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Before I get to the women’s blowout win in the Elite Eight last night, I wanted to mention Texas hits the practice field later this morning. It will be the 7th practice of spring ball. I wrote on Sunday that one of the bigger surprises of camp so far is true freshman cornerback Samari Matthews. The North Carolina native is coming on at a perhaps unexpected rate. Funny enough, CJ and I compared notes from last week and he’d been told something similar from someone else. I don’t think we’re quite into Graceson Littleton territory yet (and by that, I mean someone who will be too difficult to keep off the field as Littleton was a year ago as a true freshma…

A storm system is expected to come through Austin this weekend. It could play a factor in spring practice festivities. We’ll have to wait and see. ** Couple of housekeeping notes: 1. We’re having trivia night on Thursday at 7pm on the OTF YouTube channel. We hope you can join us. Hank and Jeff will be taking on an OTF OG. 2. On Saturday after the practice, we will be hosting a meet up at the Posse East. First beer is on me! ** Steve Sarkisian will meet with media later this morning following the team’s 13th practice of spring. This will be the fourth time Sark has met with the media this spring. That sets all kinds of records. …

The last couple of weeks, we’ve all seen national and regional experts issue their various rankings and predictions for the 2026 season. Whether it’s predicted SEC finish, Heisman odds, or the SEC quarterbacks, we’ve all seen the lists. Well, I’m here do to a ranking of my own, one that I think is as important as any to the fate of the 2026 Longhorns: SEC quarterbacks. Based on stats and past performance, there are five SEC quarterbacks who are ahead of the pack. Arch Manning - Texas (3,163 yards passing, 26 TDs/7 INTs, 10 rushing TDs) Trinidad Chambliss - Ole Miss (passed for 3,937 yards and 22 TDs/3 INTs) Sam Leavitt - LSU (In last full sea…

A lot of people ask me why I’m so optimistic about the 2026 season. So why am I? It comes down to the players and their experience. It’s really that simple. A year ago, Texas went 10-3 and will likely have 6-7 players selected in the upcoming NFL draft. Next year at this time, I suspect that number will double. I’ve separated how I see the roster shaping up as we head into spring practice next Monday: Group 1 (top 15 picks) QB Arch Manning - Has more size and durability than Oregon’s Dante Moore which may give him an advantage in becoming the no. 1 overall pick. Looking for season-long consistency in 2026 WR Cam Coleman - Size and…

Sark said it best in yesterday’s post-practice media session. This team has all of the pieces to the puzzle. Now Sark, his coaching staff and the players themselves have to do the real work of putting it all together. The talent, the ability, it’s all there. How far they go in 2026 will be determined by how well they coalesce as a team. In that vein, Sark mentioned again that he kick-started the team’s “Culture Wednesdays” this semester as opposed to waiting until his usual summer time. Part of that change comes because of the change to the portal rules which used to allow transfers following spring ball. But the more important part is that Sark c…

Texas gets back to the practice field this morning. We’ll be listening to find out whether receiver Ryan Wingo and safety Zelus Hicks have returned to full practice. Today will also be the first day in full pads, which will give the coaches a quick idea of which of the young guys can already handle the physicality of the college game or who needs more seasoning (and armor). ** Many of the team’s top players spent some of spring break together down in Florida. From Arch Manning, to Colin Simmons, Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and more. That’s a good sign IMO. A team and its players who like to spend time together off the field generally helps build a gre…

As the football and basketball coaches are on the road, and the baseball and softball staffs prepare for tournament time, the future of college sports continues churning behind the scenes. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! reported late last night that the four major conference are circulating a draft document to its members that would bind member institutions to new House Settlement rules surrounding NIL and render punishment absolute without legal recourse (i.e. a lawsuit). And if a school has state laws that are different from the conference, the school in question could lose conference membership unless they abide by conference rules. It’s a bold move by adminis…

Destin, Fla. — In an hour-long Q&A session with reporters, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey tried to talk about a path forward for his league and for college sports. Unfortunately, the discussion mostly devolved into one about the future of the college football playoff, which Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti hold the keys to beginning in 2026. Unfortunately, there was very little discussion about the future of NIL, of the possibility of a nine-team SEC schedule or a regular season, interconference scheduling agreement between the SEC and Big Ten. But here’s what we learned yesterday: 1. The format for the CFP in 2026 is a hot mess. The ACC …

