2026 Texas Longhorns Recruiting / Team News Thread

[Horns602]

Nice

[pgardn]

"..3. Texas Longhorns
Area of concern: Offensive line

The Longhorns lost four starters on the O-line to the NFL draft and are breaking in a new quarterback, although Arch Manning made two starts last season, as well as several key receivers with the losses of Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond and tight end Gunnar Helm. They lost tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., the 2025 No. 9 draft pick, but Trevor Goosby got some key playing time last year at the position when Banks was injured. The Longhorns also lost 56-game starter Jake Majors at center and face Ohio State in Week 1, posing a quick learning curve for an almost completely new offensive line group. -- Dave Wilson..."

https://www.espn.com.au/college-foot...all-teams-2025

Ouch. Might be a longer year for Arch than many realize.

Arch may actually help this year’s offensive line by using his mobility and not self sacking himself. This years o line will be using a new scheme which involves much less outside zone on running plays simply because the interior has the capability of runblocking. This should bring some sense of relief for anyone who watched the run blocking against really good defenses (Georgia twice and Ohio State.) The concern is how well the interior pass blocks. All of the players on the interior this year played many snaps last year so they have some experience. But Umeozulu and Cole Hutson, replacements for Conner and Majors respectively, were clearly stronger, better run blockers but did not start (barring injuries to starters) because they did not pass block as well. Interior pass blocking is key imo. Also the loss of Majors in calling or pointing out blocking patterns will be missed.


If Cedric Baxter returns later in the season along with a new scheme of run blocking that fits the aforementioned players, we might actually be able to run the ball in on goal line situations ((Arch as an option, aides red zone touchdowns most likely as well) We might even be really good at it with Baxter.

I am getting the sense we might be really good at OT this year despite the experience and depth.. Stay healthy.

[TFloss32]

RB Derrek Cooper of Hollywood, FL has a new commitment date of July 20th.

A prediction from an On3 Miami mod.

https://247sports.com/player/derrek-cooper-46147129/

[TFloss32]

[Biily Ray Valentine]

RB Derrek Cooper of Hollywood, FL has a new commitment date of July 20th.

A prediction from an On3 Miami mod.

https://247sports.com/player/derrek-cooper-46147129/

Burton is typically very conservative, but if you read between the lines, he is really hot on Texas' chances with Cooper. He's trying his best, but he's giving me a really good feeling about this one.

[TFloss32]

https://247sports.com/player/davon-benjamin-46136772/

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

RB Derrek Cooper of Hollywood, FL has a new commitment date of July 20th.

A prediction from an On3 Miami mod.

https://247sports.com/player/derrek-cooper-46147129/

Loy from 247 wrote "as of today, I think Texas gets this one done."

[TFloss32]

As of this morning, Hamilton at OTF has Texas as the favorite for RB Derrek Cooper (65%) and LB Tyler Atkinson (55%).

On Atkinson, he expects a decision "shortly" between Georgia and Texas.

https://247sports.com/player/derrek-cooper-46147129/

https://247sports.com/player/tyler-atkinson-46131661/

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

OTF added Texas will also continue to pursue DT James Johnson, DE Trenton Henderson, LB Brayden Rouse and ATH Jalen Lott.

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

IT confirmed they are hearing the talk of a commitment happening tomorrow.

They said it's difficult to get top-tier prospects across the commitment line right now unless you lie to them, so it sounds like a bigger name that may need more time to play out.

[TFloss32]

[pgardn]

OTF added Texas will also continue to pursue DT James Johnson, DE Trenton Henderson, LB Brayden Rouse and ATH Jalen Lott.

I did not realize we would keep pursuing Lott.
Very good news.

[TFloss32]

IT confirmed they are hearing the talk of a commitment happening tomorrow.

They said it's difficult to get top-tier prospects across the commitment line right now unless you lie to them, so it sounds like a bigger name that may need more time to play out.

IT reporting LB Tyler Atkinson of Loganville, GA will be committing today, and Nahlin has put in a Texas pick of 60%.

https://247sports.com/player/tyler-atkinson-46131661/

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

IT reporting LB Tyler Atkinson of Loganville, GA will be committing today, and Nahlin has put in a Texas pick of 60%.

https://247sports.com/player/tyler-atkinson-46131661/

It will happen on McAfee's show.

[TFloss32]

[TFloss32]

[Biily Ray Valentine]

2 5 stars in one day. Tyler Atkinson commits early in the day, then James Johnson flips from Georgia to Texas.

[Rob57dal]

2 5 stars in one day. Tyler Atkinson commits early in the day, then James Johnson flips from Georgia to Texas.

Hearing there is one more out there.