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2025 Ruston (La.) CB Aidan Anding has committed to LSU over Texas and Arkansas. The Tigers retain one of Louisiana's top DBs.

A quick recap of what’s going around on campus today. First off, to act as a traffic dude on the morning news from back in the day, campus is a disaster to drive through. (Bad time to move to a spot off of MLK). Students are moving back on campus today and the rest of the week as the first official day of school is set for August 26. The football team will be back on the practice field Friday morning, kicking off around 10:45, but for an unpadded,light walk through ahead of the mock game on Saturday. Again, the mock game will take place at 2:30 Saturday afternoon to resemble game one against Colorado State as closely as possible.

Texas added grad transfer RB Velton Gardner out of the transfer portal late Wednesday evening. The former Dallas Skyline prospect has spent five years at the D1 level prior to joining the Texas roster and has over 220 career rushing attempts. While that is not a workload that compares to that of work horses or bell cows, it is enough experience to believe he could carve out a role at some point for the Texas running game. How large of a role you ask? Well, that's a bit of what this article is about. I do think Gardner will see the field in 2024, Texas would not have taken if they had no plan to use him. But it will certainly take some time to see him on the field. Real quick, a look at his career usage. Gardner spent 2019-21 at Kansas, then 2022 and 2023 at SMU before entering the portal as a grad transfer. In 2023, Gardner saw just 67 snaps with the Mustangs where he had just 32 rushing attempts. However, he did force seven missed tackles in those limited touches and found the end zone once. Over half of Gardner's rush attempts a year ago were in between the guards, so despite the smaller stature, he does have the ability to run inside the tackles and be effective. In 2022, almost 44% of Gardner's rush attempts were in between the guards as well. So it is not a limitation. *** My expectation for Gardner this fall includes some mop up duty late in games. Of course, getting him up to speed with the playbook is of the utmost importance at the moment, but when it comes to those final 10:00 minutes or so against teams like Colorado State and ULM, Texas would be best served if Jerrick Gibson was not the back seeing unnecessary touches. Even if needing the experience, Gibson is going to play a vital part of the Longhorn rushing game in 2024 and keeping him healthy and out of risk of unnecessary touches would be where my brain goes. Insert Gardner. Those final minutes when a game is out of hand is exactly the situation he was brought in for in my eyes. Of course, Texas will also deploy some Colin Page, who has been getting some run with the 2's this fall camp. The duo should be deployed to preserve Wisner, Gibson and Blue. Entering SEC play, and once the playbook has been absorbed, then I could see a larger role becoming part of the plan for Gardner. Ultimately, the depth and experience added are the most important part of this addition and Texas did a fine job of roster management to ensure there would be a spot available for him.

that is scheduled for next week. I do not know what the announcement will be. But I have confirmed with a high-ranking official at the University what it will not be — any sort of neutral site arrangement. Beyond that, you’ll have to stay tuned for what CDC and Trev Alberts have to say.

The Reese's Senior Bowl has announced 16 Longhorns have been added to its 2025 Bowl and Draft watch list. Those Longhorns include: QB Quinn Ewers WR Silas Bolden WR Isaiah Bond TE Gunnar Helm LT Kelvin Banks Jr. LG Hayden Conner C Jake Majors DL Vernon Broughton DL Alfred Collins DL Jermayne Lole EDGE Trey Moore EDGE Barryn Sorrell LB David Gbenda DB Jahdae Barron DB Andrew Mukuba PK Bert Auburn Here is the count for the remainder of the SEC programs and how they stack up. Alabama: 19 Arkansas: 13 Auburn: 15 Florida: 16 Georgia: 20 Kentucky: 13 LSU: 18 Miss State: 6 Missouri: 12 Oklahoma: 11 Ole Miss: 21 South Carolina: 16 Tennessee: 9 Texas: 16 Texas A&M: 20 Vanderbilt: 7

A trio of Longhorns will meet with the media on Tuesday following the morning practice session. Texas is 11 days away from kickoff of the season opener and the team will undergo a mock game on Saturday afternoon to get into rhythm for the season. Notes and quotes in the comments down below!

Texas QB Quinn Ewers has been on a roll this season with NIL opportunities — most notably being featured on the cover of College Football 25 video game. Now, the Texas quarterback can add Dr. Pepper to the list! Ewers was featured on the season 7 commercial of Fansville, the Dr. Pepper college football ongoing series of commercials. Awesome deal for Ewers and another piece of recognition for the Texas Longhorns.

