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TCU transfer defensive lineman Damonic Williams has announced his commitment to Oklahoma. Williams had a final four of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and LSU and visited all four prior to making his decision Thursday evening. Williams’ final visit was wrapped Wednesday afternoon in Baton Rouge, and the Longhorns got one final crack with him late Wednesday evening. Oklahoma and Todd Bates spent the morning with Williams Thursday to begin the day and ultimately said the right words to win the recruitment. View full news story

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…

We’ve mentioned multiple times over the last couple of weeks how Texas, its coaches and personnel staff, are meeting with players (and sometimes their agents as well) prior to next semester. The topics of discussion hinge around plans for next year for the player and then can proceed to NIL. The important point I am trying to make here is that it is not as simple as a single conversation. It is a longer process than many might assume and one that encompasses multiple aspects of a player’s (and the team’s) future. That’s why we are still hearing about and awaiting the decisions of several players who might return, who might go pro or who might opt to enter t…

Texas closed out week one of practice yesterday. They take the day off today and get back at it on Monday. ** I am told each practice consistently became more and more physical as the week progressed. Yesterday’s practice included some red zone drills and 11v11 situationals, as well a large amount of seven on seven work. ** Arch Manning has shown a strong command of the offense. The thought processes and mentality seem to be where the coaches want it. CJ Baxter and James Simon also received some plaudits for their work yesterday. ** The defense is said to have had a tremendous night. One reason is turnovers. At least thus far i…

Rule no. 1 of business. Never stop improving, ever. ** OTF is proud to announce that we are adding new voices to the channel and the site for the 2025 football season while simultaneously expanding the current roles of several key contributors. Please join me in welcoming former Longhorn players Marcus Myers and Will Matthews to our weekly programming. Will, who is the sideline analyst for the Longhorn Radio Network, is joining us every Thursday morning to talk about the upcoming game. Marcus will be joining the crew twice a week, including the Thursday Night Livestream with Rod and Coach Bob Shipley. I’m happy and proud to say that that brings us to s…

We’ll find out in about 45 minutes whether the Horns have been led down a primrose path and/or misled. Anything can happen. I would add this. Ojo visited Tech before the House Settlement. I don’t know if that has any bearing on this decision, or if it does, how it might. View full news story

Steve Sarkisian National Signing Day Press Conference *** Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is meeting with the media following the first day of National Signing Day. The Longhorns – for now – have inked 23 signees and continue to position themselves to add to the class and to turn focus for the transfer portal. Sarkisian's 2026 class currently sits 8th in the country at the moment. Will have notes and quotes in the comments down below as we get underway. View full news story

Jack Bouwmeester joined OTF last night for a quick interview. Couple of interesting points: - He’s not just a portal transfer. He’s actually a grad transfer, recently earning his degree at Utah. And he has two years left of eligibility because of Covid. He’s moving to Austin in early January. - In his media availability yesterday, Steve Sarkisian commented about Bouwmeester’s obvious traits, like yards per punt and hang time. But Sark also made sure to mention Bouwmeester’s ability to pin opponents deep, and that’s something Bouwmeester expressed a lot of confidence in. - Last but not least, as I listened to Bouwmeester last night, it struck me ju…

Today’s scrimmage in DKR is set to begin at 9:45am. Parents are invited to attend and there will be a family BBQ following the scrimmage with parents, players, coaches and admin. ** As for injuries outside of Cedric Baxter… Michael Taffe has sported a green non-contact jersey all camp. Texas coaches are also closely limiting transfer defensive tackle Jermayne Lole and his number of snaps. The Horns are executing a plan where Lole will be completely available by game one but not taking too much risk in the interim. Connor Stroh had been participating full-go in just about every other practice during the first week of fall camp. He is expected …

If you went to bed early on Thursday night, you missed some recruiting fireworks. Coming out of staff recruiting meetings held on Thursday, the Longhorns decided to offer three new high school recruits: TE Charlie Jilek of Portage, Mich. (previously committed to Minnesota) RB Jett Walker of Georgetown (committed to Minnesota) OL Kaden Scherer (committed to Stanford) Jilek committed to Texas last night. He, along with Walker and Scherer, are slated to visit the Longhorns on the weekend of the Arkansas game. While the offers may look sudden, they actually are not. The Texas personnel staff has been evaluating players across the country for mont…

