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What a difference a year makes for Kenny Baker, Texas D-tackle room

Eric Nahlinby: Eric Nahlin06/09/25
Kenny Baker, Alex January
Kenny Baker, Alex January (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

What a difference a year makes, at least as far as narratives go. Kenny Baker would likely tell you he’s the same person he was this time last year when he was scratching and clawing to gain traction with high school recruits after transitioning to college from NFL life.

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The truth is, this time last year, Baker had put himself and his new employer in good shape with countless targets. By mid-June of 2024, IT liked Texas’s position with Josiah Sharma, Myron Charles, and DJ Sanders. Then, rather quickly, that unraveled. Sharma and Charles committed to Oregon and Florida State on June 28. Despite a very good official visit, Sanders went on to choose Texas A&M.

Baker stayed the course, and we know how it went from there. Sharma spent less than a month committed to Oregon; Charles flipped the same day Texas spanked Michigan; and in what can best be described as an institutional win, Baker helped pull the upset over Georgia for Justus Terry.

This cycle is shaping up to be the logical succession to his first cycle. Now on the job for well over a year, Baker has much more familiarity with the players and families on his big board. Just two days after starting his class with four-star Dylan Berymon from Louisiana, Baker is back in the South to pull Corey Wells out of Mississippi. Despite his low four-star rating, Wells possesses significant upside. He may take a little time to develop, but time is something Texas actually has on its hands at the position for the first time in a long time.

Let’s look at the 2026 D-tackle room if these commitments hold:

  • JR Alex January: One source called January the most disruptive player at his position throughout spring ball. Expect to hear more of that as he continues to physically mature.
  • JR Maraad Watson: I’m curious to hear about him in August, but based on his freshman year at Syracuse, he has multi-year starter potential.
  • SR Lavon Johnson: A workman-like player who helps keep the rotation fresh.
  • SR Hero Kanu: He was going to be counted on to rotate at Ohio State this season. That means he’ll be counted on to do the same at Texas.
  • SO Melvin Hills: Hills is a player who could eventually assume Johnson’s role. Started hearing some positives about him after spring ball.
  • Second-year Justus Terry, Josiah Sharma, Myron Charles: All three should be expected to play a lot in 2026. Terry may star.
  • First-year Dylan Berymon, Corey Wells, one or two more to be named later: Berymon is the sort who can offer snaps early in his career. Put Wells in the smoker and don’t rush it.

Who do you want to see join this room?

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