Ruston (La.) High 2025 CB Aidan Anding is set to announce his commitment August 24. The three finalists are Arkansas, LSU and Texas. As OTF has been reporting, Miami was going to be too far from home. The three finalists The push from some close - LSU The best job recruiting Anding - Arkansas

Latest on Michael Terry III San Antonio (Texas) Alamo Heights 4-star++ athlete Michael Terry III is currently on an unofficial visit to Nebraska. That trip followed Texas and Oregon. OTF is hearing that the Terry family has told Oregon they are likely too far away from home at the end of the day. Nebraska is more in play than Oregon, as of today. It could be that it’s the Cornhuskers that’s the biggest threat to Texas. Michael likes Texas a lot, but also likes Nebraska too. There are a couple of key people in the circle that prefer Texas. The question of when Terry will announce a decision is still in the balance. The family is not locked into the month of August. Not out of the question it goes into the season.

OnTexasFootball stopped by Galveston Ball High today for football practice this morning. Ball High two-sport star Jonah Williams told OTF he’s planning to graduate high school in December. That is significant news as it means Williams is bypassing his senior season of high school baseball. Williams told OTF he plans on to play college baseball in the spring of 2025. And go through spring practice. Williams said he made the decision that he wants to experience college football, and that will also include college baseball. Again, this is per Jonah Williams an hour ago.

Texas starting center Jake Majors did not take part in the scrimmage today. He was suited out (jersey and pants), but was wearing a boot on his left lower leg.

OnTexasFootball is monitoring the recruitment of Hightower High DB Kade Phillips. OTF was alerted earlier in the week that the 6-2, 180 pounder was considering a flip to LSU.

The details of new Texas head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle have come to light following his hiring by Chris Del Conte. The deal will make Schlossnagle the highest paid coach in the SEC by a considerable amount, nearly $700,000. Over the next two years, Schloss will be paid $1M annually by the Texas athletics department, before a $2.68M annual salary kicks in for the remaining five years of his seven year deal. Details first reported by Danny Davis of the AAS.

Note on Jaime Ffrench OnTexasFootball doesn't agree with the reports that it's Miami or LSU for Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin WR Jaime Ffrench. OTF does believe that it's currently Texas vs. Miami. We have wondered which team would end up being the competition for Texas, who continues to have confidence, and that is the Hurricanes based on a call earlier this morning. Tennessee and LSU round out the four in contention. Ffrench remains scheduled to announce August 30, his mothers birthday.

I mentioned it on Coffee & Football this morning … have a busy day on the road in DFW Was at Euless Trinity this morning for practice. Now at North Crowley for athletic period workout.

Have to love these early returns from NFL Draft Scout Matt Miller.

Texas is sending Michael Taaffe and Kelvin Banks to the podium for a quick Q&A with the local media. Michael Taaffe — Taaffe points to training with Andrew Mukuba and Jahdae Barron with Bam Performance during the offseason dating back to the Covid days. “we are so excited to be together, it is so fun. I can’t wait for it to start.” — On Silas Bolden, Taaffe says he is a “beast” and that his humility has been one of the best parts of his addition to the locker room. — There has been an emphasis on “catch-tackle” with the DB’s this offseason. To prevent catch and runs or those explosive plays. Taaffe says a focus has been to eliminate the missed tackles and get ball carriers down as soon as they possibly can. — On a story that made him go “Wow” Taaffe says practice on Monday, the team came out flying with extreme competitiveness. Taaffe told Sarkisian on Monday it was the most fun practice he has had as a Longhorn. — Taaffe says the helmet communications are going to be key in identifying offensive formations or tendencies. Believes having an “eagle eye in the sky” to identify tendencies or little traits opponents might do in the pre-snap. — Taaffe is a “full go”. He says he is out of the green jersey and completely live now. Taaffe had surgery in May and it has been a “great process” since then. “I wouldn’t want to arm wrestle Arch.” Taaffe was asked if he injured the wrist arm wrestling with the backup QB. — “You have to look at the heat as an advantage for us.” Taaffe says he asks his teammates to embrace the heat because it is an advantage for the Longhorns for where they get to practice every day. — *** — Kelvin Banks — Banks says he has been trying to keep his mind steady heading into the season. Even with the preseason accolades coming in and draft hype, he wants to be even keeled. — “Silas (Bolden) has been an awesome teammate.” Banks says he has taken some time to open up as common with a normal newcomer, but has been a welcomed piece to the offense. — Banks was asked if he thought Jake Majors gets overlooked at times to which he said no one inside the program takes him for granted. ”Jake is the best center I could ask for.” — About Cam Williams: Banks says he has taken a step in uplifting those with him and behind him. Banks jokes with him about getting those first game jitters out of the way after his start against Kansas State last year at DKR. — “Trey Moore, you would not expect him to be as strong as he is, but he is.” Banks points to walking in and seeing Moore benching “4-something” in the weight room some point this offseason. — Banks says he went against EDGE Colton Vasek the entire scrimmage on Saturday and added he has jumped “leaps and bounds” from the spring practices. — “Michigan has a great defense, I am looking forward to it.” Banks says he is he excited for the matchup against Michigan. — “I take a lot of pride in making sure Quinn is not touched.” Banks says Coach Flood always tells the OL to “win their 1-on-1’s” — On the toughest guy he has had to block so far as a Longhorn is Dallas Turner. Says he is very appreciate of Trey Moore and Barryn Sorrell for coming to work everyday.