BOOM! Texas has landed another commitment, this time from Dallas South Oak Cliff offensive tackle Brian Swanson. At 6-foot-5.5, 305 pounds, Swanson chose the Longhorns over Oklahoma and SMU amongst three dozen other offers. The State Champion offensive tackle gave the good news to the Texas staff on his official visit before going public with the decision on Wednesday. OTF caught up with Swanson on Monday morning to hear his thoughts on why he committed to the Longhorns. “I chose Texas because it felt like home and I believe they can develop me into the best offensive lineman I can be. The relationship with all the coaches was big for me. They ma…

Playoffs? Playoffs?: Texas' path at 9-3 The first College Football Playoff ranking for 2025 will be released Tuesday. A 10-2 Texas team is a cinch, obviously. So let's look at what would be Texas' path at 9-3 to be part of the 2025 CFP. First, the how Texas gets to 9-3 and best way to get in at 9-3. The best scenario ... Loss at Georgia (playoff team), win against Arkansas and beat an 11-0 Texas A&M ranked No. 3 to end regular season. That would give Texas it's best win, when it matters most. To be clear, either winning at Georgia or Texas A&M could be enough dependent on factors below. But you never want to lose your final regular season game a…

Some early returns through two days of practice based on what I've been told. - If you're asking if any true freshmen are standing out through the first two days, I'm told there are several. "The depth" of the freshman class is "elite" was the first thing passed on to me. But, individually, there is one freshman who is really doing some nice things very early. According to a source, Kade Phillips, the cornerback from Greater Houston, is showing some truly elite signs just two practices into spring ball. I'm told it's not just his length and make-up speed, but some intangibles as well. I know it's early, but Texas may have caught lightning in a bottle. …

An updated look at defensive line recruiting The Texas Longhorns made three new offers on the defensive line since the start of the 2024 season. And a fourth could be on the way, this time inside the state line. Kenny Baker continues to eye three or four high school defensive line prospects in the 2025 cycle. The Longhorns have one commitment, and it's a huge on in Josiah Sharma. Texas remains in the mix for a potential flip or two as well. OnTexasFootball takes a look at defensive line board with the three new offers in the Atlanta area extended, and Malcolm Simpson entering the picture for Texas. Commitment (1) Josiah Sharma, DL, Folsom (Cali…

It is January 17, but it is never too early to look ahead for 2025. I have given my best guess for what the starting 22 will look like for the Texas Longhorns when they travel to Columbus to face off against Ohio State week one. *** Offense Starting with the offensive side of the ball. – It is a no-brainer at a couple of positions. Manning, Wingo, Moore and Campbell all return with legitimate starting experience and have a position locked in for next fall. – The RB spot is in flux depending on whether or not Baxter gets full recovery. Texas will have plenty of bodies in the running back room for 2025, but will they have the guy? That's …

This could end up being of no consequence but I am told that Maryland defensive lineman Lavon Johnson has not signed with North Carolina to this point. Could very well end up being true and is still likely headed in that direction.

Some injury news… - We expect Tre Wisner, Parker Livingstone and Manny Muhammad to be able to go on Saturday. - There was an injury to a different player that was sustained against Florida that was cause for a level of concern during Tuesday’s practice. We’ll see what that means later today following the Longhorns’ morning practice and whether or not it is revealed by Steve Sarkisian in the first injury report that comes out later this evening. ** In recruiting news, I am told that Dre Quinn, the defensive end from Atlanta who originally committed to Clemson during the summer then de-committed two weeks ago, is close to pledging to Ohio State foll…

Texas is currently on a four-game win streak. That's tied with Georgia for the third longest current win-streak in the league behind only A&M and Alabama. During that streak, we've seen a team that is maturing, especially on offense. And we've seen a team that is consistently showing a spine when times get tough. No, the journey hasn't been perfect, including Saturday's win over Vandy. But no team's season has been. Georgia has been tied or behind in five of their six conference games going into halftime. Alabama put up a stinker versus a hapless Florida State to start the year. A&M won by three in Fayetteville against a Razorback squad who remains …

