Thrilled to be here! | Importance of the third-year Longhorns (Wednesday, 1 p.m.)

[Jeff Howe]

4 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

LFG, Jeff

Great to have the 3 Amigos back together again.🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

Yes sir! Great to see you posting!

[Ojeezy]

Welcome Jeff. My 10 year anniversary on 247 is tomorrow, and like a lot of posters mentioned over there, it felt weird the way things went down in the past week. Glad you landed quickly at the only other place I'm subbed (selfishly), and also at a place with a better trajectory. You've earned it. 

[Jeff Howe]

3 minutes ago, The Tower said:

I think Bobby unintentionally spilled the beans in today's Coffee and Football when he was thanking everyone and started to stay your name.  Welcome again @Jeff Howe and what a get from the OTF family.  Can't wait to see Jeff, CJ, and Rod together. 

Haha! Things came together pretty quick, The Tower. I share Bobby's excitement.

Looking forward to the show with Rod and CJ tonight!

[UTexas]

43 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

 

I'm elated to be a part of On Texas Football.

 

My conversations with Bobby and Gerry recently reminded me of the early days of building the Texas site for 247Sports. What made those days exciting (and, for me, when working in the market was the most fulfilling) was that the bottom line was about building a community where fans who bled burnt orange wanted to be.

 

That’s what excites me about continuing to write about, analyze, and report on the Longhorns with OTF. August 2010 wasn’t the ideal time to launch and build an online community and news source for Texas fans, but OTF is experiencing rapid growth at a time when Steve Sarkisian looks primed to lead the Longhorns through a historic run of success.

 

With Arch Manning in the saddle as QB1, the bulk of the No. 1 recruiting class in 2025 currently on campus and the 2025 NFL Draft possibly making it back-to-back drafts in which Texas produces double-digit picks, the train isn’t slowing down.

 

It’s time to puff out your chest and walk tall if you're a Longhorn fan, making it the perfect time to be a part of OTF. After slogging through the dark ages (2010-2021), I hope everyone reading this is as excited as I am to be a part of something special.

 

Whether you’ve followed me for a while or you’re reading me for the first time (thank you for the support, by the way, and I look forward to talking Texas football with the OTF community), one of the things I’ve always been fascinated by (and will often discuss) is the group of players entering their third season in the program.

 

Spring practice will be a now-or-never time for the 2023 signees who’ve yet to break through. Thankfully, a good chunk of the class has panned out.

 

Of the 18 signees still with the program (including Will Randle), I count 11 who are either proven commodities or who’ve shown enough that we’ve got a feel for what they’ll bring to the table in 2025: Arch Manning, CJ Baxter, Quintrevion Wisner, DeAndre Moore Jr., Trevor Goosby, Colton Vasek, Anthony Hill Jr., Liona Lefau, Malik Muhammad, Jelani McDonald and Derek Williams Jr.

 

The third-year guys are a critical group because if you’re evaluating and developing the right way at a place like Texas, you should have a decent number of guys on NFL trajectories. By Year 3, a recruiting class should form a team’s nucleus; if you’re a championship-caliber squad, the core must include elite players.

Of the 11 mentioned, the biggest concerns are Baxter and Williams bouncing back from their knee injuries and Vasek being healthy enough to remain in a tremendous EDGE rotation with Ethan Burke, Trey Moore and Colin Simmons.

 

What about the other eight? Well, they'll determine whether the Longhorns have enough talented depth to make it through SEC play and the College Football Playoff to reach the top of the mountain.

 

Can Spencer Shannon provide the kind of presence as an in-line blocking tight end to demand snaps and let Jordan Washington grow into his role?

 

Will Jaydon Chatman, Andre Cojoe or Connor Stroh push the older linemen in the program for playing time?

 

Is Ryan Niblett capable of filling Silas Bolden’s role as a burner with big-play potential in the slot on offense?

