Texas’ 5-Star Weapons: How Sark Plans To Use Jermaine Bishop & Michael Terry

Summary

On Texas Football — Texas’ 5-Star Weapons: How Sark Plans To Use Jermaine Bishop & Michael Terry

Date: July 18, 2026
Host: Jeff Howe
Guests: Rod Babers, Jordan Scruggs
Topic: The potential roles, impact, and deployment of Longhorns’ five-star signees Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Michael Terry III for the 2026 season.

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Episode Overview

This episode of On Texas Football dives deep into how Steve Sarkisian and the Texas coaching staff are shaping their offense and defense around two of the brightest new stars: Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Michael Terry III. The trio of analysts — Jeff Howe, Rod Babers, and Jordan Scruggs — break down the realistic possibilities for Bishop as a two-way player and discuss the most effective use of Terry’s unique athletic profile. The group draws on recruiting history, previous Texas two-way experiments, and their own scouting insights to offer a nuanced preview of both players' upcoming roles.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jermaine Bishop Jr.: Two-Way Hype or Reality?

• Two-way Player Discussion (00:00 - 03:53)
  • Offseason Reports: Bishop is getting reps at both wide receiver and defensive back, aligning with offseason hints from Sarkisian.
  • Rod Babers notes the rarity and difficulty of producing legitimate two-way players in modern college football:

    “It’s a bit of a fantasy, right? I think every player thought they could be the Deion Sanders, Charles Woodson type. Jermaine Bishop actually does have that skill set… but I think ultimately he’s going to be on the offensive side of the ball.” (01:01)

  • Recruiting Angle: The promise of playing both ways was a major recruiting sell after Travis Hunter’s success at Colorado, but practicality might dictate a more specialized role.
  • Jordan Scruggs gives a “25% chance” of Bishop truly being a two-way player by the end of his Texas career:

    “It’s a lot harder to go both ways and not come off the field in the SEC than the Big 12… If he’s gonna play one position, I definitely think it has to be receiver. Keep the ball in his hands.” (02:15)

  • High School Context: Bishop finished as the fourth all-time leading receiver in Texas high school history, ahead of NFL draft picks, making receiver his likely primary role.

2. Michael Terry III: Where Does He Fit?

• Finding a Role for Terry (03:53 - 09:04)
  • Terry’s college projection has been a source of debate, with his size (up to 233–235 lbs) and versatility being both assets and a challenge for finding a concrete spot.
  • Rod Babers envisions him as a "boutique weapon":

    “This may be a very specialized boutique role… ultimately, I would like to see him be a Kyle Juszczyk-type weapon… tailback slash H-back slash fullback at times, slash tight end at times.” (04:39)

  • In the short term, Terry could carve out a Wildcat/short yardage role, particularly given Sarkisian’s historic struggles in those situations.
  • Running Back Room Analysis: Texas’ other running backs are generally smaller and less equipped for third-down pass protection, which could open the door for Terry’s involvement:

    “With that frame, that size, the receiving background, I think he can become a really intriguing kind of third down back… developing the physicality, getting him to want to run through people instead of around people is something that could really benefit him.” — Jordan Scruggs (06:59)

  • Pass Protection: A major plus for Terry is his willingness to block — rare for such a versatile skillset.

3. Realistic Projections and Staff Predictions

• Bishop’s Usage: Expect him to primarily play receiver, with occasional snaps at corner being a possibility — perhaps 10–15 per game at best, and likely only in year two or three of his career.
• Terry’s Path: More likely to establish a tangible offensive role (perhaps as a third down or short yardage back) than Bishop is to become a staple at corner.
• Rod Babers’ On-the-Spot Prediction (09:29):

  “I think right now I might go with Michael Terry carving out a role because I just think Sark, in the end, is gonna have Jermaine Bishop playing offense, and I just don’t see him throwing them out there [at] corner.”

