Scoop: Rice was nice; individual recruiting updates; save the date Oct. 16th

Inside Texas dives into UT’s win over Rice, latest recruiting updates, and Save the Date on October 16th. Enjoy the Inside Scoop.

TEAM

Source: “They dominated the way they needed and kept intensity throughout the game, even as the lead grew. Play was pretty consistent, it was a good, balanced game. They came out like they were supposed to and finished strong. Pretty much how you hoped going into the game.”

Another source: “They did what they’re supposed to do against Rice. Focus is already on Texas Tech and starting off conference play with a win. Tech will be a good test. They can run it and throw it.”

Sark’s message to the team [not verbatim]: Good win, intensity needs to maintain as they head into confererence. Need to keep foot on the gas. Coaches will look at the film. Need a good week of practice, need tougher practices to get prepared for tougher competition.

Will Andrej Karic play more: Sources didn’t have an answer to this but said we’d find out this week. They do confirm Kyle Flood wants him to get bigger, which isn’t going to happen over night. We’ll monitor this throughout the week.

Some young players who stood out: “Guys we’ve been discussing since June when they first arrived. Obviously Worthy. Byron Murphy. Those guys showed up with the right mindset. Jonathon Brooks could play more if they weren’t so deep. Barryn Sorrell transferred his play from the practice field to the playing field. He has a better get off than people realize. Derrick Harris did a good job playing with his hands, using his length. Did a good job of getting off blocks.”

Along with the offensive line, we’ll see if the staff tinkers with Keilan Robinson in the slot. We’ve been checking periodically since he arrived.

Injuries: While the team came out mostly unscathed, we do have some concerns over freshman cornerback Ishmael Ibraheem‘s lower leg injury. We don’t have specifics but there’s some concern behind the scenes he’ll be out for an extended period of time.

RECRUITING

WR Evan Stewart, Liberty (Frisco, TX) – 2022: The On3 five-star made a return trip to Gainsville for the Bama-UF tilt on Saturday. Stewart was able to watch one of the better games so far this fall, and had the opportunity to see the Gators in person. Florida has put itself in a strong position for the 6-foot, 175-pound superstar, with Flower Mound QB and Florida pledge Nick Evers helping the recruitment. He’s seen UT and UF in the official capacity, and now has his sights on Alabama on November 6th.

Getting Stewart back to Austin remains a priority and we’d be surprised if he didn’t return at some point this season. Sark, Flood, and Banks are all-in on the premier pass-catcher.

WR Brenen Thompson, Spearman (Spearman, TX) – 2022: The four-star speedster from West Texas made his official visit to Austin this weekend. Brenen’s mother, Bonnie, insists he’s still open and that they had a wonderful trip to Texas. It was a family affair this weekend with a few family members joining the trip. Selling immediate playing time and opportunity to thrive in this offense continue to be selling points for Team Thompson.

More from Gerry: (272) Brenen Thompson breaks down visit to Texas | On3

Bottom line: Texas had a very good weekend in this recruitment but it’s setting up to be a photo finish.

CB Jaylon Guilbeau, Memorial (Port Arthur, TX) – 2022: The original member of UT’s Class of 2022 might be looking at a reunion. After de-committing from UT in late July, the 5-foot-11.5, 175-pound four-star has eyes back on Texas.

We’ve reported how the Horns have put itself back in a position of strength with Guilbeau’s recruitment. When he de-committed, it almost felt like a knee-jerk reaction, and after hearing from Texas A&M and TCU, it appears the On300 No. 184 overall (91 score) defensive back could be ready to rejoin the class.

Texas has maintained steady contact with Guilbeau throughout this pursuit and it appears the Longhorns definitely would like him back in the fold.

CB Denver Harris, North Shore (Houston, TX) – 2022: It’s looking less and less likely he’ll announce on his birthday (September 22nd). A date to announce, or a medium to do it on, has still yet to be decided. Expect it to be streamed or televised to a large audience. While most assume he’ll end up at Alabama, this recruitment is far from a lost cause for Texas. The staff is still all in on this recruitment and prepared to fight until signing day. IT could see this announcement playing out for a while.

