Jeff Howe

My high school defensive coordinator and English teacher, Reagan Willman. Out of Menard High School, he was a walk-on at Texas for three years (1994-96). He earned a letter in 1996. A coach and teacher who helped mold me and changed my life for the better. He has a degree from UT and rings for the last SWC title and the first Big 12 championship. Coach Willman is my favorite No. 24 ever for the Longhorns. (And because of the Ron McKelvey fiasco, he's the only No. 24 listed on the 1994 and 1995 rosters.)

So, to recap: — Sark said the defense is ahead of the offense, which he’s OK with for now. The offense needs to start picking it up, specifically letting go of negative plays and not letting things linger. — He likes the offensive line’s depth, even after Andre Cojoe’s injury. — DJ Campbell was back at practice today. Ryan Wingo should be full go on Thursday. — The defense is doing a good job of playing the ball. — Emmett Mosley has impressed Sark with tools that are better than what the staff initially expected. — There was a lot of praise for the interior defensive linemen, and Sark believes Texas has more guys who can play more snaps than what Kenny Baker’s group had last season.

That’s it for Sark.

Sark said there’s “some mental toughness” that needs to start emerging on offense.

Still, he said Tre Wisner had a 50-60-yard touchdown during a live period today.

Sark said the defense is ahead of the offense.

Sark said with the options they’ve got at nickel, it could be opponent-specific and/or game-plan specific regarding who gets the most snaps there.

Sark said he’s not in a rush for a starter at nickel to emerge. “I need versatility there,” he said.

Sark said it’s hugely important to keep developing the young players on the roster throughout the season.

Sark mentioned Maraad Watson, Cole Brevard, Hero Kanu and Alex January when he was asked which defensive linemen have flashed early in camp.

DJ Campbell is back at practice. Sark said Ryan Wingo needed another day.

Sark said Jordan Washington and Emaree Winston had some nice plays in the red zone yesterday.

Sark said they wanted an experienced, productive tight end out of the portal, which is why they went and got Jack Endries. That Endries can be a red-zone weapon is a bonus.

Sark: “We’ve got to think really good and play physical.”

Sark on what intangibles need to show out when the team practices in full pads: “We’re looking for contact courage.”

Sark really talking up how well the secondary is playing the ball.

“We’ve been good,” Sark said regarding quarterback ball security in camp. “Yesterday wasn’t our best day.”

Sark: “We have to learn to deal with disappointment. Not every play is going to go perfect.” Offensively, he said, there’s too much of letting one play impact the next.

When a Dan Lanning cannonball becomes a binding contract!

Yes. Matt Patricia was hired after Jim Knowles left for Penn State.

Shoutout to Ivan Williams, Marcus Griffin and DJ Monroe!

Texas is No. 1 in the Coaches Poll:

It’s the first time in the history of the Coaches Poll that Texas will enter the season as the No. 1 team in the country.

Seriously, the OTF staff I'm a part of and this community have reenergized my love for the job. I haven't been this excited to go to work covering the Longhorns in a long time.