Since joining the program, I have been told Niblack has had a seamless transition. Of course, it never hurts adding a contributing piece from an Alabama program that had been the gold standard under Nick Saban.

Niblack played the 2023 season in the 230-235 pound range. Since the conclusion of the season, Niblack has been working to add to his frame. I have been told Niblack will enter the spring season at 245 pounds after adding to his frame since December.

The key here is making sure the speed remains, however, you can now expect there to be plenty of mass to be a contributor in the trenches.

So for the first chapter of this series, I wanted to give my ideas on where the Longhorns will get drafted in my own mock draft edition. This will change, but for now, an idea on best fits as the draft currently sits with the NFL Combine set to take place later this week.

***

R1 Pick 16 – Seattle Picks DL Byron Murphy 

This feels like a perfect match. Seattle has gone to the well before with a Texas defensive lineman and it worked out just fine. The Seahawks ranked 26th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed in 2023 and ended with a defense outside of the top 20 in scoring. Help in the trenches makes sense and Murphy's the best man for that pick.

R1 Pick 32 – Kansas City Picks WR Adonai Mitchell

I have long juggled with which Texas WR Kansas City picks here and ultimately decided to go with Mitchell. Yes, Xavier Worthy fits what the Chiefs have used in the past with the speed aspect of things. However, Kansas City just won a Super Bowl with a wide receiving corps that led the league in drops. Mitchell is as sure-handed as anyone in the Draft, I think they go with him here.

R2 Pick 37 – Los Angeles Chargers Pick TE Ja'Tavion Sanders

This pick is contingent on the Chargers not taking Brock Bowers at No. 5 overall, which I think is far too high for that value of a pick with how many holes are on their team defensively. Neither Gerald Everett or Donald Parham have been legitimate threats in the pass game for Herbert and it is time for that to change with the selection of Sanders.

R2 Pick 45 – Atlanta Picks WR Xavier Worthy

Can I interest anyone in Xavier Worthy and Bijan Robinson teaming up once again? For whatever the reason, the Falcons front office just loves shiny toys – except at quarterback. Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and now Xavier Worthy? That would be a hell of an offense to guard.

R2 Pick 58 – Green Bay Picks RB Jonathon Brooks

Green Bay has a very bright future with their current roster construction and the emergence of Jordan Love as a legitimate star in the league. It will be interesting to see what the Packers do at RB. AJ Dillon's contract expires and there have been murmurs of the Pack wanting to move on from the $26M owed to Aaron Jones. If so, J-Brooks just found himself a nice home in Wisconsin.

R2 Pick 62 – Baltimore Picks DT T'Vondre Sweat

This is the pick that has caused me the most pause thus far. It would surprise me a bit to see Sweat fall this far, but any other question marks that arise from the Combine/Pro Days could lead to a bit of uncertainty with his draft projections. 

R4 Pick 111 – Chicago Picks LB Jaylan Ford

The Bears have not been good in a while, but their defensive in the back half of the 2023 season was actually on the doorstep of being called elite. Adding one of the brightest linebackers in the draft keeps that defense grooving for the future, with what should be a restart on the window to construct a team financially with a new rookie QB.

R6 Pick 195 – Jacksonville Picks OT Christian Jones

You get to this far in the Draft and it is a total crapshoot on where guys are expected to be selected. Regardless, I think we have crossed the line with Jones to now fully expecting to hear his name called. The question becomes, when is it. Jacksonville adds depth up front for Trevor Lawrence with Jones.

R7 Pick 238 – Pittsburgh Picks CB Ryan Watts

Listen. Defensive backs at 6-foot-3 that run in the 4.5's with two years of starting production on a College Football Playoff team get drafted more times than they don't. Now for Watts, the key is to run in the 4.5's. I believe he will, and as a result, I think Mike Tomlin gets a piece for his secondary late on Day 3.

Undrafted Free Agents

WR Jordan Whittington – Not going to a senior bowl week of practice may not seem like a big deal, but it is when you miss on a week of evaluations and interviews with scouts and front office members from all 32 teams. A strong Pro Day and Combine is needed here for draft hopes in my eyes.

