A look at Texas commits in the latest On300 rankings
On Monday, On3 released its latest rankings for the 2024 class. After the recent flip of Louisiana cornerback Wardell Mack, Texas is sitting on 20 commits and the No. 7 class in the nation.
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This is already a very strong class for Texas, but on the heels of back-to-back Top 5 classes, Steve Sarkisian and his coaches are looking to make it three straight. Texas is not finished, with Top 100 corner Kobe Black scheduled to announce his choice on November 29. In addition to trying to land Black, Texas could potentially flip a handful of other prospects as well.
Here are the players who made the latest Top 300.
On300 Texas commits
12. Edge Colin Simmons (Previously No. 4): The lone On3 five-star in Texas’ class, Simmons is an early enrollee who will play a lot as a true freshman. If you think Edge showed improvement in the pass rush this season, wait until next year. Texas beat LSU for the Duncanville star.
43. OT Brandon Baker (50): One of the top players in recent years from famed Mater Dei high school, Texas defeated Oregon and Ohio State for his services.
55. CB Wardell Mack (53): Mack is a good reminder sometimes it’s okay to finish second. UT narrowly lost to Florida in August but amidst the Gators’ struggles this season Mack flipped to Texas two Sundays ago. He’s part of an increasingly large number of Louisiana athletes making their way to Austin.
65. WR Ryan Wingo (92): Wingo was a massive need in the class as a potentially elite college wide receiver. He possesses an uncommon combination of speed and strength. Texas edged out Missouri on decision day.
89. CB Santana Wilson (95): One of the better kept secrets in the class, On3 is the only network to have Santana in the Top 250, much less Top 100. Wilson is a quick twitch athlete with advanced understanding of the position thanks to his dad, former Cardinals safety and current NFL executive Adrian Wilson.
148. OL Daniel Cruz (148): Cruz was one of Texas offensive line coach Kyle Flood’s greatest priorities in his three years in Austin. He has tackle feet, a guard’s ability to anchor, and the intelligence required for center.
165. DT D’antre Robinson (226): During the Summer I compared him to T’Vondre Sweat. I didn’t know Sweat was going to play at an All-American level this season but I knew he had the potential to do so. Maybe I should tone down the comparison for Robinson but you get the point, he’s a large kid who moves well. As Texas heads to the SEC he was a massive need.
170. RB Jerrick Gibson (118): The IMG stalwart has a high floor for the college game. With his physically mature build and excellent initial quickness he’s going to be a consistent threat to get to the second level and then some.
271. TE Jordan Washington (NR): I love the inclusion of Washington. He has the traits to become a high-end two-way tight end who can block from an in-line position or flex out as a receiver. Washington has O-lineman ‘want-to’ as a blocker. This was a strong evaluation by Jeff Banks.
286. DT Alex January (NR): Still not high enough for my liking but On3 is the only network to have him as a four-star. Like Robinson he’s big but light on his feet and can help anchor a defense.
Dropped out of Top 300
ATH Aeryn Hampton (221)
Player of note
CB Kobe Black: The Waco Connally cornerback and long-time Texas priority checks in at No. 96 after previously ranking at No. 75. The very moderate drop likely has to do with projecting his position. Some feel he may be a nickel or safety.
My take: I’ve watched Ryan Watts play quality corner at Texas for two seasons. If Watts can do it, Black can definitely do it. As far as nickel goes, I could see that, too. At Texas the nickel is basically a corner. Still, I like him at boundary corner most.
Texas has to land him first, though.
