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This is a bit of a new feature for most of the audience here, however I have done this for the past four seasons with the predictions being anywhere from spot on to couldn’t be further off. I will post the results of previous classes in the comments, dating back to 2020.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the categories.
I divide my rankings into four categories. The boundaries for each category are used quite loosely, however I take into account talent, instant impact ability, the level of excitement around each player's addition to the program and how they project for the duration of their career. Historically, offensive linemen have received the short end of the stick in past rankings, with their longer path to the field than other positions.
1. Instant impact with program changing talent. 2. Early contributor 3. Likely to be a starter in career. 4. Will take time to develop. Potential to be starter late in career. I am heavier in tiers two and three this year because of the returning contributors Texas is expecting in 2024, plus the number of big time additions out of the portal. This is not a bad thing in the slightest. This is also the heaviest group of tier four players I have had since doing these rankings, a sign of tremendous health in the depth department currently on roster.
Tier 1
EDGE Colin Simmons – This is a no-brainer. The highest rated prospect in the 2024 class comes at a position Texas has not had a ton of national success at in previous years. Simmons has already added weight to his 6-foot-3 frame and has proven to carry weight at any level. Texas has added to their defensive end room this offseason, but Simmons will find the rotation and be a three year contributor in the fall and beyond.
S Xavier Filsaime – A borderline five-star safety is joining a room that saw a lot of turnover this offseason. Filsaime has the perfect frame to compete right away at the college level. He has the track speed necessary for the SEC and it is clear Texas enjoys rolling out several safeties. Filsaime has the makings to me of a future all-conference defensive back.
WR Ryan Wingo – Probably the prospect in this class I am most excited for during his time at Texas. At 6-feet-2-inches, it is rare to find a receiver with the level of acceleration and body control of Wingo. Texas added several pieces in the WR room this offseason, however Wingo has as high a ceiling of anyone in a Texas jersey. How soon will we see him unleashed? I'm not sure. But the 2025 and 2026 seasons alone will be enough to justify this ranking.
Tier 2
OT Brandon Baker – A five-star offensive lineman that doesn't need to be thrown into the fire right away? Yessir, sign me all the way up! Baker is an elite tackle prospect with superb length and solid athleticism. Above anything, I am excited Baker will get to develop for a couple a bit. Potential day two pick already without any work done by Kyle Flood.
CB Kobe Black – For Kobe Black to be receiving as high of praise already even without any true offseason weight training, his ceiling will only continue to raise for me. Black has the potential to play anywhere in the secondary, though I see his best fit at cornerback. Really like what he brings to the table.
RB Christian Clark – Probably a ranking that I am a bit too high on right now and I will be interested to see how this one ages. But Christian Clark to me is the full package at the running back position. He can run, he can catch, he can cut, he can juke. Basically, anything that you ask him to do with the ball in his hands, Clark will be able to do. After 2024, I envision Clark being in the RB2 conversation with his junior year seeing a jump to the true bell cow for Texas.
C Daniel Cruz – I love offensive linemen with mean streaks and Cruz has exactly that. He can flip a switch and absolutely abuse defensive linemen in front of him. I love that Cruz made the jump inside to the interior to play center for his senior season and believe he will put up a very large fight for the center spot with Connor Robertson and perhaps Cole Hutson in 2025.
WR Aaron Butler – I thought about punching him in under tier three, but I re-watched the tape again this morning and just couldn't get myself to justify it. Butler fits exactly what Sarkisian targeted out of the portal and has been attempting to add to this lineup. The biggest question for Butler is the path to the field, but the close-space acceleration and burst with the ball are too impressive to ignore.
EDGE Zina Umeozulu – In August, this ranking would have been a bit lower. But credit to Zina for putting the pieces together while continuing to add to his frame. Umeozulu will step onto campus at 6-foot-5 and a hair over 240 pounds. He has the length and the athleticism to be a special player. Question is will he be able to unlock that early and maintain consistency throughout.