 

With Jahdae Barron and Gavin Holmes gone, does Warren Roberson play himself into the cornerback rotation?

 

At an exciting time for the program, I can’t wait for arguably the most competitive spring on the Forty Acres in a long time.

 

 

View full news story

 

Welcome aboard Jeff. Super happy to have you join the site. When will your first Manscape read be taking place? I gotta see that. 

[Jeff Howe]

4 minutes ago, Rhorn said:

Wow great add! Long time Blitz listener. I’m finally over my sadness with the end of the season. On with recruiting and Spring ball. Welcome and congrats Jeff!

Thanks, Rhorn. I love that something Matt, Rod and I did for fun has meant so much to so many people.

[thatdude2]

Best Portal Additions in Texas History:

1. CJ Vogel

2. Quinn Ewers

3. Matthew Golden

4. Jeff Howe

5. Andrew Makuba

6. Mark in Austin

7. AD Mitchell

8. Trey Moore (Arrow pointing up)

9. Thatdude2

10. Bill Norton

[MBHORNSFAN]

45 minutes ago, Jeff Howe said:

 

I'm elated to be a part of On Texas Football.

My conversations with Bobby and Gerry recently reminded me of the early days of building the Texas site for 247Sports. What made those days exciting (and, for me, when working in the market was the most fulfilling) was that the bottom line was about building a community where fans who bled burnt orange wanted to be.

That’s what excites me about continuing to write about, analyze, and report on the Longhorns with OTF. August 2010 wasn’t the ideal time to launch and build an online community and news source for Texas fans, but OTF is experiencing rapid growth at a time when Steve Sarkisian looks primed to lead the Longhorns through a historic run of success.

With Arch Manning in the saddle as QB1, the bulk of the No. 1 recruiting class in 2025 currently on campus and the 2025 NFL Draft possibly making it back-to-back drafts in which Texas produces double-digit picks, the train isn’t slowing down.

It’s time to puff out your chest and walk tall if you're a Longhorn fan, making it the perfect time to be a part of OTF. After slogging through the dark ages (2010-2021), I hope everyone reading this is as excited as I am to be a part of something special.

Whether you’ve followed me for a while or you’re reading me for the first time (thank you for the support, by the way, and I look forward to talking Texas football with the OTF community), one of the things I’ve always been fascinated by (and will often discuss) is the group of players entering their third season in the program.

Spring practice will be a now-or-never time for the 2023 signees who’ve yet to break through. Thankfully, a good chunk of the class has panned out.

Of the 18 signees still with the program (including Will Randle), I count 11 who are either proven commodities or who’ve shown enough that we’ve got a feel for what they’ll bring to the table in 2025: Arch Manning, CJ Baxter, Quintrevion Wisner, DeAndre Moore Jr., Trevor Goosby, Colton Vasek, Anthony Hill Jr., Liona Lefau, Malik Muhammad, Jelani McDonald and Derek Williams Jr.

The third-year guys are a critical group because if you’re evaluating and developing the right way at a place like Texas, you should have a decent number of guys on NFL trajectories. By Year 3, a recruiting class should form a team’s nucleus; if you’re a championship-caliber squad, the core must include elite players.

Of the 11 mentioned, the biggest concerns are Baxter and Williams bouncing back from their knee injuries and Vasek being healthy enough to remain in a tremendous EDGE rotation with Ethan Burke, Trey Moore and Colin Simmons.

What about the other eight? Well, they'll determine whether the Longhorns have enough talented depth to make it through SEC play and the College Football Playoff to reach the top of the mountain.

Can Spencer Shannon provide the kind of presence as an in-line blocking tight end to demand snaps and let Jordan Washington grow into his role?

Will Jaydon Chatman, Andre Cojoe or Connor Stroh push the older linemen in the program for playing time?

Is Ryan Niblett capable of filling Silas Bolden’s role as a burner with big-play potential in the slot on offense?

