Cliffs Notes: The Longhorns picked up a it's super-blue chip offensive lineman since the commitment of DJ Campbell on Sunday night with a verbal pledge from Mater Dei prep star Brandon Baker.
Rankings: Here's the industry breakdown...
Rivals: (6.0) High 4 star, No.28 overall nationally, No.3 in California
ESPN: (86) High 4 star, No.39 overall nationally, No.2 in California
On3: (95) Mid 4-star, No.49 overall nationally, No.3 in California
247: (98) 5 stars, No.24 overall nationally, No.3 in California
247 composite: (.9878) 5 stars, No.25 overall nationally, No.2 in California
Notable offers: Georgia (6/23 OV), Ohio State (6/9 OV), Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee and USC
@Alex Dunlap's Evaluation: Clearly a blue-chip prospect by any measure. He has the textbook, dictionary-like definition of the kind of frame a college coach most desires in a pure, developing tackle. That much is easy. The highlights of Baker's skill set are his excellent play-strength, natural athleticism, motor and violent finishing ability. His pad level can be too high at times coming into contact when viewing his highlights, and this is perhaps more noticeable when he's asked to run pulls and traps. His whole body needs to be more oriented straight down the line of scrimmage in these setups, from his feet, to his hips, to his center of gravity. It's not surprising that a tall, long dude like Baker can sometimes get overextended, but, at times, he can. His natural balance is fine. He's built proportionally. But, he's an explosive guy who can, for lack of a better term, get a little ahead of himself at times and become vulnerable.
Even without the benefit of proper technique to hone in, though, he's a very effective blocker in open space once he gets into engagement. His play-side leverage in these clips is always excellent and the explosion he brings through his hips into contact is truly exceptional. If his arms weren't so long, I would guarantee you he has the team record at Mater Dei for power cleans in the weight room. You can even see a different manifestation of the hip explosion in the clip around 1:42 in the first HUDL reel above in Baker's initial kick of his pass set as he gets set to mirror in the second phase. The clip was clearly meant to highlight that attribute alone, because Baker doesn't even make contact with the defender on the rep. Whether or not he develops to his full eventual potential, he's the type of prospect you're going to have to fight the rest of the nation to get on your squad.
Why it matters: The Longhorns have seemingly been on the verge of going two straight recruiting classes without landing a super blue chip offensive lineman, but that question can be put to bed because Steve Sarkisian and Co. went out and landed arguably the best line prospects in the country. You need these guys each and every recruiting cycle.
Expectations: The Longhorns should be good to go along the offensive line for the next few years, but there's a chance that Baker could have a very big role along the line in 2025 after Kelvin Banks likely goes pro.
Must See: Junior highlights.
Rankings: Here's the industry breakdown...
Rivals: (6.0) High 4 star, No.28 overall nationally, No.3 in California
ESPN: (86) High 4 star, No.39 overall nationally, No.2 in California
On3: (95) Mid 4-star, No.49 overall nationally, No.3 in California
247: (98) 5 stars, No.24 overall nationally, No.3 in California
247 composite: (.9878) 5 stars, No.25 overall nationally, No.2 in California
Notable offers: Georgia (6/23 OV), Ohio State (6/9 OV), Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee and USC
@Alex Dunlap's Evaluation: Clearly a blue-chip prospect by any measure. He has the textbook, dictionary-like definition of the kind of frame a college coach most desires in a pure, developing tackle. That much is easy. The highlights of Baker's skill set are his excellent play-strength, natural athleticism, motor and violent finishing ability. His pad level can be too high at times coming into contact when viewing his highlights, and this is perhaps more noticeable when he's asked to run pulls and traps. His whole body needs to be more oriented straight down the line of scrimmage in these setups, from his feet, to his hips, to his center of gravity. It's not surprising that a tall, long dude like Baker can sometimes get overextended, but, at times, he can. His natural balance is fine. He's built proportionally. But, he's an explosive guy who can, for lack of a better term, get a little ahead of himself at times and become vulnerable.
Even without the benefit of proper technique to hone in, though, he's a very effective blocker in open space once he gets into engagement. His play-side leverage in these clips is always excellent and the explosion he brings through his hips into contact is truly exceptional. If his arms weren't so long, I would guarantee you he has the team record at Mater Dei for power cleans in the weight room. You can even see a different manifestation of the hip explosion in the clip around 1:42 in the first HUDL reel above in Baker's initial kick of his pass set as he gets set to mirror in the second phase. The clip was clearly meant to highlight that attribute alone, because Baker doesn't even make contact with the defender on the rep. Whether or not he develops to his full eventual potential, he's the type of prospect you're going to have to fight the rest of the nation to get on your squad.
Why it matters: The Longhorns have seemingly been on the verge of going two straight recruiting classes without landing a super blue chip offensive lineman, but that question can be put to bed because Steve Sarkisian and Co. went out and landed arguably the best line prospects in the country. You need these guys each and every recruiting cycle.
Expectations: The Longhorns should be good to go along the offensive line for the next few years, but there's a chance that Baker could have a very big role along the line in 2025 after Kelvin Banks likely goes pro.
Must See: Junior highlights.
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