(Ketch)
We'll start things off with an update on Georgia transfer wide receiver AD Mitchell.
A source I communicated with on Thursday confirmed that Mitchell began his visit to Texas on Thursday after officially entering the Portal on Wednesday.
Beyond the news that he's in Austin as you read this, there's not much to update. While there has been mention on USC, Ole Miss and Colorado on various corners of the Internet, there continues to be a very positive vibe on the 40 Acres that Mitchell will end up in burnt orange.
With a Wednesday deadline to register for classes, a decision on his future should come soon.
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(Anwar)
Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian is seemingly in a holding pattern as he waits for Jacksonville receivers coach Chris Jackson’s season to end.
Jackson is the top candidate to replace former receivers coach Brennan Marion. All signs are pointing at Jackson taking the job. However, Jacksonville is currently in the playoffs and will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. Sarkisian cannot officially interview Jackson until his season is over.
To be clear, there is nothing in the NFL rulebook that states Sarkisian cannot speak with Jackson about his vacant position. Sarkisian is abiding by an unwritten NFL rule, which is you do not try to poach assistant coaches away from a team during the season, especially the playoffs, without asking for the head coach’s permission to interview a candidate. The majority of coaches respect the code and wait for the season to conclude before finalizing a hire.
One of the reasons it is safe to say Jackson is the No.1 candidate is because nothing is preventing Sarkisian from hiring the other coaches he has spoken to about the job.
Sarkisian’s original top candidate was Arizona State receivers coach Ra’Shaad Samples, who is an elite recruiter with connections in Texas. I was told Samples requested a salary that would make leaving Arizona State a no-brainer since he had only been on the job for a month. I do not know how much money Samples requested but Sarkisian continued with his search after that discussion.
In addition, Sarkisian interviewed former Washington State receivers coach Joel Filani and had a conversation with UTSA receivers coach Joe Price. Filani was recently replaced at Washington State and is looking for a job. A move to Texas would be an upgrade for Price. If Sarkisian wanted to hire a college coach, he could have done it before Junior Day. At this moment, every other candidate appears to be a backup option if Sarkisian cannot acquire Jackson.
Earlier this week, Jackson tweeted, “I have not had any conversation with anyone outside of this organization regarding coaching. I am a Jacksonville Jaguar!!” He later said, “FYI, I deal in reality and not rumors. I am the WR coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars where I’m under contract and absolutely it! My main focus is doing my job to the best of my ability and preparing for a huge playoff game this weekend vs the Chiefs.”
Behind closed doors, Jackson has told people coaching in college intrigues him because it would allow him to develop players. Sarkisian is looking for a coach who can develop players and deal with the egos in his receivers room.
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(Suchomel/Patterson)
Before we transition to 2024 and 2025 recruiting with a preview of this weekend’s junior day, a quick note on one of the only remaining targets in the 2023 cycle, Duce Robinson. The nation’s top-ranked tight end is currently in Hawaii for the Polynesian Bowl. The buzz from Hawaii continues to focus on Georgia and USC, but another West Coast source told OB that the Longhorns made a very strong impression on both Robinson and his family on a recent in-home visit, and this person thought Texas might be a sneaky team that could surge at the wire and catch the nation by surprise.
Robinson isn’t expected to announce a college decision until February 1, and the MLB Draft could still shake things up in July.
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QB Trey Owens – Cy Fair (Texas commitment) – He was on commit watch for a while and put an end to things last week on his birthday. He’ll now turn into a recruiter on the Longhorns’ behalf and told OB those efforts will probably begin this weekend.
QB Adam Schobel (2025) - Columbus
QB Sawyer Anderson (2025) – Dallas Parish Episcopal - Anderson holds a very impressive offer sheet ahead of his junior season in the DFW.
QB Deuce Adams – New Braunfels Canyon – Son of former Longhorn great Mike Adams. Tough to imagine Texas taking two QBs in the cycle with Trey Owens already committed, but we’ll see how this one plays out.
