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NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Scottie Scheffler, the standard for Texas men's golf and who will soon serve up 'Scheff's Kitchen'
Before Scottie Scheffler was a four-time major champion. Before he was a major champion at all. Before he even captured a PGA Tour title. Scheffler was locked in a battle with Billy Horschel in the final of the 2021 WGC-Dell Match Play. The 24-year-old Scheffler's bid for, at the time, his maiden Tour victory ended on Austin Country Club's 17th hole, where Texas head coach John Fields and his wife, Pearl, were waiting for the former Longhorn standout as he walked off the green. Scheffler gave both a hug, then turned toward a golf cart, where Scheffler's wife, Meredith, was already sitting on the back seat. Prior to Scheffler hopping on, however, a group of about 25 kids had arrived with their hands full of flags, hats and other things they were hoping to get signed. Not hesitating, Scheffler obliged. 'He signed whatever they asked for, took a few selfies,' Fields recalled, 'and then when he finally got in the golf cart, he put his face in his hands, and he just exploded crying because he was so mad he had just lost the match, and yet, he didn't let those kids see that.' Fields can count on one hand the number of players he's coached who are as competitive as Scheffler. The difference between Scheffler and everyone else is Scheffler's extraordinary ability to channel that fire, to let it burn but not burn the house down – better than anybody, too. It wasn't always that way, though it certainly seems as if it was. 'He's found a way to be very professional, but he also really enjoys people,' Fields added. At the start of each season, Fields sits his teams down and tries to instill in them the Texas way. Simple things, such as taking your hat off when indoors, or looking people directly in the eyes when shaking their hands while making them feel like they are the most important person in the room. For years, Fields would use Jack Nicklaus as the gold standard for compartmentalizing golf and other aspects of life, being where your feet are, and finding success in the moment. You know, all the things that make one great. Scheffler is the new standard. While Scheffler now owns three of the four legs to the career Grand Slam, 17 PGA Tour titles and loads of comparisons to the likes of Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan, he might be lauded more for his titles of husband, father, son and friend. Scheffler's priorities, he repeated Sunday evening at Royal Portrush, are faith, family and golf, in that order. As much as Scheffler loves golf, and competing, he'd quit it all tomorrow, he says, if it started to negatively affect those first two tenets. As hard as it can be sometimes, Scheffler strives to live as normal a life off the course as possible. When he got too recognizable at his usual Chipotle north of Dallas, he started driving a little farther to another location, where he wouldn't get recognized as much. When Scheffler returned to Austin last fall for Texas' alumni pro-am, Fields called one of his players, Dallas native Ben DeLaRosa, off the golf so that DeLaRosa could assist Scheffler with what would surely be extreme demands for his time – Fields argues now that Scheffler has 'moved a little bit past' fellow Longhorn great and major champ Jordan Spieth, and many of the Texas faithful certainly feel that way as well. Not that the cerebral Scheffler needed much help; upon arriving at the course, he cleverly draped his Olympic gold medal around Pearl Fields' neck. 'That helped him because he knew everyone wanted to see that gold medal … and Pearl got to be an Olympian for the day,' John Fields said. 'He just finds fun ways to enjoy that moment but not be too overwhelmed by it, and he's really good about it.' While Scheffler is undoubtedly a role model for whomever comes through the Texas men's golf program these days, his impact will soon go beyond that. Fields revealed Monday afternoon that the Schefflers are funding a renovation of the Longhorns' practice facility at UT Golf Club. A few years ago, Jordan Spieth helped design and back the construction of the Spieth Lower 40, a six-hole short course at the club. Another Texas alum, Tom Kite, recently redid the team's chipping area. Now, future Longhorns – hopefully by next summer – will be able to cut their teeth on a new, state-of-the-art practice range. The name of it? Scheff's Kitchen, which is always serving.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
After huge Sunday night commitment, Texas rises to No. 4 in team recruiting rankings
The Texas Longhorns had a great weekend. Not only did former Longhorn Scottie Scheffler win the British Open, but UT got a massive five-star commitment. Derrek Cooper, the No. 2 running back in the 2026 class, committed to Texas on Sunday evening. The pledge has skyrocketed the Horns up the recruiting rankings to No. 4 overall. Cooper is now the fourth highest ranked commitment in Texas's 2026 class, behind quarterback Dia Bell, linebacker Tyler Atkinson, and EDGE Richard Wesley. Things looked kind of dark for Texas recruiting in early July. The high-profile commitment of five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo to Texas Tech stung. The Horns lost nine recruiting battles in a row after Wesley committed in late June. But things turned around 10 days ago with the commitment of four-star CB Samari Matthews. Texas beat out South Carolina, Miami and Florida State. Four days later, Atkinson committed to UT over Georgia, Clemson, and Oregon. A day