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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en"> <title>Burnt Orange Nation - All Posts</title> <subtitle>Romancing each other since 2004</subtitle> <icon>https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47839/BONfavicon.png</icon> <updated>2024-04-27T17:53:53-05:00</updated> <id>http://www.burntorangenation.com/rss/current/</id> <link type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/" rel="alternate"/> <entry> <published>2024-04-27T17:53:53-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-27T17:53:53-05:00</updated> <title>Texas WR Jordan Whittington selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the No. 213 pick</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AkKc00mWNBWM1raQHmSCYsNoh6o=/0x0:4520x3013/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73312328/2043994927.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Of the 11 Longhorns picked in the 2024 NFL Draft, Whittington had to persevere through the most injury and adversity.</p> <p id="3oV8rG">With the <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> picking <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> wide receiver Jordan Whittington in the sixth round with the No. 213 overall pick, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s program went 11-for-11 in having players invited the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> Combine hear their names called in the draft.</p><div id="xwpcnV"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RamsHouse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RamsHouse</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/J_Whitt3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@J_Whitt3</a>! <a href="https://t.co/NtFmsvZJmf">pic.twitter.com/NtFmsvZJmf</a></p>— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1784335740773789741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="jSvkaL">With the Rams taking Whittington, the 11 Longhorns selected are the most ever for Texas in six rounds of the draft. The seven offensive players selected are the most ever for the Longhorns through seven rounds of an NFL Draft. Along with Xavier Worthy, a first-round pick of the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, and Adonai Mitchell, a second-round pick of the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>, Whittington is the third Texas wide receiver picked this year, the most-ever in a single draft for Texas since 1967, which marked the start of the common era of the NFL Draft. In the 2020, 2004, 1991 and 1987 drafts, the Horns had two receivers taken.</p><p id="RhpxXg">“Coach McVay and the Rams are going to absolutely love Jordan Whittington. He’ll be a do it all player on the field and in the community for LA. There’s nobody on our team that was more valuable than J-Whitt in helping us build our program and culture in our three years at Texas. He is an awesome teammate, a great player, and a guy who gives everything he has to the team, on and off the field. We leaned on him heavily in critical times and benefitted greatly from his leadership and the example he set. He’s just a great football player and incredible person. Because of the experience he had in his time here, the fact that he changed positions, and all that he’s overcome, he’s really a resilient player. That’s something he’s helped so many young players with and a big part of who he is as an unselfish and supportive teammate. He really was our team leader last season, and on the field, he can do it all. He has a great mentality and football IQ in addition to his tremendous combination of strength, speed and explosiveness,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.</p><p id="wsUSyl">“I love Jordan Whittington and what he meant to our team from a leadership and toughness standpoint. He plays the game the right way. He does all the dirty work that you’re looking for from a great all-around player. Yes, he makes plays on first and second down, but he’s a sure-handed guy on third down. He’s an elite blocker, knows every position on the field and there’s no play that he takes off. He’s a great teammate and a relentless competitor who ultimately only cares about winning. Jordan has all the measurables, too. He has more size and speed than people probably give him credit for, and that’s what allows him to be an every-down player, not to mention the special teams value he provides. He could very easily be a four-core special teamer for any NFL team, he certainly was for us. He’s carried himself like a pro for us, has a bright future in the NFL and will be a great addition to the LA Rams.”</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143154/jordan-whittington-selected-2024-nfl-draft-los-angeles-rams-texas-longhorns"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143154/jordan-whittington-selected-2024-nfl-draft-los-angeles-rams-texas-longhorns</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-27T17:39:12-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-27T17:39:12-05:00</updated> <title>Texas DB Ryan Watts selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 195 pick</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BdU-PJ2mYJjVxnjdFmFdZru-FO4=/0x0:3981x2654/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73312278/2062449921.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The athleticism and versatility of Watts have him headed to the Steel City.