Five-star OT Brandon Baker commits to the Texas Longhorns
Brandon Baker committed to Texas on Sunday, becoming the second five-star in the 2024 class for the Longhorns.
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The 6-foot-4.5, 303-pound athletic top-ranked offensive tackle in the class committed to Texas over Ohio State, Oregon and Nebraska after being a lean to the Longhorns since late June.
Baker made a pair of visits to Texas in recent months. He made a trip to Austin with his family for the spring game April 15, and then came back June 16-18 for an official visit.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and offensive line coach Kyle Flood were instrumental in Baker’s decision to commit to the Longhorns. Flood’s resume of offensive line development and NFL draft picks over the years was key in Texas winning out. The resume, combined with starting right tackle Christian Jones departing for the NFL after the 2023 season, pushed Texas over the top.
Sarkisian has longstanding connections and relationships at Mater Dei that were impactful as well. That includes his son, Texas freshman linebacker Brady Sarkisian, playing for the Monarchs for half of his high school career.
There are also family connections for the Baker family to Texas. Baker’s father has family that resides in the Lone Star State. Baker’s mother is also related to the Akana family, which includes Texas freshman linebacker Tausili Akana and junior defensive specialist Keonilei Akana on the defending national champion volleyball team.
Baker made four official visits during the process. He went to Ohio State June 9-11, Texas June 16-18, Georgia June 23-25 and Nebraska September 15-17.
Baker becomes the second Mater Dei High prospect to commit to Texas is as many years. He will join freshman tight end Spencer Shannon in Austin in a few months. The Longhorns remain after DeAndre Carter in the 2024 cycle, and running back Jordon Davison and wide receiver Marcus Harris in the 2025 class.
Texas offensive line commits and targets
Brandon Baker, OT, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei #AllGasNoBrakes
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 23, No. 1 OT
Daniel Cruz, IOL/C, North Richland Hills (Texas) Richland #AllGasNoBrakes
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 194, No. 11 IOL
Nate Kibble, IOL, Humble (Texas) Atascocita #AllGasNoBrakes
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 487, No. 41 IOL
Weston Davis, OT, Beaumont (Texas) United – *Texas A&M verbal
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 93, No. 5 OT
DeAndre Carter, IOL, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei – *Auburn verbal
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 194, No. 11 IOL
How he fits at Texas:
Baker looks like the Kelvin Banks of the 2024 class. He has similar dimensions at just under 6-foot-5 and about 300 pounds, great length, and is exceptionally quick. His feet move quickly and allow him to change directions on the move and connect with run defenders at the second level or with pass-rushers trying to get around him. Long term he’d be a left tackle prospect once Banks has moved on. – Ian Boyd
Coach Says:
Strengths — Impressive large human at 6-foot-5 and 300 lbs. Proportioned and thick with good tone in midsection. Has impressive arms which look to be decent length. Ankle, knee and hip flex are very good for the position and his feet are exceptionally quick off the snap. Can pull 2-3 gaps over, climb to the second level with ease. Legs keep moving on contact and lines up open field targets pretty well. Scoops, reach, and down blocks are all devastating. Controls the defender easily and will cave in the whole side of the line. Impressive play strength. Finishes every block and looks to have a good sense for where the “edge of legal” is on his run blocks. Pass protection is also impressive. Doesn’t overset. Mirrors the rusher and is clearly coached with his footwork and hand placement. Hands are independent on pass sets and they look always ready to stun.
Areas for Improvement / Concerns — Not a lot of film showing him challenged to the inside on pass rush. On run blocks will let his hands get outside the defender’s frame. Would like to see him transmit more lower body power through the block as he tends to win on sheer upper body power alone.
