CJ Vogel

Texas will be hosting a handful of prospects on campus this weekend. However, a new name has surfaced as one that will also be making the trip to the 40 Acres. 2027 Waxahachie QB Jerry Meyer III will make his first trip to Austin. Meyer, who just moved in from Las Vegas, has not yet seen his recruitment blow up despite throwing for a Nevada state record 58 touchdowns and leading his high school to the class 2A State Championship a year ago. Regional schools have begun reaching out to Meyer following his move to the DFW area. Oklahoma, Baylor and Utah are other schools that have begun ramping up communication as well. There is also the possibility of a reclassification to the 2026 cycle here. View full news

That's a lot to ask for from a guy who hasn't lost any weight in a full calendar year.

Quinn had a head start and held off the protoge

Yes

It's giving Neto a chance to win the spot. Two consecutive practices with Umeozulu at LG isn't by accident. Gives Texas the chances to find its best five OL and cross-train Hayden Conner in the meantime.

Bobby Burton, Gerry Hamilton and I sit down this week's edition of The State of the Program sponsored by Adam Loewy and the Loewy Law Firm. View full news

Listen to Ewers here.

Texas is five practices into spring football now – two practices have concluded with full pads. The Longhorns will practice again on Friday, but there will be no media availability then due to the Texas Relays this weekend. On top of another smooth practice, there was a part of me that felt comfort in the direction of the program that resulted in what I heard off the field from David Gbenda and Quinn Ewers. Before I get into that part of things, I will share a couple of notes that stood out from practice this morning. *** I watched a lot of the tight end group today. It is rare to hear Jeff Banks in a complementary mood but there was praise from the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at times today. First, on the individual sled where Amari Niblack, Spencer Shannon and Jordan Washington each received a congratulatory remark from Banks for getting the drill correct on the first go-round. As Amari Niblack continues his climb up the Texas depth chart, it is certainly noteworthy that the QB that is consistently throwing to him in routes on air is Quinn Ewers. Arch Manning is often lined up with Juan Davis and Jordan Washington during his rounds. *** There has been some talk about wide receivers having to slow down for passes on deep balls on twitter. Listen, in situations that don't warrant high-speed precision like routes on air, it is difficult to hit a guy perfectly in stride 40-yards down the field on each given throw. The deep ball has looked much better this spring and I will leave it at that rather than nitpicking if a receiver catches it on his backshoulder or out in front. One part of practice I really liked was Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning literally racing one another to get to the individual QB drill about 130 yards away from where they were on the field during special teams. It is little things like that that stands out to me. *** I think Colton Vasek has a real shot at contributing this year. While the path to the field is not necessarily a walk in the park, he has looked great in spring ball so far. He is lengthy, athletic and can bend. I think there is more athleticism here than Ethan Burke and the frame continues to build. Buy stock now. *** But to part of today that I enjoyed hearing about: It is noteworthy that David Gbenda was the first player from the defensive side of the ball to speak with the media this spring. The elder statesman in the room has the respect of the coaching staff and his teammates. Gbenda mentioned Barryn Sorrell, Jahdae Barron, Michael Taaffe and himself as leaders on the defensive side of the ball early on. Derion Gulllette and Tyanthony Smith were singled out as two youngsters who were standing out to him. Of course, Smith was the lone linebacker in the 2024 class this past cycle. The other part of Gbenda's time with time with the media that stood out to me was his remarks when I asked him about motivation he took from the Sugar Bowl. Gbenda told me straight up he was "pissed off" about the loss. Being what he called "12 inches" short of playing for a title, has stuck with him through the winter and into today. That sentiment is echoed throughout the rest of the program as well. *** As for Quinn Ewers, I sensed calm and confident version of Ewers. Multiple times Ewers brought up how comfortable he was in Sarkisian's system as a third year player. Ewers also spoke about his decision to return to school. Citing he did not want to rush the decision or his time in college after skipping his senior season to enroll at Ohio State, then not playing as a true freshman and eventually transferring over to Texas. This is the first time I got the sense Ewers was completely at peace with his surroundings. Ewers mentioned he had an idea midway through the 2023 season that he would return to Texas for another season. A week following the Sugar Bowl, Ewers had bought in completely to returning and eventually made the decision about 10 days after. As for leaders on the offensive side of the ball, Ewers named Jake Majors in the middle of the offensive line and Johntay Cook as the most experienced returning wide receiver on roster – certainly worth mentioning. View full news

