OTF Premium Ismael Camara is the latest blue-chip big human Texas hopes to develop into an NFL prospect

[Jeff Howe]

Even though a lot has changed since Steve Sarkisian and Kyle Flood got to Alabama in 2019 and started evaluating, recruiting and developing offensive linemen in college football together, Ismael Camra will get them back to their roots.

The 6-foot-6-inch, 335-pound Gilmer product’s Fourth of July commitment to Texas is the Longhorns' biggest, most highly-touted member of a five-man offensive line class. Look no further than Sarkisian’s celebratory social media message as confirmation that even though the staff isn’t married to the acquisition philosophy that bigger is always better, they’ll make an exception for a prospect with Camara’s upside.

There are a few approaches Texas could take regarding Camara’s developmental track. Which one might depend on the makeup of the offensive line in 2027, specifically whether right guard Brandon Baker and right tackle Melvin Siani return.

If Baker has the kind of season in which he’d be wise to strike while the iron is hot regarding the NFL draft, Camara could have a clearer path to the field at guard. Likewise, Siani’s departure (along with the expected exit of probable 2027 first-round pick Trevor Goosby), would likely push Camara to tackle (unless Baker were to come back for his senior season and kick back outside to tackle), where he’d compete with the likes of Andre Cojoe, Jordan Coleman, Jonte Newman, John Turntine III and fellow 2027 signee Brian Swanson (along with a potential plug-and-play transfer portal addition) for two open tackle spots.

Regardless, how Sarkisian and Flood brought Evan Neal along under Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa might be the blueprint for how to maximize Camara’s development.

With Jedrick Wills and Alex Leatherwood occupying the tackle spots for the Crimson Tide in 2019, Sarkisian and Flood put Neal into the starting lineup as a true freshman at left guard. When Wills left for the NFL, Neal moved to right tackle for Alabama’s 2020 national championship club, which was spearheaded by Sarkisian’s historic offense.

Neal, who moved to left tackle when Flood followed Sarkisian to Texas, was the seventh overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. While Neal’s outcome is a best-case scenario for Camara, what matters is that there’s proof of concept if the Longhorns want to let Camara adjust to the speed of the game and the physicality at guard before sliding him out to tackle.

There was a time when an offensive lineman choosing Texas meant rolling the dice on their football career. Over 12 recruiting classes (2003-14) and 43 total signees (41 high school prospects and two junior college transfers), the Longhorns failed to develop a single NFL draft pick. Things started to shift ever-so-slightly in the last decade, thanks to Connor Williams (2015) and Samuel Cosmi (2017). Still, the long-awaited developmental boon has come under Sarkisian and Flood, with five recruiting classes (2018-22) in which the signees spent the majority of their time on campus under the current regime have produced five draft picks, including three from the 2022 haul (Kelvin Banks Jr., DJ Campbell and Cameron Williams).

Whether it was how they brought along Neal and the other Crimson Tide players they coached, or what they've done with prospects they've inherited or recruited to Texas on their own, Sarkisian and Flood know what to do to get the most out of Camara. A big human with big-time potential, Camara should feel as though his bright football future is in good hands.

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[Jeff Howe]

One thing I didn't mention in the article is that Flood does a good job of cross-training his linemen. It not only helps the team manufacture depth so that Texas always has the best five available linemen on the field, but it also lets players figure out their best fit.

That will help expedite the process of putting Camara in the best spot early in his career.

[Jeff Howe]

Regarding the NFL draft numbers for Texas offensive line signees from 2003-14, I didn't include Tony Hills because he was recruited as a tight end. Also, guys like Donald Hawkins, Trey Hopkins and David Snow probably should've been drafted during that stretch, but they weren't, and I didn't include guys who made NFL rosters as undrafted free agents.

[Bunk Moreland]

Great stuff, Jeff. Happy 4th!