RB Derrick McFall – John Tyler, Rivals100 – Top national prospect. Heavy competition with schools like Bama, Texas A&M, Miami, Penn State, TCU and Auburn all in play.
RB Bryan Jackson – McKinney, Rivals250 - Jackson included Texas in his top-five that he released a few weeks ago. Texas has hosted the McKinney four-star numerous times, and Tashard Choice has been by his school. This might come down to how Texas ranks their RB board and how many they are willing to take after signing Cedric Baxter and Tre Wisner in the 2023 cycle. Baylor and USC are also heavily involved here.
RB James Peoples – San Antonio Veterans Memorial – This is a guy who has been a regular visitor to the 40 Acres at just about every recruiting event over the last year. Huge offer list that includes the likes of Texas, Bama, USC, Ohio State, Oregon, OU, etc.
RB Jerrick Gibson – IMG Academy, Rivals100 – The nation’s No. 1-ranked RB prospect was originally planning to come to UT for the spring game but moved that timeline up. Strong relationship with Tashard Choice has Texas in his top three, along with Georgia and Tennessee. The Longhorns will get one of his official visits before he decides in late summer.
RB Taylor Tatum – Longview – A fairly new offer for Texas in December, Tatum is a big-time prospect with around 30 offers from many of college football’s power programs.
WR Micah Hudson – Lake Belton, Rivals100 – Confirmed with Orangebloods in the last hour that he will not be attennd the Junior Day this weekend. Look for Hudson to schedule an unofficial visit in the future once the Longhorns nail down the wide receivers coaching hire.
WR Hunter Moddon – Clear Lake (Texas commitment) – Modden has told us he plans to take some other visits. Normally I’d expect Texas to try to shut that down but with no receiver coach on campus, and the possibility the new coach might prioritize other targets, this one could take some twists.
WR Andrew Marsh (2025, maybe) – Katy Jordan, Rivals100 - Marsh is one of the top wide receiver prospects in what is shaping up to be a loaded class at the position. He has been an early regular on the Texas campus for previous junior day and pool party events.
WR Benson Okan – Arlington Timberview
WR Jonah Williams (2025) – Galveston Ball - Williams turned heads at the All-American Combine earlier this month. His early stock is rising quickly.
TE Ty Rupe (2025) – Conroe Grand Oaks
OL Bennett Warren – Fort Bend Baptist – This guy’s definitely on offer watch. At 6-8, 310 pounds he fits the mold of lineman that Kyle Flood covets. Offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Florida State and several others would seem to be a strong indicator that Texas could follow once Flood sees him this weekend.
OL Ory Williams – San Marcos – He’s another guy who has been on campus more times than I can remember. Texas offered him before he ever played a varsity game at San Marcos (he had to play JV as a sophomore after transferring from El Campo). Williams doesn’t tip his hand when asked about leaders, but the repeated visits to UT can’t be a bad sign.
OL Michael Uini – Copperas Cove, Rivals250 – Elite talent with a long list of offers. He’s been to UT a couple times, including for the Bama game in the fall. Texas is in a strong spot here but this one probably plays out for a while.
OL Owen Hollenbeck (2025) – Melissa
OL Ellis Davis – Prosper – Another intriguing player with his 6-7 frame. Schools like Texas Tech, TCU, SMU, Missouri and Northwestern have offered.
OL Blake Frazier – Vandergrift – Tons of offers for the Austin-area prospect. Michigan, OU, Texas A&M, Penn State, Miami, LSU, Clemson and others all in the mix. You have to think Texas will officially join the list this weekend.
OL Blake Ivy (maybe) – Clear Springs
DL Colin Simmons (maybe) – Duncanville, Rivals100 – We’re still awaiting final confirmation if Simmons will make it in. Needless to say, if he does, that will be a huge development for the Longhorns. Right now, I’d put this one as a soft maybe.
DL Alex January – Duncanville – His dad Michael played at Texas so this one is definitely worth watching.
