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Another tremendous addition to the future of the Texas Baseball program. Jim Schlossnagle and his staff have landed the No. 1 player in the state of Texas — Kayson Cunningham, an infielder out of San Antonio Johnson HS. Cunningham was previously committed to Texas Tech, though reopened his recruitment and made the decision to stay closer to home and pick the Longhorns.

Want to get a little more of a sneak peek in the next few weeks of what some of the new additions to the Texas roster in 2024. As we near the beginning of training camp, you will begin to hear more and more of newcomers and the roles they are beginning to fill. Today, I wanted to start with Oregon State transfer WR Silas Bolden. After going through all of the opening drives Sarkisian and the Longhorns had in 2023, I am left with the belief that you will see a lot of Silas Bolden early in ballgames. Texas ran some sort of a screen play on nearly 18% of their plays on opening drives a year ago. It is not uncommon for Sarkisian to get his quarterbacks into rhythm early by seeing an easy throw and catch via a screen or short pass attempt. *** Looking back at Bolden's numbers in 2023, I was actually a bit surprised by how little he was used behind the LOS. 80 total targets 17 – beyond 20 yards 25 – between 11–20 yards 31 – between 0–9 yards 7 – behind LOS Where Bolden did his most damage was under 10 yards. On 31 targets, he hauled in 25 passes for an 80.6% rate. And though, only seven of his targets came behind the LOS, he had a tremendous YAC rate. Now, YAC rates are skewed on these types of pass plays as you can only really go forward, but an 11.7 YPC rate on screens behind the LOS is certainly noteworthy. For comparison, Xavier Worthy had a 9.9 YPC mark on 26 receptions coming from 29 targets in 2023. On deep throws: Bolden is an interesting case study on deep pass attempts. He was targeted 17 times beyond 20 yards downfield, though only hauled in five receptions. Not a great hit rate. But looking further into the numbers, and well it is not much of a surprise as to why. Among those 17 targets, only two were classified as 'contested' by PFF. Meaning either Bolden was able to haul in the pass whilst being open downfield, or the ball was poorly thrown. Center of the Field That intermediate range is where Bolden made his money a year ago, and luckily for him, he is now matched up with the best in the country at throwing passes between 10–20 yards. Bolden on passes between 0-20 yards over the middle of the field: 56 targets 40 receptions 71.4% completion 466 yards 11.65 YPC Most importantly above anything else, only two drops on 80 targets in 2023. Reliable with plenty of room for explosivity in 2024. I would expect to see plenty of Silas Bolden early on in the season and more specifically, early in ballgames throughout the season.

Four-star Eau Gallie (Fla.) defensive lineman Brandon Brown has made his decision – and Brown is headed to LSU. The relationship with Bo Davis ends up being the ultimate factor here for the Florida native. Folks in his corner were clear about the relationship and belief in Davis who was the first defensive line coach to buy into the potential of Brown almost a full year ago. Brown had been committed to Texas since December and now leaves the Longhorns without an interior lineman in the class. Lots of work to be done heading into the season on the trail. View full news story

Another day, another commitment for the Texas Baseball staff. Schlossnagle and Co. head back to the JUCO ranks for the second consecutive day with the commitment of Ethan Walker, a LHP out of Walters State Community College. Walker pitched 30 innings at Walters State this past season, striking out 38, yet accumulating a 4.80 ERA. Walker sits with a 3-quarter delivery off the left side of the mound. He sits mostly around the upper 80's with his fast ball though brings a plus curveball to his game.

Still waiting on a video board to be implemented after some renovations to DKR this offseason. Texas has been making steady improvements to the stadium since the offseason including video board improvements across the facades of the upper decks. A quick update from the outside of the stadium shows the video board is still being worked on. The video board should connect all the way across the upper scoreboard, whereas previously there was about a 15-foot shortage on each side.

2025 Mansfield Timberview DB Nathan Tilmon has dropped his final three ahead of his upcoming decision. Tilmon took an official visit to Texas during June 18–20. The defensive back boasts a 10.7 100m time in the spring. Tilmon will make his college decision between Texas, TCU and Utah – the exact same final three of North Crowley LB Jonathan Cunningham.

This is getting in your work!

Add another arm to the equation in 2025 for Jim Schlossnagle and Max Weiner. Texas has received a commitment from McClennon LHP Kade Bing, first reported by Dustin McComas of 5-Tool Baseball. Bing provides another left handed arm to the picture after seeing texas mostly stock up on righties offseason. Bing sits mostly in the upper 80’s with his fastball, but it is his offspeed and easy delivery that allow for him to be in the rotation conversation for 2025. Think a right-handed Ace Whitehead. As a freshman at McClennan, Bing went 9–2 with a 3.33 ERA and 1.04 WHIP.

Look for announcement dates to change Due to Beryl and the affects on the Houston area expected Monday, OTF has been informed that three announcements scheduled for Monday have been pushed back. Kelshaun Johnson, WR, Hitchcock The OTF 4-star will announce out of Texas A&M and Texas July 10. Time TBD Nicholas Townsend and Tanook Hines The Delaney High 4-stars are likely to announce July 11. Time TBD Townsend has Texas, Texas A&M, USC and Alabama as his finalists. Hines has USC, Notre Dame and Texas as his finalists.

