I was joined by Bengal, one of the largest YouTube creators in the Madden and NFL communities for this video. We broke down memories from the old game as well as some predictions for ratings of Texas players for the upcoming game!

Headed into spring practice the 2022 top 5 ranked recruiting class has been a key part of the Longhorns ascending to a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance. 

Steve Sarkisian's first full class has produced six full time starters (counting specialists), four other players that have started a game and seven more players that are considered key players headed into the 2024 season. 

When it comes to future NFL draft's, there are five players that are sure to be drafted and two or three others that could move up in the eyes of scouts in 2024. 

OnTexasFootball.com takes a look at the returns of the 2022 class headed into year three in the program. 

Quarterback 
Malik Murphy, QB,  (Calif.) Junipero Serra - Texas/Duke
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: None
At Texas: Started two games in 2023. Completed 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards with 3 TD’s and 3 INT’s as a Longhorn. 

Running back
Jaydon Blue, RB, Houston (Texas) Klein Cain
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: Could or should pop onto some scouts boards with ascending season in 2024. 
At Texas: Posted 65 carries for 398 yards and three TD’s in 2023, along with 14 receptions for 135 yards and a score. Added three kick off returns for 80 yards in 2023. Rushed for 33 yards on 15 carries in 2022. 

Savion Red, Grand Prairie (Texas) High
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Posted 30 carries for 131 yards and a TD in 2023. Added two kick off returns for 29 yards in 2023. Caught six passes for 34 yards in 2022 as a slot receiver. 

Wide receiver
Brenen Thompson, Spearman (Texas) High - Texas/Oklahoma
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
2023 season: Caught seven passes for 241 yards and two TD’s for the Sooners in 2023. He caught a touchdown pass in each of the last two games of the season. 

Offensive line
Kelvin Banks, LT, Humble (Texas) Summer Creek
Recruiting Ranking: 5-star
NFL projection: 1st round selection in 2025 NFL Draft.
At Texas: Appeared in 27 games, and started every game the last two seasons. First-team All-Big 12 following the 2023 season. Will appear on various All-American teams prior to the 2024 season. 

DJ Campbell, RG, Arlington (Texas) Bowie
Recruiting Ranking: 5-star
NFL projection: Mid-round round selection in 2026 NFL Draft.
At Texas: Appeared in 21 games with 14 starts in two seasons. Started every game at right guard in 2023. Year one was a learning curve year focusing on offensive line fully for the first time, and making the move to guard. 

Cameron Williams, RT, Duncanville(Texas) High
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: Could develop into first or second round selection in 2026 NFL Draft.
At Texas: Appeared in 22 games in two seasons. Started one game vs. Kansas State in 2023. Will take over as starting right tackle in 2024. 

Neto Umeozulu, LG, Allen (Texas) High
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: NFL Draft ability and measurables.
At Texas: Appeared in 5 games in two seasons. Huge spring ahead for Umeozulu. Last few weeks of practice in 2023 were by far his best and most consistent at Texas. 

Malik Agbo, OT/TE, Federal Way (Wa.) Todd Beamer High
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Appeared in 15 games, including 14 in 2023. Caught one pass for 6 yards. 

Cole Hutson, OG/C, Frisco (Texas) High
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has appeared in 22 games with 13 starts in two seasons. Started every game at right guard as a true freshman. Missed spring of 2023 due to shoulder surgery. Battled knee injury much of the 2023 season. 

Connor Robertson, OC, Austin (Texas) Westlake
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has appeared in 14 games. Played significant snaps against Oklahoma in 2023 after Jake Majors went down early in the game with an ankle injury. Will battle with Cole Hutson and Daniel Cruz for the starting center position in 2025. 

Defensive line
Jaray Bledsoe, Marlin (Texas) High
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has appeared in nine games. Posted 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QBP and 1 fumble recovery in 2023. Remains one of the highest upside players in the program. Weight up to around 290 pounds at end of the 2023 season. 

Aaron Bryant, Southaven (Miss.) High
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Appeared in nine games. Posted one tackle in seven games in 2023.  

Zac Swanson, Phoenix (Az.) Brophy Prep
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Appeared in three games. Has not seen meaningful game action in first two seasons. If he can get to 290 pounds, he could become a rotation player. Not void of ability to play at the Power 5 level. 

