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Texas Recruiting Notes 2025: Duck Around and Find Out


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9 minutes ago, mwaadeeb said:

Have we seen evidence that Kern has that kind of potential? I can't remember him hitting a punt over 35 yards.

He averaged 45+ in the UTSA and ULM games, but I honestly don't recall if those were on the fly or due to getting good bounces.   He averaged 46+ as a HS senior.  So apparently he's got the ability to lift it better than the 40 he has averaged this season.  But he certainly hasn't been booming anything this year, esp. since his injury.  

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7 minutes ago, RabidM said:

You recruit an all American type punter into the portal.  Let Kern sit for a year if you think he has the potential to be great down the road.  If Kern walks, he walks.  He's a fucking punter. 

I would have no problem with that plan.    

And for the record, I never said I think Kern has the potential to be "great down the road."  I said it's reasonable to expect that he'll improve over his performance this season, which is something different.

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18 minutes ago, Carl Spackler said:

I'd say that's a legit question based on his performance since being hurt.  He started the season off somewhat shaky (CSU, Michigan), which is understandable given that he's a true frosh.  But then he seemed to be settling in (UTSA, ULM) and hitting the ball better.  Unfortunately, he got hurt right around the Mississippi State game.  Since coming back after the Georgia game, Kern just hasn't seemed explosive at all with his punts, so I wonder if whatever caused him to sit a couple games might still be affecting him on some level.

FWIW, I'm not sure that the blocked punt in the A&M game wasn't Kern's fault.  His protectors all blocked to their right and the left wing peeled off downfield and didn't bother to block, which would suggest that the call was for Kern to slide right and punt the ball on the move.  But Kern punted straight on, which allowed the rusher (who had free rein due to the left wing taking off) to easily get to the contact spot and practically take the ball off Kern's foot.  If that was the case, then it was a mental mistake on Kern's part.  It's either that or the wing completely fucked up.

The punting has definitely been subpar this season.  But I wouldn't panic.  Recall that Kern was considered one of the top 5 HS punters coming out of school, i.e., he has the requisite talent and leg.  It's reasonable to expect that he'll improve as he gets experience and completely recovers from whatever physical ailments he has.  Even the great Michael Dickson struggled his first season -- remember the snap against Okie Lite that went through Dickson's hands and hit him right in the facemask?  But Dickson improved dramatically after his first season and became arguably the greatest punter in UT history.  Am I suggesting that Kern is Dickson part deux?  Not at all.  I'm simply saying that it's reasonable to expect that Kern will improve.   

Ah, that's right.  I forgot that he left the program.

Kern does not have the requisite talent nor leg. He’s outside the top 110 in punt average. Jackson Arnold punted for 39 yards this year compared to Kern’s 40.6 average, 52 long, and <25% inside the 20. We rank 91st in opponents drives starting inside their own 20. 

Simply cannot risk another season of gifting field position weekly. 

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1 minute ago, satyanash said:

Lmao. "Why have we been screaming about 2023, 2024 and 2025 DTs? The DT recruits from 2020 who are now super seniors are doing just fine."

 

I specifically said 5 years not 3, the panicking has been longer than an entire graduating cycle. That was the point.

And If we need to hit the portal hard, then we will hit the portal hard, we’re in as good of a position as anybody to do so.

I don’t see the issue in depending on the portal if you’re good at it.

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24 minutes ago, UnhappilyMarried said:

Kern does not have the requisite talent nor leg. He’s outside the top 110 in punt average. Jackson Arnold punted for 39 yards this year compared to Kern’s 40.6 average, 52 long, and <25% inside the 20. We rank 91st in opponents drives starting inside their own 20. 

Simply cannot risk another season of gifting field position weekly. 

He was ranked as a top 5 punter coming out of HS and averaged 46+ his senior year, so I question whether we can definitely say that he doesn't have the talent or leg.  You're basing your conclusion on a freshman season in which he's been injured for at least part of the time.  If you applied the same reasoning in 2015, you would have been ready and willing to cut Dickson loose.

That said, as I said in another post, I would have absolutely no problem with portaling in a proven, experienced punter in '25.  Texas should always be looking to improve at every position if possible.

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Just now, Carl Spackler said:

He was ranked as a top 5 punter coming out of HS and averaged 46+ his senior year, so I question whether we can definitely say that he doesn't have the talent or leg.  You're basing your conclusion on a freshman season in which he's been injured for at least part of the time.  If you applied the same reasoning in 2015, you would have been ready and willing to cut Dickson loose.

That said, as I said in another post, I would have absolutely no problem with portaling in a proven, experienced punter in '25.  Texas should always be looking to improve at every position if possible.

This. He could still end up good but there's no reason to have only 1 scholarship-level punter on the roster anymore. 

