You ask, IT answers: Where do we need clarity on the Texas recruiting big board?
This question is courtesy of @jag1520.
Big board questions are usually fun because they encompass the GM nature of recruiting that I prefer. I don’t necessarily love the drama of recruiting unless it’s driven by the recruit being an extraordinary talent. In those cases it’s nobody’s fault.
To answer this question let’s just take a look at how we perceive the big board after observing the staff operate throughout the Spring.
We’ll note two things first.
1. We don’t know the exact big board. So, if a recruit sees this and feels slighted, direct your ire towards me.
2. The staff is still shaping the board during the May evaluation period. May will inform who they truly push for in June.
Quarterback (1-2)
KJ Lacey is committed and we feel he’ll still end up with Texas as long as the Horns keep pushing. We view Lacey as a positive when it comes to recruiting Jamie Ffrench and Dakorien Moore.
Keelon Russell is under consideration for an offer.
I tend to think the staff is angling for 2026 to be a two quarterback class, rather than 2025, largely due to how confident the staff is in freshman Trey Owens.
Running Back (2)
Rickey Stewart is committed and I’m a fan of his slashing style.
James Simon is almost assuredly going to join him. I’m a fan of his pinball style and big-play ability. Simon was an early target of the staff which tells you how they feel about him.
Jordon Davison was RB1 for a long stretch and they also liked Akylin Dear but were too late there.
Wide Receiver (3-4)
We know Dakorien Moore and Jamie Ffrench are the top two on the board. That’s just common sense.
After those two it’s a bit murkier. Depending on how the chips fall, Kaliq Lockett, Andrew Marsh, Marcus Harris, and Kelshaun Johnson all have a spot. I don’t foresee Texas flipping Dallas Wilson or landing Caleb Cunningham at this point but I’ll never rule Sark out when it comes to quarterbacks, receivers, or running backs.
Texas should land the best wide receiver class in the country.
Tight End (2-3)
Versatile Emaree Winston is committed, though I wouldn’t count him as a traditional tight end. He does give Sark a ton of formational diversity and we know he loves that.
Kiotti Armstrong appears to be the top tight end on the board. That’s going to be one of a handful of huge fist fights with A&M this cycle.
Along with Armstrong the staff is also after Nick Townsend and Kaleb Edwards.
They don’t need to cast a very wide net this cycle as long as they play their cards right.
Offensive Line (4-5)
I think the most likely class is Michael Fasusi (another A&M fist fight), Jordan and Devin Coleman, Jackson Christian, and John Mills. However, recruiting rarely plays out how you think it will, especially when considering a five man class.
Texas obviously likes Lamont Rogers and he could potentially shake up the class as an extremely talented offensive tackle. Nick Brooks is also high on the board but he’ll be a difficult pull.
They really liked Juan Gaston but Georgia is going to win that recruitment.
There were a handful of players they liked but I don’t think as much as the guys I’ve predicted to end up in the class.
Defensive Tackle (3-4)
Brandon Brown has remained committed. That’s a good development.
This is probably the hardest position to get a good read.
It’s tough to say Zion Williams has been recruited like he’s the top guy on the board. I would say the same of DJ Sanders. That isn’t to say they aren’t priorities.
Myron Charles is certainly a priority. On tape he looks like a five-star to me.Florida State is considered the leader but three little letters are going to matter in that one. Will Texas consider him a Must-Get Recruit? Will Miami emerge as the true threat to Texas?
Another OOS prospect is Josiah Sharma. Texas is recruiting him hard but I would watch Alabama for him.
Kevin Wynn is yet another OOS prospect Texas is pushing for and he was Kenny Baker’s first offer. He’s from a town not far outside Athens and Georgia is pushing. So…
Needless to say, D-tackle recruiting is going to be interesting. It’s too early to worry but I am curious how the position will unfold.
No matter what, I expect Texas to be active at the position during the winter portal window.
Edge (2-3)
Lance Jackson is committed and he’s a stud.
Texas is also prioritizing Marco Jones, Hayden Lowe, Damien Shanklin, and, I think, Smith Orogbo. Orogbo’s contact has run hot and cold. He just turned 17 and looks like the Buck version of Charles Omenihu. No-brainer, imo.
Having Jackson in the class along with a healthy depth chart allows PK to be patient and selective.
Linebacker (3-4)
Riley Pettijohn is the top player on the board. That’s a ‘no duh’ statement. Elijah Barnes, who is already committed, is right there behind him. Another instate player they like is Jonathan Cunningham.
The staff is very high on Matai Tagoa’i but his commitment to USC took some of the wind out of their sails. They continue to recruit him, however. Another SoCal kid that was high up the board is Nasir Wyatt but he committed to Oregon.
Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng from IMG is an OOS player we’re still watching.
With Johnny Nansen on the case I think we’ll be in for a surprise at the position in addition to Texas landing Pettijohn to pair with Barnes.
Safety (1-2)
Jonah Williams is one of the top players on the entire board for the staff. Texas vs A&M vs USC, imo.
Kade Phillips is another safety they like but he wants a shot at cornerback first and that’s not the way Texas has approached that recruitment to this point.
Cornerback (2-3)
Dorian Brew could eventually play safety but he’s a cornerback for Texas.
Caleb Chester is another in-state player the Horns have stayed on. That could be a Texas vs A&M battle.
Devin Williams from Buford, GA has emerged as a priority. That’s a good example of Texas’ ever-shifting big board.
Aidan Anding is another player to watch. I believe he could commit if he wanted to.
*****
It’s important to note a number of recruits are fighting over the same ‘one’ spot while others can take as long as they want.
The post You ask, IT answers: Where do we need clarity on the Texas recruiting big board? appeared first on On3.
