Ketch’s Longhorns football section
* Everyone I spoke with this week regarding the Arch Manning concussion was very quick to deflect anything that sounded remotely official with regards to whether he will play on Saturday, but not a single person has tapped the brakes once in the last 48 hours. “He’s trying to get out on the field. He knows what’s on the line in this game,” a team source told me. “It’s going to come down to what the doctors decide, but he hasn’t had any setbacks this week.
“Arch wants to play. He’s been to two practices this week already. Tomorrow will be three. As long as the doctors give him the go-ahead…” (More: Thursday injury report)
* Sources have been very quick to defend Manning this week. “A lot of our fans need to pull the stick out of their *** when it comes to Arch,” one vocal source said this week. “Show me a tougher kid in our program. Show me another player that has left it out on the field. The coaches are asking him to do everything out there and he’s getting killed every week. These Texas fans that think we can easily survive without him don’t have a goddamn clue. That kid has earned the respect in the locker room. He doesn’t need to, but he’s earning it this week. These people that are out here waiting for the back-up to play? I’ve had to log off (Orangebloods). Some of these fans don’t deserve (Arch). Quote that.”
Done.
* Texas safety Michael Taaffe has been listed as questionable on the official injury report, but one source told me on Thursday that nothing has been settled, even though his participation levels in practice suggest that he’s certainly going to try. “I don’t know,” one source that believes Manning has a very good chance of playing replied when asked about Taaffe’s availability.
Anwar’s Longhorns football section
* The sense inside the building is that Texas’ defense came out of last week with a sharper edge and renewed focus. Coaches felt the unit grew stronger as the game went on, especially in how it communicated and adjusted at the line of scrimmage. This week’s emphasis has been on cleaning up early mistakes, getting aligned faster, and executing pressure looks with greater precision.
* The staff also believes that if the defense starts faster against Vanderbilt, it can seize control early, dictate tempo, and impose its will from the opening series.
* Awareness and gap integrity have been major focal points in preparation for Vanderbilt’s shifting tight-end looks. The Commodores like to disguise plays with heavy sets and motion before slipping into play-action or boot concepts, so coaches have been drilling patience and eye discipline throughout the week.
* Edge defenders have been reminded during practice to contain the quarterback and funnel runs back inside. The message has been consistent — stay sound, play your keys, and make Vanderbilt drive the length of the field.
* There’s growing confidence in the punt return unit after steady improvement over the past few weeks. The blocking has been cleaner, the timing sharper, and Ryan Niblett has earned praise for his poise under pressure and his ability to read coverage with patience.
* The energy around practice this week has centered on urgency and fast starts. Coaches have emphasized intensity from the first period, determined to carry tempo and focus from practice to kickoff. The goal has been to establish rhythm and control from the opening snap rather than settling in later in the game.
* Confidence in the quarterback room continues to build after last week’s closing stretch. Teammates have noticed composure and leadership in crucial moments, and that presence has carried into preparation for Vanderbilt. Extra time has gone into timing with receivers, particularly on perimeter routes and quick reads, as the passing game continues to find its rhythm.
* I was told the defensive front has approached this week as a statement opportunity. Coaches have emphasized discipline and leverage against a mobile quarterback who can extend plays when the pocket breaks down. The plan has been clear — collapse space quickly, tighten rush lanes, and force him to throw on schedule.
* In addition, the focus has been on trusting preparation, tuning out outside noise, and approaching every drive with the same edge they showed late against Kentucky and Mississippi State. There’s a belief that if that mindset carries over, it can set the tone for the stretch run.
* The mindset across the offense this week has been rooted in maturity and focus. The staff has continued to stress staying the course through adversity and trusting the process rather than pressing for results.
* Everyone inside the building remains encouraged by Ryan Wingo’s development. I was told his biggest area of focus right now is using his eyes to track the ball all the way into his hands to consistently make routine catches.
