Texas Recruiting Notes 2025: Duck Around and Find Out

[Vito Andolini 9,067]

See, now you’re making me revisit one of the great recruiting mysteries of all time, how anyone could think a QB for a Class A team could be anywhere near a 5 star… and lead said team to a 1-9 record. Complete incongruity. Yet there we were. 

[ousux 5,581]

Tyler Chapel Hill is a 4A program in the same district as Kilgore, Lindale, Pine Tree, Henderson and Palestine. there is no universe where i consider them a "small school"
 
now, Bussey at Timpson (2A, populatoin 991) who is in a district with Joaquin (population 728), Shelbyville (221!), Garrison (793) - that's a small school prospect.
acting like a 4A school is "small" is lazy as hell.
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 4A today closer to the size of the old school 5A?

[BurntOrange&White 39,255]

38 minutes ago, ousux said:

4 hours ago, NoName said:

Tyler Chapel Hill is a 4A program in the same district as Kilgore, Lindale, Pine Tree, Henderson and Palestine. there is no universe where i consider them a "small school"
 
now, Bussey at Timpson (2A, populatoin 991) who is in a district with Joaquin (population 728), Shelbyville (221!), Garrison (793) - that's a small school prospect.
acting like a 4A school is "small" is lazy as hell.
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't 4A today closer to the size of the old school 5A?

4A is still what the old 3A was. 

The old 4A is what 5A is now. 

Edited February 7 by BurntOrange&White

[NoName 16,265]

 

Gerry: Thursday Morning Recruiting Nuggets (7:19 a.m. CST)

https://ontexasfootball.com/news/thursday-morning-recruiting-nuggets-719-am-cst-r168/

info on KJ Lacey, Rickey Stewart, a current Baylor commit and 3 dudes from Kilgore (2 are '26)

[Park Gothic 4,922]

17 hours ago, BurntOrange&White said:

4A is still what the old 3A was. 

The old 4A is what 5A is now. 

All I know is that it is stupid for a school like Austin High to still be in the same division as schools like Westlake and Lake Travis. It's closer to Anderson, McCallum, and Travis in terms of size and competitiveness. It made sense a long time ago before they split up 5A, but that was the perfect opportunity for AHS to drop down.  

[Tex Pete 20,099]

14 minutes ago, Park Gothic said:

All I know is that it is stupid for a school like Austin High to still be in the same division as schools like Westlake and Lake Travis. It's closer to Anderson, McCallum, and Travis in terms of size and competitiveness. It made sense a long time ago before they split up 5A, but that was the perfect opportunity for AHS to drop down.  

They should have relegation in 6A. If a team sucks ass for a couple of years, they should be dropped into some other division, Class 5.5 or something with larger schools that also suck ass. After winning a couple of years, they go back up.

It is dumb that schools with 2400 students are competing with schools with 5,000+ students. And the district with Desoto, Duncanville, Cedar Hill is paired in bidistrict with Temple, Midway, and Harker Heights every year. That is just an unfair fight.

[Elmer_Fudd 22,028]

[Elmer_Fudd 22,028]

Will add on an OU Rivals mod put in a Texas pick for Pettijohn as well.

[Saint Tacky 1,609]

1 hour ago, Tex Pete said:

They should have relegation in 6A. If a team sucks ass for a couple of years, they should be dropped into some other division,...

I can get on board with trying this in some format; however, it's not like the Premiership where teams don't spend money or don't spend it wisely. Relegation might be the result of circumstances beyond the control of most of the schools and kids that would be subject to it.

[BurntOrange&White 39,255]

1 hour ago, Tex Pete said:

They should have relegation in 6A. If a team sucks ass for a couple of years, they should be dropped into some other division, Class 5.5 or something with larger schools that also suck ass. After winning a couple of years, they go back up.

It is dumb that schools with 2400 students are competing with schools with 5,000+ students. And the district with Desoto, Duncanville, Cedar Hill is paired in bidistrict with Temple, Midway, and Harker Heights every year. That is just an unfair fight.

lol mentioning relegation. 

