Texas Football to Cap Spring Practice with April 18 Scrimmage and Fan Day
AUSTIN, Texas - Spring football is set to bring a little more excitement to the Forty Acres this year. At Wednesday’s annual Town Hall meeting inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Texas Athletics Director Chris Del Conte announced that the Longhorns will hold a spring scrimmage on April 18, wrapping up their offseason practices with a Fan Day celebration.
While Del Conte didn’t dive into specifics about the scrimmage format, he hinted that it could look a bit different from the traditional Orange-White game fans have grown used to. That’s notable, especially considering last year didn’t include a scrimmage at all. Head coach Steve Sarkisian made the call to skip the usual spring finale in 2025, citing the wear and tear from a grueling postseason that included a conference championship and three College Football Playoff games.
This time around, Sarkisian is still keeping player development front and center - but he’s shifting the approach. With a roster that Del Conte said averaged just 18.5 years old last season, the emphasis is on building up young talent the right way.
“The development that’s needed for these guys to get ready for the fall is a little bit different than it used to be,” Sarkisian explained. “So our approach is going to be a little bit more NFL-driven - more of an OTA style early on. And as we grow into more of the scrimmage formats in the second half of spring ball, I just don’t know if rolling the ball out and playing a game if we only get 15 practices is the best for us to maximize the opportunities that we get.”
That kind of thinking reflects a modern shift in how elite college programs manage their spring calendars. Rather than forcing a full-contact scrimmage just for tradition’s sake, Sarkisian is leaning into a more strategic structure - one that mirrors how NFL teams manage their limited offseason reps. It’s about maximizing every practice window, especially with such a young squad.
Still, fans will get their chance to see the team in action this spring. The April 18 scrimmage, paired with Fan Day, promises to give the Longhorn faithful a closer look at the next wave of talent - and a chance to reconnect with the program after another high-octane season.
And there’s more change on the horizon. Del Conte also shared that the Longhorns’ brand-new football practice facility - located right next to the stadium and the Moody Center - is on track to be completed this summer. That upgrade should be a game-changer for player development, recruiting, and day-to-day operations.
Between the fresh facility, the evolving spring format, and a roster packed with young talent, it’s clear Texas is building with the long game in mind. The spring scrimmage may be just one day on the calendar, but it’s a key checkpoint in what promises to be another big year for the Longhorns.