Let's call the beginning of this weekend's column positive reinforcement.
The season is officially less than a week away and it feels like this week's lede will serve two purposes.
a. It will set the stage for what the proper set of expectations should be for this upcoming season.
b. It should calm the nerves of those who believe that the failures of 2025 recruiting are a sign that some sort of football apocalypse is occurring.
Does it matter that I did this analysis more than a few months ago? No. Too many of you have forgotten it or didn't read it the first time.
The idea behind this analysis was that if a super blue chip prospect is really a super blue chip prospect, he'll be rated as such by more than one of the major recruiting services. Call them the super duper blue chip rankings, if you will.
For those of you wondering what a super blue chip is, I'm glad you asked. It's any prospect that achieves the following rankings by the four major recruiting services: Rivals (6.0+), 247 (96+), ESPN (86+) and On3 (96+)
In order for a transfer to count as a super blue chip, he needed to rank as a top-32 Portal prospect by two of the three major services with Portal rankings (Rivals/247/On3)
Here's how the national Top 10 breaks down ...
1. Ohio State
Total number of super blue chips: 29
Transfers: (5) 2023 CB Davison Igbinosun (Ole Miss - 247/On3), 2024 DB Caleb Downs (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2024 RB Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss - Rivals/247/On3), 2024 QB Will Howard (Kansas State - Rivals/On3) and 2024 QB Julian Sayin (Ohio State - Rivals/247/On3)
2024: (6) WR Jeremiah Smith (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB Aaron Scott (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Mylan Graham (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), QB Air Noland (Rivals/247/ESPN), DE Eddrick Houston (Rivals/247//ESPN) and DB Bryce West (Rivals/ESPN)
2023: (6) WR Carnell Tate (Rivals/247/On3), WR Brandon Inniss (Rivals/247/ESPN), DT Jason Moore (Rivals/247), DB Jermaine Matthews (Rivals/On3/ESPN), DB Calvin Simpson-Hunt (Rivals/On3), and WR Noah Rogers (247/On3/ESPN)
2022: (4) LB CJ Hicks (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), Ath Alex Styles (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), QB Devin Brown (Rivals/247/On3/) and DE Kenyatta Jackson (Rivals/On3)
2021: (7) OL Donovan Jackson (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Emeka Egbuke (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DE JT Tuimoloau (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DE Jack Sawyer (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), RB TreVeyon Henderson (247/On3/ESPN), CB Jordan Hancock (247/On3) and WR Jayden Ballard (247/On3/ESPN)
2020: (1) WR Gee Scott Jr. (Rivals/247)
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (5) 2022 Edge (247/ESPN), 2021 QB Quinn Ewers (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 CB JK Johnson (Rivals/On3), 2021 QB Kyle McCord (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and 2020 WR Julian Fleming (Rivals/247/ESPN)
Transfer Rate: 13.9%
In the NFL: (4) 2021 DL Mike Hall (On3/247), 2020 OL Paris Johnson (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2020 WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Rivals/247) and 2020 QB CJ Stroud (Rivals/247)
2. Georgia
Total number of super blue chips: 28
Transfers: (2) 2023 WR Dominic Lovett (Missouri - Rivals/247/On3) and 2024 RB Trevor Etienne (Florida - Rivals/On3)
2024: (8) DB Ellis Robinson (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), LB Justin Williams (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB K.J. Bolden (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DL Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), LB Chris Cole (247/On3/ESPN), TE Jaden Reddell (On3/ESPN), CB Demello Jones (On3/247) and RB Nate Frazier (Rivals/247/On3)
2023: (9) DE Samuel M'Pemba (Rivals/ESPN), DE Damon Wilson (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DT Jordan Hall (Rivals/247/On3), DB A.J. Harris (Rivals/247/ESPN), OL Monroe Freeling (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), LB Raylen Wilson (247/On3/ESPN), S Joenel Aguero (247/On3/ESPN), LB Troy Bowles (247/ESPN) and TE Pearce Spurlin (Rivals/On3)
2022: (7) DB Jaheim Singletary (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DL Mykel Williams (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB Daylen Everette (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB Malaki Starks (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), RB Brandon Robinson (Rivals/ESPN), OL Earnest Greene (Rivals/247/On3) and LB Jalon Walker (247/On3/ESPN)
