After some tough recruiting loses, and some concern over some positions, I'm trying to considering what is really needed in this 2026 class.. where should Texas be really putting the big NIL $$.  I thought we can look at the last 2 classes combined, looking at developmental prospects / out of the box studs, and see how they go together:

QB

2025 - Lacey

2026 - Bell

Both will be developmental, as they should.  QB is an A+

RB

2025 - Stewart, Simon

2026 - crickets

Simon could be in for some early PT.. Stewart needs to get some armor on.  Would have been great to get a plug in guy in 2026 like a Crowell or Cooper but alas.. keep recruiting.

WR

2025 - Lockett, French, McCutcheon, Terry (Ath)

2026 - Stewart, Brown, Bishop (Ath)

Lots of developmental guys in both years.  McCutheon seems the most ready of all.  Hopefully French will be next up to go.  Overall, we're in good shape, but nice to have a war daddy that can play day 1 if needed every few years like a Ryan Wingo.  Doesn't look great for one in 2026 so far, though Bishop has that potential if he is really set at WR

OL

2025 -Christian, Coleman x 2, Brooks

2026 - Robertson, Wright

A whole lot of developmental guys, with the notable exception of Brooks.  If we can get Turntine and Ojo in 2026, this is an awesome collection of talent with a lot of different developmental timelines, which is what you want for OL.

TE

2025 - Winston, Townsend

2026 - nothing yet

The 2025 class will be great.. both need a little time as you would expect with TE, but lots to work with.   I'm not sold on Browne given what we have on tape of him, but trust the coaches I guess.

DT

2025 - Charles, Sharma, Terry (part time DE?)

2026 - Berrymon, Wells, Cleveland

Everything you could ask for in this group.. adding Guervil and possibly even Johnson would make it unbelievable.  What a 2 year run

DE

2025 - Jackson, Orogbo

2026 - Wesley

Another tremendous group... add in any of the guys remaining on the board, and it's a complete 2 year stud class

LB

2025 - Barnes, Cunningham

2026 - nothing yet

2025 has the great combo, but we have some ability to have a tremendous 2 year run if we can add either/both 5 star LBs on the board plus Kosi Okpala

CB/N
2025 - Philips, Littleton, Chester

2026 - Howard, Riley

Fantastic combo in 2025... we need a Matthews to complete this picture

S 

2025 - Hicks, Williams

2026 - nothing yet

Another case where 2025 was so good, just add in some good high ceiling guys for 2026.  Benjamin would be a cherry on top

 

I'll leave out the specialists, as they are pretty much all 2026.

 

In summary, I think the coaches are putting the big pushes in the right places.. the DL will be great for years.  LB can be solidified this year.  need a few high end guys in the secondary.  Defense will be spitting out NFL guys like a PEZ dispenser every year.   I think RB should have really gotten a better push.. I'm sure they went all in on Crowell as they should have before he committed... Hope they can do the same for Cooper and keep chipping at KJ Edwards because that just didn't make sense.

 

What a great post

Love this post. Shows everyone how the staff is thinking full picture wise. Bright future ahead!

I think you also have to look at Baxter and Clark in the picture. They are both going to need on full year before going to the NFL. Baxter maybe able to do it if he gets a strong 1/2 year this year. Clark will need this year and next year. 

29 minutes ago, HookemChappy said:

I think you also have to look at Baxter and Clark in the picture. They are both going to need on full year before going to the NFL. Baxter maybe able to do it if he gets a strong 1/2 year this year. Clark will need this year and next year. 

Yeah that is true. I didn’t have time to do it but a lot of the 2024 class could be considered in this analysis…. Clark as basically a 2025 guy with his injury holding him back a year.