Bobby Burton

Once a week, we sit down and talk about The State of the Program. In this episode, some news we’re hearing behind the scenes, thoughts on Chris Del Conte’s town hall and the value of 11 NFL combine invites. https://youtu.be/bpZUeVqkVEM View full news

Just some notes that I picked up... Let's talk receivers to start. - Ryan Wingo continues to show out as a true freshman. Behind the scenes, Wingo is being talked about as possibly the most talented true freshman on the team. At receiver specifically, Wingo and Aaron Butler are both showing some early promise in workouts. Parker Livingstone and Freddie Dubose Jr. have been behind those two. However, keep in mind, this is very early in workouts and both Livingstone and Dubose are coming off of significant injuries. - Isaiah Bond is expected to be the team's No. 1 receiver at this point. However, I am told that Matthew Golden has been a pleasant surprise. "He's a little like a silent assassin," the source said. "He doesn't say much. But he's a hard worker." - The Texas pro day is expected to be March 20. Quinn Ewers will be throwing at pro day. It's not unusual for an underclass quarterback to participate in a pro day. The thing about pro day is it typically brings to campus not just area scouts of NFL teams but also national ones and cross-checkers. It will be the first time many pro scouts actually see Ewers work out in person, even if he's really there throwing to Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jordan Whittington and JT Sanders. - Byron Murphy continues to rise up NFL draft boards. Yesterday, an agent told me that Murphy could go as high No. 8 overall or as low as No. 16. That's a huge jump in expectations. It is the best high-low projection I've heard of Murphy from anyone. "He's going to kill the combine," the agent told me. "The numbers he's putting up right now (in private workouts) are insane." - Texas continues to eye the portal opening following spring practice. The feeling remains that Texas will push hard for a top-line defensive tackle/nose guard type. While it's highly unlikely, do not be surprised if Texas even thinks about adding two more at the position if necessary and the right ones come available. View full news

Hahaha.

Thanks. Pinning this.

Colt. Derrick Johnson/Ced Benson.

That's 5 of the top 7 or 8 teams in the country. Recruiting and talent matter.

I like where offense is headed in the future. It's going to be more and more an offensive game. However, the defensive line still holds a massive advantage over the OL in the pro game because they actually call holding in pros and don't let OLs go downfield as freely on RPOs (1-yard restriction compared to 3). I think the WR-DB battle favors the receivers moving forward. I think the OL-DL favors the DL so that mitigates the WR boost IMO.

Williams wants to be recruited as a safety. Whether that's what he will eventually play, he wants to be recruited as that.

Amazing. Just amazing. Development. That's the difference.

Most of the Texas coaches were back in the office yesterday. The Longhorns staff had already begun preparations for spring football but now must put the finishing touches on their plans. There is one key change to spring practice this year from previous ones under Steve Sarkisian. Sark has elected to begin spring practice the week following Texas' spring break from school. Each of the previous spring practices, Sark had elected to start spring ball a week prior to spring break, then give the players spring break off, and have them return and ready to go into pads. I asked someone about the move, about why Sark opted to compress the amount of time for spring ball. "I thought the last couple of years worked well," the source told me. "But, with the way the season went, the extra game, the increased expectations we had, it was a little draining. I think he just wanted to give the guys some more time to recuperate, and to give the new guys another couple of weeks to get acclimated to what college football is all about." "And let's face it, the first couple of years here, it was about learning the plays, instilling the culture, that sort of stuff. Now it's just as much or more about focus and an even higher level execution, especially on offense. "With more practices coming in succession, the reps will come at the guys faster. We'll see who picks up on things, who needs more time, that sort of thing. And we'll also see who's locked in over the short haul as opposed to longer, more drawn out spring practice." ** Each college team is allowed 15 practices during spring. If we assume Texas returns to the practice field at the end of spring break (March 20), the Horns will basically be practicing on the field every other day for the next month until the spring game April 20. ** Sark has worked for two of the game's best - Pete Carroll and Nick Saban. Decisions like when to start spring practice may not seem all that big. But there's a reason for everything. View full news

Rancho Cucamonga is the start of the desert.

Gerry and I were able to arrange an interview with Silas Bolden, the Oregon State transfer who pledged to Texas this winter. Really like his personality and his attitude. And who his HS quarterback was took me by surprise. View full news

I don't know if this is intentional or not, but the intramural trivia team I was on at Texas was named Garvey's Kids.

That's not the current plan. How about on Thanksgiving Day? Though I think the NFL has basically overwhelmed that day.

Ed Oliver but that was primarily because Corby Meekins was Ed's HS coach and went to Houston as an assistant.

Sounds like James Franklin is dug in.

Don't think Texas really competes much against Houston in recruiting.

Very happy for Oscar and his family!

Wow. I covered him as a recruit and made him the no. 1 ranked RB in the country.

I don't think this is universal but... I think A&M meant more to people from Houston, East Texas and South Texas while OU meant more to people from Dallas, North Texas and West Texas.

It wasn't Dave Campbell. But yes.

More of this, please!