Quick Hitter | Vibe on Campus

– CJ Vogel

There has been a gradual increase of burnt orange on campus over the past couple of weeks as expected.

Students I’ve talked to are beginning to look into the future about possible trips to Dallas for a Big 12 Championship game, or even brainstorming about where Texas will end up come bowl season.

Though there is some hesitancy, as we have all been through the tumultuous ride over the last 8-9 years, some are slower to buy into the hype surrounding the 9th ranked Longhorns. Many are still anticipating outcomes like last year’s Oklahoma State or Texas Tech games to spout up at any moment this season.

Regardless, the excitement surrounding the student body is the highest I’ve ever seen. Obviously winning on the field plays a large role in the revival of students taking exuberant pride in their team again, but praise should also be directed at Chris Del Conte for constructing an actual student section environment at DKR.

Two Longhorns Added to Major Awards Watch Lists

– Will Baizer

Sam Ehlinger was added to the watch list for the 2018 Maxwell Award on Wednesday, announced by the Maxwell Football Club. The award honors the Player of the Year in college football.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey was added to the 2018 watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced on Wednesday morning. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding FBS receiver, regardless of position. No Longhorn has ever won the award, which was first presented in 1994, but Jordan Shipley was a finalist in 2009.

Quick-Hitters | 5-Star RB, JUCO LB + Committed Interest

– Super K

***I stopped by Buchanan HS in the Fresno (CA) area to see 2020 5-star running back, Kendall Milton.

I’ll post some thoughts on what I saw but I wanted to pass on a note on his recruitment. I spoke with Milton after practice and we talked about his interest in Texas. He talked about how impressed he’s been with the turnaround Herman has made. He watched the Red River Rivalry.

Milton said the coach he was closest with who used to be at USC is now in the NFL but said coach apparently recommended a current college running back as a coach Milton should seriously considering playing for.

That coach? Stan Drayton.

***Later today I’ll be heading over to Fullerton College to get a look at Texas JUCO LB target, Caleb Johnson. As you know, Johnson is expected to be in Austin this upcoming weekend.

***Some of you have asked about a rumor regarding a particular Texas target committed elsewhere who recently reached out to the Longhorns staff.

That did indeed happen, however, I’ll note two things.

a) While the player has long been a top target for Texas, I’m starting to wonder if Texas will have room for him, even if he did decide to flip.

b) Obviously, him being committed elsewhere has kept the player and the family pretty quiet but I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it to Texas, quietly, for a visit.

Logan Parr | Quick Hitter

– Andrew King

Another big recruit can be added to the Texas-Baylor visitor list.

O’Conner (TX) ’20 offensive guard Logan Parr let me know that he and his parents will be making the trip to Austin for the game on Saturday. Parr visited Texas for the Tulsa game earlier this year and picked up an offer from Tom Herman right before the game began.

Parr is excited about this trip for two reasons. This will be his first visit to Texas with an offer, so he doesn’t have to worry about that. It is also the first time his mother will join him on a trip to Texas, so he’s very excited about that.

I’d call Texas the early leader in this recruitment right now. Obviously, him making a second trip to Texas already this season tells a lot. He already holds offers from LSU, Oklahoma, Michigan, and others. So he’s a high priority for a lot of big-name schools in the 2020 class.

Five-Star RB Zachary Evans | Visit Plans

– Andrew King

Earlier this week there was some chatter that North Shore (TX) 5-star ’20 RB Zachary Evans was planning to visit Texas this weekend. I checked in with some sources to see what the plan was.

The first source I talked to at North Shore told me he wasn’t sure if Evans or any of the North Shore recruits would be visiting Texas this weekend. Since it’s an afternoon kick and North Shore has 9:30am team workouts on Saturday’s, followed by film study. He said Evans could still make it in though but wasn’t 100% sure on what the plan was.

Then there was talk on twitter that Evans would be joining 5-star Texas A&M ’20 WR commit Demond Demas and his trainer for a trip to Ohio State instead of going to Texas. So I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I then talked to another source close to Evans and he told me “we’ll be at Texas this weekend.”

Travel plans can always fall through and other things can happen. But if Evans visits anywhere this weekend, it’ll be Texas.

Quick Hitter | Possible Official Visitor

– Charlie S

– We have learned that a 2019 player currently committed elsewhere may be taking an official visit to Texas this weekend for the Baylor Game.

– Obviously, this is something that the player does not want out as this point, however, once the visit is confirmed and he is headed to campus, we will pass along the name.