Texas seniors who build culture will be honored Saturday.

AUSTIN, Texas — The No. 3 Texas Longhorns will honor their senior class before Saturday’s game against the Kentucky Wildcats. There may be some “gang tears” as cornerback Jade Barron elected to walk for the second time, and head coach Steve Sarkisian’s 2021 transition class, along with the Tom Herman era and There may be plenty of other emotions flowing from this group, which also has some remnants of players. From the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Some of the players experienced the year of the coronavirus, which marked the end of Herman’s tenure as coach. Other teams endured Sarkisian’s 11-11 start at the Forty Acres, pushing the Longhorns to a 12-2 record and their first since 2009, ahead of an important culture-building summer in 2023. It was the program’s Big 12 title and first-ever appearance. in the College Football Playoff.

Since the start of that season, Texas is 21-3, with all three losses coming against teams ranked in the top 12 of the AP Top 25 poll, with the current senior class being better than last year’s group. This is because they helped pass on the cultural progress they had made.

“We look forward to celebrating Seniors Day. Many of them have done so much for us and have been such catalysts for our culture and our work, so we look forward to celebrating them. I’m looking forward to it,” Sarkisian said Monday. .

The process wasn’t always easy, as about half of Sarkisian’s initial roster ended up transferring. The players who will be recognized on Senior Day were successful after a 5-7 season in 2021 and an 8-5 season in 2022.

“They didn’t just jump off and go somewhere. They just went ahead and did what we were trying to do, so I’m very grateful to them. I owe them a lot and this group… I get a little emotional about this because if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be here right now. So, like I said, I’m very thankful and grateful to them,” Sarkisian said.

“Today we tried to take the emotional stuff out, so we did that today after practice. We had a good talk with them and then the team celebrated them leaving the field,” Sarkisian said Thursday.

“I recognized this with them as well. I said, ‘I want you to make sure you spend Saturday and spend some time for yourself. But my best memory of Senior Day Saturday was… Really play.’ Well, we won the game.’ And that’s the best way we can honor them. ”

Texas has not yet released the complete list of players who will be honored on Saturday, but players with no remaining eligibility will be mentioned here.

Wide receiver Silas Bolden

His transfer to Oregon State was arguably the cultural drama of the year, and his hustling fumble recovery in the end zone against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl made him a Longhorn legend.

In a deep wide receiver room, Bolden had 17 catches for 174 yards and one touchdown, which was less than expected this season, but he was also a punt returner on downs, and the ball near the basket. Frequently takes risks, such as erasing. Not only was he active on the line, but he also produced an explosive play with a long punt return of 55 yards.

Tight end Gunnar Helm

Helm, who became one of the team’s breakout players this year after J’Tavion Sanders declared early for the 2024 NFL Draft, showed off his amazing athleticism and sure-handed hands while also adding to his in-line blocking ability. This allowed Sarkisian to ditch the jumbo packaging he had used in the past. .

After entering the season with 21 career receptions for 121 yards after the catch, Helm led the Longhorns with 37 receptions for 493 yards and added three touchdowns, including 272 yards. He gained yards after the catch and was helped by nine forced missed tackles. Helm also made the first two contested catches of his career, avoiding a burnt orange and white drop until last week’s game against Arkansas.

As a pass blocker, Helm has been reliable with only two pressures allowed this season, but he has collected five penalties on the year and has a rating of 47 from Pro Football Focus, with no run blocking. Still needs improvement.

Considering Helm was last among non-specialists in Sarkisian’s transition class, the Colorado player was not just an overachiever, he was himself a mid-round draft pick with substantial upside in the NFL. acquired the right of nomination.

tight end juan davis

Davis has primarily contributed on special teams the past two seasons, but this season he finally got healthy and replaced Sanders as the H-back in Sarkisian’s offense. Like Helm, he was better as a pass blocker than a run blocker, but he definitely contributed with seven catches for 42 yards.

What is the most important thing? Davis continued to persevere and became an offensive contributor late in his career. That deserves respect.

Left guard Hayden Connor

One of two offensive line signees at the position in the disastrous 2021 recruiting class, Conner’s ability to develop into a starter as a true sophomore was important to Kyle Flood. The Katie Taylor product started 37 games for the Horns and had his best performance in last week’s win over the Razorbacks, where he was rated as the team’s top offensive lineman and was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. won the honor of

According to PFF, Conner has not allowed a sack this season and committed only two penalties, making him the most consistent member of the line, which will earn him recognition as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s best offensive line. He has become one of the best players. .

center jake majors

When Sarkisian and Flood arrived in early 2021, the Majors started against Kansas State and Colorado towards the end of the season, and the new staff touted him as a cornerstone of the offense under Flood. He showed great success.

