Busy Day Ahead for New Texas DL Coach Baker

[CJ Vogel]

We have been closely monitoring the whereabouts of new Texas defensive line coach Kenny Baker since his addition to the staff. 

Today marks day three of Coach Baker being out on the trail, in the state of Texas, to see 2025 targets as a Longhorn assistant.

So far, here is the tally for where Coach Baker has stopped.

Tuesday

• Cy Fair – 2025 DL Landon Rink
• Randle – 2025 DL Chace Sims 
• Spring – 2025 DL Lance Guidry

Wednesday

• Katy Paetow – 2025 DL Carmello Brooks 
• Houston Heights High School 
• Lufkin – 2025 DL Zion Williams

Today, I have received word that a trip to DFW is in store.

Stops to see DL Xavier Ukponu at Denton Guyer and to Timberview to see DL Dilan Battle are expected for Thursday. It is likely other stops are thrown into the mix as well while in DFW, but for now, those two are ones I know are for sure happening.

Busy week for the newest Longhorn assistant. But alas, Texas is back firing on the defensive line trail.

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[BurntOrangeHorn]

And consequently Harris is back in his office only?

[UTexas]

Blake, are there any other coaches out with Baker or is he going it alone? Seems it would be a good idea to send a current staff member along with him to get things started.

[CJ Vogel]

1 hour ago, BurntOrangeHorn said:

And consequently Harris is back in his office only?

That is correct.

[CJ Vogel]

1 hour ago, UTexas said:

Blake, are there any other coaches out with Baker or is he going it alone? Seems it would be a good idea to send a current staff member along with him to get things started.

So far, it has just been Brown. Though as he ranges into DFW, it would not be a surprise to see him joined by another Texas staff member. I would expect it today. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

1 hour ago, BurntOrangeHorn said:

And consequently Harris is back in his office only?

That should be correct. Staff is back to full. 

[HornsKT3]

Busy on the road! Hopefully he's snagging some good texas food in route

[Gerry Hamilton]

One of the stops today is 4-star Dilan Battle of Mansfield Timberview... has the "SEC size/frame" Texas is looking for.

Michigan was right there with Texas, LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma prior to Harbaugh leaving and Saban retiring. Reason for Michigan being at the top/near the top of the list is his father lives in Michigan. 

 

Battle Junior HUDL:

http://www.hudl.com/v/2MWn3M

[Geoff Eneman]

Need to get Zion closed down and then work from there. He's a must have.

[40AcresDust]

Did Baker even set up an office or just hit the road?!? He has to be running on red bull, coffee, and gas station tacos 😂

[Gerry Hamilton]

11 minutes ago, 40AcresDust said:

Did Baker even set up an office or just hit the road?!? He has to be running on red bull, coffee, and gas station tacos 😂

lol Got through compliance and hit the road immediately 

[GoHorns1]

Will Coach Baker make a trip to Florida to Brandon Brown before the dead period starts Sunday night?

[Gerry Hamilton]

16 minutes ago, GoHorns1 said:

Will Coach Baker make a trip to Florida to Brandon Brown before the dead period starts Sunday night?

Don't think so. Sark and Banks going this week was key though. Brown will visit Texas in March ... he plays for Cali-Power 7v7 team, and they have two tournaments in Texas this spring. 

 

[Gerry Hamilton]

Texas A&M was by Eua Gallie to see Brandon Brown yesterday... the Aggies DL coach has a prior relationship while at Florida. 

 

 

[CJ Vogel]

2025 TN DL Ethan Utley was one Texas is pursuing. Utley says he has yet to hear from Kenny Baker just yet. If Baker hits the out of state road, I would expect his first two stops to be at Eau Gallie and Ensworth, TN.

[Gerry Hamilton]

3 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

2025 TN DL Ethan Utley was one Texas is pursuing. Utley says he has yet to hear from Kenny Baker just yet. If Baker hits the out of state road, I would expect his first two stops to be at Eau Gallie and Ensworth, TN.

For sure ... to add to to CJ's point ... Texas was quietly in a good spot with Utley prior to Bo Davis leaving for LSU. Tennessee, LSU and Michigan were the others mentions frequently 

[CJ Vogel]

Baker and Sarkisian just wrapped up at Mansfield Timberview to see Dilan Battle.

[NothinButDaHorns34]

Glad he’s getting out to visit zion. Is Kenny going to have free reign to evaluate who he likes and wants to offer or will they just continue with who already has them?

[Gerry Hamilton]

5 minutes ago, NothinButDaHorns34 said:

Glad he’s getting out to visit zion. Is Kenny going to have free reign to evaluate who he likes and wants to offer or will they just continue with who already has them?

Definitely get to evaluate guys. He's been watching a lot of 2025's in Georgia and Florida in addition to Texas. 

[CJ Vogel]

Interestingly, Battle says he's down to 300 lbs, about a 15 lbs shy of what he's listed at on most sites. He looks like he is carrying that weight well in the pic above.

[Pocono longhorn]

Someone needs to teach him how to Hook em.