CJ Vogel

Texas was on the field this morning for the first scrimmage of the spring season. Some notes that were passed on to On Texas Football following the live action. *** – RG DJ Campbell did not finish the scrimmage in pads and was treated with an ice wrap on his shoulder. When Campbell was out of the lineup, Neto Umeozulu was the filler at right guard with Hayden Conner occupying the left guard position. – I am told the offense had a very strong day in the red zone today with multiple conversions consecutively in a designed goal-to-go period of practice. Ewers had a pair of touchdowns in the session, and the OL was able to create push for scores as well. – OTF also learned Texas OL Payton Kirkland was seen getting individual work with the training staff on the back field during the first half of practice. Kirkland has been recovering from a knee injury suffered last year. – From a recruiting perspective, OTF has learned five-star ATH Jonah Williams took a trip midway through the scrimmage to Disch-Falk Field. First pitch for Texas Baseball in the rubber match with BYU this afternoon is at 2:30 p.m., so Williams was able to catch some pregame warmups and views of the Disch. *** UPDATE: A few more notes have been shared with On Texas Football regarding the scrimmage this afternoon: – QB Arch Manning connected with portal TE Amari Niblack for a 30-yard touchdown. Both Manning and Ewers had solid showings today. Neither threw an interception during the afternoon. There was a span in which touchdowns were scored on four consecutive drives between the two quarterbacks. – RB Jaydon Blue found the end zone on a physical run that left David Gbenda and Derek Williams Jr. on their backs. I was told Blue is running much more physically this spring and remains a massive threat in space with the ball. – The lone turnover on the day was a fumble from CJ Baxter. – There was great praise for EDGE Trey Moore in his first scrimmage as a Longhorn. While the splash plays weren't necessarily the headliner here, I was told it is only a matter of time before you hear more about Moore this spring. Cam Williams and Moore have had some entertaining battles during the spring and today added to their ongoing war. Adding to the EDGE spot, I was told Barryn Sorrell was nearly unguardable. There were very high remarks for Sorrell specifically in the running game – goes without saying, but a massive development for Texas. – Freshman WR Ryan Wingo earned some reps with the first and second units today. – All in all, it was a much better day for the offense than the defense per a source. Quinn Ewers looked poised and confident throwing the ball and both offensive line units were able to manufacture success in the run and pass game. – "David Gbenda just flies around everywhere." View full news

RB Jordon Davison is back on campus for day two of his trip to Texas.

2027 Denton Guyer EDGE/TE prospect Zane Rowe is in the building today.

KJ Lacey is in the building.

Around 8 am this morning 2025 OL John Mills arrived on campus. The first prospect in the facility to my knowledge.

Pure kicker at the next level

Plenty of competition in those rooms now as well.

A 59-yarder in-game for Barnett here.

The Longhorns have added a piece to their 2024 recruiting class with the announcement from Austin Westlake K Spencer Barnett Friday afternoon. Barnett will join the Longhorns as a walk-on kicker, adding to the pipeline of Westlake Chaps on roster in 2024. Barnett had previously been committed to Colorado State, though opts to stay home and join the Longhorns. Texas is adding a huge leg with Barnett here. View full news

I wouldn't look at Agbo like a TE that will make much more of an impact than a motioned extra blocker. That's what he is. If you had the over/under of receptions in 2024 at 1.5 I would take the under.

I am knocking on wood as I type this, but being injury free halfway through spring ball is important.

