Sarkisian was asked if there were any early enrollees already being considered for leadership positions on the team. While Sarkisian mentioned that it is very early for those guys to jump that much into a position of command within the program, he did say he is pleased with how quickly they are becoming accustomed to practices on an every day basis.

"I do think they are all working hard," Sarkisian said. "When you get to practice seven, there is a lot on their plate right now. When you think about it – if you are an offensive player, all of the offense that we have installed, and then you are trying to diagnose the defense and put those things together."

Sarkisian added he was pleased with the effort and attentiveness of his early enrollees on campus. It certainly would make any head coach pleased to know he can go four-deep at any position and carry out scrimmages with plenty of depth at a moment's notice.

"They are all working really hard," Sarkisian said. "I don't have a complaint about any of those guys. They are all doing a really good job and I am pleased with what they are putting into it."

But as it pertains to one specific true freshman standing out, Sarkisian was quick to give WR Ryan Wingo his flowers.

"I would say the one guy that has shown up the most in my eyes would be Ryan Wingo. I feel like in the last week, he has really made some plays and we have started to see the size, the speed and the athleticism."

As Texas continues to sort out its wide receiver spot, one thing is for sure - Wingo is making his presence known early on. 

The Longhorns will be back on the practice field Thursday, which will mark the midway point of the spring practice session. Then Saturday, the team will return to the practice field for a more intense practice/scrimmage in front of 30+ recruits.

Strong start to the career of Ryan Wingo as a Texas Longhorn.

The Texas Staff offered Ruston (La.) High 2025 fast rising cornerback Aidan Anding March 28. And Steve Sarkisian and Terry Joseph are wasting little time working to get the 5-11, 165 pound three-sport budding star on campus. Sarkisian had his first phone conversation with Anding Monday evening after Joseph made the call to offer March 28. A visit to Texas is in the works this month. 

OnTexasFootball spoke with Anding Friday when en route to Miami.

"He "Terry Joseph" just called and offered," Anding said Friday. "I wasn't expecting it. He said he watched my film, and liked what he saw. I'm going to go down there for a visit for sure."

Anding's performance at Under Armour Camp Dallas accelerated the process for Texas. Anding, who has a best long jump of 22'6" this spring, ran a 4.59 laser forty and 4.12 laser shuttle at the March 10 camp. 

The offer list is up to 10, including Miami, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas, TCU, Georgia Tech and Baylor. 

Anding visited Miami last weekend, and was on campus at Arkansas in March and is scheduled to be back on campus today. 

Note on another cornerback 

Missouri City (Texas) Marshall cornerback Caleb Chester told OnTexasFootball Monday night he will visit Texas unofficially April 13. Chester, 5-11 and 165, was on campus at Texas A&M last weekend and is scheduled to be at Arkansas this weekend. 

Chester's official visit schedule consists of Texas June 7-9, Texas A&M June 14-16 and Arkansas June 21-23. 

The Aggies are in the lead spot heading into the next two spring visits. 

Sark talks to top defensive line targets

Auburn 4-star defensive line pledge Malik Autry (Opelika, Ala./High) is scheduled to be on campus in Austin April 6. Steve Sarkisian was scheduled to speak with the 6-5, 320 pound physical and athletic defensive lineman Monday night. Texas defensive line coach Kenny Baker has had a number of positive conversations with Autry and family of late. An official visit is also in play for Texas. Autry was on campus at Florida over the weekend, and is scheduled to officially visit June 14-16. USC and Oregon also have June OV's on the books. Of course, Autry lives within 30 minutes of the Auburn campus. 

Sarkisian was also scheduled to speak with Folsom (Calif.) High 4-star defensive tackle Josiah Sharma Monday night. Sharma, 6-3.5 and 323 pounds, is considered a battle between Texas and Alabama with Washington, Utah, Oklahoma and Oregon in the mix. A June 14-16 OV to Texas is expected.