</p> <p id="nxDptC">Defensive back Ryan Watts is the 10th <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> player picked in the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> when the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> selected Watts in the sixth round with the No. 195 overall pick.</p><div id="XNr9ow"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With the 195th pick in the 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a>, we select DB Ryan Watts. <a href="https://t.co/bp7UY8MNbq">pic.twitter.com/bp7UY8MNbq</a></p>— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1784323966657585381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="lNP5Eu">The first Texas defensive back selected in the draft since Caden Sterns in 2021, Watts is the 10th Longhorn selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the most-ever for Texas through the first six rounds of the NFL Draft. The Steelers have a long history of drafting Longhorns — Watts is the 18th Texas player picked by Pittsburgh, although he’s the first since cornerback Curtis Brown was selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft.</p><p id="WwMSDb">“It’s amazing to be picked by one of those ‘football heaven’ teams,” Watts said. “Playing for the gold and black, it’s really a blessing with all the defensive players and defensive backs they’ve had in their history. That history is incredible, and I’m blessed to be a part of the organization.”</p><p id="dOzJqa">As a physical defensive back capable of setting the edge and playing press coverage against big X receivers to the boundary, Watts has also trained at safety, where his athleticism and tackling ability could translate well.</p><p id="9Gmsga">Those are skills that Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian believes will translate to the Steel City and its tradition of hard-nosed defense.</p><p id="GEeOaQ">“The Pittsburgh Steelers have long been known for their physical defense and they made a great choice in Ryan Watts as a player to help carry on that tradition. He is a long, big, physical corner who did great things for us. He’s a guy we played into the boundary and really put him one-on-one with a lot of teams’ best receivers there. He’s also a physical player in the run game who has pass rushing ability, blitzing from the corner spot. He’s very effective in the run game, as well as pressuring the quarterback, combined with having the length to force people to make contested catches in the passing game. Those are all attributes that are going to translate well to the NFL,” Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.</p><p id="oV1ZUg">“Any time you’ve got the size, speed and skills that he possesses, there’s always going to be a market for that guy at the second level. The Steelers got them a great player who is all about being a great teammate who will give everything he has to help the team win. I know Coach Tomlin and everyone in Pittsburgh will love Ryan and I’m excited to see him in the NFL. He has a bright future as a player and is a tremendous person as well.”</p><p id="DRnaK5"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143134/ryan-watts-selected-2024-nfl-draft-pittsburgh-steelers-texas-longhorns"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143134/ryan-watts-selected-2024-nfl-draft-pittsburgh-steelers-texas-longhorns</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-27T17:24:29-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-27T17:24:29-05:00</updated> <title>Texas LB Jaylan Ford selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 175 pick</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/73T4B7uSVMdSD35sawL35pZWLRA=/0x0:3898x2599/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73312212/2051433438.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Ford is heading to the Big Easy after breaking out as a junior and sustaining his high level of play in 2023.</p> <p id="M6n3RP"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> linebacker Jaylan Ford was selected with the No. 175 overall pick by the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> in the fifth round of the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> on Saturday.</p><div id="fXgw6O"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">With the 175th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select LB Jaylan Ford<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaintsDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaintsDraft</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/CoxComm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoxComm</a> <a href="https://t.co/t8LOM1W8bT">pic.twitter.com/t8LOM1W8bT</a></p>— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/status/1784312980663869579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="apEQAh">Ford is now the ninth Texas player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the most-ever for Texas through five rounds of a draft. With Ford’s selection by the Saints, he’s the seventh linebacker picked in the last 13 NFL Drafts and the 27th time overall.</p><p id="SBpJzn">An All-American from Frisco, Ford played in 49 games with 29 starts for the Longhorns after arriving on the Forty Acres as a late addition to the 2020 recruiting class who was the lowest-rated player in that class under former head coach Tom Herman when he flipped from Utah on Early Signing Day in 2019. </p><p id="1lxoQu">A Butkus Award semifinalist, Ford ended his career at Texas with 287 tackles (141 solo), 27.