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On Texas Football coverage of SEC Media Days is brought to you by Vonlane, Flat Creek Estate Winery, Advanced Pain Care and South Point Dodge. * The OTF crew is at the College Football Hall of Fame for day two of 2025 SEC Media Days. View full news story

In the words of Bobby Burton, "BOOM!" Add five more stars to the 2026 Texas recruiting class! Five-star Grayson (Ga.) LB Tyler Atkinson has committed to the Texas Longhorns! What a win on the recruiting trail for the Texas staff. In one of the most highly coveted recruitments of the 2026 cycle, Steve Sarkisian, Johnny Nansen, Pete Kwiatkowski and the Texas staff come out on top for the 6-foot-2.5-inch, 220-pound linebacker. Atkinson is a MIKE at the next level. Texas pitched to him being the quarterback of the defense on his official visit as well. A lot of credit to Anthony Hill Jr. is deserved in this recruitment as well, who did a great job as the …

On Texas Football coverage of SEC Media Days is brought to you by Vonlane, Flat Creek Estate Winery, Advanced Pain Care and South Point Dodge. *** What a great representative for The University of Texas Michael Taaffe is. The Austin native is wearing a tie stitched with the initials of those who tragically passed following the floods in Austin earlier this summer. Listen to Michael talk about the tie from SEC Media Days. View full news story

The MLB draft did a number on the Longhorns late yesterday, as Texas saw multiple portal commits come off the board. As of writing this, I expect Texas to lose the following: UTIL Kaleb Freeman (Georgia State) OF Jacob Moroknek (Butler) LHP Luke Dotson (Mississippi State) — The Longhorns also lost a few high school prospects: 3B Gavin Fien SS Kayson Cunningham LHP Xavier Mitchell — With that said, the Horns will be fine. Obviously there is plenty of talent and they’re still actively doing work in the portal. They just landed LSU OF Ashton Larson and will continue to bring in more prospects. I do expect the …

On Texas Football coverage of SEC Media Days is brought to you by Vonlane, Flat Creek Estate Winery, Advanced Pain Care and South Point Dodge. *** ATLANTA – The updated Texas Football roster included 36 new faces, from true freshmen set for their first ever action at the college level, to fifth year seniors looking for one final go-round in the SEC. At SEC Media Days here in Atlanta, Georgia, the three Longhorn representatives provide a look behind the offseason curtains with recognition for the now-Longhorns set to make their debut in 46 days. Starting on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. spoke about the brand new crop of def…

An early Flipmas gift! Bang, bang, choo-choo train! The Longhorns make a big splash in the 2026 cycle with a flip of 2026 Miami Northwestern (Fla.) DL James Johnson from Georgia to the Horns! Johnson originally chose the Bulldogs over the Longhorns on June 28, and just two weeks later, he makes a flip into the Longhorns' class to join the class of 2026. Texas became a significant player for Johnson as the spring progressed and there was buzz about a commitment following his official visit in June. As we have seen time and time again, Texas continues to stick on guys they want in the class and those efforts are already paying off with the flip of the f…

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…

On Texas Football coverage of SEC Media Days is brought to you by Vonlane, Flat Creek Estate Winery, Advanced Pain Care and South Point Dodge. *** “Muzzling Michael” or “Timeout Taaffe.” Whatever you want to call it, there has been a recurring theme this offseason for the Texas secondary: Purposefully mute the mouthpiece of the Texas defense. Whether it is spring practices, summer throwing sessions or conditioning drills, every now and then there is a figurative Uno Skip Card handed to Michael Taaffe by the Texas coaching staff when it comes to how vocal he can be out on the field. The objective of placing Taaffe in vocal chord confinement is to a…

Best Class Scenario: July 16 edition The Texas Longhorns are knocking on the door of a fifth straight top 5 ranked class after the commitments of 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson and the flip of 4-star++ defensive lineman James Johnson from Georgia. Steve Sarkisian and staff have the ability to begin the 2025 season ranked inside the top 5 if they win out for one of the nation's top prospects this weekend. This class will not be complete by the start of the season, however. There will be needs remaining at linebacker, offensive tackle, edge and potentially wide receiver and defensive back for sure. That provides Texas with a high ceiling that could could challe…

OTF Live: 5-Star commit Tyler Atkinson scrimmage Dacula, Ga. - CJ Vogel and myself are at Dacula High for a four team full padded scrimmage. Texas 5-star LB commit Tyler Atkinson and Grayson High are taking part. View full news story

