Steamboat Willie

Nice move for him. That’s a clear step up and good for his résumé. Also… if one staffer leaving “hurts” Texas, then the whole operation was way more duct-taped together than anyone wants to admit — and that’s simply not how Sark runs things. This program isn’t dependent on one guy with a spreadsheet. It’s layered, it’s resourced, and it’s built to reload. If anything, this is just an opportunity to modernize or upgrade the role even more for the portal/NIL era. Wish him well. Replace him. Move on.

This portal cycle is already screaming one thing: availability ≠ fit. There’s a lot of movement, a lot of names, and a lot of folks getting excited because a recruiting profile exists. But Texas shouldn’t be shopping for interesting—we should be shopping for transformative. As Bobby and Gerry like to say: is the juice worth the squeeze? If the answer isn’t “this fixes a real problem immediately,” keep scrolling. A rotational DT who looks like three guys we already have? No squeeze. A WR who replicates what’s already in the room? Minimal juice. An OL who can’t move people off the ball? We’ve seen that movie. The only portal additions that matter right now are: trench players who change the physical tone a RB who actually scares defenses veterans who reduce downside, not add learning curves This is Arch’s window. Not a rebuild. Not a science experiment. Take fewer swings. Make them violent.

Definitely wasn’t fully recovered this year, the question becomes: will he ever return to his pre-injury form?

Hoosier Daddy

Everyone’s acting like the new 105-scholarship rule means Texas can suddenly bankroll a small army. Reality check: you can roster 105 guys, but you can’t pay 105 guys. Revenue sharing = a soft salary cap. NIL = still the hunger games. So what actually happens? Texas funds the top half of the roster, stashes projects in the bottom half, and the portal becomes a revolving door for anyone who realizes they’re in the “thanks for being here” tier. The new rule doesn’t create 20 more paid contributors — it just gives Texas 20 more lottery tickets. And Texas loves lottery tickets. Hook ’em.

Follow-up thought: This is exactly why the portal matters more for OL than any other position. You’re not just buying size — you’re buying reps, scar tissue, and communication under fire. Those things don’t show up in 7-on-7 camps or Rivals stars. High school OL are projects. Portal OL are products. Both matter — but only one saves you next September. And to be fair, Sark finally sounds like he gets that balance. He’s not talking about “potential” right now — he’s talking about solving problems. That’s progress. If we walk out of this portal window with: 2 interior starters who can communicate 1 swing tackle who won’t panic and no more build-a-bear experiments at guard… Then this whole debate disappears by mid-October. Until then — I’ll stay, hopeful, and fully ready to overreact

Portal wish list this year is simple: smart + nasty > just massive. Size without diagnosis is just expensive cardio. When the line finally settled this season, it wasn’t because we suddenly got stronger — it’s because guys actually understood their assignments and could pass off movement without turning the backfield into a demolition derby. OL is five brains acting as one. If the communication is bad, it doesn’t matter how big you are — you’re wrong fast and wrong loud. I’m excited and optimistic about going shopping for 3 portal starters if they can think, talk, and adjust. Zone lives on timing and trust, not weight-room leaderboards. Credit to Sark: he saw the problem, stabilized the season, and — for the first time in a long time — is talking portal priorities like someone who actually watched the same OL tape we did. If 9–3 is the floor now, I’ll take it. We’ve lived through worse. Now go kick the tires on the Colorado LT. Make him tell us no. Then keep dialing. Go get grown men who can play chess at 320.

Not saying anyone’s going anywhere, but it sure would be interesting to watch Bishop return punts next year!

As Texas odds rocket (+4000 → +590) isn’t the committee whispering sweet nothings — it’s degens, hope, and hedge money fighting in the streets. Tonight comes down to one stupid number: #12 = Chaos alive. Pulse detected. Drinks stay cold. #13 = It’s dead. Start drawing up 2026 mock drafts. No narratives. No feelings. If we’re 13, the committee already wrote the eulogy. If we’re 12… light the candle and pray for meteor strikes.

50-50?

#1 Interior OL: Every G/C with a heartbeat should be on the board. C + LG have been a weekly horror show. Do what we did at DL last year: 2 real starters, 1–2 developmental guys, move on. #2 RB: If Baugh hits the portal, that’s the whole meeting. Lacy too. We don’t need another “nice rotational back” after what we just watched—go get a bellcow or stand pat. #3 WR (only if it’s real): Not spending big NIL on “slightly better Mosley” types when OL is on fire. If we pay at WR, make it speed or a true WR1, not another Wingo cousin. Everything else: 1 ILB, 1 vet CB, maybe a blocking TE—cool, after the above is handled. Those are sides. The meal is OL + RB. Portal tampering already started, the rules are decorative, and chaos is the only constant. Buckle up.

CJ, positionally speaking, where do you think Texas will emphasize most in the portal this cycle — and which spots are now clear must-add versus luxury adds?

So Stoops out at Kentucky as well ?

No, no Ga and no Alabama in the regular season.

Nothing about this feels like a light portal cycle. The breadcrumbs say Texas is gearing up for a full correction year. The back-channeling alone suggests this is already moving before the portal even opens. RB still needs a true lead dog. OL needs immediate adults, not projects — at least two guards and a swing tackle. DB and safety are clearly on the shopping list too. Also, a big DL. That’s not patchwork. That’s structural repair. This roster isn’t getting “tuned up” in January. It’s getting remechanized. Now the only question that matters: does the staff finally cash the right checks on the right players?