things like the locker room and weight room to small things like a universal sound system and video screens for each player.
UT Athletic Director Mike Perrin was quoted that Tom “dreams big, and I like that.” Texas is the #1-revenue generator in college athletics, but it’s not like Herman will be given a blank check to get things done.
“Tom is a very pragmatic, realistic man,” Perrin told Olson. “He’s very ambitious and very focused, extremely well organized. I think he’s a real innovator. And I support that, I really do. But we’ve not talked in terms of unlimited budgets or that everything’s going to happen overnight or anything like that.”
Now, about turning those temporary grandstands under Godzillatron into a permanent seating section at DKR. That will have to wait.
(3) D’Onta Foreman NFL Status
D’Onta Foreman’s NFL Draft stock will change many times over the next two months. But, as of right now, he’s pegged as a Second Round pick.
As reported by 247Sports.com, CBS Sports released a new Mock Draft that places Foreman #40 overall and the third RB following Leonard Fournette and Dalvin Cook.
One of the interesting video clips from Longhorn Network’s National Signing Day coverage was D’Onta Foreman working out with the current Longhorns team and new strength coach Yancy McKnight.
Yes, there was D’Onta Foreman hitting the weights like he’s still part of the Longhorns roster. That has to be a unique situation where someone you know is leaving for the NFL is still working with his college team.
Nevertheless, Foreman has two big events to get ready for. The NFL Combine starts March 3 and Texas’ Pro Day in Austin is March 28. These are two big opportunities to impress scouts before the NFL Draft in April. And, perhaps move into the First Round.
Next: The #1 Reason Why Texas Fired Strong & Hired Herman
Texas Football Video Packages
From the official Texas Longhorns YouTube page, there are video clips of Tom Herman interviewed on Longhorn Network talking National Signing Day and LHN interviews with football stars Connor Williams and Malcolm Roach.