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    Bobby Burton
    The first spring practice schedule is set. The Horns take to the practice fields at 9am on Tuesday, March 19.
    The next day, Texas will host its annual pro day for NFL prospects.
    Then the Horns return to the practice field on Thursday. The Texas staff will be hosting a high school coaches clinic that day as well.
    Gerry Hamilton
    If Signing Day were today
    This is a OnTexasFootball first article with this headline. While the December 4th signing day is over 200 days away, the majority of prospects on this list will make decisions prior to senior seasons. 
    Steve Sarkisian and staff are currently in the lead, top two or in a position to battle on more than two dozen prospects in the 2025 cycle. OTF takes a look at 25 prospects of note with the categories being - Yes, Maybe and Work to be done.
    Yes is Texas leads, or would lead with a strong push. Maybe is Texas is right there, and work to be done is the obvious. 
    This list will be fluid on a number of prospects as the spring plays out, and then through the summer official visits. 
    Yes
    Rickey Stewart, RB, Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas the clear favorite over Baylor, SMU and a couple of others. 
    Kelshaun Johnson, WR, Hitchcock (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas has serious competition from USC, Texas Tech and Texas A&M. It would surprise a few if the Longhorns weren't the winner, should Sarkisian make the final June push. 
    Marcus Harris, WR, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas has been the favorite at times in this recruitment. Oregon and Tennessee are key players.
    John Mills, IOL, San Francisco (Calif.) St. Ignatius 
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Washington is real competition due to family ties. Texas has made a very strong impression with each visit. The Huskies new staff is going to have two cracks at winning out this spring. 
    Jordan Coleman, OT, Cedar Hill (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    The Texas offer was very impactful. The Horns are the favorite with a closing push in June. 
    Devin Coleman, IOL, Cedar Hill (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    The offer by Kyle Flood truly registered. Texas sits in the favorable position entering spring and official visits.
    Chace Sims, DL, Richmond (Texas) Randle
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    The Texas offer was a big one. Close to home matters in this one with Texas A&M, TCU and LSU the key players.
    Floyd Guidry, DL, Spring (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    A recruitment Texas would be expected to win, if Sarkisian and Kenny Baker make a push. 
    Elijah Barnes, LB, Dallas (Texas) Skyline
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
    OTF considers Texas the team to beat headed into the spring, and visits. 
    Kade Phillips, DB, Missouri City (Texas) Hightower
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas headed into spring visits is in a good spot over LSU, with Texas A&M also in it. 
    Maybe
    Jordon Davidson, RB, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas has been the favorite are at various times throughout the recruitment. Tashard Choice is a feather in the cap for Texas, to be clear. Ohio State, Alabama and Oregon provide true comeptition. 
    Kaliq Lockett, WR, Sachse (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Some chatter in the DFW area Texas is the team to beat. With that said, this recruitment has a number of national players a visits on the schedule.
    Dakorien Moore, WR, Duncanville (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star
    The LSU pledge will be a battle with Texas to the wire. Texas will get the explosive playmaker on campus at least once in the three months. Ohio State and Oregon are looking to make it a true three and four team race. 
    Nick Townsend, TE, Dekaney (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    This is another one that could move to yes with a late spring and June Jeff Banks push. 
    Kiotti Armstrong, TE, Jasper (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas A&M has the "follow the visits" lead headed into the spring. The spring will include two more trip to College Station, and one to Texas.
    Michael Fasusi, OT, Lewisville (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star
    Both Texas and Oklahoma have confidence. Someone will not by the end of June. Texas A&M looking to play spoiler. Oregon and Missouri looking to bump A&M for the spoiler role. 
    Jonte Newman, OT, Cypress (Texas) Bridgeland
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas has some competition here in Texas A&M and Oklahoma. An Alabama push would make this recruitment interesting for Newman, who is originally from Lexington, Miss.
    Jackson Christian, IOL, Port Neches (Texas) Port Neches-Groves
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    A big Texas push in June would ascend this one. Long standing relationships in play. Texas A&M needs to win some of these in-state battles on the offensive line in 2025. 
    Tyler Thomas, IOL, Dickinson (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
    Both Texas and Texas A&M feel like they have a legit shot. Brad Davis is working to play spoiler for LSU.
    Zion Williams, DL, Lufkin (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
    LSU was 1A and Texas 1B entering the spring, Texas A&M and TCU both in the hunt. This recruitment has the East Texas battle between LSU (Bo Davis) and Texas with Texas A&M going to fight, and Jamarkus McFarland playing a role for TCU.
    Hayden Lowe, EDGE, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas scheduled for an April 6 unofficial visit, and June 14-16 official visit has the Longhorns firmly in the maybe category. Johnny Nansen and Pete Kwiatkowski are working this one for the Horns. 
