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With Texas set for its first preseason practice on Wednesday, there are four things on my mind. — Typically, when reports about live portions of practice come out from behind the burnt orange curtain, the defense is ahead of the offense. I’m preparing for that to be the case this month, especially given the time several key cogs in the offense missed during spring practice. A lot of that focus has rightfully gone to the offensive line, where Laurence Seymore will attempt to win the left guard job while playing between Trevor Goosby (who spent most of the spring recovering from shoulder surgery) and Connor Robertson. Beyond the left guard battle, however, camp will be a great opportunity for Goosby, Arch Manning and Ryan Wingo to knock the rust off while learning how to operate with the new pieces around them. It’s not like the offense is starting at a deficit because there's no substitute for the live snaps and overall experience that Goosby, Manning and Wingo have in Steve Sarkisian’s system. Still, with everybody healthy and ready to go, Sarkisian has a full slate of practices to ensure his offense is better prepared to step on the field than the unit was at this time last year, the importance of which can’t be overstated. I don’t know if anyone reading this can handle the offense trudging through any portion of the September schedule, let alone the first half of the season before finding its groove. — The competition to enter Sarkisian’s circle of trust at wide receiver and the battle between Michael Masunas and Spencer Shannon to be the No. 1 in-line tight end shouldn’t be overlooked. The same can be said for the running back pecking order, where not enough is being said about Derrek Cooper pushing Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers for playing time. Cooper’s stature (6-1, 212) is more in line with the type of bell-cow running back Sarkisian has typically preferred to see emerge. He drew rave reviews as a pass protector during spring practice and Cooper has the kind of physical running style and forward body lean that could be a key ingredient to resolving the offense’s long-running short-yardage and red-zone issues. The 2026 Texas ground attack could mirror what Sarkisian had at USC in 2007 and 2008, when he called plays for an offense that produced three running backs with 500 or more rushing yards in back-to-back seasons. Or Cooper could be the latest in a long line of Longhorn freshman running backs who grabbed the bull by the horns right out of the gate, leaving those outside the top three spots on the depth chart fighting tooth and nail for the remaining consequential snaps. — For all of the talk about a disruptive defensive line presence emerging to go along with Colin Simmons, a healthy Maraad Watson could go a long way toward solidifying the rotation and allowing Will Muschamp to get creative with how he utilizes an embarrassment of riches at EDGE. The 333-pound Watson worked with the nose tackles and with the tackle group in the spring. If he’s truly a 330-plus-pound defender who can play multiple shades, Watson would become one of Muschamp’s most valuable chess pieces. In theory, Watson could play next to Ian Geffrard when the situation calls for Texas to beef up the front. Watson could also be paired with Alex January and Hero Kanu on standard downs and then be lined up with Justus Terry and Muschamp’s plethora of edge defenders on more predictable passing downs. For me, Watson is in a group with Cooper, Terry, Brandon Baker, Jermaine Bishop Jr., Ty’Anthony Smith, Brad Spence and Bo Mascoe as players who can raise the Longhorns’ ceiling. — When the On Texas Football staff picked the player they were most excited to see in camp for our latest "Sideline Debate," I almost picked Xavier Filsaime. As good as Graceson Littleton was as a true freshman, I can’t get over Sarkisian going out of his way to mention Filsaime as a nickel candidate while addressing the Muschamp hire last December. While surgery after the Citrus Bowl had the 6-foot-1-inch, 193-pound Filsaime on the mend during spring practice, he fits the physical profile of the bigger-bodied nickel Muschamp has typically preferred. While I don’t think Muschamp will experiment with Littleton at safety (even though I think he’d thrive there in Muschamp’s scheme because of his instincts and ball skills), the idea of Littleton getting freed up to solidify an area of concern with Filsaime occupying the nickel role is intriguing, to say the least. Regardless, if Filsaime approached Muschamp’s arrival and the return of Blake Gideon to the Forty Acres like a man who has a new lease on life, he has a chance to remind people why several elite defensive back evaluators (Corey Raymond, Nick Saban and Brent Venables among them) thought so highly of him during the 2024 recruiting cycle. View full news story

-- Texas WR commit Easton Royal tells OTF he'll be in Austin for Texas-Ohio State. You can expect the Sept. 12 home game to be a massive recruiting weekend where UT will welcome current commits, 2027 recruits of note and plenty of underclassmen. Think 2024 Georgia in terms of expected visitors turnout as we get closer. As for Royal's recruitment, nothing has changed on our read of the situation in the last fews weeks. Sure, there have been industry forecasts projecting a flip to LSU. There's optimism in Baton Rouge. But Texas isn't going to just sit back and let it happen. Sources close to the Longhorns aren't expecting Royal to make any sort of announcement as to whether he's staying committed or flipping, at least anytime soon. He's expected to take visits in the fall. Everyone with insight to this recruitment believes it goes all the way to December regardless of anything happening now. And that's including if he were to come out and say he's sticking with Texas. So buckle up for the long haul with this one. -- I talked to one source close to the program on Monday morning who relayed that they believe five-star EDGE and Ohio State commit DJ Jacobs will visit Austin this fall at least in an unofficial capacity. He has an official visit in pocket if he decides to use it. Texas is still very actively recruiting him, especially in the wake of missing on Marcus Fakatou. He's one 2027 recruit we will continue to monitor closely.

