Report: Texas Longhorns defensive lineman expected to return to the program

According to Mike Roach of Horns247, Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Jordon Thomas is expected to return to the program. The true freshman stepped away from football in the fall, citing personal issues.

Coming out of high school, Thomas was rated a four-star prospect according to the On3 Consensus. A native of Port Arthur, TX, the edge rusher was rated the No. 45 player within the Lone Star State and No. 25 at his position.

When Thomas was announcing his college decision, Texas A&M was the other school in the running. Then head coach Tom Herman was able to pull out the victory to land the highly touted pass rusher.

Texas had major problems on the defensive line during the 2021 season, especially with the pass rush. Thomas, plus a good defensive line haul from the 2022 class, should bring immediate reinforcements for Bo Davis and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.

Ever since Joseph Ossai left Austin, the Longhorns have struggled to find a suitable replacement off the edge. Four players were tied with the team lead in sacks during the 2021 season with two. One was linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, while Alfred Collins, Byron Murphy, and Ovie Oghoufo were the other three.

Thomas will have the opportunity to come into spring camp and compete for immediate playing time. All four of the previously mentioned players will be returning as well, hoping to improve in Year Two under Kwiatkowski.

Texas Longhorns hire wide receivers coach

The Texas Longhorns officially introduced Brennan Marion as the program’s next passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Friday. On3’s Matt Zenitz first reported the news Thursday.

Marion comes to Texas from Pittsburgh, where he spent this past season as the wide receivers coach. Prior to that, he held the same role for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in 2020.

Marion also had interest from one Group of 5 offensive coordinator opening but is instead moving to Austin to join Sarkisian’s staff. He’s been a bit of a journeyman the last few years. Texas will be Marion’s seventh school since jumping to college coaching in 2015. Now, he will be tasked with coaching up a position that has been a weakness for the Longhorns over the past few seasons.

He started his college coaching career with Arizona State as a quality control assistant in 2015 before moving to Oklahoma Baptist as running backs coach in 2016. After working as Howard’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2017-18, Marion took the same position at William & Mary in 2019.