    Smith Orogbo, EDGE, Alief (Texas) Hastings
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    The April 6 visit will be the first key here, and if an official visit is scheduled things will get interesting. Orogbo has the SEC twitch and wingspan with physicality. 
    Riley Pettijohn, LB, McKinney (Texas) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Texas is in a quality spot here. Maybe not quite to the level Elijah Barnes. Texas has serious competition with USC, Ohio State, FSU and Georgia.
    Matai Tagoa'i, LB, San Clemente (Calif.) High
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
    This is one that could easily change to yes after the spring. Johnny Nansen has Texas in position. Washington, Utah and others in the hunt.
    Cobey Sellers, CB, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Oklahoma has had the most confidence for months. Texas, however, is not lacking some level of confidence either. Texas A&M is giving chase.
    Work to be done 
    Jaime Ffrench, WR, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    While Texas has two scheduled visits, Ohio State and Florida State are considered to be the favorites. The April 6 visit success with the staff prior to the June 21-23 official visit will be paramount.
    Damien Shanklin, EDGE, Indianapolis (In.) Warren Central
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Notre Dame is considered the favorite headed into the spring. Tennessee and Texas looking to play spoiler. 
    Jonah Williams, S, Galveston (Texas) Ball
    OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
    Oklahoma has been enjoying a lot of confidence with Williams since January. Texas is getting the Houston area two-sport star on campus April 6, and again for an official visit.
    CJ Vogel
    Over the last few days we have covered the ins and the outs of both sides of the ball. However, now it is time to take a deeper look behind the curtain with the task of pinpointing which Longhorns might steal headlines over the next month and a half.
    Five prospects I have my eyes on this spring to make a big time splash for the 2024 Longhorns.
    ***
    DL Jaray Bledsoe – Redshirt Sophomore
    Bledsoe has all of the athleticism you could desire for a defensive lineman. After seeing just 85 snaps in 2023, Bledsoe certainly qualifies into the breakout category for the spring. Texas must find suitable replacements for T'Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy, can Bledsoe jump into the rotation? Again, the athleticism is there and now that Bledsoe is north of 290 pounds, it feels like the stars are aligning to finally see an increase in on-field role for Texas this spring.
    WR DeAndre Moore – Sophomore
    A lot of talk around the Texas wide receiver room is around the transfer portal additions, as well as the incoming early enrollees. However, Moore is entering his second year in the system and is in the conversation for having the most refined routes of anyone on the roster. Of Moore's 92 snaps last fall, 40 came in the slot. 
    DB Jelani McDonald – Sophomore
    The versatile secondary member is now firmly in the boat at the safety position which is something I am very much a fan of. McDonald was previously split between linebacker, safety and potentially cornerback when he first arrived in Austin, and now Blake Gideon is in charge of molding him into a big-time ballplayer. The 6-foot-2 DB will have the opportunity to crack the rotation Texas has used at the safety spot over the last two seasons. With Andrew Mukuba, Michael Taaffe and Derek Williams looking for a fourth member, McDonald will be tasked with fending off early enrollee Xavier Filsaime for the role.
    OL Neto Umeozulu – Redshirt Sophomore
    We have mentioned it here on OTF over the last few months there might be some changes coming to the Texas offensive line. The left guard position will have a lot of eyes on it this spring as Hayden Conner looks to fight off Cole Hutson and Neto. The light flicked on for Umeozulu at the end of the regular season and into bowl practices last fall, now it is time to keep it on full time. If that is the case, the expectations that have risen over time now have the opportunity to come to fruition as the former Allen Eagle enters year three.
    CB Warren Roberson – Redshirt Freshman 
    Texas returns two starting cornerbacks on the outside with Malik Muhammad and Terrance Brooks. Though, it remains a thin room and if we have learned anything over the last couple of years, the Longhorn staff likes to rotate their DB's. Warren Roberson entered college as an extremely twitchy prospect that Texas had to pry from the grasp of TCU – a program with plenty of history in developing defensive backs. Roberson will have plenty of opportunity to make plays this spring with run against the top unit often, despite just two snaps on the field in 2023. I have a feeling we will hear his name often this spring.
     
    CJ Vogel
    There are not many true position battles headed into the 2024 spring camp, but there are a number of positions to keep a close eye on.
    The 2024 Texas roster consists of plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but it will take some interesting configurations from the staff to maximize the rotations and on-field performance.
    ***
    Quarterback:
    Quinn Ewers & Arch Manning
    This is not expected to be too much of a battle. Quinn Ewers has the vocal support of Steve Sarkisian and entering year three in the Texas system, Ewers is the man for the Longhorns in 2024.
