Search the Community

One day and some change before Texas takes the field at DKR for its first home game of the season. Of course, on top of the extravagant home field extracurriculars that will be on display under the lights, the Longhorns are expected to roll big in this one. A point of emphasis coming into this game will be starting quickly, do not let the hangover of the Michigan game loom and keep an inferior opponent on the field longer than they need to be. With that said, a handful of things I want to see as the Longhorns host the fighting Jeff Traylors Saturday evening. *** Pass Rush Getting Home Texas has been consistent in getting pressure on the quarterback through two weeks, even though the overall sack numbers look a bit bleak. Only Colin Simmons has been able to bring a quarterback down to the ground so far. While the numbers do not tell the whole story about their ability to impact the game, Saturday provides a great opportunity to stat pad a bit. UTSA allowed 24 pressures a week ago to Texas State. Former Longhorn Jaylen Garth allowed five pressures and a sack on his own at right tackle, a spot Texas was able to exploit a week ago. I predicted five sacks on Monday for the Longhorn defense and I am sticking with that call. Keep No. 3's Jersey Clean In all facets of the game, this is what needs to happen for the next two weeks really. Texas has been good at it so far, a shutout from the OL against Michigan bodes very well for any postseason awards, but it is week two and that should not really be the focus. SEC play is still weeks away and even beyond then, Texas cannot allow Ewers to take unnecessary hits against a UTSA or ULM. For Ewers, this also means to protect yourself when plays break down or improvisation needs to occur. Continued Communication The Texas secondary has been absolutely tremendous through two games. Four total interceptions from four different members of the Texas secondary and a complete shutdown of a 2023 top-20 passing offense in Colorado State. There has been great communication thus far with Michael Taaffe, Andrew Mukuba, Derek Williams leading the way back deep. UTSA currently sits at 60–40 pass-run split on the season, one of the highest in the country. If the plan is to keep UTSA out of the end zone on Saturday, that will need to happen by communication being on point. Running Game Texas State ran for 195 on 4.5 yards per carry a week ago, nothing earth shattering, but enough to provide some optimism for the Longhorn running game which has not quite hit the ground in stride to begin the season. The Texas running game has been efficient, though it has yet to be as explosive as years past. Against UTSA and ULM, I am hoping to see wide running lanes for Blue, Wisner and Gibson. The explosivity is what needs to rise and for Sarkisian, this game is set up to get that group on track. Ewers' Day Done in 3 Quarters Texas is one-for-one in these type of situations. The Longhorns took care of business against Colorado State to the point where Ewers was not needed late in the ballgame and Arch Manning was able to get some valuable game reps. That should be the case again on Saturday. Every rep, every throw, every second he is on the field in front of 90,000 fans is valuable for the Texas backup QB. Should something ever happen to Ewers, these are the moments that keep the Texas season on track if Manning's number is ever called. If everything goes well, you could also see Trey Owens get his first snap as well and that really would be great.

Note on 2026 4-star safety Zelus Hicks 2026 4-star safety Zelus Hicks (Carrollton, Ga./High) is set to announce his college commitment September 12. Hicks, 6-2'ish and 180, is down to Tennessee, Texas, Auburn, Georgia and Clemson. There is more chatter about Auburn, Texas and Tennessee as of this evening. Also as of Tuesday evening, the Longhorns feel like they are very much in the race for the Peach State star. Hicks made a visit to Texas this summer with his 7v7 team. Hicks has 32 offers to date, including ten from the SEC.

Texas HC Steve Sarkisian will speak with the media one last time ahead of Texas' meeting with UTSA at home on Saturday evening. The Longhorns come in as 35-point favorites for this matchup and are currently ranked No. 2 in the country.

A large deal is coming to the Texas One Fund and the Name, Image, Likeness aspect of Texas Athletics. Texas is one of three schools with a deal with Panini, as Ohio State and Nebraska are also inked with the leading sports card manufacturer. Former Longhorn and current VP of Panini Chris Ogbonnaya in the release: “As a former student-athlete at the University of Texas, I’m thrilled to bring together two storied sports entities to empower student-athletes — past, present, and future — at Texas and beyond,” said Chris Ogbonnaya, Vice President, NIL Relations for Panini America and former Longhorn and NFL running back. “The NIL space is ever-changing and evolving, but is still in its early stages, and Panini is primed to help student-athletes everywhere seize this opportunity. Our new Panini College platform is an important example of that and will serve as a hub for student-athletes to engage with NIL opportunities at their respective schools.”

