CJ Vogel

I don't think so. Hutson, Robertson, Cruz each have better body types there as well.

If Bledsoe can come along, the addition of him, Mitchell, January and Bryant will be encouraging. It will be a good base for Texas to work with for 2025.

Sydir will be a big piece of this defensive line.

AD Mitchell dropping that far would be a huge surprise, but I think every player who is drafted in that scenario would be thrilled with where they ended up.

TCU fans cannot be happy to see this news on a Wednesday morning.

National Signing Day threw a wrench into the schedule of the In The Pipeline series we have going on, but have no fear, we are doubling up today on the posts for this series. Thus far, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end have been covered for the 2024 season and beyond. As we progress down the roster, we arrive to the biggest (literally) group on roster – the offensive line and defensive line. Focusing solely on interior guys for the defensive side of the ball. So, let's get to it. Offensive Line On Roster: Banks-Conner-Majors-Campbell-Williams | Hutson, Umeozulu, Goosby, Chatman, Kirkland, Robertson, Stroh, Cojoe, Baker, Kibble, Cruz Coming Soon: Potentially 4-5 in 2025 For 2024: The offensive line took a noticeable step forward in 2023 with the core of the lineup returning for a second year together. As we sit more than 200 days away from the opening kickoff, it is looking like the offensive line will once again be making a move in the right direction as a result of continuity in the starting group. Four of five starters from a year ago return, plus I believe big Cam Williams is a shoe-in for the right tackle spot. Now, there are interesting theories to ponder about right now at left guard and right tackle. Could there be some movement there to shore up depth? Potentially. We will see this spring what kind of push Texas gets from Cole Hutson and Neto Umeozulu, two guys with playing experience. But regardless, the offensive line is set up beautifully for a third year Quinn Ewers and a stable of running backs eager to get their first full share of touches. Beyond: You can expect to see Jake Majors, Hayden Conner and Kelvin Banks depart following the 2024 season. Texas will be able to boast about their first 1st round offensive lineman drafted since the ice age with Banks. Luckily, attrition has yet to be an issue for the Longhorns here (*knock on wood*). Daniel Cruz and Connor Robertson will battle for the center spot. At the tackle spot, it is expected a third year Trevor Goosby will be the favorite to take over left tackle with a returning Cam Williams at right tackle. Think about that for a second, Texas' tackle duo for the 2025 season could average 6-feet-7-inches and over 335 pounds. Not too bad. I would think DJ Campbell returns for 2025 unless he lights the world on fire this fall, which leads to one of Umeozulu or Hutson to man the right guard spot. By all accounts, an experienced offensive line remains. Toss in five-star Brandon Baker into the mix as well somewhere and the pipeline is tremendous. Defensive Line: On Roster: Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, Tiaoalii Savea, Sydir Mitchell, Aaron Bryant, Jaray Bledsoe, Alex January, Melvin Hills Coming Soon: Brandon Brown For 2024: Well, this will be an interesting spot for the 2024 Longhorns. I, for one, am not as bearish on this group as many. Yes, Texas will likely need to add a piece to this room before the season begins – that is best case scenario. But I do feel like this group won't be a glaring weakness with the current pieces in the room. Now, how will they perform? I guess that is up to Coach Baker and his preparation for the unit as a whole. But there is experience here. Alfred Collins was a plus on the D-Line last year and Vernon Broughton's strength has been stopping the run. Add in Savea who has nearly 550 snaps of live action over the last two seasons, and there is a quality depth spot there. The biggest question to me is how often you can rely on Aaron Bryant who found his way into the rotation for the Sugar Bowl. January on campus early helps as well. If, and I want to get ahead of this, Texas finds an extra gear with Jaray Bledsoe, I will be comfortable with this unit in year one in the SEC. It won't be a plus, but it will be enough to not lose games this fall. Beyond: This group will be needing some portal work in 2024 after the season. Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton will depart after the season and the cupboard isn't exactly stocked. A big recruiting class is needed, but it won't bridge the gap quickly. Most of us are rather excited about what Alex January can bring to the table here as well. Texas is going to need to do some real work to reconstruct the defensive line room for 2025 and beyond. Luckily, if Jaray Bledsoe can add the necessary weight, he can be a real contributor for the Longhorns in the meantime. But until then, Kenny Baker will have his work cutout for him. View full news

Former Texas analyst and TCU head coach Gary Patterson has found a new home in the state of Texas — Waco. Patterson has been hired by Baylor HC Dave Aranda to join the program as a senior level consultant. Quite the conundrum for both fan bases as both have a long history rooting for and against Patterson in the TCU-Baylor rivalry. View full news

Believe it or not, I am not a coffee guy

How about 2025 lol, it's early for me.

