Three-Point Stance: Michigan in Texas, 2024 risers, Houston's opportunity
In this edition of Three-Point Stance, Rivals national recruiting analyst Nick Harris takes a look at Michigan potentially cleaning up in the state of Texas on the offensive line in 2024, potential risers from the state of Texas in 2024 and Houston's potential recruiting momentum with an impending move to the Big 12.
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MORE THREE-POINT STANCE: Brandon Streeter at UGA, Florida prospects, SEC
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Don’t be surprised if Michigan loads up on Texas offensive linemen.
It’s no secret that programs around the nation have been flocking to the state of Texas to recruit talent for decades, and the 2024 cycle is shaping up to be no different with national contenders deep in the mix for some of the state’s top prospects.
However, what has been a more interesting trend in recent cycles is national programs coming to Texas to pull away multiple commits at the same position group. For example, last cycle Clemson pulled away two four-star offensive linemen while Notre Dame pulled away three wide receivers.
Is this by coincidence, or is there strategy involved? It may be too early to tell, but Michigan is shaping up to be the program to watch in 2024.
The Wolverines are already trending for a pair of four-star offensive linemen in the class: Frisco Reedy OL Max Anderson and Austin Vandegrift OL Blake Frazier, the latter of which is a Michigan legacy. Additionally, Copperas Cove four-star OL Michael Uini is showing increased interest in Michigan as the Wolverines have worked themselves into his top group as of late.
Michigan offensive line coach Sherrone Moore has the résumé and recruiting knacks to go into Texas and make a big splash this cycle, and it’s shaping up to look like exactly that will happen.
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There are already two major Texas risers for the next rankings release in the 2024 class.
The most recent 2024 rankings release was only just over a month ago, but a lot of context has been given in the short time since from major regional camps and stellar early performances on the track and field. Here are two that are standing out so far.
Midlothian (Texas) four-star wide receiver Bryant Wesco is currently ranked at No. 165 in the country, but after his stellar performance at the Under Armour stop in Dallas, a ranking closer to the top 30 is probably in order. His length, proven speed on the track, and body control and physicality in jump ball situations has put him an elite conversation with wide receivers across the country.
Timpson (Texas) four-star athlete Terry Bussey accounted for 80 touchdowns last season at Texas’ lowest level of football, but his ability to compete among the nation’s top talent was still relatively unproven going into the offseason. At the Under Armour stop in Dallas, Bussey showed a quick twitch at wide receiver and tested off the charts, leading all participants in the camp with a scorching 4.42 40-yard dash. For Fast 7v7, Bussey has also been able to prove his status as a legitimate wide receiver prospect on the 7-on-7 circuit. He currently sits as the No. 188 prospect in the country, but a move into at least the top 100 is warranted.
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How much recruiting momentum can Houston generate with the impending move to the Big 12?
Let me start by acknowledging that Houston has had plus-success in recent cycles recruiting top talent in the state of Texas, having pulled in three four-star wide receivers in the last two cycles along with a four-star running back.
The only thing that has held the Cougars back from competing for more than just a couple of four-star talents every cycle has been their presence in the Group of Five, but with the move to the Big 12 getting closer, momentum is only building for the Cougars.
What has stood out most is the top 2025 talents in the Houston area that have shown a high early affinity for the Cougars, including the lone five-star in the state, Devin Sanchez. Four-star wide receivers Jacorey Watson and Andrew Marsh are also showing high interest early on, which has created the potential for Houston’s recruiting knacks to truly blossom in the coming cycles.
How successful can Houston be in a crowded recruiting ground? That waits to be seen, but the foundation is laid. The execution both on and off the field is the only thing that awaits.