A look throughout the SEC conference at the contenders and the pretenders. Who has shined through two weeks and who has disappointed. I am buying or selling the hype on each team. #4 Alabama (2-0) – Buy Kalen DeBoer and Jalen Milroe are off to a hot start to the season. There remains plenty of talent on the roster for Alabama. The Tide had a close one entering the 4th quarter against USF and will go on the road to Wisconsin ahead of the Georgia game on week four, still I like the Tide’s chances to make the Playoff. Arkansas (1-1) – Buy Barry Odom and Taylen Green appear to be a match made in Hog Heaven. Arkansas showed signs of being the same old Arkansas against Oklahoma State with the way they lost that game with more than 200 yards of total offense. However, the offense looks dangerous and Arkansas as a whole is more threatening than I believed they would be coming into the year. Auburn (1-1) – Sell Losing to Cal, a university who abysmally cares for its football program, is a joke. Tying your ship to Payton Thorne is going to be the downfall of Hugh Freeze at Auburn and it was once again evident week two. Auburn looks toast. Florida (1-1) – Sell Billy Napier’s squad looked incredibly uncompetitive week one against Miami (FL) and have already made the switch to true freshman QB DJ Lagway. I don’t buy the switch long term, but Lagway was a five-star for a reason, so maybe there is hope. #1 Georgia (2-0) – Buy There has been no reason for me to believe that Georgia has fallen off from the preseason expectations. Kirby Smart’s squad embarrassed Clemson week one and has yet to allow a touchdown this season. Carson Beck is in the running for the 1.1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and the Dawgs have a chip on their shoulder from missing the Playoff in 2023. Kentucky (1-1) – Sell I had originally gone on record saying Kentucky was going to be the biggest trap game of the year for the Longhorns in 2024. I can confidently say that take can be thrown out based off of what was put on tape against South Carolina. Kentucky has a QB problem. Through two weeks, the Wildcats have the fewest points scored in all of the SEC and the schedule does not ease up over the next two weeks. #16 LSU (1-1) – Sell LSU was a school I was not high on coming into the season and remain skeptical about now. Allowing 21 points to Nicholls State does not provide any confidence for me either. Now, the Tigers will go to South Carolina for what is a much tougher week three matchup than most are giving credit. #6 Missouri (2-0) – Buy The only team in the SEC who has yet to allow a point. Missouri is not skipping a beat defensively from their run to a NY6 bowl last year. Veteran quarterback, cohesive wide receiver group and a defense that is starting the year off with confidence, I like Mizzou. Mississippi State (1-1) – Sell Jeff Lebby’s squad looked like what they were expected to look like against Arizona State last Saturday in what ended up being a 30–23 loss. It is a tough thing to return just two starters and see an entire change in the coaching department. Lebby could turn Miss State into a fine program, it just won't be this year. #15 Oklahoma (2-0) – Sell I should not have to go too far in depth with this one. Scoring just 14 points against Houston and winning by four points at home is incredibly worrisome. The wide receiving corps is not uplifting Jackson Arnold and Arnold himself is not doing himself any favors. Injuries have already bit the OL and the Sooners season outlook is much more bleak than their 2–0 start would suggest. #5 Ole Miss (2-0) – Buy Lane Kiffin went all in on the portal this offseason and so far it is paying off. Ole Miss has a tremendous QB, WR room and offense in general. Jaxson Dart statistically is the best QB in the country, though let us see how the Rebels’ offense pans out against a defense with a pulse. Regardless, I love this roster construction. South Carolina (2-0) – Buy A big time road win to start off conference play for the Gamecocks, and it was not very competitive. LaNorris Sellers has looked solid thus far and Rocket Sanders has been impressive as expected.The Gamecocks could be a tough out at home this year. #7 Tennessee (2-0) – Buy I am all the way bought in on Nico Iamaleava this year. The young QB has been tremendous this season and the offensive line has been great as well. This Tennessee team opens its SEC play in Norman, a game I expect the Vols to roll big in. #2 Texas (2-0) – Buy A massive road win over the defending national champions has the Longhorns sitting at No. 2 in the polls, the highest Texas has been ranked in 15 years. The offense has tremendous weapons and the defense has only allowed one touchdown all year. Texas will be 5–0 going into Dallas where anything can happen. Texas A&M (1-1) – Sell I suppose you could say the Aggies bounced back vs. McNeese State, but at the end of the day, it is McNeese State. I am not as low on Conner Weigman as most are, but I do have more questions about his big game ability following that Notre Dame game. Still, A&M does not have the playmakers at WR to be a potent offense vertically, and the OL remains a question. Vanderbilt (2–0) – Buy I love Diego Pavia and the ‘Dores look like they could be a frisky team. I also believe that Vanderbilt has more talent than you would expect given their recent win-loss history, however, it won’t be enough to scratch the upper echelon of the SEC. Vandy is rising and the program is on the ups, but still a bit a way.

