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Josiah Vilmael: Friday decision The recruitment of speedy Fort Bend Travis defensive back Josiah Vilmael will come to an end Friday, per Vilmael. OnTexasFootball can report that Texas would accept a commitment from the 6-0.5, 175-pounder with 10.6 100 meter wheels. That does not mean the Longhorns will win out, however. Vilmael and Texas have been far apart from an NIL perspective, as of Wednesday. Even if Vilmael's NIL wants aren't met, Baylor, Arizona State or Arizona could come closer than Texas is willing to. View full news story

Former LSU DL Zion Williams Commits to Texas *** Texas continues momentum on Thursday morning! This time, it comes in the form of former LSU defensive lineman Zion Williams committing to the Texas Longhorns. The former Lufkin star entered the portal earlier in the week with a Do Not Contact designation to his portal entry and immediately appeared on campus in Austin. The Longhorns were one of the heavy contenders for Williams coming out of high school, though fell short due to the connection to Bo Davis from Williams' side. However, after just one year on campus in Baton Rouge, Texas ends up signing Williams to become a Longhorn. In 2025, Wil…

Every so often, I’m going to write a column called Things I Heard. It says what it means. These are things I heard yesterday. ** - Cam Coleman looks unbelievable physically. - Michael Masunas is expected to be by far the best blocking TE Sark has had in Austin. Look for the Horns to utilize that. - There is “no doubt” that the RB room has taken a significant step forward. Hollywood Smothers really legit. Derrek Cooper is working with purpose. - Impressed with the work ethic of Rasheem Biles on defense. - “Very high” on Bo Mascoe. - Jordan Coleman looks ready to compete for a starting spot somewhere, especially if Laurence Seymore do…

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…

Yesterday’s media availability was somewhat typical for Steve Sarkisian. He was cordial and thoughtful. But I felt like there was a sense of focus there, too. The Texas coach thinks he’s got his guys prepared. Yet when asked whether he thought this was a championship caliber club, he said he didn’t know. He said that they had to go out there and prove it. And that sums up my feelings, too. We’ve chronicled all off season just how talented this Texas squad is, from top to bottom. From a number one ranked class to the return of difference makers like Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill, to the debut of Arch Manning. Sark and his coaching and personnel staff h…

If you've followed along, you know the general vibe of each of these recruitments and how we've felt. But for the sake of formality, here's a five-pack of Trending Texas predictions. Amarillo (Texas) Palo Duro WR Kyron Brown — 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday When Texas offered Brown earlier this month after a strong camp performance, the Longhorns became the team to beat over Kansas State and Mississippi State among others. His official visit only solidified that stance. We like Texas on Tuesday. Confidence: High Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson S Junior Tu’upo — Friday, June 26 Entering the summer OTF reported that Texas was trending for Tu’upo behind the …

SEC Hoops: Texas at Georgia Game Thread Texas (17-9, 8-5) is on a five game winning streak in SEC play, but will now enter the toughest four game stretch of the season due to what's on the line. First up, is a trip to the Peach State to take on 18-8 (6-7 in SEC) Georgia. The Bulldogs are coming off an upset win at Kentucky, which stopped a skid of losing five of the last six games. The bottom line for the Longhorns is clear. Texas has to win one more game to be a near lock to be in the Field of 68 headed into the SEC Tournament. For the SEC Tournament to not matter, Texas has to win two more games and get to 10-8. That would make a Texas a 100% lock, and likely …

Tuesday Morning Recruiting Nuggets The Texas Longhorns are scheduled to host two very key visitors this weekend. Four-star++ safety commit Zelus Hicks (Carrollton, Ga./High) and 5-star Oklahoma offensive tackle verbal Michael Fasusi (Lewisville, Texas/High). IMG Academy linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng is also scheduled to be on campus. This morning, OTF is very close to adding a fourth key visitor to for the Kentucky game (more below), but the flip should be considered a very long shot. OnTexasFootball takes a look at where Texas stands with a number of targets remaining headed into Tuesday. Texas in best position for ... Michael Terry III, …

