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As OTF has been reporting, Sherrard will announce his decision on July 1st. We can now report the decision will be made at 11:20 AM CT on Wednesday. Texas, LSU, and Oklahoma will likely make up the hats on the table but this is a Texas vs. LSU battle. OTF currently leans towards the Horns

We're talking about portal! Not a game! Not a game! We're talking about portal! Let's talk about portal to start Thursday morning. OTF takes a look at what positions of need there are. Quarterback Expected to return: Arch Manning and KJ Lacey. Incoming: Dia Bell Gone portaling: Trey Owens OTF: An experienced QB as a third teamer is something we are watching. KJ Lacey will be a solid No. 2. A redshirt is preferred and expected for Dia Bell. Doubtful Sark wants to be in a similar position as Missouri this season if the unthinkable happens. Running back Expected/possibility to return: James Simon, Christian Clark, Tre Wisner Incoming: Derre…

If you’re going to the game this week in Orlando, we wanted to let folks know that we’re having a little party. From 4-7pm on Tuesday afternoon/evening, we’ll be at Wall Street in Orlando. Hopefully it’ll be a Texas Takeover. Everyone is welcome. It is free of charge. Wall Street is a pedestrian-only area of downtown that has about eight bars and a common area. We’ll be set up in the common area so folks can pick and choose where they want to go. Come hang out and have fun with CJ, Gerry, myself, other Longhorns and a few special guests! https://www.google.com/maps/search/25+Wall+St.+Orlando,+FL+32801?entry=gmail&source=g View full new…

Some notes from practices and elsewhere… - Tight end Emaree Winston has looked good in bowl practices. While most think of Nick Townsend first among the duo of freshman tight ends, Winston is showing signs that he’s got a real future. - Safety Xavier Filsaime continues to take the next steps. Playing as much as he did late in the season, along with the departure of Michael Taaffe, has provided a lift during bowl practices. - Do not forget about Nick Brooks on the OL. I’m told the freshman may still be the most talented OL on campus. He just needs continued reps. - OLs Nate Kibble and Daniel Cruz have had good bowl practices. Both are under the microsco…

Texas players have headed home for the holidays. But that doesn’t mean the football offices are empty. Rather, Steve Sarkisian, Brandon Harris and the rest of the Texas football staff are extremely busy working with agents about next year’s team. The negotiation of players is in full swing across the country. And true to form, some agents are overreaching, which only protracts the process, while others seemingly have a better handle on market value. It’s the new way of the world. It’s happening everywhere, including Texas. But specifically for Texas, I mentioned a “protracted process” for some. It’s important to know that that additional time…

“The next 72 hours is crucial to know who is coming and who isn’t.” That’s a direct quote from someone behind the scenes when discussing several of the big names considering Texas. So please read Gerry Hamilton’s morning update for more specifics. ** Three positions of need have been filled: - Nose Tackle - Inline Tight End - Cornerback Several positions to go: - Running Back (2) - Wide Receiver (1-2) - Offensive Line (2-3) - Defensive End (1) - Defensive Tackle (2) - Linebacker (2) - Safety (1-2) ** Texas contemplated going after two safeties in the portal but with Derek Williams’ announ…

College coaches met yesterday at the AFCA convention in Charlotte. The primary topic of conversation was not change to NIL rules, collective bargaining or expansion to a 16- or 24-team playoff. Rather, the focus was expanding the redshirt rule. Currently players can play in four games or less and retain their redshirt. Coaches apparently want to increase that number to 9. The argument, according to folks covering the meetings, is that too many young players are trying to preserve that redshirt at a time when their team actually needs them. This would essentially pave the way for a five years to play five years rule. I mean, what is a redshirt if someon…

This will be the final day players can be entered into the transfer portal. One big name has already come up. Ole Miss defensive end Princewill Umanmielen, who recorded nine sacks last year, has entered the portal. It’s believed he is likely to head to LSU but Texas will at least throw its hat in the ring. ** Watch for offensive linemen today. That’s almost certainly what Texas is hoping for. ** Lots of post-season lists are being published. For example, the final AP Poll was released and the Horns came in at no. 12. The results of that poll are ridiculous. I think voters made their mind up about Texas after the Georgia ga…

Texas added a major surprise to its portal class yesterday, an interior offensive lineman: Laurence Seymore of Western Kentucky. Seymore, who is 6-2, 320 pounds, originally signed with Miami out of high school in 2021. He spent two years at Miami before transferring to Akron for two seasons (the first of which he did not play) and then to WKU before last season. All told, he has spent five years in college. But he has only played three full seasons. So he is applying for a 6th year in 2026 that must be approved by the NCAA and/or adjudicated by the law. It’s a new day in college football when you can add a commitment from a portal transfer who is out o…