RB Keilan Robinson – A long shot at the moment to get drafted, but Robinson is going to test very well in the shiny combine drills plus was one of the nation's best in special teams. Look at the career Brenden Schooler is having in New England for hope with Robinson finding an NFL home.

P Ryan Sanborn – Punters very rarely get drafted unless they possess an absolute howitzer of a leg. Sanborn was good, but not sure he is quite in the conversation to hear his name called.

EDGE Jett Bush – I really hope there is a team that invites him to summer camp. Bush was a dedicated program guy and tremendously hard worker during his time on the 40 Acres.

It's time to start the week off with a Chick-fil-a 30 count of nuggets with extra BBQ sauce and a large sweet tea with free refills.

Andrew Marsh locks in Texas visit

OnTexasFootball 4-star wide receiver Andrew Marsh (Katy, Texas) Jordan told OTF Sunday that he has a visit set to Texas March 25. Marsh, 6-1 and 175 pounds, has remained in constant contact with Chris Jackson since last summer. He was on campus during the 2023 season for the Wyoming game. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stopped by Jordan High in January. He made a Junior day visit to Texas A&M in January. Nebraska and Kentucky are in full pursuit. 

Jeff Banks working to get TE on campus

Spring (Texas) Dekaney 2025 TE Nick Townsend is a strong possibility to be in Austin April 6. Banks and Townsend spoke two days ago. Banks' message was clear that the Longhorns want the 6-4, 220 pounder to visit April 6. And that Texas is recruiting Townsend at tight end.

"I'm liking them so far. When I went up there for Junior day (January 20), it felt like home," Townsend told OnTexasFootball Saturday. "That was the best campus I have been on so far."

That comment includes a Junior day visit to Texas A&m in January. 

Townsend Texas A&M March 22, USC and California March during spring break and Arizona State official visit in April. He will make that April official visit to Arizona State with fellow OnTexasFootball 4-star and Dekaney teammate Tanook Hines. Hines told OTF Saturday that he also remains in contact with Texas, and a spring visit is possible. 

Sunshine Star 4-star to visit Texas in April

Sunshine State speedster and OnTexasFootball 4-star wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. (Naples, Fla./First Baptist Academy) confirmed with OTF that he is scheduled to visit Texas April 18. This will be a first visit to Texas for the 5-10, 175 pounder with 4.45 speed. Watkins, a one-time pledge to both Texas A&M and Colorado early in the process, is in contact with Texas wide receivers coach Chris Jackson. April 18 will be the first time on campus in Austin. 

Watkins has a spring full of unofficial visits:
Florida March 7 
Clemson March 11 
Pittsburgh March 21 
Syracuse March 27 
Indiana April 2 
Ohio State April 9 
Tennessee April 13
Florida State April 16 
Texas April 18 
Oregon April 25  

Zion Williams and Texas

OnTexasFootball would rank the contenders for Lufkin (Texas) High's 2025 DL Zion Williams in this order:
LSU 1A
Texas 1B
Texas A&M 3rd
TCU 4th

Williams, 6-4.5 and 320 pounds, spoke with Kenny Baker last week. The Longhorns will get Williams on campus this spring (likely April 20 spring game), and in June for an official visit. He will make a visit to LSU March 9, and Texas A&M is likely near the end of March. TCU is locked in for an official visit 3-5. 

Offensive line recruiting

OnTexasFootball broke the news Sunday that Port Neches-Groves IOL Jackson Christian and Cypress (Texas) Bridgeland High's Jonte Newman have scheduled June official visits to Texas.

Christian, 6-5 and 313 pounds, is trending to a Texas A&M vs. Texas battle. He will make official visits to Texas A&M June 14-16 and Texas June 21-23. He will also make April visits to Texas A&M on the 6th, and Texas the 13th. 

