4 Texas Freshmen Are FORCING Their Way Onto the Field! | Longhorns Football | Steve Sarkisian

Summary

On Texas Football Podcast Summary

Episode: 4 Texas Freshmen Are FORCING Their Way Onto the Field! | Longhorns Football | Steve Sarkisian
Date: August 10, 2026
Host & Analysts: Bobby Burton, Gerry Hamilton, Rod Babers, CJ Vogel

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Episode Overview

This episode of "On Texas Football" focuses on the 2026 Texas Longhorns freshman class, with lively analysis of four standout newcomers who are rapidly earning significant roles on the field beyond special teams. The analysts break down why these specific players are impressing in fall camp, what makes them scheme fits under the new defensive coordinator, and how their development could impact the Longhorns this season.

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Key Discussion Points

The Four Freshmen Forcing Their Way Onto the Field

1. Kosi Agpal (Linebacker)

• Versatility and Quick Development

  • Transitioned from edge rusher in high school to demonstrating scheme versatility at both inside and outside linebacker during spring and fall camp ([01:55]).
  • Praised for his rapid comprehension of the defensive playbook and high football IQ.
  • Now running exclusively with the second team and expected to contribute well beyond just special teams snaps.

• Physical Attributes

  • Stands at 6'3", 235 pounds (potentially up to 240 by season start) ([03:05]).
  • Not only brings size but notable arm length, helping him shed blocks versus SEC-sized linemen ([04:27]).

• Scheme Fit and Impact of Coordinator Change

  • The switch to defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s scheme may suit Agpal even more than under Pete Kwiatkowski, maximizing the value of the overhang linebacker role ([04:04], [04:27]).

• Notable Quote:

  • "He has the look of a guy that is definitely going to play more than just special teams... because he has that versatility, he has that scheme versatility." – Sports Analyst 1 ([01:55])

2. Richard Wesley (Edge Rusher)

• Defensive Trust and Depth

  • Despite a crowded and talented edge group (including established players like Colin Simmons), Wesley is considered a "no brainer" for significant rotation snaps due to his consistency and ability to execute the defensive scheme ([05:28]).

• Earning Coaching Staff Trust

  • Coaches trust him to not just rush the passer but execute assignments reliably, a must for preventing big plays in the SEC ([06:04]).

• Notable Quote:

  • "There's an opportunity that he may play more than people even think, despite how loaded the edge room is. Because... how do you maximize your pass rush? ...You bring them in waves." – Sports Analyst 1 ([06:04])

3. Jermaine Bishop (Slot Receiver)

• Natural Talent and Offensive Fit

  • Highly regarded for his silky-smooth playmaking, Bishop is already showing camp comfort and explosive ability in the slot ([11:04]).
  • His skill set has the staff committed to finding ways to get him the ball, even if the full playbook isn’t in his grasp yet.

• Versatility with WR Room

  • Coaches envision creative ways to use Bishop alongside other standout receivers like Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, and Emmett Mosley ([11:22]).

• Notable Quote:

  • "There's other freshmen... we'll find the way to for the scheme to fit him." – Sports Analyst 3 ([11:22])
  • "He's silky smooth and again... making you miss in a phone booth, he can do that as well as anybody on this roster, in my opinion." – Sports Analyst 3 ([11:22])

4. Derek Cooper (Running Back)

• Physical Running Style

  • Known as a violent, mature runner with linebacker pedigree; brings a toughness valued by RB coach Jabar Jaluk ([12:32]).
  • Expected to earn early snaps due to his commitment to physicality every time he touches the ball—inside or outside runs, as well as catching from the backfield ([12:59]).

• Maturity and Role Clarity

  • Understands that his ticket to the field is excelling at what the coaches ask—physical, north-south running—rather than just flashy moves.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Every time he touches a football, he's coming with a purpose." – Sports Analyst 1 ([12:59])

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Additional Insights

On Defensive Trust and Young Players

• The analysts underscore that, especially on defense, young players must earn the staff’s trust to prevent costly mistakes—missed assignments can lead to big plays in the SEC ([07:57]).