College football’s talking season is rife with hyperbole. Thankfully, Steve Sarkisian shelved coachspeak last month after praising Laurence Seymore for the strides he’s made since joining the Texas program in June. It painted the most realistic picture of what to expect from Seymore when the Longhorns hold their first preseason practice on Wednesday. “It’s difficult in the summertime. We’re in underwear,” Sarkisian said during his press conference at the Texas High School Coaches Association Convention in Houston. “We'll find out a lot in training camp, especially when we get into the second week, when we're really in full pads and we're getting going. But so far, so good with him.” If Seymore, a 2025 second-team All-American with 27 career games played and 21 starts over parts of four seasons at Miami, Akron and Western Kentucky, wins the starting job at left guard, he’ll fill the biggest need Texas had on either side of the ball coming out of spring practice. But Seymore must win the job. It won’t be given to him. Seymore has to prove to Sarkisian and Kyle Flood that he’s the best option to protect Arch Manning and elevate the running game over Jaydon Chatman, Jackson Christian, Dylan Sikorski and any other challengers Seymore might face in camp. Before the 6-foot-2-inch, 316-pound Seymore hits the field for the first time in a formal practice with the Longhorns, there are three things to consider regarding the left guard competition: — Seymore’s presence as a pass blocker could be the most significant upgrade any of the transfer portal additions on offense will bring to the table in 2026. Seymore’s Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 82.6 ranked 30th among FBS guards with at least 100 pass-blocking snaps last season (eight pressures allowed on 503 opportunities). While he dominated the competition in Conference USA, Seymore also allowed just one pressure on 48 opportunities against LSU and was charged with only one penalty on 840 snaps for the season. Those are important numbers against the backdrop of what Texas got out of the left guard position in 2025. According to PFF, the left guard position was responsible for 26.5 percent of the dropbacks on which Manning was pressured. That was the highest percentage of any position on the Texas offensive line and the highest percentage for any FBS offensive line’s left guard spot among the 136 quarterbacks in the country who were pressured on at least 50 dropbacks. — One of the legitimate questions regarding Seymore’s potential impact is how he’ll operate within Sarkisian’s zone running game. PFF’s run-blocking grades rated DJ Campbell (73.6) and Cole Hutson (71.6) as better overall run blockers than Seymore (63.9; PFF considers a grade of 70 above average). Of Seymore’s 308 gradable run-blocking snaps, 62.7 percent of them were on gap schemes; on zone runs, Campbell (81.2) and Hutson (74.5) graded out significantly higher than Seymore (60.2). Seymore should help the Longhorns improve as a gap/power running team. Still, Seymore must be well-rounded enough to keep opponents from successfully attacking a vulnerable part of the line. — Whether Hutson rejoins the team or not, Chatman, Christian, Sikorski and the other contenders for playing time at left guard have an advantage over Seymore with their varying levels of experience in Sarkisian’s offense. How fast Seymore absorbs the offense and takes to the field could be the biggest factor in how long the competition lasts. If Seymore needs time to get things down, Sarkisian and Flood could look at other options, some of which could significantly alter the projected depth chart as camp progresses. Andre Cojoe, Jonte Newman or John Turntine III emerging as a viable third tackle option behind Trevor Goosby and Melvin Siani could lead to Jordan Coleman, who spent the spring at left tackle while Goosby was recovering from shoulder surgery, getting a look at guard. Not only would Seymore winning the left guard job put the starting five for the Sept. 5 season opener against Texas State in stone, but it would also let Sarkisian and Flood get their depth pieces in order. Maximizing the available depth by turning to the best possible combination in a pinch is pivotal to the offense maintaining consistency and potency during a potential 17-game season, to say the least. View full news story

Seems like we have good reason to have a thread to chat on all summer and through the season. Team workouts begin June 1, I believe

I'm told the freshman cornerback is planning on wearing #0. He'll join Raleek Brown as the second 0 on the team. It was likely that or #7 and it's hard to imagine him taking #7 right out of the gate.