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1 hour ago, Carl Spackler said:

I'd say that's a legit question based on his performance since being hurt.  He started the season off somewhat shaky (CSU, Michigan), which is understandable given that he's a true frosh.  But then he seemed to be settling in (UTSA, ULM) and hitting the ball better.  Unfortunately, he got hurt right around the Mississippi State game.  Since coming back after the Georgia game, Kern just hasn't seemed explosive at all with his punts, so I wonder if whatever caused him to sit a couple games might still be affecting him on some level.

FWIW, I'm not sure that the blocked punt in the A&M game wasn't Kern's fault.  His protectors all blocked to their right and the left wing peeled off downfield and didn't bother to block, which would suggest that the call was for Kern to slide right and punt the ball on the move.  But Kern punted straight on, which allowed the rusher (who had free rein due to the left wing taking off) to easily get to the contact spot and practically take the ball off Kern's foot.  If that was the case, then it was a mental mistake on Kern's part.  It's either that or the wing completely fucked up.

The punting has definitely been subpar this season.  But I wouldn't panic.  Recall that Kern was considered one of the top 5 HS punters coming out of school, i.e., he has the requisite talent and leg.  It's reasonable to expect that he'll improve as he gets experience and completely recovers from whatever physical ailments he has.  Even the great Michael Dickson struggled his first season -- remember the snap against Okie Lite that went through Dickson's hands and hit him right in the facemask?  But Dickson improved dramatically after his first season and became arguably the greatest punter in UT history.  Am I suggesting that Kern is Dickson part deux?  Not at all.  I'm simply saying that it's reasonable to expect that Kern will improve.   

Ah, that's right.  I forgot that he left the program.

This is the most anyone has written about a punter in a single post in the 27 years I've been reading the boards. It's not every day that you get to see a first, so thank you for that, sir.

44 minutes ago, mwaadeeb said:

Aren't we paying DJ enough to dis-incentivize a 6th round draft contract?

It's doable.

38 minutes ago, pacman said:

6th round is usually 4 yr/4 million dollars.

You don't have to match that or come very close. You need a guy willing to bet on himself that, if he comes back for a fraction of that and produces, he'll have a shot at a 2nd or 3rd round grade. Get paid now and then get paid substantially better with another year. It has worked for multiple players, so he might be one of the next candidates. 

1 minute ago, SuckitKevin said:

Relying on portal DT’s every year is an issue mainly because there usually aren’t a ton of them out there, especially quality ones.

I agree that relying on portal players for any position is tenuous. So does the staff.  Everyone would rather be building off of a strong foundation of productive HS talent. Even prevalent positions in the portal like QB are fraught with peril. Someone is going to bust at some point and lacking depth is going to hurt. FSU with DJU this year (and several other position groups, frankly), is a cautionary tale in this light. 

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9 minutes ago, 60HornStampede said:

Gerry's got a few updates this afternoon. After @closetojumping's notes on the DL, I'm hoping we're going to go better than 0-5 on that group.

Monday 5pm Recruiting Update

Some quick updates...

Texas has continued optimism in the effort to flip Oklahoma 5-star offensive tackle verbal Michael Fasusi (Lewisville, Texas/High).

Texas has been in communication with the circle of 4-star++ defensive line commit Josiah Sharma (Folsom, Calif./High) multiple times. USC is making it a battle, with the latest conversations in the day more positive. 

Texas remains confident in the recruitment of 4-star++ WR commit Jaime Ffrench (Jacksonville/Mandarin). 

Texas has engaged in quality conversations with 4-star++ defensive line pledge Myron Charles (Port Charlotte, Fla./High). Florida won't walk away, to say the least. High-end defensive linemen are the knock-down-drag-out battles in the SEC. 

Texas is confident in the recruitment of 4-star++ safety commitment Zelus Hicks (Carrollton, Ga./High). 

Texas is not confident on continuing efforts to flip Auburn defensive line commit and 4-star++ Nathaniel Marshall (Oak Park, Il./Fenwick).

Four-star++ EDGE Javion Hilson (Cocoa, Fla./High) has not been in contact with teams in the hunt much at all today. 

 

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21 minutes ago, nycHorn said:


Nice contribution Stampy.

For the rest of us that aren’t mind readers….

e704a6e7a981b1593162f7907025f8a2.png

 

I hope Georgia is having to deal with the same BS. It is impossible to focus on an SEC championship and recruiting and retention all at the same time.

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9 minutes ago, Bevo said:

I hope Georgia is having to deal with the same BS. It is impossible to focus on an SEC championship and recruiting and retention all at the same time.

Exactly, it would be much preferable to miss a bowl game so Sark could focus on recruiting 24/7.

