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Texas

Addition of Elite Edge Richard Wesley Falls Right In Line With Class Approach

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•3 hours ago
Richard Wesley
Richard Wesley. (courtesy of Wesley)

Texas just dropped a bomb on the recruiting world when On3 Industry Ranking five-star Richard Wesley committed to the Horns. The timing was a shock, but Texas landing an elite player at the position was all part of the master plan. It was going to happen, the only question was, who and when? June 22nd is a good day to celebrate, especially if you also want to celebrate Arch Manning’s commitment date tomorrow. 

We’ve been closely detailing the class approach of late.

OFFENSIVE APPROACH ($)

DEFENSIVE APPROACH ($)

Yes, there will be misses, specifically at the skill positions, but that’s to be expected with Texas’ war chest mainly going towards the offensive and defensive line. Oh, and five-star quarterback Dia Bell.

Another part of the approach we’ve been detailing is Texas is either looking for longer curve developmental payers, or those who are talented and physically mature enough to cut in line. Despite reclassifying to the 2026 class from 2027, the 6-foot-4, 260 pound Wesley is already pretty physically mature. Cutting in line, though, won’t be easy thanks to a stacked room. It’s my opinion every Edge player on the roster, save Smith Orogbo, will be drafted. That’s no slight to Orgobo, it’s just too early in his career to get a good feel for him.

Ethan Burke will start this year and he’ll be bolstered by Colton Vasek, Zina Umeozulu, and 2025 five-star Lance Jackson. The first person I thought of when Wesley pinged the Texas radar was Jackson. 

The 2026 Edge room will have a new starter at Jack and Colin Simmons in his final year in Austin at Buck. All of Vasek, Umeozulu, and Jackson can play Buck if need be. Despite the loaded room there will be playing time available for Wesley similar to what Jackson sees this season. 

For all intents and purposes, the Texas D-tackle class is already locked up. Today LaAllan Clark and PK got a jump on the Edge room after missing on Dre Quinn earlier in the week. 

How big was this pickup? On Thursday I wrote what a successful Texas class would look like. No. 1 was holding on to quarterback Dia Bell. No. 2 was landing offensive tackle Felix Ojo. No. 3 was:

Land one of Trenton Henderson or Richard Wesley

Or flip JaReylan McCoy from Florida. The point is, Texas is in pursuit of some elite edge rushers and needs to land one. These guys are Jacks and not the easiest to find, meaning they’re expensive.

Both Henderson and Wesley visit this weekend. Time to make a move. Florida leads for Henderson despite having McCoy and Oregon leads for Wesley despite his recent de-commitment from the Ducks.

There are tons of surprises in recruiting, especially in the NIL era, but when you have an understanding of the staff’s approach and motivation to address a program need, these things tend to work themselves over time, at least at a school hitting on all cylinders like Texas.

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