Official Orangebloods ******** Meter
5 – Total and undeniable ******** (Vince Young hurt his hand in a fight the night before Texas/OU)
4 – Probably ********, but we probably shouldn’t be emphatic about it
3 – There’s enough of a possibility of it being true, that we should file it away just in case.
2 – You think it’s probably going to happen, but things can change in the blink of an eye. (It’s Austin.)
1 – Total and undeniable truth
Let’s get on with it.
Rumor: All is calm behind the scenes of Texas Football, despite the online world melting down following a close win over Kentucky
Grade: 1
I’ve reached out to a number of people this week to get a check on the pulse of the program and the sense that I get is that there’s so much focus on saving this season that there hasn’t been a lot of time for the self-reflection that needs to occur. I was told that Steve Sarkisian is pretty singularly focused on this upcoming game and zero consideration to this season ending without a playoff spot. “He went out of his way to say we’re a playoff program this week,” a source said. “That’s what he keeps reminding everyone. That’s who he says we are and that’s what he expects us to be. Who knows what this thing will look like if that officially is off the table, but this is a program that still has everyone charging in the same direction.” (Ketch)
Rumor: The Manning Family is disgruntled …
Grade: 4
Look, I’m sure this season hasn’t been easy to stomach at all times for each and every member of the Manning crew, but I haven’t heard any kind of grumbling behind the scenes that would make me think there’s a problem. That has not been the case with every Texas quarterback that I can think of going back to … say … 2017. If there’s any discontent at all, no one is sensing it behind the scenes and no one is running as an intermediary to plant the seeds of a problem. Arch is about as dialed into this team as it gets and the players rally for him at every turn. It doesn’t feel like it would be in his family’s DNA to run away from football adversity because it was too tough to deal with. Maybe more than anyone else, those associated with the Manning family understand that becoming a high-level quarterback is a process and that part of what is happening this year is what Arch’s process looks like. Things remain very calm on that front.
Rumor: It’s going to be Texas or Miami for Derrek Cooper in the end
Grade: 2
I could probably go with a one on this one and feel pretty safe, but recruiting can always take a wild turn so I’ll play it fairly conservative and grade this one as a two. Everything we continue to hear is that Cooper is happy with his Texas commitment, but he was back at Miami yet again last Friday to watch the Hurricanes fall to Louisville. Miami isn’t going away in this one but rumor has it that the Longhorns have the most attractive NIL offer (one person said “by quite a bit”), and Cooper likes the opportunity that’s available to play early at Texas. The good news for Texas … Cooper is planning to return to at least one of the Longhorns’ remaining home games, per someone close to him, although he and his family are still working out dates as they wait out Chaminade-Madonna’s playoff schedule. (Suchomel)
Rumor: Texas is going to have to fight to win over Ismael Camara
Grade: 1
This one isn’t really a juicy rumor, because it’s becoming more and more obvious that 2027 OL Ismael Camara is going to be one of the most sought-after prospects in the country. The national rankings services have caught up to what we’ve been saying since the summer … that Camara could challenge to be the best offensive lineman in the country for his class. Rivals recently moved Camara up to No. 22 nationally and he’s the No. 3-ranked interior offensive lineman in the country, although we continue to hear his future is likely at tackle as he continues to grow. Camara, who is originally from France, is just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential, and just about every school in the nation has taken notice. He’ll be at LSU this weekend to watch the Tigers host Texas A&M. Both schools figure to draw heavy consideration as Kamara works through the recruiting process. (Suchomel)
Rumor: Texas Tech remains the team to beat for 2027 QB Kavian Bryant
Grade: 1
We’re a little more than one week out from Palestine Westwood quarterback Kavian Bryant’s commitment, which is scheduled for November 1. Officially, the 2027 dual-threat QB is down to five schools – Florida State, SMU, Texas, Colorado and Texas Tech – but the Red Raiders continue to be the team to beat, as we’ve been reporting for months. The confidence in Lubbock in this one has the same feeling as it did when Felix Ojo was ready to make his announcement, and everyone knows how that one turned out. (Suchomel)
