Syllabus Week: What Melvin Hills, Santana Wilson, Nate Kibble, and Michael Kern should focus on

During the spring we were able to learn about how many members of the Longhorns’ 2024 class have bright futures. Trey Owens, Ryan Wingo, Colin Simons, Jerrick Gibson, and Jordan Washington all fit into that category.

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Those players had the distinction of being part of Texas’ 18-man early-enrollee group. Rather than wait until June 2 to report to the program, the players listed above and 13 others went through winter conditioning and spring practices in addition to their first semester at the University of Texas at Austin.

Those 18 gained valuable experience and several even set themselves up for possible playing time during the Longhorns’ 2024 campaign. But Texas signed a 22-man high school class, meaning four players are about to enroll and join their classmates that have a one semester head start.

Their syllabus week starts at the beginning of June. What should they work during the summer ahead of their debut season in burnt orange?

Santana Wilson, CB, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Desert Mountain

Wilson, son of former All-Pro safety Adrian Wilson, chose Texas over Arizona State and Washington. Graduating early is difficult in the state of Arizona, which should indicate how impressive it was that fellow Grand Canyon State prospect Christian Clark enrolled early. Wilson is a fluid athlete at the cornerback position but plays with some safety-like physicality that might just run in his family. Contending for a starting spot may not be in the cards for Wilson but he has the ability to battle and hold his own with many of the younger members of Texas’ corner corps. A lot of that is pending the typical gains made by college freshmen entering a strength and conditioning program, something a player of his pedigree should understand the gravity of.

On3 was higher on him than any other service. Others had him ranked outside their top 250 or 300. On3 said Wilson was the No. 140 prospect in the country.

Here’s what Steve Sarkisian had to say about Wilson in December: “We all know his dad Adrian Wilson. Great player in the NFL, now an NFL executive in player personnel. This guy has got the genetics with the length. The skill set to play corner. Could be a versatile player. His dad was a great All-Pro safety in the NFL. He’s got that high football IQ that we’re looking for and the versatility.”

Nate Kibble, IOL, Humble (Texas) Atascocita

A strong player with a mean disposition, Kibble was a Lone Star State battle between Texas and Texas A&M. He took visits to both and was thought to be an A&M lean following those visits. But kitchen table time led Kibble to a burnt orange decision rather than a maroon one. He committed to Texas a few days after his visit and never wavered.

An interior player all the way in college, Kibble played some right tackle at an Atasocita High School known for its offensive linemen. Kibble helped pave the way for 2025 Oklahoma commit Tory Blaylock, who had 616 yards on 6.9 yards per attempt along with 11 touchdowns. Kibble helped AHS beat Katy in the regular season and reach the regional finals before falling to North Shore by just six points.

He’s listed at 315 pounds, and while that may be a good base weight he’s sure to go through some dramatic physical changes in the coming weeks. Kibble is set to join Kyle Flood‘s O-line development factory and work behind a number of talented players further along in their journey.

Here’s what Sarkisian had to say about Kibble in December: “I got to see him play as a really young player when I was going to evaluate a couple players a couple of years ago. I said that kid’s going to be a player when he starts growing up. He has really grown into himself and his body. Physical guy. Position flex for us. Coming from a really good program. Atascocita has really grown as a program, and he’s been one of the key components to that.”

Melvin Hills, DL, Lafayette (La.) Lafayette Christian Academy

A head to head win over Auburn and Ole Miss with LSU and Tennessee also involved in the recruitment, Hills picked Texas as part of a D-line class that needed numbers. His recruitment was without much drama and Hill signed a few months after his July 12 commitment.

Hills, listed at 275 pounds, brings some versatility to the Texas defensive line. He may not be someone who grows into a massive nose tackle but should he go from north of 275 to north of 300 he’ll be able to play a variety of roles in Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense including 4i and possibly 3-tech.

Like Kibble, it’s time for Hills to join the factory. The old adage says the closer to the football you are the harder it is to play early. That applies directly to Hills ahead of his first summer at Texas.

Here’s what Sarkisian had to say about Hills in December: “Melvin Hills comes from a great program, Lafayette Christian. He’s a worker. He’s a grinder. We had him at camp. We know what he looks like. He had a very productive senior season. He became a real leader on that team. I think he’s made of the right stuff on that front.”

Michael Kern, P, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas

The lowest ranked member of the class might be the first to earn playing time this year. Kern heads to Texas after the Longhorns declined to make a punter addition via the transfer portal in recent windows. While there are some players like Charles Feris who have punted throughout the spring, Kern appears to be the option Jeff Banks will go to on fourth downs this season. Like with many positions, the job is there for the taking. Kern just has to take it.

He was offered on April 24 of last year and committed just over a week later. Kern was one of four Longhorns who played in the 2024 All-American Bowl along with Owens, Wingo, and TyAnthony Smith.

There are some funny stories about freshman Texas punters, like when Michael Dickson supposedly launched his first punt in practice onto Red River Street from the Denius Fields. For Kern’s sake, here’s hoping his stories are all positive and downed inside the 20.

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Here’s what Sarkisian had to say about Kern in December: “We think he’s the best punter in the country. We think this guy has got a skill set for the future. We were fortunate this year with (Ryan) Sanborn coming in as a stop gap, as a transfer. Now we’re getting a high school kid that we’re looking forward to. Think he’s got a bright future for us.”