Looking toward Texas football's future: Brandon Baker

In the four years that offensive line coach Kyle Flood has spent in charge of the offensive trenches in Austin, Texas has flipped the script on how the football world views its offensive line. A team that spent the 2010s getting bullied in the trenches and not prioritizing the position in recruiting, Flood has turned Texas’ unit into one of the best in the nation, becoming Joe Moore Award finalists two seasons in a row, an award given to the best overall offensive line in the nation.

[BOOKMARK: Check Inside Texas daily for FREE Texas Longhorns content]

But with success in college comes expectations to reach the ultimate goal: the NFL. Texas has had three main offensive tackle starters over the last two seasons: Kelvin Banks Jr., Christian Jones and Cameron Williams. Last season, Jones became the first Texas offensive lineman drafted in the Steve Sarkisian era when the Arizona Cardinals selected him in the fifth round.

Now, after a second straight semifinal appearance, Banks and Williams have their eyes set on an even bigger prize: the first round. Banks is a near lock to be a top-15 pick, and Williams is seen as a high-upside mauler later in the same round.

But with so much roster turnover at the position, it means some new faces will need to step into big spots. Few players are expected to make a larger sophomore leap than Mater Dei product Brandon Baker. The 6-foot-4 tackle played in just five games in his first season, mostly working in garbage time in blowouts like the Florida and Colorado State games. He registered 65 total snaps, but with only 14 on passing downs Baker has much to learn as he’s thrust into a starting tackle role.

Texas OC Kyle Flood on Brandon Baker: I think Brandon has a bright future, a true freshman. As a player, he's an improving player right now. He works really hard. It's really important to him. So he's got a bright future. We are excited. pic.twitter.com/mf0uw2HApL

— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) December 30, 2024

There is reason to be extremely bullish about the third right tackle in as many years. Baker was just two recruiting spots away from being a five-star, ranking 34th in the nation in the 2024 class and the second-best offensive tackle. The LA Times named him the best offensive lineman in the state of California where he helped Mater Dei win the Southern Section Division 1 championship and the CIF Open Division state championship bowl game.

Baker has gotten to work in his short time in Austin. While he played around 295-300 pounds in high school, Texas’ official roster now lists him at 315 pounds, putting on major weight in just one offseason. One of the biggest selling points for Williams last season was his size: playing at 6-foot-5, 335 pounds throughout the year. Baker is an inch shorter and currently 20 pounds smaller, but unlike Williams, Baker has the job of building muscle, not losing weight.

Texas fans have voiced their concerns about losing three starting offensive linemen to the draft after this 2024 season, but Baker is the perfect “next-man-up” candidate. He was an elite recruit last offseason, and will have had two years working under Flood to hone in his skills. Last year, four of the top five offensive tackles in the 2023 class became starters on their rosters just one year later. Guys like Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Georgia’s Monroe Freeling all became high-level starters on top-15 teams. Those three gave up a combined six sacks total, even though both Georgia and Alabama had tackles drafted inside the top 20 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

This goes to say that turnover is natural when your program ascends to the level that Texas has in the last few seasons. However, the benefit of this turnover is the chance for players like Baker to step up early in their careers. Baker is the best recruit Texas has gotten on the line since that 2022 class, and is set up for success behind a high-level coaching staff and two offseasons of elite weight training and practice.

[Join Inside Texas TODAY and get 7 days for just ONE DOLLAR!]

Baker has not yet been crowned at that right tackle position like potential partner in crime Trevor Goosby likely has done on the left side. Plus, Texas has peaked at offensive linemen in the portal. But the current expectation is that Baker will be the guy tasked to take on some of the best edge rushers in the nation on Arch Manning‘s right side.