The Texas staff has extended an offer to 2026 ATH Jordan Thomas out of Bergen Catholic HS in West Orange, New Jersey. Thomas projects as a defensive back at the collegiate level and has been a steady riser this offseason. The last four offers prior to Texas were Auburn, Cincinnati, Georgia and Notre Dame. Also worth noting that Thomas is from the same high school as current Longhorn Sydir Mitchell.

I chatted briefly with Kelshaun Johnson ahead of his decision. Johnson will announce at 4:15 pm on Monday. He has been in communication with both Texas and Texas A&M in the last day or two as well. That is the final two I am expecting going into Monday.

A source indicated to me after the official visits that a name to keep an eye as the season and cycle progressed would be Lovejoy's Daylan McCutcheon. Texas of course just lost on the sweepstakes of five-star Dakorien Moore and while there will be another shot later in December for his signature, the Longhorns must now pivot on the WR front. McCutcheon is the next guy on the board for the Longhorns with the group of Kaliq Lockett, Kelshaun Johnson and Jaime Ffrench still looking at decisions. While a decision for McCutcheon is set to come July 13 – with Florida State being the leader – I am reminded of this conversation I had a few weeks ago about how the wide receiving group could shake up later on this year.

Per a person close to the recruitment of Melbourne (Fla) Eau Gallie 4-star DL Brandon Brown, he is likely to announce a final decision July 3, 4th or 5th.

Unless there is a change of plan in the next couple of hours … OTF does not believe Dakorien will call the four schools and let them know who’s out prior to announcing

2025 Conroe CB Dorian Brew has committed to Oregon. The Ducks continue their hot streak this week following the commitments of Josiah Sharma and Jordon Davison.

Texas will host former Arizona State 2B Ethan Mendoza for a visit Saturday. Mendoza spent his high school days at Southlake Carroll before heading out west to Arizona State for his freshman season. He has visited Oklahoma on Monday and then made the trip over to Arkansas the following day. In 2024, Mendoza started 49 games at 2nd base where he slashed .315/.367/.443 ... in other words he had a .910 OPS. With Dee Kennedy departing for the portal and eventually Kansas State, Texas has a vacancy at the 2nd base spot and Mendoza would be a nice addition if the visit goes well.

Texas Baseball has added another member to its 2025 recruiting class. Grady Westphal, a right handed pitcher from Stilwell, Kansas, becomes the latest to flip his commitment from Texas A&M to the Texas Longhorns since the hiring of Jim Schlossnagle. Westphal is clocked between 90–93 mph on his fastball and adds a low 80’s slider with plus spin.

There were some questions regarding the commitment of 2025 Ruston (LA) cornerback Aidan Anding being delayed. Well here might be your reason for that. Anding was offered by LSU Friday evening.

OTF is expecting Kansas State transfer PF Arthur Kaluma to have a final call/talk with Rodney Terry and staff in the next 24 hours. SMU and Texas is where the decision will come from per a source. SMU will have a bigger NIL package for Kaluma. Should Texas win this, it would be Kaluma buying into what Texas could be with a top 8 rotation of: PG Julian Larry, 6-3 SG/CG Jordan Pope, 6-1 SG Tre Johnson, 6-6 SG Tramon Mark, 6-6 SG Chendall Weaver, 6-3 PF/F Jayson Kent, 6-7.5 PF Arthur Kaluma, 6-7.5 C Kadin Shedrick 6-11

Made a quick stop at Dekaney High School this morning to catch up with 2025 TE Nick Townsend and 2025 WR Tanook Hines ahead of their July 10 decision date. Both took official visits to Austin this month and the Longhorns are in contention with a decision two weeks out at the moment.

Alief (Texas) Hastings EDGE Smith Orogbo remains scheduled to announce his commitment July 1. The OnTexasFootball 4-star+ twitchy pass rush prospect has a final four of Washington, Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma. Should Smith cut his list to just three, it will be interesting to see if Washington makes the cut. If the Huskies are in the final three, that would mean one of the three closest to home gets left out. Texas Tech tried to apply the commit now/very quickly heat on the OV June 7-9. Texas and Oklahoma - who will push hardest. The Sooners just picked up a second EDGE commitment in the class within the last hour. The Longhorns love the explosive pass rush upside of the Houston area prospect.

Two more lunchtime notes Michael Fasusi, OT, Lewisville (Texas) High OTF reported yesterday that Fasusi enjoyed his tine outside of football more in Norman than Austin. Or on the visit. That was reiterated by a second source today. Oklahoma and Texas duking it out with the Sooners having confidence. Texas also has a level of confidence. Late August announcement remains likely. Lamont Rogers, OT, Mesquite (Texas) Horn OTF had mentioned don't sleep on Missouri in this recruitment. OTF is not sleeping on Missouri in this recruitment. Texas, FSU, Texas A&M and Oklahoma still in the mix.

Auburn DB commit Devin Williams just departed from Austin. Williams singled out Terry Joseph as the coach on staff he has the best relationship with at the moment. Though committed to Auburn, Williams said the Texas OV gave him a lot to think about over the next few weeks. He said he’s still committed to Auburn but there will be some conversations with his family coming up. Texas did a great job presenting the city and the networking opportunities to Williams on the trip.

Texas vs Oklahoma for Fasusi is where it remains headed with the Aggies swinging. A source close to the recruitment said Fasusi truly values the plan and development of Kyle Flood. Fasusi also really enjoyed his away football time in Norman. That appealed to him, maybe more than Texas. And yes, the players went out to 6th area a little while last night. It’s a recruitment Texas can win. But still in the balance/battle.