CJ Vogel

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!

The NCAA Transfer Portal window re-opens April 15. With a new wave of free agency to begin in the next week and a half, it is a good time to take a look at where Texas sits on the scholarship counter. Reminder, Texas must be at or below the 85 scholarship number by the start of the season. *** Quarterback (3) JR. – Quinn Ewers RS. – FR Arch Manning FR. – Trey Owens Running Back (6) JR. – Jaydon Blue, Savion Red SO. – CJ Baxter, Tre Wisner FR. – Christian Clark, Jerrick Gibson Wide Receiver (10) SR. – Silas Bolden JR. – Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden SO. – Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore RS FR. – Ryan Niblett FR. – Aaron Butler, Freddie Dubose, Parker Livingstone, Ryan Wingo Tight End (6) SR. – Gunnar Helm, Juan Davis JR. – Amari Niblack RS FR. – Will Randle, Spencer Shannon FR. – Jordan Washington Offensive Line (18) SR. – Jake Majors, Hayden Conner JR. – Kelvin Banks, DJ Campbell, Cole Hutson, Max Merril, Cam Williams SO. – Malik Agbo, Connor Robertson, Neto Umeozulu RS FR. – Jaydon Chatman, Andre Cojoe, Trevor Goosby, Peyton Kirkland, Connor Stroh FR. – Brandon Baker, Daniel Cruz, Nate Kibble Defensive Line (9) SR. – Vernon Broughton, Alfred Collins, Tia Savea SO. – Jaray Bledsoe, Aaron Bryant, Zac Swanson RS FR. – Sydir Mitchell FR. – Melvin Hills, Alex January EDGE (10) SR. – Barryn Sorrell JR. – Ethan Burke, Justice Finkley, Trey Moore SO. – J'Mond Tapp RS FR. – Tausili Akana, Colton Vasek, Billy Walton FR. – Colin Simmons, Zina Umeozulu Linebacker (8) SR. – David Gbenda, Kendrick Blackshire, Morice Blackwell SO. – Anthony Hill Jr., Liona Lefua RS FR. – S'maje Burrell, Derion Gullette FR. – Tyanthony Smith Defensive Back (16) SR. – Jahdae Barron, Gavin Holmes, Andrew Mukuba JR. – Terrance Brooks, Jaylon Guilbeau, Austin Jordan, Michael Taaffe SO. – Jelani McDonald, Malik Muhammad, Derek Williams RS FR. – Warren Roberson FR. – Kobe Black, Xavier Filsaime, Jordon Johnson-Rubell, Wardell Mack, Santana Wilson Specialists (3) JR. – Lance St. Louis, Will Stone FR. – Michael Kern *** Texas sits at 89 scholarship plays as I type this out on April 3rd. Of course, this goes without having K Bert Auburn on scholarship at the moment as well. The Longhorns will need to get down to 85 scholarships by the beginning of the 2024 season. It goes without saying, but expect some attrition this spring, especially if Texas looks to add to their roster via the portal when the window opens. View full news

#BigHumans on campus this weekend: - Devin Coleman - Jordan Coleman - Tyler Thomas - John Mills

Just got off the phone with OnTexasFootball's Gerry Hamilton who relayed a pair of big humans will be making the trip to Austin this weekend for the Longhorns' recruiting festivities. 2025 Cedar Hill offensive linemen Jordan and Devin Coleman will trek south down i35 to Austin on Saturday. Texas has long been in pursuit of Jordan Coleman, a 6-foot-5 and 310-pound prospect, who received his offer back in June of 2023. Since then, Jordan has received 15 additional offers and now boasts over 20 to his recruitment. Devin Coleman, on the other hand, received his offer on February 19 and spent most of his 2023 season on the defensive side of ball as an interior defensive lineman. At 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, Devin is beginning to get looks on offense now. Both have scheduled official visits for June 21-23. View full news

I loved this quote from Steve Sarkisian during Tuesday's media availability following practice No. 7 of the Longhorns' spring season. Sarkisian was asked if there were any early enrollees already being considered for leadership positions on the team. While Sarkisian mentioned that it is very early for those guys to jump that much into a position of command within the program, he did say he is pleased with how quickly they are becoming accustomed to practices on an every day basis. "I do think they are all working hard," Sarkisian said. "When you get to practice seven, there is a lot on their plate right now. When you think about it – if you are an offensive player, all of the offense that we have installed, and then you are trying to diagnose the defense and put those things together." Sarkisian added he was pleased with the effort and attentiveness of his early enrollees on campus. It certainly would make any head coach pleased to know he can go four-deep at any position and carry out scrimmages with plenty of depth at a moment's notice. "They are all working really hard," Sarkisian said. "I don't have a complaint about any of those guys. They are all doing a really good job and I am pleased with what they are putting into it." But as it pertains to one specific true freshman standing out, Sarkisian was quick to give WR Ryan Wingo his flowers. "I would say the one guy that has shown up the most in my eyes would be Ryan Wingo. I feel like in the last week, he has really made some plays and we have started to see the size, the speed and the athleticism." As Texas continues to sort out its wide receiver spot, one thing is for sure - Wingo is making his presence known early on. The Longhorns will be back on the practice field Thursday, which will mark the midway point of the spring practice session. Then Saturday, the team will return to the practice field for a more intense practice/scrimmage in front of 30+ recruits. Strong start to the career of Ryan Wingo as a Texas Longhorn. View full news

Fasusi Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16931029/655a9972ab9d78098812c051

The Texas Longhorns have made the cut for 2025 Lewisville OT Michael Fasusi in his top seven. Fasusi is expected on campus April 9 for an unofficial visit before returning to Austin in June for his official visit on the 21-23 weekend. Texas A&M has made some noise here after back to back weekend visits from the Lewisville star. However, Kyle Flood and the Longhorns have long prioritized Fasusi and made it known early he is atop of the Texas board. View full news

2025 Mater Dei RB Jordon Davison will be on campus this weekend per a source. A big weekend for the Texas staff gets even bigger with the addition of Davison to the visitor list. Davison is also scheduled to make an official visit to campus June 21-23, but this unofficial is a big opportunity for Texas to calm the momentum back from Ohio State following a weekend visit in Columbus. View full news