    Running Back
    CJ Baxter vs. Jaydon Blue + Savion Red, Tre Wisner, Christian Clark, Jerrick Gibson
    At the moment we suspect the first team RB carries to be split into Baxter and Blue for the most part this spring. Though there is plenty of depth which comes with a ton of talent. At 240 pounds, Savion Red provides a build and skillset no other Longhorn possesses at the moment. Either of the freshmen can make a splash as well. Talented room, we will see how the splits work itself out.
    Wide Receiver
    Isaiah Bond and Johntay Cook vs. Matthew Golden, Ryan Wingo, DeAndre Moore
    A completely new room for Quinn Ewers to throw to this spring. Only Johntay Cook has caught a pass from Ewers in a Longhorns uniform before. Outside of theorizing, it is tough to pinpoint the starting three wide receivers for the spring, meaning this group is wide open for Ewers and Sarkisian to adopt into the vaunted Circle of Trust. 
    Right now, my gut tells me to lean on the receivers with experience – Bond and Golden, with Cook being the top returner from 2023.
    Tight End
    Gunnar Helm vs. Amari Niblack
    This is a fun, interesting battle for the Longhorns. There is a clear discrepancy in the skillsets provided by both tight end. Helm has plenty of in-line experience which overshadows his role as a downfield receiver, which is a 180 from what we know of Amari Niblack. To begin the spring, you can expect to see Helm as your TE1. Will that change? We will see, but there will be plenty of competition here.
    Offensive Line
    LG: Hayden Conner, Cole Hutson & Neto Umeozulu
    You can lock in left tackle, center, right guard and potentially right tackle for starting spots in the spring. Though we know there will be some movement at left guard. Can you expect Hayden Conner to fight off Hutson and Umeozulu? A fully healthy Cole Hutson has plenty of talent and experience to make noise here. Plus, the final month of practice from Neto Umeozulu revealed a prospect that has turned the corner here. Left guard is going to be very interesting this spring.
    Defensive Line
    Nose Guard
    Vernon Broughton and Alfred Collins don't necessarily have the ideal bodies for the nose guard spot – someone who can plant their feet and hold their ground on a double team. Tiaoalii Savea is added to the group of Aaron Bryant and Jaray Bledsoe as well. At 372 pounds, I am a bit skeptical of what to expect from Sydir Mitchell this spring. And then of course that leads us to early enrollee Alex January who has lost 10+ pounds and comes in with plenty of hunger. This is my favorite battle of the spring.
    Defensive End
    Ethan Burke and Barryn Sorrell vs. Colin Simmons, Trey Moore and Justice Finkley
    The two returning starters from a year ago are going to be pushed and tested from the moment pads get thrown on this spring. Adding Trey Moore from UTSA will provide the most immediate heat on Burke and Sorrell. Texas has not seen a pass rushing prospect with the hype and talent arrive in Austin with the level of Colin Simmons in over a decade. Plus, we saw spurts of Justice Finkley towards the end of the season, can he turn that corner to become a true contestant for a starting job? 
    Linebacker
    Mike Position – David Gbenda vs. Kendrick Blackshire, Liona Lefau and Derion Gullette
    You can lock in Anthony Hill Jr. for a starting spot in the middle of the defense – I believe it is safe to assume it will be at the WILL backer. Now, where does the Robin to Hill's Batman come from? David Gbenda will be the first backer out of the bunch with the Texas starting 11 when spring football gets going. Kendrick Blackshire may not possess the best skillset for a three-down backer, but moving into the SEC his role is significantly larger than it would have been a year ago. Then of course what emerges out of Lefau and Gullette, two ultra-talented backers hungry to crack the starting 11.
    Nickel
    Jahdae Barron
    Jahdae Barron is back and is rocking a new No. 7 at the nickel spot. There won't be too much of a battle here. But the question becomes, when or if Barron sees snaps at outside cornerback, who takes his spot? Austin Jordan and Jaylon Guilbeau will be battling for a third consecutive year. Plus, early enrollee Wardell Mack is getting run at nickel as well.
    Cornerback
    Malik Muhammad and Terrance Brooks vs. the rest of the room
    Ryan Watts departs for the NFL, but luckily for the Longhorns, there were extended snaps in 2023 for guys like Malik Muhammad and Gavin Holmes. The Longhorns leaned heavier to the side of Muhammad than they did Holmes and there is reason to believe it will be the two former DFW stars to begin spring as the CB duo. Warren Roberson will enter year two as a backup and Kobe Black will be a freshman looking to make noise on the outside.