TE Jaleel Skinner, IMG Academy via Greer, SC – 2022: The On3 top-rated tight end and No. 17 overall prospect for 2022 made his way to Gainesville for the Alabama-Florida tilt on Saturday.

Skinner is still set to announce his decision on October 9th, and it appears Alabama will certainly take him in this class. Florida made a move this weekend as well, perhaps pushing Florida State out of the way.

Skinner maintains strong contact with Texas and coach Jeff Banks, but the Horns need to get him back on campus to make this real. A possible visit post-commitment might be UT’s best shot at the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder.

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Ryan (Denton, TX) – 2023: The On3 No. 61 overall for the 2023 cycle made his way to Austin for the Texas-Rice contest on Saturday. He’s been on campus a handful of times this year and the staff continues to build a strong relationship with the family.

“It was great,” said Hill Jr. “I had a lot of fun and I really like the staff.”

After a state championship season where Hill tallied 105 tackles, 80 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup and four rushing scores on offense, Hill is a fan of the Horns joining the SEC.

“Feel like it would be a good for them,” Hill said, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound four-star. Hill holds 30 offers including Alabama, Texas A&M, Clemson, and OU. He’s seen College Station twice in the last couple months, so UT getting him back on campus was a solid step.

LB Lander Barton, Brighton (Salt Lake City, UT) – 2022: The 6-foot-4, 215-pound linebacker is scheduled to make his official visit to Texas this weekend. He made an official to Michigan September 11-12, and comes from a family full of Utah Utes athletes. Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate have targeted the On300 4-star prospect since the first of April when the Longhorns offered.

CB Canyon Moses, Legacy (Midland, TX) – 2023: The up-and-coming defensive back from west Texas will be in Austin this weekend for the Texas-Texas Tech contest.

Moses holds two offers – Arizona and Kansas State – and camped at Oklahoma State and SMU over the summer. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound three-star ran a 10.98 100 meters and was a part of the 4×100 and 4×200 relays for Legacy in 2021.

Moses is excited to see the Horns in person and eager to make the journey to the state capital. He watched TCU take down Cal two weeks ago and is also planning trips to Oklahoma State and Baylor.

*The next big visit weekend for the Longhorns will be October 16th. That is when On300 No. 1 in 2023 Arch Manning (New Orleans Isidore Newman), On300 No. 133 Earnest Greene (Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco) and On300 4-star and Arizona State verbal Larry Turner-Gooden (Mission Hills, Calif./Bishop Alemany) are scheduled to make visits. Green and Turner-Good will be officials. The staff is also working to get 5-star IOL Devon Campbell (Arlington Bowie) and 4-star OL Neto Umeozulu (Allen High) on campus, among others.

Hoops:

Texas feels pretty good about where they stand in the race for On3 No. 22 Jordan Walsh (Link Year Prep via Dallas). The 6-foot-7 wing with a 7’3″ wingspan is likely to make an official to Memphis this weekend, and reschedule Kansas for October 9th. A key in how this recruitment plays out is if Arkansas gets Walsh back on campus for a second official visit. That is what Eric Musselman is pushing for. The Razorbacks are selling Musselman’s NBA offensive style, and preparation to be a one and done player. Texas has an amazing culture, and development on both ends the staff is selling, but what the Longhorns don’t have is Eric Musselman’s offensive style of play.

The Texas staff continues to pursue On3 4-star PF Jarace Walker (IMG Academy). He will make an official to Texas October 15th.

The Longhorns are also turning up the heat on 4-star guard Chandler Jackson (Memphis Christian Brothers) and 4-star SF Dillon Mitchell (Montverde Academy). Jackson has Alabama, Ole Miss and Memphis in serious contention. The 6-foot-7 Mitchell has Florida State. Auburn, Illinois and Tennessee coming after him.

Eric Nahlin and Gerry Hamilton contributed to this story.