Recruiting: Where things stand The majority of the Texas staff has wrapped up the spring evaluation period that allow for two in-person evaluations/in-home meetings. The staff is expected to take a few days off next week prior to the hectic month of June that will be centered around official visits and two Elite Camps for 2027 and 2028 prospects. With the staff's work in May done, OnTexasFootball takes a look at where things stand after talking to a number of sources throughout this week. The current class ... The Longhorns are sitting at eight commitments, headlined by 5-star QB Dia Bell and 4-star++ do it all playmaker Jermaine Bishop Jr. S…

The portal juice: Big game hunting The Texas Longhorns are big game hunting, or deep sea fishing as Steve Sarkisian once referenced in an interview. This morning, OnTexasFootball gives a rundown of the Longhorns efforts in the transfer portal. Joy Toia, DL, Inglewood (Calif.) Grace Brethren - *UCLA transfer Toia and family members made a visit over the weekend to Texas. By all accounts, the visit was a big success for Sarkisian, Kenny Baker and Johnny Nansen. Toia, 6-1 and 325 pounds, is considered a considerable Texas lean by OnTexasFootball. A decision without another visit is on the table. OTF percentage: 80% Damonic Williams, DL,…

Someone told me yesterday that Texas might be getting a couple of recruiting commitments over the next few days, not just one. We’ll see if that holds true. ** The Horns, of course, are hoping for a pledge from Libertyville, Ill., tight end Brock Williams on Friday. Williams is slated to announce his decision on the Pat McAfee show at 12:15 CT. Williams totaled 44 catches for 596 yards and 13 TDs in just 10 games as a junior. At 6-foot-4, he also returned a kick and punt for touchdowns. Texas already has a pledge from another TE, JT Geraci from New Jersey. Geraci projects as more of an inline TE long-term while Williams is a flex-guy. **…

Four Tuesday recruiting notes There was some very positive movement on the recruiting trail on Monday, including Mark Orphey making his second offer at Texas. OnTexasFootball takes a look at the latest on the recruiting trail. Another new cornerback offer ... Texas corners coach Mark Orphey extended an offer to fast rising 2026 corner Camren Hamiel (Goodyear, Az./Desert Edge) Monday night. The 6-foot, 175-pound corner caught Texas' eye due to his elite closing speed and reactions, along with his physicality. Texas is expected to get Hamiel on campus this spring, and likely an OV in June. Hamiel currently has an OV set to Arizona State the first weeke…

Texas will host San Jose State CB Jayvion Cole for a visit Thursday he confirms with OTF. Cole tells me the trip to Austin will be his first visit since entering the portal Monday afternoon. Auburn is another team that is expected to receive a visit, though no date has been set at the moment. Cole also mentioned he is unsure if he will visit Michigan State, despite receiving an offer from the Spartans this morning. Cole saw 672 snaps last year for SJSU where he allowed 22 receptions on 48 targets for a 45.8% completion percentage. The 5-foot-11 cornerback also hauled in three interceptions and allowed just one touchdown on the season. View full news s…

What's Next in the Texas RB Room *** The news of Tre Wisner's portal entrance was unfortunate for me. Wisner was one of the first recruits I covered from the very beginning of his recruitment. Before Texas offered, I had made several stops to Connally to see him. When Texas got involved, I was up there even more. He grew into a heck of a player and ultimately a fan-favorite during his time on the 40. And he did so by hard work and relentless effort. – Looking towards this week, the Texas RB room will essentially be brand new. There is no Wisner, CJ Baxter or Jerrick Gibson. By the way, those were the three leading rushers for the team in…

Recruiting: The latest No major changes on the recruiting front in regard to the two remaining targets with decisions on deck. Davon Benjamin … OTF continues to believe Oregon is the leader (as of Thursday evening) ahead of Saturday’s announcement. Michigan and Texas are fighting, and the Longhorns are completely all in with the attempt. Washington and North Carolina round out the final five. Jake Kreul … OTF continues to hear more Texas chatter, as do people at IMG Academy. Oklahoma and Ole Miss round out the final three. View full news story