Tier 3
RB Jerrick Gibson – The first name in this tier is the former IMG Academy running back. Gibson is built like a truck and is going to hold 220 pounds easily during his time on campus. My question with Gibson is whether or not he can differentiate himself enough to get on the field early. Eventually, Gibson will be more than a fine player, but early on I expect the road to the field to be a tough one with the backs Texas has on campus.
DL Alex January – I juggled with January being up in tier two, but I still expect the Longhorn staff to add a piece to the defensive line room in the spring. January, physically, is a massive prospect and Texas needs just that on the interior. The multi-sport background will help with the athleticism, I like the upside long term.
WR Parker Livingstone – Perhaps no writer on the Texas beat is as high on Parker Livingstone as I am. In a year where Texas does not add four pass catchers from the portal, he is absolutely a tier two prospect. It is also extremely unfortunate that Texas fans were unable to watch Livingstone during his senior season. This kid can ball amongst the best in the state and has enough speed to get on the field with that 6-foot-4 frame of his.
CB Santana Wilson – Anytime you can add a four-star prospect with the NFL pedigree of that of a former NFL All-Pro, you do it, Wilson is a top notch prospect with versatility and production all across the field while in high school. My question is how quickly he can crack the rotation, but Wilson has great length and ball skills. Wilson played a ton of boundary corner in HS and I would not be surprised to see him there to start the college days.
DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell – Going on a little run of defensive backs here. JJR undoubtedly will come to campus with as high a football IQ of anyone in the class. Talking with Johnson-Rubell in Orlando gave me a different outlook on his career outlook.
DB Wardell Mack – Listen, in a class this stacked with defensive backs, someone has to come in the final spot amongst the bunch. I am more than anticipating to be wrong here, especially when you consider the push made by Corey Raymond at Florida to get Mack into the class specifically. Mack is a stud. He plays the ball very well and is incredibly quick to coming down field to make a play. If there is one pick I am expecting to be wrong on, it is Mack.
LB Ty'Anthony Smith – One of the hardest working prospects you will find in this class. Smith will have a ways to go with his body to add the necessary weight for the middle of a defense in the SEC, however I suspect he gets there by year three. The Longhorns have a talented LB group at the moment, though being the only linebacker in the class is going to help in the long run.
Tier 4
QB Trey Owens – I am a huge fan of Trey Owens. He took major strides on the field his senior season and was one of the top performers in San Antonio for the All American Bowl. Unfortunately for Owens, he has a tough path to the field with Ewers returning in 2024 and Arch Manning set to take the reigns the following years. Regardless, this is the quality of prospect Sarkisian turns into a stud in three years time.
OL Nate Kibble – Lengthy wingspan and road grader in the run game. That's what Nate Kibble brings to the table. There will be a transition period as he heads inside to guard, but Kyle Flood liked what he saw very early on and stayed on the former Atascocita lineman. Similarly to several others, path to the field is a bit of an issue at the moment.
TE Jordan Washington – Here is the deal: I have a soft spot for converted basketball players at the tight end position. With Washington, he can stretch the field vertically and has a willingness to put his nose in the trenches. But we saw a long journey from JT Sanders to get to the field and he was most advanced physically than Washington. I like the upside, but it will take a bit.
WR Freddie Dubose – An ACL injury cut short his junior season, though Dubose returned to the field and helped lead Smithson Valley to a state title game appearance this past fall. I am a bit on the 'I need to see it' side for Dubose when it comes to getting fully healthy with the knee. He has the top-end speed that will compete with anyone on the roster, but again, I need to see it first.
DL Melvin Hills – Hills won't have the luxury of a spring season with the Texas program which does make a difference for trench players. There is versatility here that will allow Hills to make a jump from inside to outside, but in the long run, he is best suited for the interior at a 3-tech spot. Let's see how Kenny Baker is able to mold the former Louisiana standout.
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