How impactful Texas' 'all gas no brakes' approach has been on recruiting

Texas football had a heck of a recruiting cycle in 2023, finished with the No. 3 ranked class by the On3 Industry Rankings while also nabbing No. 1 overall prospect Arch Manning. With a jump to the SEC looming, the Longhorns bucked up and were as ferocious on the recruiting trail as any of those southeastern powerhouses.

Now, their start to the 2024 class hasn’t quite been what it was a year ago. The Longhorns are currently outside the top-20 and only landed one top-50 player. However, On3’s JD PicKell thinks the recent commitment of that top-50 player — the 47th-ranked Jerrick Gibson, who is also the No. 2 running back in the country — is a sign of more momentum to come on the trail for the ‘Horns.

Over on the On3 YouTube Channel, PicKell broke down in full detail why the start on the 2024 class has been a bit slow while also assessing the impact of the Gibson commit, especially since he’s a Florida kid. You can watch his full comments here or read them below:

“Texas, all gas snow breaks down there in Austin, and they’ve been a team that sort of hung back a little bit, had a number three class last year and they’re not within the top 10 right now. But you’re seeing them start to make a move now here. Five commits in the month of June, they’ve got seven commits total and the best way I would describe Texas is: they’ve kind of got that 400-meter mentality, for those of y’all that are familiar with that race.

“It’s a full lap around the track and a good 400-meter runner understands that race isn’t one within the first 100 to 200 meters. A good runner, a smart runner will wait till you get past that halfway point wait till you round the curve and down that final stretch, that’s where they really make their move. That’s where you have what we call a kick, a little gas in the tank, and you make your move there. And then by the end of it, would you know, you’re on the podium.

“So for Steve Sarkisian, they landed Jerrick Gibson, the No. 2 back out of Gainesville, Florida. And this is one impactful because Steve Sarkisian, his offense, they want to run the football. They’re predicated on running the football and then setting up the pass with the RPO system. Just adding more to the stable, like there’s that piece of it.

“There’s also the piece that Steve Sarkisian went into SEC country and landed Jerrick Gibson. I don’t think that should be overlooked, so just keep an eye on Texas right now. They’re not going to be, you know, the top of the rankings, when you look at the end of the month. But just keep an eye on how they close here and as they start to gain steam as we start to round that 200-meter mark in the recruiting calendar, watch Texas close.”