With the Longhorns set to hit the field for the start of preseason practice next week, it’s time for On Texas Football to provide a pre-camp snapshot of the Texas depth chart. This is what we expect the depth chart to look like when the Longhorns open camp, not a projection of what it will look like when the first official depth chart is released for the Sept. 5 season opener against Texas State. The high school signees (including John Meredith III) and additional players picked up from the transfer portal who weren’t with the team for spring practice have been added to the depth chart, as they weren't included in our post-spring practice snapshot. According to Steve Sarkisian, Texas will enter camp with a healthy team. Except for offensive lineman Kaden Scherer, who suffered a serious knee injury early in spring practice, the players who missed all or parts of spring practice while recovering from surgery or injuries are on the depth chart. OFFENSE QUARTERBACK 1. (16) Arch Manning (6-4, 222, Jr.-2L) 2. (9) KJ Lacey (6-0, 188, RS-Fr.) 3. (19) MJ Morris (6-1, 201, Sr.-TR) 4. (6) Dia Bell (6-3, 206, Fr.-HS) RUNNING BACK 1. (0) Raleek Brown (5-9, 193, Sr.-TR) — OR — (2) Hollywood Smothers (5-11, 193, Jr.-TR) 2. (5) Derrek Cooper (6-1, 212, Fr.-HS) 3. (21) Ryan Niblett (5-9, 189, Jr.-1L) 4. (31) James Simon (5-11, 208, RS-Fr.) 5. (11) Michael Terry III (6-3, 229, RS-Fr.) 6. (28) Jett Walker (6-2, 224, Fr.-HS) WIDE RECEIVER (X) 1. (8) Cam Coleman (6-3, 204, Jr.-TR) 2. (18) Sterling Berkhalter (6-3, 196, Sr.-TR) — OR — (7) Kaliq Lockett (6-2, 181, RS-Fr.) WIDE RECEIVER (Z) 1. (1) Ryan Wingo (6-2, 214, Jr.-2L) 3. (13) Kohen Brown (6-0, 202, Fr.-HS) 4. (14) Chris Stewart (6-0, 184, Fr.-HS) WIDE RECEIVER (H) 1. (3) Emmett Mosley V (6-2, 199, Jr.-1L) 2. (4) Jermaine Bishop Jr. (6-0, 166, Fr.-HS) — OR — (17) Daylan McCutcheon (5-11, 183, Soph.-1L) TIGHT END (Y) 1. (15) Michael Masunas (6-5, 259, Sr.-TR) — OR — (83) Spencer Shannon (6-7, 260, Jr.-2L) 2. (88) Charlie Jilek (6-5, 238, Fr.-HS) TIGHT END (H) 1. (81) Nick Townsend (6-3, 250, Soph.-1L) 2. (85) Emaree Winston (6-1, 245, Soph.-1L) 3. (87) Will Randle (6-4, 249, Jr.-SQ) LEFT TACKLE 1. (74) Trevor Goosby (6-7, 325, Jr.-2L) 2. (78) Jordan Coleman (6-5, 356, RS-Fr.) 3. (51) John Turntine III (6-4, 295, Fr.-HS) LEFT GUARD 1. (75) Jaydon Chatman (6-4, 330, Jr.-2L) 2. (56) Dylan Sikorski (6-4, 335, Soph.-TR) 3. (50) Laurence Seymore (6-2, 316, Sr.-TR) 4. (76) Jackson Christian (6-5, 308, RS-Fr.) CENTER 1. (62) Connor Robertson (6-4, 316, Sr.-3L) 2. (76) Jackson Christian (6-5, 308, RS-Fr.) 3. (56) Dylan Sikorski (6-4, 335, Soph.-TR) RIGHT GUARD 1. (73) Brandon Baker (6-4, 315, Jr.-2L) 2. (58) Devin Coleman (6-5, 340, RS-Fr.) 3. (68) Paris Patterson Jr. (6-5, 354, Jr.-TR) 4. (72) Nicholas Robertson (6-3, 349, Fr.-HS) 5. (70) Kaden Scherer (6-6, 291, Fr.-HS) RIGHT TACKLE 1. (71) Melvin Siani (6-6, 317, Sr.-TR) 2. (77) Andre Cojoe (6-6, 339, Soph.-1L) 3. (79) Jonte Newman (6-4, 310, RSFr.-TR) DEFENSE NOSE TACKLE 1. (95) Ian Geffrard (6-5, 375, Sr.-TR) 2. (88) Maraad Watson (6-3, 333, Jr.-1L) 3. (90) Josiah Sharma (6-4, 341, RS-Fr.) 4. (96) Zion Williams (6-4, 370, RSFr.-TR) DEFENSIVE TACKLE 1. (93) Hero Kanu (6-5, 309, Sr.-1L) 2. (15) Justus Terry (6-5, 289, Soph.-1L) 3. (52) James Johnson (6-3, 279, Fr.-HS) 4. (55) Elijah Ali (6-4, 306, Fr.-HS) DEFENSIVE TACKLE 1. (97) Alex January (6-5, 308, Jr.-2L) 2. (33) Myron Charles (6-4, 312, RS-Fr.) JACK 1. (1) Colin Simmons (6-3, 246, Jr.-2L) 2. (92) Colton Vasek (6-5, 252, Jr.-2L) 3. (46) Smith Orogbo (6-4, 238, RS-Fr.) — OR — (99) Richard Wesley (6-4, 258, Fr.-HS)\ 4. (80) Brinley Tita (6-4, 252, Fr.-HS) END 1. (40) Lance Jackson (6-5, 274, Soph.-1L) 2. (19) Zina Umeozulu (6-5, 272, Soph.-1L) 3. (94) Jamarion Carlton (6-5, 280, Fr.-HS) WLB 1. (3) Rasheem Biles (6-1, 222, Sr.-TR) 2. (30) Rocky Cummings (6-4, 227, Fr.-HS) 3. (37) Jonathan Cunningham (6-2, 198, RS-Fr.) — OR — (45) Darius Snow (6-1, 219, Sr.-TR) SLB 1. (14) Brad Spence (6-2, 249, Sr.-1L) 2. (18) Kosi Okpala (6-3, 235, Fr.-HS) MLB 1. (26) Ty’Anthony Smith (6-1, 214, Jr.-2L) 2. (28) Justin Cryer (6-1, 241, Sr.-TR) 3. (16) Tyler Atkinson (6-1, 219, Fr.-HS) 4. (44) Markus Boswell (6-1, 228, Soph.-TR) NICKEL 1. (29) Graceson Littleton (6-0, 182, Soph.-1L) 2. (27) Wardell Mack (6-0, 183, Soph.-1L) — OR — (17) Xavier Filsaime (6-1, 193, Jr.-2L) CORNERBACK 1. (6) Kobe Black (6-2, 202, Jr.-2L) — OR — (8) Kade Phillips (6-0, 191, Soph.-1L) 2. (21) Hayward Howard Jr. (6-2, 182, Fr.-HS) 3. John Meredith III (Fr.-HS) CORNERBACK 1. (5) Bo Mascoe (5-11, 199, Sr.-TR) 2. (24) Warren Roberson (6-0, 189, Jr.-2L) 3. (11) Samari Matthews (6-1, 197, Fr.-HS) 4. (36) Nick Hudson (5-10, 179, Sr.-TR) FREE SAFETY 1. (4) Jelani McDonald (6-2, 210, Sr.-3L) 2. (23) Jordon Johnson-Rubell (5-10, 212, Jr.-2L) 3. (25) Toray Davis (6-1, 197, Fr.-HS) 4. (13) Zelus Hicks (6-2, 183, RS-Fr.) STRONG SAFETY 1. (2) Derek Williams Jr. (6-2, 199, Jr.-2L) 2. (17) Xavier Filsaime (6-1, 193, Jr.-2L) 3. (6) Kobe Black (6-2, 202, Jr.-2L) — OR — (37) Jonathan Cunningham (6-2, 198, RS-Fr.) 4. (9) Jonah Williams (6-3, 210, Soph.-1L) 5. (31) Yaheim Riley (5-11, 187, Fr.-HS) PUNTER 1. (43) Mac Chuimento (6-4, 228, Sr.-TR) 2. (45) Mikey Bukauskus (6-2, 210, Fr.-HS) KICKER 1. (44) Gianni Spetic (6-3, 221, Sr.-TR) 2. (46) Spencer Barnett (6-0, 215, Soph.-1L) 3. (49) Jake Collett (6-0, 182, Fr.-HS) PUNT RETURN 1. (21) Ryan Niblett (5-9, 189, Jr.-1L) 2. (0) Raleek Brown (5-9, 193, Sr.-TR) 3. (17) Daylan McCutcheon (5-11, 183, Soph.-1L) KICKOFF RETURN 1. (0) Raleek Brown (5-9, 193, Sr.-TR) — AND — (4) Jermaine Bishop Jr. (6-0, 166, Fr.-HS) 2. (5) Derrek Cooper (6-1, 212, Fr.-HS) — AND — (11) Michael Terry III (6-3, 229, RS-Fr.) View full news story