Jason’s Texas recruiting section
Before we take a peek at some of this weekend’s expected visitors, a few quick-hitter updates on three Texas commits who will not be able to make it to Austin this weekend, but it’s actually good news with all three guys …
* With the calendar about to flip to November, it feels like it’s time to have weekly updates (maybe multiple each week) on Texas running back commitment Derrek Cooper (Chaminade-Madonna, 4-star, national No. 40) before the early signing window opens on December 3. Cooper can’t make it to this week’s Texas game because he plays Friday night, but a source close to him told OB that he’ll be in Austin again for the Arkansas game. Cooper attended the Texas-OU game in Dallas and was last in Austin for his official visit the weekend of the Sam Houston game.
* Miami isn’t throwing in the towel on Cooper, but a Miami source indicated late this week that the vibe around that program still favors Cooper signing with Texas in January. Miami “still really wants him” and “they’ll keep swinging,” but the confidence in Coral Gables isn’t extremely high.
* Texas cornerback commitment Hayward Howard (New Orleans Edna Karr, 4-star, national No. 353) is unable to make it to the game this weekend because flights weren’t available, but he’ll be at the Arkansas game next weekend. I don’t think there was much to be worried about with this one, but it’s a positive step after Howard was on LSU’s campus last weekend for the Tigers’ game against Texas A&M.
* UT’s other corner commitment, Samari Matthews (Cornelius NC Hough, 4-star, national No. 114), was hoping to make it in for the Arkansas game next week, but he told OB this week he doesn’t think he’ll be at any of the remaining Texas home games. No worries … “Honestly, I don’t think I’ll be back in Austin until January” (when he enrolls), Matthews said.
* Texas continues to target players in the 2026 class at positions like OL, LB and in the secondary. Last week, the Longhorns put an offer on the table for S Toray Davis (Boulder CO Fairview, 3-star, national No. 501). A recent UCLA decommitment, Davis has taken recent OVs to Wisconsin and Washington. There’s been chatter of him being in Austin, sources indicated to OB that as of Thursday, he will not be visiting Texas this week.
* With it being an 11 a.m. kick on Saturday, we’re not expecting recruits to flood to the game. Look for much bigger turnouts against Arkansas and Texas A&M in the coming weeks. That being said, some of the more interesting names that have confirmed they’ll be in attendance this week when the Longhorns host Vanderbilt …
2026 LB Karon Maycock (official visit) – Miami Central – Florida State commitment – Texas offered him about a week ago and he quickly set up a Texas official visit. That’s a good sign as the Horns work to add one more linebacker to this class and flip him from FSU.
WR Easton Royal – New Orleans Brother Martin – 2027 – He’s the No. 1-ranked receiver in the country in his class, so getting him in town is a big deal. We’ll see what happens with him and LSU, but Texas has told him they want to get him up to Austin a bunch. This is step one.
S JayQuan Snell – Waxahachie – 2027 – This one is on the books, but Snell is known to change plans at the last minute so let’s call this one a maybe. If he comes in, that’s big. If not, I fully expect him to be at one of the other remaining Texas home games, if not both.
WR Kesean Bowman – Nashville Brentwood Academy – 2027 – The former Oregon commit was in talks with Texas even while he was pledged to the Ducks. Now Texas will try to impress him in person.
WR Gavin Honore – Mater Dei – 2027 – He’s been on our list for a couple of months but things have been quiet of late with the Georgia commit. Checking with him to see if he’s still making it in.
RB Amir Brown – Raleigh NC Rolesville – 2027 – The early Texas offer and one-time North Carolina commitment mentioned in various reports earlier in the fall that he’d be at this game. Got messages out to confirm but still waiting for confirmation. Texas offered back in May.
RB Jayshawn Gibson – Richland – 2027 – He has a solid offer sheet with schools like Arizona, Arkansas, Baylor, K-State, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech and Utah among the schools on his list. Texas is continuing to evaluate.
WR Jordan Frohock – Pflugerville Weiss – 2027 – The local product will be back on the Forty Acres for another visit.
WR Briceson Thrower – North Forney – 2027 – Picked up a UT offer at the Longhorns’ Elite Camp over the summer. Should be Briceson Catcher, amirite?
