(Ketch)
* Let's start off with a football nugget or two from off-season workouts. A very dialed-in source told me on Thursday that true freshman Ryan Niblett has looked so good in off-season workouts that he's rivaling the buzz being created by fellow true freshman Johntay Cook. This source believes that Niblett will play a lot in four-receiver sets. Let me reiterate... Niblett has created serious buzz.
* It sounds like Niblett might get a chance to make a dent both on the outside and in the slot.
* If you're wondering who has emerged as the alpha of alpha leaders on the field and in workouts, look no further than sophomore left tackle Kelvin Banks. His voice has become one of the most important in the locker room.
* Another source told me this week that there's a sense that taking some of the shackles off of Quinn Ewers within the offense might be just what he needed this spring to start getting the most out of him. Nothing too earth-shattering in and of itself, but it's just kind of a peek into the thinking that is taking place behind the scenes.
* I hadn't heard a lot about Jaylan Ford this off-season, so I asked a source about him this week and was told, "He's everything you want him to be. He's a great young man."
* Hearing that true freshman defensive lineman Sydir Mitchell is still going through some growing/learning pains. It might be a little much to expect him to be a heavy piece of this year's puzzle.
* Had one person tell me this week that A.D. Mitchell has been every bit as good as Xavier Worthy this off-season.
* There's still a lot of confidence on the Texas side of things with Duncanville edge Colin Simmons. There's also a sense that no matter what happens with an early commitment (to Texas), the Longhorns will have a battle on their hands. I get the sense that Texas A&M is the team that Texas is most leery of down the stretch. You better believe that Texas doesn't want Simmons at A&M's pool party at the end of the month.
* Simmons is scheduled to be at LSU next weekend.
* Let me stress... Texas feels like it will ultimately land Simmons. The celebration likely needs to be reserved for signing day.
* Speaking of Texas A&M, there's some buzz in these recruiting streets that A&M will do everything it can to crash down the walls that Texas has built in his recruitment. No need to get overly concerned just yet, but now you know.
* Still being told that Texas feels very confident about being the leader at the moment for Santa Ana (Ca.) Mater Sei offensive tackle Brandon Baker, but there's a long way to go.
* Was talking to someone this week about UT's continued pursuit of achieving more NIL success in football. While UT's NIL program has been an absolute strength in terms of execution in terms of being a major help in 2023-24 recruiting, it's been tough out there on those NIL streets for those on the Texas side when seeking commitments from the school's biggest boosters. One of the trends that is developing is that teams that achieve success are having more luck with creating more easily obtained NIL contributions. Georgia Football is the best example. Those involved know that this team having a big season on the field in 2023 will mean everything to faster, more immediate success. Anything short of that might mean a continued slog. One thing is certain, the efforts to get more donations from the most financially powerful in the heavy hitters donation pool continues 365/24/7.
(Suchomel)
* New Texas defensive tackle commitment D'antre Robinson told Rivals that his mind had been made up on choosing the Longhorns for the better part of a month.
* Up next, Longhorn nation awaits word from Lancaster defensive back Corian Gipson on his decision, scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday. We’ve written about the ebb and flow of this one numerous times, so no need to hash that out again. This one will come down to Texas, Clemson or Ohio State, although we’d be surprised if the Buckeyes were the pick. Gipson isn’t tipping his hand as decision day nears. Not to media behind the scenes. Not to friends. He has told a couple of college coaches but that’s it, and sources behind the scenes are staying quiet as to not disrupt this one. Numerous UT recruits believe the choice will be Texas. A person who spoke with Gipson midweek thinks the choice will be Texas. But nobody I’ve checked with has been told anything directly. What’s making this one interesting is that there’s also quite a bit of confidence coming from the Clemson side of things. My FutureCast pick remains on Texas, but I don’t have near the confidence in this one as I did with Robinson, where we were given direct indication that the choice was going to be Texas.
* Chalk Santana Wilson as another who knew he was going to commit before he announced, but what makes Wilson’s situation interesting is that he actually knew he was going to give Texas a commitment on his official visit before he ever stepped foot on the UT campus. Wilson’s dad, former Arizona Cardinals All-Pro Adrian Wilson, had given his son such strong reviews of the UT program and the Texas staff that Wilson knew he’d be committing once he visited, and he wound up announcing on Saturday of his visit. “I knew I was going to commit when I got to Austin. My dad (now with the Carolina Panthers) has a couple coworkers that went to Texas,” Wilson said. “My dad having connections up there, me feeling really comfortable up there, it’s a really nice family environment.”
* Think back to the days leading up to the commitment of Rivals100 safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell. Out of nowhere, reports started to circulate that Texas wouldn’t be landing the IMG standout. Those reports ran contrary to what we were hearing, but there were some interesting dynamics to JJ-R’s recruitment. Prior to Johnson-Rubell’s official visit to Texas in late June, he took official visits to Michigan, TCU and Ohio State. Grapevine talk we’ve heard had Johnson-Rubell close to committing to Ohio State on his visit, but the Buckeyes coaches told him if he committed, they didn’t want him taking the Texas visit. Johnson-Rubell wanted to take the UT visit so he refrained from that OSU decision, and things obviously worked out in Texas’s favor in the end.