Two more notes

Olney (Md.) Good Counsel 4-star safety Faheem Delane told OnTexasFootball that he is no longer scheduled to visit Texas April 13. That news along with IMG Academy safety Major Preston telling OnTexasFootball the same Monday morning is noteworthy as to how the staff feels about a safety target or two right now. 

One of the top 2026 prospects scheduled to be on campus April 13 is Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic 4-star safety Blaine Bradford. Bradford, ranked in the top 25 in the class nationally, has LSU, Texas and Notre Dame standing out early on. Terry Joseph is running point in the recruitment, and has build a solid relationship thus far. Of course, Texas and Notre Dame will have to beat the LSU combo of Corey Raymond and Frank Wilson to win out. 

The Texas Longhorns staff has more than 30 prospects in the 2025 cycle scheduled for official visits in June ahead of the spring evaluation period. 

That means the recruiting board is starting to take shape, even with Kenny Baker's spring evaluations likely to play a role in any board additions or changes. 

OnTexasFootball gets the first week of April started with a look at the recruiting board on defense.

Defensive line (3-4) 

Brandon Brown, DL, Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie #AllGasNoBrakes
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas unofficial visit March 22 went very well. Brown's OV's are Tennessee June 7-9, Texas June 14-16 and USC June 21-23. LSU, Florida and Miami are also threats. 

Josiah Sharma, DL, Folsom (Calif.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas put together a very impressive unofficial visit March 22 with Josiah and his mom leaving Austin extremely impressed. Sharma is expected to officially visit Texas June 14-16. Alabama, Washington, Oklahoma, Utah and Oregon are in the mix. 

Zion Williams, DL, Lufkin (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas vs. LSU currently with Texas A&M and TCU in the mix. Williams will be in Austin April 6 with his mom. The OV's are TCU May 3-5, LSU June 14-16 (likely), Texas June 21-23. The Aggies should get a visit as well. 

D.J. Sanders, DL, Bellville (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas A&M and Texas the top two with the Aggies receiving the most mention at this point. With that said, Texas will host Sanders April 6 and for an official visit June 21-23.

Malik Autry, DL, Opelika (Ala.) High - *Auburn commit 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Auburn commit taking visits. Was at Florida Saturday, and is scheduled to be in Austin April 6. USC and Oregon will also receive official visits. Texas is also a likely OV. 

Myron Charles, DL, Port Charlotte (Fla.) High 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas hasn't been able to make a dent in this one, yet. Florida State considered the favorite over Miami, Florida and a couple of SEC powers.

Kevin Wynn, DL, Greensboro (Ga.) Greene County 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Florida State, Alabama and Georgia are the top three. Texas will keep working to get the Peach State over the ball prospect on campus. 

Chace Sims, DL, Richmond (Texas) Randle 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas will host Sims for the first time April 6. Texas Tech and TCU are in pretty good spots early on with the Red Raiders set to host officially June 21-23. 

Floyd Guidry, DL, Spring (Texas) High - *TCU commit
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas will continue to hang around in this one for a while. The Horns do like Guidry. 

Derry Norris, DL, Port Orange (Fla.) Spruce Creek 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas will go see the 6-3, 270 pounder in person in May. One to watch. Miami has an OV June 7-9. Georgia Tech and Minnesota also have OV's on the books. 

EDGE (2-3)

Hayden Lowe, EDGE, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Lowe will be on campus this weekend, and also make an official visit to Texas June 14-16. Johnny Nansen and Pete Kwiatkowski are all in on Lowe. Gird up your loins with an OV schedule of Georgia, Miami, Oregon and USC. 

Lance Jackson, EDGE, Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove #AllGasNoBrakes
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Football is become more of the focus. Has been set back this spring on the diamond with a minor injury. Could be a 5-star prospect when all is said and done. 