later, Steve Sarkisian was able to flip five-star Georgia commit James Johnson. The flurry of commitments has lifted Texas to No. 6 in the team recruiting rankings. Cooper has given the overall class another boost to No. 4. UT also has the second most five-star commits of anyone in the nation. Sark has pledges from the No. 1 QB, No. 1 linebacker, No. 1 defensive lineman, No. 2 running back and No. 3 edge rusher. Any worries over the quality of this recruiting class has been put to rest. Many of the Texas 2026 class have also had a great summer. Bell, Arch Manning's probable heir apparent, was named the MVP of the exclusive Elite 11 QB event. His performance immediately was reflected in the rankings, as he was boosted to the No. 1 QB recruit in the country. Wesley was dominant at the Rivals Five-Star Challenge. The Longhorns had the No. 1 recruiting class in 2025. And while Sark and the recruiting team at Texas isn't done yet, the past 10 days have set UT on the path to another top five class and it may end up win another recruiting title before the cycle is done. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Longhorn Alfred Collins signs first NFL contract
Following weeks of negotiations, Alfred Collins has signed his first NFL contract with the San Francisco 49ers. On Wednesday, Collins and the 49ers agreed on a four-year deal worth $10.3 million. It includes $9 million guaranteed. Now, the former Longhorn can focus on preparing for the regular season with his future secured. The 49ers selected Collins with the 43rd overall pick in the NFL Draft a few months ago. Following an impressive career with the Longhorns, the Texas native was a popular prospect leading up to the draft. San Francisco is hoping he can build on his college success in the NFL. During his time as a Longhorn, Collins played in 63 games, making 26 starts. He finished his college career with 142 total tackles, including 18 for a loss. The Cedar Creek High School product also recorded 7.5 sacks and forced two fumbles. Each year, Collins continued to improve as he got more playing time. While Collins still has plenty of room to grow, he made an impact every time he stepped on the field last year. That stood out on a Longhorns team that fell two wins short of winning a national title. Due to his play, Collins saw his draft stock rise. In the last season of his collegiate career, Collin excelled against the run. When he was on the field, the Longhorns only allowed 2.9 yards per carry. He also caused offensive coordinators' headaches close to the line of scrimmage by batting down seven passes. That was the second most on the team behind only Jahdae Barron. If he can replicate that success, the 49ers defense will be in good hands. In his first NFL season, Collins is expected to play an important role as he begins the first chapter of his professional career.
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns RF Max Belyeu taken by Colorado Rockies in 2nd round of MLB Draft
With the 74th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies have selected Texas Longhorns outfielder Max Belyeu. The Longview, TX prospect joins former Longhorn infielder Jared Thomas in Denver. Belyeu broke his thumb against Missouri in March and was thought to be lost for the year after requiring surgery. But the former Big 12 Player of the year sped through rehab and was able to play at the end of the Texas baseball season. Despite missing 26 games, Belyeu still managed to hit .303 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 2025. The Aledo, TX native provided one of the biggest moments of the year for UT. In his first game back from injury, Belyeu smashed a go-ahead, three-run home run in the ninth inning against Oklahoma to secure Texas the SEC regular-season title. It was UT's first year in the league. With Belyeu's selection by the Rockies, at least one Longhorn has been picked every year since the MLB draft began in 1965. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Longhorn Jericho Sims re-joins the Bucks on a one-year deal
After a short stint in free agency, Jericho Sims has re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-year deal. The former Longhorn spent the first four years of his career with the Knicks before being dealt to the Bucks in February. Now, he will look to build on his success last year. Following the trade, Sims appeared in 14 games with the Bucks. He averaged 2.4 points and 3.0 rebounds a game. Due to his solid play, the former second-round time saw some action in the postseason. While Milwaukee fell short of its ultimate goal, Jericho averaged 2.8 points in five playoff games. Although Jericho's statistics may not immediately stand out, he has carved out a solid NBA career. Since being selected in the 2021 NBA Draft, he has appeared in 191 regular season games and 10 playoff games. For many Longhorns fans, his success has come as no surprise. During his college career, he averaged 9.7 points per game while calling the Forty Acres home. He made his presence felt on the glass, finishing his Longhorns career with 455 total rebounds. That is a trend that has continued in New York and Milwaukee. For a Bucks team with championship aspirations, they will need Jericho to continue being a rebound machine. When the regular season begins, the Minnesota native will likely serve as the Bucks' backup center. That was a role he showed he could fill very well last year, appearing in a career-high 53 regular season games with the Bucks and Knicks. Now that Sims can call Milwaukee home for the second two years, he can focus on improving his game while playing meaningful basketball.