Arizona CB transfer Tacario Davis: What to know The news of starting cornerback Terrance Brooks hitting the transfer portal sent shock waves through the Texas fans base Tuesday. With the news officially out, OnTexasFootball provides a rundown of the top cornerback name to know in the NCAA Transfer Portal. Tacario Davis File High school: Long Beach (Calif.) Millikan Height: 6-3.5 Weight: 195 Recruitment: Chose Arizona over offers from Arizona State and Kansas as a three-star prospect in the 2022 cycle. Career at Arizona Davis appeared in five games as a freshman in 2022. He went on to start 11 of 13 games as a sophomore in 2023. He le…

Handful of Summer Team Notes **** The Longhorns have been on the field for about a week and a half for summer conditioning. We will learn much more as the month of June progresses, but a couple of things that have stood out to me in conversations recently surrounding the team: -- – The first returns on Western Kentucky OL Laurence Seymore are positive. Seymore has arrived hungry and ready to work. So far, all things have pointed in the right direction to be the contributor Texas hopes he will be from an on-field perspective. I will add this: one source I spoke to mentioned the height and size of Seymore as a surprise. Though he was listed at 6–2 o…

In what is believed to be a last-ditch effort to retain his eligibility, Texas Tech quarterback transfer Brendan Sorsby announced yesterday that he had retained noted lawyer Jeffrey Kessler in hopes of negotiating a settlement with the NCAA over his alleged gambling history. This move won’t be taken lightly by the NCAA. Kessler was the primary counsel for the plaintiffs in the historic House v NCAA case that ushered in the NIL revenue share era. But his success against the NCAA pre-dates even that litigation. The NCAA has quaked in its boots every time Kessler’s name is attached to a lawsuit, and it all started with a case he won for millions of dollars on …

Texas coaches are actually on the road in the Metroplex today visiting high schools. However, it’s not the coaches you would typically think. Gerry Hamilton ran into player personnel director John Michael Jones and director of high school relations Jamal Fenner at North Crowley right as Gerry was leaving earlier today. The Horns’ normal coaching staff is focused on the game this Friday, while the support staff and personnel department are on the road recruiting.

Five 5-star's headline OTF final 2025 rankings OnTexasFootball spent the entire 2024 season watching, studying, seeing in person and taking in all information on members of the Texas Longhorns No. 1 ranked recruiting class. While OTF is not going to rank a top 100 national overall, top 300 and so on ... two decades plus in the business continue to help identify and formulate a range of where a prospect would be ranked. Rankings are never going to be an exact science with so many variables, but through miles on the road and experience there is the ability to build out a ranking for individual prospects. The 2025 class has as much top end depth as any I hav…

It's time!!!: Path to the No. 1 recruiting class now in play All you guys and gals have been waiting on this story, and now you've got it! The Texas Longhorns officially have a path to the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in the 2025 cycle. With the news that Oklahoma 5-star OT verbal Michael Fasusi and current LSU verbal Kade Phillips are scheduled to visit this weekend, the Longhorns have a clear path to challenge for the top class for the first time since the 2002 cycle. Texas currently sits at 23 commitments with a signing class of 29 now in play. OnTexasFootball provides the path to the No. 1 class: Texas currently sits at No. 4/5 Texas is c…

There are only two recruits in the class of 2025 who are currently uncommitted that Texas continues to pursue: San Antonio Alamo Heights athlete Michael Terry and linebacker Madden Faraimo from Southern California. The rest are all currently committed elsewhere. So let’s talk about “the rest” for a second… Just three weeks ago, Texas had solid recruiting momentum, the snowball was definitely rolling downhill but it wasn’t overwhelming. But right now, I’m here to tell everyone that that snowball has become an absolute avalanche behind the scenes. Recruits are calling Texas, including a couple of national prospects on no one’s radar. Recruits are in…

Based on what we’ve seen in the first three games of this year, the Texas football season appears at a crossroads. I didn’t think we’d possibly arrive here until after the Florida game or perhaps after Oklahoma. Yet the outright dysfunction of the offense has accelerated the timeline. The quarterback is not throwing on time - or accurately - often enough. At times, he looks bewildered and/or overmatched. The running game lacks any real punch. And playmakers - where are they and do the Longhorns actually have any? As a whole, the offense appears to lack an identity, unable to impose its will even on lesser opponents. If that sounds a little harsh or ove…