Damien Shanklin, EDGE, Indianapolis (In.) Warren Central
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: This recruitment is Notre Dame's to lose. The official visit schedule is Notre Dame June 7-9, Tennessee June 14-16 and Texas June 21-23. He will also attend the Fighting irish spring game April 20. 

Smith Orogbo, EDGE, Alief (Texas) Hastings
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas will have Orogbo on campus this weekend, and for an official visit June 14-16. SMU on the OV schedule for May 17-19. USC, Oregon and Oklahoma State also mentioned. 

Linebacker (3)

Riley Pettijohn, LB, McKinney (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Was at Ohio State over the weekend, and is scheduled to be at USC this weekend and Texas April 20. The official visit scheduled has Florida State May 31-June 2, Texas June 14-16 and USC June 21-23. 

Elijah Barnes, LB, Dallas (Texas) Skyline
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know:  Texas is in a strong spot headed into April. Barnes' official visit scheduled is Nebraska April 26-28, SMU May 10-12, Texas June 21-23. Barnes and family are scheduled to be on campus April 6. 

Matai Tagoa'i, LB, San Clemente (Calif.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know:  Was on campus at USC last weekend as the Trojans look to make a big move to begin the spring. Washington, Utah and Texas have OV's scheduled with the Horns June 21-23. USC vs. Texas is where this one is headed, as of today. 

Anthony Williams, LB, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek #AllGasNoBrakes
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3–star
What to know:  The Texas pledge has been on campus at Baylor, and is expected to visit Florida and TCU among others. 

Johnathan Cunningham, LB, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3–star
What to know:  TCU is all in, and will receive an official visit May 3-5. SMU is also all in. Texas' Johnny Nansen remains in contact after a January offer. 

Defensive back (4-5)

Dorian Brew, CB, Conroe (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Was back on campus at Ohio State over the weekend. USC and Ohio State (June 21-23) are locked in for official visits. Texas and LSU will also receive OV's. Texas is likely June 14-16. LSU is also in the mix, and Michigan and Texas A&M are trying. 

Cobey Sellers, CB, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Oklahoma lead headed into the spring over Texas. Made unofficial visits to Texas and Texas A&M over the weekend. Will be at Oklahoma April 20 for the Sooners spring game. Official visit scheduled consists of Texas A&M June 7-9, Texas June 14-16 and Oklahoma June 21-23. 

Adonyss Currie, CB, Lancaster (Calif.) Quartz Hill
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas has been working on an unofficial and official visit date for a while. Terry Joseph is the point man on the recruitment. Currie's OV scheduled is already packed with Miami, Washington, Utah, Nebraska and Texas A&M.

Caleb Chester, CB, Missouri City (Texas) Marshall
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
What to know: Chester's official visit schedule has Texas June 7-9, Arkansas June 14-16 and Texas A&M June 21-23. 

Aidan Anding, CB, Ruston (La.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
What to know: The most recent offer by Terry Joseph visited Miami over the weekend. He told OnTexasFootball on Friday that he plans to visit Texas this spring. 

Kade Phillips, S/DB, Missouri City (Texas) Hightower
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas led headed into the spring. Phillips will be on campus April 6 after visiting Texas A&M last weekend. The official visit schedule has Texas A&M June 7-9, LSU June 14-16 and Texas June 21-23. 

Jonah Williams, S, Galveston (Texas) Ball 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Oklahoma has been the favorite since a January unofficial visit. Texas is scheduled to host Williams April 6, and for an official visit in June. 

Faheem Delane, S, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Delane is scheduled to visit Texas April 13. Ohio State, LSU, Maryland, Oregon and Tennessee are squarely in the hunt. 

Courtland Guillory, DB/S, Houston (Texas) Klein Oak
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
What to know: Guillory visited Texas March 23 and will be at Texas A&M April 6. Arizona State is on the books for a May OV. 

Athlete (1)

Michael Terry, ATH, San Antonio (Texas) Alamo Heights
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas will host Terry April 20 for the Longhorns spring game. He will make an OV to Nebraska in late April. TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oregon and USC are in the mix. 