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and six interceptions. Extremely capable and sure-handed dropping in coverage, Ford’s six interceptions rank fourth-most for a linebacker in program history. In each of Ford’s last two seasons, he tallied 100-plus tackles, the first player to accomplish the feat for the Horns in back-to-back seasons since Keenan Robinson in 2010-11.</p><p id="MHHPFw">“Jaylan Ford is a great pick for New Orleans and will be an awesome addition to the Saints. He was huge for our program. In year two as we were transitioning from a tough year one defensively, Jaylan really stepped to the forefront and became the leader of our defense. He had a fantastic season that year with critical plays that made a huge difference for us. Then he takes it up another notch last year and becomes one of the great leaders on our entire team, he was on our leadership committee and was a team captain. He just meant a lot to us in our first three years building our program. He was a magnet to the football, created turnovers, recovered fumbles, got interceptions, had the ability to rush the passer, and in the end, was a leader in transforming our defense from year one to year two to one of the best units in the country last year,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.</p><p id="HhRIYm">“The thing that makes Jaylan a great NFL prospect is his versatility. He’s got the size, speed and a really high football IQ. We asked him to do it all — rush the passer, stop the run and cover people in space. He’s a guy that can play the run and cover the pass. He can play either of the inside linebacker spots, and I think his versatility at the NFL level is going to be key because he can do multiple things for you. The Saints will love this guy, as a player, in the locker room and in the community. Jaylan’s just an incredible player and person.”</p><p id="gj5NON"> </p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143116/jaylan-ford-selected-2024-nfl-draft-new-orleans-saints-texas-longhorns"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143116/jaylan-ford-selected-2024-nfl-draft-new-orleans-saints-texas-longhorns</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-27T17:03:09-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-27T17:03:09-05:00</updated> <title>Texas RB Keilan Robinson selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the No. 167 pick</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-4fnFOlkohTlK1EzynkoW52syns=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73312150/2149197328.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>After playing in massively talented running back rooms with the Longhorns, Robinson was picked earlier than expected thanks to his explosiveness and ability on special teams.</p> <p id="oYeyGU">The surprise invite to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> Combine for the <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> was a surprise selection in the fifth round on Saturday when the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> picked running back Keilan Robinson with the No. 167 pick.</p><div id="sHn96C"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hooked ‘Em <br><br>We have selected Texas RB Keilan Robinson with the 167th overall pick!<a href="https://twitter.com/Dream_Finders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dream_Finders</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/__keilan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@__keilan</a> <a href="https://t.co/TWi0WGUW9v">pic.twitter.com/TWi0WGUW9v</a></p>— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jaguars/status/1784305786568483270?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="zkoZaZ">The 5’8, 191-pound transfer from Alabama is the eighth Texas player picked in this year’s draft, the program’s most since the draft went to seven rounds in 1994 and third-most in seven rounds in school history. With fellow Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks coming off the board in the second round, the Jaguars picking Robinson marks the second time in the common draft era that two Texas running backs were picked the same year after 1982. </p><p id="khssiT">“It feels good to see everyone at the next level and see that we all made it,” Robinson said in a statement released by the school. “It just shows the kind of players we’ve got at Texas and the kind of coaches we’ve got. Two years in a row with two running backs drafted, that’s kind of unheard of. It’s crazy, and it just shows the pedigree and the work that’s been put in. We all expected to be in this position, and we all knew what we could do and the kind of coaching that we had and the kind of leadership, so it just goes to show you how things are at Texas.”</p><p id="FhiPS1">After playing with Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Brooks, Robinson may play in a less talented room in Jacksonville — the Jaguars clearly believe in his upside on offense in addition to his proven ability on special teams that could ensure a long career in the league for the Washington, D.C. product.