[Joe Zura]

Great stuff Jefe 🤘🏼

[thatdude2]

22 minutes ago, Joe Zura said:

Great stuff Jefe 🤘🏼

 

[taxsaver]

Well the Flood haters are gonna be quieted for the rest of the day, at least.  And probably longer.

Flood will sign TWO high-level OTs in Camara and Swanson, and with Turntine already on campus we have some great prospects for the future.

HOOKEM

[LonghornFan4Ever]

 

[CoachScott619]

Love that we’re taking an elite left tackle prospect 2 years in a row with turntine and Camarra. Swanson gonna be a stud too

[HonkEm]

1 hour ago, taxsaver said:

Well the Flood haters are gonna be quieted for the rest of the day, at least.  And probably longer.

Flood will sign TWO high-level OTs in Camara and Swanson, and with Turntine already on campus we have some great prospects for the future.

HOOKEM

 

Absolutely agree @taxsaver. The Flood haters are gonna have to find a new hobby for a while, because like you said the man just stacked Turntine, Camara, and Swanson like it’s nothing. That’s two high‑end tackles plus a freak already on campus - exactly the kind of pipeline people kept insisting he “couldn’t” build.

Funny how quiet it gets when the receipts don’t match the narrative.

Texas finally has real OL depth, real tackle talent, and a staff that actually develops it. Flood’s been doing the work the whole time - folks are just now catching up.

Also agree with others saying this was a great write-up @Jeff Howe

Edited Saturday at 09:49 PM by HonkEm

[PuraVidaHorn]

Tackles haven’t been the issue with centers being at least average.  Guard recruiting and overall play has been below average.    
 

OL recruiting and play has been the weakest link of all position groups at Texas under Sark. 
 

Maybe this class changes that narrative. 

[Cujonation83]

43 minutes ago, PuraVidaHorn said:

Tackles haven’t been the issue with centers being at least average.  Guard recruiting and overall play has been below average.    
 

OL recruiting and play has been the weakest link of all position groups at Texas under Sark. 
 

Maybe this class changes that narrative. 

Hopefully this is a step in the right direction. 

[NTX_Horn]

1 hour ago, PuraVidaHorn said:

Tackles haven’t been the issue with centers being at least average.  Guard recruiting and overall play has been below average.    
 

OL recruiting and play has been the weakest link of all position groups at Texas under Sark. 
 

Maybe this class changes that narrative. 

Guard play has definitely been subpar.  Banks and Goosby (3 star) two 1st round picks is nothing to sneeze at.  I would have loved for Cam Williams (low 4 star) to stay another year to see where he would have ended up, but nonetheless, he was developed and drafted.  I want to see those maulers inside get developed.  I was a bit underwhelmed with DJ Campbells development.  

[Tres Comas]

Is there any film of him available?

[watty7796]

10 hours ago, Jeff Howe said:

One thing I didn't mention in the article is that Flood does a good job of cross-training his linemen. It not only helps the team manufacture depth so that Texas always has the best five available linemen on the field, but it also lets players figure out their best fit.

That will help expedite the process of putting Camara in the best spot early in his career.

Id guess it also helps complete the puzzle of why and when linemates do what they are doing.  

[Jerky]

Yes.

Like most, I believe Goosby can secure a 1st round spot, maybe top 10.  Goosby is obviously expected to go pro after this season. After this season, Siani and Baker could go pro.

But.....

Siani could comeback to move back to LT to elevate his draft stock from maybe round 3/4 to round 1/2 (potentially $+10MM difference).  Baker has guard height and tackle wingspan. Baker will make his case for guard this year. Baker has already shown he can pass block at RT. Based on what I've read, Baker is likely in good position to enter the NFL draft in 2027 as a combo OL but it's possible Baker comes back to further improve his draft stock and solidify his preferred position.

Camara could get on the field at LT, RT or OG in year 1. Physically Camara is ready to play in year 1 since he is already 6-6 330+lbs with 3 reps x 705lbs squat.