• Package Debates: The hosts joke about bringing back the “pony package” (dual running back sets) and Wildcat formation, but agree on creative usage as the way forward for both Bishop and Terry.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rod Babers on Two-Way Fantasies

  "Every player thought they could be the Deion Sanders, Charles Woodson type. Jermaine Bishop actually does have that skill set..." (01:01)

• Jordan Scruggs on College Two-Ways

  “By the time he’s done… Full time two ways? I’d say it’s like… 25% chance and I’m probably even being generous there.” (02:15)

• Jeff Howe on Bishop’s Talent

  “There’ve been a lot of Longhorns who were good enough to do it. Jermaine Bishop certainly got the talent. We’ll see if logistically it works out.” (03:53)

• Rod Babers on Terry’s Role

  “Ultimately, I would like to see him be a… tailback slash H-back slash full back at times, slash tight end at times. I think you could do a lot of really creative things with him.” (04:39)

• Jordan Scruggs on Team Fit

  “With the size, he should be able to hold it down in pass blocking, he can run routes, soft hands, he can catch… He has skills and traits that other players in that room don’t.” (06:59)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Bishop’s Two-Way Possibilities: 00:00–02:15
• High School Background & Realistic Two-Way Odds: 02:15–03:53
• Terry’s Physical Development & Offensive Role: 03:53–04:39
• Creative Usage Debate (Boutique Role, Wildcat, Packages): 04:39–06:59
• Running Back Room Comparison & Pass Protection: 06:59–09:04
• Predictions & What’s More Likely: 09:04–10:22

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Tone and Language

The episode is collegial, candid, and informed, blending recruiting insight with in-depth player analysis and lighthearted banter about past and possible Texas football packages (Wildcat, “pony,” etc.). The hosts balance realism with excitement about the unique athletic talent at Texas’ disposal in 2026.

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This summary captures the main themes and analytic depth of the episode, making it easy for any Texas fan (or college football enthusiast) to follow the debates and learn what to expect from these two blue-chip prospects in the coming season.

Transcript

[A]

Two recent five star signees in the football program. What is the plan looking like for Jermaine Bishop Jr. And Michael Terry III in 2026? We'll talk about that here on this latest edition of On Texas Football, brought to you by Prize Picks. I'm Jeff Howe, joined by Lifetime Longhorn, Rod Babers and Jordan Scruggs. Guys, our colleague CJ Vogel had some Friday team news, notes and nuggets posted over on texas football.com One of those was about Jermaine Bishop Jr. And Sark has talked about this a little bit in the offseason and it's seems like he's sticking true to his word, at least based on what the team is doing in the offseason. Jermaine Bishop Jr. Getting work on both sides of the ball at wide receiver and defensive back Rod, you and I have not had a conversation centered around this since the great Duke Thomas debate of 2012 or 13, whenever that was back in the day. Rod, it is incredibly hard for guys in this day and age to be two way players. How intrigued are you, number one by Jermaine Bishop being a two way player and two right. Do you think once we get to the season we really see this come to fruition with him being a two way player?

[B]

Yeah, I mean it's a bit of a fantasy, right? I I think every player thought they could be the Dion Sanders, Charles Woodson type. Jermaine Bishop actually does have that skill set. I said if he focuses on defensive back, the guy could easily be a starting corner at the power four level and then have a chance to play in the league and playing defensive back. But Sark I think is trying to follow through on a probably a recruiting pitch that I would let you play both ways. Remember, he's being recruited right after the Travis Hunter experiment and him winning the Heisman. I think that would play A two way player was probably on a lot of people's minds, but I think ultimately when all is said and done, he's going to be on the offensive side of the ball. Now will there be some experimentation maybe still in the future? Yes, but I think ultimately he's going to be playing offense. It seems like that's where most of these two way experiments end up. Leaning with Sar.