2021: (1) LB Smael Mondon (247/On3/ESPN)
2020: (1) WR Arian Smith (247/ESPN)
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (6) 2022 Bear Alexander (Rivals/On3/ESPN), 2022 LB Marvin Jones Jr. (Rivals/247/On3), 2021 QB Brock Vandagriff (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 LB Xavian Sorey (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2021 DB Nyland Green (247/On3), 2020 LB MJ Sherman (Rivals/ESPN)
Transfer Rate: 15.8%
In the NFL: (6) 2021 TE Brock Bowers (ON3/247), 2021 OL Amarius Sims (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2020 CB Kelee Ringo (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2020 OL Broderick Jones (Rivals/247ESPN), 2020 DL Jalen Carter (Rivals/247/ESPN) and 2020 TE Darnell Washington (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
3. Alabama
Total number of super blue chips: 25
Transfers: (2) OT Kadyn Proctor (Rivals/247/On3) and OL Parker Brailsford (247/On3)
2024: (5) WR Ryan Williams (Rivals/247/ON3/ESPN), DB Jaylen Mbakwe (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), CB Zay Mincey (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB Zabien Brown (Rivals/247/On3) and Edge Noah Carter (On3/247)
2023: (8) DE Yhonzae Pierre (Rivals/247/On3), DE Keon Kelly (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB Jahlil Hurley (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Jalen Hale (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), RB Justice Haynes (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DT James Smith (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DE Qua Russaw (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and DL Jordan Renaud (ON3/ESPN)
2022: (6) DE Jeremiah Alexander (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), LB Jihaad Campbell (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Emmanuel Henderson (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), QB Ty Simpson (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), OL Tyler Booker (247/On3/ESPN) and DL Khurtis Perry (247/ESPN)
2021: (3) LB Keanu Koht (Rivals/247/On3), LB Deontae Lawson (On3/247) and DT Damon Payne (Rivals/247/ESPN)
2020: (1) DT Tim Smith (Rivals/247)
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (17) 2024 QB Julian Sayin (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2023 DB Caleb Downs (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2023 DB Dezz Ricks (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2022 WR Aaron Anderson (Rivals/247/On3), 2022 WR Shazz Preston (Rivals/ESPN), 2022 WR Isaiah Bond (On3/247), 2022 LB Shawn Murphy (Rivals/ESPN), 2022 OL Elijah Pritchett (Rivals/247/On3), 2021 OL Tommy Brockermeyer (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 WR Agiye Hall (On3/ESPN), 2021 RB Camar Wheaton (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2021 WR Jojo Earle (Rivals/On3/ESPN), 2021 Christian Leary (Rivals/On3), 2021 DL Monkell Goodwine (Rivals/On3), 2021 WR Ja'Corey Brooks (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2020 LB Drew Sanders (Rivals/247/ESPN) and 2020 LB Demouy Kennedy (Rivals/247)
Transfer Rate: 34.7%
Headed to the In the NFL: (9) Transfer WR Jermaine Burton, 2021 OL J.C. Latham (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 DB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 LB Dallas Turner (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 DB Terrion Arnold (Rivals/247/On3), 2020 DE Will Anderson (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2020 QB Bryce Young (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2020 LB Chris Braswell (Rivals/247/ESPN) and 2020 Jase McClellan (Rivals/ESPN)
4. Texas
Total number of super blue chips: 19
Transfers: (3) 2023 QB Quinn Ewers (Ohio State - 247/On3), 2024 WR Isaiah Bond (Alabama - Rivals/247/On3), and 2024 DE Trey Moore (UTSA - 247/On3)
2024: (5) DE Colin Simmons (Rivals/247/On3/ESP)), OL Brandon Baker (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Ryan Wingo (Rivals/247/ESPN), CB Kobe Black (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and DB Xavier Filsaime (Rivals/247/ON3/ESPN)
2023: (7) QB Arch Manning (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Johntay Cook (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), LB Anthony Hill (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), RB Cedric Baxter (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB Malik Muhammad (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), S Derek Williams (247/On3/ESPN) and Ath Jelani McDonald (247/On3)
2022: (3) OL DJ Campbell (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), OL Kelvin Banks (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), and OL Neto Umeozulu (On3/ESPN)