</p><p id="G2nH0D">“Jacksonville got a big-time playmaker at running back and on special teams in Keilan Robinson,” said Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. “He’ll be an absolute do-it-all-threat for the Jaguars. Keilan was a critical addition when he came into our program. When he transferred from Alabama, he was the one guy that really had played for us and could help show the guys how we needed to do things. He knew our style of coaching, he knew the demanding style we had, but he also knew the relationship piece and how important it was, too. I think a big thing about Keilan as a player is his versatility. We used him a lot in the gadget type plays, getting him the ball on the parameter. He has elite speed so when he gets the ball in space, he’s always a threat to go the distance to score. We saw that in the running game, the passing game and kickoff return game here, so his versatility and ability to do multiple things are key. He’s tough, he’ll pass protect and do all those types of things that create value for himself because of the versatility he provides. And with the new kick returns rules in the NFL, Keilan will be an awesome weapon in that role for the Jaguars too. I’m fired up for him and looking forward to seeing him in the NFL.”</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143094/keilan-robinson-selected-2024-nfl-draft-jacksonville-jaguars-texas-longhorns"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24143094/keilan-robinson-selected-2024-nfl-draft-jacksonville-jaguars-texas-longhorns</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-27T16:51:11-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-27T16:51:11-05:00</updated> <title>Texas OT Christian Jones selected with the No. 162 pick by the Arizona Cardinals</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/N7e8a0AqMHtG5-okKjrdC6P9Gvg=/0x19:4000x2686/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73312094/2082489653.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The athletic tackle improved tremendously under Kyle Flood after beginning his football career as a junior in high school.</p> <p id="wiMvpP"><a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> offensive tackle Christian Jones started Day Three of the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> as the top player available at his position, according to ESPN, but had to wait until the No. 162 pick until he was selected by the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> in the fifth round.</p><div id="jA6yr4"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">En route to the desert ️ <a href="https://t.co/lOWsMN1v1O">pic.twitter.com/lOWsMN1v1O</a></p>— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/1784301567010881829?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="xgaUjE">The seventh Longhorn picked in this year’s draft, matching the most for the program since 2007, Jones is the third offensive tackle from Texas taken in the last six years following a stretch of nine years without an offensive lineman selected at all.</p><p id="1iq1Pm">“Arizona got a great player and person, and a guy with a very bright future in the NFL. Christian is a guy who I watched develop as much as anybody in his three years with us. He’s a three-year starter who began playing left tackle before moving to the right side where he really blossomed in year two and three. He’s a guy Coach Flood poured a lot into, and we really saw his development grow exponentially in his time here. He and the team reaped the benefits of that. Christian was a guy we could really trust, he was great in the locker room, did things the right way and because of that, we saw his game evolve. His fundamentals improved, his understanding of the scheme really grew, he became a very good pass protector for us, but also showed versatility in the run game. I do think he has position flexibility at the next level as a guy who can definitely play either tackle spot, and I would say could even play guard if needed because he’s got the measurables that are unique to that position,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.</p><p id="fw5RaJ">“Because of the fact that he hasn’t play a ton of football relative to most guys, I think his best days are ahead of him. His development is not complete, he can continue to grow as a player and inevitably be a really productive player at the professional level. The Cardinals are lucky to have him, as a player, teammate and awesome representative of their franchise in every way.”</p><p id="MyCHV0">Jones shared his excitement about heading to an organization led by first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon, the former defensive coordinator for the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>.</p><p id="2bZoB4">“I’m so happy I get to be in Arizona. It’s a great environment, the coaching staff is very young and has new, fresh energy, and I’m just excited to be able to get to go out there and showcase my talent. All I needed was an opportunity every single step of the way, and now I’ve got it. It’s always good to go someplace that you’re wanted, and they see talent in me, and I’m so ready to work,” Jones said, according to the school.</p><p id="gEij0x">After playing soccer growing up, Jones picked up football as a junior in high school, lengthening his development trajectory when he was a late addition to the 2018 recruiting class. Under Texas offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Kyle Flood, Jones improved dramatically over the last two seasons to earn his way into the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.