Texas gonna Texas
Bobby Burton
Posted 1 hour ago
Some folks have suggested multiple reasons for Texas’ recent swoon in recruiting. Well, I’m here to tell you that there’s really only one reason - NIL.
If this were just a year ago, and Texas had more funds to distribute, there’s little doubt in my mind that the Longhorns would hold the no. 1 recruiting class in the country. The reception Texas has been receiving on the recruiting trail has been enormous.
But, unfortunately, it’s not last year.
The House Settlement was passed and the recruiting class of 2026 must abide by it (at least some of the schools seem prepared to truly abide by it, Texas included).
So we’re effectively entering a new dawn of recruiting, one where resources must be allocated. Teams are jockeying for the best players all while the best players are jockeying for the most money.
About the only thing we’re assured of is that this will not be the final solution, this will not be the last stop on the recruiting merry-go-round.
What could recruiting look like in the future?
Some have recently suggested college football move to an NFL draft model. What a world that would be?!?
We don’t know what the future holds. But for now, you have to play the cards you’re dealt.
Texas is recruiting the nation’s best players all while Texas already fields one of the nation’s best rosters at a cost well above the House Settlement cap.
The question must be asked: would you rather keep Ryan Wingo next year or take a highly ranked high school receiver? Something’s got to give.
Now, I want to add this. The sky is not falling. Far from it. Texas will still simultaneously construct an elite roster and an elite recruiting class. Of that, I have no doubt.
But at times, it’s going to feel and look different than what we saw in the anything-goes NIL era.