Friday Team notes: WR OnTexasFootball checked in with a couple of sources in the last half of the week on the wide receiver position. One source said the group looked "phenomenal" in the last few workouts. OTF has reported on Emmett Mosley V has looked very good this summer. That was relayed to OTF this week again. A source said the 6-2, 200-pound junior has had the look of a wide receiver that would be a No. 1 at many Power 4 schools the last part of the summer. OTF has mentioned that there is a thought Mosley V could lead the team in receptions this season. That was reiterated this week as a possibility. There is also a belief within the program that Mosley V could be a big ascender in the 2027 NFL draft with a healthy season. The last part is they key, obviously. The toughest task for Steve Sarkisian and the offensive staff this season will be getting the backups, or WR No. 4 and 5, reps if Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V are healthy and play at the level expected. And to add, Sterling Berkhalter, Daylan McCutcheon and Kaliq Lockett have a freshman Jermaine Bishop Jr. that is very likely to take reps as the season moves along. All three have enjoyed strong summers. As Rod Babers always talks about on OTF shows, Sarkisian has a small circle at the position that play in games. This season will test how many WR's can be included in the "circle of trust", and just as important how many reps are there playing this 2026 schedule. The source said the entire room has been very impressive the last half of the summer. OTF will also reiterate that Chris Stewart came up again as a player that is doing all the right things, and is showing the signs he has the chance to be a quality player. His attention to detail as a route runner have stood out. Kohen Brown's work ethic, strength and speed was mentioned once again.