 

No predictions but I would like to see...

2027 OL: LT Siani and RT Camara

But no problem if Camara played LG to allow Baker to play RT. I just want to see Camara on the field in year 1. FRENCH FREAK to TEXAS, thrilled with this HUUUUGE recruiting win!

 

[AusMOJO]

On 7/6/2026 at 12:47 AM, Jerky said:

Yes.

Like most, I believe Goosby can secure a 1st round spot, maybe top 10.  Goosby is obviously expected to go pro after this season. After this season, Siani and Baker could go pro.

But.....

Siani could comeback to move back to LT to elevate his draft stock from maybe round 3/4 to round 1/2 (potentially $+10MM difference).  Baker has guard height and tackle wingspan. Baker will make his case for guard this year. Baker has already shown he can pass block at RT. Based on what I've read, Baker is likely in good position to enter the NFL draft in 2027 as a combo OL but it's possible Baker comes back to further improve his draft stock and solidify his preferred position.

Camara could get on the field at LT, RT or OG in year 1. Physically Camara is ready to play in year 1 since he is already 6-6 330+lbs with 3 reps x 705lbs squat.

 

No predictions but I would like to see...

2027 OL: LT Siani and RT Camara

But no problem if Camara played LG to allow Baker to play RT. I just want to see Camara on the field in year 1. FRENCH FREAK to TEXAS, thrilled with this HUUUUGE recruiting win!

 

The reason the staff moved Baker to G is because they see that as his long term position in the NFL. Even if he does come back I'm not sure he would slide back out to T. Likewise Siani isn't really a LT more suited to RT. 

As for Camara physically he is ready to play day 1 but he's still very raw in terms of his technique and all that. Which is understandable he's only played 2 or so years of HS ball.

I think right now you're more likely to see him either slide to RT or a G position. I think the Coleman twins are going to have a lot to say next year when it comes to earning a starting spot. Can't forget about Turntine either. So he'll have his work cut out for him because there is a lot of talent in the OL room.

Just need to see it on the field, I'm in wait and see mode when it comes to Flood. But I agree with you, I do love this pick up and I actually quite like the OL haul this year in general.

The biggest question is, who takes over for C in 2027. Very important position on the OL and very underrated. 

[Thanos72]

On 7/4/2026 at 4:11 PM, taxsaver said:

Well the Flood haters are gonna be quieted for the rest of the day, at least.  And probably longer.

Flood will sign TWO high-level OTs in Camara and Swanson, and with Turntine already on campus we have some great prospects for the future.

HOOKEM

So you’re a Flood apologist or a Jeff worshipper? Probably neither, right? Flood’s performance has earned scrutiny and criticism. I no longer share all the reasons why but neither hate nor love plays into it.

Football is a meritocracy. It’s why it’s a great game. If Flood continues to only recruit every 5 years(that class was under developed) and only do well with ready made tackles, he needs to go just like any other underperforming coach in the country. It’s nonsensical to replace PK but not Flood based on results.

Why are grown folks in their feels regarding objective criticism?

He cross trains well but we had no one to replace a guard and center last year? Zero bench strength in Arch’s first year. That we moved from completely limp to below average by year’s end apparently confused folks.

He’s here so he should be supported but that doesn’t change the glaring underperformance.

🤘🏽

[Here for the Wins]

Here’s an interesting stat.  Texas averaged more yards per rush and had more yards rushing than anyone versus Ohio State.  Within those numbers several teams broke a longer run so their runs games were less consistent, more volatile.

i am quite curious as to several actions within the season.  These numbers bring into question some of those actions.  I also think Sark is getting a pass for some of the offenses shortcomings regarding preparation and play calling.

And my appreciation for Wisner grows. Not a game breaker, but he’s pretty consistent.  And in retrospect I think him missing the non-P5 games may have hurt our consistency and confidence.