• Emphasis is placed on how both Agpal and Wesley have earned their roles by consistently fulfilling assignments, not just flashing athleticism.

• Memorable Moment:

  • "If you're not... gap integrity on defense, somebody's going to strike up the band in the SEC. It's going the other way. 80 right." – Sports Analyst 1 ([07:57])

Coaching Philosophy and Usage

• Recurring theme: Texas staff is eager to get rare talent on the field and will tailor the playbook to maximize the impact of freshmen like Bishop, even before they’re fully versed in the system ([11:22]).

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Kosi Agpal discussion begins: [01:22]
• Agpal’s versatility and spring growth: [01:55 – 03:05]
• Scheme fit under new DC Will Muschamp: [04:04 – 04:27]
• Richard Wesley & Edge room analysis: [05:28 – 07:27]
• Importance of defensive trust: [07:57]
• Transition to offense, Jermaine Bishop: [11:04]
• Bishop’s talent and impact: [11:22]
• Derek Cooper’s physicality at RB: [12:32 – 12:59]

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Conclusion

The episode makes it clear that Texas’ 2026 freshman class contains four players (Agpal, Wesley, Bishop, and Cooper) who are not just surviving but thriving in fall camp, earning legitimate rotation opportunities. The staff’s willingness to trust these freshmen and even shape the scheme around their abilities speaks to both their exceptional talent and maturity. Longhorn fans should expect to see these newcomers make an impact early and often on both sides of the ball.

Transcript

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[Sports Analyst 1]

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[Sports Analyst 2]

store or dsw.com guys of the freshman class, there are three members in that 2026 signing class that we've already grouped off to the side that they're going to contribute for this team in non special team snaps and we'll get to go those three guys in just a minute. But Jerry, we've got somebody else that's joined that group, made it a four man group. It's safe to say Kosi Agpal is off to maybe the best start of any of the freshmen in camp so far.

[Sports Analyst 1]

I mean he was talked about in a very positive way coming out of the spring practice through this summer and now through four practices. I mean he's running exclusively with the twos. He is playing both inside and outside linebacker. He has the look of a guy that is definitely going to play more than just special teams on this Texas team and and we've been told that's going to happen because he has that versatility, he has that scheme versatility. It's one thing to come in to Texas as a guy that you know can rush the passer like he played exclusively edge or end at Matey Creek his senior season. He played Some off the ball linebacker when he was younger then, but still mostly off the edge. But what he did when he got into Texas, came into Texas in the spring, was showed the ability to pick up the scheme quickly from, from an off ball linebacker position. So he gave himself two chances to have success and that success is carried over to the first four practices of fall camp in Kosiok. Paula CJ I think you've heard the same thing, is definitely a guy that's, we're going to see him more than just special teams because there's versatility and his football IQ that's popped out to people.

[Sports Analyst 3]

I think that's the biggest thing is again, the physical side of things. He checks the box. He's 6 foot 3, 235 pounds, might be closer to 240 by the time that the season begins, but physically he looks tremendous. And I think again, you watch what Brad Spence was able to do a year ago and you say, okay, that's, there's a natural fit there as the overhang linebacker in this defense. But Jerry, I think where he's turned a lot of heads is okay. But he's also playing off ball middle linebacker in a way that isn't just a one trick pony with his, his skills that he brings to the table. So that's been really encouraging. I think he's done tremendous job with Donnie Bags, one of the Houston area linebacker trainers coming into Texas, coming out of the spring, learning more about, you know, the fluidity of backpedaling, braking, you know, everything that goes into what you see dayto day with, with, with corners and safeties and pass coverage. So that to me is something that is okay. He took some momentum and he certainly carried that into fall camp and it's, it's certainly paying off at the moment.