Over the course of the next month, I wanted to check in on a few members of the 2026 Texas rookie class in the NFL. Today, the focus is on Baltimore Ravens EDGE rusher Ethan Burke, who found his new home out on the east coast quickly after going undrafted in April. Burke was born in Baltimore and still has family in the Maryland area, not to mention he was originally committed to the Terps to play lacrosse before opting for a football career at Texas. As a result, he a strong support system in place as he tries to crack the 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent. One of the largest developments for Burkes was dropping about 11 pounds from his final snaps at Texas to now. OTF was told he is right around 265 pounds and was listed at 267 on the Ravens' camp roster. A source said Burke is moving at his absolute best since beginning his football-only career. He is stronger and moving better than ever before. From what I understand, a lot of the focus following the season was to fixate completely on physical adjustments. First, getting completely healthy and two, slimming down as he embarks on his professional career. A writer from SBNation's Baltimore Beatdown noted Burke was pressuring Lamar Jackson throughout the day during practice Thursday morning. Hope to keep you all updated on what's ahead for Burke and plenty of other Texas rookies as training camp heats up and preseason games begin. Feels good to talk about football!

Texas announced a 13-member Hall of Honor Class for 2026 on Thursday morning Men's: Mark Boswell (Track and Field, 1998-2000) Malcom Brown (Football, 2012-14) Ryan Crouser (Track and Field, 2012-16) Jackson Jeffcoat (Football, 2010-13) Garrett Weber-Gale (Swimming and Diving, 2004-07) Mike Williams (Football, 1998-2001) Lawrence Sampleton (Football, 1978-81) Women's: Khat Bell (Volleyball, 2011-14) Connie Clark (Softball Head Coach, 1995-2018) Blaire Luna (Softball, 2010-13) Evwella Munn (Basketball, 1979-80) Amy Shaw (Swimming and Diving, 1990-93) Janet Walker (Tennis, 1998-2001)

