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For the first time in 42 days, the Texas Longhorns are playing football in Austin, Texas. I, for one, love it. 1st Quarter Arch Manning is on the field for the Horns to start the contest. WOW. Ryan Wingo takes the swing screen and goes 75-yards to the crib! It’s the exact same play Texas gained 60 yards on vs. Mississippi State a week ago on its first play of the game. Now, it goes the distance. What a start. Goodness! This game could not start any better for Texas. Colin Simmons gets straight to Pavia and forces a fumble. Longhorns are back in business on the Vandy 27. What a play for the star edge rusher. Some trickery for the Longhorns e…

Arch Manning is expected to start, according to published reports. Just a week after suffering a concussion in overtime against Mississippi State, the redshirt sophomore quarterback was removed entirely from the SEC injury report last night. Only safety Michael Taaffe remains on the list and is termed “doubtful”. While Manning’s return is welcome news, it also brings up a couple of questions about his play in this contest: 1. How likely is he to run in this game? Manning’s legs have been key in multiple situations this year, especially in the red zone. He’s also been an effective scrambler at times. 2. How likely is he to stand in there against the bli…

Latest Update on Arch Manning *** Pete Nakos of On3 has reported that QB Arch Manning is a game-time decision for Saturday's contest vs. Vanderbilt. I can confirm that report. In a thread on Thursday, an OTF OG lofted out an estimation of 70% likeliness that Arch Manning plays. I think that number is in the ballpark, and perhaps even a couple of percentage points low based off of intel provided throughout the week. Still, Manning must clear the protocol completely – that is what today is for. Over the last two days, Manning has increased his participation in Texas' practice and preparations for Vanderbilt. Again, a full clearance must be give…

No Arch Manning on the SEC Availability Report. Cole Hutson is also not mentioned. Michael Taaffe is DOUBTFUL, however. View full news story

With Cole Hutson upgraded to probable, Texas should be healthy across the O-line for the Vandy game tomorrow. The only question is, will Hutson’s return push out Connor Robertson who has started the past couple of games at center, or does Texas move Hutson to a spot at left guard and that in turn move out either Connor Stroh or Nick Brooks? While Stroh and Brooks have given it their best shot, it seems like both have had their issues at guard to date. Perhaps it’d be smarter to get three seniors by class (Hutson, Robertson and DJ Campbell) on the interior. It might minimize some of the assignment busts we’ve seen this year. ** Both Arch Manning and Mic…

Hoops Recruiting: Texas continues to trend positively The Texas Longhorns have one commitment in the fold in the 2026 class in 4-star++ SG Bo Ogden (Austin/Westlake). Sean Miller and staff will spend up to four spots in the 2026 class. One of those spots would be used as a developmental piece with the change to having 15 scholarships on an annual basis. 4-star decision Thursday ... Four-star SG Joe Sterling (Studio City, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) is announcing his commitment Thursday. OTF places the odds for Texas at 80% headed into decision day. Sterling made OV's to Texas, Washington State, UC-Santa Barbara, New Mexico and Northern Iowa in the last few…

BOOM: 4-star SG Joe Sterling commits to Texas! Four-star SG Joe Sterling (Studio City, Calif./Harvard-Westlake) has committed to the Texas Longhorns. The 6-foot-3.5 sharp-shooter becomes the second commitment in the 2026 class, joining fellow sharp-shooter and 6-foot-5.5 4-star++ guard Bo Ogden (Austin/Westlake). Sterling made official visits to Texas, Washington State, UC-Santa Barbara, New Mexico and Northern Iowa prior to announcing for the Longhorns. His offer list also includes Washington, South Florida, San Francisco, Grand Canyon, Colorado State and Pepperdine. The scorer with 28 foot range is seen as a developmental prospect that has an elit…

No. 10 Vanderbilt at No. 22 Texas Game Week Thread: 11am on ABC Here we go. Big, big, big one in Austin. The game... When: 11am TV: ABC View full news story

Visitor list: No. 20 Texas vs. No. 9 Vanderbilt We will be adding to the visitor list all week leading up to the 11am kick on ABC Saturday. Official visits ... Karon Maycock, LB, Miami (Fla.) Central 2026 UOV … Toray Davis, DB, Boulder (Co.) Fairview - Made OV to Washington last weekend. 2026 commits ... Jermaine Bishop Jr., WR/CB, Willis (Texas) High #AllGasNoBrakes Hayward Howard Jr., DB, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr #AllGasNoBrakes Nicolas Robertson, IOL, Klein (Texas) High #AllGasNoBrakes Chris Stewart, WR, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek #AllGasNoBrakes John Turntine III, OT, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley #…

Latest Update on the Texas-Vanderbilt Availability Report *** The most recent Injury Report has dropped from the SEC. QB Arch Manning and DB Michael Taaffe remain QUESTIONABLE. Cole Hutson and Lance Jackson are upgraded to probable. A positive sign. View full news story

Steve Sarkisian Thursday Availability One final meeting with the Texas head coach ahead of the Longhorns' meeting with No. 9 ranked Vanderbilt in DKR on Saturday. Updates on availabilities to Arch Manning and Michael Taaffe, as well as Cole Hutson and Lance Jackson. Notes and quotes will come below. View full news story

Rather than labeling Arch Manning, Michael Taaffe and Cole Hutson as “doubtful” or “out”, Sark chose to go the same route with all of them - “questionable”. The designation leaves all of us guessing. Including the Vanderbilt staff. Sark also relayed that Manning practiced on Wednesday which means he is progressing through the concussion protocol timeline cleanly. Theoretically, Manning could return to full padded practice today, if his symptoms do not reoccur. We also know that Taaffe practiced in a green jersey on Tuesday and Hutson is attempting to return for the Vandy game. Perhaps Texas could get all three starters to return in time for this w…

