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I have had some time to decompress from the beatdown in Big D over the weekend that involved the Texas Longhorns returning with the Golden Hat. We just witnessed the first meeting between both schools as part of the SEC, though if you watched the game you would have thought only one school had prepared for the last three years to enter the most physical and athletic conference in all of the sport. Texas was bigger, stronger, faster and more disciplined than Oklahoma. There was a noticeable difference in play in the trenches and the Longhorns from top to bottom just looked like a team more fit for the Southeastern Conference. But how did we get here? Bo…

Three weeks, three home games. Another game as the No. 1 team in the country and the beginning of a new era – SEC play is here! *** First Quarter Mississippi State is having success running the football so far, especially in the quarterback run game where the lead with the running back. Looks a bit like a service academy offense in an SEC jersey. Only two true drop backs from Miss State on the opening possession, one resulted in a QB run and the other was the QB getting blasted by Ethan Burke for an incompletion. First drop back from Arch Manning was a great pocket from the OL. A strong strike to Matthew Golden on a play where Manning’s eye…

This will take the place of the weekly Friday Roundup as tomorrow is a big day with Quinn Ewers, Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond and Jaydon Blue are set to meet with the media tomorrow in Indianapolis. Regardless, this is a big week back on campus as the coaching staff returned to seeing the players on the field for a couple of workouts. As a result of winter workouts and football activities continuing, I wanted to share some notes that I have picked up. *** – Starting with a position change. Ryan Niblett has been moved to safety. Originally, Niblett moved from wide receiver to running back, and now he has once again been moved, this time to the defensive …

My time at the 2025 Manning Passing Academy has come to a close, and while there are plenty of takeaways I want to get into over the next 24 hours about the field of quarterbacks, how could I not start with Arch Manning? First and foremost, a year ago when I first attended the MPA, there was a solid scrum of media members. Most of the media swarm hailed from Louisiana – New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, etc – local stations and nothing much else. That was not the case this year. Even with a pretty star-studded group of 2024 camp counselors, the number of media members was doubled. National media members made the trip to Thibodaux, as did a much larger Austi…

The latest from Austin, Texas. *** There remains several exit meetings with Steve Sarkisian, Brandon Harris and Texas players on Thursday. I can only imagine the Microsoft Office schedule for the Texas head coach and general manager won't have much time set away for Christmas shopping this week. I would expect news soon on a pair of decisions. OTF is monitoring a decision from TE Jack Endries regarding the NFL and a return to Austin. Additionally, a decision from RB Tre Wisner which includes all three avenues (NFL, Portal and a return). – Additionally, there remains no news until news is made on the portal front of Jadan Baugh. I have n…

The end of the college football regular season, college football playoff rankings, signing day... someone please tell me another sport that has so many important and various aspects culminating all within a week's timeframe. It doesn't exist, not in sports. It feels more like an extended celebration, more akin to Mardi Gras or Carnivál. And hey, the portal opens in four weeks, so there's more where this comes from. ** In the age of rev share, colleges are making difficult choices. Who to pay, how much to pay and why. That's not really surprising given the new world order. What is surprising is the different ways teams are choosing to do …

Recruiting: Where it stands on Thursday morning There are three "Hi's" from last weekend. That has not changed. And there remains the possibility of that number ending up four in time. OTF remains on commit watch, with multiple players. Percentages with OV's from last weekend... The percentages were on Monday and updated Wednesday. DL Marcus Fakatou, EDGE/DL, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran Visits scheduled: Oregon June 12-14, Notre Dame June 15-17 Gerry's percentage for Texas to win out on June 8: 49%, with Ohio State 51% Updated percentage for Texas to win out on June 10: 42%, with Ohio State 58% Kasi Currie, DL, Chatsworth (Calif.) S…

Each team takes on a brand new identity at the beginning of a season. More times than not, folks will have a brief understanding of what that identity will be by the beginning of spring. A year ago at this time, the identity of the 2024 Texas football team was expected to be around the veteran offensive line that returned four of five starters, a five-star running back that was entering year two and a third-year starter at quarterback. That nucleus was expected to be the strength of the Texas team that had to replace a lot on defense and find a brand new set of playmakers on the outside. As we begin our way-too-early look ahead to 2025, the offensive line is alm…

CJ Vogel did some nice work yesterday pointing out that Kentucky has done a very good job of not letting opponents get off to a fast start against them. In fact, even though the Wildcats have won just one league game so far this year, not a single league opponent has scored more than 7 points in the first quarter against them. Even Florida and South Carolina, the only two blowout losses for UK this year, scored 3 and 7 points in the first quarter, respectively. It’s something to watch for on Saturday. We can almost expect Texas to not get off to a fast start. That means it’s imperative not to make any mistakes in the meantime, not to turn the ball…