</p><p id="ucfgUI">“I feel extremely prepared. I don’t think any program in the country works as hard as we do — winter, spring, summer — just to get ready for the season,” Jones said. “The way Coach Sark has everything set up is very pro style. We’re running plays you’re going to run at the next level, seeing blitzes you’re going to see at the next level, and blocking NFL caliber people in our own locker room. Iron sharpens iron, and I was able to get better going against the likes of Murph (Byron Murphy), (T’Vondre) Sweat, all the edge guys — Barryn (Sorrell), (Ethan) Burke, all those guys. It was definitely a whole group effort, and the support and love is there, and I’m so grateful for that.”</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24142907/christian-jones-selected-2024-nfl-draft-arizona-cardinals-texas-longhorns"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24142907/christian-jones-selected-2024-nfl-draft-arizona-cardinals-texas-longhorns</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-27T12:21:21-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-27T12:21:21-05:00</updated> <title>Colts GM Chris Ballard trashes criticism of former Texas WR Adonai Mitchell</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/adL005pF5RdVZmzyC94Sz4LTJ7w=/0x0:4743x3162/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73311334/2038739627.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>An anonymous source before the draft accused Mitchell of “having really shitty character reports coming out of Georgia and Texas.”</p> <p id="qerXQz">When former <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> wide receiver Adonai Mitchell dropped out of the first round and into the middle of the second round in the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1780633191730098210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1780658178805395724%7Ctwgr%5E4042d7dbde5941bfb9776a8c64547fb333bc77ba%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statesman.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Flonghorns%2Ffootball%2F2024%2F04%2F27%2Fcolts-chris-ballard-defends-off-the-field-adonai-mitchell-texas-football%2F73479895007%2F">it came on the heels of a pre-draft report that criticized his character</a>.</p><p id="p8MdHp">“You’re going to have to assign somebody to be next to him for his first few years because his issues are all about his diabetes and his blood sugar,” said an anonymous scout. “When his blood sugar’s off, he’s rude, he’s abrasive, he doesn’t pay attention in meetings. It’s why you get really, really shitty character reports coming out of Georgia and Texas.”</p><p id="tab98U">“Before you even get to the diabetic part, he’s kind of going to do it his way. He’s a little bit of a wild horse. You’ve got to see if you can harness him in. Then, once you do that, he doesn’t address the diabetic stuff in a mature way. He’s very much a boom-or-bust type guy.”</p><p id="hTjqyV">In addressing the media <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/26/24142012/adonai-mitchell-selected-indanapolis-colts-texas-longhorns">following the Indianapolis Colts selecting Mitchell with the No. 52 pick</a>, general manager Chris Ballard went on an expletive-laced tirade in support of his new draft pick.</p><div id="GUQ6dx"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chris Ballard is going to bat for Ad Mitchell and he's pissed about all of the reports of Mitchell's off the field concerns.<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Colts</a> GM is on one and I'm here for it. <a href="https://t.co/yBu8wGWO83">pic.twitter.com/yBu8wGWO83</a></p>— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLscheme/status/1784052726562697347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="Ai38cl">“I read some of the bullshit that was said on TV,” Ballard said. “Just the typical fucking, excuse my language, our typical league. Unnamed sources, bad interview, that’s such bullshit. I mean, it fucking is. It’s bullshit. Like, put your name on it. I’m tired of — we tear these young men down — these are 21, 22-year-old men, and if people out there can tell me they’re perfect in their lives... it’s crap. This is a good kid and for those reports to come out... I said it last year, it’s bullshit. I’m sorry, I apologize for the language. I don’t, but I do.”</p><p id="GPh8Tj">When the report first surfaced, Mitchell’s teammates came out in support of him after the Georgia transfer spent one year at Texas in order to be closer to his young daughter.</p><div id="7DOH9b"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">He is a great father and a great teammate. <a href="https://t.co/FF3PAsIeXn">https://t.co/FF3PAsIeXn</a></p>— DAVO (@d_aavviidd) <a href="https://twitter.com/d_aavviidd/status/1780714069210878168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="gNoPNk">“The Colts got a great one in AD, their fans will absolutely love him as a player and person, too. He’ll be a great fit there and I’m looking forward to watching him do great things in the NFL,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.</p><p id="KGfLKZ">Like any good competitor, Mitchell is using the pre-draft report and his slide in the draft as motivation.</p><p id="F18FJE">“Right now, the only thing I’m feeling is, I’m just kind of pissed,” Mitchell <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-ad-adonai-mitchell-pissed-nfl-draft">said</a> after his selection. “I’m just excited to work, excited to get there, be the best teammate I can be, and ultimately the best person I can be for the team. It’s been a long time coming.”