CJ Vogel

Today in part two of the In The Pipeline series, we will cover the pass catchers on the Texas roster in 2024 and beyond. Of course, a lot has happened in these two position rooms since the end of the season and by all means, I am expecting the wide receivers to remain a strength of the Texas program. A quick look at the current state of each room for 2024 and beyond: Wide Receiver On Roster: Silas Bond, Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden, Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore, Ryan Niblett, Freddie Dubose, Ryan Wingo, Parker Livingstone, Aaron Butler Coming Soon: We will see. For 2024: In a room that was expected to be a huge question mark just over 45 days ago, the work done by the Texas staff has completely revamped the group of weapons for Quinn Ewers. Through the portal, Texas added Alabama's leading wide receiver, Oregon State's leading receiver and a 1,000 yard career receiver with 13 touchdowns. It is very likely this unit is a strength of the Texas roster in 2024 when you combine sophomore Johntay Cook and DeAndre Moore, as well as former five-star freshman WR Ryan Wingo. The options are bountiful right now in this room. No need to dive back into the idea of a positionless offense, but the speed in this room is going to be at a level Texas hasn't seen in years, maybe even a decade-plus. Really exciting for Texas in year one of the SEC. Beyond: You can chalk up Silas Bolden (grad transfer) and Isaiah Bond to being one-year rentals for the Longhorns this season. Yet, the 2025 outlook remains incredibly encouraging. Johntay Cook will be entering year three and Matthew Golden will most likely be back to bring you a very solid 1–2 look on the outside. Of course, Ryan Wingo will have at least two more years after the 2024 season before being eligible for the NFL Draft. How can Parker Livingstone and Freddie Dubose crack the lineup? Aaron Butler is a popular choice for most underrated prospect from the last class as well. Oh, and I have yet to even talk about the potential of a third year DeAndre Moore and Ryan Niblett. Plenty of options here, and it will be up to Chris Jackson to get those guys ready behind the scenes to catch passes from Arch Manning. Tight End: On Roster: Gunnar Helm, Armari Niblack, Juan Davis, Malik Agbo, Spencer Shannon, Will Randle, Jordan Washington Coming Soon: 2025 Emaree Winston For 2024: Texas fans were given very little time to weep following the departure of Ja'Tavion Sanders to the NFL. Sarkisian and Jeff Banks took a turn towards the portal almost immediately and jumped right on in for Amari Niblack following the retirement of Mr. Nick Saban. As a result, Texas will continue to be able to deploy a two tight end set with strengths both in the trenches and down the field vertically. We have mentioned Malik Agbo's use as a hybrid tight end and offensive lineman. Plus Juan Davis has game experience, albeit limited, but regardless an option that has been around a good bit. Beyond: A bit of a question mark for 2025 and beyond. Who takes that next leap? Will Texas have the luxury of one of Helm or Niblack returning? Perhaps, but no guarantee. Big question remains in regards to Spencer Shannon and his development. He could be an immediate replacement for Helm as the in-line tight end in the Sarkisian offense as Texas continues to develop Jordan Washington behind the scenes. What kind of contribution from Will Randle will be seen. I am a big fan of Washington's, though a two tight end class is very likely for the 2025 class. View full news

Former five-star North Shore cornerback Denver Harris has found a new home. After stops at Texas A&M and LSU, Harris finds himself back on the schedule for the Texas Longhorns in 2024, this time as a member of Jeff Traylor's UTSA program. An interesting storyline for when the two teams meet up September 14. View full news

Can't wait. 😈

March 3rd.

Sharma's Hud: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16252371/64f8ee26da50cd0ad85e71e8

Texas will receive a visit from 2025 (Folsom, Calif.) defensive tackle Josiah Sharma in March. I traded messages with Sharma last night who mentioned a trip to Austin is likely to occur following the conclusion of the non-contact window. It is our understanding Texas will have a junior day-type visit weekend set up for the weekend of March 22. The 6-foot-5 and 300-pound defensive tackle was offered by Texas on February 1 following an on-campus visit from Johnny Nansen. Shama was also mentioned in Gerry's best-case scenario class published on Monday. View full news

I am very happy Blue has stuck around this far at Texas. In 2024 especially, he is going to reap those benefits of waiting his turn.

Fun conversation this afternoon! Think we can all agree on one thing – Texas killed it in the portal this offseason.

I have long had a gripe with gunners, especially at the college level. But credit to Jeff Banks and the Texas ST staff. It was clear Keilan Robinson and Kitan Crawford understood their roles and were pretty darn close to perfect last season. To me, the gunners play just as big a role in down balls inside the 20 as punters do.

