{"id":398900,"date":"2026-08-06T02:26:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T02:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/398900\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T02:26:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T02:26:08","slug":"steve-sarkisian-provides-updates-on-first-texas-practice-of-preseason-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/398900\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Sarkisian provides updates on first Texas practice of preseason camp"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 On a seasonably hot afternoon on the Forty Acres, the Texas Longhorns held the first practice of preseason camp on Wednesday at Frank Denius Fields.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Afterward, head coach Steve Sarkisian met with the media as he prepares for his sixth season in burnt orange and white, which includes expectations even higher than the team\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.burntorangenation.com\/texas-longhorns-football\/103647\/texas-longhorns-preseason-coaches-poll\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">No. 4 ranking in the preseason Coaches Poll<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cAs always, it\u2019s great to be back on the grass with the team and as much as things have changed with some of the rules and being out with the guys in the summer, there\u2019s nothing like putting helmets on and being on the grass and practicing,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cOne thing we talk to the team about is getting back to the intent in which we need to practice and transition out of what we were in the summer to who we need to be in camp, and so it\u2019s our first day. I didn\u2019t expect us to be perfect. We\u2019ve got a long way to go. There were some bright spots, there were some rough spots, but in the end, it\u2019s the first day. It was great being back out there. It\u2019s great sweating with everybody and and going through it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">For freshman cornerback John Meredith, who arrived in Austin last week after reclassifying from 2027, getting through the first practice wasn\u2019t easy, having to battle through some cramping issues that Sarkisian termed a freshman moment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cGetting in shape and competing at the level of which we\u2019re competing at is is not easy to do, but he\u2019s working hard, and there\u2019s some positive \u2014 he\u2019s a competitive guy, that\u2019s for sure, so that showed up today,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">The 6\u20192, 185-pounder, who is wearing No. 0 for the Longhorns, was one of five Texas players to have cramping problems on Wednesday, a significantly lower number than Sarkisian\u2019s first preseason camp practice back in 2021, when 38 players went down with cramps, he said, a number that has decreased every year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Offensive lineman Cole Hutson was not among the players who had to battle the heat on Wednesday, even though the temporary restraining order he was granted by an Austin judge <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BobbyBurtonOTF\/status\/2083269949485658337\" rel=\"nofollow\">reportedly<\/a> allows him to practice with the team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Sarkisian didn\u2019t have an update on Hutson when he met with the media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cI think we\u2019ll find out more about Cole here probably within the next week or so,\u201d Sarkisian said. \u201cI think there\u2019s some positive signs to to that thing coming to fruition, but we\u2019ll see what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Later on Wednesday evening, however, the news broke that the NCAA has agreed that the Colorado injunction granting players in the 2022 class another year of eligibility also applies to Hutson, negating the need for a hearing in Austin.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Wednesday\u2019s practice did include a player working at a new position, as junior Kobe Black is transitioning from corner to safety.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cKobe\u2019s been a nice addition for us there because he gives us position flexibility,\u201d Sarkisian said. \u201cHis versatility to obviously play man coverage being a corner. I think he\u2019s a very smart player. He\u2019s savvy. He\u2019s got good instincts, and so you know, so far so good, right?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Standouts for Sarkisian included redshirt junior quarterback Arch Manning, who is trying to avoid another slow start after his much-documented struggles in non-conference play last season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of rough quarterback days, first day of practice. The defenses have seen all these same plays, all summer long. I thought he looked good,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">One highlight during the portion of practice open to the media was a deep ball to junior wide receiver Ryan Wingo.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Sarkisian also noted big runs from redshirt junior running back Hollywood Smothers and redshirt freshman running back Michael Terry, who is now up to 229 pounds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Freshman wide receiver Jermaine Bishop drew praise from Sarkisian, too, after spending the summer going through drills at defensive back.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cIt was good to have see Jermaine back on offense, too. I thought he did a couple nice things for us there,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Defensively, senior linebacker Rasheem Biles was \u201cflying around,\u201d including making a play in pass coverage 40 yards down the field, the type of ability that flashed the versatility that the Texas head coach saw show up on film when evaluating the Pittsburgh transfer before making contact with the 6\u20191, 222-pounder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cHe\u2019s athletic, he\u2019s fast, he\u2019s versatile. He can rush the passer. He\u2019s really good in pass coverage,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Other players drew notice for changing their bodies over the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Senior defensive tackle Ian Geffrard, who was listed at 387 pounds when he played for Arkansas last year, is down 25 pounds since arriving in Austin, according to Sarkisian.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cWhere his weight is at, what his body looks like right now, and his ability to move, that\u2019s super encouraging for us,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">On the other side of the spectrum, Sarkisian said that freshman wide receiver Kohen Brown \u201clooks phenomenal.\u201d Listed at 195 pounds when he signed with the Horns last December, Brown is now 202 pounds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cTalk about a guy who\u2019s bought into a college program,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Brown was reportedly <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CJVogel_OTF\/status\/2079945691380478365\" rel=\"nofollow\">clocked at 23.1 miles per hour<\/a> during summer conditioning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Freshman running back Derrek Cooper has also gained some muscle mass since signing, up over 10 pounds since signing, to 212 pounds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cFor a guy who\u2019s just getting here, he looks great,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Sophomore tight end Nick Townsend has gained about 10 pounds since last season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cI think Coach [Torre] Becton and his team do a great job with our guys all summer long, and I thought this team bought into the summer \u2014 they were really committed to the summer. I thought it was helpful,\u201d Sarkisian said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">Townsend is one of the players from the No. 1-ranked 2025 recruiting class that Sarkisian expects to take a big step forward this season for Texas, along with fellow tight end Emaree Winston, defensive lineman Justus Terry, safety Jonah Williams, and cornerback Kade Phillips.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1upudxki _174s0un1 _174s0un0 _1mt21p01\">\u201cThis is a big moment for them, to see where they\u2019ve gotten from year one to year two, and we need them, right?\u201d Sarkisian said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be counting on those guys to contribute for us.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 On a seasonably hot afternoon on the Forty Acres, the Texas Longhorns held the first&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":398901,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133,536],"class_list":["post-398900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-austin","tag-austin","tag-austin-headlines","tag-austin-news","tag-texas-longhorns-football"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/398900","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=398900"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/398900\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/398901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=398900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=398900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=398900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}