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Typically Tuesday practices are known as Bloody Tuesdays because of their intense physicality. That won’t be the case this morning or really the rest of the week. Sark, as he mentioned in his press conference yesterday, is encouraged with where the team’s overall health is. He’s not tempting fate this morning. ** The SEC released its three opponents for the Longhorns in each of the next four years. They are: Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas A&M. No real surprise there. Furthermore, it’s exactly what the Texas brass wanted. However, it’s hopeful they get Arkansas and A&M on a home-away rotational basis where one team comes to Aus…

I’m amazed. I probably shouldn’t be, given that I’ve been covering college football and the Longhorns for 30+ years. But it still gets me every time. The sheer amount of people who expect absolute perfection on every snap, in every game, and from every player with no or little regard to their experience level, their talent level or the talent and experience level of their opponents. I’m not talking about fair, honest critiques. I’m talking about the folks who don’t seem to understand that context matters. ** I would also like to remind folks who want to fire this coach or that coach, it was just four short years ago that Texas went 5-7. …

When I was growing up, my dad used to regale me with “stories” about his favorite Longhorns and his favorite football players in general. Typically, they weren’t these long, drawn out stories. They were short descriptions of what a certain player did, how he scored a touchdown, how he delivered a big hit or how he picked off a pass. Yet there were a couple of players that defied his usual description. Tommy Nobis was one of those. Given that we’re 60 days away from the start of the Longhorn football season and that was the number Nobis made so popular for the Longhorns, I feel like it’s only appropriate to dive in a little deeper on the player he was a…

For those of you wanting obvious answers or quick fixes to the QB conundrum, Steve Sarkisian offered none yesterday. At his weekly press availability, Sark acknowledged the issues his QB is having but focused instead on the idea that Arch Manning will be better for it once he comes out on the other side. Of course, Texas fans are wondering when exactly we are going to see the other side. Wil it be in 2025? The offense has been so lackluster that lofty pre-season aspirations have already been reduced. I’ll admit, there is wisdom in what Sark said. Facing adversity, then overcoming it, it makes us all better. And maybe that’s what Manning is going throug…

The text of the proposed Protect College Sports Act was finally shared in full with reporters. Among the rules, the “Lane Kiffin rule”was perhaps the most eye-popping. A college head coach can not take another job during his own season UNLESS he sits out an entire year of active duty. While we could discuss the merits of the rule, I’m more focused on how that might play out in real fashion. Basically, it means either we will see almost no coaching movement prior to Jan. 1 by which time the majority of bowl games have been played OR we will see more former coaches targeted for new jobs. All of a sudden, Brian Kelly, who can take a job in November and be…

Yesterday marked the best single game performance of any Longhorn for the entire 2025-2026 school year. Adrian Rodriguez, a sophomore from Flower Mound, hit for the cycle in a 14-2 win over Alabama in Omaha. Rodriguez finished the game 5-5 with seven RBIs and 12 total bases. What were other GREAT single game performances this school year for the Longhorns in your opinion? Teagan Kavan in game one of women’s softball World Series. Arch Manning in the Citrus Bowl or Colin Simmons’ three-sack night against Kentucky. Maddie Booker’s 40-point performance over Oregon. Any others? ** Texas has a rematch with Georgia tonight at 7pm. The Bulldogs lost…

Given that I mentioned in this space yesterday that Arch Manning would be hosting some of his receivers in New Orleans this week, here's a nice photo from Instagram... with a little bit of humor from his dad. The group includes Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley V, Cam Coleman and Sterling Berkhalter. I'm told that that the group basically went from the airport yesterday morning, and within an hour, they were all running routes. According to someone at the workouts, Manning is said to be in fine shape and "moving really well". ** Of course, these are not the only Longhorns working out right now. Players are all over the country working wi…

We’re now 48 hours removed from the recruiting weekend. That’s typically when the dust settles and we see whether or not the Longhorns actually moved the needle with key recruits. It’s clear Texas accomplished that with multiple players over the weekend. But the one I want to mention this morning is Landen Williams-Callis. This weekend, Texas went from another hat on the table to a serious contender. There are multiple reasons why. This weekend, Texas focused on getting to know Williams-Callis better and vice versa. I think both sides wanted to see if it could truly be a long-term fit. Those boxes, I’m told, were mutually checked. As for the …