[Sports Analyst 2]

CJ Kosik, Paula can do a couple of different jobs for this team. You know, he can play off ball linebacker, you can play that overhang linebacker. Clearly he was a scheme fit when Pete Kowski was the defensive coordinator. Otherwise they wouldn't have taken him. But CJ you look at the scheme change and the coordinator change going will, must champ. It's not a stretch to say of the defensive signees, that change might have benefited him more than anybody else.

[Sports Analyst 3]

Yeah, probably. So again, because we talk about the importance of that overhang linebacker and the one thing that is really encouraging, I, I know I talked about 63235 with Coy, that that's great, but it's the arm length, right? It's a guy that can Shed blocks disengage very easily. That's not an easy thing to do when you're now having to deal with 315 pounders that can move at the level of SEC level offensive tackles. So for a guy like Coy, having that arm length will also go into, you know, his ability to make effective plays more often than not. So it's probably been one of the more pleasant surprises. And I even want to liken it to hearing about Dalen McCutcheon around this time a year ago it was like, okay, well, Texas brought in really talented wide receiver room, but we're hearing about the trust of Dalen McCutcheon a little bit more than some of the others. And evidently week one at Ohio State it was 15 snaps for the freshman. So what will we see from Cosi? Well, certainly on track to being a contributor in this defense, Jerry, let's go

[Sports Analyst 2]

ahead and talk about the other three freshmen. We got Jermaine Bishop, Derek Cooper and Richard Wesley. But I want to start with Richard Wesley because I, I feel like, and I've said this on the channel, talked about it over on texas football.com I think the edge room is the healthiest room in the program right now. And at a position group, Jerry, where you, you've obviously got Colin Simmons leading the way. Lance Jackson is going to play a lot. Zeno Mosulo looks like he's ready to take the next step. It says a lot when you've got some big time talent in front of you and you're a guy like Richie Wesley, that it almost feels like a no brainer that he's going to be in that rotation.

[Sports Analyst 1]

Yeah, I think so. Look, I mean, we'll see if that changes. But I, I think he's going to play this year and, and I think he could end up playing more than people believe. And I'm not saying starting or anything like that, but I, I, I think there's an opportunity that he may, or possibility he may play more than people even think, despite how loaded the edge room is. Because here's the deal. How do you maximize your pass rush? I mean, how do you maximize the pass rush of this team? One way you do that is you have multiple guys and you bring them in waves throughout a game. Right? Oh, I see that. Right tackle is getting a little tired. All right, let's bring in a fresh body and go after him right now. So there's a lot of ways. But again, it also goes back to the discussion with Kosuk. Paula does the defensive coordinator and the position coach trust the player does. Do they trust him to be able to go execute a play call when it's outside of his elite trait, which is going to be rushing a passer? Can you execute the play? And I think what we've heard behind the scenes is that Texas believes they can trust Richard Wesley to go execute a play. That doesn't mean he's going to play error free football. It doesn't work that way. But he's gained trust of the defensive staff. Like Kosio, Paula's gained trust of the defensive staff and that is the very like you look if you play wide receiver and you round off a route that doesn't necessarily kill a play.

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[Sports Analyst 1]

If you're not if you don't have gap integrity on defense, somebody's going to strike up the ban in the SEC. It's going the other way. 80 right. So they have to really trust that. Yes, we know you're you can go make a play if you're Richard Wesley, but can you execute a play and keep the opponent from having a big play because you weren't gaps out. And I think both those guys have earned the trust of the defensive staff. Again, that doesn't mean they won't. They will execute 100%. It doesn't work that way with young players, but they're ahead of others.

[Sports Analyst 2]

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[Sports Analyst 2]

All right, CJ, let's go to offense and let's talk about Jermaine Bishop. Again, not a matter of if but when he's going to contribute and make a big splash for this team, I hate to say it's kind of ho hum with a true freshman that looks as comfortable as he does in camp, but it's just kind of par for the course for what we saw during spring practice.