As of late last night, I am told that Texas still holds the pole position for Hollywood, Fla., five-star running back Derrek Cooper over the likes of Miami, Florida State, Georgia and Ohio State. He is planning to announce his decision Sunday evening. Again, fingers crossed. ** A lot of Texas fans are understandably giddy about what transpired on Tuesday. The pledges of Tyler Atkinson and James Johnson are massive. But perhaps even more, it showcased that the new “rev share” era of recruiting would not - rather, could not - stop the momentum the Longhorns have arduously built over the past couple of seasons. In other words, Texas, even in the…

Out of state signees and commits in the Steve Sarkisian era The Texas Longhorns have signed and committed 48 prospects from 13 different state in the Steve Sarkisian era with this weeks pledge from 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson and the flip of 4-star++ defensive lineman James Johnson from Georgia. OnTexasFootball takes a look at the list headed into the Sunday announcement of OTF 5-star running back Derrek Cooper. Florida (10) Cedric Baxter Jr., RB, Orlando/Edgewater - 2023 Payton Kirkland, IOL, Orlando/Dr. Phillips - 2023 (transferred) Jerrick Gibson, RB, Gainesville/IMG Academy - 2024 Jordon Johnson-Rubell, S, Bradenton/IMG Academ…

Updates on the Secondary *** SEC Media Days has wrapped up and we continue our slow path towards week one of the College Football season. As we stand today, there are only 43 days until August 30. Some notes on the Texas secondary as we inch ever so close to the beginning of the season. *** – Jelani McDonald has been seeing plenty of work in the STAR position. I believe Texas has three guys they trust in their version of the nickel with McDonald, Jaylon Guilbeau and Wardell Mack comprising of the bunch. We talk about versatility and think about it – that STAR position is as versatile a spot as you will find on the team. Guilbeau is gett…

The 2025 All-SEC Preseason teams have been released following the week of Media Days in Atlanta. As expected, plenty of Longhorns were represented on the All-SEC Rosters. *** 2025 PRESEASON MEDIA DAYS ALL-SEC TEAM OFFENSE First Team QB - LaNorris Sellers, SC RB - Quintrevion Wisner, TX RB - Le'Veon Moss, AM WR - Ryan Williams, UA WR - Cam Coleman, AU TE - Eli Stowers, VU OL - Kadyn Proctor, UA OL - Cayden Green, MO OL - DJ Campbell, TX OL - Austin Barber, UF C - Jake Slaughter, UF Second Team QB - Garrett Nussmeier, LSU RB - Jaydn Ott, OU RB - Caden Durham, LSU WR - Aaron Anderson, LSU WR - Ryan Wingo, TX TE - Oscar Delp, UG …

Hollywood, Fla., running back Derrek Cooper announces his decision tomorrow evening at 6pm CT. Cooper, one of the nation's top players, has it all. From size to speed, from toughness to elusiveness, he has the makings of a special running back. He even has good hands out of the backfield. Cooper says he is deciding among Texas, Miami, Georgia, Ohio State and Florida State. Of course, dozens of schools put their name in the hat before Cooper narrowed his choices. With about 36 hours to go, we believe Texas remains in the pole position. However, things can and do change quickly in this era of college football recruiting, so we'll keep our ears to the ground t…

SEC Players and Coaches Comment on Texas *** Wanted to compile a quick, and final, piece from the week in Atlanta for SEC Media Days. Some comments and questions from folks around the SEC regarding the Texas Longhorns. *** Q: You roomed with Arch at the MPA. Just from what you know about him personally, what are your thoughts about him taking over as the QB1? And in general the quarterback class here in the SEC this year -- Arch, you LaNorris, several others, long list -- what What do you think of the class in general? LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier: I love Arch. He's a great dude, a great player. I'm excited for him. Went through a similar experie…

5-star RB Derrek Cooper announcement thread OnTexasFootball will be in Fort Lauderdale today for the announcement of 5-star running back Derrek Cooper's college decision. The 6-1, 205-pounder with 10.7 100 meter speed is expected to pick between Texas and Miami with the Longhorns having the momentum for the last week. Georgia and Alabama will also have hats at the table. View full news story