ATH Kam Brown – West Rusk – 2028 – Multi-sport ATH who will be at the game.
Cody’s transfer portal section
With the 2026 Transfer Portal Window being just a short 14 days this Winter (Jan 2-16), I want to get an early crack on Potential Transfer Portal Targets in January. Here are three positions I see as pivotal to HIT this time around. In the past two weeks, I’ve hit RB, DT, RG, and C.
*Running Back
1) Makhi Frazier, Michigan State (5-10 218 lbs) – #5
*2nd-year Head Coach Jonathan Smith seems to be on the hot seat in East Lansing, despite having losing three tough road games in the conference, two against ranked opponents and one home game against rival Michigan. After a 3-0 start, with Junior QB Aiden Chiles and Sophomore weapons Nick Marsh and Makhi Frazier as the stars, the Spartans have since lost 5 consecutive games. I don’t think Smith is fired, but a lot of the bigger names in Media believe Smith’s name will be mentioned in those conversations, not to mention his alma mater and former employer Oregon State job is back open. Who knows. Onto Frazier, who was a 3-star running back out of McKinney High School in Texas, he was persued by Michigan State, Arkansas, Missouri, and Minnesota among others. Texas did not offer Frazier out of high school
*68th graded Rusher on PFF (77.4), averaging 4.5 yards per carry in 2025. Wisner is the 82nd graded RB (74.8) with 3.9 yards per carry. Frazier doesn’t fit the mold of Wisner as much as he does the Baxter/Gibson “beef” role, per se. However he has shown the ability to create explosive plays, he has two of them in 2025 so far. The latest came in Week 10 against Michigan, see it here.
*The only All-22 I was able to get my hands on was against UCLA, where Frazier rushed for 58 yards on 12 carries. Frazier plays behind a mild offensive line that was able to move bodies at times, but found most of its success on zone concepts that allowed Frazier to find his lane and go, creating through defenders, similar to Wisner. In 128 career touches, Frazier has 0 fumbles. Lacking the real breakaway speed that we might desire in a tailback in the Texas offense, Frazier is a back that can come in on day 1 and replace a Tre Wisner in 2026, if Wisner decides to end his eligibility and join a “light” 2026 NFL Draft Running Back group. In the previous few weeks we’ve broken down running backs from the G5 level, including Cam Cook from Jacksonville State. His speed is more tantalizing to me than Fraziers’ but the one game against UCLA that I was able to watch shows his ability to create through Power and Wiggle in tight spaces. He shows advanced decisiveness and good field vision that shows me he can play at a high level in the SEC and rush for well over 1,000 yards in the right offense. Another offseason in a high-end strength training program, and I guy like this could be a problem.
*Center
2) Austin Kawecki – Oklahoma State (6-4 305 lbs) – #51
*Austin Kawecki is a RS Junior from Lebanon Trail in Frisco, TX. He was a 3-star Offensive Tackle recruit in 2022 with offers from Oklahoma State, Auburn, Baylor, and USC. The biggest block in this post-Mike Gundy Oklahoma State quagmire is the fact that his Mother and Sister graduated from Texas Tech. So if he enters the Transfer Portal this winter, expect the Red Raiders to be in that conversation… however, Tech did add Sophomore Cash Cleveland in the Transfer Portal at the Center position from Colorado in the 2025 Transfer Portal, so I may be over digging on the Tech front.
*Kawecki is the 39th graded Center in Pass Blocking on PFF this year (74.8) and the 69th in Run Blocking (57.5) out of 82 qualified Centers. Connor Robertson and Cole Hitson are 33rd and 36th in Run Blocking, but currently sit 76th and 77th among Pass Blockers in the Power 4, among 82.