[Sports Analyst 3]

Yeah, it's really interesting with freshmen that come in with expectations, right. Some that don't have expectations. We talk about having to earn the trust of the coaching staff. Right. Earn the trust and really showcase that they know what to do in given situations, knowing the scheme, etc. And then there's other freshmen Rich like it doesn't matter, right. We'll find the way to for the scheme to fit him. And I'm not saying Jermaine Bishop doesn't know the scheme or doesn't know the trust, but he is a guy with the talent and a skill set that Texas looks at and says we have to find a way to get him the football. And so far, through a handful of practices, he's been a guy that's shown up consistently making plays behind the scenes. So I, I think regardless of how much of the playbook he knows, there's going to be slivers of the playbook that Texas will look at and say he at least knows that and that's enough for this snap, this series, whatever it is. But the talent has been undeniable. He's silky smooth and again he'll. We talked about it pretty often making you miss in a phone booth. He can do that as well as anybody on this roster, in my opinion. So finding ways to get him involved in the slot is going to be really interesting. And let's see how creative Sark gets with him on the field next to Cam Coleman or Ryan Wingo or an Emmett Mosley. Right? Let's see it.

[Sports Analyst 2]

Jerry. I heard Jabar Luke say at the thsca convention who's given his chalk talk on running backs, he said he wants the Texas running backs to be the most violent runners ever seen. And based on what we've seen from Derek Cooper at this point, Jerry, I think there's a. It's one of the many reasons, the physicality he brings to the table, the violence he brings to the table. So one of the many reasons why he's going to get snaps at running back pretty early and often.

[Sports Analyst 1]

Yeah, I mean I've said like Derek Cooper is, I haven't covered a running back out of the state of Florida. I'm sure there's been one. I just haven't covered him. They haven't been a physical player coming out of the Sunshine State. He's the next in line. He's a physical football player. Look, he plays linebacker in high school, right and running back and he was a hard hitting safety younger in his younger days in high school as well. But yeah, look, I don't think that if there's anything you have to worry about with Derek Cooper being physical is not it like that guy's. He's coming with a purpose every time he touches a football. He's also got the maturity. He understands the task at hand for him which I think is big for a young player. He understands how he can get on the football field. Getting on the football field is not trying to go juke. People like Relit Brown getting onto the football field probably isn't running outside outside zone like Hollywood Smothers does. Getting onto the football field for him, the best way is a young player in his career is going to be like I'm going to be physical every time I touch the football I'm going to if I catch out of the backfill, I'm going to be physical. If you tell me I'm running inside zone, I'm going to be physical. If I run outside zone, I'm going to be physical. I'm going to be a physical player every time I touch the football. And I think again we've talked about how you earn the trust of coaching staffs doing what you're asked is, you know, is a big one. And Jabar Jaluk wants his backs to be very physical and Derek Cooper is going to run with physicality.

[Sports Analyst 2]

All right, Jerry, C.J. thank you guys for the time, the knowledge, the intel, the expertise. As always, big thank you to Matthew behind the scenes for producing it. Thank you to prize picks and Poncho for sponsoring this edition of On Texas Football. If you're not a member over at on texas football.com first off, you missed a ton of practice intel coming out over the weekend. Second of all, it's not too late to get over there and sign up new members. $3 for your first three months of access. It's all it's going to take. Over to ontexasfootball.com you get practice coverage, breaking news, recruiting intel. If it's happening on the 40 acres, we're talking about it over at ontexas football.com so if you're not a member, $3 it's all it's going to cost for your first three months of access over at on texas football.com do not wait. This offer will not last forever, so make sure you get over to the site and take advantage. To day make sure that you like this video, make sure you're subscribed to the on Texas Football YouTube channel and make sure you've got your notifications set so that way anytime we go live or drop a new video, you're not missing any of our Longhorn coverage or breaking news. For cj, For Jerry, for Matthew, for the entire On Texas Football staff, I'm Jeff Howell. Thank you so much for watching and listening. And until next time, when you're a

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[Sports Analyst 2]

Welcome.