2021: None
2020: (1) DL Alfred Collins (247/ESPN)
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (2) Ja'Quinden Jackson (247/ESPN) and CB Terrance Brooks (Rivals/On3)
Transfer Rate: 8.70%
In the NFL: (4) Transfer WR Adonai Mitchell, 2021 TE Ja'Tavian Sanders (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 WR Xavier Worthy (On3/ESPN) and 2020 RB Bijan Robinson (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
5. Oregon:
Total number of super blue chips: 14
Transfers: (5) 2023 DE Jordan Burch (South Carolina - Rivals/247). 2024 WR Evan Stewart (Texas A&M - Rivals/247/On3), 2024 QB Dante Moore (UCLA - Rivals/247), Jabbar Muhammad (Rivals/247/On3) and 2024 QB Dillon Gabriel (OU - Rivals/On3)
2024: (5) WR Gatlin Bair (Rivals/247/On3), Edge Elijah Rushing (247/ESPN), S Aaron Flowers (Rivals/On3), CB Ify Obidegwu (247/ESPN) and DL Aydin Breland (247ESPN))
2023: (2) DE Matayo Uiagalelei (Rivals/247/ESPN) and Jurrian Dickey (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
2022: (1) OL Josh Conerly Jr. (Rivals/247/ESPN)
2021: (0) None
2020: (1) DB Donta Manning (Rivals/247/ESPN)
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (4) 2021 QB Ty Thompson (Rivals/On3/ESPN), 2021 OL Kingsley Suamataia (Rivals/247/On3), 2022 CB Jalil Yucker (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), and 2020 LB Justin Flowe (Rivals/247/ESPN)
Transfer Rate: 26.7%
In the NFL: (2) 2021 WR Troy Franklin (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and 2020 LB Noah Sewell (Rivals/247/ESPN)
6. Texas A&M
Total number of super blue chips: 13
Transfers: (2) DE Nic Scourton (Purdue - Rivals/247/On37) and DB Desmond Ricks (Alabama - Rivals/247)
2024: (1) Ath Terry Bussey (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
2023: (3) DT David Hicks Jr. (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), RB Rueben Owens (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and OL Chase Bisontis (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
2022: (5) DL Shemar Stewart (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), QB Conner Weigman (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DT Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DE Enai White (247/On3/ESPN) and DB Bryce Anderson (247/On3/ESPN)
2021: (2) DL Shemar Turner (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and OL Reuben Fatheree II (Rivals/On3)
2020: None
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (11) 2022 DL Walter Nolan (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2022 WR Evan Stewart (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2022 DE Lebbeus Overton (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2022 CB Denver Harris (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2022 DL Anthony Lucas (Rivals/247/On3), 2022 WR Chris Marshall (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2022 OL PJ Williams (247/ESPN), 2021 RB LJ Johnson (Rivals/247), 2021 DE Tunmise Adeleye (Rivals/ESPN), 2020 WR Demond Demas (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and 2020 DE Donell Harris (Rivals/247)
Transfer Rate: 45.8%
In the NFL: (2) 2020 DB Jaylon Jones (Rivals/247/ESPN) and 2020 DB Antonio Johnson (Rivals/247)
7. Miami
Total number of super blue chips: 12
Transfers: (3) 2023 OL Javion Cohen (Alabama - Rivals/247/On3), 2024 RB Damien Martinez (Rivals/On3) and 2024 QB Cameron Ward (Washington State - Rivals/247/On3)
2024: (6) DB Zaquan Patterson (Rivals/247), DT Justin Scott (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DE Armondo Blount (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Joshisa Trader (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR Ny Carr (Rivals/ESPN) and Edge Marquise Lightfoot (Rivals/On3/247)
2023: (3) OL Francis Mauigoa (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), OL Samson Okunlola (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and DT Rueben Bain (Rivals/247/ESPN)
2022: None
2021: None
2020: None
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (2) 2020 DB Avante Williams (Rivals/ESPN) and 2021 QB Jake Garcia (Rivals/ESPN)
Transfer Rate: 15.4%
In the NFL: (2) 2021 DB James Williams (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and 2021 DT Leonard Taylor (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
8. Clemson
Total number of super blue chips: 11
Transfers: None
2024: (3) LB Sammy Brown (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), WR TJ Moore (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and WR Bryant Wesco (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
2023: (3) DT Peter Woods (Rivals/247/ESPN), DE Tomarrion Parker (Rivals/247) and DL Vic Burley (247/ESPN)
