Bobby Burton

News and notes on various aspects of the team and its players. It's what we call emptying the notebook. ** Jaray Bledsoe - "Looks great." Alex January - "He's going to play this year." Sydir Mitchell - "Improving. Body looks a little better." ** The two freshman offensive linemen were singled out. Brandon Baker is said to be an outstanding athlete and his off-field, weight-room demeanor has been similar to that of Kelvin Banks when Banks first arrived. After the glowing about Baker finished, the source was quick to mention the professional demeanor of Daniel Cruz as well. "Those two are keepers," the source said. ** The source felt J'Mond Tapp "was coming on", specifically becoming a smarter player. He's always had the physical tools, but just needed to add good weight and play within the framework of the defense. He could be an X factor for the Texas D this year. ** Anthony Hill Jr. - "He's locked in. He looks great." ** Isaiah Bond - "Has some diva to him like a lot of wideouts. But he's not that way when he gets on the football field. Intentional worker." ** Billy Walton - "Looks great. Really great athlete." Tausili Akana - "A little small. Needs to add good weight. Working at SAM and edge." ** Jake Majors - "Really had a good year last year. Did not go to the ground nearly as much. Have to give him credit, he's really made something of himself. You can count on him." ** Tiaoalii Savea - "Better version of Trill Carter." ** Team thoughts: - Still concerned about stopping the run. - Speed on offense is different this year. - Need one or two interior DLs in the portal. ** I'll share more as I get more... View full news

He's been in a boot some this spring because of a late-season injury at Bama. But is expected to be 100-percent for spring.

Happy to have Santana Wilson with us now.

Join CJ, Rod and I for a little Longhorn football and recruiting chat! https://youtube.com/live/rWjViqXLsUI

Definitely punter.

Not to my knowledge. Not officially in SEC until June/July.

Not as yet.

Davison is playing the field. Lockett is fairly open and has five or six visits lined up. Marsh favors A&M right now.

Only that he was behind Lefau during bowl practices.

He and Austin Jordan were not mentioned. I'll ask.

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.