Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Cole Patterson joins Ben Golan of RedRaiderSports.com, Parker Thune from OUInsider.com and Jason Suchomel of Orangebloods.com to discuss the recruitment of five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson, the recent commitment of five-star defensive tackle David Stone and how many five-star prospects Texas will ink in the 2024 recruiting cycle.
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1. Texas Tech should be concerned that Micah Hudson hasn’t committed yet.
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Golan: FICTION. Micah Hudson is in no rush to announce publicly, but things are as strong as they ever have been between Texas Tech and Hudson. He’ll be back in Lubbock this weekend, marking at least his seventh trip to West Texas since the spring. While things looked to be on commitment watch earlier this summer, it’s expected that this thing goes all the way to signing day at this point.
Texas Tech should be concerned with beating Oregon and bouncing back from a bad loss in Wyoming. Recruiting-wise and with Micah Hudson, the Red Raiders are right where they need to be.
Patterson: FICTION. It was all assumed that five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson would be in Texas Tech's recruiting class by the end of the summer. Yet, that didn't happen. Instead, the months went and Hudson has opted to not make any kind of announcement. While that's not necessarily a great thing for Texas Tech, there's no big reason to hit the panic button just yet.
Sure, the loss to Wyoming doesn't help things at all. But Hudson has been consistent in holding relationships over single game results throughout his process. He'll be in Lubbock for another visit this weekend, where the Red Raiders will look to upset Oregon in a raucous atmosphere. Alabama, Texas A&M and Texas are all circling the waters, but Texas Tech remains the favorite to land the five-star recruit.
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2. David Stone is the biggest recruiting win to date for Brent Venables at Oklahoma.
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Thune: FACT. There’s no downplaying the significance of David Stone’s commitment for the Oklahoma football program, as a five-star defensive tackle hasn’t worn the crimson and cream in over a decade. Stone was a must-have for Brent Venables and his staff — he grew up some 20 miles from campus in the Oklahoma City suburb of Del City and had held the Oklahoma offer since prior to his sophomore season. The Sooners did make a comparable splash in the early signing period last December by flipping five-star safety Peyton Bowen, but as the program prepares to transition to the SEC, Oklahoma needs to radically bolster its talent level and overall depth in the defensive trenches. That position group has been a consistent vulnerability for OU year after year. The Sooners needed a breakthrough recruiting victory on the defensive line in the worst way, and with that in mind, Stone is just what the doctor ordered.
Patterson: FACT. Landing David Stone was a massive win for Brent Venables and the staff up in Norman. He's an Oklahoma native and, after missing out on Williams Nwaneri last month, the Sooners could ill-afford to watch Stone commit elsewhere. Miami and Michigan State were heavily involved for the IMG Academy five-star, but the Sooners were successfully able to hold both off despite big pushes leading up to his public announcement. Not only is Stone a significant addition in terms of the quality of player that he is, but he's also significant because it gives Venables another marquee win on the trail and some much-needed juice for the fan base to sip on.
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3. Texas will sign at least two five-stars in the 2024 cycle.
Suchomel: FACT. The Longhorns already have one five-start in the boat with a commitment from Colin Simmons. Texas will probably have to fight other programs off to hang onto that pledge but if we're assuming he sticks and signs with the Longhorns, I really like UT's chances to sign at least two five-stars in this class. As things stand right now, Texas is the team to beat for five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo. The Longhorns are still involved with fellow five-star wideout Micah Hudson and Texas leans Kobe Black and Brandon Baker could wind up being five-stars as the rankings get updated. Add it all up and I really like UT's chances to sign at least two five-stars in the 2024 cycle.
Patterson: FACT. Colin Simmons announced his pledge to the Longhorns last month, providing Texas with one of the biggest recruiting gets of the cycle. But the work isn't done as Steve Sarkisian and his staff prepare for life in the competitive SEC. Texas remains in the thick of things for five-star wideout Ryan Wingo - arguably being the team to beat for the St. Louis pass catcher. Beyond Wingo, Texas continues to chip away at Micah Hudson. Kobe Black is the No. 3 cornerback prospect in the class and could very well find himself in the five-star tier before the end of it. The same can be said for offensive tackle Brandon Baker, who the Longhorns have made a big surge for. There's a realistic path to the Longhorns inking three five-star prospects in this cycle.
