Three-Point Stance: Flip season, UTSA's strong class, Houston's momentum
Rivals national recruiting analyst Nick Harris takes a look at the potential flip commitments down the stretch in the 2023 class, UTSA's exciting 2023 class and Houston's momentum within the Greater Houston Area in this edition of Three-Point Stance.
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CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals100
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1. It could be a wild season of flips in the Mid-South.
It's getting to that point in the recruiting cycle where flip rumors begin to circulate and really pick up steam, as some of the top prospects in the Mid-South are buzzing with potential flips close to signing day.
Most notably, Oklahoma commit Colton Vasek has been at the center of noise because of a push from Texas and public callouts from Texas commits on social media. A recent visit to Texas from Vasek cemented those rumors and it has Longhorns and Sooners fans both watching his every move.
Rueben Owens II has yet to take a visit elsewhere since his commitment to Louisville over the summer, but that hasn't stopped Texas A&M, Georgia, Florida and others from maintaining contact.
Texas commit Malik Muhammad recently took an official visit to Texas A&M as the Aggies look to push ahead after finishing second before his initial commitment over the summer. On the same coin, Texas is working to flip Texas A&M commit Anthony Hill ahead of signing day.
A lot of eyes in the state of Louisiana remain on Texas commit Derek Williams as well as he continues to take official visits this fall. Alabama poses the Longhorns' biggest threat, while LSU also looks to keep the talented defensive back in-state.
Peyton Bowen remains possibly the most likely flip as the Notre Dame commit continues to entertain the likes of Texas A&M, Oklahoma and others. The Aggies look to have the best shot at flipping the talented safety ahead of signing day.
With these names and more generating buzz with less than two months until signing day, all I can say is: Buckle up.
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2. UTSA is quietly building one of the country's strongest Group of Five classes.
When you take a look at UTSA's recruiting ranking at this point in the cycle, its No. 82 position may not jump out – nor do its 13 commits – but in looking at who makes up the class at this point, you can't help but be excited for what Jeff Traylor and company are putting together.
The Roadrunners added a commitment this week from New Orleans Warren Easton defensive tackle Jameian Buxton, a prospect who blew up early on in his recruitment and quieted down ahead of his senior season. However, it's these kinds of players that have made UTSA so special during Traylor's short tenure in the Alamo City.
The class also features extremely talented skill position players such as Brandon High, Jamel Hardy and Devin McCuin, with quarterback Jackson Gilkey being the face of that group after his recent pledge. Not to mention, David Amador is currently leading the state's No. 1 6A program at Galena Park (Texas) North Shore as its quarterback after an injury to the starter.
The talent on both sides of the ball is plentiful for UTSA in the 2023 class, and it only appears as though that talent will grow in the coming months ahead when these recruits put pen to paper.
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3. How secure can Houston make its city borders in recruiting?
Houston added an early-morning commitment on Thursday from Spring (Texas) Dekaney four-star wide receiver Jonah Wilson as the Cougars were able to complete a shocking flip to pull Wilson away from Texas.
The commitment serves as further proof that Houston has a firm grasp on recruiting prospects within the Greater Houston Area as it serves as the third four-star recruit landed in the Houston area in the past two classes (Wilson, Parker Jenkins, Matthew Golden).
Can that success be sustained? I believe so.
With a move to the Big 12 imminent, on-field production and winning will only help to keep the Houston elites home, and Dana Holgorsen has the blueprint to do just that. With a strong 2024 class in Houston on the horizon, don't be surprised if the Cougars make multiple big splashes as they look to enter the Power Five ranks with a massive bang in the coming years.