Longhorns LB Morice Blackwell OUT with Injury
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Longhorns will be without one of their special team studs and rising linebackers to begin this season.
Texas linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. will miss the start of the season with a torn MCL, per a Facebook post from his mom that was later confirmed by a UT spokesperson, according to Inside Texas.
Luckily, his mother, Christine Trim-Blackwell, said that he will "be back by the third game." Based on this, Blackwell should be back by Sept. 16 when the Longhorns host the Wyoming Cowboys, though nothing is official.
“I have some bad news annnnnd some good news,” she wrote on Facebook. “The bad news is that Morice tore his MCL. The good news is that he will return in 2-4 weeks. Prayers are more than welcome from the ones that are sincere. It could have been worse but it’s all in God’s plan!!!! He will be back the 3rd game better than before!!!!!”
Blackwell, originally a member of the 2021 recruiting class, is making the switch back to linebacker this season after spending time in the secondary as a safety last year. Regardless of his role on defense, Blackwell has made his biggest impact on special teams, which included blocking a punt in the 41-34 loss to Oklahoma State last season.
He’s received high praise from coach Steve Sarkisian as a result.
“He’s a heck of a player,” Sarkisian said. “I love the competitive nature of Mo. We asked a lot of him as a true freshman on special teams. He plays violent. He plays tough. I think he plays the way we want to play football, and he provides a lot of versatility.”
In 22 career games and four starts, Blackwell has posted 14 total tackles on defense, one tackle for loss and has one pass defended.
The Longhorns kickoff the season next Saturday at home against the Rice Owls.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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