</p><p id="256Bwx"></p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24142699/adonai-mitchell-chris-ballard-criticism-texas-longhorns-indianapolis-colts"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24142699/adonai-mitchell-chris-ballard-criticism-texas-longhorns-indianapolis-colts</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-27T11:23:58-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-27T11:23:58-05:00</updated> <title>Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders selected with the No. 101 pick by the Carolina Panthers</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine - Portraits" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e1jysUQ15u2mveJWo-p7JZ85mkk=/0x0:5616x3744/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73311171/2053992425.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>The sure-handed tight end will reunite with former teammate Jonathon Brooks as Day Three’s first pick.</p> <p id="kBXWvD">Day Three of the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> is underway and <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders became the first pick of the fourth round when the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> selected him with No. 101 overall.</p><div id="FUDOwl"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Another one <a href="https://t.co/QefwAeqnPZ">pic.twitter.com/QefwAeqnPZ</a></p>— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/1784253350084522001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="3WCH4a">Sanders is the first Texas tight end picked since Geoff Swaim was drafted in the seventh round in 2014 and the earliest selection at the position for the Longhorns since Jermichael Finley as a third-round pick in 2008.</p><p id="CMKpv3">The sure-handed tight end is the sixth Longhorn picked in this year’s draft, the most for Texas since the 2010 draft in the aftermath of the program’s last appearance in the national championship. </p><p id="dn4jfF">Sanders is also reuniting with former teammate Jonathon Brooks, the second-round selection by the Panthers after a series of trades by general manager Dan Morgan.</p><p id="pRRQdk">The receiving ability of Sanders, the most productive tight end in school history, gives him a chance to earn a role with Carolina as a rookie nor Stephen Sullivan provided much of a receiving threat for the Panthers last season.</p><div id="Ze6iz6"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RD 4 | PK 101 - Panthers: Ja'Tavion Sanders TE, Texas<br><br>With the first pick of Day 3, the <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Panthers</a> select the 2nd-highest rated tight end by NGS overall draft score (81) in this year's class. Sanders should help improve a tight end group that had the 3rd-fewest receptions over… <a href="https://t.co/RNMIlrYjPc">pic.twitter.com/RNMIlrYjPc</a></p>— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) <a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1784255775134863378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="eWbGVy">“Carolina got another great Longhorn and a very talented player in JT. Ja’Tavion has extremely strong hands, great ball skills with the ball in the air and consistently makes contested catches. He was a guy that was very highly recruited coming out of high school but was really a big wide receiver and a defensive end. We got posed with the question of how we’d use him, and we knew with some patience he could become a great tight end. And he did just that, literally spending a year in the lab working on becoming an exceptional all-around tight end. His freshman year, he was on special teams and that was really it, so really most of his 99 catches came over the past two seasons. Early on, I’d get asked at every other press conference I had, ‘What’s wrong with JT Sanders?’ and I’d say there’s nothing wrong with him, he’s developing. He’s going to be a great player for us, but he’s in a developmental stage of his career, and sure enough, the next two years he went out and was an all-conference player for us. He works hard at his craft, has an extremely high football IQ, and we asked him to do a lot in our offense, and he definitely did great things for us,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.</p><p id="Wi8oks">“JT has elite hands, is a guy who can make contested catches, has a really high football IQ and has the ability to play not only in the pass game, but in the run game, as well. He’s versatile, he’s a guy who can split out and play some in the wide receiver type sets. He just turned 21, so he’s still relatively young for a guy with three years of experience coming out of college who learned a new to position in that time. So, I know he’s got huge upside and a bright, bright future ahead of him. He’s still just scratching the surface, and I’m excited for JT and where it can go for him with the Panthers.”</p><p id="bkw8I5">A product of Denton Ryan, Sanders was ranked as the No. 13 player nationally and the No. 1 athlete in the 2021 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite after standing out as a wide receiver and defensive end.</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24142675/jatavion-sanders-selected-carolina-panthers-2024-nfl-draft-texas-longhorns"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/27/24142675/jatavion-sanders-selected-carolina-panthers-2024-nfl-draft-texas-longhorns</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry> <entry> <published>2024-04-26T20:48:54-05:00</published> <updated>2024-04-26T20:48:54-05:00</updated> <title>Texas RB Jonathon Brooks selected with the No. 46 pick by the Carolina Panthers</title> <content type="html"> <figure> <img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oByFgygBkAN2xloWVbhBsRB0qIQ=/0x0:4411x2941/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73309618/2043999124.