Fasusi is expected on campus April 9 for an unofficial visit before returning to Austin in June for his official visit on the 21-23 weekend.

Texas A&M has made some noise here after back to back weekend visits from the Lewisville star. However, Kyle Flood and the Longhorns have long prioritized Fasusi and made it known early he is atop of the Texas board.

A big weekend for the Texas staff gets even bigger with the addition of Davison to the visitor list. 

Davison is also scheduled to make an official visit to campus June 21-23, but this unofficial is a big opportunity for Texas to calm the momentum back from Ohio State following a weekend visit in Columbus.

The Texas Longhorns April 6 visitor list continues to add big time names. 

One day after OnTexasFootball confirmed that Auburn commit Malik Autry (Opelika, Ala./High) s scheduled to be in Austin this weekend, another 4-star defensive lineman is confirmed for Saturday. 

Lufkin (Texas) High's Zion Williams told OnTexasFootball last night that he plans to be in Austin Saturday with his mom. Williams, 6-4.5 and 325 pounds, will also make an official visit to Texas June 21-23. 

The main competition for Texas with the East Texas stout interior lineman is LSU. Williams made an unofficial visit to LSU in March, and plans to be back April 13 for the Tigers Spring Game. A June official visit (likely June 7-9) will also happen. 

Texas A&M and TCU are also in the mix for the latest high-end talent out of Lufkin High. TCU will receive and official visit May 3-5, and Texas A&M is expected to receive a June official visit. 

Williams has 18 known offers headed into April. That offer list includes SEC programs Texas, LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. 

Sharma, 6-3.5 and 323 pounds with power and explosive ability, was accompanied on the visit by his mom and a few Folsom High coaches. Per a source Sunday, Sharma and his mom had a tremendous visit to Texas. From watching the spring practice, to meeting with Steve Sarkisian, spending time with Kenny Baker for the first time and time spent in the facilities around people and players in the program. 

Baker was said to have made a strong impression on Sharma and his mom. Sharma walked away from the visit with a belief that Baker and Texas could help him develop and maximize his potential.

An official visit to Texas is locked in. The source wasn't sure if it was going to be June 14-16 (bumping Utah) or June 21-23, but June 14-16 is most likely. 

The visit to Texas was the third of the week during Folsom High's spring break. Sharma and his mom visited Alabama and Oklahoma prior to Texas. 

Alabama and Texas are at the top of the list with Washington, Oklahoma, Utah and Oregon also receiving mention. 

In closing, OnTexasFootball believes the Longhorns are very much in this recruitment with a legitimate shot. 

Moore will return to Austin twice next month – April 6 and the spring game April 20.

The LSU commit has a final four of Oregon, Ohio State, LSU and Texas. An interesting note from speaking with Moore is the proximity to home is something that Texas has above its competition in this race. The Texas staff speaks with Moore every day as you would expect.

Texas freshman EDGE Colin Simmons swung by Mike A. Myers Stadium. He and Moore are very close and Simmons has been in his ear very often about his time on campus so far. An important factor at the moment.

Expect official visit dates to be released early April. Moore had yet to announce anything final at the moment when I spoke with him. I see Texas as that 1B team in this recruitment at the moment and depending on how the visits go in April, things could get interesting quickly for the nation's No. 1 overall WR.

The Texas Longhorns first big visitor weekend of the spring will be April 6. The visit centered around a spring practice is expected to have at least two dozen visitors, including more than 15 combined 4-star and 5-star prospects from the 2025 and 2026 cycles.

OnTexasFootball provides a first glimpse into the visit weekend with some of the prospects of note. 