The media session on the first day of spring practice has concluded. I will be bringing you some notes from the defensive side of the ball, while our @Jeff Howe will discuss Arch Manning and the offense shortly. *** First and foremost, phenom early enrollee Justus Terry was limited today. I do not know the extent of the limitation, but he was off to the side to begin practice. Colton Vasek also was up on that field. *** Depth Charts on Day 1 First Team: EDGE Colin Simmons DL Hero Kanu DL Alex January EDGE Ethan Burke LB Anthony Hill Jr. LB Liona Lefua STAR Wardell Mack DB Michael Taaffe …

TEXAS COMMITS Smithson Valley QB Ty Knutson Katy LB Cade Haug Manvel DB Karnell “Greedy” James James has taken official visits to LSU and Notre Dame the previous two weekends before seeing Austin this weekend. The Longhorns like James as a nickel but Notre Dame and LSU seem to like him as a safety take. Despite other visits being taken, Texas has held on to the commitment since December and will have a chance to shut things down this weekend. NOLA Brother Martin WR Easton Royal Florida and LSU have been working to flip Royal off his Texas commitment since it was made in November but like James, the Longhorns have been able to hold on to Royal…

Best Class Scenario August 8: Continued quest for a fourth straight Top 5 Class The Texas Longhorns have 17 commitments following the commitment August 7 of wide receiver Kaliq Lockett. With the Lockett pledge, Texas has moved up into the top 12 ranked classes in the country with a number of targets set to decide in August. In the latest Best Class Scenario, OnTexasFootball looks at what a top 5 class could look like with a combination of the 26 prospects listed committing to build a class of 24 to 25. Reminder, there will be prospects added to this during the season - whether it's prospects committed elsewhere that come back into play or senior evals and offe…

Ten Things I learned from this Season *** Feel free to add some thoughts you had from this season as well. *** 10. Youth is an Excuse, But Not a Good One This was one of the biggest points that consistently popped up as the season progressed. And it was emphasized clearly by something I will expand on later with road games. Steve Sarkisian has mentioned several times just how young Texas was on the field this season. While true, it should not be an excuse. Sarkisian also mentions Georgia as a young team and I know Ohio State is someone that will be returning a strong chunk of their team next season even after an undefeated regular season. Everyone…

Note on 4-star++ Jalen Lott OnTexasFootball believes there is a shift in the recruitment of Jalen Lott (Frisco, Texas/Panther Creek) by the Texas staff. After Jalen Lott sat in on a wide receiver room meeting when on campus earlier in April, it became apparent the 5-foot-11.5, 170-pounder was very excited to be in the WR meeting with Chris Jackson and leaning toward wanting to play wide receiver. Lott is scheduled to speak with Steve Sarkisian today, and Sarkisian is expected to begin the recruitment as an offensive player first. OTF believes Texas and Oregon remain the top two for the Longhorns legacy. Jalen Lott OV's ... LSU May 30-June 2 …

Texas kicks off spring practice No. 1 at the Dennis Fields in 30 minutes at 9:00 am CST. We will have you updated with all of the ins and outs of practice ahead of the Texas Pro Day this afternoon. A quick thread of practice updates, as well as photos throughout the afternoon from Austin Texas. View full news story

Texas will practice again this evening and then tomorrow as well before taking a well deserved day off on Sunday. ** I’m told that dehydration has hit a couple of players pretty hard. It’s summer camp and it happens to a few just about every year. ** Ethan Burke was effusive in his praise for Travis Shaw yesterday in the post-practice interview session. I was a bit surprised by that because Shaw did not stand out much during the media viewing session. But I asked Burke specifically which interior defensive lineman that he’s lined up next to has impressed him and he singled out Shaw. Shaw, a former five star out of North Carolina, has str…

Criteria considered: All-American accolades, all-conference selections, statistical impact, team accomplishments, duration of time at Texas, legacy/impact on fans and program (fan recognition) and Rod’s individual discretion (departing transfers have been removed). Rod Babers’ All-Time DBU Rankings 1. Johnnie Johnson 2. Michael Huff 3. Jerry Gray 4. Jahdae Barron 5. Aaron Ross 6. Earl Thomas 7. Quentin Jammer 8. Nathan Vasher 9. Michael Griffin 10. DeShon Elliott 11. Lance Gunn 12. "The Sheriff" Stanley Richard 13. Kenny Vaccaro 14. Mossy Cade 15. Raymond Clayborn 16. Bobby Dillon 17…