A quick look at which position groups are making noise so far this spring and where the improvement over the back half of practices can be made. *** Quarterback It has been a clean spring for Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning through seven practice sessions. There is much more confidence on the side of Quinn Ewers and the ball is getting out much quicker where as in previous years we would have seen indecision. Manning is coming along nicely as well in his development. I have also heard positive remarks about Trey Owens early on. Running Back The question now at the position is who takes hold of RB3 spot. It will be CJ Baxter as your No. 1 lead back this fall, with Jaydon Blue behind him. Blue has become a much more physical runner inside the tackles this spring. Will it be Savion Red or Tre Wisner as RB3? Maybe a freshman? That's my big question mark for this spot for the backhalf of the spring. Wide Receiver One of the most exciting positions coming into the spring has yet to disappoint. We know about Isaiah Bond and the talent he brings, but the emergence of Ryan Wingo and Matthew Golden has made things interesting for the 2024 outlook at receiver. I would like to hear more about Johntay Cook, as I still expect him to be a big time contributor in 2024. DeAndre Moore and Silas Bolden will provide an interesting battle in fall camp. Texas should feel comfortable about 4-5 wide receivers at the moment. Tight End It is still Gunnar Helm's job and he has taken strides in the passing game. There remains an element of physicality needed in the trenches, but I have been told Helm is taking the steps there. Amari Niblack is getting more and more run with the first unit as well in two tight end looks. Niblack is thrown to solely by Ewers in practice during routes on air I am told. Jordan Washington is giving some older TE's a run for their money early. Interestingly enough, it would not surprise me to see some Juan Davis this fall. Offensive Line The offensive line unit had its best week of practice beginning on Friday when the team got together for some live run periods. For the most part, this group is set in stone. The lone question mark clearly at left guard with the battle of Neto Umeozulu and Hayden Conner continuing to ravage. Conner was back with the first unit this week, though I will be most certainly tuned into who is the first guard on Saturday during the scrimmage. All in all, so much depth here. Freshmen Brandon Baker and Daniel Cruz have acclimated nicely as well. I have heard great returns about Trevor Goosby and Jaydon Chatman thus far. Defensive Line Texas will most likely go portaling when the window opens in ten days at the interior defensive line spot. Here are the bright spots – Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton are creating pressure in the pass game. That was expected. Tia Savea is your most consistent piece in the run game at the moment. He anchors better than anyone else, mostly because of his stature and strength than pure size. The question of Sydir Mitchell remains as he fights back from a minor health bug early in camp. EDGE Perhaps the position group I was most excited about coming into camp. This group has plenty of size, speed and talent at the moment, the task for PK in the second half of spring will be finding the rotation – or at least getting an understanding of what it might be in the fall. Trey Moore has exceeded expectations behind the scenes. Colton Vasek and Colin Simmons are pushing Ethan Burke and Barryn Sorrell this spring who have each had solid starts to the spring as well. Linebacker A quiet question mark on this team is the linebacker group and whether or not their strengths collectively match what Texas will be looking for in the SEC. It is Anthony Hill Jr. and David Gbenda in the middle now. Hill mentioned Thursday he would be open to receiving the helmet communication in the fall as well. Liona Lefau and Mo Blackwell have each reshaped their bodies this spring as well. Can Kendrick Blackshire contribute consistently? I have heard he's done well in the run game. Nickel This is Jahdae Barron's spot and will be in the spring. However, it is encouraging what Jaylon Guilbeau has done thus far. Guilbeau has run sparingly with the first unit as a result of Barron returning to 100%. Austin Jordan remains at the position as well. Freshman Wardell Mack is the candidate amongst the group to remain at nickel from this freshman class. Cornerback Malik Muhammad was a bit dinged up earlier in camp, but has since returned to the starting rotation. That absence allowed for Gavin Holmes to get some run with the 1's and some more one-on-one opportunities against Texas' best in practice on a day to day. This group is physical, they are quick and they fight against the ball. A recurring theme I have heard about this unit is the consistency they have when it comes to making plays on the football. There is an urgency to knock passes down and fight through the hands more so than a year ago. Safety Perhaps the position group that looks the most different from a year ago. Adding Andrew Mukuba has helped this group from an optics perspective. Derek Williams, Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald round out a strong four-man rotation. McDonald might be the biggest riser of the bunch this spring. Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Xavier Filsaime have had their moments as well. Overall, a much improved group from an athleticism standpoint from a year ago. View full news

Best of luck to Anthony. This was not too much of a surprise to folks behind the scenes.