Steve Sarkisian often touts how much he loves the pageantry of college football. The best example supporting Sarkisian’s position is how seriously the Texas head coach takes the program’s rivalry games. For Sarkisian, it’s not just another game whenever the Longhorns line up against Oklahoma or Texas A&M. At SEC Media Days in Tampa, Sarkisian didn’t mince words when he was asked what it’ll be like to face former Texas wideout Parker Livingstone whenever the Longhorns and Sooners meet in Dallas on Oct. 10. At the end of the day, Sarkisian said, personal feelings get put to the side when the Golden Hat is on the line. “I hope we kick his ass,” Sarkisian said. “I mean, it’s the Red River Rivalry. You know what I mean? He chose to go there. He’s on the other side. That’s the way the game goes. “At the end of the day, it’s competition,” he added. “After the game, I’m sure I’ll give him a big hug. Before that, we’re trying to beat his ass. That’s the way it goes.” The recently-revived series with the Aggies is no different. Even Sarkisian’s admission that he “was not happy” that the Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in-game operations staff played a clip of Mike Elko referring to Texas A&M as the state’s flagship program on the video board after Texas secured a 27-17 victory last November shed light on what’s allowed Sarkisian to enter his sixth season on the Forty Acres with a combined 5-2 record against the program’s two primary rivals. “Emotions run high in those games,” said Sarkisian, who put the kibosh on a potentially volatile on-field celebration after the Longhorns’ 17-7 win over the Aggies at Kyle Field in 2024, which had the potential to get out of hand. “We had a team that was trying to think about going and planting the flag two years ago and I wouldn't let that happen. I respect the game of football and I respect college football and I respect the football gods and there's a way to go about our business and there's a way not. Rivalries are great, but we've got to be able to fight the emotions that come with the rivalry.” With all due respect to Arkansas, who the Longhorns have faced just eight times since the Razorbacks left the Southwest Conference for the SEC in 1992, Sarkisian and other Texas coaches are judged by what they do against Oklahoma and Texas A&M, for better or worse. While Sarkisian hasn’t been perfect in his tenure, he’s more often than not had his squad ready for the games that matter to the burnt orange faithful. Sarkisian has won three of his first five meetings with the Sooners, with two losses that were there for the taking. The Longhorns had a 21-point first-half lead in Sarkisian’s Red River debut and took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter before suffering a 55-48 loss; Texas also had a 30-27 lead with 1:17 to play in the 2023 game, which Oklahoma won on a last-second touchdown, 34-30. Even with the two losses, Sarkisian’s 3-2 record is only topped by Darrell Royal and Fred Akers for the best five-game start to the Red River series among the nine Longhorn coaches in the AP Poll era (since 1936) who’ve coached at least five games in the series. Royal and Akers both won four of their first five games against the Sooners; Akers won five of his first seven (5-4-1 overall record), while Royal won eight in a row (1958-65) and 12 of 13 (1958-70) en route to a 12-7-1 mark against his alma mater. Sarkisian's three wins in Texas' last four clashes with the Sooners ended Oklahoma's dominant stretch of 10 wins in 13 meetings. The Longhorns' historic 49-0 rout in 2022 is the largest shutout victory in series history and is part of Texas' 136-43 scoring advantage in the last four games, three of which the Sooners have failed to score a touchdown. Among the nine Longhorn coaches in the AP Poll era to coach at least two games against the Aggies, Sarkisian, Royal and Akers are the only three to enjoy a 2-0 series start. Nobody should expect Sarkisian to rival Royal’s 17-3 mark against Texas A&M, which included winning streaks of 10 (1957-66) and seven (1968-74) games, respectively. Nevertheless, Sarkisian has a good start in potentially joining Royal, Mack Brown (10-4), Ed Price (4-2) and Dana X. Bible (8-2) as the only Texas coaches in the AP Poll era to finish their careers with a winning record against the Aggies. Include Sarkisian’s two wins over Arkansas (a 2-1 record after a forgettable 40-21 loss to the Razorbacks in Fayetteville in 2021) and he’s 7-3 in rivalry games through his first five seasons. On top of building championship-caliber rosters, Sarkisian can set Texas up for continued success in those games if his team keeps walking the fine line between playing with emotion and having it spill over. “I think that's why we've had success in some of our rivalry games, whether it's A&M or OU or Arkansas,” Sarkisian said. “I think we do a good job of managing our emotions. That's a real challenge when you get into games like that.” View full news story

TAMPA, Fla. — Trevor Goosby didn’t mince words at SEC Media Days when asked to describe what went wrong when Texas tried to run the football in 2025. “Sometimes, first and foremost, we weren't physical enough,” Goosby said. “Obviously, we weren't moving bodies the way that we should have. And then, sometimes, I felt like we were just kind of playing as five individuals rather than five as one. “It was just kind of five offensive linemen out there rather than one offensive line unit,” he added. “That's kind of how I felt about last year.” There were indeed issues along the offensive line, which played a significant role in the Longhorns managing just 137.8 rushing yards per game (90th in FBS and the program’s lowest output since 2017) and averaging 4.19 yards per rushing attempt (No. 84 nationally and the worst on the Forty Acres since 2018). However, multiple parties must be held responsible for the worst season on the ground for an FBS offense led by Steve Sarkisian since his first season as Washington’s coach in 2009. Sarkisian overhauled the running back room’s personnel with Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers from the transfer portal and Derrek Cooper from the high school ranks. A leadership change has also made a difference for a position group that lacked consistency and explosiveness last season, with Jabbar Juluke’s arrival injecting the offense with some much-needed juice. “Coach Juluke is always bringing that energy with the running backs,” Goosby said. “I can really feel it from the running back group. They're always bringing that energy.” Goosby likes what Sarkisian and the front office did to elevate the tight end room with the additions of Michigan State transfer Michael Masunas and former Michigan co-offensive coordinator Steve Casula. “Really, just kind of a development for not only the pass game, but also the run game, and just getting more physical,” Goosby said. “We're getting a lot more out of those guys, for sure. Coach (Jeff) Banks and Coach Casula have done a great job of really bringing those guys along.” Sarkisian and Kyle Flood utilizing the transfer portal to beef up the offensive line has helped bring the unit together, Goosby said Thursday. Melvin Siani has proven himself to be “a really athletic tackle” who “is really quick on his feet,” according to Goosby, who described June arrival Laurence Seymore as “a really tenacious, athletic run blocker (and) pass blocker.” Will the changes made after taking stock of a largely forgettable season on the ground lead to Texas having an attack capable of taking pressure off Arch Manning and that can be counted on to execute in critical situations? To ensure everyone in the offensive line room understands how unacceptable last season was and what they need to do as a group to help put a better product on the field, Goosby has made it a point to lead the charge. At the end of the day, Goosby said, turning things around will require his fellow linemen to get their minds wrapped around winning the line of scrimmage battle by moving another man against his will. “I think it's more of a mental thing; mentality thing rather than a technique thing,” Goosby said. Obviously, we're going to do our technique drills and do our individual and stuff, but for me personally, sometimes I'll bring the guys in and we'll watch plays where it didn't work because of us. Plays where we needed to be more physical and just pushing that narrative to the guys. “That's kind of the biggest thing that we've done this offseason.” View full news story