We await the decision of Hollywood, Fla., running back Derrek Cooper later today. As of late yesterday, Texas remains in position to land Cooper. However, all the normal clichés apply: Never say never, don’t count your chickens before they hatch, it ain’t over until it’s over, etc. Cooper, regardless of his recruiting ranking, is seen as a difference maker by major college coaches. So this will be a battle to the bitter end. But it’s our understanding that Cooper genuinely likes the RB set-up at Texas, he likes Sark’s usage and success of developing and relying heavily on RBs. Remember, Texas has had the first two running backs taken in two o…

Every RB Texas has signed since 2000 While OnTexasFootball awaits the 6pm central announcement by 5-star running back Derrek Cooper, I thought it would be a perfect time to take a look at every running back Texas has signed since the 2000 recruiting class. The list includes two first round NFL Draft selections, multiple Doak Walker Award winners, 11 that played running back in the NFL and two that flipped to defensive line and went on to the NFL. 2000 Sneezy Beltran, Abilene (Texas) High 6-0, 195 Transferred to Abilene Christian after one season in Austin. 2001 Cedric Benson, Midland (Texas) Lee 5-11, 210 One of the best high school runn…

Add five more stars! 2026 Chaminade Madonna (Fla.) RB Derrek Cooper has committed to the Texas Longhorns! A massive commitment from the Sunshine State gives the Longhorns its running back for the 2026 class. In a massive swing for the cycle, Texas lands one of the top running backs in the country over the likes of Miami, Georgia, Florida State and Florida. What a roller coaster it has been for the Longhorns at the running back position in the 2026 cycle. But all's well that ends well and right now, I don't think you will be hearing any gripes after the commitment of Cooper. The Longhorns land Cooper without receiving an official visit, securing a massive co…

A lot of national pundits are surprised - shocked even - when Texas secures a major commitment from an out-of-state recruit. Think of Derrek Cooper last night, the reactions toward Tyler Atkinson a week ago or even to Arch Manning three years ago. The reactions are those of surprise, of disbelief. They act almost flabbergasted. To me, it’s worth a good-humored chuckle. Doubt the power of the Longhorns at your own expense. But I also feel there are legitimate reasons behind the surprise. I think there are two parts that cause these reactions: First, and this is completely understandable, we all know Texas historically has placed its focus primarily…

SAN ANTONIO – Name a coach in the state of Texas and they are probably in San Antonio this week for the Texas High School Coaches Association convention. Name a coach coming off of a state championship and that list trims significantly. Yet, one of the hottest coaches in the country is beginning to build a monster of a program just outside of Fort Worth – Ray Gates, the head of North Crowley High School. I caught up with the state champion head coach to get his thoughts on 2026 Texas offensive line commit John Turntine III and current linebacker Jonathan Cunningham. The five-star offensive lineman committed to the Texas Longhorns on July 4th, adding t…

Top 5 class in the fold: What remains for the Longhorns Texas has a top 5 class committed with nine days remaining until the calendar turns to August. While the Longhorns have been on a monster run in the last two weeks to vault into said top 5, this class has a long runway remaining to make a run at a top 2 class. And there are position needs that still need to filled as well, meaning Texas is far from done. This morning, OTF takes a look at what remains for Texas in the 2026 cycle. Wide receiver ... Texas is expected to continue to hang around the rim with 4-star++ and Oregon pledge Jalen Lott (Frisco/Panther Creek). There is also the possibilit…

Some news and notes by position that we’ve picked up prior to fall camp starting: Quarterback - we’ve heard Troy transfer Matthew Caldwell has been relatively impressive in team work this summer. In other words, Trey Owens has major competition for the back-up spot. In fact, if I were handicapping the job today, I’d lean toward Caldwell. Running back - Cedric Baxter is pushing the limits of his recovery. That’s the great news. The realistic news? Still unlikely to be full go until late training camp or post-Ohio State. Christian Clark has looked the best he has since arriving on campus. Wide receiver - the top four have been easy to pick out, perhaps too ea…

Texas hoops recruiting: Targets coming into focus The final "live period" for evaluation has concluded, and that means the top targets in the 2026 class is quickly coming into focus for Sean Miller and staff. It's still up in the air if Texas will sign a two or three player high school class. One thing is for sure, there are two players from inside the Texas line that the Longhorns feel are must gets. Labor Day weekend OV ... Austin (Texas) Westlake guard Bo Ogden is scheduled to make his OV August 30th weekend. Texas leads big here over Purdue. Ogden put together a tremendous spring and summer on the Adidas 3SSB circuit averaging over 21 points per game…