Major did just that, starting every game during Sarkisian’s tenure and winning the Outland Trophy Player of the Week and SEC Secondary Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after a win over Michigan in Ann Arbor. Like Conner, he hasn’t allowed a sack in the majors this season and has just two quarterback hits.

There were concerns early in his major league career whether he would be able to withstand strong nose guards, but his improved strength and technique have made him a reliable presence on a Texas team known for its leadership and communication skills on the line.

jack end balin sorel

Highly rated late by Herman’s staff in the 2021 class, Soler was consistently in the four-star bracket and on the upswing despite being ranked No. 682 nationally and No. 86 defensive lineman according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. It had elements.

A third-year starter, Soler will be a sophomore in 2022 with 44 tackles (16 solo), 9 lost tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 7 quarterback tackles, and 1 pass break break. He has contributed consistently throughout his career. Last season he had 37 tackles (17 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks; last season he had 27 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He lost this year, had 3.5 sacks and had 11 quarterback hurries.

Soler is also frequently cited as one of the team’s best and most important leaders.

Defensive tackle Alfred Collins

A holdover from the Herman era who took advantage of this year’s COVID-19 season of eligibility, Collins has finally turned his talent into consistent production, playing the best football of his career throughout this season and significantly improving his draft stock as a result. .

Defensive tackle Vernon Broughton

Like Collins, Broughton took a big leap forward in 2024, coming out of the heavy shadows of Byron Murphy and Tyvondre Sweat. Broughton recorded 20 tackles, one sack, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and 17 total pressures.

Defensive tackle Jermaine Rolle

The third defensive tackle added from the NCAA transfer portal during the offseason was a significant flip from Oklahoma following previous appearances at Arizona State and Louisville. Rolle continued to perform well during conference play, earning the Horns’ role as the Horns’ third defensive tackle, with strong performances against Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. This season, the 6-foot-3, 315-pounder has recorded 24 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss with seven total pressures.

defensive tackle bill norton

Norton, a transfer from Georgia and Arizona State, is part of the defensive tackle rotation this season with five tackles and five quarterback hurries.

Defensive tackle Tia Savea

The transfer from UCLA and Arizona hasn’t played in a game since the blowout win over Louisiana and Monroe in nonconference play, playing just 37 snaps.

Linebacker David Gbenda

The sixth-grader previously had to switch to running back during the 2019 injury crisis, but has since settled at linebacker and emerged as a key player and team leader.

His hard-earned sack against Alabama last year was the highlight of the upset in Tuscaloosa.

This year, his ability to destroy Michigan’s centers showed off the old man’s strength.

Cornerback Jade Barron

The nation’s top cornerback returns to the Forty Acres as assistant director of player personnel, wearing the No. 7 in honor of his mentor Michael Huff, and aims to win the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back. He returned for the first season.

As Sarkisian noted a few weeks ago, Barron has paid handsomely for his decision and subsequent development, making a strong case to beat Thorpe with a shocking performance against Arkansas last weekend. It reached its climax.

Safety Andrew Mukuba

After three years at Clemson, Mukuba returned to his hometown of Austin to play alongside his longtime friend Barron and focused on improving his ball skills to strengthen his draft stock. Mukuba did just that this season, recording 34 tackles, two lost tackles, three pass breakups and a quarterback rush while making three timely interceptions.

Kicker Bert Auburn

Technically, Auburn could use his redshirt year to return to Texas for one more season after appearing in one game in 2021, but if he does leave, he will be the most prolific player in school history. He will do so as one of the best placekickers. Last year, the Longhorns had to rely heavily on Auburn due to the team’s struggles in the red zone. The Flower Mound product set a school and conference record for consecutive field goals made (19) and also set a single-season team record for field goals made (29) and attempted (35). His 143 points were third in Texas history and a single-season record for a kicker.

The Longhorns haven’t needed Auburn much this season – he’s only made 11 field goal attempts – and he hasn’t been all that accurate, completing 3 of 6 attempts for 40 yards or more. But if he wants to come back, yes. There’s a good chance the staff would welcome him back even if he isn’t given the scholarship kicker role in the 2025 recruiting class.

Texas also has a handful of players eligible for early selection in the 2025 NFL Draft who can choose to be approved on Saturday. Redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers, junior wide receiver Isaiah Bond, junior wide receiver Matthew Golden, junior left tackle Kelvin Banks and junior right tackle Cam Williams.