Should we be looking at the 2026 recruiting class differently?

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

Given the new era of roster management, it makes sense to look at recruits in terms of playing time relative to NIL $, which translates also to portal out risk.  Let's look at our 2026 class

Elite guys that should be worth the high NIL (should play early, hopefully produce, and hopefully be happy at Texas for the entire 3-4 years): Atkinson, Bishop, Wesley, Cooper. 

The guys in the middle (we expect a lot, could be big time players with some development, but how patient will they be): Bell, Matthews, Carlton, Johnson, Turntine, Okpala, Howard, Stewart, Brown

Potential great value plays: Cummings, Davis, Walker, Riley, Jilek, Scherer

 

Looking at the 2025 class you can already see some separation with the highest rated guys:

Elite guys worth the NIL: Philips, Jackson, Littleton

Elite guys TBD: Williams (*may be worth it for baseball), Lockett, Townsend, Terry

Elite guys not patient enough / did not work out: Ffrench, Barnes

 

I look for Sark and Co to target 5 studs every year with big NIL and 5 value plays every year.   

[Califashorn75]

Something has to change when you pay a bench warmer big money for nothing. 

[Quinncent McManning, Jr.]

14 hours ago, Califashorn75 said:

Something has to change when you pay a bench warmer big money for nothing. 

Yes, though some positions need development.  How long a qb sits and learns and OL/DL guys take to build their frame and learn the schemes can vary. Our DL rotates frequently and so hopefully guys like Sharma and Charles will be more involved this year. How long will a Turntine need to gain weight and a Bell need to master the offense while he battles Lacey will be interesting.