Newman is more wide open with his recruitment, but Texas has a legit shot. Newman is looking at a spring unofficial visit prior to the June 21-23 official visit. Oregon will get a visit. Oklahoma will likely get a visit. He will be back on campus at Texas A&M, and Alabama is a school of serious interest. Newman, 6-4 and 280 pounds, moved to the Houston area from Lexington, Miss. If Lexington, Miss. sounds a little familiar, that is where Texas 2024 DL target Terrance Hibbler is from. Hibbler attended Holmes County High, where Newman would have attended if he hadn't moved to Texas. 

Sunshine State corner Chris Ewald Jr. 

Texas defensive backs coach Terry Joseph is in contact with Chris Ewald Jr. (Hollywood, Fla./Chaminade-Madonna). Ewald, 6-0 and 160, is a one-time Michigan verbal with more than 30 offers. The offer list includes 12 SEC programs, including the Longhorns. Texas offered the Broward County cover corner in October of 2023.

Ewald has a busy spring visit scheduled with Miami March 8, LSU March 9, Auburn March 19, Texas A&M March 23 and Tennessee April 6. A visit to Texas is a possibility. 

Defensive line recruiting nuggets

Texas defensive line coach Kenny Baker spoke with OnTexasFootball 4-star defensive tackle prospect Myron Charles (Port Charlotte, Fla./High) last week. Baker is working to get Charles on campus this spring. Charles, 6-4 and 280, doesn't have a date locked in yet. OTF considers Florida State the team to beat for the Sunshine State 4-star headed into the spring. 

Kenny Baker also reached out to Mansfield (Texas) Timberview High's Dilan Battle in recent days. Baker's message to Battle was working to get him on campus this spring. Battle is scheduled to be at LSU March 9 for the Tigers huge recruiting weekend. He's also scheduled to see Texas A&M later in March. A return trip to Florida is also possible. A TCU official visit in May is a possibility as well. Michigan also remains in the picture. 

More notes:

A Sunday prediction in the recruiting world has Texas being in position to beat out USC, LSU and Ohio State for Kaliq Lockett (Sachse, Texas/High). Lockett, 6-1 and 175 pounds, is scheduled to visit Texas April 6 for the Longhorns big weekend of targets on offense.

Texas remains in contact with Terrell (Texas) High 2025 TE/EDGE Keiundre Johnson. Johnson, 6-3.5 and 220 pounds, plans to visit Texas, Texas A&M, USC, SMU and maybe Arkansas this spring. Texas' Jeff Banks has mentioned April 6 and April 20 Spring Game as possible visit dates. Texas A&M and USC are recruiting Johnson as an EDGE prospect. 

Richmond (Texas) Randle 2025 DL Chace Sims (6-3, 285) told OTF that he is expecting communication with defensive line coach Kenny Baker to pick up soon. LSU's Bo Davis offered last week, and the Tigers will receive a visit this spring. Texas A&M and TCU are also on the spring visit list. Texas Tech possibly as well. 

OnTexasFootball 4-star CB Cobey Sellers (Pearland, Texas/Shadow Creek) said Sunday that he doesn't have any locked in spring visit dates. Oklahoma and Texas are expecting the 6-0, 165 pound cornerback on campus this spring, however. The Sooners enter the spring in the lead spot, but there remains confidence in Austin the Longhorns could win out. 

The Texas Longhorns June official visit weekends are beginning to take form. 

Just a couple of hours after Port Neches-Groves 4-star IOL Jackson Christian informed OnTexasFootball that he will make an official visit to Texas June 21-23, another top offensive line target has told OTF he has an official visit date locked in. 

Bridgeland (Texas) High offensive tackle Jonte Newman will make an official visit to Texas June 14-16. Newman, 6-5 and 280 pounds, attended Texas Junior Day January 20. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood was by Bridgeland High in January. 

Texas' competition for the Lexington (Miss.) native that moved to the Houston area in ninth grade is Texas A&M, Oregon, Oklahoma and Houston, among others. 