With Jahdae Barron and Gavin Holmes gone, does Warren Roberson play himself into the cornerback rotation?

At an exciting time for the program, I can’t wait for arguably the most competitive spring on the Forty Acres in a long time.

 

 

View full news story

 

Welcome aboard 

[Hornmatic]

20 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

So, we got Bird, Laettner, Stockton, and Mullin.

I was going to say the chat is definitely Laettner, but this works too. 

[Sasquatch3027]

Love it! Welcome Jeff. I switched to OTF the night it was announced you were no longer at 247. So glad you are here. 

[thatdude2]

Welcome Mr. Howe, let’s go enjoy this era

[Jeff Howe]

2 minutes ago, Ojeezy said:

Welcome Jeff. My 10 year anniversary on 247 is tomorrow, and like a lot of posters mentioned over there, it felt weird the way things went down in the past week. Glad you landed quickly at the only other place I'm subbed (selfishly), and also at a place with a better trajectory. You've earned it. 

Thanks, Ojeezy.

The only things I'll say regarding my departure is that Hank, Jordan, Chip and Eric had nothing to do with my departure. I respect them and truly want them to do well.

I asked to post a goodbye on the site and was denied the chance to do so.

But as I've said, I've turned the page and I'm looking forward to being a part of the OTF family.

[Jeff Howe]

3 minutes ago, UTexas said:

Welcome aboard Jeff. Super happy to have you join the site. When will your first Manscape read be taking place? I gotta see that. 

If Gerry has his way, UTexas, it'll be ASAP!

[Jeff Howe]

2 minutes ago, MBHORNSFAN said:

Welcome aboard 

Thanks, MBHORNSFAN!

[Jeff Howe]

3 minutes ago, thatdude2 said:

Best Portal Additions in Texas History:

1. CJ Vogel

2. Quinn Ewers

3. Matthew Golden

4. Jeff Howe

5. Andrew Makuba

6. Mark in Austin

7. AD Mitchell

8. Trey Moore (Arrow pointing up)

9. Thatdude2

10. Bill Norton

I'm in good company!

Thanks, thatdude2!

[Robbin Antono]

Welcome Jeff, been following you for at least 10 years now on different sites. Always appreciate your candid opinions and news.

[Jeff Howe]

3 minutes ago, Sasquatch3027 said:

Love it! Welcome Jeff. I switched to OTF the night it was announced you were no longer at 247. So glad you are here. 

Thank you for the support, Sasquatch3027. The kind words and well wishes have meant a lot to me and my family.

[theycallmezay_]

So that’s why the fellas had a little smirk on Coffee & Football this morning! This deserves a Bobby Burton “Boooooom”!!! Welcome Jeff 🤝🏽

[Jeff Howe]

4 minutes ago, thatdude2 said:

Welcome Mr. Howe, let’s go enjoy this era

What an era it is, thatdude2!

[Jeff Howe]

Just now, Robbin Antono said:

Welcome Jeff, been following you for at least 10 years now on different sites. Always appreciate your candid opinions and news.

Thank you, Robbin Antono. Your words and thoughts are very much appreciated.

[Jeff Howe]

1 minute ago, theycallmezay_ said:

So that’s why the fellas had a little smirk on Coffee & Football this morning! This deserves a Bobby Burton “Boooooom”!!! Welcome Jeff 🤝🏽

Thanks, theycallmezay_!

[HenryJames]

21 minutes ago, bierce said:

Missed you, Jeff.  Missed you badly. 

[William Gillean]

I'm ready to hear "he's our lockdown corner, number 21 in your program, number one in our hearts."

For years, the Blitz made my commute better.

This made my week.

[SK Longhorn]

Really great news. Glad you’re a part of OTF

[HelloThere]

 

Great to have you Jeff! So glad you ended up here!

[pinkman_90]

Welcome!!

excited for some OnTexasBaseball chats with you and @Blake Munroe for the upcoming season.