Texas DB Wardell Mack Arrested on DWI Charge Before Home Opener

Records from the Travis County sheriff's office show that Texas defensive back Wardell Mack was taken early Wednesday morning and charged with driving while drunk.

Mack was booked into the Travis County Jail at 1:07 a.m. on September 3. He is a 19-year-old redshirt student from New Orleans's John Ehret High School. Putting up a $3,000 bond got him out of jail later that morning.

There was an arrest just a few days before the No. 3-placed Longhorns play their first home game of the season on Saturday against San Jose State at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.

According to records from the sheriff's office, Mack was first facing an extra charge for having a controlled drug that was greater than or equal to one gram but less than four grams. After some time, that charge was dropped, leaving only the Class B minor DWI charge. Mack could gain up to two thousand dollars in fines and 180 days in jail if found guilty.

As a true rookie in 2024, Mack played in four games and had two tackles, one pass breakup, and an interception. He was one of the best players in Louisiana and a four-star athlete when he joined the team.

A statement from Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on Wednesday afternoon addressed the incident.

Sarkisian said, "We are aware of what is going on with Wardell Mack." "We will keep an eye on the legal process, and I will handle the situation internally when the time comes."

Now that the Longhorns are in the Southeastern Conference, the incident is the first problem they have had off the field since they moved there. Sarkisian has usually refused to provide information on disciplinary actions in similar situations, so it is still not clear if Mack will be able to play on Saturday.

Last week, the Longhorns beat Colorado State 38–14 in their first game of the season. The game against San Jose State will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Austin.

Mack's lawyer, Logan Campbell, refused to say anything.