Texas Longhorns Hold Open Spring Practice for Fans

New players get a taste of game day atmosphere at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting in burnt orange and white, depicting fragmented, overlapping views of a Texas Longhorns football practice or game, capturing the energy and movement of the sport.The open Texas Longhorns spring practice gave fans a glimpse of the team's developing talent and chemistry as they prepare for the 2026 season.Austin Today

The Texas Longhorns held an open practice for their 15th and final spring session, allowing fans to get a glimpse of the 2026 squad despite the chilly weather. While it wasn't a traditional spring game, the practice gave new players a chance to experience the energy of playing in front of the Longhorns faithful at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Head coach Steve Sarkisian was pleased with the team's progress and leadership, though star quarterback Arch Manning sat out to recover from offseason foot surgery.

Why it matters

The open practice provided an opportunity for Texas fans to connect with the team and get excited about the upcoming season, even as some programs have opted to skip spring games due to changes in the recruiting cycle and college football calendar. It also allowed the Longhorns to showcase their developing talent and chemistry as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.

The details

The Longhorns held the open practice as their 15th and final spring session, giving new players a taste of what game days at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium will be like. While it wasn't a traditional spring game, fans still filed in to watch the team practice despite the cold, blustery conditions. Head coach Steve Sarkisian was pleased with the team's progress, noting the strong leadership and the players' ability to quickly develop rapport with new teammates as they learn new schemes. Standout defensive lineman Hero Kanu said he was energized by the fan support, while star quarterback Arch Manning sat out to recover from offseason foot surgery, with backups KJ Lacey, MJ Morris, and Dia Bell taking the majority of reps.

  • The open practice was the Longhorns' 15th and final spring session.
  • The practice took place on April 18, 2026.

The players

Steve Sarkisian

The head coach of the Texas Longhorns football team.

Arch Manning

The starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, who sat out the open practice to recover from offseason foot surgery.

KJ Lacey

A backup quarterback for the Texas Longhorns who took reps during the open practice.

MJ Morris

A backup quarterback for the Texas Longhorns who took reps during the open practice.

Dia Bell

A backup quarterback for the Texas Longhorns who took reps during the open practice.

Hero Kanu

A defensive lineman for the Texas Longhorns who was energized by the fan support at the open practice.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of great leadership on this team. These guys have done a tremendous job of bringing the new guys in and making them feel part of the team. We're learning a lot of new schemes, and we've made some big strides.”

— Steve Sarkisian, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

“He's 100% ready to go, but I just didn't think it was worth putting him in here this late in the spring. He got plenty of work and does a great job, even on the off days, throwing and developing a rapport with the receivers.”

— Steve Sarkisian, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns

“It was awesome to see all these faces out here supporting us. I don't know how many it is, but there were a lot of people here. We can feel the energy, and we can hear the 'hooray' and everything. It has been a blessing.”

— Hero Kanu, Defensive Lineman, Texas Longhorns

What’s next

The Longhorns will now focus on off-the-field workouts and summer conditioning as they prepare for the start of training camp in August. Head coach Steve Sarkisian said June and July will be crucial for the team to continue installing new schemes and getting the players ready for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The open practice allowed Texas fans to connect with the team and get a glimpse of the Longhorns' developing talent, even as some programs have opted to skip traditional spring games. The event highlighted the team's strong leadership and chemistry as they work to build on their progress and prepare for the upcoming season.