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two men standing in a field with the words " what 's in the box " on the bottom

 

 

Michael Terry III update

Jordan Scruggs (Horns 247)

 

Spoiler

 

Michael Terry III update

Jordan Scruggs (Horns 247)

 

Just got off the phone with a source in the Alamo city, and I'm told Nebraska has come on really strong in the recruitment of San Antonio Alamo Heights five-star ATH Michael Terry III in recent days. Horns247 is still expecting the eventual decision to be in favor of Texas but I have more concern in regards to Nebraska winning out this recruitment than I've had in a long time. Again, we're still expecting the decision to be in favor of Texas, but for the first time in a long time I could see Terry ending up at Nebraska as an actual realistic possibility where I previously hadn't had that view in quite some time.

Both staffs have been in communication with the five-star's camp throughout today and that's expected to stay the same all the way until Terry announces a decision. I'm told Terry and his camp will be announcing the details for his commitment ceremony soon and possibly as soon as tonight. Based off everything I've heard I'm under the impression the ceremony will be on Wednesday but it wouldn't shock me if it takes place on Thursday or Friday. I'm also under the impression that a silent commitment won't be given, and that the two staffs involved will find out if they're landing Terry like the rest of the world will when he announces his decision.

Again, I want to make it clear we still think Texas will win out for the nation's No. 1 athlete prospect. But, it is worth mentioning Nebraska has come on strong in recent days and that this recruitment is the most competitive it's been since probably the summer.

Hang tight as the Longhorns look to close on the nation's No. 1 athlete prospect over the next few days. We will have more information on this once we've collected it

 

 

 

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1 minute ago, Getafix said:

 

two men standing in a field with the words " what 's in the box " on the bottom

 

 

Michael Terry III update

Jordan Scruggs (Horns 247)

 

  Hide contents

 

Michael Terry III update

Jordan Scruggs (Horns 247)

 

Just got off the phone with a source in the Alamo city, and I'm told Nebraska has come on really strong in the recruitment of San Antonio Alamo Heights five-star ATH Michael Terry III in recent days. Horns247 is still expecting the eventual decision to be in favor of Texas but I have more concern in regards to Nebraska winning out this recruitment than I've had in a long time. Again, we're still expecting the decision to be in favor of Texas, but for the first time in a long time I could see Terry ending up at Nebraska as an actual realistic possibility where I previously hadn't had that view in quite some time.

Both staffs have been in communication with the five-star's camp throughout today and that's expected to stay the same all the way until Terry announces a decision. I'm told Terry and his camp will be announcing the details for his commitment ceremony soon and possibly as soon as tonight. Based off everything I've heard I'm under the impression the ceremony will be on Wednesday but it wouldn't shock me if it takes place on Thursday or Friday. I'm also under the impression that a silent commitment won't be given, and that the two staffs involved will find out if they're landing Terry like the rest of the world will when he announces his decision.

Again, I want to make it clear we still think Texas will win out for the nation's No. 1 athlete prospect. But, it is worth mentioning Nebraska has come on strong in recent days and that this recruitment is the most competitive it's been since probably the summer.

Hang tight as the Longhorns look to close on the nation's No. 1 athlete prospect over the next few days. We will have more information on this once we've collected it

 

 

 

Financial Networking Group on LinkedIn: 🇺🇸🚨 BREAKING: Warren Buffett's  Berkshire Hathaway now holds a record…

Now we know what Buffett has been saving up for.

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Tough to be concerned with anything regarding the program right now, but to experience the worst recruiting day in months (at least based on the intel being provided here) immediately after beating aggy and clinching a spot in the SEC championship game is an unfavorable commentary on the current state of college football.

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2 hours ago, Fud said:

That's.. a take 

We will see. I’ve been banging the drum at 12-14 guys getting drafted and have him as a potential early entry. I’m not guaranteeing it or anything but he’s a guard. If he gets a 5th or 6th round grade and every other person on his oline is gone I could see him saying peace out. We shall see. 

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1 hour ago, Park Gothic said:

Goddamnit. I stopped pissing my pants about DL recruiting back in August. Do I need to start again? 

I just say it's about DL recruiting. I could just as easily say it's concern about Global Warming or a dog running across the yard.

A man must keep his dignity.

ETA: Boy, was I late with this.

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19 minutes ago, Chuckie Finster said:

Tough to be concerned with anything regarding the program right now, but to experience the worst recruiting day in months (at least based on the intel being provided here) immediately after beating aggy and clinching a spot in the SEC championship game is an unfavorable commentary on the current state of college football.

Or the current state of 17 and 18 year old teenagers

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1 hour ago, closetojumping said:

This is the most anyone has written about a punter in a single post in the 27 years I've been reading the boards. It's not every day that you get to see a first, so thank you for that, sir.

You're . . . welcome?

Do I get some kind of $ reward for it?  Like maybe a cut of Kern's NIL money?  That should work out to about $1.29.

