Gerry Hamilton

Jelani McDonald is a wildcard player for me. Where will he actually land (in terms of position) this spring? There is chatter out there, but its just chatter until he reps more with pads on at spots. If he finds a true home, his frame + athletic ability is among the very best in the program. And that is saying something. Gullette, for me, was on a different/longer learning curve vs. some others. More of a jack-of-all-trades at Marlin prior to missing senior season with the knee. 2023 was his first year truly locking into one position and learning the game at one position. I'm also interested to see the returns this spring for him. Because like McDonald, one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in the program.

Not as much as planned for sure! He played quite a bit before the injury to Jacorey Watson forced Shadow Creek's hand. So 3-4 games. http://www.hudl.com/v/2LkJmm

Been some back room chatter about that in recent weeks ... It makes sense for a number of reasons - basketball and NIL. From an NIL perspective - college for a year being the face of a team with the TV contracts now in the Power 4 is much better for Name, image and likeness brand building that playing in the G-League Ignite and essentially going away from the public spotlight for a year. For college basketball ... better get your money cannon ready because the college game/season changing few players will be coming back to college hoops for a season unless they have zero interest in going to college classes (ie Johnson last year) ... Scoot Henderson on a college team would have made someone an instant contender with the right experienced pieces around him.

100%

It’s amazing and honestly horrible to me that Beard nor Terry got Hunter into TJ Ford’s gym to work with him a single time since Hunter’s been in Austin.

So many are TBD ... Merril is a squad guy Davis is 3rd or 4th Swanson is 3rd or 4th Guilbeau or Jordan will be No. 2 Nickel. Moore is likely No. 2 slot, Niblett 3rd

Spring Practice: Ten Most Important Longhorns The most anticipated spring practice for Texas in two decades is just 31 days away. While the Longhorns will be ranked in the top 5 in preseason polls, there are still players and positions that need to take key steps this spring to having the chance to maximize the 2024 season. The interior of the defensive line and linebacker are the two positions Texas has to answer this spring and in August. And depth at safety. This list was built out with the understanding that wide receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden are expected to experience a smooth transition, and will be impact playmakers with quality depth at the position. 1. Sydir Mitchell, Freshman, DT/NG Mitchell tops the list for me. Texas needs the 6-5, 350 pound Garden State product to take a big step this spring headed into August. If Mitchell begins to look like the prospect that Texas and Georgia battled for until the ink was dry, Texas defensive tackle position will have a different look headed into the 2024 season. Especially over the ball in a more demanding conference with much better offensive line talent. 2. Alfred Collins, Senior, DT It’s been a long waiting game for Collins to consistently look like the player and NFL Draft pick his ceiling has suggested since his senior year of high school. It’s now or never for Collins, and the Longhorns need Collins to become the player expected in 2024. 3. Derek Williams Jr., Freshman, S When Steve Sarkisian said at a signing day press conference the Pelican State product could be a first round pick one day, it certainly raised eyebrows. That’s not a comment made during signing day press conferences. After a strong freshman campaign, Williams beginning to look like that future first round pick level prospect in 2024 would certainly ascend the Texas secondary - especially the safety position. 4. Trey Moore, Junior, EDGE/LB The UTSA transfer bet on himself hitting the portal in December. If Moore, 6-2 and 235 pounds, is talked about coming out of spring as his strengths translating against Texas level OL’s consistently, the Longhorns will see an uptick off the edge rushing the passer in 2024 - along with Colin Simmons. Moore lacks the long levers of some of the most successful SEC EDGE/LB pass rushers in recent years, but he has possesses high-end twitch. 5. Colin Simmons, True freshman, EDGE/LB The 5-star EDGE prospect has already added 15-20 pounds of great weight since arriving in Austin. Especially lower body strength, which will be key when attacked in the run game. Simmons possesses pass rush ability off the edge the program hasn’t had in years - since Brian Orakpo. 6. Amari Niblack, Sophomore, TE The Alabama transfer has down the field ability at tight end that even Ja’Tavion Sanders didn’t possess. Yes, Niblack has that type of vertical speed. If OTF is hearing that Niblack is making a smooth transition into a more complex offensive system and is a more than willing blocker when called upon, the tight end position could be even better in 2024. And that is saying something. 7. Cameron Williams, Sophomore, RT Williams has patiently waited for his turn while developing physically and technically. His time is now. And that means Texas fans will get to see a player that has a high NFL Draft pick ceiling. Williams made a his only career start vs. Kansas State in 2023. If Williams receives high praise coming out of spring practice, the Texas offensive line will be a lock to be better in 2024 with the returning experience and depth along with Williams. 8. Jaray Bledsoe, Sophomore, DT Pound-for-pound, Bledsoe is the best athlete in the program. But it’s imperative for the Longhorns to maximize the 2024 season that Bledsoe becomes more than a prospect talked about in terms of potential. He needs to start the on field ascension this spring that vaults him onto NFL scouts minds during the 2024 season. Bledsoe was up to 287 pounds late last season. Texas needs Bledsoe to be an athletic disruptor consistently in 2024. 9. Liona Lefau, Freshman, LB Lefau flashed last spring and continued to receive praise during the season as a linebacker with a bright future. The long-armed and instinctive linebacker is now in position to grab an opportunity and run with it. If the word coming out of spring practice is Lefau is ready to take a big step in 2024, that changes the trajectory of the position as a whole. 10. Xavier Filsaime, True freshman, S Texas needs both early enrollee’s Xavier Filsaime and Jordon Johnson-Rubell to make noise in the spring. In the case of Filsaime, he’s for sure going to play safety whereas JJ-R could spend some spring reps at nickel. Filsaime enrolled at Texas with a Power 5 ready frame, and he has impressed since day 1. If that trend continues throughout spring practice, the safety position will look totally different in 2024. That would mean more experience and more speed with the additions of Clemson transfer Andrew Mukuba and Filsaime. View full news

Can't miss in-state: Dakorien Moore Michael Fasusi Dorian Brew Brandon Brown is a can't miss OOS for me.