Javar Thomas Hudl: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19343775/64e8d4f84deb260bc08b141a

At the very end of the contact window, Steve Sarkisian and Jeff Banks made a trip down to Houston to visit in-person with 2025 LB Javar Thomas. The 6-foot-3 linebacker at Aldine Nimitz HS saw his recruitment grow in the month of January with offers from UNLV, Washington, Colorado State and Houston. Texas also got involved in Thomas' recruitment when they officially tossed their hat in the ring last Friday on the visit from Sarkisian and Banks. Despite having visited campus on January 20 for the Junior Day, Thomas told me it was a total surprise when the offer arrived from the Texas staff. Continuing the trend of lengthy, long-levered linebacker prospects, Thomas is a prime candidate to see return to campus in March for a second unofficial of the year. View full news

Big fan of Sanders' game in the secondary.

100% agree.

Aaron Butler a bit of a surprise, otherwise, feels pretty similar to my views on the class!

I didn't know this was a real place until I drove through Atlanta, Texas about two and a half years ago 😂

Really nice quote here, well done Gerry!

Sark's mindset will keep the task of winning a championship at the forefront of the Texas program. I love it.

He has the skillset to eventually be used closer to the ball, but I bet his career begins back deep at safety.

Exactly what I wanted to hear too! Loved it from Sark today.

Steve Sarkisian graciously spoke for 50 minutes this morning, covering topics from the 2024 class, transfer portal additions, coaching changes, recruiting department promotions and the mindset heading into the spring. I wanted to share some quick thoughts on the press conference as well as the key points that will carry us into the remainder of winter conditioning. 1. Brandon Harris' Promotion to GM Sarkisian spoke very highly of new General Manager Brandon Harris. Off the bat, you can tell there is a lot of trust between Sarkisian and Harris. Several times during the presser, Sarkisian mentioned being able to rely on Harris to sit in meetings or accomplish an important role without him being present. “His ability to communicate, I thought was incredible," Sarkisian said. "It was a guy that we’ve just grown our relationship over three years. So I felt like the time was right for him to assume this role.” 2. Staff Additions Interestingly, Sarkisian said that every coach on the Texas staff was offered a new job this offseason from a program looking to poach. Of course, Jeff Choate went west to Nevada and Bo Davis ended up back home at LSU, however Sarkisian was thrilled to return all three coordinators on his staff and spoke positively about the new additions, Kenny Baker and Johnny Nansen. Sarkisian mentioned the national perception of Texas football has changed since he arrived. In his opinion, national players are now more willing to give Texas a chance. He believes staff continuity has played a role. Adding Nansen and Baker will allow Texas to dive even deeper into the west coast and deep south, respectively. As Texas heads into the SEC, Sarkisian mentioned how important it would be for his staff to have in-roads to the backyard of where they will be playing a majority of their games. 3. Wide Receiver Additions It was clear that Sarkisian was thrilled with the pieces Texas added out of the portal. Oregon State WR Silas Bolden will join the program in the summer, but the two mid-year transfer wide receivers are already making solid strides. Sarkisian mentioned it would have been "malpractice" to not utilize the portal, to have entered a season with only three returning scholarship receivers – of which they group has only eight career receptions. “That room is going to be solid," he said. "We have just got to find that right group of guys once September rolls around.” 4. Desire to Get Back to CFP My biggest takeaway was the desire in which Sarkisian spoke about returning to contending for a National Title. Texas got a small taste with the semi-final game against Washington, however, the way in which Sarkisian spoke about getting back to that level and eventually winning a National Title left a strong impression on me. He is driven and wanting to do whatever it takes to bring a title back to Austin. “I didn’t come here to just be a head coach again," he said. "I didn’t come here to say I am the head coach at UT. I came here to win a championship. I am borderline obsessed with it.” 5. Important Dates Sarkisian did mentioned more changes to the recruiting department were in store but did not provide finite details on when that might occur and what it might exactly look like. One thing he did give us a schedule for was spring football. Texas will undergo four more weeks of winter conditioning starting on Monday – so 4.5 weeks left for those pulling out the calculator. March 19 will mark the first day of spring practice. For NFL Draft hopefuls, the Texas Pro Day will take place March 20 in Austin. The Texas coaching staff will also host the coaching clinic on March 22, the weekend we are also expecting a pretty busy recruiting weekend. View full news

Taking a sure-fire center, guard and tackle this cycle is going to help long term with numbers. Small class with only three guys, but ensuring someone is being added to each individual position was a key point in the approach.