Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman has already given fans one viral moment in fall camp, and now he’s earned a heavyweight comparison from a coach who knows exactly what elite looks like.
After Monday’s practice, Steve Sarkisian drew a line between Coleman and former Alabama star Julio Jones, pointing to the same kind of ball-tracking and vertical threat ability that made Jones so difficult to defend. Sarkisian didn’t make that comparison lightly. He coached Jones with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and 2018, after years of seeing top-tier receivers while calling plays at Alabama.
“Julio was similar that way, that ability to engage those high-point balls the way that he does, and still be a vertical threat,” Sarkisian said. “Cam can still run. he's not just a possession guy. He can run, and Julio was that way.”
The praise comes after Coleman lit up social media over the weekend with a catch that looked every bit the part of a highlight-reel play. On a tipped pass, he reached back with his left hand, hauled it in, and turned it into a touchdown. The clip took off fast, piling up 13.6 million views on X by Monday afternoon.
Cam Coleman 🤯 pic.twitter.com/yyKGbWetBP
That doesn’t mean Coleman is suddenly being slotted into Julio Jones territory as a finished product. Jones was a different level entirely in his prime, and Sarkisian’s point was more about the tools than the destination. Still, the fact that Texas’ head coach sees that kind of resemblance says plenty about how Coleman is being viewed inside the program.
The buzz around Coleman keeps getting louder as the season approaches, and Sarkisian’s comments only turned up the volume. Now the challenge is simple: live up to the hype and help Texas chase a national title.
In Other News...
Justus Terry Is Giving Texas A New Reason For Defensive Hope
Justus Terry has wasted little time becoming one of the more interesting names in Texas first week of fall camp. The sophomore defensive lineman is already drawing notice inside the program, with senior tackle Hero Kanu publicly praising him as the Longhorns sort through the early days of camp and look to rework a front that lost several experienced pieces to the NFL.
For Texas, Terrys rise matters because he brings more than just talent. The former five-star recruit from the 2025 class has the kind of versatility that can move him around the defensive line, and that flexibility gives the Longhorns a little more hope as they search for answers up front. The intrigue now is how quickly that camp momentum turns into a bigger role when the games start to matter. [Read more 🡒]
Arch Manning Looks Sharper But Texas Still Has One Big Concern
Arch Manning has looked noticeably sharper through Texas fall camp, and the early buzz around his throwing has been hard to ignore. He has been connecting well with key receivers, while coaches and teammates have pointed to clear growth and a stronger level of dedication since last season.
Ryan Nibletts observations about Mannings work habits have only added to the sense that the quarterback is approaching camp with a different edge. Even so, Texas still has a lingering concern that will matter far more once the games count, because the next step is not about throwing well in practice but doing it under pressure and keeping the offense on schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Texas May Finally Have A Bigger Role For Ryan Niblett
Ryan Niblett has already earned his place in Texas plans as one of the most dangerous return men on the roster, and now the Longhorns appear ready to find him a larger footprint beyond special teams. Officially listed as a running back/wide receiver, Niblett has also spent time at defensive back, a sign of how much the staff has valued his versatility while looking for the right way to deploy him.
This season, Texas is trying to build on what Niblett brought in key moments last year, when his punt-return touchdowns changed games and gave the offense hidden yardage it could not afford to waste. The next question is whether the Longhorns can turn that explosiveness into something more consistent on offense, where even a small rise in touches could make him tougher to ignore. [Read more 🡒]