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Recapping a busy run of days for Texas Football

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•01/08/24
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Alfred Collins (Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports)

From Thursday through Sunday there was plenty of movement on multiple fronts for Texas Football. In case you missed any of it, here’s a recap of what has taken place so nothing falls through the cracks.

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New linebacker coach hired

Perhaps the biggest news was the hiring of Arizona defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Johnny Nansen. The move had been expected for over a week and it was finally announced by the school. 

Nansen has extensive history with Steve Sarkisian as well recruiting Southern California. If Sark constructed a hire in a lab a la Weird Science, he’d probably come up with his old friend Nansen. 

Alfred Collins returning for fifth year

The defensive tackle returning will be one of the biggest stories of the offseason just like T’Vondre Sweat‘s return last year. Replacing Sweat and Byron Murphy was already going to be difficult enough. Collins gives next year’s group a certified disruptor with length and versatility to play multiple positions. 

Fans get excited about shiny new additions but retention is often more important. Texas would have had zero chance to replace Collins through the portal.

Portal exPorts

Four scholarship players entered the portal over the weekend. They are safety Jerrin Thompson, safety Kitan Crawford, defensive tackle Trill Carter, and quarterback Charles Wright. None came as a surprise, though Carter could have gone either way. 

Thompson and Crawford are looking for fresh starts after playing meaningful roles for Texas this year. Crawford may still declare for the NFL Draft as a potential special teams standout. 

Carter was on the fence to return. Once he entered it portended good things for Texas’ chances of landing Houston defensive tackle Ja’Maree Caldwell. 

The staff wanted Wright to stay but he’s seeking playing time after fulfilling his scholarship obligations and graduating. Soon-to-be true freshman Trey Owns now has a chance to become the third string quarterback. He impressed all week at the All-American bowl in San Antonio. 

Potential portal imPorts

Texas hosted wide receiver CJ Daniels on Sunday. Daniels helped lead the way for a 13-1 Liberty squad after compiling 55 receptions for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns. 

Texas has already added stud athlete Matthew Golden from Houston at the position but with the departures of Jordan Whittington and Xavier Worthy, as well as the expected departure of Adonai Mitchell, Texas is in the market for a second transfer receiver. 

Daniels will visit Oregon next.

Texas is also taking a look at Dorian Singer at USC and LaJohntay Wester at FAU. Singer had a quiet year at USC but was very productive at Arizona the year prior. Sark will have Nansen’s personal evaluation of Singer and that will assuredly carry weight. Wester had over 100 receptions for Tom Herman at FAU this season. 

At defensive tackle, keep a close eye on Houston’s Ja’Maree Caldwell. The second team All-Big 12 performer would be just what the doctor ordered after losing Sweat and Murphy.

Juan Davis runs an in and out route

The quiet tight end’s name populated in the portal but then was withdrawn minutes later. We don’t know the back story on that one but he’ll be at Texas this Spring. With Ja’Tavion Sanders departing he’ll have a good opportunity for more playing time. 

Davis might be undersized but he certainly doesn’t lack for athleticism. 

Players declare

Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and cornerback Ryan Watts decided to forgo their remaining eligibility. Sanders came as no surprise while there was the potential Watts could return to Texas and give safety a shot. 

Whether through the portal or draft, Texas has lost seven defensive backs in the last month and change.

Undeclared players

Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron is still weighing his options with his inner circle. Texas’ stud nickel has until the 15th to make his decision on going pro or returning for a fifth season. We’re not predicting he’ll return but it is possible at this time. 

Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell still hasn’t made his intentions public, which is perhaps somewhat noteworthy. The only issue is, all of IT’s information points towards him electing to declare for the draft. 

Sark negotiations 

Finally, Inside Texas reported negotiations have begun for an extension for head coach Sarkisian. That is not surprising. What’s newsworthy is IT expects these negotiations to very smooth which each side extremely happy with the relationship. 

Sark feels like he’s at home and Texas feels like it has the right man steering the ship. We went into much more detail on the Inside Texas Members Forum.

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