[Ricky's one-hitter 9,084]

1 hour ago, Tex Pete said:

They should have relegation in 6A. If a team sucks ass for a couple of years, they should be dropped into some other division, Class 5.5 or something with larger schools that also suck ass. After winning a couple of years, they go back up.

My high school was actively campaigning for relegation. The pitch was that students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program "shouldn't count". I get it, but that went about as well as you'd imagine. 

[Tex Pete 20,099]

1 hour ago, Saint Tacky said:

I can get on board with trying this in some format; however, it's not like the Premiership where teams don't spend money or don't spend it wisely. Relegation might be the result of circumstances beyond the control of most of the schools and kids that would be subject to it.

I get it. Just saying that the stack is really stacked against some of these schools. I would bet in most cases, they'd be more than happy to drop down in order to compete.

[BurntOrange&White 39,255]

5 minutes ago, Tex Pete said:

I get it. Just saying that the stack is really stacked against some of these schools. I would bet in most cases, they'd be more than happy to drop down in order to compete.

What about in 5a for teams that the "deck is stacked against schools?" Do they drop to 4a? Does 4a drop to 3a? Does 3a drop to 2a? Does 2A drop to 6man?

 

Relegation is the dumbest shit ever for american football. Especially high schools and collegiate.

[Hookem10 617]

If you can’t compete……cheat 

[Tex Pete 20,099]

1 hour ago, BurntOrange&White said:

What about in 5a for teams that the "deck is stacked against schools?" Do they drop to 4a? Does 4a drop to 3a? Does 3a drop to 2a? Does 2A drop to 6man?

 

Relegation is the dumbest shit ever for american football. Especially high schools and collegiate.

The difference in a small 6A and a large 6A is much greater than it is in 5A.

Not saying it is a great solution. Honestly haven't even thought about it today, other than it is very tough on those small 6A schools.

[irishtexan 11,434]

There is a high school football thread in this forum, FYI.

[Hornlover 8,824]

On 2/7/2024 at 12:11 PM, NoName said:

 

now, Bussey at Timpson (2A, populatoin 991) who is in a district with Joaquin (population 728), Shelbyville (221!), Garrison (793) - that's a small school prospect.

 

The Shelbyville Sharks? 

[lilMAC25 3,776]

On 2/6/2024 at 2:37 PM, Sandbagging Steve said:

https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14810372/638318133df5620b204f53f8

I see a lot of Bijan in his game. A touch less smooth with more power (comparing HS to HS).

[Helobious 9,462]

I clicked on this thread not looking for recruiting news but solely hoping to find completely insane/unpractical ideas for how high school sports should be structured, and I am not disappointed. 

[Hookem10 617]

with all threadshitting......its the friends we make along the way 

[IDIOTsavant 8,431]

1 hour ago, Hookem10 said:

with all threadshitting......its the friends we make along the way 

 

[Park Gothic 4,922]

1 hour ago, IDIOTsavant said:

 

[Etexhorn13 3,019]

5 hours ago, lilMAC25 said:

I see a lot of Bijan in his game. A touch less smooth with more power (comparing HS to HS).

No freakin kidding. Having never watched his tape before it was pretty apparent within the first few plays. That ability to violently cut upfield and run into the line and somehow pop out unscathed while running for a TD are Bijan all the way. That dude is going to be good. 

[BrazilHorn 6,575]

23 hours ago, Park Gothic said:

All I know is that it is stupid for a school like Austin High to still be in the same division as schools like Westlake and Lake Travis. It's closer to Anderson, McCallum, and Travis in terms of size and competitiveness. It made sense a long time ago before they split up 5A, but that was the perfect opportunity for AHS to drop down.  

AHS is 21.5 kids over cutoff and it’s in a school district that invests dick in facilities for sports. Having a kid there the principal will never drop them to 5A. Also coach has easiest job as in 6A there is zero expectation of success. It’s a joke. 
 

edit- takes in roughly 700+ transfer kids a year as well. Would be super easy to be under number. 

