Longhorn linebackers awarded scholarships in emotional meeting

Continuing their tradition of giving everyone goosebumps and producing some amazing emotional moments, the Texas football team awarded scholarships to two walk-on linebackers this week.

Sophomores Russell Hine and Cort Jaquess were given the ultimate surprise during a team meeting on Wednesday when the team announced both Longhorn linebackers were being offered scholarships to be on the squad this season.

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There was barely a moment to process the announcement during a team meeting that appeared on the video screen reading, “The University of Texas Football Team is proud to offer scholarships to Cort Jaquess and Russell Hine,” as teammates embraced the duo immediately.

Jaquess, whose father played at UT in the 1980s, reflected on how much the offer meant to him. He was part of a trio along with senior OL Zach Shackelford and RB Keontay Ingram that put on a presentation on unit pride for the Longhorns just before the announcement.

“My dad played football here,” Jaquess told his teammates. “He was on scholarship here and every single day I strive to be exactly like him. This is all I wanted. This means so much to me right now.”

Hine, an Austinite, said that this will be a continuation of the hard work he’ll keep putting in.

“Starting my first year here, the goal was always to get a scholarship,” Hine said. “I just wanted to do my job and help make everyone better. But now, I want to work even harder and continue to get better each day. Everyone on this team is aligned with the same goals and the same principles.

“And when you’re a part of a program like that, the sky is the limit when you continue to trust in the process and trust the culture.”

Jaquess is a native of San Antonio and has played in nine career games, all on special teams in 2018. A two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Jacquess’ father, Jay, was a three-year letterman at defensive end for the Longhorns from 1986-88.

Hine majors in biochemistry and premed and is also a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

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