Heartbreaking goodbye...

And just like that... Maalik Murphy is gone from Texas football forever.

On Sunday, I reported that Murphy was expected to enter the transfer Portal, but likely after the season. As it turns out, he just couldn't wait that long and when he announced his intention to enter the transfer Portal, he did so with it having immediate effect.

It means that Arch Manning is the new no-doubt-about-it No.2 for the playoffs and coming into 2024, while Murphy will look to lock down his next home before all of the schools looking for quarterbacks find their quarterbacks.

Sources had told me that Murphy was emotional about having to inform the coaches about his decision and it couldn't have been easy to tell him that he needed to walk out on teammates that he loves, but the NCAA has created a Portal window that is kind of a disaster, but the academic calendars of all academic institutions make for some complicated timing inside the Portal.

As it relates to Murphy, he'll be missed by teammates, coaches and fans alike. Here's wising him nothing but success in the future.

Updated Scholarship Board...



Here comes Andrew Mukuba!

The tentative plan going back to last week was for former Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba to visit the Longhorns this weekend and after a little bit of uncertainty this week, it looks like all systems are a go for a visit beginning on Thursday.

A source on Wednesday told me that the potential transfer credit roadblock has been removed and that there's a very strong sense that Mukuba could soon announce a decision for the Longhorns. If the Longhorns don't lock Mukuba down, he could follow the Texas visit with a trip to Oregon.

Yet, the vibes around this situation are good.

Another weekend visitor...

Although the wide receiver plan for the Longhorns is still taking shape, former South Carolina star Juice Wells is expected to be in Austin this weekend for a visit.

What exactly does it mean? I'm not sure. My Intel has told me that the wide receiver situation is still in development/unfolding.

The bottom line is that at some point the Longhorns can't wait forever on guys to enter the Portal or it runs the risk of losing out on the quality that exists without a great back-up plan. There's even some Internet scuttlebutt that Wells could return to South Carolina after potentially not finding the landscape for his services that he's looking for.

I'm taking a wait and see attitude with this particular recruitment... for now. Stay tuned.

Two things to file away...

The Longhorns could still look to the Portal for tight end help and if they do, don't be surprised if they kick the tires on this guys.

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This kid reportedly has a third round-ish grade from the NFL and is regarded as one of the best CBs in the SEC

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One last thing...

Here are the updated Rivals Portal WR rankings (Matthew Golden hasn't yet been ranked)

A lot of tweets and chatter prior to sugar bowl about a player that was going to announce his return that would shock people…

As of now the only one I can think of and it would be HUGE is AD but I just can’t see it happening… Sanders too but sounds like he will declare soon.

Any ideas?

It's the offseason. Since UT is SEC bound I figured I'd start a thread of acts from SEC cities. Based on your music choices, what I list may or may not interest you. What bands/artists do you have from SEC cities?

Austin and Nashville- too many to list, feel free to list some
Baton Rouge- Lil Boosie, Better Than Ezra
Collie station- Lyle Lovett
Starkville- Blind Melon
Lexington- Chris Stapleton
Knoxville- Kenny Chesney
Columbia, SC- Hootie & the Blowfish
Athens- R.E.M., B-52s, Widespread Panic
Gainesville- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

OB Fam,

We hope everyone is having a great start to the New Year so far. We also wanted to congratulate the Texas Longhorns for their amazing season this year. It’s been such a joy to watch the team learn and grow into what they are today. Congrats and let’s kill it in the SEC!

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Not even sure what to say…

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I was at the game so didn’t have it in me to watch the game until today. There is a narrative that Quinn didn’t play well, but it isn’t all on him.

1. O line penalties killed us during the game. False starts, holding and pre snap infractions really hurt us. Christian Jones giving up a sack and holding penalty killed the momentum we had on our 3rd possession. On the previous wash possession, we held them to a 3 and out. I think this was a huge turning point as we were tied 7-7 and had momentum.
2. Our running backs were dialed in and we should have fed them more. The two back look could have really hurt Washington and running the ball would have kept Washington off the field.
3. Washington oline dominated our defensive line. They didn’t overpower our players, but worked well together to keep a body between our defense and Penix. Also, they didn’t have hardly any penalties.
4. Trice made some huge plays. Plays that won the game. We need a guy like that on our defense that can change the game.
5. Penix was on fire, but he was lucky too. He threw to a spot that were inches away from the defensive players. He pretty much made every correct play whether it was to climb the pocket, throw deep, check down to TE or take off scrambling. He didn’t generate many negative plays to put Washington behind the stick.
6. Quinn didn’t play a bad game. His o line didn’t play well and his running backs had two fumbles. There were a lot of batted passes that were not his fault. Washington scouted Texas well and anticipated Ewers throws. Quinn made a ton of nice plays and some of them were negated by penalties on Texas. Unfortunately, everyone is going to remember 1st and 10 at the 12 with 15 seconds and the sequence of the final four plays. Again, the third and fourth down play were more difficult due to pressure and wasn’t completely his fault.
7. Referees made a huge impact in the no calls or picking up flags against Washington. The block in the back penalty when Watts was pushed should have been called. Also, I think there were several unnecessary roughness calls and some PI penalties that could have been called. The penalties against Texas were legitimate, but wish it was more even.