DL Zina Umeozulu – Allen, Rivals100 – Texas was down in this race for a bit last spring but has surged in recent months. The younger brother of current Longhorn Neto Umeozulu, Texas should remain a strong player in this one.
DL Caleb Mitchell Irving – Dallas Parish Episcopal – It seems like he’s been coming to every recruiting event since he was a freshman in high school. He obviously has a strong interest but Texas may have some others a bit higher on the board right now.
DL KingJoseph Edwards – Buford (GA), Rivals250 – This will be a return visit to Texas for Edwards. He’s very active in the recruiting world with visits and contact with coaches. He likes Texas a lot but the in-state Georgia Bulldogs may be tough to beat, assuming UGA pushes.
DL Landon Rink (2025) – Cy Fair, Rivals100 – He’s 2025 but he’s another that’s worth watching. He’s visited UT a ton, is the son of former Longhorn Shane Rink and Landon’s not shy about admitting his strong feelings for Texas.
DL Jeffery Rush – Pascagoula (MS), Rivals250 – Rush is a four-star defensive lineman that Bo Davis offered back in October. It appears that the SEC West - especially the two in-state Mississippi programs - are in best position as of now, but Rush has genuine interest in playing for Davis.
DL Terrance Hibler Jr. – Lexington (MS) Holmes County – Hibbler might be the hottest defensive line prospect in America for the 2024 class. In addition to the Longhorns, Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Georgia, and others offered Hibbler in the past week. The fact that he is making a visit to Texas as his recruitment blows up is pretty noteworthy.
DL Melvin Hills – Lafayette Christian Academy – One of a trio of players from his school that will be in attendance.
DL Isaia Faga – Phenix City (AL) Central (Utah commitment) – A kid from Alabama, who is committed to Utah, is visiting Texas? That’s gotta be a first. We’ll have a better read on this one after the visits.
DL Jahkeem Stewart (2026) – Reserve (LA) St. Augustine - Stewart has a case to be the No. 1 overall player in his class when Rivals releases its 2026 rankings. A massive defensive line prospect, Stewart has been on the UT campus before and liked what he saw. Getting him back on the 40 Acres could be prove to be big as his process is in its early stages.
LB Justin Williams – Conroe Oak Ridge, Rivals250 – All signs pointed to Oregon early but that talk has cooled down of late. Williams recently released a top 6 of Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Oregon, USC and Auburn.
LB Payton Pierce – Lucas Lovejoy, Rivals100 – Texas is squarely in the mix here but schools like Oklahoma and Notre Dame have also generated a ton of buzz, especially after he visited the Irish last week. It’s worth noting that he is very close with the Umeozulu family.
LB Tyanthony Smith – Jasper – He’s visited Texas several times, including for a game in the fall. He plans to narrow things down this summer and Texas will make the cut.
LB Brock Jackson – Lumberton – Has a handful of offers from programs like Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Houston, Missouri and Texas Tech.
LB Sandy Lewis – Lafayette Christian Academy – Another of the Lafayette Christian guys. Bama and A&M are among his early offers.
CB Braylon Conley – Atascocita – Texas offered in the fall. He’s got about 20 offers total. Don’t have a lot of intel right now on UT’s position so he’ll be a guy we’ll want to catch up with following the junior day.
CB Ju’Juan Johnson – Lafayette Christian Academy, Rivals250 – Already holds a Texas offer, along with offers from pretty much the entire SEC.
S Ka'Davion Dotson – Duncanville, Rivals100 – Elite DB that’s been on UT’s radar for several years. He’s a guy that’s visited Texas a ton. It’ll be a battle for him but Texas is a definite contender.
S Corian Gipson – Lancaster, Rivals250 – Like Dotson above, Gipson has been on UT’s radar for a while and the long, rangy DB has been at just about every Texas recruiting event over the last 18 months.
ATH Jaden Allen – Aledo (Texas commitment), Rivals100 – Allen has been and continues to be locked in. He’s pretty reserved but will probably try to sell others on why he chose Texas.
We will keep you posted.
