As far as seniors returning, I’d say the only player that might return next season would be Lauren. The fact they changed her class on the roster from junior to senior well after the initial roster updates indicates this is probably her last season.
Not sure when the last time was where Vic discussed his seniors "moving on" after this season, but a lot has changed since the beginning of the season when all signs pointed to them not returning for their fifth season:
- We started the season with 14 scholarship players; 3 seniors
- RS-Fr. Precious Johnson announces in late September that she will be transferring out
- We sign 3 high school recruits for the class of 2022 in November
- RS-Fr. Ashley Chevalier announces in early December that she will be transferring out
So, not counting Ebo, Warren, and Allen-Taylor, we are looking at 12 scholarships allotted for the 2022-23 season. Based on what's happened at Texas (and everywhere) the last 2 years, attrition will probably claim 1-2 more Longhorns prior to the start of the next season (and probably sooner as the deadline to enter the transfer portal and be automatically eligible for the one-time transfer exception will be bumped up from July 1 to mid-May, I believe).
So, if you're Vic, what do you do with those 3 (minimum) scholarships available? Rickea Jackson from the transfer portal is a no-brainer (assuming Vic wants her, and she wants Texas).
I've lobbied hard for Ebo to return as we didn't sign anyone similar to her in November, and finding someone similar to her in the transfer portal will be extremely difficult (unless it's Jessika Carter).
With Chevalier's unexpected departure, we now need a backup point guard; we didn't sign one in November. Matharu can be a backup, but she is currently our biggest scoring threat that I'd hate to disrupt her play at SG. Joanne returning another season could be the solution; don't know Joanne's immediate plans after the season (grad school, career, pro ball, etc.).
Audrey Warren isn't necessarily "needed" as much as a Center (Ebo) and backup PG (Joanne), but Vic loves her toughness and versatility; Vic's mentioned how much practice time and games she's missed during her Texas career, and that not being an issue this season is really helping her individual development and success. Like Joanne, I don't know Audrey's immediate plans after the season (grad school, career, pro ball, etc.).
Haven't gotten wind of any JUCO players being recruited, nor of any additional 2022 high school recruits being pursued. After post-season coaching changes, there could be some 2022 players wanting out of their LOI's (like Lattimore last summer). And, of course, they'll be a lot of players nationally entering the transfer portal; Vic stated that he is careful when using the transfer portal as player has to fill a roster need, and he doesn't want to stunt a returning player's growth and development.
Obviously, Vic could save some of those available scholarships for the 2023 recruiting class. But, if you are going to take that approach, you might as well try hard to convince Lauren, Audrey, and Joanne to return as that they won't affect the 2023 scholarships.