Practice Updates on Arch Manning and Michael Taaffe *** – I have been told that Texas is doing whatever they can to get QB Arch Manning cleared and on the field for this weekend's game against Vanderbilt. Manning has been present at practice leading up to Wednesday, but mostly as a spectator. However, on Wednesday, Manning's participation increased. – DB Michael Taaffe was active on the practice field Wednesday in a green, non-contact jersey. There is no guarantee that Taaffe sees the field, but if there is anything that I know about Taaffe having covered him for multiple years now, he will do anything possible to get on the field. The catc…

The Wednesday evening SEC Availability Report has been released. A great looking report for the Horns. No one is declared OUT. Arch Manning, Cole Hutson, Michael Taaffe are all listed as QUESTIONABLE. As is Lance Jackson. No mention of DJ Campbell is a great sign too. View full news story

Recruiting: 2026 Big Board headed into November Steve Sarkisian and staff continue to chip away at a number of prospects committed elsewhere headed into November. The staff still has a need at linebacker, offensive tackle and defensive back for sure, and would welcome the flip of an elite wide receiver, defensive tackle or EDGE. OTF takes a look at the current big board headed into November. Wide receiver ... Jalen Lott, WR, Frisco (Texas) Panther Creek - *Oregon commit OTF ranking: 4-star++ What matters: This will be Texas should Lott decide staying close to home is the deciding factor. Texas' top high school WR target remaining. Jabari Mack,…

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…

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…

Even though this isn’t how any of us pictured it, the Longhorns are now sitting at 6-2 and preparing to host top ten Vanderbilt. Everything Texas wanted to accomplish in the pre-season remains a possibility. ** Football is a very cut and dry sport, especially when it comes to chasing championships. Either you win or you don’t. How the Longhorns prevailed in that 17-point fourth-quarter comeback is not nearly as important as the fact that they prevailed, period. There’s something special about doing that. Learning to win on the road, against all odds, never giving in, those are traits every single Texas player can carry forward from this game.…

OTF can confirm reports of Manning being treated for a concussion. Manning was quickly escorted to the locker room following the game and was not made available for post game availabilities following a gnarly hit he took on the first play of overtime. More tests and treatment to come tomorrow. Steve Sarkisian said in the post game press conference, “We'll have an update for you Monday." View full news story

Recruiting Coaching carousel 2026 targets The Texas staff is buys working the phones on a number of prospects in the 2026 cycle that have been impacted by the coaching carousel. OnTexasFootball takes a look at who some of the top targets will be. The early list ... Richard Anderson, DL, New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr - Make no mistake, the LSU defensive line commit is at the top of any position for the Longhorns. Texas has been in contact all season, and he's arguably the best DL prospect in the country. Texas will try to get him on campus in November, but so will many others. Micah Smith, OT, Vero Beach (Fla.) High - The UCLA commit has already b…

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian will speak with the media Monday morning for his weekly press conference. The Longhorns are coming off of their 2nd consecutive overtime win and turn their attention towards Top 10 Vanderbilt. An update on Arch Manning will come today from Sarkisian as well. Notes and quotes in the comments down below. View full news story

Following the article published in The Athletic this morning stating that Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is looking for a job in the NFL, I received the following comment: "Zero truth to that," an internal source said of the report. Another internal source said Sark's agent could be pushing a narrative for multiple reasons, including those of other coaches and teams who already have a vacancy. While no one should be naive enough to believe that something like this could not occur at Texas or anywhere else, I think the timing of the news is extremely curious. It comes the morning of a must-win away game. It comes the week after a coach's worst offensive pe…

Either they are or they aren’t. Texas is either good enough as a team to go into Starkville today and beat Mississippi State or they aren’t. Yes, Texas has been less than stellar this year. The offense is a clear work in progress that seems to have regressed more recently. Whether that’s on the O-line, the QB, or the play-caller, it’s irrelevant. The defense and special teams have largely carried the team to a 5-2 record. Furthermore, Mississippi State is no longer the worst team in the conference, even though they’ve lost 15 consecutive conference contests. They beat Arizona State in Starkville earlier this year and took Tennessee to overtime as well. They…

Taking a look at the offensive and defensive snap counts for the Texas Longhorns in their OT win over Mississippi State. *** Defensive Snap Counts Out of 88 possible snaps. 88 – Malik Muhammad 84 – Jelani McDonald 79 – Jaylon Guilbeau 75 – Anthony Hill Jr. 72 – Graceson Littleton 68 – Colin Simmons 63 – Xavier Filsaime 55 – Hero Kanu 53 – Ethan Burke 51 – Liona Lefua 46 – Alex January 38 – TyAnthony Smith 30 – Maraad Watson 29 – Derek Williams Jr. 26 – Trey Moore 25 – Lance Jackson 13 – Brad Spence 9 – Lavon Johnson 8 – Zina Umeozulu, Warren R…

I try not to be reactionary. I really do. Since starting On Texas Football, I have attempted to approach covering the team with a level-headedness that speaks to my long experience in this business. I try to be the voice of reason when so many sites are focused on click bait headlines or pointless b.s. debates. But something happened yesterday that Steve Sarkisian appropriately called out in his post-game press conference and I want to address it. The Athletic article, which reported Steve Sarkisian is putting his name out there to NFL teams, spread like wildfire across the internet and onto television airwaves. We posted it on our message board a…