2022: (2) QB Cade Klubnik (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and DB Jeadyn Lukus (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
2021: (2) LB Barrett Carter (Rivals/247/On3) and OL Tristan Leigh (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
2020: (1) DT Demonte Capehart (Rivals/247/ESPN)
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (4) 2022 CB Toriano Pride (247/On3), 2021 WR Beaux Collins (Rivals/ESPN), 2020 RB Demarkus Bowman (Rivals/247/ESPN) and 2020 QB D.J. Uiagalelei (Rivals/247/ESPN)
Transfer Rate: 20.0%
In the NFL: (5) 2021 RB Will Shipley (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 LB Jeremiah Trotter (247/On3/ESPN), 2020 DT Bryan Breese (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2020 DE Myles Murphy (Rivals/247/ESPN) and 2020 LB Trenton Simpson (Rivals/247)'
9. Oklahoma:
Total number of super blue chips: 10
Transfers: (1) 2023 DE Dasan McCulloch (Indiana - Rivals/247/On3)
2024: (2) DT David Stone (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and RB Taylor Tatum (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN)
2023: (5) QB Jackson Arnold (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DB Peyton Bowen (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), DE Adepoju Adebawore (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), LB Samuel Omosigho (247/On3), WR Jaquaize Pettaway (247/ESPN)
2022: (1) CB Gentry Williams (On3/ESPN)
2021: (1) DB Billy Bowman (Rivals/247)
2020: None
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (5) 2023 OL Cayden Green (Rivals/ESPN), 2021 LB Clayton Smith (Rivals/247/On3), 2021 QB Caleb Williams (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2021 WR Mario Williams (Rivals/On3/ESPN), and 2020 OL Nate Anderson (247/ESPN)
Transfer Rate: 31.3%
In the NFL: 2020 OT Andrew Raym (247/ESPN)
10. LSU
Total number of super blue chips: 9
Transfers: (1) 2023 WR Aaron Anderson (Alabama - Rivals/247/On3)
2024: (2) DT Dominick McKinley (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and TE Trey'Dez Green (Rivals/247/On3)
2023: (2) DB Javien Toviano (Rivals/247/ESPN) and Edge Dashawn Womack (247/On3/ESPN)
2022: (2) LB Harold Perkins (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and OL Will Campbell (Rivals/247/ESPN)
2021: (2) DT Maaron Smith (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN) and DB Sage Ryan (Rivals/247/ESPN),
2020: None
Transferred Out/No Longer in the Program: (6) 2023 OL Zalance Heard (Rivals/247/On3/ESPN), 2022 DE Quency Wiggins (Rivals/247), 2022 QB Walker Howard (Rivals/ESPN), 2020 TE Arik Gilbert (Rivals/247/ESPN) and 2020 DB Eli Ricks (Rivals/247/ESPN)
Transfer Rate: 31.6%
In the NFL: (3) 2020 WR Kayshon Boutte (Rivals/247/ESPN), 2021 DL Jaquelin Roy (247/ESPN), 2020 Edge BJ Ojulari (247)
All of this is important for a couple of different reasons that cannot be stressed enough.
a. The current Texas Longhorns roster is loaded with top-end talent, so much so that anything less than making the 12-team playoff this season should represent a major disappointment. My new general rule of sorts is that if you're in the top 5 of this list and don't make the 12-team playoff at the end of the season, you've failed. Period.
Texas is one of those schools that will have failed if it doesn't make the playoffs in December. Other than Georgia, Texas A&M and Oklahoma (by a single player), the Longhorns will have a double-digit edge in consensus super blue chip prospects than every team on their schedule.
b. Barring something completely unforeseen, the Longhorns will return to the top 5 when the 2025 season rolls around because 12 of the 19 consensus super blue chips on the roster are underclassmen and project to return following the season. As long as the Longhorns sign 5-6 super blue chips in the 2024 class, while adding a couple of high-impact transfers, the Longhorns will not only return to the top 5 of these rankings, but it's possible they will climb the list.
Therefore, some of you need to relax and have a dose of perspective.
No. 2 - About the 2025 recruiting class ...
Generally speaking, if the goal is to rank in the top 5 in elite-level talent every single season, a minimum of 5-7 super blue chips will be needed in every recruiting cycle. Without factoring in transfers, it would give a team between 20-28 super blue chips over a four-year cycle and between 25-35 over a five-year cycle.
The amount of schools that are remotely recruiting at this level is incredibly small. It's an incredibly high bar, but it speaks to what Steve Sarkisian's staff has done since he’s been in Austin that is hanging with the likes of Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama when it comes to talent acquisition.