Welcome back to the 2nd edition of the 2024 Texas Longhorn Mock Draft. Some major changes to how I view Texas Draft hopefuls following the conclusion of the NFL Combine and Texas Pro Day. Plenty of risers and a pair of fallers in the latest update. *** DL Byron Murphy – Round 1, Pick 15 to IND (up 1 spots) The Combine darling has remained in that 12-20 range in most mock drafts. I could see Murphy's stock go either way come draft day, however I like where the Colts pick here. I am imagining how disruptive a defensive line of DeForest Buckner and Murphy would be together and find myself giddy. WR Adonai Mitchell – Round 1, Pick 23 to LAC (up 9) Originally, I had Mitchell at 32 to the Chiefs. Though, following an official 4.34 time in the 40-yard dash, I have a hard time seeing him last that long. Now, if Mitchell makes it past pick 25, look for the Bills at 28 to snag him and replace Stefon Diggs. I like the Chargers here after an offseason of trading Keenan Allen and seeing Mike WIlliams walk. Justin Herbert gets his guy. WR Xavier Worthy – Round 1, Pick 32 to KC (up 5) The NFL record holder for fastest Combine time squeaks into the first round and finds a home with the reigning Super Bowl Champions and Patrick Mahomes. Not a bad gig if you ask me. The Chiefs are in even more need of a WR following the Rashee Rice saga and Worthy answered a lot of questions during his Pro Day about his hands and route running ability. RB Jonathon Brooks – Round 2, Pick 56 to DAL (up 2) This pick makes all the sense in the world, so of course the Cowboys will take a tight end out of South Dakota State, right? Cowboys team doctors did the surgery on Brooks' ACL and with Tony Pollard leaving for Tennessee, Dallas has to make a splash in the Draft if they want to field a competent offense in 2024. TE Ja'Tavion Sanders – Round 2, Pick 57 to TB (down 20) The biggest faller from the original mock draft look. Sanders did not have a great Pro Day despite receiving praise from Combine attendees for his routes and hands. Regardless, I don't believe it is enough for Sanders to fall out of the second round. Cade Otten is a solid piece in Tampa Bay, but he is no Ja'Tavion Sanders. Get ready for Baker Mayfield to JT Sanders next fall. DT T'Vondre Sweat – Round 2, Pick 62 to BAL (no movement) We have seen a lot of Longhorns in the past end up in Baltimore and T-Sweat is the next in line. Watching Sweat move in-person makes all the difference for this draft selection. I like the fit here next to Justin Madabuike, what a duo that could become. OT Christian Jones – Round 3, Pick 99 to JAX (up 99) Far and away the biggest riser of the group. Jones has displayed great athleticism in all three pre-draft situations he has participated in. This still might be a stretch, however, but I am rolling the dice and riding the hype train for Jones as a day two pick. LB Jaylan Ford – Round 4, Pick 115 to CIN (down 5) Around the same spot for me with LB Jaylan Ford. I don't think he is a day two guy, especially after some concerns following the Pro Day and the times that came out of that. However, Ford is a dude where if you turn the tape on, you see how special a player he could be. I like him in that 110-125 range at the moment. CB Ryan Watts – Round 6, Pick 178 to PIT (up 60) I think I had Watts going to Pittsburgh in my original mock draft a month ago, whatever it is about the Steelers and their defensive back room, I like. Watts has certainly helped his draft stock with great testing numbers in both the Combine and the Texas Pro Day. Perhaps I am much lower than some on the 6-foot-3 defensive back, but my gut tells me this is the area in which he goes at the moment. RB/KR Keilan Robinson – Round 7, Pick 241 to MIA (welcome to the Draft) There is a market for kick returners in the NFL Draft. It is not a big one, but the Dolphins are known to like speed and Robinson boasts, what he believes to be a slow, 4.42. Add 20 reps on the bench and Robinson make impact in a number of different ways as an NFL player. I am looking at Robinson as a potential replacement for Braxton Berrios in the Dolphins offense. *** WR Jordan Whittington – Undrafted Free Agent It has been tremendously unfortunate Whittington has not been healthy to compete in the Reese's Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine or the Texas Pro Day. Those three opportunities would have certainly helped his draft stock as April 24 nears. He will get an opportunity on April 14 in what Texas is calling Pro Day 2.0 for NFL Scouts to get one last look at his talent. But I am worried by then it will be too late. View full news

I made a note of this on State of the Program today. Texas has come a long way under Sark.

It has certainly helped retain a few guys so far. Blessing and curse but I think ultimately you take the benefits of what it has brought to the table 10 times out of 10.

Against the run this should not be a huge surprise. Savea was nails on the field for Arizona last year. He does not move backwards in the run game and was rather disruptive if you go back to the bowl game against Oklahoma. He's a good player, just a bit limited at 295 pounds at the moment.

I would bet five as the minimum we see enter the portal after the spring. Six is likely.

Sure is!