CJ Vogel

The departure of Jim Harbaugh from Michigan is just another chapter in what has already been a wacky, wild offseason in the month of January. Of course it has big implications on the college football landscape from a national perspective, but more specifically it will have quite the impact on the Longhorns come week two of the 2024 college football season when Texas heads north to Ann Arbor. It got me thinking. Something I don't do often. Just how many returning head coaches and quarterbacks will the 2024 Longhorns face? Well, the answer is this. Texas will face eight returning head coaches and eight first time quarterbacks in 2024. Only three Texas opponents next fall will have the luxury of continuity at HC and QB from this past season. Colorado State – I like what Jay Norvell has going in Fort Collins. The win-loss record wasn't pretty in 2023, but they play tough and the Colorado game proved they don't take mess from anyone. Former Aledo QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi will return in 2024. He was 2nd in the Mountain West in passing yards last year with 3,460. Michigan – Obviously the reason for this conversation is Michigan. JJ McCarthy is departing for the NFL Draft and Jim Harbaugh has agreed to take over the LA Chargers. Michigan is losing quite a bit more as well, but a new signal caller and decision maker makes a trip to Ann Arbor look significantly less daunting. UTSA – I had originally thought QB Frank Harris was returning for year eight, however he is not. That leads soon to be redshirt-sophomore Owen McCown to lead the Road Runners next year. And of course, Jeff Traylor is in charge. ULM – ULM just hired former New Mexico OC Bryant Vincent as their new head coach. Offensive minded approach for the Warhawks will be interesting to see how Hunter Herring to takeover for the departed Jiya Wright. Miss State – Will Rogers transferred to Washington after the season to play for Kalen DeBoer, and despite his departure to Alabama will stay at UW. Former Baylor QB Blake Shapen transferred in will compete with 2024 QB Michael Van Buren in the brand new Jeff Lebby offensive scheme. Oklahoma – Brent Venables returns for year three in Norman. After a step in the right direction in 2023, it is likely the defensive once again leads the way for the Sooners in 2024. Jackson Arnold will be a first year starter, but he will be doing so behind a brand new offensive line from this past season. Georgia – The most complete team in the country will see both its head coach and quarterback return from what ended up being a disappointing 13–1 season. Vanderbilt – Head Coach Clark Lea is back for year four. Vanderbilt isn't the dumpster fire it once was, but still lacks blue-chip talent. At quarterback you can expect a new face. Former QBs Ken Seals (TCU) and AJ Swann (LSU) each transferred out this offseason. Florida – Somehow Billy Napier is still the head coach of the Florida Gators, but the question is whether or not he will be employed by the date of this meeting in 2024. Surprisingly to me, Graham Mertz wasn't too bad in 2023. A second year in the system will help, as he will be back for the Gators next fall (hopefully in a number that isn't #15.) Arkansas – Similarly to Florida, somehow Sam Pittman is back in Fayetteville for 2024. However, the Razorbacks will be without KJ Jefferson who departed for UCF, so no revenge of 2021 for the Longhorns against Jefferson. Instead, Arkansas added former Boise St. QB Taylen Green. Kentucky – This is a fun one. Kentucky should be a team with a mark on the head coaching column, that was the case until A&M brass flipped suit and literally left Stoops on the tarmac. Stoops followed that up by adding former five-star 2021 QB prospect Brock Vandagriff this offseason to replace Devin Leary who is off to the League. Texas A&M – Ah, yes. The beginning of the Mike Elko era is here. How will that go? I guess the better question is how do these eras ever go in College Station. Luckily for Elko, he's got himself a real ballplayer with QB Conner Weigman who will be looking to remain healthy for a full season in 2024. View full news

On the road to a first round draft selection in 2025.

Majors would be my answer. The QB of the OL – all communication goes through him. Leader in the offensive room as well. He is a key cog in the offensive machine Texas is working with.

Gullette was a 4-star by all services prior to his injury senior season.

Mike Elston, previously had worked with Terry Joseph at Notre Dame.

Michigan really isn't too active in the state. They do have Ike Iwunnah from Garland that is on the DL. RB Tavierre Dunlap was a depth piece, he's from Del Valle. Freshman Enow Etta might be an intriguing piece. Originally from Keller. Came in at 6-foot-5 and 295 lbs this season.

Would be pretty wild considering the end of the season he had. I believe he had the third shortest odds for the Heisman immediately following the season for 2024.

Also, this is rather signifcant.

Going to see who enters the portal from that program.

Late breaking news Wednesday night from the NFL world that will have plenty of implications on the CFB carousel. The Los Angeles Chargers are hiring Jim Harbaugh to be their next head coach. Michigan players will now be eligible to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal for the next 30 days. Potential movement in the assistant coaching ranks as well. Texas is also set to travel to Ann Arbor next year for a meeting with the National Champions during week two. A big moment for a number of reasons. View full news

It was crazy Texas stuck around as long as they did even without a visit. Testament to the national reputation that Sarkisian and Texas have built for themselves.

Looks like Oklahoma stopped by Alamo Heights today as well.

Crazy to say considering he is at Alabama, but it's something I pondered as well.

2024 five-star WR Ryan Williams has re-committed to Alabama. Williams was expected to be on campus this weekend for an official visit with Texas, however that visit was cancelled and you can see now why the reason was. First big win for Kalen DeBoer as the head coach of the Tide. View full news

Quandre Diggs for me

Mukuba is probably the odds on favorite. Moore is my favorite here. I love his addition off the edge.

In the final Big 12 season David Pierce's squad will partake in, there is some heavy preseason recognition headed their direction. LHP Lebarron Johnson Jr. was named the preseason Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. OF Will Gasparino took home the preseason Freshman Player of the Year award as well. Gasparino was a top 75 MLB Draft prospect by several scouting services prior to his enrollment to The University of Texas. There were six unanimous selections for the preseason first team All-Big 12 lineup, OF Porter Brown was one of them. Brown hit .323 with 12 HR and 59 RBI in 2023.

That's three visits from/by the Texas staff and Elijah Bo Barnes in the last week. Nansen stopped by last week to watch a workout, the junior day and now today.

Anthony Wheeler I believe

Couldn’t agree more.

It feels like it could be a wide open conversation. If Alfred Collins ends up being the best Def. player for Texas next year, the iDL will no longer be a weak spot or question mark. If I could call my shot, I would bet Anthony Hill Jr. becoming the most impactful Longhorn on the defensive side of the ball in 2024.

From what I have heard, Texas was pretty upfront in the recruitment with Muhammad that he would have to come in and compete for a starting spot. Oregon basically has the approach that he can come in and have the job immediately.

I am a big time fan of his game.