For all of the rightful grumbling about missing on the likes of Dakorien Moore, Michael Fasusi and Riley Pettijohn this summer, the Texas program is still in very, very good shape when it comes to hitting its quota.
Let's count them.
1. Defensive back/linebacker Jonah Williams
He's ranked as a unanimous super blue chip, as he ranks as a national top-20 prospect by every single service.
2. Wide receiver Kaliq Lockett
He's ranked as a unanimous super blue chip, as he ranks as a national top-50 prospect by every single service.
3. Defensive lineman Lance Jackson
He ranks as a consensus super blue chip and can probably be viewed as a unanimous super blue chip because he's ranked as a top-65 national prospect by every service and there are typically between 65-75 super blue chips on an annual basis.
That's three. If the Longhorns close the deal on both wide receiver Jaime Ffrench and athlete Michael Terry, they'll be sitting at five consensus super blue chips on this class.
Of the other commitments in this class, defensive end Smith Orogbo and linebacker Bo Barnes are also ranked as top-65 prospects by at least one of the major services, while tight end Nick Townsend and quarterback KJ Lacey are two others that are ranked as national top-100 prospects by at least one service.
Without doing anything other than closing on Ffrench and Terry, they'll hit the minimum side of the required quota. With a significant flip and/or a couple of other commitments like Orogbo, Barnes, Townsend or Lacy moving up in the rankings in the next few months, Sarkisian and his staff could end up having a class that hits the desired quota rather easily.
Again ... just some perspective for those that have been in panic mode the last few weeks.
No. 3 - Putting my money where my mouth is ...
I've got Texas at 11-2 and losing the SEC championship against Alabama in Atlanta.
That will lead to the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. After winning its first-round match up against a team like Missouri, it'll match-up with the Big 12 winner in the quarterfinals, which will end up as an easy Texas win. That would set up a national semi-final showdown against No. 1 Ohio State and this is where I have the 2024 season coming to an end for the Longhorns, in a 33-29 loss to the Buckeyes.
Along the way, I have Texas beating Michigan, Oklahoma and Georgia. I've got them dropping a road game along the way. Yes, that could end up being in College Station.
The bottom line for me is that Texas simply has too much talent for almost everyone on its schedule. It should have a quarterback advantage over every team on its regular-season schedule.
We're in for a hell of a ride.
No. 4 - Planning for 105 scholarships ...
In case you might have missed it from earlier in the week,
@Anwar Richardson asked Sarkisian if the Texas coaching staff was already planning its 2025 recruiting strategy for the 85-man scholarship limit or the 105-man scholarship limit that is likely to be approved and in play in time for the 2025 season.
Sarkisian's answer to the question was insightful.
“It's under discussion in our building," Sarkisian said. "As you look at the potential numbers and what they look like, we still have a current roster of players on our team now as well. I was always a proponent from day one that I didn't want walk-ons to go away. I think they serve a lot of value in your locker room and on your team. What does that number look like for us if in fact it’s a hard-fast 105? Does that mean we have to have 105 scholarship kids? Or can we have 90 or 95 and still have a space and a place for walk-on types or even partial scholarships? There's a lot of things that are unknown for a still.
“Does it allow us maybe a few more numbers? Maybe. Does it always have to be a high school kid, or maybe those are portal spots that we can look into and we can just focus on the 25 high school kids. There's a lot of ways of doing it. We're trying to be really kind of diligent in our approach of just looking at every angle. We're really trying to tap into a lot of guys in the NFL and how they manage it that way to see what's best for us. I'm sure everybody's going to do it a little bit differently, and we just want to make sure we do what's best for us.”
Some thoughts on his comments.
1. It sounds like there are going to be 105 spots on a football roster moving forward. Period. All coaches hate the idea of walk-ons essentially being eliminated from the process, so it'll be interesting to see how these next 20 sports are sorted out because if the NCAA allows all of those spots to be filled with scholarship players, the all gas, no breaks approach to roster building should include trying to use all 20 spots on players that can truly help you win games in a season and not with players that help you prepare to win games each season.
2. "Does it always have to be a high school kid, or maybe those are portal spots that we can look into and we can just focus on the 25 high school kids."