Yep, I expect Mitchell to hit the portal here soon.

Time to bring the heat to the Tuesday night Longhorn Livestream! Spring practice updates, the latest on visitors and rule changes galore from the NFL level. View full news

Big time prospect. Texas won't have a shortage of OL targets this cycle.

You’re absolutely right. I’m of the belief KJ wants to be at Texas. I’d be surprised at this point to see another QB offer extended unless the staff has reevaluated the position and switch courses on who they believe is the better prospect.

I chatted a bit with KJ Lacey over the weekend following his performance at the Elite 11 which earned him an invitation to the Finals in California later this spring. The Texas commit visited campus Monday where he was able to spend time with Steve Sarkisian and the staff after taking in a spring practice during the morning hours. While programs like Oregon, Auburn and Ole Miss have continued to recruit Lacey over the last six months, Lacey reaffirmed his commitment status to me. Lacey added he has three trips planned for the spring and summer months – all of which to Texas (April 6, April 20, June 21-23 OV). No visits planned anywhere else at the moment and Lacey said he hopes to keep it like that. "My commitment is still really strong," Lacey said. "I have been talking to them all the time, getting everything right about the official visit part and when I am going to visit, plus who I need to be recruiting." Lacey has put on his recruiting hat a bit for the Longhorn 2025 class. He mentioned three wide receivers that he will be courting to Texas as the cycle progresses: Dakorien Moore, Jaime Ffrench and Kaliq Lockett. As for the commits in the class, Lacey said he is beginning to build a strong relationship with Emaree Winston as well. The two talk and text often throughout the week. The next time Lacey does make it to campus, his recruiting skills will be put to the test. Wide receivers Kaliq Lockett, Jaime Ffrench and Kelshaun Johnson will all be in attendance. Plus guys like John Mills and Tyler Thomas as well on the offensive side of the ball. All in all, a good visit to Austin for Lacey. I won't say there is nothing to worry about because Texas will need to continue recruiting through the whistle, but Texas is where Lacey wants to be at the moment and he reiterated that to me on Sunday. View full news

The athleticism for Katoa is superb even with this weight. Has more movement skills than Cam Williams did at this weight which leads me to believe you might see him at guard.

Katoa's Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17897403/65669aa63dec5904cc9032ca

Texas has extended an offer to 2026 Euless Trinity OL Toa Katoa this afternoon. A name that might be familiar to the board is one that Texas fans should certainly keep an eye on now. Katoa, a 6-foot-5 and 375-pound trench monster is slated to be on campus April 13 for what is turning into a bit of a 2026 day on campus. Texas is officially in the game for Katoa, though the Longhorns have been high on him prior to the extended offer. This will be a recruitment to keep a close eye on. View full news

Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones spoke about Texas RB Jonathon Brooks this morning at the Owners Meetings which are currently underway now in Orlando. Of course, Dallas is familiar with Texas prospects having drafted LB DeMarvion Overshown a year ago and with former Longhorn Paxton Anderson, the grandson of Jerry Jones, now employed by the franchise. The Cowboys did not re-sign Tony Pollard this offseason, though they did agree to a one-year deal with RB Rico Dowdle. Regardless, the Cowboys will be in the market for a running back come the draft.

The deep ball is what made Daniels so special in 2023. I think Russell has that in his game, though there needs to be a continued improvement in the short-intermediate range.