Bobby Burton

Texas Players Projections 10 Players in Draft Range 12. Byron Murphy 37. Adonai Mitchell 41. JT Sanders 49. Xavier Worthy 59. Jonathon Brooks 90. T'Vondre Sweat 120. Christian Jones 179. Ryan Watts 217. Jaylan Ford 221. Jordan Whittington -- For the record, there are about 257 picks in the NFL draft.

The 2018 Texas Recruiting Class Jalen Green, the former Texas corner who transferred to Mississippi State, is ranked at no. 188. If that happens and he makes the NFL, it will make 10 players from the 2018 Texas recruiting class to make it to the NFL. Christian Jones is in that class, too. ** Caden Sterns De'Marvion Overshown Keondre Coburn Joe Ossai D'Shawn Jamison Keontay Ingram Moro Ojomo Cameron Dicker

They ranked their top 250 players or so in the NFL Draft. Interesting to see where the Texas players came out. https://www.pff.com/draft/big-board?season=2024

Love the track stats. Thanks for starting this, John.

While it looks like that class has been reduced to rubble, it's not actually horrible because of just how insane it was in the first place. There are STILL at least six NFL players out of that group that remain in Aggieland. Kind of nuts. Jimbo had it all in the palm of his hand and just let it get away.

Continuing with a series of insider news and notes that began on Friday morning (you can find those here). 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." View full news

Gerry divulges what he’s already heard from at least one recruit based on the new NCAA rules. It’s a new era. View full news

If Choice wants the job, it would be his.

Rod and Coach Shipley talk coaching strategy and moves. View full news

It “could” have an impact. That’s the issue. We don’t know. So the NCAA and the institutions continue in limbo until they actually do the work.

It’s headed that direction. Anything that restrains trade is going to get lopped.

I like how Blake stokes the fire. 😉

Or they're in cahoots with the Tennessee staff on some level, sending letters only to players Tennessee staff wants them to.

This is big because it hits at a core focus of what the NCAA has always tried to legislate - recruiting. The NCAA just needs to stop. We are headed to an open market. An open market means you don't make silly rules designed to get in the way of open competition. If someone wants to decorate a hotel room with cookie cakes, then you let them do that. If someone wants to take photos on recruiting trips, you let them do that. Those are exactly the type of rules, ones that have just been instituted, that are emblematic of the NCAA not understanding what the hell is going on here. They still have their head in the sand and are operating like a dinosaur. I think there needs to be a cultural re-set at the NCAA if the NCAA is to keep going. Otherwise, I suspect 50-60 schools will break off and make their own set of rules for the sport of football, not governed at all by the NCAA. The problem is: someone needs to lead from the front. Greg Sankey, we are looking at you.

They are excited about him.

Enjoyed this post. Thanks and please participate more.

Good discussion IMO. Couple of thoughts: - Texas, institutionally, is far more engaged and prepared today than they were in '21. Texas was NOT ready for NIL at the beginning. They are now in the way that they want to be. The proof has been in the pudding. - Allegedly, what A&M and others did at the time was not above board and was what was said to have been prohibited. Texas wasn't going to go there like that. To your point, this is an ultra-fluid situation. New rules every minute or month. If you're CDC or Sark, how are you supposed to run an aircraft carrier when rules are changing so quickly? The key will be to adapt quickly. Texas now has more hands on deck than they did in 2021 but execution will still be the key.

Friday night non-conference games are really good. You get to see the best pitchers of some non-big name programs. The weekend games tend to get a bit sloppy. We'll see what Cal Poly has left in the tank.

I think guys like David Gbenda are awesome stories. He probably came in to the program with a little too much hype. But he settled in and started becoming the best player he could become. It didn't happen over night and it didn't necessarily happen as naturally for him as it has others (like Anthony Hill or Jaylan Ford). But despite the obstacles, he's continued to work hard, continued to represent the Longhorns with pride, etc. I'm a big believer in him and what he stands for. Now, that doesn't mean he is all of a sudden an all-conference linebacker. But he definitely can be part of the solution for the Horns in 2024.

In the immediate aftermath of the NCAA ruling on the legality of utilizing NIL as a means of inducement and recruiting yesterday afternoon, I reached out to a couple of folks within the Texas NIL Infrastructure. There are two prevailing thoughts: First and foremost, Texas is going to speak with its own NCAA compliance officials and receive some guidance. This ruling is ultra-new. So while it would be easy to just say the old rules don't matter anymore, Texas is going to make sure of the nuances of the ruling, what they mean, and what proper next steps are. There will be lawyers involved in that discussion. Second, it will absolutely change how "some" of the recruiting process works. But not the core of it, at least not at Texas. Texas coaches will still be the ones offering scholarships, still be the ones recruiting the players, etc. However, In light of the pervasiveness of the ruling, other programs may choose an entirely different tack. The leader of the Tennessee collective is apparently saying that he plans to send financial offers out to players beginning next week. So where does this leave us? College football seems to be headed ever closer to a true open market. If so, Texas with all its resources, revenue and fan support will be just fine. View full news

He’s high enough. 🙂