That was the most interesting part of his answer and it provided some insight to how much his instincts towards program-building have changed in the last couple of years. When Sarkisian got here, his natural instincts told him that high school prospects were inherently more valuable than anyone in the Portal. Yet, just a few years later, he could end up with as many as a half-dozen starters from the Portal this season, despite being able to stack three straight elite-level recruiting classes on top of each other. The fact that he specifically mentioned the number 25 with regards to high school kids tells me that he's not going to crazy with offers to a bunch of high three-star types in an effort to fill out his 105-man roster. It might not sound like a big thing, but I was encouraged by his answer from a strategic standpoint.
No. 5 - Spit-balling on the subject of recruiting ...
... Assuming the Longhorns land Jaime Ffrench this week and Michael Terry at some point, that would put the Longhorns at 20 commitments and I'm not sure going after another high school wide receiver makes a lot of sense when you consider that eight scholarship receivers are scheduled to return next season (assuming that Isaiah Bond turns pro). Ffrench and Kaliq Lockett will bring the Longhorns back to 10 (the number of scholarship wide receivers on the roster this season) and Sarkisian will almost certainly want to leave a spot or two available for the Portal based on how he has treated the position in the Portal in each of the last three recruiting cycles. Anything less than Dakorien Moore probably should just be ignored.
... If the Longhorns are softly aiming for 25 high school scholarships and the combination of Ffrench and Terry would get them to 20, my guess is that the final five slots would be reserved for the following:
2 DT
1 LB
2 CB
... I fully expect that the Longhorns are going to keep going at Florida State defensive tackle commitment Myron Charles for one of those spots.
... Overall, the Longhorns have offered 23 prep defensive tackles in the 2025 class and have only one commitment to show for it. Yet, if they can flip someone like Charles and you acknowledge that Lance Jackson might be an interior lineman before long, your DT numbers for 2025 will probably be fine if supplemented by a few additions through the Portal, which seems like the much smarter play than saving slots for high-risk, multi-year projects.
... When it's all said and done, I think we can all set our watched on this staff flipping someone that's not even on the radar at the moment in the 2025 class. There's an Aaron Butler out there somewhere that they'll land.
No. 6 - Looking at future Longhorns secondary ...
With the addition of Jonah Williams this weekend, this is a snapshot of what the Longhorns will have to work with beginning next season (bolded players were/are super blue chip prospects coming out of high school:
Cornerback:
Junior Malik Muhammad, senior Jay'Vion Cole,
sophomore Kobe Black, sophomore Warren Roberson, sophomore Wardell Mac, sophomore Santana Wilson and freshman Caleb Chester
Safety: Senior Michael Taaffe,
junior Derek Williams,
junior Jelani McDonald,
sophomore Xavier Filsaime, sophomore Jordan Johnson-Rubell and freshman Jonah Williams
Nickel: Senior Jaylon Guilbeau and
junior Jelani McDonald
The 2025 starting secondary could feature five stars Muhammad and Black at cornerback, along with super blue chips Williams and McDonald at safety, while Guilbeau holds it down in the nickel.
Yes, the cornerback recruiting in the 2025 class with Terry Joseph could be better without question, but let's not act like the overall state of the talent in the secondary isn't dreamboat worthy for almost every school in the nation.
No. 7 – Updated Scholarship Board ...
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Buy) Yes. He's a six-star prospect in my mind and I'm not sure I quite feel that way about anyone else.
(Buy) I know your question was made tongue in cheek, but I think Kyle Flood feels like it is a huge success. Hell, I had people close to the program trying to sell me that Nick Brooks was a better addition than Michael Fasusi would have been. It's a big disappointment for me. There were three super blue chip in-state prospects and the Longhorns are going to end up with none of them. That's not good enough. Still, this class will probably be remembered as a success if Flood can convert two of the players in it into plus-starters with NFL futures. The math says only one developing into that kind of player is most likely, so producing multiple high-end players would represent a real credit to his developmental skills.
(Sell) I still believe there will be less rotation than is being talked about, especially once we get through the first month of the season.
(Sell) It's not a runaway, but Queen Berry is as much of a goddess as this earth has ever seen. This her at 58.
(Buy) I thought Sark would sign the No. 1 class in the country in 2025, given the number of 5-stars in Texas and the success the Longhorns earned in 2024.
(Buy) Why wouldn't it be?
(Sell) I think elite schools are just going to need to adjust from a strategy standpoint.
(Buy) I think Michael Terry would be getting reps against Michigan at running back if he were on campus right now.