[A]

Yeah, I think it helps Texas more in 2026 if he really finds a role on offense first and foremost before you start worrying about corner. But like you said, Rod will. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there. We'll see how it shakes out at Camp Jordan Rod brought up Travis Hunter and we're not making a Jermaine Bishop to Travis Hunter comparison, but you watched him a lot in high school. What do you think the realistic chances of Jermaine Bishop being a two way player are by the time he's done

[C]

in Texas full time? Two ways? I'd say it's like I don't know, 25 chance and I'm probably even being generous there. You know, it's a lot harder to go both ways and not come off the field in the SEC than the Big 12. Travis Hunter, slightly larger tall or height wise weight wise than Jermaine Bishop was as well. I think that also plays a role. But hey, I mean if there's anyone on this team that can go both ways, it's Jermaine Bishop. He did three years in high school full time, primarily played receivers fresh or cornerback his freshman year, apologies. And then ended up going both ways as a sophomore, junior senior and finished his career as the fourth all time leading receiver in Texas high school football history. Two of the guys in front of him have been drafted. Marvin Mims, Jackson, Smith and Jigba. So honestly I, if he's gonna play one position, I definitely think it has to be a receiver. Keep the ball in his hand, so don't take it out. As far as you know, the, the two way potential, what he could be, I think it'll be primarily one position and then maybe 10 to 15 snaps a game at the other position, which would be corner. Texas throughout his entire recruitment had a lot of, I should say interest because Sarkeesian was telling him, hey, all these guys recruiting are telling you to let you play two ways. I'm the only one that's ever actually coached a two way player. Dory Jackson at USC primarily played corner, also saw some snaps at receiver. John Ross at Washington primarily played receiver, also saw some snaps at corner. I think that's what we end up seeing from Jermaine Bishop. Probably year two or year three, not year one. I just think it's too early to expect him to play anything else besides receiver.

[A]

It's been a lot of Longwoods who were good enough to do it. Jermaine Bishop certainly got the talent. We'll see if logistically it works out. Rod. Speaking of logistically working out, Michael Terry III was projected to a lot of different positions at the college level, depending on who you ask. But you go to CJ's team news notes and Nuggets, Rod. And Michael Terry is up to upwards 233, 235 pounds. Apparently running the ball with the physical edge has been a challenge to him from Jabbar, Jaluk and the rest of the offensive staff. My, it's not really an issue, Rod, but my thing with Michael Terry, anytime he's been brought up, I, I don't know what he is and what his role on this team is, but that Skill set at £233, Rod, to say the very least, it's intriguing.

[B]

It is. And I, I think there's a. A way for him to carve out a role on the team. I think this may be a very specialized boutique role. If you're talking about this specific season, I think long term, you know, I think Stark loves running backs. We're looking at him from a running back standpoint that can catch the football, that have versatility to their game. Remember in 2024 with blue and Trey Weiser, both those guys were top 10 back targets. Both those guys had over 40 receptions. He's on the record for saying running back is the most underutilized position in the passing game. So he loves you to use running backs and basket, especially with downfield passing concepts. We saw some of that with Jaden Blue. So I do wonder if he likes Michael Terry from that standpoint as a guy who could feel a kind of a void that his offense has had since Jaden Blue kind of left. But ultimately, you know, he's got to have that physical edge to actually be a running back, to not just be a boutique player, a guy you can leave out there on the field. And that's why I think that bulking him up. I think ultimately I would like to see him be a. A Kyle Juice check type weapon. I've talked about this before. I wouldn't like to see him just relegated to one row. I'd like to see him be a tail back slash, H back slash full back at times, slash tight end at times. I think you could do a lot of really creative things with him. But that's down the line. That's the macro that's thinking long term with him. But this season I think, man, we had the Wildcat for years here on the 40 acres. They actually real successful with Rojo. Remember they had Savion read it for a while. It was really helpful in short yardage and Stark has struggled in short yardage situations. So short yardage, goal line, Wildcat. Maybe there's a place for him to carve out a role. But right now I'm not sure if, you know, he's battling for being the Fourth running back, maybe something like that on this team. Because it seems like Derek Cooper is now cementing himself as the third running back behind Smothers and Brown. So I'm just trying to figure out what's his, what's his role going to be in this running back room and on this offense he got to figure that out where he can contribute the most.

[A]

Jordan, you watched him quite a bit in high school at Alamo Heights. He started out at wide receiver. You know, right around, you know, mid season we started to hear about him going to the running back room. By the time he got to the bowl game, he was a full on running back at that point. Do you feel Jordan like putting him making running back his primary position as opposed to wide receiver? Do you feel like that's the best way to whatever he becomes to get the most out of him?

