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Harker Heights Today
By the People, for the People
Texas Lands Commitment from Former TCU Forward David Punch
The Central Texas product will join the Longhorns after two seasons with the Horned Frogs.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:49am
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A dynamic, cubist-inspired illustration captures the energy and athleticism of a rising college basketball star joining the Longhorns.Harker Heights TodayThe Texas Longhorns have landed a commitment from former TCU forward David Punch, who entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday. Punch, a 6'7" 246-pound rising junior, averaged 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for the Horned Frogs last season as they made the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Why it matters
Punch's commitment fills a pressing need for the Longhorns at the forward position after the departures of Nic Codie and Cam Heide. Head coach Sean Miller and his staff have executed a strong roster overhaul in recent days, adding Punch and former Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson to go along with the retention of rising junior center Matas Vokietaitis.
The details
Punch was a consensus four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, but was not offered by Texas under former head coach Rodney Terry. However, current Longhorns coach Sean Miller did offer Punch when he was at Xavier, though he ultimately signed with TCU. As a sophomore, Punch emerged as an impact player for the Horned Frogs, increasing his scoring to 14.1 points per game and his rebounding to 6.8 per game. He also became a better free-throw shooter and an efficient mid-range shooter, while also contributing as a strong defensive rebounder and shot blocker.
- Punch entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday, April 11, 2026.
- Punch committed to Texas on Sunday, April 13, 2026, during a visit to the Forty Acres.
The players
David Punch
A 6'7", 246-pound forward who spent his first two collegiate seasons at TCU, where he emerged as an impact player as a sophomore, averaging 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Sean Miller
The head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who previously offered Punch a scholarship when he was the head coach at Xavier.
Rodney Terry
The former head coach of the Texas Longhorns, who did not offer Punch a scholarship during his recruitment.
What they’re saying
“We're excited to add David to our program. He's a talented forward who will help us address some of our needs in the frontcourt.”
— Sean Miller, Head Coach, Texas Longhorns
What’s next
Punch will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at Texas and is expected to be an immediate contributor for the Longhorns next season.
The takeaway
Punch's commitment is a key addition for the Longhorns as they look to build on their Sweet 16 appearance this past season. His combination of scoring, rebounding, and defensive ability should help bolster Texas' frontcourt and provide a needed boost to the roster.