Texas softball goes for the national championship tomorrow at 7pm against Texas Tech on ESPN. The Longhorns defeated Tennessee 2-0 in the semifinal yesterday behind strong pitching performances from Mac Morgan and Teagan Kavan, a strong defense, and a big swing from Katie Stewart in the fourth inning. Tech held off an Oklahoma team 3-2 last night. The Sooners had tied it up in 7th on a two-out two-run homer before the Red Raiders walked it off later. Tech is led by the $1 million-dollar pitcher NiJaree Canady, a transfer from Stanford who chose the big bucks from Tech mega donor Cody Campbell. Canady is a bona fide superstar. The Horns will have to beat her…

It’s that time of year, where recruiting takes center stage and things can and do change in an instant. Case in point, Buford defensive end Dre Quinn, as he was leaving Austin on Sunday, told reporters he would likely be foregoing his visit to Notre Dame that was scheduled for this upcoming weekend. Well, he got home, consulted with family, and yesterday afternoon decided he would go ahead and take that visit to Notre Dame. But… A report late last night from a Notre Dame reporter said Quinn had ultimately decided against visiting South Bend this weeekend and will instead announce a commitment between Texas and Clemson. If you feel like you’ve been…

One highly ranked recruit is set to announce Thursday: Alabama running back Ezavier Crowell, who is thought to be deciding between Alabama, Texas and Georgia. Three more blue chippers on Friday: OL Malakai Lee from Honolulu. It’s a Texas, Georgia, Bama and Michigan battle. S Chace Calicut from Houston North Shore. It’s between Texas, Georgia and Michigan. DL Damari Simeon from New Jersey. Texas, Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State. I don’t want to talk about the individual recruits in this column. Instead, I just want you to step back and consider the teams Texas is recruiting against for each of these players. Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Oh…

The old saying, “Recruiting can change in the blink of an eye” certainly remains appropriate. But in a sign of the times, I think the statement deserves to be updated. Recruiting can change in the blink of a new NIL offer. That’s reality. I’m not bemoaning the existence of NIL by the way. Texas has been the benefactor of NIL as much or more than any team. After all, NIL finally equalized a long thought to be advantage of other less scrupulous teams who historically have been willing to circumvent NCAA rules by paying players under the table. NIL allowed Texas supporters to change the paradigm. And they did, successfully. In fact, I was told y…

Where is Arch Manning in the concussion protocol? Better yet, does that even matter? Facts are, while Manning might be on schedule in the protocol to return this weekend, it doesn’t mean he will necessarily play on Saturday or that that’s what would be best for him. As we all know, concussions have lingering effects on motor skills, everything from slowing someone’s reactive quickness to creating clouded thinking that lasts for weeks at a time. So while Manning could “pass” every test doctors give him this week, he still might not be truly ready for something as taxing as college football, either physically or mentally. Getting hit 20-25 times in a gam…

Not that excuses are worth much, but Steve Sarkisian revealed yesterday that not only was Texas without Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald on Saturday, but Manny Muhammad was also sidelined for a while during the game. That means the Horns were without three starters against Vandy at times. Again, it’s no excuse for a fourth quarter meltdown. But context is important. Find me a team anywhere that can replace three of its five starters in the secondary and not feel pain. It’s a reminder that just because all of these players are on scholarship, they are not automatons. They are at different ages, levels of experience and talent. “Next man up” is a …

I keep thinking about a path to victory for Texas against Georgia. And I think it’s a relatively slim one. Slim enough for me to think it’s unlikely to happen. With Texas nearly six-point underdogs, Las Vegas seemingly confirms my suspicions. So why do I feel this way? Since their Alabama loss, this Georgia team appears to be on a mission. Sure, it’s a similar one to Texas. Win or leave your fate in the hands of another. Yet Georgia seems to have been more focused and more consistent for longer. And the Bulldogs have not once shown the outright ineptitude that a Texas team did against a Kentucky or UTEP. They even overcame five straight Ole M…

Texas may be without two of its best players on Saturday for the game against Arkansas. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said yesterday that both linebacker Anthony Hill and receiver Ryan Wingo are being evaluated for hand injuries. Both were still being evaluated as of Sark’s press conference yesterday. ** Arkansas was trying to hire former Penn State coach James Franklin to replace Sam Pittman. But Franklin chose Virginia Tech instead. In the new world of college football, Franklin chose the job he felt like could be a more winnable long-term situation. There may be no more tougher positioned job in Power 4 college football right now than Arkans…

The Texas personnel department continued its recent run of pledges yesterday evening by adding Georgetown offensive lineman Kaden Scherer to the fold. Scherer is part of a recent trend for the Horns. Texas, late in the process, is focusing on a mix of players, who seem to have high upside traits but may not be ranked as highly among the recruiting media industry. That’s the case not only with Scherer, but also with Portage, Mich., tight end Charlie Jilek, Carlsbad, Calif., linebacker Rocky Cummings, and speedy defensive back Josiah Vilmael of Fort Bend. Then there are the proverbial blue chippers, too. Baylor defensive line pledge Jamarrion Carlton is among them…

