Riojas Goes Pro: Longhorn Legend Joins Phillies
Jim Schlossnagle’s transfer portal coup, right-hander Ruger Riojas from UTSA, paid off big when the Philadelphia Phillies picked him 100th overall in the MLB Draft. After debuting in the bullpen and shifting to starter in 2025, Riojas posted a 9–3 record with 62 strikeouts, then improved to a 6–2 record and 120 strikeouts in 2026. He closed his Longhorn career with six shutout innings against Alabama in the College World Series, cementing his status as a fan favorite and leaving Texas with a legacy of grit and production.
Breaking news: Texas recruits continue their world-domination plan—and by “world,” we mean the Phillies’ farm system. Who knew that swapping portal magic for minor‐league digs would be considered “progress”? Riojas clearly figured out that nothing says “I love Austin” like packing up for Pennsylvania and ruining some rookie league hitters’ batting averages. Longhorns fans, don’t cry—these tears of pride double as tequila mixers. Here’s to the next baseball prodigy who will fill the punch bowl left behind when their favorite arm bolts for a bigger paycheck.
Day 1 Draft Frenzy: Longhorns Make Their Mark
The Texas baseball pipeline remains one of college sports’ most prolific factories, churning out 378 draft picks since 1965. In 2026, eight Longhorn-linked prospects went in the first four rounds: SS Grady Emerson (No. 2 overall to Tampa Bay), C Carson Tinney (43rd to Minnesota), LHP Brody Bumila (89th to Texas Rangers), OF Aiden Robbins (92nd to New York Mets), RHP Ruger Riojas (100th to Philadelphia), HS Cooper Harris (106th to Washington), and HS Beau Peterson (133rd to Houston). Their selections underscore Texas’s recruiting prowess and the program’s knack for funneling talent into professional ranks.
Welcome to the Day 1 draft report card, where Texas sends more talent to the pros than a vending machine spitting out free samples. Sure, some signees might detour to Austin, but why bother when the cash register of the MLB is already ringing? Texas coaching staff must now draft a new lineup—literally—to replace these departed superstars. Fear not, though: rumor has it the next wave of high‐school phenoms is on standby, waiting for next spring’s announcement that they, too, prefer minor‐league hotel breakfasts to campus dining halls.
Mack Brown Spills the Beans on Sarkisian vs Elko Showdown
College football guru Mack Brown praised Steve Sarkisian’s savvy NIL strategy as the key factor separating Texas from Texas A&M under Mike Elko. During “The Stampede” podcast, Brown highlighted Sarkisian’s system for valuing and paying players, balancing budget with development, and sustaining team culture—unlike A&M’s flopped No. 1 class and Florida State’s injuries-plagued slide. Brown insists that deep pockets aren’t enough; success demands disciplined spending and cultural cohesion to turn talent investment into wins.
Breaking news: you can’t buy a championship with monopoly money, but you can hire a coach who reads the fine print on the NIL contract. Mack Brown, ex-coach and current podcast philosopher, reminded Aggies fans that tossing greenbacks at recruits won’t buy you loyalty—only a gym full of free-agent headcases. Next time, A&M might try paying players in genuine Texas brisket or the promise of a weekly honky-tonk dance party. Meanwhile, Sarkisian continues building his empire, one carefully budgeted scholarship at a time.
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