Bobby Burton

Gerry and CJ talk about the portal battle between the SEC teams and who came out on top.

I continue to be told that both Brandon Harris, currently the director of recruiting, and John Michael Jones, the assistant director of player personnel, are expected to be elevated. Harris is likely to become the team’s general manager or whatever terminology Steve Sarkisian opts to call it, a role which was expected to be held by Billy Glasscock prior to his move to Ole Miss last week. Harris has been a steady, trusted force in the recruiting department for the Longhorns under Sark. Jones is expected to become the director of player personnel. Jones has been a behind-the-scenes figure for Texas for several years. The team’s successful walk-on program can be partially attributed to his efforts beginning several years ago. ** The Texas coaches are off this week. Many will be out of the office. Some are taking mini vacations, some are going to see family, etc. But as always, recruiting never stops this time of year. ** There was a time when the first Wednesday in February was complete chaos for Texas and every other college football team. Not anymore. It’s almost crazy to consider the Horns will have a completely quiet second signing day. ** The current litigation between the University of Tennessee, the states of Tennessee and Virginia, and the NCAA are focused around illegal recruiting inducements. The NCAA doesn’t want financial inducements to play a role in recruiting. The states of Virginia and Tennessee say that’s a ridiculous rule. What other “job” do you get where money is not a factor in your decision? And that’s the issue. The NCAA is clinging on to the idea that this is not about a job, it’s about education. The problem is, it’s actually about both for many of these young athletes. The NCAA can’t have its cake and eat it, too. I talked to a legal expert about this over the weekend. They say there’s no question the NCAA will lose this fight, too.