EDGE
Ethan Burke, Austin (Texas) Westlake
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: Top three round pick in the 2025 or 2026 NFL Draft. A productive 2024 in the SEC would lead to a very tough decision following the season. 
At Texas: Has appeared in 24 games with nine starts in two seasons. Honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2023 after recording 41 tackles, 9 TFL’s, 5.5 sacks and 2 PBU’s despite missing time with a knee injury. 

Justice Finkley, Trussville (Al.) Hewitt-Trussville
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Appeared in 26 games in a reserve role. Recorded 14 tackles, three TFL’s, two sacks and four QB hurries in 2023. 

J’mond Tapp, Donaldsonville (La.) Ascension Catholic
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has appeared in nine games. Recorded 9 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s and 1 QBH in career. 

Kristopher Ross, Houston (Texas) North Shore - in transfer portal
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Played in three games in 2023 as a key reserve before injury and removal from the program. 

Derrick Brown, Texarkana (Texas) High - in transfer portal
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Redshirted prior to putting name in transfer portal. 

Linebacker
Travel Johnson, LB, Arlington (Texas) Martin - Texas/UL-Monroe
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Transferred after the 2022 season. 

Defensive back
Terrance Brooks, CB, Little Elm (Texas) High
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: Likely selection in either the 2025 or 2026 draft.
At Texas: Has appeared in 23 games with 16 starts the last two seasons. Posted 20 tackles, 6 PBU’s and 3 INT’s in 2023. Recorded 9 tackles and 3 PBU’s in 2022. 

B.J. Allen Jr., S, Aledo (Texas) High - Texas/North Texas
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
Transferred following the 2023 season. Never saw meaningful game action for the Horns. 

Jaylon Guilbeau, N/S, Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has appeared in 16 games with four starts (all 2022 season). Recorded 7 tackles, 2 PBU’s and 1 TFL in 2023. Totaled 19 tackles, 4 QB hurries, 2 PBU’s and 0.5 sacks in 2022.  

Austin Jordan, N/S, Denton (Texas) Ryan
Recruiting Ranking: 4-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has appeared in 25 games the last two seasons. Has 11 tackles, 1 INT and 0.5 TFL’s in his career. 

Larry Turner-Gooden, S, Playa Del Ray (Calif.) Bishop Alemany - Texas/San Jose State
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Never saw meaningful action prior to transferring after the conclusion of the 2023 season. 

Xavion Brice, CB, Arlington (Texas) Seguin - Texas/North Texas
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Never saw meaningful game action. Transferred following the 2023 season.

Specialists
Will Stone, Austin (Texas) Regents School
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has handled kick off duties in each of the last two seasons. 

Lance St. Louis, Gilbert (Az.) Williams Field
Recruiting Ranking: 3-star
NFL projection: N/A
At Texas: Has handled long snapping duties in each of the last two seasons. 

The most anticipated spring practice for Texas in two decades is just 31 days away. 

While the Longhorns will be ranked in the top 5 in preseason polls, there are still players and positions that need to take key steps this spring to having the chance to maximize the 2024 season. 

The interior of the defensive line and linebacker are the two positions Texas has to answer this spring and in August. And depth at safety. 

This list was built out with the understanding that wide receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden are expected to experience a smooth transition, and will be impact playmakers with quality depth at the position.

1. Sydir Mitchell, Freshman, DT/NG
Mitchell tops the list for me. Texas needs the 6-5, 350 pound Garden State product to take a big step this spring headed into August. If Mitchell begins to look like the prospect that Texas and Georgia battled for until the ink was dry, Texas defensive tackle position will have a different look headed into the 2024 season. Especially over the ball in a more demanding conference with much better offensive line talent. 

2. Alfred Collins, Senior, DT
It’s been a long waiting game for Collins to consistently look like the player and NFL Draft pick his ceiling has suggested since his senior year of high school. It’s now or never for Collins, and the Longhorns need Collins to become the player expected in 2024. 