April 6 visitors of note

K.J. Lacey, QB, Saraland (Ala.) High #AllGasNoBrakes
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 21-23

Rickey Stewart, RB, Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 14-16

Raycine Guillory, RB, Aledo (Texas) High - #AllGasNoBrakes2026
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star

Dakorien Moore, WR, Duncanville (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star
Official visit: June 21-23 (likely)

Jaime Ffrench, WR, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: June 21-23

Kaliq Lockett, WR, Sachse (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 21-23

Kelshaun Johnson, WR, Hitchcock (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 14-16

Nick Townsend, TE, Dekaney (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 21-23

John Mills, IOL, San Francisco (Calif.) St. Ignatius 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 14-16

Tyler Thomas, IOL, Dickinson (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
Official visit: Texas June 14-16

Malik Autry, DL, Opelika (Ala.) High - *Auburn commit 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
Official visit: TBD

D.J. Sanders, DL, Bellville (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
Official visit: Texas June 21-23

Hayden Lowe, EDGE, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 14-16

Smith Orogbo, EDGE, Alief (Texas) Hastings
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit: Texas June 14-16

Elijah Barnes, LB, Dallas (Texas) Skyline
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
Official visit: Texas June 21-23

Matai Tagoa'i, LB, San Clemente (Calif.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
Official visit:Texas June 21-23

Jonah Williams, S, Galveston (Texas) Ball
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit:Texas June 21-23 (likely)

Kade Phillips, DB, Missouri City (Texas) Hightower
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Official visit:Texas June 21-23

April 9
Texas will also have a very key visitor on April 9 in Michael Fasusi. 

Michael Fasusi, OT, Lewisville (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star
Official visit: Texas June 21-23

Jackson Blackwell, DL, Lorena (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: N/A
Of note: Texas is taking legitimate interest in the small school defensive tackle. 

We’re hearing about some “movers” behind the scenes. And by that term, we mean players who are moving up the depth chart or who are changing the way they are perceived by teammates and coaches alike.

Here’s a quick rundown.

1. Tre Wisner RB - while Wisner is likely to play third fiddle to the mix of Jaydon Blue and Cedric Baxter, he could also be forcing himself on the field in a role not all that dissimilar to Keilan Robinson. Wisner is even more versatile than Robinson, because of his ability to truly play the RB position.

2. Matthew Golden WR - Consistent and reliable. Those are the words folks are using to describe the Houston transfer. Perhaps that shouldn’t be surprising. But it’s still good to hear.

3. DeAndre Moore WR - an afterthought by some prior to spring ball, Moore has attacked practice like the game means something extra to him. Coaches and teammates have taken notice.

4. Amari Niblack/Gunnar Helm TE - anyone thinking Helm would be passed over by the arrival of Niblack are mistaken. The senior from Denver is set to play a lot in 2024. Likewise, Niblack is finding his own niche as a gifted receiver. Both are moving in the right direction.

5. Neto Umeozulu LG - his move forward really started late last season, but it hasn’t stopped since. For the first time in two years, there is very real competition for the starting left guard spot.

6. Alex January DT - January has already moved ahead of Sydir Mitchell in the DT pecking order in practice.

7. Trey Moore DE - even with two returning starters at defensive end, the Longhorns will not be able to keep the UTSA transfer off the field.

8. Colton Vasek - oft hampered by injury, Vasek is finally seeing some action and looking the part.

9. Derion Gullette LB - Gullette is starting to make plays during live action.

10. David Gbenda LB - He is clearly someone Steve Sarkisian and staff are counting on, which is a clear change from just two months ago. He and Anthony Hill are your game one starters.

11. Gavin Holmes CB - Holmes played the run too soft a year ago and it put him behind a newcomer like Manny Muhammad. This off-season Holmes has taken the constructive criticism to heart and is trying to mix it up more often to prove he’s not a liability in the run game  

12. Jaylon Guilbeau Star - Guilbeau never really recovered from his knee injury two years ago. But now he’s performing at a better level.

13. Michael Taaffe  - do not discount his presence in the secondary. A year ago, everyone thought he might play *some*. This year, he is making the move to become the leader of the secondary as well as a team leader.