* Been sitting on this one for a while … Defensive lineman Melvin Hills announced his commitment to Texas last Wednesday. Hills always had strong feelings for Texas and he told us he actually committed to the UT staff back in April, but wanted to take a couple other visits before announcing.
* Melissa defensive lineman Nigel Smith is set to announce his decision on September 8, less than a week after he wraps up his Texas official visit that’s scheduled for September 1. The Longhorns appear to be playing catch-up in this one behind the likes of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Ohio State and even Penn State.
* Texas did a good job late in the spring of really surging with defensive lineman TJ Lindsey and putting itself in contention. At one time, Lindsey was believed to be a pretty strong Texas A&M lead but the Aggies fell back and there was a brief period when it looked like things were trending towards UT. I’m not ruling the Longhorns out, but lots of chatter this week about Auburn surging after Lindsey took a June official visit to see the Tigers. Miami continues to hang around but the most recent word is that this one has Auburn leading Texas.
* If we were picking a destination for 5-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo right now, we’d probably go with Texas. The problem … Wingo still isn’t planning to decide until December so there’s a ton of time for movement in this one, and he will be taking other visits before coming to a decision. Wingo did show up at last weekend’s NIL Sports Summer Kick-Off wearing UT shorts, so that’s a nice development. However, he is planning to utilize the new rule that allows for more than five official visits and is looking for stops at Texas A&M, Tennessee and Miami in the fall (he visited Georgia, Michigan, Texas and Missouri in June). Wingo’s actually slated to be at A&M’s end-of-summer barbecue event on July 29, so that could potentially alter his OV plans for College Station. (Of note: we’ve asked Wingo if he might stop by Austin while in Texas next weekend and will update when we hear back from him.)
(Anwar)
* One person told me while we were at SEC Media Days this week that the SEC would like to have a nine-game conference schedule after the 2024 season. A source told me the major networks know they can make more money with a nine-game conference schedule. Texas versus Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Arkansas as permanent rivals is more profitable than only one team consistently on the schedule. Apparently, everyone in the SEC is waiting for ESPN to say it wants a nine-game conference schedule.
* However, one person told me Yormark’s ability to get a television deal for the Big 12 solidified the future of his conference. Sports Business Journal previously the Big 12 reached a six-year agreement with ESPN and Fox on a new six-year agreement “worth a total of $2.28 billion” in October 2022. There was two years remaining on the deal, and the six-year extension will run through 2030-31.
* Disney started laying off employees earlier this year. I was told the deal Yormark obtained for the Big 12 may have been impossible to secure right now due to the cutbacks. The Pac-12 has not released details of its media rights bill but it would have been hard to get conference deals at the same time. Yormark’s ability to obtain a new media rights bill for the Big 12 was a great move for the conference.
* I was told that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark do not have a great relationship. One person at SEC Media Days described their association as “tense” due to the departure of Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12. I was also told Sankey finds it ironic that Yormark is unhappy about Texas and Oklahoma jumping to his conference when the Big 12 added four new teams and is looking to add more squads. One conspiracy theorist believes Sankey moved SEC Media Days to Dallas in 2024 just to irritate Yormark, who holds the Big 12 Media Days in Arlington. Do not be surprised if they try to one-up each other and their respective media day events next year.
* One person told me Yormark’s ability to get a television deal for the Big 12 solidified the future of his conference. Sports Business Journal previously the Big 12 reached a six-year agreement with ESPN and Fox on a new six-year agreement “worth a total of $2.28 billion” in October 2022. There was two years remaining on the deal, and the six-year extension will run through 2030-31.
* Here's what Lane Kiffin told me on Thursday when I asked about his friendship with Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns joining the SEC:
"Well, Texas, Oklahoma – “I'll go backward there. Texas, and Oklahoma coming in is amazing. I already looked at our schedule, the one they put out to 2024, and I joked to Steve Sarkisian yesterday, and I said, well, I don't know any coach that would want to go to the NFL. We are in it now. Our schedule is like playing in the NFL in the SEC now, especially adding those two.
“So, hats off to the Commissioner for getting that done and making it the super conference of all time. Really, the way it's set up, it's really kind of like everybody else and then that when you put together the competitiveness of the schedule compared to any other conference.
“I've had a great relationship with Sark. I've said before we both kind of grew up fast by being in the USC experience and being part of Coach Carroll's staff and all the great players there. I think 34 straight wins. If we can tackle Vince Young, three straight national championships.
“That was really cool to go through that with him. We've stayed close. I think he's doing awesome there, and the way he's flipped the roster and recruiting at such a high level and signing Arch, I think the future is extremely bright for Texas football.”