Sources have indicated to OnTexasFootball the injury bug bit again at practice Monday afternoon. We do not know severity at this point and we are withholding the name of the player. UPDATE: Given another source has mentioned the name, we will say the player referenced above is freshman RB Christian Clark. We still do not know the severity of the injury, although it sounds like a non-contact injury.

A couple of Texas players were available via Zoom this evening with the media. Notes and quotes below. *** DB Jahdae Barron — Barron was asked about the effort the team has displayed this so far this offseason. Says it’s very important for the team to get — “He’s amazing, very smart player.” Barron on Andrew Mukuba. — I asked Barron about playing outside, inside and safety to which he said it helps the entire secondary to know what the extra roles are of the defense in the secondary. He can relate to the nickels, the outside corners and the safeties with each call or look. Barron mentioned communication is crucial. Barron added, some challenges at nickel is reading your red-green lights. Reading the keys and knowing when to fire. You are always on alert at nickel, says Barron. — Barron says there are six guys playing 2-3 different positions right now in the secondary. “I am loving everybody in the secondary right now.” — Barron says he has spoken with some folks who have been injured, adding that their maturity will grow as a result. Spoke about the leadership on roster helping grow in this trying time with injuries. — “Coach Sark and that staff, they recruit heck of a ballplayer at every position.” Barron says the depth is there for Texas at positions even with injuries. — “C4 going down, he was a leader… I know the guys that we have to lead one another is tremendous.” — Barron spoke about new analyst Scotty Hazelton in the DB room, says the focus has been efficiency across the board. — Barron says WR Silas Bolden has been a standout of the newcomers in the pass game. Also shouted out DeAndre Moore as one more wide receiver this fall camp. “I have been loving (DeAndre Moore’s) performance… He has been stepping up in the run and blocking game.” — *** — Quinn Ewers On the RB injuries: “First off, it definitely hurts to see that go down. Injuries do happen, it’s a part of the game we play and it sucks. Coach Sark and Coach Choice do an incredible job recruiting.” — Ewers says when Silas Bolden first arrived on campus he could tell immediately how much he cared about the game of football. — Ewers says the first scrimmage wasn’t as good as he would have hoped, but that is why the team is out there working to improve each day. — When asked if running the football was something he would be more open to, Ewers said he would do anything in the game plan to help the team win games. — “The biggest thing for Barryn (Sorrell) is being able to pull anyone along.” — About Moore and Cook, Ewers says the biggest thing right now is just being more comfortable on the field. He added their understanding of the game has improved a lot and learned from the three WRs from a year ago. “I think they are in a good position right now.” — On RT Cam Williams and his growth: “I think he has done a great job over there.” “A guy with his size and his strength, he is going to be able to do it all.” — Ewers says this fall camp has been great for him to develop muscle memory to step up in the pocket and feel more comfortable there.

The first batch of preseason All Americans has been released by USA Today Monday morning. Kelvin Banks received first team honors, as the SEC makes up 11 slots on the roster. The full first team selection roster: QB Carson Beck (UGA) RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) RB Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State) WR Luther Burden (Missouri) WR Tetairoa McMillian (Arizona) TE Colston Loveland (Michigan) OT Kelvin Banks (Texas) OT Will Campbell (LSU) OG Tate Ratledge (Georgia) OG Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) C Parker Brailsford (Alabama) Defense: EDGE James Pearce (Tennessee) EDGE Ashton Gillotte (Louisville) DL Mason Graham (Michigan) DL Howard Cross III (Notre Dame) LB Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma) LB Harold Perkins (LSU) LB Jay Higgins (Iowa) CB Will Johnson (Michigan) CB Denzel Burke (Ohio State) DB Malaki Starks (Georgia) DB Caleb Downs (Ohio State)

Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian is speaking with the media via Zoom Monday afternoon. Typically these will be held in-person, however an event at the Moody Center provided difficult travel to the area so we are turning the clocks back to 2020 today. Notes and quotes below: *** — Sarkisian in his opening statement: “Today’s practice was as good as we have had in quite some time.” Sarkisian says Texas had great mental “One thing that showed up today, and definitely showed up in the scrimmage, was the defense’s ability to attack the football.” Sunday was an off day, there was a walk-through this morning and a practice in shells today. — “Saturday’s scrimmage was highly competitive.” Sark adds there were a few presnap penalties — offsides, false starts etc. — On chemistry between Quinn and the WRs: “Isaiah (Bond) played really well.” Sarkisian says all three transfers caught plenty of balls on Saturday in the scrimmage and the rapport is building with Ewers thanks to extra rotations with the 1’s and 2’s. Sarkisian says they have rotated the WRs and the TE’s regularly on a daily basis. — Sarkisian says this is kind of that week where things might catch a lull, which is why he was so pleased with the intensity of practice today. Not quite fresh for fall camp, but not 100% ready to prepare for CSU. — “we really need a top 44.” Sarkisian was asked about his confidence in a starting lineup and pointed to the non-con slate vs. longer season. There will be specific packages for a few guys as well this far. — Asked about walk-ons, Sarkisian points to LB Marshall Landwehr and RB Colin Page. “Those two guys have stood out to me.” — Sarkisian says the Texas front might be a bit more versatile and different this year than a year ago. Says the staff will have to adapt to their strengths. — Sarkisian says both freshmen RB were introduced to college football on Saturday in the scrimmage. Both put the ball on the ground, but showed some nice spots. Sarkisian pointed to Blue and Baxter coming over to discuss their first college scrimmages to help ease them into it. — Sarkisian: “We are seeing the best version of Barryn Sorrell than in any of the previous three years.” — Sarkisian says the staff is looking at the RB position creatively in regard to possible position changes. Mentioned moving a body or two from the defensive side of the ball. — Sarkisian singled out a few cornerbacks. Saying “we are in a pretty good spot there.”

@Gerry Hamilton has already posted one set of scrimmage notes that you can find here, but I spoke with another source to get some information as well. Here’s what I learned: - Defense was the name of the game today. They were impressive from the get go and didn’t let up at all. - One thing they did a lot was bring pressure and show different looks to try and catch the offense off guard. - The defense forced multiple turnovers today. - We have some conflicting reports, but I was told Andrew Mukuba intercepted Quinn Ewers and Jelani McDonald intercepted Arch Manning. Obviously this is slightly different than what Gerry heard (Mukuba picking off Manning), but we do know Mukuba definitely had a pick. - I was told a cornerback also forced a fumble, but unfortunately the source didn’t get the name of the player. (Edit: @CJ Vogel has confirmed Jahdae Barron caused the fumble while playing CB.) - The linebackers were “very solid.” - On offense, I’m told the running backs were “okay” - Jaydon Blue, Christian Clark, Jerrick Gibson and Tre Wisner all got work with the first team. - Derrion Gullette ran with the second team at RB. - WRs had some outstanding catches and a pretty solid day overall - The tight ends looked really good, especially the first group which consisted of Amari Niblack, Juan Davis and Gunnar Helm. All three ran with the first team. - Both Helm and Davis had “impressive catches” and Davis got a touchdown of his own. - Jordan Washington turned in a solid performance, including a long reception that went for about 25-30 yards. - I’m told third string QB Trey Owens had a very impressive drive that ended in a touchdown after marching down the length of the field. - Trey Owens also threw an interception, but I'm not sure who made that play. (EDIT: Walk-on Graham Gillespie is the one who picked off Trey Owens.) I’ll update later with anything else I get. — More notes (3:45 PM): - The defense actually forced another fumble after Jordan Washington’s big catch, knocking the ball loose from Washington during the tackle, but it bounced out of bounds. - “The defense looked good,” a source told me. “The front seven was getting after it. Every position group. This defense is stingy” - More tight end praise, as I was told every tight end who took snaps today made plays that helped the offense. - I’m told Tyanthony Smith is a PLAYER. “He’s going to be a beast,” a source said. “Mark my word, he will play this year.” - Liona Lefau was another linebacker who received praise. “He is good. He’s fast to the ball and consistently just seems to be in the right place.” — 4:05 PM Update: I asked a source to pick an MVP on each side of the ball. Offense: Ryan Wingo Defense: “I’d give it to the whole defense. They got after it.”

2025 Mansfield Timberview DB Nathan Tilmon will make his decision tomorrow. Utah, TCU and Texas are the final three in the decision

2025 Bellville DL DJ Sanders has made his decision. The interior defensive lineman has committed to Texas A&M according to Hayes Fawcett. Sanders was down to Texas, Michigan and Texas A&M and ultimately the Aggies come away with the win.

D.J. Sanders Update: Wednesday There has been some questions of when the Bellville (Texas) High defensive lineman D.J. Sanders will announce his decision. OTF was told again a few minutes ago that it's going to be on Thursday night, the 8th. The announcement will be via social media around midnight. Texas, Texas A&M and Michigan are the finalists. There is some cautious optimism with Texas. But I will reiterate, this is a wildcard recruitment.