Quinn Ewers: Isaiah Bond can 'flat-out run past any DB'

The Texas Longhorns lost a ton of firepower this offseason from a pass-catching perspective, with their four leading targets from a season ago all selected in the recent 2024 NFL Draft.

Former Alabama wideout Isaiah Bond joined the Longhorns this offseason and will look to replace some of the lost production in the wide receiver room. Which he recently put on display during Texas’ spring game with an impressive performance. As starting quarterback Quinn Ewers reflected on what Bond brings to the table.

“I just think Isaiah Bond’s just one of those guys that can flat-out run bast any DB,” Ewers said. “I mean y’all saw that out there today.”

Bond ended the game with receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown pass from Arch Manning to give Team White a late lead in the game. Showing off the wheels that Ewers mentioned by getting behind the defense quick and keeping things like that all the way to the end zone.

At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds Bond makes up for his lack of size with a ton of speed, taking home Georgia 6A state titles in track as a junior in high school for the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. A skillset that he’s now translated seamlessly from the track to the football field throughout his career.

As a true freshman at Alabama, Bond caught 17 passes for 220 yards and one score. Having a breakout sophomore season last year as the Crimson Tide’s second-leading receiver after hauling in 48 receptions for 668 yards and four touchdowns. Highlighted by his memorable five catches for 75 yards and a game-winning touchdown against Auburn in the Iron Bowl on a 4th-and-31 play that will long be remembered in Tuscaloosa and beyond.

He caught one pass for 34 yards in Alabama’s matchup against Texas last season, and will now look to help out the other side as the Longhorns make the transition to a Southeastern Conference that Bond is plenty familiar with. Adding to one of the most talent roster in college football.

“We’re going to be plenty talented, right? I’m not concerned about us being talented,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “It’s making sure that we’re playing at our best when our best is needed in the critical moments of games, and you play your best when you trust the guy next to you or when you can be accountable to the guy next to you and not feel like you have to go out on your own and do something out of character. We’ve got to live every day that way.”