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Breaking: Texas lands hoops transfer David Punch

By Jeff Howe

· 4257 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.

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    Lifetime Longhorn

    JMarquette

    Supporters
    11 minutes ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

    Not a knock on Weaver, but Texas wants a different type of player long term.

    Teams didn't guard Weaver on the offensive end in the NCAA Tournament. Texas can't have that and get where they want to ultimately go. 

    Texas has to have five players on the court that teams have to defend. 

    Would love someone whose game is modeled after Tony Allen. Great defense with some 3-point capability.

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    • Redshirt

    SarkFiction

    Supporters
    12 hours ago, Jordan91 said:

    I think that team is really going to be remembered for starting this. 

    They might be, but I think a lot of it also has to do with boosters seeing Michigan, also a football school, winning it in such short succession with Dusty May and an a team whose starters were all tansfers.

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    14 minutes ago, SarkFiction said:

    They might be, but I think a lot of it also has to do with boosters seeing Michigan, also a football school, winning it in such short succession with Dusty May and an a team whose starters were all tansfers.

    And he signed 5 HS kids this class. 

    These guys still want and need to have HS development players 

    More roster balance over time 

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    Gerry Hamilton

    Moderators
    • Moderators
    11 minutes ago, BabyBevo said:

    @Gerry Hamiltonwhat is the expectation or Goosby’s 3 point percentage in your opinion?

    34-35% range second half of season after he gets acclimated 

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    • Lifetime Longhorn

    davisxcole

    Supporters
    Just now, davisxcole said:

    14514394-12FA-4E3F-944C-1E5ECBB71F5E.png

    I hate chat gpt all I said was to put the “in miller we trust” and they changed his face and put digi camo 😂

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    • Freshman

    TexasBurntToast

    Supporters
    On 4/12/2026 at 9:58 PM, 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 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

     

     

    Hey Gerry- does Kameron Taylor fit the mold for the guard/forward type (Swain replacement) Texas may be looking for?  Is he a consideration for Texas?

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