As Texas works on filling out its top five 2025 class, there will be a number of big time 2026 prospects that make it down to campus over the next few weeks. A quick run down of 2026 prospects I could see in the class way too early. Remember Texas has three commitments in the 2026 class already – QB Dia Bell, WR Chris Stewart and DB Zelus Hicks. *** RB Javian Osborne – Forney (TX) High To the surprise of no one, Texas and Osborne have been linked with one another for quite some time since the RB position lost a commitment in the class over the summer. Osborne was on campus over the weekend for the UTSA game and watched the Longhorns in person against M…

Texas leading for seven top prospects? OnTexasFootball takes a look at prospects we believe the Longhorns lead for or have at least a 50-50 shot at headed into the huge visit weekend. The list begins with a pair of 2025's that would impact Texas chances at signing a top 2 ranked recruiting class December 4. Two 2025's that would ascend Texas to the No. 3 ranked class Michael Terry III, ATH, San Antonio (Texas) Alamo Heights OTF ranking: 4-star++ The OTF %: 75% Javion Hilson, EDGE, Cocoa (Fla.) High OTF ranking: 4-star++ The OTF %: Texas is considered the leader headed into the weekend unofficial visit for the Georgia game. 75% 2026 …

I briefly spoke with the nation’s No. 1 CB prospect John Meredith III after he made it home from his official visit. Here’s a quick recap in Meredith’s own words: JS: What was the highlight? JM3: “Everything. It felt good. Everything was really, really good, I enjoyed myself the most.” JS: Did you learn anything new or get to see anything new that you didn’t know about on your previous trips to Austin? JM3: “No, it just felt like home. Everything was new, I had a great time, me and coach O (Orphey) had a great connection, me and the boys had fun. I was just seeing stuff for what it was.” Meredith also told OTF he still intends to commit befor…

Hoops Report: Still one more roster addition expected Sean Miller and staff are awaiting the decision/announcement of one more player to be added to the 2025-26 roster. The most likely is a 6-foot-9 skilled international four man that is completing tournament play right now. A decision/announcement is expected in July, and then making the move to Austin in August. Lewis Obiorah update ... The 7-foot-1, 19 year old will not join the team until August. He is developmental player in year one. Completing the 2025-26 roster ... Texas has multiple scholarship spots remaining (up to 15), with one spot expected to be used for this season. It will be an intern…

My Wi-Fi went out in the middle of Coffee & Football this morning, but I still had a few things left to say. First, universities need to spare us of the idea that they are strapped for cash. It’s a complete charade. When Indiana fully guarantees a coach $11.6mm per year or when Penn State, Florida or Texas A&M agree to fire coaches with $50m+ guaranteed left on their contracts, the schools have the revenue and the money. They just need to share more of it with the players. The entire Indiana football team is allegedly getting $15m of the school’s revenue share allotment in 2025. So a coach at Indiana is supposedly worth as much as almost his en…

Thoughts & observations from Spring Practice 1 I'm going to open with the most important thought. My thoughts and observations from a 40 minute media viewing window in no way equal 2026 season wins and season results. So much more than just the talent on field creates the season the Texas fan base desires. The 1-85 roster talent is at an elite level, to be clear. And quite frankly, as it should be with Texas' position in the NIL world. With that said, there are some positions with less to prove as expected. Thoughts & observations from Monday ... Arch Manning clearly not 100%, as expected. He wasn't expected to be moving around like "athletic Ar…

The all-sport dominance by the University of Texas is truly something to behold… and cherish. With the comeback win last night, the Texas baseball team punched its ticket to Omaha. Texas has a chance to become the first school to ever win baseball and softball national titles in the same year. ** The baseball game didn’t end until about 11:30 last night. But the Horns made it worth staying up for. The finish included a two-out, bases-loaded, eighth-inning double from Adrian Rodriguez who knocked in two runs to give the Horns a 6-5 lead. Reliever Sam Cozart tossed the final two innings in dominating fashion, striking out four and never allowing an …

Monday afternoon recruiting nuggets The Texas Longhorns are coming off a weekend of seven official visitors, with many positive returns as expected. Steve Sarkisian and staff have a big couple of weeks ahead with a number of recruitments in the balance. OnTexasFootball provides some nuggets gathered in the last 12 hours. Nick Brooks, OT, Cedar Rapids (Ia.) John F. Kennedy High The OnTexasFootball 4-star offensive tackle is fresh off an OV to USC, and gave the visit high marks as expected. This weekend the 6-7, 345 pound road grater will make his official visit to Texas with his mom and little sister. The Longhorns are a serious contender in thi…