3. Derek Williams Jr., Freshman, S
When Steve Sarkisian said at a signing day press conference the Pelican State product could be a first round pick one day, it certainly raised eyebrows. That’s not a comment made during signing day press conferences. After a strong freshman campaign, Williams beginning to look like that future first round pick level prospect in 2024 would certainly ascend the Texas secondary - especially the safety position.

4. Trey Moore, Junior, EDGE/LB
The UTSA transfer bet on himself hitting the portal in December. If Moore, 6-2 and 235 pounds, is talked about coming out of spring as his strengths translating against Texas level OL’s consistently, the Longhorns will see an uptick off the edge rushing the passer in 2024 - along with Colin Simmons. Moore lacks the long levers of some of the most successful SEC EDGE/LB pass rushers in recent years, but he has possesses high-end twitch. 

5. Colin Simmons, True freshman, EDGE/LB
The 5-star EDGE prospect has already added 15-20 pounds of great weight since arriving in Austin. Especially lower body strength, which will be key when attacked in the run game. Simmons possesses pass rush ability off the edge the program hasn’t had in years - since Brian Orakpo. 

6. Amari Niblack, Sophomore, TE
The Alabama transfer has down the field ability at tight end that even Ja’Tavion Sanders didn’t possess. Yes, Niblack has that type of vertical speed. If OTF is hearing that Niblack is making a smooth transition into a more complex offensive system and is a more than willing blocker when called upon, the tight end position could be even better in 2024. And that is saying something. 

7. Cameron Williams, Sophomore, RT
Williams has patiently waited for his turn while developing physically and technically. His time is now. And that means Texas fans will get to see a player that has a high NFL Draft pick ceiling. Williams made a his only career start vs. Kansas State in 2023. If Williams receives high praise coming out of spring practice, the Texas offensive line will be a lock to be better in 2024 with the returning experience and depth along with Williams. 

8. Jaray Bledsoe, Sophomore, DT
Pound-for-pound, Bledsoe is the best athlete in the program. But it’s imperative for the Longhorns to maximize the 2024 season that Bledsoe becomes more than a prospect talked about in terms of potential. He needs to start the on field ascension this spring that vaults him onto NFL scouts minds during the 2024 season. Bledsoe was up to 287 pounds late last season. Texas needs Bledsoe to be an athletic disruptor consistently in 2024. 

9. Liona Lefau, Freshman, LB
Lefau flashed last spring and continued to receive praise during the season as a linebacker with a bright future. The long-armed and instinctive linebacker is now in position to grab an opportunity and run with it. If the word coming out of spring practice is Lefau is ready to take a big step in 2024, that changes the trajectory of the position as a whole. 

10. Xavier Filsaime, True freshman, S
Texas needs both early enrollee’s Xavier Filsaime and Jordon Johnson-Rubell to make noise in the spring. In the case of Filsaime, he’s for sure going to play safety whereas JJ-R could spend some spring reps at nickel. Filsaime enrolled at Texas with a Power 5 ready frame, and he has impressed since day 1. If that trend continues throughout spring practice, the safety position will look totally different in 2024. That would mean more experience and more speed with the additions of Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba and Filsaime. 

Many of the targets in the 2025 cycle attended Texas Junior Day January 20, and are expected back in the spring for unofficial visits prior to the Longhorns narrowing the focus headed into June official visits. 

OnTexasFootball.com provides a look at the offensive line position prior to the spring evaluation period. 

#RecruitThroughTheWhistle
That prospect is Lewisville High's Michael Fasusi. The 6-4, 295 pound left tackle with high end body quickness is expected back on campus with family this spring, likely April 6 or for the spring game. Flood, Steve Sarkisian and Tashard Choice stopped by Lewisville High in late January to see Fasusi. An official visit the last weekend of June (28-30) is very likely. Texas is battling Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Oregon, Missouri and others. 

Texas doing well with Mills
One prospect that the Longhorns are doing well with headed into the spring is OnTexasFootball 4-star John Mills (San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep). Mills, 6-6 and 325 pounds, attended Texas Junior Day January 20. He also attended Florida Junior Day January 27. The Longhorns main competition is Michigan and Washington. Mills has been on campus three times since June of 2023. He is scheduled to make an unofficial visit April 6th weekend, and has an official visit scheduled June 14-16. 

