A quick list of the Longhorns' 2024 Recruiting Class Superlatives:

Production - Colin Simmons, Tyanthony Smith, Melvin Hills, Trey Owens

Hills may be the surprise of this list. But he was ultra-productive as a high school senior, registering 14.5 sacks.

Fastest - Ryan Wingo, Xavier Filsaime

Both Wingo and Filsaime have verified 100-meter times in the 10.5s.

Most Athletic - Jordan Washington, Aaron Butler, Xavier Filsaime, Kobe Black, Ryan Wingo, Colin Simmons

Lots of high caliber athletes in this class. These are probably the best of the group.

Acceleration - Aaron Butler, Wardell Mack

Butler's ability as a punt returner is impressive. Mack has the ability to turn on the jets quickly.

Quickest Feet - Christian Clark

Makes cuts I'm not sure anyone else on the roster can make.

Physically Most Ready (for their position) - Jerrick Gibson, Xavier Filsaime, Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo

These are most ready body types for the rigors of college football. Simmons may surprise some here, but he's wiry strong and adding good weight.

Toughest - Daniel Cruz, Xavier Filsaime, Christian Clark, Jerrick Gibson, Nate Kibble, Colin Simmons

Don't try to take Daniel Cruz's or Christian Clark's school lunch. It won't end well for you.

NFL Prototype - Brandon Baker, Ryan Wingo, Trey Owens, Xavier Filsaime

Filsaime's speed, Baker's frame and athleticism, Wingo's size/speed combo, Owens' arm talent.

Body Type (long term) - Zina Umeozulu, Ryan Wingo, Jordan Washington, Wardell Mack, Trey Owens, Alex January, Brandon Baker

Find a better long-term body type on the roster than Zina on the defensive side of the ball.

Longest Arms (for their position) - Wardell Mack, Tyanthony Smith, Jordan Washington, Ryan Wingo, Zina Umeozulu

These guys all have the "length" Texas coaches have been looking for.

Strongest Hands - Daniel Cruz, Alex January

These two lock on you and you're in trouble.

Football IQ - Jordon Johnson-Rubell, Daniel Cruz, Tyanthony Smith, Santana Wilson, Parker Livingstone, Trey Owens

Johnson-Rubell, Smith and Cruz have played and started at multiple positions over multiple years. That's not easy.

Family Tree - Alex January, Santana Wilson, Ryan Wingo, Kobe Black, Aaron Butler

January's dad played at Texas. The others had relatives who played either college or pro ball.

Multiple Positions in HS - Christian Clark, Daniel Cruz, Zina Umeozulu, Xavier Filsaime, Tyanthony Smith, Wardell Mack, Kobe Black, Santana Wilson

Played Basketball - Jordan Washington, Kobe Black, Colin Simmons, Tyanthony Smith

Washington or Black would win the 1-on-1 contest among enrollees.

Played Baseball - Alex January, Parker Livingstone

Livingstone would have had a shot at professional ball.

Ran Track - Ryan Wingo, Xavier Filsaime, Parker Livingstone, Wardell Mack, Freddie Dubose Jr., Aaron Butler, Jordon Johnson-Rubell, Melvin Hills (throws)

Wrestler/Powerlifting - Daniel Cruz, Nate Kibble

Cruz is an elite wrestler.

Hampered By Injuries As A Senior - Freddie DuBose Jr., Christian Clark, Parker Livingstone, Ryan Wingo, Aaron Butler

These guys all missed time as a senior or were still nursing significant ones all year.

Four-year High School Starter - Daniel Cruz, Nate Kibble, Jerrick Gibson, Jordon Johnson-Rubell

State Champs - Colin Simmoms, Alex January, Michael Kern, Brandon Baker

 

View full news

Gerry and I racked our brains trying to think of other categories. Let us know if you think of any others.

30 minutes ago, Bobby Burton said:

Gerry and I racked our brains trying to think of other categories. Let us know if you think of any others.

None that would be appropriate. 

Man, was Wingo actually underrated? A guy that size with that speed and long arms.... will be fun to watch.

Most likely to transfer later? 😅 hahah

 

 

3 and dones?

Best interview

Who will be the best recruiter for ‘25 kids?

Best dressed when walking down Bevo Blvd. next fall. 

Best hair.  Is there a Bert Auburn in the group?

 

 

 

Collin Simmons played thru a high ankle sprain throughout the playoffs and some of the regular season. 

2 hours ago, Bobby Burton said:

Gerry and I racked our brains trying to think of other categories. Let us know if you think of any others.

Most edgy/nasty. The enforcers. The guys you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley or who you would want to make sure were on your side in a street fight. 
 

A similar but not synonymous category would be highest motor. 
 

*Edit. I see the “toughest” category now which probably covers this. 

Edited February 8, 20242 yr by Hornmatic

8 minutes ago, Hornmatic said:

Most edgy/nasty. The enforcers. The guys you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley or who you would want to make sure were on your side in a street fight. 
 

A similar but not synonymous category would be highest motor. 
 

*Edit. I see the “toughest” category now which probably covers this. 

I like the motor category for sure. That's a little different.

Leadership , the natural alpha type

Edited February 8, 20242 yr by GoHorns1

I think the Christian Clark being so elusive that even the scouts missed was the best comment when this was being reviewed on the podcast this morning

4 hours ago, Bobby Burton said:

Gerry and I racked our brains trying to think of other categories. Let us know if you think of any others.

Moxie

A somewhat nebulous attribute but Street, McCoy, VY, Ehlinger, Bijan, Roschon, Huff, Robison, Sweat, B. Murphy, Orapko, Worthy ... many others have it.

Thanks Bobby. This is great. Would love for you guys to revisit at some point in the future to see how the list panned out.

Didn’t realize hills had almost 15 sacks his senior year. Hopefully he can make the transition to big boy football the same way.

We may not have enough visibility into the preferred walk ons to make an award, but I would love to see:

Most Likely to Succeed - [name of next Jett Bush or Michael Taaffe]

 

 

2 hours ago, Ace Recruiter said:

Thanks Bobby. This is great. Would love for you guys to revisit at some point in the future to see how the list panned out.

Love doing that. Only way to ever get better is to look back and see what mistakes you made and then try to improve. 

I gave a point to each player listed in each category and added them up. 

9 points- Wingo

7 points - Filsaime

6 points - Simmons, Cruz

5 points - T Smith, Butler, Mack, January

4 points - Owens, Washington, Black, Clark, Livingstone

3 points - Kibble, Baker, Omeozula, Johnson-Rubell, Wilson

2 points - Hills, Gibson, DuBose

 

 

Great work Gentlemen.

My favorite photo from the 2024 cycle! Austin Bergstrom Airport

Another favorite of my nine from travels seeing the 2024 class …

Texas went into Arizona and got a pair of 4-stars 

Favorite beef jerkey on the road remains the same! 

Some pics from a big visit weekend …

the last one Colin Simmons and Dakorien Moore 

12 hours ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

Favorite beef jerkey on the road remains the same! 

That is some good stuff. I used to buy it at a Loves between Canton and Van, I think.