Report: Oregon wanted to hire Texas ace recruiter Bryan Carrington

The Texas Longhorns have been cleaning up in the recruiting game, and one of their recruiting staffers is starting to become a hot commodity.

Bryan Carrington, Texas’ Director of Recruiting, was approached by Oregon but turned them away, according to Horns 247.

Carrington first joined Tom Herman’s coaching staff as an unpaid volunteer at Houston. He was brought over to Austin when Herman took the job at Texas and was promoted to his current job/title last year. He has gone on the road recruiting players and helps seal commitments, always sharing good news by tweeting a silence emoji when the program gets a new commitment. Carrington’s Twitter account has become a favorite of Texas fans and has helped the Longhorns grow in the recruiting field.

In addition to Oregon, LSU has expressed interest in hiring Carrington in the past. But the Texas native grew up a Longhorns fan, making this somewhat of a dream job for him. He is a major player to watch in the recruiting world.

Can Kyler Murray run a sub-4.30 40-yard-dash?

Kyler Murray is a tremendous athlete who possesses some impressive skills. But just how impressive is he? We may find out at the NFL Combine.

Murray spoke with some reporters on Monday and said he will attend the combine in Indianapolis, though he is unsure if he will participate in the drills. If he decides to run, that might really turn heads.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill Jr, Murray said the last time he ran the 40-yard-dash he was timed at 4.3.

Kyler Murray said the last time he ran the 40 he was timed in 4.3. That was a couple of years ago. Says he is faster now. pic.twitter.com/q6wugrH5fn

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) February 18, 2019

If Murray ran a 4.3 and is faster now, might he actually be timed in the 4.2 range? If he does, that would be a game-changer.

Though Murray already won the Heisman Trophy and showed how dynamic of a player he can be on the field, sometimes teams and evaluators needs to see raw numbers to validate and confirm what they believe to be true. Showing that kind of speed would likely ensure Murray goes in the top 15.

Ex-Virginia Tech QB Josh Jackson transfers to Maryland

Former Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Josh Jackson has announced his transfer destination.

Jackson said on Twitter Monday that he has committed to Maryland.

COMMITTED #TerpNation pic.twitter.com/KXihdGWYsj

— Josh Jackson (@joshiejack17) February 19, 2019

Jackson spent the past three years at Virginia Tech and enjoyed a strong redshirt freshman season in 2017. Then he suffered a fractured fibula in September, which ended his redshirt sophomore season early. A January article in the Roanoke Times suggested Jackson was offended that he would have to compete for his starting job in the spring. That and the multiple transfers from the program contributed to his decision to leave.

Jackson passed for 3,566 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions at Virginia Tech. He will be a graduate transfer eligible to play in the fall and have two years of eligibility left. This is a huge pickup for first-year head coach Mike Locksley.

Jaylon Ferguson’s agent rips NFL for rescinding Combine invitation

Louisiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson will not be allowed to attend the NFL Scouting Combine later this month because of an incident that took place several years ago, and his agent is furious with the league over the decision.

Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Wednesday that Ferguson, the NCAA’s all-time sack leader, was uninvited from the Combine after a background check revealed he was charged with simple battery during his freshman year. On Thursday, Ferguson’s agent Safarrah Lawson blasted the NFL for “vilifying the future players of the league” rather than affording them an opportunity to prove they have learned from their mistakes.

A strong statement from agent Safarrah Lawson on #LaTech prospect Jaylon Ferguson, whose invite to the Combine was rescinded yesterday. pic.twitter.com/KuETpnVhAO

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 14, 2019

Ferguson’s charge stemmed from a fight at a McDonald’s restaurant, and Lawson described it as a “scuffle” between two teenagers that took place before the 23-year-old even began playing college football.

You could argue that what Ferguson did was not nearly as bad as the allegations against some other players who have been barred from the Combine, but the NFL is obviously trying to take a zero-tolerance stance. Not working out for teams at the Combine should not prevent Ferguson from being a high draft pick.

Report: DC Todd Grantham turns down Bengals to remain at Florida

The Cincinnati Bengals remain in search of a defensive coordinator after being turned down by their latest candidate.

Todd Grantham will stay at Florida as the Gators’ defensive coordinator despite interviewing with the Bengals twice, according to reports. Picksticks.com’s Harrison Tenzer first reported the news on Grantham, with Graham Hall confirming the report.

Grantham met with the Bengals twice and the position was his to take if he wanted it, according to a Cincinnati Enquirer report. Grantham signed a three-year, $4.47 million deal with Florida last year and is in the middle of that deal.

In addition to Grantham, the Bengals have considered Jack Del Rio, Dom Capers and Dennis Allen for their defensive coordinator position, and nothing has worked out so far.

Cincinnati is overhauling its coaching staff after hiring Zac Taylor, a Sean McVay disciple, and is looking to improve the No. 30 defense in the league last year in points allowed.

Louisville coach Chris Mack sends message to fans after epic collapse

Louisville was in position to pull off a huge upset against Duke on Tuesday night before blowing a 23-point lead, and head coach Chris Mack is asking fans to stick with the team in the wake of the disastrous collapse.

The Cardinals, who are currently ranked 16th in the nation, were completely in control late in the second half before Mike Krzyzewski’s team came storming back to win 71-69. Mack told reporters after the game that he was “stunned” by the result, and he later took to Twitter to address the brutal loss.

Tough night. Love this group. We will get better. Stay with us #CardNation.

— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) February 13, 2019

Mack’s first season at Louisville has had some ups and downs, which was to be expected after the team moved on from Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. The Cardinals have played four straight games against ranked opponents and lost three of them. While we already saw a glimpse of Mack’s temper during that stretch, few losses in his career will sting more than Tuesday night’s.

Louisville is now 5th in the ACC with an overall record of 17-8 and a conference record of 8-3, and two of those losses came against Duke and UNC. They’re still in solid shape going forward, but the way they bounce back after such a deflating loss will say a lot about what the team is made of.

Notre Dame WR Javon McKinley arrested for resisting law enforcement

Notre Dame wide receiver Javon McKinley was arrested early Sunday morning for some sort of incident in which he allegedly resisted law enforcement.

According to public records obtained by IrishSportsDaily.com, McKinley was charged with resisting law enforcement and battery. Details surrounding the incident are unclear, but the resisting law enforcement charge is defined as a person who “knowingly or intentionally flees from a law enforcement officer after the officer has, by visible or audible means, including operation of the law enforcement officer’s siren or emergency lights, identified himself or herself and ordered the person to stop.”

A spokesperson from Notre Dame said the school is aware of the situation and waiting for the legal process to play out.

“The incident is being handled by the criminal justice system. As for internal discipline, we do not publicly discuss specific cases, and impose sanctions as warranted.”

McKinley, a junior, has played sparingly since suffering a broken leg during his freshman season in 2016. He appeared in just three games for the Irish in 2018.