Gerry Hamilton

I think what's interesting about the topic is how much Texas is recruiting nationally now ... If you take all the final national rankings ... Brandon Baker and Ryan Wingo would have ranked inside the top 10 in the state of Texas. So Texas has Colin Simmons, Kobe Black and Xavier Filsaime + Baker and Wingo of guys that would be top 10 in Texas if all lived in the state. Within that top 10, Texas didn't go all in or after a couple of guys - Terry Bussey and Taylor Tatum. Texas liked some other guys better, wrong or right. And Texas didn't offer QB DJ Lagway, wrong or right. Texas absolutely would have taken LB Justin Williams and DL Joseph Jonah-Ajonye ... but both signed with Georgia. It was the same in the 2023 class ... Arch Manning and CJ Baxter would have been top 10 ranked prospects in Texas. That means Texas didn't go after two top 10 ranked prospects - Rueben Owens and Jackson Arnold. Texas got top 10 ranked Anthony Hill. Johntay Cook and Malik Muhammad. Wrong or right, didn't push for a couple of guys ranked in the top 10.

lol on the last part of that. Interesting topic ... a lot of kids probably would stay where they are at depending on scenarios. In Brown's case. His brother is a basketball coach in the area, and they are very close. He has a sister that is a senior and very good basketball player (will play DII or DI somewhere) ... so travel for mom is impacted.

He's definitely feeling OU right now more. One thing I don't know right now is if OU has all the correct connections in Galveston that could be impactful here long term.

I do think there will be a lot of attention paid to Sark vs. Kalen DeBoer when Texas and Bama face off again.

We will have something else later today!

Great question ... Center is a really deep position for the Horns. I do think Cruz will push the older guys (Robertson and Hutson) after getting his feet wet. Not sure it's a lock Cruz isn't competing for the starting spot in 2025.

3-4 is the number I have heard. Same on Elijah Barnes. Him and Pettijohn are the top in state.

That is so interesting to me. It's the wild west in terms of trasnferring around in the Sunshine State ... Northwestern will definitely get their share IMO. They had been losing out in the HS recruiting world in recent years lol

Agree. Elijah Barnes and Riley Pettijohn are no brainers for Texas and others nationally. Texas really likes Jonathan Cunningham out of North Crowley too.

Feels like June OV's and decision prior to senior season, as of today. Baseball is definitely going to factor into this one too.

Jonah Williams older brother will be a name some Texas fans remember ... baseball https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Williams_(baseball)

Great stuff Blake. Texas was the first schools to attack baseball and football in the recruitment.

The visit to Oklahoma was the third for Williams BTW

Jonah Williams Junior HUDL: http://www.hudl.com/v/2Le2ZM

Spoke with Galveston (Texas) Ball High 5-star safety Jonah Williams Friday afternoon. Williams, 6-3 and 204 pounds, is currently helping lead Ball High to a district title in basketball before shifting focus to baseball. Obviously, baseball is impactful in his recruitment. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and safeties coach/area recruiter Blake Gideon were at Ball High two weeks ago. They met with Williams and his father. Sarkisian's message was simple. “It went great," Williams told OnTexasFootball Friday. "They moved me back to the safety room. They talked about with Coach Choate leaving that they are moving me back to the safety room. He had a great talk with my dad." Williams and Gideon have been in communication for over a year with Gideon serving as the area recruiter. “Coach Gideon told me that I’m a top priority at safety." With Texas shifting the recruitment to the safety position, the Longhorns have a realistic shot. Williams' visit plans Williams visited Oklahoma last weekend for the Sooners Elite Junior Day. He did not attend Texas Junior Day January 20, and said Friday he's not likely attending Texas A&M Junior Day this weekend. Williams said spring practice visits to Texas and Texas A&M are likely. A number of head coaches have been by Ball High to meet with Williams and family members. That list includes USC's Lincoln Riley Thursday, UH's Willie Fritz, Texas A&M's Mike Elko Thursday, Ohio State's Ryan Day last week and Oregon's Dan Lanning attended the Galveston Ball at Friendswood basketball game two weeks ago.

Aaron Harris is one guy from the 2005 NC team that you don't hear much about these days. Anyone know what he is up to?

One is he's never been able to stay healthy. IMO, it impacts rebounding and defense the most. Hunter not developing at all has been the thing that's hurt this team the most IMO.

100% on Cam Spencer. He's such a big time college player. Difference maker for UConn He's not on any NBA mock drafts that I have seen ... but will not surprise me if he makes a team one day.

Yep. Texas says Buck is where he will begin his career.

Figured LSU would get some votes here!

The 2025 NBA Mock Draft has Tre Johnson and Cam Scott in the first round (understanding it's meaningless on some level) https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2025

Yep. Texas is in a tough spot this season in one way ... the big lineup protects against smaller backcourt, but the flip side is bad spacing in the big lineup and without a wing that is a threat off the bounce or as a perimeter threat (Mitchell). Three guards is the Horns best chance to get to the tournament this season, without question.

He was showing continued improved perimeter skill prior to the knee injury ...