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On Texas Football: State Track Meet shows talent of Longhorns signees

Steve Habelby:Steve Habel•05/15/23•

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Ryan Niblett (Letterman Row)

On the latest video episode of On Texas Football, Inside Texas’ Bobby Burton and Justin Wells take a look at the three Longhorns that participated in last weekend’s UIL State Track meet in Austin and get us caught up on some recruiting news in the Class of 2024.

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“We’re catching up with all the guys that are coming (to Texas’ campus for school) in late May, early June,” Wells said.

Jelani McDonald, from Waco Connally, finished fourth in the Class 4A triple jump, while Houston Eisenhower’s Ryan Niblett ended up sixth in the 6A long jump and Trevor Goosby of Melissa was fifth in the 5A shot put.

Wells said McDonald might be the most accomplished player in the Longhorns’ Class of 2023.

“Jelani is an unbelievable multi-sport guy,” Wells opined. “It obviously starts on the football field. He played quarterback for Connally, DB for Connally, in basketball, an all-Centex Player of the Year in 2021 and he won the triple jump gold medal last year as a junior.

“Bobby, McDonald is one of the best athletes in the country. On 3 has him as the No. 2 rated athlete in the nation. That’s bold words but man he’s lived up to them. He’s about 6-foot-2, about 200-205 pounds and he looks tremendous. He’ll be on campus May 28 and he’s ready to play at the next level.”

Burton said that former Longhorns’ and Minnesota Vikings’ defensive back Cedric Griffin reached out to Inside Texas insider Gerry Hamilton and said he likes what he’s seen in McDonald.

“Griffin said, ‘hey look, I’ve seen McDonald a couple times in a row now, and I really liked his demeanor and his overall athleticism and ability,” Burton said. “Those were big words from a guy that cares about the Texas program.” 

Wells said that McDonald told him that once he arrives in Austin, the Longhorns are going to start him off at the STAR position, that super nickel, and from there he’s going to be developed.

“It’s only a matter of time before he puts on 15-20 pounds, which is going to slot him down to you know to a WILL backer and you know a linebacker spot,” Wells added. “But Jelani is a type of kid that you can put all over the field and he’s going to do crazy things.”

Niblett has been battling injuries though the track season but was still good enough in the long jump to make it to State in the largest classification.

“Niblett still wanted to compete even though he wasn’t able to do a lot of track this year,” Burton explained. “The fact that he was able to at least give some sort of effort, get to State and still do decently I think shows you the type of athlete he is and the type of personality of Ryan Niblett. I know he can’t wait to get on campus.”

There was also some recruiting going on at the State Track Meet, under some conditions, and Wells said that the Longhorns took advantage of the opportunity to work that side of the ledger.

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There’s plenty more to see on the video so go spend the 20 minutes to watch it all.

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