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I spent most of Wednesday’s practice window open to the media with the offensive line. Even during a training camp in which Kyle Flood is trying to replace four departed starters, the group looked focused, hungry and in tune with the flow of practice that you’d never know such turnover existed. There’s a long way to go before the line is a finished product, and Wednesday’s practice was the start of what’s sure to be a grueling 31 days leading up to the Ohio State game. Still, the way Cole Hutson (center) and Neto Umeozulu continue to run with the opportunities they’ve waited for and Trevor Goosby set the tone with effort and execution in drills, the line looked more dialed in than they were when we last saw them in spring practice. — Andre Cojoe was pushing Brandon Baker in drills. Whether it’s to light a fire under Baker or reward Cojoe for the strides he’s made, it wasn’t lip service on Tuesday when Flood said the right tackle job is an ongoing battle between Baker and Cojoe. — As summer enrollees, Devin and Jordan Coleman passed the eye test in their first collegiate practice. Devin Coleman was the No. 3 left guard behind Umeozulu and Nate Kibble on Wednesday, while Jordan Coleman was the No. 3 right tackle behind Baker and Cojoe. — Among the guys Flood had working at center in drills behind Hutson, Connor Robertson and Daniel Cruz were Kibble, Connor Stroh and walk-on Brooks Kieschnick Jr. Additionally, Devin Coleman is a center candidate for the future. — How healthy is the offensive line room on the Forty Acres? The No. 3 line on Wednesday (Nick Brooks at left tackle, Devin Coleman at left guard, Cruz at center, Stroh at right guard and Jordan Coleman at right tackle) looked better on the hoof than some first-team Texas lines I’ve seen during my years following the program. — I watched Maraad Watson more than the other summer enrollees, and I liked what I saw physically from the Syracuse transfer. While Maryland transfer Lavon Johnson appeared to be limited, Watson was getting after it in drills, showing some power off the ball when paired up with Cole Brevard and Josiah Sharma. — I hoped Watson, tight end Jack Endries and wide receiver Emmett Mosley V would look the part after drawing rave reviews over the summer. That’s a box I feel comfortable checking after Wednesday’s practice. — Regarding Endries and the tight ends, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s getting the lion’s share of the snaps with the first-team offense, most of which went to Spencer Shannon while the media was at practice. Endries’ presence during routes on air was felt more assertively, relative to the other tight ends. — You could tell a few of the summer enrollees were adjusting to the tempo of practice on the fly, which isn’t a surprise. Again, I watched Watson more than the others, but kept up with the pace of Kenny Baker’s group. Hero Kanu led the way in drills, followed by Watson, Brevard and Alex January. — As expected, Lance Jackson and Justice Terry split their practice time between the interior defensive line and the EDGE group. They were making their way over to Baker's side of the field when the media's viewing window ended. — It was great to see C.J. Baxter back on the field, working alongside Quintrevion Wisner in drills. The veterans were paired up like co-No. 1 backs on Wednesday. The expectations need to be tempered, and we’ll see what Baxter is allowed to do as the physicality in practice picks up. Still, the fact that he was cutting (even with a large brace on his right knee) without restrictions (as far as I could tell based on the drills I watched) is a positive sign that he’ll be back in due time. — We’ll see how the running back pecking order shakes out, but Christian Clark was working ahead of Jerrick Gibson in drills on the first day of practice. Less than a year removed from an Achilles injury, Clark’s arrow continues to point upward. — Based on how Steve Sarkisian and Chris Jackson coached him, Michael Terry III will be given every opportunity to prove himself as a full-time wide receiver. While Terry worked in drills behind Jaime Ffrench, Kaliq Lockett and Daylon McCutcheon, Sarkisian and Jackson looked fully invested into developing Terry as a wide receiver, first and foremost. — Matthew Caldwell’s presence with the quarterbacks was noticeable. Although he worked behind Trey Owens and KJ Lacey in drills, his experience helped him get off on the right foot in his first practice under Sarkisian, which isn’t easy for quarterbacks. — It’s Arch Manning’s team and he’s wrapped his arms around what it means to be QB1. He was still as loose and easygoing on Wednesday as he’s been when I’ve watched him in previous practices, but he carried himself the way anyone with skin in the game would want to see from the face of the franchise. There’s a layer of seriousness in Manning’s body language that’s noticeable, compared to how he moved about practice while backing up Quinn Ewers.

Unless your committed to or already on UGA roster…

That’s all for Sarkisian today. We will have more on the Wednesday Livestream this evening with myself, Rod Babers and Jeff Howe.

Sarkisian says it might’ve been a bit intentional to get Colin Simmons and Ethan Burke under the skin of the newer offensive linemen. Trying to understand where their mindsets were at early on in camp when facing other top comp.

Sarkisian calls TE Jack Endries a “cerebral guy.” Says with this being his first practice, things were going quick for him but he wanted to make sure he was taking things in each snap he was on the field.

Sarkisian credits Cj Baxter for his long road on his recovery for bringing focus and energy while also having a great first practice. Says the combination of Wisner (who he called the Energizer Bunny) and Baxter is a huge boost to the offense as a whole.

Sarkisian says he thinks Cj Baxter and Derek Williams “both looked really good” Williams is a bit ahead of Baxter in his recovery timeline Says Baxter may have looked a little better than anticipated coming into practice.

Ryan Wingo was mentioned as a guy who had a great summer by Sarkisian. Says he can “run all day” north of 200 pounds. Hero Kanu also receives some recognition for taking his summer workouts to “another level.” As did Zina Umeozulu says Steve Sarkisian. Jerrick Gibson received some praise too, sark says he’s in great shape.

Sarkisian says for Ethan Burke, it’s been the best summer and offseason for him as a Longhorn. Sark points to the work done on his body as a huge positive “He plays a relentless brand of football.” Says Ethan has really tried to “seize the opportunity” “He was one of the players of the spring for us.”

Texas will practice four times this week, then Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Friday followed by a scrimmage on Saturday.

Sarkisian says the mental focus and intensity must improve due to the fatigue and heat of fall camp. Sark says he thought practice 1 one was competitive and that his team looked fast.

“I thought the guys overall — it was a good first day. I thought they were intentional with their approach.”

Steve Sarkisian is off the practice field (and back into air condition) to speak with the media for the first time this fall camp. notes and quotes in the comments below.

No surprise to me. My daughter tore her ACL and it was a process. Baxter blew his out completely. I’m thinking Octoberisn possibly.

You go to drive the speed limit. Sure those dudes are finding that out . No big deal

You don't drive the Ferrari on the first day

Post that Parker Livingstone over the shoulder catch from Arch

Live now! https://www.youtube.com/live/E2wNVWosPRk?si=nFs9CL6dQ8bExniH

Why are Jonah and Cade Phillips not playing?

Reports that Graceson Littleton got the start at Star with the 1’s

CJ Baxter Jr … not close to contact football ready barring a massive leap in next month or so Took second team reps in drills , but when it went to team it was Wisner, Clark, Gibson, Simon and Stewart

Endries started at No. 2 TE, worked in some at 1’s in team