Several Texas Longhorns named to midseason All-America teams
Now that most college football teams have reached the midway point of their 2022 campaigns, various college football media outlets have released their midseason All-America teams. Several Texas Longhorns earned selections, some as full-fledged All-Americans and others as freshmen All-Americans.
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RB Bijan Robinson
Selection(s): First-team running back – Pro Football Focus | Second-team running back – The Athletic | Third-team FLEX – College Football Network
Stats: 138 carries, 780 yards, 10 TD. 16 receptions, 239 yards, 1 TD
The engine that makes the Longhorn offense go, Robinson has been everything Steve Sarkisian could have asked for in what could be his final season in burnt orange. He is one rushing touchdown shy of his total from last season, and is already close to outperforming his 2021 receiving numbers in three fewer games. He has surpassed the 100 rushing yard mark in five consecutive games.
OL Kelvin Banks
Selection(s): Freshman – The Athletic | First-team freshman – College Football News | Freshman – On3
Arguably the most important addition from the high school ranks in the 2022 class, Banks started at left tackle in game one and has looked like a seasoned veteran at the spot. Banks has held his own against star pass rushers like Will Anderson, Dallas Turner, Tyree Wilson, and Will McDonald. His presence on the O-line has been a huge boost for the Longhorns in his first season on campus.
QB Quinn Ewers
Selection(s): Second-team freshman – College Football News
Stats: 63-of-93, 820 yards, 9 TD, 2 INT
Despite playing in only four games so far, College Football News put Ewers right behind North Carolina’s Drake Maye for its freshman All-American quarterback. There have been several glimpses of Ewers’ generational arm-talent, including his recent outing versus Oklahoma.
OL Christian Jones
Selection(s): Second-team offense – Pro Football Network
Maybe a surprise to non-Texas observers, and even Longhorn fans, but the selection is indicative of how improved Jones’ game is at right tackle this season. He struggled mightily at left tackle in 2021, as did most Longhorn O-lineman. Now at right tackle where he’s more comfortable, Jones has turned in performances just as strong as his freshman left tackle counterpart.
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
Selection(s): Honorable mention FLEX – Pro Football Network
Stats: 28 catches, 320 yards, 5 TD
Thanks to Sanders, no longer is the tight end in Texas’ offense just another player on the field. Sanders is a weapon, and is only a few total receptions and one touchdown catch shy of the team lead. His skill as a receiver is impressive, so too are his skills as a blocker.
LB Jaylan Ford
Selection(s): Honorable mention – Pro Football Network
Stats: 66 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
The leader of the Longhorn defense, Ford has been a tackling machine since his statistical no-show in the season opener. He recently earned Big 12 defensive player of the week honors, and appears to be improving on a weekly basis.