Will Arch Manning play on Saturday? Logic says that it would be unlikely. But these are not necessarily logical times. We know he’s in the concussion protocol. But we don’t know which day he is on. The six-stage RTP protocol includes: 1. Symptom-limited daily activities: The athlete can engage in non-strenuous daily tasks as long as no symptoms worsen. 2. Light aerobic exercise: The athlete can begin light exercise, like walking, stationary cycling, or swimming, as long as they remain symptom-free. 3. Sport-specific exercise: This step involves more intense, sport-specific non-contact drills. 4. Non-contact practice: The athlete can part…

The first CFP rankings were released last night and Texas, coming in at no. 11, got a little more respect than some figured they would. The Longhorns were ranked above both Oklahoma and Vanderbilt, two teams they’ve beaten. That should seem obvious yet the Horns are ranked behind OU in the AP poll. Also of note, Texas is the second-highest rated two-loss team, behind only Notre Dame who sits at no. 10. ** The SEC clearly has the attention of the CFP. The conference has six of the top 12 rated teams in the CFP. 3. Texas A&M 4. Alabama 5. Georgia 6. Ole Miss 11. Texas 12. Oklahoma By comparison, the Big 10 has three…

On Monday, it’s revealed that Arch Manning has talked with Bama quarterback Ty Simpson about common SEC opponents. On Tuesday, fired Florida coach Billy Napier shows up at the Georgia practice the week of the Bulldogs’ game against the Longhorns. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t make up these sorts of storylines as a writer because no one would believe they’re true. But here we are. They’re both very real. Welcome to the SEC. It just means more. 😉 ** Gerry’s been on the road this week covering a couple of late recruitments we’re keeping an eye on. Josiah Vilmael, the 6-1 corner with track speed out of Fort Bend Travis, and Brysten Martin…

It’s weeks like this that tell a team what they’re really made of. Texas, with its season goals all but evaporated, plays host to an Arkansas team that is winless in conference play. Arkansas interim coach Bobby Petrino, a talented offensive mind, is making one final run at removing the interim tag from his title. Nothing would help more than a victory over Texas. The Razorbacks have the offensive firepower to test the Horns. Quarterback Taylan Green is a big play waiting to happen and the Razorback run game may actually be the best in the entire conference. It’s the Arkansas defense which has had issues in 2025. They’ve repeatedly given up big plays a…

In the first injury report of the week, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill was listed as questionable. It’s interesting because that is in opposition to what coach Steve Sarkisian said immediately following the Arkansas game - that Hill would play against the Aggies. Yet it makes sense. Hill’s injury is typically a two-to-three timeframe. The Texas defense needs Hill to be ready in the worst way, especially with TyAnthony Smith sidelined for the first half. Without Hill and Smith, I’m not sure the Texas linebackers can handle an Aggie offense that tests opposing linebackers better than just about any team in the country. ** We are all well aware t…

With the departure of Chad Scott yesterday, the Horns are now in need of an RB coach. One name to watch for: Jabbar Juluke, formerly of Florida. Another with less certain availability is Frank Wilson of LSU. Texas is looking for a coach with strong ties to New Orleans and/or another major metro area in the South (think Atlanta, Miami, Orlando or New Orleans). However, timing is something to consider. For those wanting or expecting a quick turnaround, keep in mind that that is not typically the style of Steve Sarkisian. He likes to make deliberate decisions, not rushed ones, when it comes to assistant coaches. ** While almost everyone is conce…

In what has become a theme in this recruiting class, Texas finished second on two very talented players yesterday. Close but no cigar. Sure, it’s disappointing. Any recruiting loss is. But some folks need to take a deep breath and step away from the ledge. After all, Texas already has 17 commitments, is ranked in a higher spot currently to where it was at this time last year, and there is the fact that Steve Sarkisian and his staff have proven themselves capable time and again of bringing in elite prospects before the final recruiting curtain closes. All any recruiting loss really does at this time of year is up the stakes for Texas on the remaining prospec…

Good morning, everyone! How was your Tuesday? 😉 ** When I tell you there was a little bit of shock and awe on the floor of the College Football Hall of Fame in the hours following Tyler Atkinson committed to the Longhorns, that would be an understatement. Some Georgia reporters were dumbfounded. Reporters from other teams just shook their heads in quiet astonishment. When James Johnson committed to Texas literally moments after Arch Manning left the podium, the day of the Longhorns was officially complete. And the rest of the SEC could only sit back and watch. Yesterday, the Longhorns owned SEC Media Days. ** With the pledges y…