Texas has extended an offer to 2026 DL Tufanua Ionatna Umu-Cais late Wednesday night. Umu-Cais stands 6-feet-3-inches and is listed around 300 pounds on the recruiting services database. He currently attends Cherry Creek, the same high school Gunnar Helm came out of in the 2021 class. Texas becomes the 20th school to offer the 2026 defensive lineman.

Couple of Texas visit notes OTF expects 4-star++ athlete Michael Terry (San Antonio, Texas/Alamo Heights) to attend the UTSA game Saturday per a source close to the recruitment. Frisco (Texas) Panther Creek 2026 4-star+ WR/CB Jalen Lott tells OTF today that he plans to at the Texas vs ULM game September 21. Mayde Creek High 2026 4-star+ LB Kosi Okpala tells OTF he is planning to attend the Texas vs. Georgia game.

OnTexasFootball brings you guys and gals a couple of quick Tuesday evening recruiting nuggets. Kelshaun Johnson, WR, Hitchcock (Texas) High The Texas A&M verbal told OnTexasFootball Tuesday afternoon that he plans to attend the Texas vs Georgia game October 19. The Texas staff has remained in touch with Johnson and members of the Hitchcock High staff this season. Lamar Brown, DL/OL, Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab - 2026 OnTexasFootball has been told that the Longhorns are expected to recruit the 6-5, 275 pound lineman. Texas likes Brown more on the defensive side of the ball. While things can change, it’s not considered a lock that Brown stays home for college. The Horns will have a shot at the top 75 level prospect nationally in the 2026 class if they make a big push.

Go back and watch some more of Colin Simmons off of the edge against Michigan from this past week. He was tremendous in just 21 snaps and 16 pass rush attempts.

Javion Hilson Update OnTexasFootball has learned that Cocoa High 4-star++ EDGE and recent FSU de-commitment Javion Hilson is expected to visit Texas for the Mississippi State game September 28. Hilson, 6-4 and 225'ish, will not be the only defensive lineman on campus that weekend. Texas commitments Myron Charles (Port Charlotte, Fla./High) and Josiah Sharma (Folsom, Calif./High) are also expected to be in town for the Longhorns' first ever SEC game. And OTF will add this, we expect even more key visitors to be in Austin September 28.

Texas is 2–0, the No. 2 team in the country and coming off of the biggest win of the season in all of college football. Head coach Steve Sarkisian is set to speak with the media Monday morning to recap the victory over Michigan and to preview UTSA. Notes and quotes in the comments down below.

We will start this weekend's edition of By The Numbers with a look at the offensive and defensive snap counts against Michigan. Of course it was well documented Texas was able to get 77 players on the field in the opener against Colorado State, now you will see who the staff has the most trust in via the snap counts against Michigan. *** Defensive Snap Count Out of 57 possible snaps. 57 – Malik Muhammad 56 – Jahdae Barron 40 – Derek Williams Jr., Trey Moore 39 – Vernon Broughton 38 – Barryn Sorrell, Michael Taaffe 34 – Anthony Hill Jr. 33 – Alfred Collins 32 – Andrew Mukuba 31 – Jaylon Guilbeau 30 – David Gbenda 24 – Jermayne Lole 23 – Gavin Holmes 21 – Colin Simmons 19 – Mo Blackwell Jr. 16 – Liona Lefua 15 – Ethan Burke 12 – Justice Finkley 11 – Jelani McDonald, Bill Norton 3 – TyAnthony Smith, Alex January 1 – Sydir Mitchell Offensive Snap Count: Out of 71 snaps on offense. 71 – Quinn Ewers 71 – Cameron Williams 71 – Hayden Conner 71 – Kelvin Banks 71 – Jake Majors 57 – Gunnar Helm 50 – Isaiah Bond 50 – Matthew Golden 46 – DJ Campbell 33 – Tre Wisner 32 – DeAndre Moore 30 – Jaydon Blue 29 – Juan Davis 25 – Cole Hutson 21 – Ryan Wingo 19 – Johntay Cook 14 – Jerrick Gibson 11 – Silas Bolden 7 – Amari Niblack 2 – Ryan Niblett

