Former Longhorns Star Sloan Thomas Shows Excitement for Texas WR Room Potential

Former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Sloan Thomas had nothing but an optimistic outlook on the team’s future in the WR room when he spoke with KVUE reporter Cory Mose on Thursday.

“We’re going in the right direction and I’m excited,” Thomas said. “I couldn’t be more excited about the team and what Sark is doing there now.”

After seeing former Texas wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Adonai Mitchell get selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, head football coach Steve Sarkisian wasted no time looking for top athletes to fill those big shoes. Texas signed five-star recruit Ryan Wingo to St. Louis, Mo., in October, marking one of the highlights of the program’s No. 5 incoming recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

“They are breaking every record possible, which is also disappointing sometimes,” Thomas said. “But hey, records are made to be broken.”

Wingo was listed as the No. 2 wide receiver and overall prospect in Missouri by 247Sports and looks to bring depth and speed from his years of experience in football and track and field. His six-foot-two frame and 208 pounds of pure athleticism impressed Texas WR coach Chris Jackson and will surely make him a notable playmaker for the Longhorns.

Four-stars Aaron Butler, Freddie Dubose and Parker Livingstone join Wingo on the 2024 WR commitment list. Butler and Dubose could serve as elusive but physically defensive machines on the field, finding success in both the receiving and running games. Livingstone brings a versatile profile, having football, baseball and track and field experience under his belt.

Sarkisian also used the transfer portal to sign former Alabama WR Isaiah Bond, who led the Crimson Tide with 48 receptions for 668 yards in 2023. Silas Bolden of Oregon State and Matthew Golden of Houston will also come out of the gate.

The Longhorns’ key returning players include sophomores Johntay Cook, appearing in all 14 games last season with eight catches for 136 yards, and DeAndre Moore Jr., who played in 10 games with a 15-yard reception against TCU.

And Sarkisian still has room to acquire even more talent in the WR room, with five-star 2025 prospects like Jaime Ffrench, Dakorien Moore and Kaliq Lockett eyeing Texas.

“I can now bullshit other people and feel some enthusiasm for the program again,” Thomas said. “I’ve been with them when we were down, and I’m very excited to be with them when we were up.”