*The game I watched for Kawecki was against Cincinnati, while I can’t link the All-22 tape here. I did find a YouTube highlight version for those interested. Kawecki is the Center and #51. For the better part of the game against the Bearcats, Austin is matched up with a behemoth of a Defensive Tackle and one of the better DTs in the sport, Dontay Corleone. Corleone was 1st team All-Big 12 and 1st team All-AAC with Cincinnati in previous seasons. He is listed at 6’2″ 335 lbs. Throughout the game Kawecki didn’t allow a single disruption @AlexDunlap, and he’s only been called for 1 penalty all season. While he can get a bit upright at times, allowing stronger defenders to manipulate his frame, his athleticism assists him well in Pass set and RPO protections. Part of his deficiency in the run game seems to be his natural pass protector abilities, which sounds odd, but he at times just reacts in the run game. By that I mean he attacks with long arms and rather than be the hammer, he allows the defender to get into him, before he turns the power on and attempts to transport the defender. His feet are good, but could improve the efficiency at which he works with them as the game goes on. Stops working almost too often before the whistle, not the only lineman to do that. FIND SOME WORK. Not a great multi-tasker in the run game, instead of controlling a man and progressing, he shucks and proceeds to miss the intended second defender. Needs to do a better job on Mission 1 before progressing.
*Left Tackle
3) Jordan Seaton – Colorado (6-5 330 lbs) – #77
*This is the absolute best case scenario for the offseason on the offensive line. Seaton is unlikely to enter the portal, but if Deion Sanders takes the potentially open Florida State job after Mike Norvell is dropped at years end. Look for Seaton to jump in and heavily consider offers from the big dogs… Alabama, Ohio State, Miami, and Texas. Many will ask, “What about Trevor Goosby,” and my answer is one of two things, Goosby still has a chance to enter the NFL Draft this spring. And if he doesn’t, you still attack Seaton heavily and build the best Offensive Line possible. Goosby can play Right Tackle just as good as he can Left Tackle, and quite honestly, might be better at Right. Plug Seaton in at Left Tackle and have Brandon Baker bump inside to Right Guard to replace DJ Campbell. Personally, I love that.
*Not a lot needs to be said about Seaton. This is a little bit of a pipe dream, and if it opens, it will cost Quarterback money; that’s why most schools will be out. Alabama and Miami will lose Left Tackles (Proctor/Mauigoa) to the NFL Draft this spring and will be hammers in this race. Seaton is the No.3 graded Tackle in Pass Protection in College Football as a True Sophomore. With Freshman All-American honors, a Five-Star pedigree out of high school, and multiple six-figure NIL deals, Seaton is just one more All-American Season away at whatever school he plays at, from being a Top 10 pick in the NFL Draft. Checkout this game replay of Seaton (#77) at Left Tackle for Colorado.
Jalen’s Texas basketball section
* I attended an open media window for Texas basketball today, and although no serious scrimmages took place, a few players still stood out during drills. First off, Jordan Pope’s ball-handling has taken a noticeable step forward. Combined with his footwork, agility and natural scoring ability, I can definitely see him excelling in Sean Miller’s offense, and the staff clearly sees it too. They were very impressed.
* Chendall Weaver and Dailyn Swain looked strong on the defensive end, showing quick feet and excelling in drills such as defensive slides and box-outs. After suffering an ACL injury and a foot sprain earlier this offseason, Lassina Traore also looked great physically. There didn’t appear to be any limitations in his movement, and, frankly, you wouldn’t have guessed he was coming off a season-ending injury.
* Miller also discussed how impressive Chendall Weaver has been this offseason, saying, “Of all our players, when our team came together for the first time, Chendall may have been the most consistent, not only in his quality of play every day, but in his demeanor, showing up early to the gym, staying late and being super competitive in everything we do.”
* Head coach Sean Miller emphasized that the team’s strength lies in its guard play and overall experience, and after today’s practice window, that statement comes as no surprise. Jordan Pope, Chendall Weaver, Tramon Mark and Dailyn Swain have emerged as clear leaders and have shown steady improvement throughout the offseason.
* Regarding true freshman John Clark, Miller said the former four-star power forward is one of the most coachable freshmen he’s ever worked with. The only setback for Clark, Miller noted, was the time he missed during his senior year of high school because of an injury. Since then, the staff has done a phenomenal job getting him back into top shape and has been impressed with how much he’s been able to absorb, especially following the injuries to Vokietais and Traore this offseason.