During Coffee & Football yesterday morning, Gerry and I discussed that signing three of the uncommitted defensive players who were on campus for official visits this past weekend would be categorized as a “good” result given that so many of the players were elite. Well, I’m told Texas feels exceptionally good about their standing with a number of those players. Texas is shooting for a higher hit rate than Gerry and I discussed, possibly five or more. As reporters, we’ll have to show some patience. While a few decisions are being made this week, not all of their announcements may be immediately public (i.e. waiting on specific dates to announce). In sum,…

If you didn’t hear Colin Simmons post-game or Ethan Burke yesterday afternoon, you missed a real pleasure. The two veteran defensive ends were having none of the “woe is me” pity party about the Texas offense. Instead, they were genuinely excited about the “team” win in Lexington. We hear Michael Taaffe talk about this stuff all the time. But it’s clearly not just Taaffe who has bought in to the team-first culture. It was really exciting hearing that sort of talk from Burke and Simmons. We often say football is the ultimate team sport. Those two are clearly believers in that. If that is what is being said about the Kentucky win inside the locker r…

“I think we kind of shift the narrative,” Arch Manning said. “We’re going for everyone else. The target’s not on our back. The red dot is on everyone else.” Arch’s comment to the media yesterday should give us all perspective on exactly how the Horns are internalizing being the no. 1 ranked team in the land headed to Columbus. It’s a healthy view from Arch — equal parts aggression, confidence and smarts. ** I also loved Steve Sarkisian’s advice he said he would be giving Arch this week: ”Just go be yourself,” Sark said he would tell Arch. That’s a head coach instilling even more confidence in his young player. Don’t try to be something y…

Texas is now through five practices of training camp for the 2026 season. They'll make it a sixth later tonight. ** Couple of housekeeping notes: I mentioned one starter (who shall remain nameless) was in a green jersey yesterday and to not get too alarmed. That starter should be back in due time. Also, don't make too much of defensive lineman Alex January missing practice later tonight either. He suffered a loss in the family and will be attending a funeral and memorial out of town today. Wishing him and his family the best in their time of need. January is expected back to campus on Wednesday. ** At Steve Sarkisian's press conference y…

Six games in, we have now reached the midway point in the season. And some Texas players who have not seen much action (playing in four games or less) are making and/or contemplating decisions about redshirting and then possibly transferring. Yesterday, we heard of one such player who is opting to take the redshirt with the intent of entering the portal in December. He will not play the rest of the season. While we are not going to name the player until he or the team announces it, I can say the player is not a front-line player and really does not have a clear path to the field or to be a large contributor long-term at Texas. Bottom line: these things…

As of yesterday, Texas remained involved in the Monshun Sales recruitment. The blue chip receiver from Indianapolis and his representation remained in contact with multiple parties. Sales likely has already made up his mind. However, neither he nor his representation are letting on to those behind the scenes. He is scheduled to announce his decision this Friday, July 17. ** As with Sales, there are some who are trying to read too much into every aspect of Easton Royal's recruitment. The New Orleans star has told nearly everyone that he is shutting down his recruitment externally, so he can focus on his decision internally. Trying to jump the …

Yesterday was so embarrassing for Texas Tech, I’m not sure where to even start. They literally went to court to argue for a player on their team to maintain eligibility after he knowingly gambled on his own team (while suited up for the same team). All in the name of winning. So I have to ask all of you this question: What’s the worst thing you’ve witnessed of a program or team losing all morality in the name of winning? For me, this takes the cake because it speaks to a morality about winning and losing only, about what’s grossly wrong about the game and those who compete in it. It’s not akin to the Baylor and Art Briles era or anything clos…

DESTIN, FLA.-- The Texas contingent flies in to Destin this morning. Texas coaches Sean Miller and Steve Sarkisian speak at the SEC meetings in just a few hours. Sarkisian recently made national news with comments about Ole Miss academics and the inequities their policies create and "another league" where the Texas 2s and 3s could compete for championships. Sark is acutely aware of the effect this has on media. So the question is, why is Sarkisian feeling it's ok to poke the bear this year as opposed to previous ones where he's been incredibly diplomatic? At first, I thought it was exclusively because Sark was feeling his oats a bit. After all, he…

