Texas Longhorns Cotton Bowl Practice: Takeaways, Videos, Notes

The Texas Longhorns held an open practice window for the media at Denius Fields on campus ahead of the College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup at the Cotton Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Zach Dimmitt | Jan 5, 2025

Texas receivers Silas Bolden (left) and Matthew Golden look on during an open practice window ahead of the Cotton Bowl. / Zach Dimmitt - Texas Longhorns on SI

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AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns held a 15-minute open practice window for the media at Denius Fields on campus Sunday ahead of Friday's College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup at the Cotton Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Here's some quick takeaways, notes and clips from the practice:

Isaiah Bond

Bond watched from a knee with his helmet off near midfield while the quarterbacks and receivers threw out of the end zone, but quickly joined the group once the route-running moved near the 50 looking toward the north end zone.

He caught a few passes and looked solid while doing so as he continues to move further away from the lingering ankle injury that's limited him to no catches during Texas' first two CFP games.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Isaiah Bond (7) runs a drill during practice on the University of Texas campus in Austin, Dec. 27, 2024 ahead of the second round playoff game against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on the New Years Day. / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Steve Sarkisian

Sarkisian was working with the quarterbacks and receivers for nearly the entire media window, and was in constant communication with some of the offense's top weapons. When Quinn Ewers was practicing what appeared to be a pump fake into a draw to Jerrick Gibson, Sarkisian reminded him to keep his feet correct.

"Hold your toes, Q!" Sarkisian said.

This continued when he shouted instructions to Matthew Golden while the receivers were practicing option routes.

"You can do switch or release ... it’s one high," Sarkisian said before Golden ran the route.

Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning throwing out of the end zone as Matthew Golden makes the catch.

Steve Sarkisian was working with the QBs and WRs during the open practice window.#HookEm pic.twitter.com/9snKVdRlek
— Zach Dimmitt (@ZachDimmitt7) January 5, 2025

The receivers then switched to face the south end zone and appeared to be practing deep post routes. Sarkisian clarified what he wanted from DeAndre Moore Jr. before he ran the route and caught the pass.

"Split the uprights," Sarkisian said.

Juan Davis

Juan Davis caught an eight-yard in the win over Arizona State and has proven to be a solid piece behind Gunnar Helm. During tight end drills with coach Jeff Banks and while catching passes from the quarterbacks on Sunday, Davis was receiving some consistent praise from teammates and coaches that were shouting in excitement when he made a catch or showed strong hands on a blocking rep.

Davis now has eight catches for 50 yards this season.

Texas Longhorns tight ends getting after it during the open practice window.

Coach Jeff Banks nearly losing his voice.

Juan Davis had praise shouted at him from coaches and players a good number of times during the 15-min session. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/BKCUEK7SYd
— Zach Dimmitt (@ZachDimmitt7) January 5, 2025

Cam Williams

Williams practiced with the offensive line during the media window after missing the Peach Bowl. He had suited up against Arizona State, but was only going to be used in emergency situations. The Longhorns will need their entire o-line healthy against Ohio State after finishing with just 53 rushing yards and three sacks allowed against ASU.