It’s the kind of notification that makes every Texas fan’s heart sink. You’re scrolling through your phone on a random Tuesday or Sunday morning, and there it is: another headline about a Texas Longhorns football player DWI. It feels like a recurring nightmare. One minute we’re celebrating a massive win or a top-tier recruiting class, and the next, we’re talking about Travis County jail records and blood alcohol content.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating for the fans, but it’s devastating for the kids whose lives are potentially changed in a single four-a.m. decision.
In the last couple of years, the Longhorns have seen a string of these incidents that have forced Coach Steve Sarkisian to answer some really tough questions about the "culture" in Austin. From star defensive linemen to incoming freshmen who haven't even played a snap, the problem isn't just one guy. It’s a pattern that has people wondering what exactly is going on at 40 Acres when the lights go down.
The T’Vondre Sweat Incident: A Massive Blow
If you follow Longhorns football, you know the name T’Vondre Sweat. He was the soul of that defensive line—a literal mountain of a man who won the Outland Trophy. But in April 2024, just weeks before he was supposed to hear his name called in the NFL Draft, Sweat was arrested by Austin Police.
The details were messy. It wasn't just a standard pull-over; it involved a crash on I-35 around 4:41 a.m. Sweat’s Ford Bronco ended up on its side after being hit from behind by another car. Now, here’s the kicker—the driver of that other car fled the scene on foot.
Later, that second driver was identified as fellow Longhorn teammate S’Maje Burrell.
Think about that for a second. Two teammates, out in the middle of the night, involved in a collision with each other. Sweat blew a .105, which is notably over the .08 legal limit in Texas. He was charged with a Class B misdemeanor. While he still got drafted by the Tennessee Titans, that phone call probably cost him millions of dollars in sliding draft stock.
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2025: The Trend Continues
You’d think the Sweat situation would be a wake-up call. Apparently not.
In 2025, the headlines kept coming. We saw Wardell Mack, a redshirt freshman defensive back with a ton of upside, arrested on DWI charges in early September. It happened right as the season was heating up. Sarkisian’s response was the standard "we’re gathering information" and "handling it internally," but for the fans, it felt like more of the same.
Then there was the Nick Brooks situation.
Brooks was a highly touted four-star offensive lineman. His arrest in April 2025 was particularly bizarre because of what he told the cops. According to the police reports, the 18-year-old was speeding—47 in a 30—and admitted to smoking a "blunt" and using a THC vape pen.
But the "cringe" factor? He reportedly told officers he was on his way to take recruits to a strip club.
Basically, he managed to violate team rules, state law, and NCAA recruiting guidelines all in one traffic stop. While some reports later suggested his actual BAC was 0.00 (because it was cannabis, not alcohol), a DWI in Texas still applies if you’re "intoxicated" by any substance that impairs your ability to drive.
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Why Does This Keep Happening in Austin?
It’s easy to point fingers at the "culture," but it’s more complicated than that. Austin is a party town. 6th Street and West Campus are legendary for a reason. When you take 18- to 21-year-olds, give them local celebrity status, and add a little NIL money to their pockets, you're mixing a volatile cocktail.
A lot of these kids feel invincible. They're used to being the biggest, strongest guys in any room. They think they can "handle it."
The Real Consequences Nobody Talks About
- The 8-Hour Rule: Per the UT Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, players have to report any arrest within eight hours of being released. If they don't? They're usually gone.
- Scholarship Jeopardy: Most people think a DWI just means a one-game suspension. In reality, it can void the "conduct clauses" in a scholarship agreement.
- Professional Scrutiny: NFL scouts don't just look at tape. They look at "character concerns." A DWI is a massive red flag that suggests a lack of discipline.
What Sarkisian Is Actually Doing
Sark has been through his own public battles with substance issues, which makes his position unique. He’s more empathetic than some old-school coaches, but he’s also stricter because he knows where that road leads.
When S’Maje Burrell was linked to the Sweat crash, he was suspended indefinitely and eventually entered the transfer portal. He didn't get a second chance. Sark basically sent the message that if you're going to put the program at risk, you're out.
But the arrests of Mack and Brooks in 2025 show that the message isn't always landing. It’s a constant battle between the structure of the athletic department and the temptations of a city like Austin.
The "Zero Tolerance" Reality in Texas
In the state of Texas, they don't mess around with "Minors in Possession" or "DUI" (which is specifically for those under 21). If you’re under 21 and have any detectable amount of alcohol in your system—even a .01—you’re in trouble.
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For these players, a Class B misdemeanor might not sound like "hard time," but it carries:
- Up to 180 days in jail.
- Fines up to $2,000.
- A year-long license suspension.
And that's just the legal side. The "court of public opinion" and the "court of Coach Sark" are often much harsher.
Actionable Steps for the Longhorn Community
If we want to see these headlines disappear, it’s going to take more than just a stern locker room speech.
If you're a student or a fan: Use the resources available. Austin has a massive network of rideshare options. There is literally zero excuse to get behind the wheel in 2026.
For the players: The program offers 24/7 car services and "safe ride" programs that are supposedly anonymous. The fear of "getting caught" by a coach for being out late is way better than the reality of getting caught by a State Trooper for driving impaired.
For the University: There’s a growing call for more rigorous mandatory education on the specific legalities of "drugged driving" (like the THC pens in the Brooks case), as many players don't realize that "not being drunk" isn't a valid defense for a DWI.
At the end of the day, a Texas Longhorns football player DWI isn't just a stat. It’s a young man potentially throwing away a multi-million dollar future for the price of an Uber. Whether it's the pressure of the SEC or just the growing pains of a young team, something's gotta give before a mistake becomes a tragedy.
To stay informed and safe, fans and athletes alike should familiarize themselves with the Austin Police Department's "No Refusal" initiatives, which frequently occur during holiday weekends and home games, and always keep a backup transportation plan pinned in their phones.