Offensive line targets officially visiting Texas

Jonte Newman, OT, Cypress (Texas) Bridgeland - June 14-16

John Mills, IOL, San Francisco (Calif.) St. Ignatius - June 14-16

Jackson Christian, IOL, Port Neches (Texas) PN-G - June 21-23

Tyler Thomas, IOL, Dickinson (Texas) High - June 28-30 (* - likely)

Michael Fasusi, OT, Lewisville (Texas) High - June 28-30 (*-likely)

The first official visit will be to Texas A&M June 14-16. Christian, 6-5 and 313 pounds, will then make an official visit to Texas June 21-23. 
 

The visit to Texas will be his second in a two month period. Christian also informed OnTexasFootball that he will make an unofficial visit to Texas April 13-14 weekend.

The tackle for the 5A State Champion Port Neches-Groves will also make an unofficial visit to Texas A&M April 6. 

Four-star EDGE prospect Damien Shanklin (Indianapolis, In./Warren Central) is headed to Austin for an official visit June 21. That name was surprise to many still getting familiar with the the 2025 cycle of out of state prospects. 

Shanklin, 6-5 and 232 pounds, is another sign of the Texas national recruiting approach, and growing appeal among top prospects.

"When they first offered me, it surprised me," Shanklin told OnTexasFootball Sunday. "I have had an interest in Texas for a while watching the defensive tackles and defensive ends." 

Texas defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski offered Shaklin in late September of 2023. Since that time, the top ranked prospect in Indiana and Kwiatkowski have built a quality rapport.

"I talk to Coach Pete (Kwitkoswki) a lot. He’s telling me about my film, and how much he likes it. The way he was telling me how he coaches is what I like too. He tells me about developing players when I first get there, the environment on the team and the program."

Kwiatkowski stopped by Warren Central High in January for a more in depth conversation. 

"He came to school in January. He was telling me about the facilities, the school and the history. And the base defense, and stuff. We talked for about an hour." 

The communication with the Texas staff includes a recent conversation with Steve Sarkisian. 

“He was just checking in on me. He was telling that my film was good, and I’m great player. And that he can’t wait to get me down there.” 

Shanklin said he talked with Kwiatkowski two days ago.

A visit prior to the June official visit

Shanklin told OnTexasFootball that he and one of his coaches are looking at making an unofficial visit late in the spring prior to the June official visit.

Texas is in Shanklin's top 5 prior to the visit

Everyone is seemingly chasing Notre Dame headed into the spring. He will attend the Fighting Irish Spring Game April 20, and make an official visit June 7-9. 

Tennessee (June 14-16), Michigan and Ohio State are also going to receive official visits. 

"Right now, Texas is definitely in my top five." 

And that's where the recruitment begins with Shaklin prior to spring and June visits. 

Shanklin is busy with recruiting and track and field season currently. He sports personal records of 174’3” in the discus and 49’0” in the shot put. 

We also dropped our takes on whether or not Texas’ offense this upcoming fall would be more difficult to defend than what we saw in 2023.

Texas has offered over 100 prospects in the 2025 cycle, but all offers are not the same. 

The April visit list continues to take shape with three weekends expected to host more than 25 4-star prospects in the 2025 cycle expected on campus. 

This morning, OnTexasFootball provides a list of prospects Texas is in the top two with headed into the spring. 

Texas in the top two

Rickey Stewart, RB, Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Texas leads Baylor by a large margin. 

Dakorien Moore, Duncanville (Texas) High - *LSU commit
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 5-star
This letter of intent will come down to LSU vs. Texas, barring a significant change. 

Kelshaun Johnson, WR, Hitchock (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Texas leads this recruitment with USC and Texas A&M jockeying for second headed into the spring. 

Marcus Harris, WR, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 4-star
Texas is in the lead spot or top two as long as Sarkisian desires. 

Nick Towsend, TE, Houston (Texas) Dekaney
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Jeff Banks has Texas in the top as long as the Horns recruit Townsend at tight end, his preferred position. 

Kiotti Armstrong, TE, Jasper (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 4-star
Armstrong will sign with either Texas A&M or Texas barring a significant change,

Michael Fasusi, OT, Lewisville (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 5-star
Oklahoma and Texas have been top 2 for months. It’s up to Texas A&M or Oregon to change that. 