Edited February 9 by BrazilHorn

[Thiefery 4,940]

 

[Hornlover 8,824]

1 hour ago, BrazilHorn said:

AHS is 21.5 kids over cutoff and it’s in a school district that invests dick in facilities for sports. Having a kid there the principal will never drop them to 5A. Also coach has easiest job as in 6A there is zero expectation of success. It’s a joke. 
 

edit- takes in roughly 700+ transfer kids a year as well. Would be super easy to be under number. 

Austin ISD might spend more on athletics facilities if they didn't have to send $940 million in recapture money to the state this year.

[BrazilHorn 6,575]

1 hour ago, Hornlover said:

Austin ISD might spend more on athletics facilities if they didn't have to send $940 million in recapture money to the state this year.

For sure. Also the administration doesn’t really give a shit about sports

[texifornia 56,247]

https://www.on3.com/db/peter-langi-155061/

[Sgt Hulk 13,617]

In on 25 since we didn’t sign any recruits at all in 24 yet 

[Hookem2147 20,873]

Recruiting notes from IT

Spoiler

Here is some DFW recruiting intel for your Saturday a.m. enjoyment.

Riley Pettijohn, LB, McKinney (Texas)

The 6-foot-2, 220 pounder can fly on the field and on the track. Inside Texas caught up with Pettijohn, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 27 overall prospect, as he was getting ready for track practice. Pettijohn is part of McKinney’s 4×100 team and that speed is seen on his highlight tape.

As far as recruiting goes, Pettijohn’s goal is to be developed into a NFL linebacker at a school with strong academics. Steve Sarkisian made a trip by McKinney during the evaluation period, and the trip by the Longhorns head coach meant a lot to Pettijohn.

In addition to Sarkisian, Pettijohn regularly communicates with linebackers coach Johnny Nansen. The two schools Pettijohn mentioned that recruit him as hard as Texas were Ohio State and Texas A&M.

Pettijohn is the No. 27 overall prospect, the No. 3 linebacker, and the No. 7 player in Texas according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Taz Williams, WR, Red Oak (Texas)

One of several talented prospects at Red Oak, Williams is in the process of paring down his options. He’s received 50 offers, but wants to cut his list to 10 soon.

Williams feels prioritized by the Longhorns despite UT having a very crowded big board. He speaks with Sarkisian and wide receivers coach Chris Jackson 2-3 times per week on FaceTime. He doesn’t have any visits lined up quite yet, but he’ll have a schedule soon.

Williams didn’t make it to Austin on January 20 for the Longhorns’ junior day. He told Inside Texas he wanted to see other places considering he’s already visited UT six times.

The On3 Industry Ranking tabs Williams as the No. 263 overall prospect, the No. 34 wide receiver, and the No. 46 player in Texas.

Elijah Barnes, LB, Dallas (Texas) Skyline

On Friday, Inside Texas caught up with someone in the loop on the four-star’s recruitment. One thing that’s clear is the Barnes’ are fans of UT. It’s to the point they consume a lot of Texas Football content. While that does give UT a bit of an edge in the recruitment, the Barnes’ are intent on going somewhere that prioritizes them. That’s not to say Texas hasn’t prioritized them, to this point they have been, but they don’t just want to fill a numbers need.

Like with Pettijohn, Texas is in a good early sport with the DFW linebacker.

On3’s Industry Ranking has Barnes as the No. 86 overall prospect, the No. 13 linebacker, and the No. 16 player in Texas.

*****

A final note that we can’t go into great detail on but that is an important data point for the cycle, is, one “name” prospect recently wanted to commit to Texas. However, the staff felt it was best to slow that recruit’s decision down. Sometimes, especially in the current recruiting climate, you don’t want a target on your back with a recruit with so much time remaining. Just know, it’s yet another recruit Texas is in very good shape for and it’s someone you want in the class.

 

[Bevo 13,468]

21 hours ago, texifornia said:

https://www.on3.com/db/peter-langi-155061/

He's pretty large.