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Despite an ACL injury last November that ended the Longhorns career of Brooks, he’s RB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft.</p> <p id="NIlGhm">If one of the worst-kept secrets in the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a> was that the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> wanted to select <a href="https://www.burntorangenation.com">Texas Longhorns</a> running back Jonathon Brooks with the No. 56 pick, that only gave some perspective to the urgency other franchises needed if they wanted to add the Hallettsville product, who came off the board in the second round on Friday with the No. 46 pick by the <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>.</p><div id="hITQId"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Running with it ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/Dr9ah1gw7s">pic.twitter.com/Dr9ah1gw7s</a></p>— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Panthers/status/1784013212456780015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div><p id="I0lYP2">The selection of Brooks as the first running back chosen in this year’s draft is all the more remarkable because he suffered an ACL injury last November that ended his season and his Longhorns career.</p><p id="x47dxk">“I love Jonathon Brooks and his story, and I couldn’t be happier to see him drafted in the second round by the Panthers. He’s a guy that absolutely worked and earned this opportunity and Carolina got a great one. Jonathon was a guy that came in with the same class that included Ja’Tavion Sanders, Byron Murphy, Xavier Worthy and all those guys. He wasn’t the most highly touted player, he came to Texas knowing Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson were already on the team, and he worked at his craft and really waited his turn. For two years he was playing behind those guys, soaking up everything he could from them, and when he got a chance to go in, he made big plays for us. Then year three comes and he starts getting all the reps. And you could see the natural runner in him blossom, the hands out of the backfield, the intelligence in pass protection, and he just really took off. I think there’s a lot of value in perseverance, especially in a day and age in college football where it’s all about the transfer portal and what can I get now. This guy learned and studied under two great pros who are playing in the NFL now, waited his time, but continued to grind away. Then when his number got called, he took full advantage of it. He had a heck of a year for us. I wish we had him for the whole run there at the end, but he attacked his rehab from the knee injury like he did preparing for his opportunity at Texas. Despite the injury, he remained as a critical team leader and was so valuable to our young running backs’ development. I just spent some time with him the other day, he looks great, said he feels great, and Carolina is going to get a lot of value out of Jonathon at this pick because he could have been a first-round guy if he’d been healthy. Everything he’s getting right now he’s earned. He’s the top running back off the board, and I couldn’t be more excited for him and his family,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.</p><p id="ZbPvT5">“Jonathon’s a natural runner, he’s got great instincts running the ball, has a really good feel for making people miss in the open field and has exceptional contact balance. I think he’s a three-down back that can play on first and second down, but also is reliable in pass protection and has very good hands out of the backfield. I can’t wait to watch him in the NFL. As good of a player as he is, he’s an even better person. He has a great future ahead of him.”</p><p id="rv7M2L"><a href="https://www.panthers.com/news/the-panthers-select-jonathon-brooks-at-no-42-overall-in-2024-nfl-draft">Getting to the draft position to select Brooks was hardly simple for the Panthers</a>:</p><blockquote><p id="kvhbSN">It was the result of a series of trades, after which general manager Dan Morgan traded back from No. 39 overall to No. 52 (trading with the Rams), then moving back up to No. 46 overall in a trade with the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a>.</p></blockquote><p id="xyHdHf">Brooks steps into a running back room that was led by former Oklahoma State standout Chuba Hubbard last season in a 902-yard campaign along with Miles Sanders, who had 432 yards rushing.</p><p id="3ztEAe">After waiting for two seasons behind Bijan Robinson and Roshon Johnson, Brooks broke out in 2023 with 1,139 rushing yards on 187 carries (6.1 yards per carry) and 10 rushing touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.</p><p id="QGxL8c">Brooks is expected to be healthy for preseason camp when it begins.</p> </content> <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/26/24142098/jonathon-brooks-selected-carolina-panthers-2024-nfl-draft-texas-longhorns"/> <id>https://www.burntorangenation.com/2024/4/26/24142098/jonathon-brooks-selected-carolina-panthers-2024-nfl-draft-texas-longhorns</id> <author> <name>Wescott Eberts</name> </author> </entry></feed> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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