John Mills, IOL, San Francisco (Calif.) St. Ignatius
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Texas is in a favorable position headed into the spring. Will it Michigan or Washington that becomes the clear top two with Texas?

Tyler Thomas, IOL, Dickinson (Texas) High
The Houston area guard prospect is very likely to come down to Texas vs. Texas A&M, unless LSU can make a major push this spring. 

Riley Pettijohn, LB, McKinney (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Texas will live in the top two of this recruitment barring a change. 

Elijah Barnes, Dallas (Texas) Skyline
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 4-star
Texas will live in the top 2 of this recruitment, and arguably leads headed into the spring. 

Zion Williams, DL, Lufkin (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Texas and LSU in front of Texas A&M with TCU fourth. 

Kade Phillips, S/DB, Missouri City (Texas) Hightower
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 4-star
Texas’ offer a week ago vaults the Horns into the top two with LSU. Texas A&M is third, currently. 

Dorian Brew, CB, Conroe (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 4-star
Texas has made up ground since January 20, and now sits in the top 2 headed into the spring. 

Cobey Sellers, CB, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek
OnTexasFootball Ranking: 4-star
Oklahoma the favorite over Texas to win out headed into the spring. 

Michael Terry, ATH, San Antonio (Texas) Alamo Heights
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
Texas will be top two in this one as long as Sark and staff push this spring and in June. 

This morning, let's discuss the secondary.

**

Let's start with the newcomers.

Andrew Mukuba is considered a "good athlete". He acts right, does what he's asked but is more naturally a quiet young man, so don't expect a vocal leader, at least not right now, despite the fact that he's a three-year starter. Mukuba's working at safety, looks like a starter and future NFL player, albeit not necessarily an early round pick. He's a little slighter build (he's right at 180 pounds despite being a senior) than maybe some fans will be anticipating.

Xavier Filsaime continues to receive rave reviews among the newcomers. He just has a "really good football demeanor", tries to get to the front of the line for more reps and then has the plus speed. "He's going to be good," the source said.

Wardell Mack was also singled out as looking the part but currently a rung below Filsaime. Jordon Johnson-Rubell is behind a bevy of good players at nickel. Kobe Black has yet to really show out to the level of his recruiting ranking.

**

Back-up nickel Jaylon Guilbeau has been working *some* at corner during some winter workouts.

It's for a combination of reasons. First, it is to see if he can break a four-man rotation at the position and the second is to find him yet another way on to the field and give him some position versatility. The Longhorns have always liked his overall ability and especially his sense for the game but Guilbeau did not initially come back strong from his injury in 2022. So it's taken awhile for him to get back on track.

The feeling is that he's now done that, he will be a real contributor in the secondary "somehow" this season.

Manny Muhammad and Terrance Brooks are the definite starters at corner. Gavin Holmes remains in the rotation. Holmes has the athleticism and speed but, according to some, needs to work more on his toughness in the run game this spring.

Warren Roberson is also working primarily at corner and has no issues with toughness. In fact, Roberson shows flashes of excellent play, is a hard worker and always plays with an edge. But he needs to become more consistent this spring; he needs to become someone his coaches can depend on every play.

**

I purposely saved this for last:

Derrick Williams has a chance to be special. A year ago, he had some small on-field issues, mostly from taking wrong angles on plays. The coaches and staff believe these small issues came from him playing almost like a linebacker position of sorts in high school.

He is working on that aspect of his game this off-season and apparently looks more than the part.

"I love this dude's future. He's very athletic, plays fast, and he's very physical," the source said.

**

Michael Taaffe is Michael Taaffe.

"You look at him (physically) and you say, he probably shouldn't be playing here," the source said. "But then the game starts, practice gets going, and he does what he does, makes a few plays, and then you realize he's just a player.

"I know he's going to be in the rotation this year. The question is, will he be the starter? Mukuba and Williams are a really strong tandem. with more speed and man-coverage ability."