Handful of programs catching On3 top-50 CB Selman Bridges’ attention

On3 top-50 CB Selman Bridges saw his recruitment take off in a hurry since a breakout season for the lengthy junior at Temple (Texas) Lake Belton High School.

Midway through the spring, Bridges is finding some balance juggling his recruitment along with finding time to take visits, compete in other sports and also tend to his coursework.

Bridges rarely sees a slow day in the recruiting side of things.

“I’ve just been staying focused and staying humble,” Bridges told On3. “I’m still a high-school student, a regular student right now, so I need to keep my head on straight and take it day by day, so that’s been how I’ve been looking at it.”

“I put school first … before anything,” he continued. “At school, my phone is on silent so coaches know I need to get my education and get that out of the way before I start to think about other stuff.”

Among the schools consistently dialing up Bridges include in-state programs like Texas and TCU, as well as Arkansas, Alabama and Oregon.

“Those are the coaches that have really been on me and the staffs that really want me up there,” Bridges said, referring specifically to Lincoln Riley, Steve Sarkisian, Sonny Dykes and Marcus Woodson.

“Those are the coaches that tell me how it is up there.”

USC, Texas host Bridges for spring practices

Bridges made his way out West to USC last month to catch a spring practice.

Riley found a way to connect to the top-50 cornerback that left an impression.

“He definitely has a smooth vibe,” Bridges said of the Trojans’ head coach. “They were practicing and he came over to me, joking around, and he started throwing punches at me. That shows me how cool of a dude he really is.”

Bridges has been to the Forty Acres on a handful of occasions. His latest time in nearby Austin centered around time with Sarkisian, who devoted time to his family.

“I was just in the meeting room with him and my mom and dad, and it was a smooth conversation,” the Lone Star State’s No. 10-ranked player said. “My parents got to meet him for the first time, and he told them if they need anything ‘I’m here,’ and that ‘I really want Selman to be here.’

TCU has built a strong foundation with Bridges

TCU has had the On300 cornerback on campus on a handful of times over the past year, as the Horned Frogs were quick to establish themselves as contenders with Bridges.

Head coach Sonny Dykes has had a sizeable impact on Bridges’ recruitment thus far.

“Coach Dykes is the man,” Bridges said. “You saw what he did with TCU this year — he changed the program. Out of nowhere, they made it all the way to the national championship game and it shows how he can change a program. That’s something I would like to be a part of.”

Arkansas, Alabama and Oregon also in the mix

Bridges is eyeing a return visit back to TCU and noted he “needs” to get to Arkansas and Alabama. He’s anxious “to see what Oregon is all about” as well.

Since Woodson arrived in Fayetteville, the Hogs have been coming full-throttle for Bridges.

“He’s just a good person and wants to know more about me outside of football and makes sure I know the coaches so if I go there, I feel comfortable around everybody,” he said, of Woodson. “I got on a FaceTime with the whole defensive staff and everyone was tapping in with me and telling me what’s up.”

The intrigue of Alabama is the consistency of the program.

“They have been in touch with me all spring and told me to pick a date and they’d schedule it, and they just say they want me to come on up here,” Bridges said. “Bama is ‘Bama, and that’s the intriguing thing for me.”

Will Stein has ties to Bridges from his time at UTSA and also Lake Travis (Texas) High School. Demetrice Martin and new staff addition Antonio Parks have also made headway with the elite 6-foot-3, 180-pound defensive back.

“Coach Meat is a great guy and we make sure to get on the phone at least once or twice a week,” said Bridges, the No. 47 player in the On300 for 2024. “Oregon is always hitting me up, but Coach Meat and Coach Parks are always doing the little things like talking to my dad and letting him know they’re interested in me and getting me up there.”

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