Skip to content
3 Months for $3 - Sign Up Here!

Breaking: Texas lands hoops transfer David Punch

By Jeff Howe

· 3381 views

Texas has secured the commitment of transfer forward David Punch, addressing one of its most significant roster needs for the 2026-27 season. Punch went public with his commitment Sunday night, posting the news on Instagram.

A national top-100 recruit out of Harker Heights in the 2024 class, Punch joins the Longhorns after two seasons at TCU. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-7-inch, 245-pound Punch was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, averaging 14.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.

Punch gives Texas a presence at the power forward spot it lacked during its run to the Sweet 16 in Sean Miller’s first season.

Along with his ability to keep the ball moving on offense, Punch should immediately help the Longhorns improve on the defensive end of the floor. Punch blocked 66 shots and recorded 45 steals in 34 games; Punch doubled Matas Vokietaitis’ team-leading 33 blocked shots this past season and only Dailyn Swain’s 59 steals topped Punch’s totals among Texas players.

The addition of Punch and the return of Vokietaitis give the Longhorns two tremendous frontcourt pieces for Miller’s second season. Currently, with Swain making himself eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, Texas has four starting spots penciled in for next season: Punch, Vokietaitis, Colorado transfer guard Isaiah Johnson and McDonald’s All-American guard Austin Goosby.

    • Hook 'Em 50
    • Thanks 4

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Lifetime Longhorn

    Jordan91

    Supporters

    There are players that wait until that final day to pull out of the draft. Texas will have to go after one of them if it gets that far. 

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 1
    Redshirt

    Longhorn nation

    Supporters

    How many players are we still looking for 

  • Quote
    • Redshirt

    Longhorn nation

    Supporters

    Gerry can you give us some names left on the board for Texas 

  • Quote
    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Jeff Howe

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    1 minute ago, Longhorn nation said:

    How many players are we still looking for 

    Three or four.

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 4
    Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    4 minutes ago, Longhorn nation said:

    How many players are we still looking for 

    Shot maker/perimeter threat with enough size 

    combo forward that can shoot it well enough 

    probably one more role player guard

    Now it’s about finding fits to build the best team … not collect talent 

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 3
    Lifetime Longhorn

    Jordan91

    Supporters
    12 minutes ago, Longhorn nation said:

    Bryson Warren?

    Not Gerry, but these names stay silent for a few reasons. Hard to bring somebody in and also be talking to somebody else. 

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 2
    Redshirt

    Brett

    Members
    5 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

    Not in play 

    Do you know who is in play as of now?

    42 minutes ago, TexasFanatic said:

    Any chance they go after the VT kid? 

    they are not going after him 

  • Quote
    • Redshirt

    sarcher93

    Supporters
    16 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

    Shot maker/perimeter threat with enough size 

    combo forward that can shoot it well enough 

    probably one more role player guard

    Now it’s about finding fits to build the best team … not collect talent 

    So you’re backing off the need for a backup center

  • Quote
    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    I would say this again … probably need to start leaving the big name guys left in the portal alone. All the names still being thrown around would be a talent collection without the minutes to go round and a 20+ mill team (certainly not happening at Texas)

    Texas has four starters plus three guys that will factor in different roles already. 

    It’s all fits for rounding out team now … May only be 2-3 guys left now (depending on what Swain ends up doing).

    those are…

    1. guard that is a shot maker/perimeter threat with enough size 

    Likely - big combo forward that can shoot it well enough, and provide some versatility from a lineup perspective 

    probably - backup center

    That will get Texas to 10. 
     

    Then you see what happens with Swain first before any other moves

     

     

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 5
    • Thanks 3
    Freshman

    Chris Larrow

    Supporters
    6 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

    I would say this again … probably need to start leaving the big name guys left in the portal alone. All the names still being thrown around would be a talent collection without the minutes to go round and a 20+ mill team (certainly not happening at Texas)

    Texas has four starters plus three guys that will factor in in different roles already. 

    It’s all fits for rounding out team now … May only be 2-3 guys left now (depending on what Swain ends up doing. 

    those are…

    1. guard that is a shot maker/perimeter threat with enough size 

    Likely - big combo forward that can shoot it well enough, and provide some versatility from a lineup perspective 

    probably - backup center

    That will eat Texas to 10. 
     

    Then you see what happens with Swain first before any other moves

     

     

    Can we agree that swain returning would be a grand slam roster? Can’t really say expect that but he seems to fit the guard / forward need 

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 1
    Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    2 minutes ago, Chris Larrow said:

    Can we agree that swain returning would be a grand slam roster? Can’t really say expect that but he seems to fit the guard / forward need 

    Absolutely 

    Texas would start five likely future NBA draft picks 

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 3
    Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    13 minutes ago, sarcher93 said:

    So you’re backing off the need for a backup center

    Not necessarily 

    Texas is going to have to make a decision on that vs versatile combo forward

    Not unlimited NIL 

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 2
    First Round Pick

    Neil Leininger

    Supporters
    (edited)

    @Gerry Hamilton so last week I asked if you would take Swain and Matas returning whike adding Johnson and Punch. 75% in one weeked is pretty outstanding for Miller and company.

    Edited by Neil Leininger

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 2
    Lifetime Longhorn

    LonghornFan4Ever

    Supporters
    (edited)

    All about finding solid role players that fit what Texas needs at this point.  Similar to Sark in football with his offense this upcoming season, Miller will have a lot of weapons, but there’s only so many minutes and one basketball to go around.  It’s a good problem to have.

    Edited by LonghornFan4Ever

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 1
    Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators

    For anyone wondering if Punch will have a transition or if the SEC will provide something tougher for Punch next year ... I'm not one of those. Big 12 is very high level at the top, and with bigs and skilled 4's.

    Some of his games...

    24 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 steal vs. Kansas

    19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals vs. Florida

    17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals vs. Wisconsin

    20 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assists, 5 blocks, 1 steal at Kansas

    10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals vs Arizona

    16 points, 5 assists, 1 block vs. Houston

    16 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks in NCAA Tournament vs Ohio State

    Had some tougher games too, but overall vs. NCAA Tournament teams he averaged:

    12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.9 blocks, 1.0 steals in 13 games

     

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 5
    Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    6 minutes ago, LonghornFan4Ever said:

    All about finding solid role players that fit what Texas needs at this point.  Similar to Sark in football with his offense this upcoming season, Miller will have a lot of weapons, but there’s only so many minutes and one basketball to go around.  It’s a good problem to have.

    Yep. That's it

  • Quote
    • Sophomore

    Nathan B

    Supporters

    Find a 3 and D wing and you’re one of early top 5 teams.

  • Quote
    • Hook 'Em 5

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Add a comment...

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.