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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…

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…

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…

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 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…

One thing I am told the coaching staff was pleased with in game one was the physicality of the team as a whole. Were there situations that were lacking? Absolutely. But overall, Texas matched Ohio State’s physicality. There is no rest, however. Texas went hard at practice yesterday even though they’re prepping for a San Jose State team that throws the ball 40-to-50 times a game. Over these next three games, Texas can not afford to lose the physicality they displayed against the Buckeyes. l It is something the staff is guarding against. They know they need to retain that edge when they enter SEC play. ** Texas played 23 defensive pla…

This week it’s been back and forth some with Bert Auburn and Will Stone. The two kickers have been vying for the starting spot against Ohio State. Auburn, yesterday, seemed to get the upper hand. He made all the kicks with the 1s and 2s. We expect him to be the starter over Stone in the Cotton Bowl. Auburn beat out Stone twice before for the job. It looks like he’s done it once again, even though he’s been just 6 of 14 this season beyond 40 yards. I’m not shocked by this development. Hopefully, Auburn has worked on or tweaked his approach and possibly that of his holder as well. Auburn, at his best, is the better field goal kicker of the two. But …

Yesterday, Cam Williams elected to turn pro while Michael Taaffe opted to return to Texas. As of this morning, we’re awaiting the potential NFL decisions of Trey Moore and DJ Campbell. And we’re also awaiting the decisions of other players on the roster that must decide whether or not to enter the transfer portal by today. Below are some notes on these situations. ** The return of Taaffe had been decided for some time. We were told prior to Arizona State that he would likely return to Texas despite some indications from NFL scouts that he would be drafted if he went pro. Those sentiments were even louder after the Cotton Bowl loss. Taaff…

Earlier this week, we quietly passed a landmark here at OTF. On Jan. 20, it became one year since the start of this website. From the beginning, I’ve wanted to build a community of Texas fans who truly love to watch and follow the Longhorns, who would feel free to voice their opinion while being reasonably courteous and professional to one another. I hate message boards that devolve into name-calling or sanctimony. Of course, I’ve also wanted to bring solid reporting and news gathering to the mix. CJ Vogel has been terrific. Gerry Hamilton is unmatched. Blake Munroe knows more about baseball than anyone. But going into year two, I know we need to …

BOOOOOOM! Early this morning, Ohio State defensive tackle Hero Kanu announced he would be transferring to Texas. Kanu, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound redshirt sophomore, is a key addition to the Longhorns for 2025. Kanu recorded four tackles in 100+ snaps in 2024 for the Buckeyes. While he is unlikely to start in Austin, he should be a integral piece of the DL rotation and provide much-needed depth. Texas unquestionably needed at least 3 transfer defensive tackles this portal campaign, and the Horns snared exactly that just under the wire. He joins Cole Brevard from Purdue and Travis Shaw from North Carolina. All three will be available for spring practice…

When Texas needs a big play in 2025, who is going to step up? In 2024, it felt like that torch was primarily carried by Matthew Golden and Jaydon Blue late in the season. In 2023, it was Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell. Of all the questions I have around the 2025 team, that may be the most concerning. Will it be Ryan Wingo? Arch Manning? Tre Wisner? Deandre Moore? Maybe a yet-to-be-signed transfer portal receiver? I’m just not sure. And it’s one of the reasons why the 2025 Longhorns are so intriguing. Who do you think is going to be the player or players Texas leans on the most for game-changing plays? I can’t give you a definitive ans…

Mark your calendars. In case you missed it, we reported yesterday that Texas is expected to start spring ball March 25, exactly one month from yesterday. The Longhorns get 15 practices in total. There will be a fan appreciation day on April 26 that is in conjunction with a baseball game against A&M at Disch-Falk. Athletic director Chris Del Conte will talk more about the fan appreciation day later this evening during his annual Texas athletics town hall program. ** CJ is covering the NFL combine for us this week. The DLs and Edges are talking to media today and workout tomorrow. I am speaking with NFL Draft expect Lance Zierlein…

When it comes to recruiting, it’s good to be Texas right now. With three weeks exactly until national signing day, the Longhorns have a lot of irons in the fire but without much overall concern elsewhere. In other words, Texas is in the enviable position of likely adding key pieces to the puzzle rather than just trying to hang on to what they’ve got. Sure, blue chip receiver Jamie Ffrench is visiting Florida this weekend with a teammate. But Ffrench also told the Texas staff ahead of time and remains firmly pledged to the Horns. Florida just doesn’t seem like a real concern. At the same time, the two official visitors to Texas this past weekend, corner…

When it comes to recruiting, each and every November, Steve Sarkisian seems to have a surprise or two in store for us. By continuing to pursue elite recruits even after being told no previously, the Texas coach seems to have a way to somehow insert the Longhorns into the final decision. Lewisville offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, a five star, is now a possibility. A month ago, he was all Sooners. Yesterday, Gerry Hamilton reported five star defensive back Kade Phillips, long thought lost to LSU, will be visiting Texas this weekend. Gerry also mentioned the possibility of Lufkin defensive tackle Zion Williams, himself an LSU commit, also contemplating …

We had Billy Liucci of TexAgs on the Livestream last night. I thought it was a good interview and good content overall. Luucci said one thing that really struck me and I hadn’t thought about much. In its first year returning, the Texas-A&M rivalry is THE rivalry game of the weekend, the only one with major stakes on the line. After all, Alabama-Auburn has no major impact on CFP or conference championship rankings. Not much is expected of Ohio State-Michigan either. So in year one back on the schedule, Texas-Texas A&M is THE game of the weekend. ** Kelvin Banks and Jahdae Barron are both up for national awards, the Outland an…

Sark tells his players to focus on getting better every day. If coaches are going to be listened to, they have to walk the walk themselves. And national signing day is a unique opportunity for coaches to make the team as a whole better. One thing we know for sure: each and every signing day, Sark and his staff have lived up to that bargain. Texas WILL get better today. Sark is ever pushing for Texas to take that next step. And like many of you, I’m here for it! ** I love the quality depth of this class. While there are some major standouts for sure, it’s the depth of talent that grabs my attention most. That’s how you build a team f…