[mantis toboggan 847]

A final note that we can’t go into great detail on but that is an important data point for the cycle, is, one “name” prospect recently wanted to commit to Texas. However, the staff felt it was best to slow that recruit’s decision down. Sometimes, especially in the current recruiting climate, you don’t want a target on your back with a recruit with so much time remaining. Just know, it’s yet another recruit Texas is in very good shape for and it’s someone you want in the class.
 

 

how is the above reconciled with the fact that we have accepted commitments from other highly sought after recruits?  I’ll hang up and listen. 

[Red Five 40,574]

Let's all wildly speculate on who it was based on nothing.

Jordon Davison

[Gut Wagon 8,051]

25 minutes ago, Bevo said:

He's pretty large.

Exactly tree-fiddy. Calculator. 

[Hookem10 617]

probably boobie miles or mike wenchell

Edited February 10 by Hookem10

[bwub60 147]

23 hours ago, Hornlover said:

Austin ISD might spend more on athletics facilities if they didn't have to send $940 million in recapture money to the state this year.

Also they poorly mismanage money and spend a boat load on admin and random DEI bs.

[BurntOrange&White 39,255]

35 minutes ago, Red Five said:

Let's all wildly speculate on who it was based on nothing.

Jordon Davison

Ricky Stewart seems like the obvious choice.

[Red Five 40,574]

6 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Ricky Stewart seems like the obvious choice.

None of this means anything of course, but I don't think he's a "name" prospect. 

[Reese Bennett 3,601]

Is that all code to suggest this recruit goes to an aggy school or lives in an aggy town? Might be that fullback Sully Ross VI.

[BurntOrange&White 39,255]

7 minutes ago, Red Five said:

None of this means anything of course, but I don't think he's a "name" prospect. 

His name sounds like a multi time NASCAR champion lol

 

[Reese Bennett 3,601]

4 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

His name sounds like a multi time NASCAR champion lol

 

Guff Jordan?

[Horn of Gabriel 1,582]

22 hours ago, texifornia said:

https://www.on3.com/db/peter-langi-155061/

Imagine how SICK our blocking schemes will be with a player who can turn his head all the way around backwards...amazing job Sark/Flood!

[Elmer_Fudd 22,028]

1 hour ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Ricky Stewart seems like the obvious choice.

Sam Spiegelman just switched his Texas pick on Chad Woodfork to Tech.

[Tex Pete 20,099]

52 minutes ago, Horn of Gabriel said:

Imagine how SICK our blocking schemes will be with a player who can turn his head all the way around backwards...amazing job Sark/Flood!

Some posters would be really excited if we could get that guy covering passes downfield. 

“That guy really gets his head around to look for the ball!”

[Elmer_Fudd 22,028]

Gerry also said Baker has yet to speak with Brown.

 

[Junior Bonner 6,214]

1 hour ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

Gerry also said Baker has yet to speak with Brown.

 

[Red Five 40,574]

Not doubting it, but it seems hard to believe. Is there some kind of restriction I'm unaware of that would prevent that? 

[kwood4408 756]

Not doubting it, but it seems hard to believe. Is there some kind of restriction I'm unaware of that would prevent that? 

Pretty sure I saw that there is a dead period until early March.

[Vertigo 20,223]

3 minutes ago, kwood4408 said:

Pretty sure I saw that there is a dead period until early March.

He would have been on the last in home visit with Sark, but he didn't get his paperwork through in time to make the trip. 

• February 5 – March 3, 2024: Dead period
• March 4 – April 14: Quiet period
• April 15 – May 25, 2024: Contact period

[Enchubben 5,502]

On 2/10/2024 at 12:09 PM, Elmer_Fudd said:

Sam Spiegelman just switched his Texas pick on Chad Woodfork to Tech.

I can promise you that the quote above about telling a kid to slow down that wanted to commit was 100% not Woodfork. Though, Tech is recruiting him hard and is not a bad prediction.

Spiegelman is an idiot for putting that pick in in the first place.