TAMPA, Fla. — The best sign of Colin Simmons’ growth as a player, a man and a leader are his personal goals for the 2026 season. After making it known that he was aiming for Kiki DeAyala’s single-season school sack record (22.5 in 1982) heading into 2025, Simmons isn’t concerned with splattering his name all over the Texas record books. Instead, Simmons would rather put a number on the wall signifying how the Longhorns fulfilled their promise in what’s expected to be his last season on the Forty Acres. “Honestly, my individual goals are the team goals,” Simmons said at SEC Media Days in Tampa on Thursday. “It's the team's success. Winning. Winning a national championship. "Everything that comes with it.” Thanks to a furious finish, which saw him racking up 10.5 sacks over the last eight games of the season, including a career-high three in a 16-13 overtime road win over Kentucky on Oct. 18, only Jackson Jeffcoat and Alex Okafor have gotten closer to DeAyala’s seemingly untouchable mark than Simmons did last season. The second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC defender’s 12 sacks tied him with DeAyala (1981), Steve McMichael (1977) and Tony Degrate (1984) for the eighth-best single-season sack total since 1975, which is when Texas began tracking sacks as an official statistic. While Simmons was noticeably pressing early in the season, the sacks started to come when his focus shifted from piling up numbers to loving the game. The approach also helped Simmons come into his own as a leader with a style that’s positioned him to be everything Will Muschamp needs him to be in the first season of his second stint as the program’s defensive coordinator. “Being myself, showing my teammates that they can just be themselves,” Simmons said when describing his leadership style. “They don't have to change. They don't have to impress nobody. People are going to have opinions regardless of what it is, good or bad, but at the end of the day, as long as you stay true to yourself, nothing can move you.” The only person who should be able to move Simmons is Muschamp, who has unleashed top-notch edge rushers like Simmons throughout his career as a defensive coordinator. With 21 sacks through two seasons, Simmons is nine away from joining DeAyala, Degrate and Tim Campbell as the only Longhorns to record at least 30 career sacks, highlighting the Duncanville product’s pass-rushing prowess. Steve Sarkisian hired Muschamp to ensure the Longhorns play defense with more of “an aggressive, in-your-face, tighter coverage kind of approach to things,” he said Thursday. Simmons stands to benefit the most from the leadership change; according to Pro Football Focus, Simmons’ 74 coverage snaps were tied for the 26th most among FBS edge defenders and the fifth most among edge rushers in the SEC. Simmons attacking downhill toward the line of scrimmage more often should be a net positive for the Texas defense. The mindset change Muschamp promotes, and the physicality he demands, have Simmons champing at the bit to show what he can do in the new scheme. “I'm not going to lie, I'm happy to be part of this defense,” Simmons said. “I'm happy to be coached under him.” Even then, Simmons remains steadfast in maintaining a team-first approach to what could be a historic junior season. “Representing the Longhorns is like representing the name on your back,” Simmons said. “You've got to represent it with pride because at the end of the day that's your family and you're representing your family. Just like I represent my mom, I’ve got to represent the Longhorns.” View full news story