Really sad news broke about Chace Calicut yesterday. The North Shore product and Georgia commitment, and one time Texas prospect, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. He was allegedly driving while a passenger in his car was brandishing and firing a gun at another car driven by a fellow student. Calicut, it is written in the arrest documents, tried to block a fellow student’s car on a major street, brake-checked him, pulled alongside him and drove recklessly among other things. Yes, we’ve known about the incident for weeks now. We did not publish or publicize the issue when it occurred because I’m no investigative reporter and we had other Longhorn-related …

Just in case you missed it, there were two major notes that emerged from yesterday: - Michael Taaffe has spent some of summer working at nickel. If Taaffe somehow wins that job, it would allow Texas to have starting experience at every single secondary position, albeit a couple in new spots. Manny Muhammad and Jaylan Guilbeau at corner. Derrick Williams and Jelani McDonald at safety. Taaffe at nickel. We spent a lot of off-season wondering what Texas might do in the secondary, how all the pieces might fit to maximum effect. Well, this is one permutation that, if it works, would be huge for “experience” in the secondary. Granted, I think it’s a tal…

Two transfers signed with Texas this winter yet never made it to spring ball: defensive tackle Travis Shaw and linebacker/edge Brad Spence. Both had lingering injuries from the previous season. Both had surgeries this off-season. Based on what I have been told from early camp feedback, both will be very key contributors to this year’s defense. ** I am told that Shaw has been one of the better defensive tackles so far this training camp and is definitely expected to find his way into the lineup. Shaw, who is all of 6-foot-5, 342 pounds, is one of the team’s largest players and will be a key player against opponents like Florida who focus heavily on…

The offensive line is always one of the last things we hear about following a scrimmage. It’s only natural since most folks are focused on the skill positions and following the ball. But I was fortunate to text with someone yesterday. First, the basics: - There were no pre-snap penalties from 1s. There were from other groupings. - The 1s on the OL committed just one penalty, a holding call. - The D may have started out strong, but eventually the OL got some good, solid runs in the Red Zone portion in the second half of practice. - The first unit remains, from left to right, Trevor Goosby, Neto Umeozulu, Cole Hutson, DJ Campbell and Brand…

I'm told that the Texas coaches are pushing the team hard this week. That's not all that unusual; we are just 10 days out from the first game of the season. But it seems the idea is to push them hard one last week prior to the beginning of game week. Plus, there is some offensive line movement occurring given the absence of Trevor Goosby currently. As I reported late yesterday, Brandon Baker has seen some action at left tackle in recent practices. ** Yesterday, I asked a former player who had attended a scrimmage which Longhorn would "surprise" fans this season. The answer was immediate: Brad Spence. They commented on Spence's speed, ten…

The ACC spring meetings are taking place this week. And conference officials are squawking about various aspects of their preferred view of college football’s future. Couple of notes: - ACC coaches favor and will push for a 21-day style pre-season training spread over the entire spring and summer as opposed to the current 15-day spring practice window. It’s a potential rule change that will get some attention from SEC coaches during their spring meeting in two weeks. I could see this one passing, though part of the problem is summer school for athletes. Athletes notoriously take heavy summer courseloads, so they can take fewer classes in season. - The ACC a…

The portal window is officially - and finally - closed. There can be no new entrants, either undergraduate or graduate until December. Just three Longhorns players total entered this spring - kicker Bert Auburn, punter Michael Kern and offensive lineman Malik Agbo. Meanwhile Texas added five players to its roster. Four are starters from Power 5 schools plus a kicker with 60-yard range. For the entire portal campaign, winter and spring, Texas officially added eight starters from power 5 schools. By comparison, Texas lost two “potential” starters in tight end Amari Niblack (A&M) and defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell (LSU) and a lot of depth pieces, lik…

Texas made six new scholarship offers yesterday. One to a class of 2026 running back, Carsyn Baker from the Atlanta area. The other five offers went to members of the class of 2027. In all, four of those 2027 offers hail from Southern California. They include: DB Gavin Williams OL Lincoln Mageo WR Demare Dezeurn OL Lucas Rhoa ** All this proves to me is that Sark and his staff have no plans of slowing the strategy they have deployed since arriving in Austin. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Texas is clearly a national recruiting program with a particular focus on its home state, the southeast and southern California an…