[C]

I think so. I just think from a frame perspective, athletic perspective, that there's not really a role at him to make a difference at receiver in the sec unless it's kind of like a big jumbo slot or something like that. But then, you know, you look at the guys Texas has in the slot and you think, okay, well why would you want to take that guy off the field? So I think running back is where he should stay. I think, you know, he was a very interesting prospect out of high school given he played every position. But it was also like he doesn't have a clear position he projects to and that's still kind of the same thing. But I do think that running back is where he's best suited. He has to put on weight and he has to get physical, more physical. That's not really something you can usually coach into kids. They usually have it or they don't. So very curious to see if the level of physicality rises. One thing, you know, when you think about his size, 6263 now north of 230 pounds, you think about the rest of the running back room and the future of the running back room. Relique Brown, Hollywood smothers are both under 510. Derek Cooper, 6 foot 1, but he's a freshman. Jet Walker, unlikely to play this year. James Simon, 5:10, 5:11, probably around £200. And then you think who they have committed. Noah Roberts, sub six foot guy. Landon Williams, callous. We like their chances of him with him. I think they will eventually land him. He's 5, 8. So then you start thinking on third down, when it's third and long, which one of those guys is gonna pass block? Because it won't be Landon Williams callous, or at least in year one. He's five, eight. Imagine him trying to block Anthony Hill last year. Probably not going to go well. So with that frame, that size, the receiving background, I think he can become a really intriguing kind of third down back. Just because with the size, you should be able to hold it down. And pass blocking, he can run routes, he's soft hands, he can catch. So I think, you know, developing the physicality, getting him to want to run through people instead of around people is something that could really benefit him because he has skills and traits that other players in that room don't have. And the, the past blocking one is the first thing that came to mind.

[A]

We got, we got a, we got a small sample of it in the bowl game, but I was encouraged by the few reps he got in pass pro. He was at least willing to stick his face in there and be physical. So that's encouraging. Rod, as we wrap this up, I'm gonna put you on the spot. What is more likely, a more likely outcome in 2026? Michael Terry finds a role on offense. Maybe not even a significant role, just a roll on offense or Jermaine Bishop gets snaps at corner.

[B]

Oh, damn, that's good. Oh, man. What's more likely? Jermaine Bishop gets snaps at corner or Michael Terry carves out a row? That's a damn good question. I'm gonna go with. Man, I think right now I might go with Michael Terry carving out a roll because I just think Sark, in the end, Sars gonna have Jermaine Bishop playing offense, and I just don't see him throwing them out there. Corner. Maybe with the utsa. UTSA game or the Texas State game in the fourth quarter. I mean, what. Why would, why would you even do that? I don't see that happening. So I'm gonna say Michael Terry. I love Jordan's point about the third down back. I hadn't thought about that, but I actually got some interest. Got some interesting skills and traits that may translate to that.

[A]

All the more reason to bring back the pony package, Rod, and make it a feature part of the offense getting.

[B]

Or the wildcat.

[C]

Bring the wildcat anything but the red cat. Never again. Never again.

[A]

We'll debate the. The red cat, the wildcat, whatever kind of cat we're talking about it. We'll. We'll save that for another show. Rod, Jordan, 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 our friends over at Price Picks for sponsoring this edition of On Texas Football. If you're not a member, over on Texas Football.com you want to articles like CJ's notes, packages, all the recruiting coverage. You can get it over on texas football.com make sure you check out everything we've got going on on the site. Make sure that you like this video. Make sure you're subscribed to the on Texas Football YouTube channel, and make sure you got your notifications set. That way, anytime we go live or drop a new video, you're not missing any of our Longhorn coverage or breaking news for Rod, for Jordan, for Matthew, for the entire On Texas Football staff, I'm Jeff Howe. Thank you so much for watching and listening. And until next time, welcome. Okay.

[C]

Hey, guys, Blake Monroe here from coffee and football. YouTube thinks that you're going to like this video right here. And if the algorithm knows ball, it's a good one.

[A]

So go check it out.

[C]

And then don't forget, hit that like and subscribe button.