    Safety
    Andrew Mukuba, Derek Williams, Michael Taaffe, Xavier Filsaime
    This unit is significantly more talented than we saw a year ago with the athleticism noticeably more abundant. As a result, the back half of the Texas defense should be able to bring more splash plays to the Texas defense in 2024. Now, we know the Longhorn staff likes to rotate in the backend of the secondary very often. Derek Williams and Michael Taaffe were the two DBs to play the majority of second half snaps against Washington in the Sugar Bowl last year, though it is hard to imagine Mukuba not seeing the field early and often in 2024. Pretty fun battle when you added in what is arguably the early enrollee who has made the most noise in winter conditioning so far.
    Gerry Hamilton
    Big 12 Tournament: No. 7 Texas vs. No. 10 Kansas State
    The second round of the Big 12 tournament begins today in Kansas City. And that includes the No. 7 seed Texas Longhorns taking on No. 10 seed Kansas State at 6 p.m. central (Big 12/ESPN+). 
    For Texas (20-11, 9-9), a win or loss won't likely change anything from an NCAA Tournament seeding standpoint. If the bracketology projections are correct, Texas is locked into an 8/9 seed win or lose today. But a win over Kansas State today would send Texas into Thursday against No. 2 seed Iowa State with an opportunity to secure a 7 seed with a win. That makes the Big 12 Tournament meaningful for the Longhorns. 
    Kansas State (18-13, 8-10) enters the Big 12 Tournament playing for their NCAA Tournament lives. Headed into the game, the Wildcats will not make the Field of 68. Not only does KSU need to beat Texas today, but also needs to beat No. 2 seed Iowa State Thursday. 
    OnTexasFootball takes a look at the rankings and scenarios headed into the Big 12 Tournament.
    2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship
    Tuesday, March 12
    Game 1: No. 12 UCF 77,  No. 13 Oklahoma State 64 (Season over for the Cowboys)
    Game 2: No. 11 Cincinnati 90, No. 14 West Virginia 85 (Season over for the Mountaineers)
    Wednesday, March 13
    Game 3: No. 5 BYU vs. No. 12 UCF (ESPN2), 11:30 a.m.  CT/10:30 a.m. MT
    Game 4: No. 8 TCU vs. No. 9 Oklahoma (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 2 p.m. CT
    Game 5: No. 7 Texas vs. No. 10 Kansas State (Big 12 Now on ESPN+), 6 p.m. CT
    Game 6: No. 6 Kansas vs. No. 11 Cincinnati (ESPN2), 8:30 p.m. CT
    Thursday, March 14
    Game 7: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. Winner Game 3 (ESPN2), 11:30 a.m. CT
    Game 8: No. 1 Houston vs. Winner Game 4 (ESPN), 2 p.m.  CT
    Game 9: No. 2 Iowa State vs. Winner Game 5 (ESPN2), 6 p.m. CT
    Game 10: No. 3 Baylor vs. Winner Game 6 (ESPN or ESPN2), 8:30 p.m. CT
    Friday, March 15
    Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 (ESPN or ESPN2), 6 p.m. CT
    Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 (ESPN or ESPN2), 8:30 p.m. CT
    Saturday, March 16
    Game 13: Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12 (ESPN), 5 p.m. CT
    Big 12 and the NCAA Tournament 
    The Big 12 is a near lock to be a nine bid league. The most of any conference this year. The record for bids by one conference is the Big East in 2011 with 11. 
    1 seed - Houston
    3 seed - Iowa State
    3 seed - Baylor
    4/5 seed - Kansas 
    5 seed - BYU
    6/7 - Texas Tech
    7/8 seed - Texas
    10/9 seed - TCU 
    10/9 seed - Oklahoma
    Texas NCAA Tournament seeding scenarios
    The Longhorns are going to be a No. 7 or No. 8 seed barring a run to the Big 12 Tournament Championship Game. The majority of bracketology projections continue to have Texas as a No. 8 seed, currently. 
    Joe Lunardi has Texas a No. 8 seed. One projection (Jerry Palm), has Texas a No. 9 seed. 
    The metrics for Texas have the Longhorns as a possibility to be a No. 7 seed
    NCAA Men’s Basketball NET Rankings (March 1)
    Texas is No. 25 in NCAA NET headed into the Big 12 Tournament. The Horns moved up 15 spots in the last two weeks from No. 40 prior to the win in Lubbock.
    The Longhorns are 5-9 in Quad 1 games, 3-1 vs. Quad 2, 5-1 vs. Quad 3 and 7-0 vs. Quad 4. 
    Kansas State is No. 70 in NCAA NET, and would be a fourth Quad 2 win for the Horns.
    Should the Horns advance to Thursday, Iowa State would be a Quad 1 win opportunity on a neutral court. Iowa State is No. 9 in NCAA NET. 
    T-Rank 
    Texas is No. 19 in Bart Torvik’s rankings currently, up from No. 23 prior to the win over Oklahoma. 
    2024 Ken Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings
    Texas checks in at No. 23 after being No. 25 prior to the victory over Oklahoma. 
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