We’re less than 24 hours from National Signing Day. Texas currently sits at 24 commitments. Defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland is the only pledge who appears poised to choose elsewhere (North Carolina). Meanwhile, Texas is looking to add an elite player or two. The three who appear remaining on the board are OL Brysten Martinez of Honzales, La., OL Malakai Lee of Honolulu, Haw., and DB Toray Davis of Boulder, Colo. Martinez and Lee are currently committed elsewhere, LSU and Michigan, respectively. Davis is expected to come down to Texas and Washington. ** Offensive linemen don’t have many stats, so I’ll give you those of Davis. His produ…

Amid the six starters on defense who had already opted out of the bowl game, it’s perhaps the seventh that will have the biggest effect. The loss of linebacker Liona Lefau, at least as it relates to potentially defeating Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, could be tough to overcome. Lefau is a between-the-tackles run-stopper, and that’s exactly where the Wolverines try to make their hay. There’s also the lack of depth at linebacker to consider. Beyond Ty’Anthony Smith and Brad Spence, Texas has just freshmen Bo Barnes and Jonathan Cunningham even on scholarship. ** Yet, over the long haul and into next season, this is likely the right decision for the L…

Just two short notes this morning as we await decisions from Marietta, Ga., linebacker Brayden Rouse and Frisco wide receiver Jalen Lott… 1. Thank you to everyone who participated in the fundraiser for the Central Texas Food Bank last night on our episode of Talkin’ Ball. We donated $2,899 as a community to the organization that is helping people in the midst of the tragic flooding in the Hill Country. Again, I’ve always wanted this to be a place where Texas fans could be proud of, and there is no prouder moment than when we come together and do something like that. 2. I spoke with someone yesterday who believes Jack Endries may make a run as the team’s top rece…

On Texas Football coverage of SEC Media Days is brought to you by Vonlane, Flat Creek Estate Winery, Advanced Pain Care and South Point Dodge. ** What a difference a year makes. A year ago this week, pundits questioned whether or not the supposedly soft Longhorns would be ready for the rough and tumble SEC. The prevailing thought? Texas would be ill-equipped to handle a line of scrimmage league over the length of a season, that the previous year against Alabama was an anomaly. Today, those same pundits are convinced the Longhorns are legit, that Texas has a shot at an SEC and national championship, and the Horns are here to stay as a national p…

Some news and notes by position that we’ve picked up prior to fall camp starting: Quarterback - we’ve heard Troy transfer Matthew Caldwell has been relatively impressive in team work this summer. In other words, Trey Owens has major competition for the back-up spot. In fact, if I were handicapping the job today, I’d lean toward Caldwell. Running back - Cedric Baxter is pushing the limits of his recovery. That’s the great news. The realistic news? Still unlikely to be full go until late training camp or post-Ohio State. Christian Clark has looked the best he has since arriving on campus. Wide receiver - the top four have been easy to pick out, perhaps too ea…

Today is an appetizer. Tomorrow is the meal. Today, we get to speak with Texas coaches, from all of the coordinators to the newly minted assistants, and all of those in between. ** Tomorrow, we get a first look at the 2025 Longhorns. Here are some pre-camp thoughts: - I’m betting long on Christian Clark. Something about the young runner tells me he could be a real factor this year. - I like Parker Livingstone and Emmett Mosley. A lot. Folks who discount either of them, or think they are necessarily a rung down from DeAndre Moore and Ryan Wingo, do so at their own peril IMO. I think Texas has a very, very strong first four. - I think…

Since the inception of the coaches poll, Texas has never begun the season as the no. 1 team in the country. Texas received 28 first place votes. Ohio State, who ranked no. 2, received 20. Penn State (14), Georgia (3) and Clemson (2) were the only other teams garnering first-place votes. Here’s the entire list. https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/football/ncaaf/coaches-poll ** These rankings really only tell us two things: 1. The expectations other coaches (and SIDs) have for teams in 2025. 2. The respect of the programs at the very, very top. ** If this list is an accurate assessment of pre-season belief in each team across th…

The opening of Sark’s press availability yesterday was the equivalent of football crack. “Our guys just practiced their asses off. It was awesome. So on to questions…” There literally could be nothing better for a fan to hear a coach say than that. That’s all anyone can ask a team for - their absolute best effort. ** Injury updates: Both Nick Brooks and Nick Townsend returned to practice yesterday and were full go. We all knew that Brooks had gone down on Saturday afternoon, but we were unaware of Townsend. It’s clearly good news for both. Interestingly, those two positions - offensive tackle and tight end - are the only two that ha…