TAMPA, Fla. — If book excerpts and off-the-cuff remarks have damaged the relationship between Steve Sarkisian and Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, neither coach is admitting it publicly. Golding spoke of Sarkisian only with reverence while making the rounds at SEC Media Days in Tampa on Wednesday. “I've always been a super-big fan of Steve Sarkisian. I was able to get really close to him in his time at Tuscaloosa and always had really, really admired him, even prior to that,” said Golding, who worked alongside Sarkisian on Nick Saban’s Alabama staff in 2019 and 2020. “But to see him and how he works on a daily basis and his love of the game and his rapport with his players when he was the coordinator there, the ability to bring people around him with him from a leadership standpoint. I always thought he was one of the best game-day play-callers out there, and packaging plays and seeing things and the way he window dresses things to be able to get certain guys — as they're moving — the ball, which I think is very, very unique.” Golding also made note of what Sarkisian and the Texas staff have done on the recruiting trail, quipping during his main press conference that he’s not fond of the Longhorns’ effort to recruit deep into the SEC footprint, specifically the state of Mississippi. “I tell Sark all the time, ‘Dude, you’ve got plenty of guys in Texas. Get out of our state,’” said Golding, who suffered an in-state recruiting loss to Texas when Brookhaven (Miss.) EDGE Derwin Fields committed to the Longhorns over other suitors, including Ole Miss, in April. “They’re everywhere.” All joking aside, both parties have taken their share of shots in the last year, some more hurtful than others The first indication of possible friction between Sarkisian and Golding came in August 2025, courtesy of an excerpt from Seth Wickersham’s book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback.” According to the excerpt, Golding reportedly tried to use Sarkisian’s battle with alcoholism to sway the hotly contested race for Arch Manning in Alabama’s favor (Manning committed to Texas on June 23, 2022). After the dust settled, Sarkisian took what could be considered a swipe at Golding’s program while voicing his issues with transfer portal recruiting in a wide-ranging interview with Matt Hayes of USA Today. “All you have to do is take basket weaving, and you can get an Ole Miss degree,” Sarkisian said. He admitted during his appearance at the Touchdown Club of Houston’s annual Texas luncheon in May that he shouldn’t have used that specific example while trying to frame big-picture issues in college football. Since then, Sarkisian has been complimentary of Golding, touting their friendship. For his part, Golding is returning the favor, praising Sarkisian and the Longhorns on Wednesday for the challenge awaiting the Rebels when they visit Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Oct. 24. “I think it's going to be a really, really tough game. They're a very talented football team,” said Golding, who will continue to call the defense for Ole Miss, making the game a true head-to-head battle with Sarkisian. “(Sarkisian has) put together a really good staff. I've worked with a lot of those guys; a lot of respect for them. Really good relationship, obviously, with Arch. Playing down there is going to be tough. “We've definitely done our homework; you have to with Sark,” he added. “You're going to get certain plays, but you've just got to contest those, man, and spot the ball and play the next one. Super excited about the opportunity.” View full news story

I asked this on Twitter earlier today, but want to share it with the board – Now that the 2025 season has come and gone, give us your feedback on the coverage from the season. What did you like? What did you dislike? What would you change? Appreciate you all for the feedback and look forward to building in 2026!

“Great length, great speed, tremendous man-to-man ability. Not a secret why he was a top two or three player. We’ll see how far we can take him. We don’t have an expectation of a timetable. We’re going to coach him and develop him. I do know he’s got the right competitive spirit and skillset to be a good player for us.”

TAMPA, Fla. — Arch Manning’s goal coming out of the 2025 season and entering his second campaign as QB1 on the Forty Acres was simple. “Stay present,” Manning said while making the rounds at SEC Media Days in Tampa on Thursday. “Take it one day at a time.” For Manning, who was under a white-hot spotlight before he ever took a snap in a Texas uniform, that’s easier said than done. Still, Manning has grown while learning how to deal with life in a fishbowl ahead of what figures to be his last season with the Longhorns. He believes it’s the biggest difference between the player he is now and who Manning was before leading No. 1-ranked Texas into last season’s opening game on the road against reigning national champion Ohio State. “I think I've become more present,” Manning said. “I've obviously matured. I think going through those rough times, I learned a lot about myself and I've become a better man because of it and, hopefully, a better player.” Manning joked that he isn’t aiming for a repeat performance against the Buckeyes, when he threw for 170 yards, one touchdown and an interception on a 17-for-30 afternoon throwing the football in a 14-7 loss. The loss was part of a turbulent first half of the season for Manning, whose play inspired an article published by "The Athletic" openly pondering if Manning was college football’s first flop. After a 16-13 overtime win over Kentucky in which the offense posted season-low totals for total yards (179), yards per play (3.3) and first downs (eight), Manning was, statistically, one of the least productive quarterbacks in the SEC. His 207 passing yards per game entering the team’s next game against Mississippi State ranked 71st nationally and 13th in the SEC among 16 qualifying quarterbacks. He also ranked 91st in FBS and last in the conference in completion percentage (60.3), while his 140.4 pass efficiency rating ranked 63rd nationally and 11th in the SEC. Things changed, however, after Manning led a furious second-half rally in a 45-38 overtime win over Mississippi State the week following the woeful performance against the Wildcats. In November, which included wins over Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Texas A&M (along with a loss to Georgia), Diego Pavia and Trinidad Chambliss were the only SEC quarterbacks with more passing yards per game than Manning's 286.8. Over the last four games of the regular season, Manning completed 62.2 percent of his passes and tied Chambliss for the third-most passing touchdowns among SEC quarterbacks (nine) while throwing only one interception. Coming off a turnover-free performance with 376 total yards and four touchdowns in a Citrus Bowl win over Michigan and fully recovered from postseason foot surgery, Manning isn’t changing his live-in-the-now mindset in the face of sky-high expectations. “I'm not really worried about the outside world,” Manning said. “That's what I'll continue to try to do.” View full news story