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34 minutes ago, Chuckie Finster said:

Tough to be concerned with anything regarding the program right now, but to experience the worst recruiting day in months (at least based on the intel being provided here) immediately after beating aggy and clinching a spot in the SEC championship game is an unfavorable commentary on the current state of college football.

NIL has really taken off the in the last 2 years in which we are 22-2. Our QB and top 2 WRs are transfers...

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Hey if these guys don’t want to get on board with the current product best of luck to you. Branding, visibility, NIL, and potential 13-17 games a year/year over year in the NFL farm league (SEC). Honestly there’s not a better team/market/location going right now. 
 

The big time transfer guys know this and will leap at the chance if it becomes necessary.  While Sark continues to make championships, get guys drafted I’m not betting against him getting the guys he wants or at least enough of them.

 

 And I wasn’t a fan of Sark hire.  He’s overperformed my expectations by a wide margin. 
 

Take a break

Enjoy crushing our enemies and the lamentations of their women.

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Eric Nahlin: Monday night Texas recruiting notes in the lead up to National Signing Day

Quote

The clock keeps ticking down to National Signing Day on Wednesday. After a couple of quiet finishes in 2023 and 2024, Texas is back to hoping to orchestrate a flourish. Dating back to the summer we mentioned the fall would be when things picked up, then in October we mentioned how the staff was laying the groundwork for a strong finish. Well, we’ll soon find out how that worked out. As far as I can tell, Texas would still take:

– Two linebackers but will likely just finish with Kellen Wiley

– Two defensive backs but that will be a tough number to hit

– Two defensive tackles. Again, a tough but not impossible number to hit

– An Edge/DL

– Michael Terry as an offensive weapon

– Five-star LT Michael Fasusi

Earlier today I mentioned I’m expecting at least one flip. There’s another one I’m watching closely. Not all flips are HUGE but as I just outlined, needs do remain at key positions. Flips are delicate to discuss so we’ll keep it cryptic.  Five-star DT Justus Terry is the biggest fish on the board. Signs point to instate Georgia for him but I’m not sure people will know for sure where he’s going until the morning of his announcement on Friday. I just assume Georgia and refuse to watch his highlights. 

Georgia is pushing for three-star Florida defensive tackle commit Jeremiah McCloud. Like I’ve written a million times in the past, any ‘big’ that can move his feet and has an average mental eval is a four-star simply due to scarcity. Georgia has the No. 1 class in the nation and is pushing for a three-star. I’m paying attention to this one because it’s sort of tangential to Texas. I hear McCloud is going back and forth but is saying the right things to Florida. My source tied into the region says the Myron Charles ship has sailed for UF, so that seemingly remains in a good place, but if they lose McCloud?


That brought us to Jaime Ffrench. The elite wide receiver is listening to Florida but still has continuous and positive communication with Texas. As long as he’s talking to Florida we’re going to keep tabs. I checked in on Michigan’s standing with Edge Javion Hilson and DL Nate Marshall but nobody seemed to know anything. My default on Hilson is A&M.

Some recruitments are more NIL-focused than others. Sometimes Texas will play that game, other times it won’t. I do believe Texas will add another DB and another DT but I’m not sure who.

 

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1 hour ago, Chuckie Finster said:

Tough to be concerned with anything regarding the program right now, but to experience the worst recruiting day in months (at least based on the intel being provided here) immediately after beating aggy and clinching a spot in the SEC championship game is an unfavorable commentary on the current state of college football.

What stinks even more from a perceptive POV is aggy is going to add two 5*'s (and a few more) and doesn't appear to have anyone on the verge of flipping and we seem to hanging on for dear life for a few guys and who knows how we'll finish.

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Just now, Elmer_Fudd said:

What stinks even more from a perceptive POV is aggy is going to add two 5*'s (and a few more) and doesn't appear to have anyone on the verge of flipping and we seem to hanging on for dear life for a few guys and who knows how we'll finish.

Huh? aggy just lost their 5* star QB commit less than a week ago. 

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Or the current state of 17 and 18 year old teenagers

Fairly certain teenagers of all generations would have reacted similarly to the things we are seeing in the NIL era. And as a fan of one of the teams best positioned to navigate the era, I’m not necessarily complaining, but it’s unfortunate to so openly watch all of the non-financial factors obviously take a backseat.

(And I realize a lot of this has been the case for as long as we’ve been following this stuff, but we used to at least be able to pretend motives were pure.)
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What stinks even more from a perceptive POV is aggy is going to add two 5*'s (and a few more) and doesn't appear to have anyone on the verge of flipping and we seem to hanging on for dear life for a few guys and who knows how we'll finish.

I bet you wet your bed when those gomers got Denver Harris, Daylon Mack and Evan Stewart.
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