(Buy) I know a lot of people will disagree, but...
(Buy) Easily. I don't think OU is going to be a huge factor in the SEC any time soon.
(Buy) Probably, but if we include Adonai Mitchell as a recruit in the 2023 class, that's a group you have to give some serious consideration to.
(Sell) I think it's going to end in almost the same position.
(Buy) Maybe by one or two, but I expect that Texas will play five or six games this season that come down to the final five minutes.
(Buy) Of course. That's what happens when you have a major quarterback advantage going into any game.
(Sell) He would lead a team to a championship as a head coach. You insult his greatness by limiting him to some special assistant role.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... Florida State went all the way to Dublin just to catch an L against a conference team at the buzzer as the No.10 team in the country. Woof.
... I'm not going to lie... I watched the Nevada/SMU game on Saturday night and was absolutely entertained by it.
... We're less than two weeks away from the start of the NFL season and I'm pretty certain I'm going to live up to my vow of not playing this season. It actually feels good to know that I won't have to worry about the inevitable stress that comes with it. Let's just watch some ball.
... I've got a bad feeling that the Cowboys aren't going to make the playoffs this season. Here's hoping my vibes are completely out of wack.
... Aaron Judge is worth the price of admission right now.
... All I have to say is... wow.
... Team Florida won the LLWS on a freaking walk-off bunt. Awesome.
... I ended up watching more NASCAR this weekend than I did WNBA. With football season here, I wonder if my interest in the league is about to collapse.
... I watched 5 minutes of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night and it's amazing how few names in that race I actually knew. Kyle Busch, Joey Lagano, Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were about it.
... EPL Thoughts From The Weekend: Arsenal made a statement this weekend, while Aston Villa missed a chance to do so. Feeling goood about my Reds, but I'm just going to keep my head down and my mouth shut.. we'll see what happens. We saw what all that talent at Chelsea are capable of when it comes together against a bad team. Bournemouth got screwed. Though two games, I kind of expected more from Crystal Palace.
No. 10 – The List: The Eagles
I did this list two years ago, but I found myself listening to the greatest American band of all-time this weekend and I simply wanted to re-visit it my Top 10.
It needed a little tweaking. Honestly, I'm tortured in the ranking of the last half of the Top 10. I changed my mind on the order and who made the cut all weekend.
Let's get to it.
Just missed the cut: Peaceful Easy Feeling, New York Minute, The Long Run, The Best of My Love, In the City, Love Will Keep us Alive and Victim of Love
Last 5 Out: Already Gone, Heartache Tonight, The Last Resort, New Kid in Town and Lyin Eyes
10. Wasted Time
One of the great break-up songs of all-time. Henley is at his very best.
9. Witchy Woman
This was probably my first favorite song from the band when I was a kid. It might not make other's list, but it has to make mine.
8. Tequila Sunrise
"For the record, we never broke up, we just took a 14-year vacation." This is the song that opened up the MTV Hell Freezes Over concert and it has to be in the top 10 somewhere and I didn't have it in when I did this list two years ago.
7. One of These Nights
Of all the great songs Henley has performed over the years, this might be the one with the most swag.
6. Life in The Fast Lane
This song was outside the Top 10 for most of the weekend and then I simply came to the realization that this song can't be left out. Don Felder and Joe Walsh made magic on this one.
5. I Can't Tell You Why
The thing that stood out to me this weekend was that it occurred to me that my top 5 features four different lead singers. No other band can make such a claim. When you consider how exceptional Henley is as a singer, it's amazing that anyone other than him ever sang a song. Yet, the bang is so dynamic that such a statement can be true.
4. Take it to the Limit
All hail, Randy Meisner. This band had so many great singers in it that Meisner barely earns recognition by the main stream, but his performance in this song
3. Take it Easy
"Well I'm a-standin' on the corner in Winslow, Arizona
With such a fine sight to see,
It's a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford,
Slowin' down to take a look at me."
The story behind the lyrics of this song are is one of the most famous in the history of rock.
2. Desperado
Did you know that the song was not released as a single when it came out more than 50 years ago and yet it has been played in every concert the band has played over the course of the last 40+ years, often serving as the show-closer.
1. Hotel California
I think a case can be made that it's the best rock song of all-time. If you ever want to know how great this song is, go to Youtube and watch a few reaction videos from people that have never listened to the song before.