(Travis)
SEC MEDIA DAYS WAR ROOM NUGGETS
* Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner, a future first-round draft pick, said one player surprised him during last year’s UT/Bama game. “Kelvin Banks is a really good tackle,” said Turner. “He surprised me a lot when we did play them, coming in as a freshman. He’s very good, very athletic, can move real good, very long, lanky. There’s a lot of upside to him.”
* Turner also said that Quinn Ewers was a very good quarterback and said “he was doing a lot of good things before the injury.”
* Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers on new Texas wide receiver A.D. Mitchell: “He’s like one of the freakiest athletes that I’ve seen. He’ll be running in one direction, take one step and be running in the other direction, like in one step, full speed. It’s impressive to watch.”
* UGA sophomore defensive back Kamari Lassiter on facing Mitchell in practice: “AD’s just a really good player overall. I have nothing but respect for AD because I had the luxury of guarding him most of the days in practice. He’s a really great player with a really good motor.”
* Arkansas DE Landon Jackson said a different Texas player stands out to him: “Ja’Tavion Sanders, phenomenal player. I went through my recruitment with him.”
* Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson's comments on quarterbacks joining the SEC might have you thinking of Quinn Ewers' reported off-season. “I would say take the offseason very seriously. Take care of your body. Make sure you get treatment, massages, all of the things that you need that’s going to help you prepare for Saturday. And just the preparation. Take each and every day and embrace it. That’s the main thing. Take advantage of it, don’t let any day go by where you’re leaving doubt on the field or regret on the field.”
*****
Alex)
* I was able to catch up with a very dialed-in reporter on the Buffalo Bills beat this week to check in on Longhorn alum Poona Ford. Ford was not prioritized in free agency by the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, despite vastly outperforming his undrafted free-agent expectations coming in. Per Spotrac, Ford signed a 1 year, $2,250,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a $750,000 signing bonus, $1,500,000 guaranteed. It will be a "prove-it" deal, so I wanted to check in about how he has looked in OTAs, where he sits on the projected depth chart heading into fall camp, and who his main competition is for playing time.
* This is what the reporter told me via text: "I know they were *very* excited to land him so late in the FA period. Because he’s on such a cheap deal, his roster spot isn’t a total lock right now but everyone I’ve talked to expects him to be a mainstay in the DT rotation. His up-the-field ability and time spent two-gapping makes him legit versatile and the Bills legitimately love that with their OL and DL. He should start in the second DT rotation behind Ed Oliver and probably Daquan Jones. I figure it’ll be Poona and either Jordan Phillips or Tim Settle as the second wave at IDL."
*****
(Aaron/Zach)
* Five-star WR Ryan Wingo told OB over text that he will be watching and focusing on the WR and QB play this fall for the schools that he is considering ahead of his December decision.
* Dylan Campbell has yet to sign his professional contract with the LA Dodgers after being picked in the 4th round with a draft slot of $473,700. The deadline for players to make a decision is July 25th and there has been some genuine indecision and numerous conversations between Campbell, his camp, and UT. NIL numbers have been discussed, but it’s still unclear if Campbell would return even if significant NIL money became available in the next few days. It doesn’t appear the Campbell will be returning to UT, but the deadline for a decision is getting closer.
* Zane Morehouse is the other draftee that has not signed yet. We still believe Morehouse will sign with Cleveland and start his professional career.
* Sources have told OB that Texas is likely done adding players from the transfer portal.
* Texas recently landed switch-hitting utility man Luke Storm from Duke via the transfer portal. Storm is viewed as a depth piece with some versatility. The coaching staff will look to make some adjustments to Storm’s swing from both sides of the plate.
(Keenan)
HOOPS RECRUITING
Offers in the last 30 days:
JULY 20 – Jalin Holland, 2025 SG ☆☆☆☆
JULY 13 – Cooper Flagg, 2025 W/F ☆☆☆☆☆
JULY 12 – Derion Reid, 2024 SG ☆☆☆☆
JULY 10 – Patrick Ngongba, 2024 PF ☆☆☆☆
JULY 8 – Jalen Montonati, 2026 SG/W ☆☆☆☆
*JULY 5 – Ithiel Horton, 6-YR SR CG, UCF Transfer ☆☆☆☆
JULY 5 – Aiden Sherrell, 2024 PF ☆☆☆☆☆
JULY 1 – AJ Dybansta, 2026 W ☆☆☆☆☆
*JUNE 28 – Devon Pryor, 2023 W ☆☆☆
JUNE 25 – Kuol Atak, 2024 PF ☆☆☆
*Committed/Signed
* The UTMBB schedule didn’t drop today, but we did find out against whom Texas will be playing in the new, expanded Big XII Conference.
Home-and-Home Series:
Baylor
Houston
Oklahoma
Texas Tech
West Virginia
Home Games Only:
Iowa State
Kansas State
Oklahoma State
Central Florida
Away Games Only:
Kansas
TCU
BYU
Cincinnati
* The major takeaway here is that Kansas will not play again in the Moody Center for a long time unless they play each other in some future Big XII-SEC Challenge. It’s kind of a rip-off, but we knew the Big XII wasn’t going to do Texas any favors as they leave for a better conference.
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