No question abvout it. Likely four players from that class drafted or on NFL rosters.

Devin Coleman could be looked as an over the ball/NT type on defense. More projectable as an IOL right now, but definitely getting looks at both by P5's.

Love the pic! Awesome

Think a LT and a swing OT/IOL in the 2025 class are likely. The top OT prospect in the state is actually in the 2026 class - John Turntine. Texas will keep the room/tackle spot looking good for him IMO.

Think Agbo is that same role ... jumbo TE and emergency OT. Tremendous feet. Haven't heard anything different, as of today.

Yes I do. Could even be six if anyone hits the portal that's already on campus. Texas/Flood have managed to keep all 2022 and 2023 signees on campus headed into the spring. It's a near lock they won't keep 100% of those guys after next season.

Texas is working to 4-star OT Nick Brooks on campus this spring ... http://www.hudl.com/v/2McZDr

Ain't that the truth! You are the HC and GM in CFB now with much more on the plate than 5 years ago.

lol on last sentence! Well done. Can't wait to see what the gameday attire is for Sark and Loreal in 2024!

The Texas Longhorns are expected to sign five offensive linemen in the 2025 cycle after inking three in 2024. Offensive line coach Kyle Flood made visits in December and January to see many of the top targets from coast-to-coast. Many of the targets in the 2025 cycle attended Texas Junior Day January 20, and are expected back in the spring for unofficial visits prior to the Longhorns narrowing the focus headed into June official visits. OnTexasFootball.com provides a look at the offensive line position prior to the spring evaluation period. #RecruitThroughTheWhistle That prospect is Lewisville High's Michael Fasusi. The 6-4, 295 pound left tackle with high end body quickness is expected back on campus with family this spring, likely April 6 or for the spring game. Flood, Steve Sarkisian and Tashard Choice stopped by Lewisville High in late January to see Fasusi. An official visit the last weekend of June (28-30) is very likely. Texas is battling Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Oregon, Missouri and others. Texas doing well with Mills One prospect that the Longhorns are doing well with headed into the spring is OnTexasFootball 4-star John Mills (San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep). Mills, 6-6 and 325 pounds, attended Texas Junior Day January 20. He also attended Florida Junior Day January 27. The Longhorns main competition is Michigan and Washington. Mills has been on campus three times since June of 2023. He is scheduled to make an unofficial visit April 6th weekend, and has an official visit scheduled June 14-16. Tyler Thomas OV date Dickinson (Texas) High's Tyler Thomas got a visit from Flood in January, and a June official visit is expected. Thomas, 6-4 and 290 pounds, is very likely to make an official visit to Texas the last weekend in June (28-30). Thomas has been high on the board in Austin for about a year. Texas A&M is considered the manin competition headed into the spring. He made a Junior Day visit to Texas A&M in January. He missed the majority of the 2023 season with a foot injury. In state names to know Jonte Newman, OT, Cypress (Texas) Bridgeland OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star Attended January 20 Junior Day. Flood was by Bridgeland High in January. Texas A&M also very much in the mix. Newman moved to the Houston area from Lexington, Miss. around the start of high school. Lamont Rogers, OT, Mesquite (Texas) Horn OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star Attended January 20 Junior Day. LSU is one to watch with Rogers. Jackson Christian, IOL, Port Neches (Texas) Port Neches-Groves OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star Attended January 20 Junior Day. Also attended Texas A&M Junior Day in January. Dramodd Odoms, OT, Houston (Texas) Lamar OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star Attended January 20 Junior Day. Jordan Coleman, OT/IOL, Cedar Hill (Texas) High Attended January 20 Junior Day. Twin brother Devin Coleman is also on the radar of the Longhorns. Ty Haywood, OT, Denton (Texas) Ryan OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star Connor Carty, IOL, Prosper (Texas) High Attended Texas January 20 Junior Day. Texas offered January 20. Offer watch Devin Coleman, IOL, Cedar Hill (Texas) High Attended Texas January 20 Junior Day. Recent offers include Ole Miss and Duke. Out of state names to know Peter Langi, IOL, San Francisco (Calif.) Archbishop Rirordan The 6-5, 330 pound guard prospect is scheduled to visit Texas in March. Texas is one of 38 offers, including a run of SEC offers in January. Nick Brooks, OT, Cedar Rapids (Ia.) John F. Kennedy Flood was by the school in January. A spring visit is possible. View full news

Agreed. And he is 6-6.25 without shoes ... his draft stock has fallen as the G-league season has gone on.

100% agree. The road games that were the ones to win (barring key injury late in season) have already happened.

There is so much talent coming into the program that it's easy to forget about young guys that redshirt ... Warren Roberson is one of those for sure.

Texas definitely desires to develop 10 players they believe are starter level with the move to the SEC.