Tyler Thomas OV date
Dickinson (Texas) High's Tyler Thomas got a visit from Flood in January, and a June official visit is expected. Thomas, 6-4 and 290 pounds, is very likely to make an official visit to Texas the last weekend in June (28-30). Thomas has been high on the board in Austin for about a year. Texas A&M is considered the manin competition headed into the spring. He made a Junior Day visit to Texas A&M in January. He missed the majority of the 2023 season with a foot injury. 

In state names to know

Jonte Newman, OT, Cypress (Texas) Bridgeland
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Attended January 20 Junior Day. Flood was by Bridgeland High in January. Texas A&M also very much in the mix. Newman moved to the Houston area from Lexington, Miss. around the start of high school. 

Lamont Rogers, OT, Mesquite (Texas) Horn
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Attended January 20 Junior Day. LSU is one to watch with Rogers. 

Jackson Christian, IOL, Port Neches (Texas) Port Neches-Groves
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Attended January 20 Junior Day. Also attended Texas A&M Junior Day in January. 

Dramodd Odoms, OT, Houston (Texas) Lamar
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Attended January 20 Junior Day.

Jordan Coleman, OT/IOL, Cedar Hill (Texas) High
Attended January 20 Junior Day. Twin brother Devin Coleman is also on the radar of the Longhorns.

Ty Haywood, OT, Denton (Texas) Ryan
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star

Connor Carty, IOL, Prosper (Texas) High
Attended Texas January 20 Junior Day. Texas offered January 20. 

Offer watch
Devin Coleman, IOL, Cedar Hill (Texas) High
Attended Texas January 20 Junior Day. Recent offers include Ole Miss and Duke. 

Out of state names to know
Peter Langi, IOL, San Francisco (Calif.) Archbishop Rirordan
The 6-5, 330 pound guard prospect is scheduled to visit Texas in March. Texas is one of 38 offers, including a run of SEC offers in January. 

Nick Brooks, OT, Cedar Rapids (Ia.) John F. Kennedy
Flood was by the school in January. A spring visit is possible. 

The off-season doesn't grab many headlines, and it's not always pretty. A lot of hard work, early morning workouts, increased and improved attention to detail, growth (physically and mentally), tinkering with the personnel and schemes, self-scouting and opponent scouting, it's all part of the process.

The right emphasis placed on the off-season pays untold dividends when the season comes.

I feel like Steve Sarkisian and his staff nailed last year's off-season; there's no doubt in my mind that the seeds of the 2023 Big 12 championship were planted last winter, during this very same time period we're in now.

I spoke with Bryan Erwin about the topic for this morning's Saturday Conversation, and I think it's something all folks will want to listen to who care about the ins and outs of what's going on not only for the players but also for the coaches.

**

True freshman receiver Ryan Wingo, edge Colin Simmons and safety Xavier FIlsaime continue to be singled out behind the scenes for their really strong work. Wingo has been cut from different cloth. And that is coming from multiple sources.

Mentioning Wingo like this will undoubtedly mean fans think he should be ready to roll this spring. But we all have to remember, no matter how talented they are and what these young players are showing right now, they all have to acclimate to college football once the pads come on and the speed of the overall game changes.

That being said, Wingo, Simmons and Filsaime are showing some ability and pluck early.

**

I also heard another name recently that seems to be impressing -- tight end Jordan Washington. Washington's skill set is much different than the other young tight ends - Spencer Shannon and Will Randle - so that admittedly could be part of it.

It's something that bears watching. It was the first time his name has come up this off-season.

**

I am told that two of the younged offensive lineman have made strong pushes so far this off-season - Trevor Goosby and Jayden Chatman.

**

Another class of 2023 member that continues to gain notoriety behind the scenes is Warren Roberson. The cornerback has been highly regarded for his athleticism almost since he arrived in Austin a year ago. But we didn't see him much at all last season.

Yet folks still hold him in very high regard. This could be the year where we see him break through.

The Texas Longhorns will travel to Houston today to take on the No. 3 Cougars at noon Saturday on CBS. 

Texas (16-8, 5-6) has a strong NCAA Resume currently, but still has work in front of them to punch the ticket. 