Can't overstate how big this for Texas entering the SEC.

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We all should be in somewhat of a great mood - IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE. And let's make this an unofficial tribute to the late, GREAT, Mr. Jimmy Buffet! @echeese - Whatja got?

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Mr. Jimmy Buffet...

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This one comes as a mild surprise. He was recruited last year with 2024 in mind as much as anything else. Solid depth guy is out the door.

I wish him the best.

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Cliffs Notes: The Longhorns lost a piece of its defensive tackle depth on Friday with the announcement than former Minnesota transfer Trill Carter is entering the Portal.



2023 Stats: Carter played in every game this season, recording 9 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack and one forced fumble.

The Deep Dig Numbers: Carter pl;ayed a total of 201 snaps in 2023, which equated to 25% of the defensive reps on the season over the first 13 games of the season (not including the bowl game. In @Alex Dunlap's Productivity Market Share Rankings, Carter ranked No.23 on the team and asa sub-replacement level player with production on once in every 17.11 snaps.



Why it matters: Carter never emerged into a play-maker for the Longhorns this season, but his playing time increased throughout the season and he seemed destined to be a rock-solid rotation player in the defensive tackle rotation in 2024..

What's Left at DT: Senior Alfred Collins, Senior Vernon Broughton, sophomore Zac Swanson, sophomore Aaron Bryant, redshirt freshman Sydir Mitchell, true freshman Alex January and true freshman D'Antre Robinson.

What's Next: The Longhorns have been looking for defensive tackle help, even before the loss of Carter, which makes finding someone in the Portal an absolute must if possible. Collins projects as a the No.1 DT tackle next season for the Longhorns, but everything behind him is a question mark at this stage and Bo Davis will have his biggest challenge in front of him since arriving with Sarkisian in 2021. Will this lead the Longhorns to take a longer look at someone like Houston transfer Jamaree Caldwell, who seemed like an unlikely addition when he entered the Porta last month because of possible transcript issues? Everything is likely on the table right now is the Longhorns look under every rock in order to improve its immediate two-deep.

AND I've got Scotty & Jordan teeing it up on the 14th at The Sentry. After @Anwar Richardson update a little earlier, how much better can it get!!!!!!

Vince Young was not the Texas QB.

A buddy is looking for 4 tickets if anyone is trying to sell.

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BOOM

Why because it matters to Texas. Michigan is favored by 2. All this Jim Harbaugh love on this board is a joke to me. One more time he's never won the big game.

And today he's going up against a man who's made a career of winning when it mattered most. They're receivers are not as good as ours or Washington's. In fact Burton and Bond at Alabama are better than Michigan's. QB is even but I was impressed with Milroe their last 2 games.

Finally let's talk about the cheating scandal. Darrell Royal would be pissed with Texas fans at this it's ok about chatting, especially with what Barry Switzer did against us.

But hey look at what happened against TCU. Sonny Dykes might be a good ol west Texas boy like his daddy but his momma didn't raise a dummy. He knew what Michigan was doing so he changed his signals and the horn frogs dropped 51 and 500 + on his number one ranked defense. They never even led.

And look at what happened the last few games after he was caught. They weren't blowing people out anymore. He can't steal Alabama's signals now. Michigan by 2 no I say

Alabama 24
Michigan 17

Rose Bowl is less than an hour away guys.

Here’s part 2 of my builds 1rst gen bronco and 1rst gen blazer
Bronco coyote engine 10 speedhttps://jamieallaun.smugmug.com/Professional/Bronco

Long week started by Monday’s devastation, but we made it to another weekend! I feel at peace with our loss now and I’m ready to move on to the offseason. Time to take down the Christmas decorations and get on track for the rest of the year, but not before a few cold ones on the back patio with the fam enjoying life’s simplest pleasures.

Happy Friday OBs. Life is good🍻🤘

I don’t have a lot of interest in the nfl other than the Boys. I don’t ever have much of a desire to post, but I thought I would start a general thread for anybody that has something to say.
First, I hate the eagles, but they are damn good, it will be them or frisco on the nfc side of the superbowl. Also, I am noticing that eagle’s coach’s visor has an Italian flag. When did this be ome a thing?