2025 EDGE Javion Hilson has decommitted from Florida State Sunday afternoon. Hilson had been committed to the Seminoles since January, but following FSU's disastrous start to the 2024 season, he has opted to reevaluate his future. Texas hosted Hilson for an official visit during the weekend of June 7-9.

Loganville (Ga.) Grayson High DL, Florida verbal and OnTexasFootball 4-star+ prospect Joseph Mbatchou will be making a first visit to Texas this weekend. The plans had gone back and forth between September 14-15 or September 21-22, but the visit is now locked in for this weekend. Mbatchou, 6-4.5 and 275 pounds, was offered by Texas August 13. Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, USC and South Carolina have all offered since the first game of the season.

Boots are on the ground here in Detroit. It was a disastrous morning for anyone who followed my journey on Twitter to make it to Michigan – I will give the city of Houston 80% of the blame and take 20% for myself. However, we are here now. I will be over on campus at Michigan taking photos and videos around noon central time. Of course, we have a Friday afternoon livestream coming this afternoon soon as well. I will tell you this, there has been a ton of burnt orange flowing through the Detroit airport thus far. I even heard The Eyes of Texas on my flight out of Houston this AM. Folks are excited and the Texas faithful have travelled very well as you would expect. Only 26 hours and some change before kickoff!

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is speaking with reporters Thursday morning to discuss the Michigan game. Again, the Texas team will depart for Ann Arbor Friday morning. Notes and quotes in the comments below.

Texas defensive line targets senior HUDL: OTF community make your picks I'm going to post some early senior season HUDL clips of Texas defensive line targets. The question is, who do you guys like most? Start with Braxton Kyle, North Gwinnett ... Rutgers commit http://www.hudl.com/v/2Pz34H http://www.hudl.com/v/2Pkhyc

How about this recognition for RT Cam Williams. Pretty good season debut by the Texas right tackle!

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is back on the podium, this time at 12:30 p.m., for his weekly press conference with local media. Of course, Texas will be heading to Michigan for a marquee matchup with the defending National Champions at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Michigan is coming off of a 30–10 victory over Fresno State in week one.

The first depth chart of the season has been released by the Texas Longhorns. Of note, Jahdae Barron is the first cornerback listed opposite of Manny Muhammad and Jaylon Guilbeau is listed atop of the STAR position.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is set to meet with the media following Texas' 52–0 victory over Colorado State in the season opener. Notes and quotes in the comments down below. ––– I imagine this will be one of the lighter press conferences we see all year.

One day away! Which means it’s time. My final 2024 Texas Season prediction: • vs. Colorado State (W) • at Michigan (W) • vs. UTSA (W) • vs. ULM (W) • vs. Miss State (W) • at Oklahoma - Dallas (W) • vs. Georgia (L) • at Vanderbilt (W) • vs. Florida (W) • at Arkansas (W) • vs. Kentucky (W) • at Texas A&M (W) Texas goes 11-1 in the regular season of 2024. College Football Playoff berth locked up.

Have a day Dicker the Kicker! The Longhorn Legend found a nice home in Los Angeles last year with the Chargers and now he is there to stay long term. Dicker mentioned to OTF in the summer he and now HC Jim Harbaugh will be having some fun in the weeks leading up to the Texas-Michigan game week two.

Steve Sarkisian in his Thursday Zoom availability said Texas LB Anthony Hill Jr. will be the one wearing the green dot indicating helmet communication with Pete Kwiatkowski and the Texas defensive staff. Not too big of a surprise, but the sophomore backer will be tasked with communication to begin the season.

Colorado State at Texas Visitor List We will update the visitor list throughout the week. Reminder, the Mississippi State and Georgia games are the two big games to bring in 2025 targets, and top 2026's.