Texas OV weekend Intel: Part II The Texas Longhorns had a positive OV weekend from talking to multiple sources, as expected. Here is rundown of what I heard about the weekend. Jalen Brewster, DL, Cedar Hill (Texas) High One source said Texas will stay in the fight for the 5-star defensive tackle, because the staff believes there is a fight. LSU and Florida are expected to push for the Texas Tech pledge, too. There is also the question if the 6-3, 300-pounder truly wants to play at Texas Tech. There is more at play than just the prospect’s opinion, but the level of the SEC is inviting. Texas currently feels like they are in the fight. Brewster gave Texas the i…

Recruiting notes: Lunchtime juice This will go down extremely well with your Chick-Fil-A nuggets and waffle fries. Marcus Fakatou The Sierra Canyon 4-star++ DL is an “all in” recruit for Texas. One source feels like Texas and Ohio State are top two, with the negative for Ohio State being Larry Johnson is very long in the tooth and could retire after the 2026 season. There is more confidence in the Texas side this week. Oregon and Notre Dame are also key players. Kasi Currie The Texas staff loved his movement skills last week in person. Is seen as a 3i disruptor type, that can also play over the ball at times. Texas is right in the mix, but t…

While responding to a fan at the Houston Touchdown Club, Steve Sarkisian gruffed about the non-conference schedule and conference schedule of an unnamed college football team in the state of Texas. While Sark didn’t actually name the team, the assumption is that he was talking about Texas Tech. Sark said the 2s and 3s at Texas might compete for that conference championship and possibly make the College Football Playoff along the way. Of course, national folks were quick to call Sark out for that comment. But then I look at Texas Tech’s non-conference schedule and I see: - Abilene Christian - Sam Houston - Oregon State Yep, I’m prett…

Texas has hired Josh Brunson away from Memphis, according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Brunson was the director of recruiting at Memphis. Brunson is said to have strong ties to the state of Georgia. Brandon Harris is the general manager for Texas. He was elevated to that position from Director of Recruiting by Steve Sarkisian in January of 2024. Harris received a sizable raise and extension from Sarkisian just last month. Other key off-field personnel for the Horns include Chris Gilbert, special assistant to the head coach, John Michael Jones, director of player personnel, and Taylor Searels, director of recruiting.

This isn't shocking news, but I was told today not to expect Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte to make any public comments regarding the status of men's basketball coach Rodney Terry until after the 2024-25 season is complete. Again, not an earth-shattering update by any stretch, but don't hold your breath waiting for CDC to address RT's job security publicly.

UCLA DL Jay Toia has announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal. Our sources say Texas will be interested here. Toia started all 12 games for UCLA a year ago, racking up 28 combined tackles and a sack. Toia played 359 snaps a year ago for the Bruins, with 139 of those snaps coming inside the A-gap. The former UCLA lineman lined up 185 times at the B-gap as well. This will be a name to keep an eye on as Texas continues its search for an additional interior defensive lineman. View full news story

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…

Here’s some news and notes I’ve picked up over the weekend regarding multiple sports on the Forty Acres. Football: - I was told yesterday that transfer QB Matthew Caldwell has been better than expected and has turned some heads. Obviously he’s not going to be a starter, but he will provide quality depth at the position. - As @Bobby Burton posted in his Sunday article, Texas could be the favorite for elite Fort Lauderde, Fla. running back Derrek Cooper. I was told yesterday that Miami is now running a distant second… and that distance continues to grow. The Hurricanes will continue to ‘recruit through the whistle’ when it comes to Cooper, but they believe …

Texas should be a much better team in 2026 than 2025. We all believe that. But that expected improvement is not rare among the teams in the SEC hoping to win a conference championship. Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, and LSU all believe they will be significantly improved, and for good reason. OU, for example, believes it has upgraded its offensive line, its run game and its tight end position, not to mention having a second-year starter at quarterback. Remember, the Sooners made the playoffs with a below average offense last season. What can they do with a better one this year? Georgia gets Gunnar Stockton back for another year at QB and believes the run …