It's a possibility. RB has been a spot that has flirted with portal entrants for several seasons now, though credit to Tashard Choice, he has kept everyone in the fold for now. Going into spring, it would be a position I am monitoring for a potential portal departure.

To quote the famous philosophical group called Fall Out Ball, it's time to light it up, up, up.

We've entered that part of the year where everything you learned about the last class means nothing and now it's time to start all over again lol!

Texas did well last cycle holding onto their OOS guys, the challenge in 2025 will be if they can do it for the duration of a full calendar year.

AD, Worthy and Murphy are for sure in my eyes. Sweat will play a lot. Depending on who drafts Christian Jones, there could be a path for early PT due to necessity.

Thanks for reading, @Shane

Wanted to introduce a series for the week that will take us position by position on the Texas roster and how it stacks up for the 2024 season and beyond. We will begin today with the quarterback and running back positions, two of the deeper positions in the Texas program. For each position, we will take a look at what the expected look will be for the 2024 season then a peak behind the curtain for what the position will gain and/or lose beyond the upcoming season. Quarterback On Roster: Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, Trey Owens Coming Soon: KJ Lacey For 2024: It was never any secret what the position was going to look like when word around Quinn Ewers started to turn towards No. 3 returning for another season in Austin. The job is his, but he is going to be pushed very hard behind the scenes by a redshirt freshman Arch Manning and the incoming freshman, Trey Owens. Texas is entering the SEC with a top five quarterback in the country and a more than capable QB2. Beyond: Quinn Ewers is in the conversation for being the top quarterback off the board for the 2025 NFL Draft. Should Ewers depart, as is the consensus thought right now, Texas is expected to begin the Arch Manning era in Austin. The former No. 1 overall player in the 2023 class got a little taste of game action last fall where he had some 'wow' moments, but in very limited setting. KJ Lacey will join the fold as well, battling with Trey Owens for that QB2 role. I would expect to see Manning on campus for at least two years before departing for the NFL Draft. Running Back On Roster: CJ Baxter, Jaydon Blue, Savion Red, Tre Wisner, Christian Clark, Jerrick Gibson Coming Soon: 2025 commit(s), 2026 Raycine Guillory Jr. For 2024: Talent is bountiful in the running backs room at the moment. Perhaps the deepest position room on the entire roster going into the 2024 season. The 1-2 punch of Baxter and Blue is very encouraging and figures to be a massive part of the Texas offense next fall. An extra year in the weight room should be noticeable for Baxter next year as he takes over the bell-cow role. The change of pace component in Jaydon Blue's game excites me; he possesses a level of speed that might not be matched by the rest of the room. Question is, what role does Savion Red play for the upcoming year? Can Tre Wisner scrap out a piece as well? Do the freshman lap anyone ahead of them? All good questions which we will get an idea about beginning in March. Beyond: Tashard Choice has set this group up to be in the conversation for the best running back room in the country. It is likely the Longhorns could run back the same unit in 2025, with Baxter entering his draft eligible season and Blue coming back for his senior season. What then happens to the backs behind them? Regardless, Texas has two freshmen backs in Jerrick Gibson and Christian Clark that already have folks buzzing inside of the facility. Texas should not be dry of talent at the running back spot any time soon. View full news

Pretty remarkable, huh?

Three of the five commits in the 2025 class currently live outside the state lines of Texas. As a result of the Longhorns finding some very talented early prospects from around the country, they will now be tasked with holding onto those verbal pledges as schools around the corner look to crack that door open any way they can. TE Emaree Winston was at UCF this weekend where Gus Malzahn made it a point to spend time with him during their trip together to the Knights' basketball game. DL Brandon Brown was with his 7-on-7 team at USC over the weekend as well for a quick unofficial visit. Fortunately for Texas, that same 7-on-7 team will be in the Austin area in a little over a month where he will be able to visit with the Texas staff. QB KJ Lacey was able to stop by the Reese's Senior Bowl on Saturday, a bit of a sigh of relief for Texas as there were reports expecting him to make it to Oxford to visit Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss program. Nothing is expected from either of the three at the moment, but this is the fight the Longhorns will continually be putting up against as the cycle continues. View full news

He’ll feel more of a priority with Texas than tOSU.

He brings such an extra chunk of energy. Unlike Cunningham, he plays within control and isn't a guaranteed five fouls each night.

Definitely with you @Glass Joe, .500 in conference play gets you in. Texas going 3–2 over the last five games, all of which against ranked opponents, is huge for the resume. Feels like they have found something here with the core lineup.