OnTexasFootball takes a look ahead, and the scenarios for Texas to be comfortably in the tourney.

Texas’ Remaining Schedule
2/17 @ No. 3 Houston
2/19 Kansas State
2/24 @ No. 6 Kansas 
2/27 @ Texas Tech
3/2 Oklahoma State 
3/4 @ No. 12 Baylor 
3/9 No. 25 Oklahoma 

NCAA Men’s Basketball NET Rankings (Feb. 15)
Texas is No. 31 in NCAA NET headed into Saturday’s games. 

The Longhorns are 4-6 in Quad 1 games, 1-1 vs. Quad 2, 3-1 vs. Quad 3 and 8-0 vs. Quad 4. 

Quad 1 games remaining for the Longhorns:
No. 1 @ Houston
No. 17 @ Kansas
No. 26 @ Texas Tech 
No. 12 @ Baylor 

Quad 2 game remaining:
No. 33 Oklahoma 

Quad 3 games remaining:
No. 77 Kansas State
No. 137 Oklahoma State 

T-Rank 
Texas is No. 22 in Bart Torvik’s rankings headed into Saturday. 

2024 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings
Texas checks in at No. 25 headed into college games this weekend. 

What it means for Texas

The Longhorns are comfortably in the NCAA Tournament headed into the weekend. That resume is aided by Quad 1 wins at Oklahoma, and over Baylor and TCU in Big 12 play. 

While Strength of Schedule as a whole may not carry as much weight as it used to, the Longhorns have played a top 30 ranked schedule and will likely end up with a scheduled ranked from 20-30 area. 

Most years, a sub .500 conference record would not get you into the Field of 68. With the monster level Big 12 Conference in 2023-24, Texas would get in at 8-10. 

Sitting at 5-6 with four Quad 1 road games remaining, 8-10 may be the best case scenario. 

Texas and seeding:

Scenario 1: 19-12, 8-10 is likely a 9-10 seed headed into Big 12 Tournament

Scenario 2: 20-11, 9-9 would likely be a 7 seed headed into Big 12 Tournament 

Scenario 3: 18-13, 7-11 would likely send the Horns to the NIT without a run in the Big 12 Tournament. 

Right now, I do not see a scenario where Texas is 21-10, 10-8 to finish the regular season. That would mean winning five of last seven vs. a very difficult closing stretch of the schedule.  Texas has not shown that consistent type of stretch this season over talent neutralized stretches.

As another week of practice concludes, I wanted to share some notes on a couple of early enrollees on the offensive side of the ball as the group gets one week deeper into their college careers.

***

The Texas offseason conditioning course changes throughout the week to provide different looks for each workout, but for the most part, there is a consistent approach in the following set-up: Mat Drills, Stations and gassers or 110's to round things up at the conclusion of the day.

Torre Becton's staff has thrown in a number of agility drills set to improve change of direction speed, as well as focusing on acceleration out of breaks. This has remained a constant this offseason for anyone wondering.

***

Starting on offense, we have continued to pound the drum for WR Ryan Wingo over the past few weeks, but man, I continue to hear very encouraging tidbits on the former five-star. He has all of the tools to get on the field right away.

A surprise to me has been WR Freddie Dubose. I expected there to be a slow curve in development, though Dubose bought into the weight room immediately and is now sitting north of 185 pounds. Another steady riser.

Speaking of newcomers that adopted the college weight room lifestyle – Jerrick Gibson is another name that deserves mentioning. No surprise obviously, but Gibson might be the most physically filled out back in the room at the moment.

For QB Trey Owens, he is going the opposite in terms of weight to guys like Colin Simmons and Freddie Dubose. Owens weighed in at 238 pounds San Antonio for the All American Bowl at the beginning of January. When the spring roster is announced and released, it would not surprise me to see Owens sub-230.

This might not come off as a big surprise, but Daniel Cruz has been a rabid animal in these workouts. He attacks each workout session very aggressively and has been mentioned as someone who brings the most out of his group when in team settings. Encouraging.

The hope is to add another 10+ pounds to Brandon Baker's frame by the beginning of the season. Baker came to campus sitting right around 290 pounds, and word is the staff would prefer him north of 305 before kickoff this fall.