Brandon Baker is slated to be the sixth five-star OL to join Texas since the 2006 Rose Bowl
With the pledge of 2024 Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei offensive lineman and On3 Industry Ranking five-star Brandon Baker, the Texas Longhorns are slated to do something they’ve done only five times since Vince Young and Mack Brown brought home the program’s fourth national title.
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Baker, who committed to the Longhorns on Sunday night over Oregon, Ohio State, and Nebraska, would become the sixth On3 Industry Ranking five-star offensive lineman to sign with the Longhorns since the 2006 Rose Bowl, the third five-star road-grader added by Steve Sarkisian and Kyle Flood, and the first five-star tackle or interior lineman from outside of the Lone Star State to join the Longhorn football program.
All five of the previous five-star O-linemen — Tray Allen, Mason Walters, Darius James, Kelvin Banks, and DJ Campbell — lived within the bounds of Texas. Baker’s commitment serves as evidence that not only can Texas recruit nationally but that it can recruit nationally and pull elite players away from other top programs.
Baker is ranked as the No. 23 overall prospect, the No. 1 offensive tackle, and the No. 2 player in California according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
Inside Texas takes a look at the five-star company Baker is slated to join.
Tray Allen – Class of 2007
Hometown: Grand Prairie, Texas
High school: South Grand Prairie
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 10 overall, No. 1 iOL, No 2 in Texas
Allen appeared in 44 career games for the Longhorns, often splitting time between guard, tackle, and special teams. Allen is currently the offensive line coach at Duncanville (Texas), a place that has been kind to Texas in previous classes and the 2024 cycle with Colin Simmons. Allen was the highest rated member of Texas’ 2007 class and was joined by On3 Industry Ranking five-stars John Chiles and Curtis Brown.
Mason Walters – Class of 2009
Hometown: Wolfforth, Texas
High school: Frenship
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 26 overall, No. 2 OT, No. 5 in Texas
Walters was a mainstay in the lineup for several seasons and went undrafted in 2014 after he exhausted his eligibility. He was the second highest ranked prospect in Texas’ 2009 class behind Garrett Gilbert.
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Darius James – Class of 2013
Hometown: Harker Heights, Texas
High school: Harker Heights
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 32 overall, No. 2 OT, No. 2 in Texas
James played in six games and started at right tackle in two contests during the 2014 season following a redshirt year in 2013. He transferred to Auburn and played in 26 games with the Tigers in 2016 and 2017. James was the highest ranked recruit in Texas’ 2013 class
Kelvin Banks – Class of 2022
Hometown: Humble, Texas
High School: Summer Creek
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 22 overall, No. 2 OT, No. 5 in Texas
On3 ranking: No. 6 overall, No. 1 OT, No. 1 in Texas
Banks has started 17 games at left tackle for the Longhorns, a role he has held down since he arrived on campus in 2022. Banks was originally committed to Oregon but signed with Texas after Mario Cristobol left Eugene for Miami. Banks has been a standout over the past two seasons, including strong performances against four different first-round EDGE rushers in 2022.
DJ Campbell – Class of 2022
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
High School: Bowie
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 11 overall, No. 1 iOL, No. 3 in Texas
On3 ranking: No. 34 overall, No. 1 iOL, No. 7 in Texas (four-star)
Campbell was the seventh and final member of Texas’ star-studded 2022 class, choosing Texas over Oklahoma and Alabama, among others. Campbell played in seven games in his freshman season and has started all four of Texas’ contests in 2023. Campbell was the highest ranked recruit in Texas’ 2022 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