Steve Sarkisian was interviewed by Matt Hayes of the USA Today. The article was published this morning. The entire article is linked here: In reading the piece, Sark clearly attacks the reactionary ways of the NCAA and the lack of “guardrails” in its governance. Some highlights: - Sark would prefer a 4-team championship model than 24, in part because he believes no one can watch and decipher all of the games to come up with the “right” teams. Instead, he would just have the four conference champions play one another. Sark has even gone so far as to recuse himself from the coach’s poll because he feels like he can’t possible watch other games. …

Some encouraging health news: I’m told Stanford transfer wide receiver Emmett Mosley V is “expected” back prior to conference play. No further info or timeline was provided, so it could be even sooner than that. The Texas receiver room, while talented, is relatively thin. The addition of Mosley, who had 48 receptions a year ago, would be welcome. ** Sark said in yesterday’s press conference that the next receiver off the bench would have been Ryan Niblett. That caught some folks by surprise, many thinking that another true freshman other than Daylan McCutcheon was prepared to enter the circle of trust. But it shows just how far ahead McCutcheon ha…

Texas has done a number of things to make donors feel involved with the program over the decades. The last couple of years, the Horns held a live auction where trips with the team to Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, etc., were up for grabs. There was even live music on the floor of DKR for the event. This year, based on feedback and a little ingenuity, Texas is doing something a little different. This year, as a fundraising event for NIL, Texas has invited several high-end donors to participate in a “recruiting weekend”. And I mean a real recruiting weekend. On Friday afternoon, the lambos will be on full display near the football facility fully rev…

They’re horse trading in the senate right now. The Save College Sports Act is attempting to push the total cap to $51.5m for the entire athletic department. Will it get done this week? Or will it die a slow death? ** Simultaneously, Big 10 media days begin this morning. And some news has already broken. Ohio State athletics has signed a jersey patch deal with JP Morgan Chase for $15m annually. Much of that will go to fund NIL for the Buckeyes. ** Two weeks ago, I asked some folks inside the building to name an offensive player that would likely surprise folks in 2026. The answer was Emmett Mosley V. This week, I asked a si…

If you ever doubted that college sports was becoming more and more professionalized, look no further than the University of North Carolina. The Tar Heels’ now have six-time Super Bowl champ Bill Belichick as head football coach and NBA champion Michael Malone as basketball coach. However… I caution folks, like those in charge at UNC, that there is ever a one-to-one correlation between the pro leagues and college. Nick Saban was not very good in the pros. He was amazing in college. Same with Urban Meyer. Attracting, motivating and corralling young people is a completely different sport than doing the same with adults, with players who literally al…

Three quick notes: 1. We are told that junior defensive lineman Maraad Watson, who transferred from Syracuse a year ago, is having an excellent and consistent winter workout session. At this point, coaches will be surprised if he doesn't have a significantly better and more impactful second season in Austin than his first one. 2. I neglected to mention one freshman over the weekend who we are hearing positive comments about. It's Boulder, Colo., product Toray Davis. Davis is working at safety and early reports are promising. Davis has shown good speed, size and athleticism in workouts we are told. 3. Another note: In Sunday's article, I mentioned Hayward Ho…

(Continued from this morning) News and notes on the defense: Along the defensive interior, I am told that Cole Brevard and Alex January have stood out so far. Hero Kanu has been fairly consistent. Melvin Hills, Josiah Sharma and Myron Charles are also seeing action. Travis Shaw has been on-again, off-again as he takes precautions with his knee, an injury he played and dealt with most of last season. There's a reason Texas continues to be aggressive in the portal at this position. While Brevard and January appear ready, the depth beyond those two is not ideal. That led Texas to adding Lavon Johnson from Maryland and is the impetus of trying to attract Maraad…

One of the items that is extremely undervalued about Arch Manning is ball security. He did not lose a fumble all year long. QBs who take care of the football win a lot of games. Here’s my response to a note about Indiana not losing a fumble after the first game of the season. ** A couple of additional players are entering the portal. We’re still monitoring any new ones that might intrigue the Horns. View full news story

Many of you have asked for updates on the coaching search to replace Nolan Cain. I spoke to a source earlier today and I can say that I expect the search to come to a close very soon. It’s going to be interesting to see how this turns out. — The Longhorns are continuing to pursue both Oregon outfielder Angel Laya and LSU pitcher Marcos Paz. I believe both will visit sometime in the near future. — Texas will host a visitor tomorrow, but I am not ready to release a name at this time. View full news story