A seating pinch at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for Texas' Sept. 4 home game against Notre Dame will prevent UT from accommodating NFL scouts for the game with the exception of general managers, the school confirmed Friday.
A high number of media-credential requests for the Longhorns' season opener against the Fighting Irish has created the limitation. Two flagship programs like Texas and Notre Dame are sure to draw a high number of media-credential requests, but the demand went even higher when the game was moved to a Sunday, giving it an exclusive primetime television window.
"You've got a lot of national media who will be in Dallas on that Saturday for USC-Alabama who were then able to go to both games (with the schedule change) instead of having to choose one," said Texas Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations John Bianco.
While the Alabama-USC game played a role in the crowded seating arrangement, it's not the first time it's happened. Bianco said the measure has been necessary for some Texas-Oklahoma games at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in the past, as well.
Bianco said the stadium press box at UT has seating for 112 people.
For general managers who attend, Texas LB Malik Jefferson will be one of the top attractions. He was the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2015. As a sophomore this fall, he won't be eligible to be drafted until 2018 or 2019. Among Notre Dame's top draft prospects are OT Mike McGlinchey, a fourth-year junior, and RB Tarean Folston, who will make his return from a season-ending knee injury suffered last September.
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