5 takeaways from seeing prime Texas recruits in motion

TEXAS — Rivals Nationwide Recruiting Analyst Marshall Levenson was on the sidelines for a pair of marquee video games that includes a number of of Texas’ prime recruits within the 2025, 2026 and 2027 lessons. Included in that group are a number of blue-chippers, together with gamers dedicated to Oregon, Alabama and Baylor.

Listed here are 5 takeaways from the dwell in-person evaluations:

Current Baylor dedication Quinn Murphy began his junior season on a excessive observe two weeks in the past with a 5 landing efficiency in a blowout win. He then had a giant check in entrance of him taking part in an even bigger Texas Excessive program. Whereas Murphy and Liberty Christian completed with a loss, the 6-foot-3 quarterback shined with 336 yards and 4 touchdowns with zero turnovers.

His 4 scores got here in a wide range of methods, consisting of a again pylon toss within the crimson zone, a deep crosser from 50-plus yards out, a fast slant on the aim line and a quick-hitting cease route, the place his wideout shook a defender and took roughly 75 yards. Murphy additionally displayed a robust and pure creativity when performs break down. He’s adept at extending performs and maneuvering briefly areas whereas conserving his eyes downfield and directing visitors. A number of drives had been saved or prolonged merely with the athleticism and IQ of Murphy understanding what was occurring down the sphere and round him.

Tradarian Ball was squaring off in opposition to the beforehand listed Murphy, and the Oregon commit was one of many major causes Murphy and his squad took a loss as he accounted for a trio of scores. Ball, the No. 31 total prospect within the nation, has been identified to be a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hand, each at working again and wideout. He’s nonetheless taking part in each at a excessive clip, however reverse from his sophomore season, most of his manufacturing is coming at wideout this 12 months. Ball caught 5 passes on Friday night time for 183 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving touchdowns got here on back-to-back drives by way of broad receiver screens of 39-yards and 64-yards, respectively.

His third landing got here on a rush out of the backfield of simply over 50 yards, which successfully put the sport out of attain, making the rating 52-35 late within the fourth quarter. Ball’s skill to navigate visitors and hits a second gear in open area. His imaginative and prescient and get in touch with stability enable him to squeeze by defenders and break performs open down the sphere even when he will get the ball behind the road of scrimmage.

My most intriguing analysis of the weekend got here with 2027 offensive sort out Donquavieus “Qua” Ford. The sophomore completely seems to be the half at 6-foot-6, 285-pounds. And never solely does he have the scale, however Ford displayed athleticism and adaptability, one of the crucial vital components of younger offensive lineman at that measurement. Ford has seen his recruitment take off a bit with gives from Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Missouri, Houston, and others. What I noticed from Ford was past thrilling and spectacular.

A ridiculously sturdy decrease half with an athletic stance and set, he was constantly mauling defenders Friday night time. He carried out effectively in each the run and go sport, displacing defenders laying pancake blocks typically. Postgame, a Texas Excessive coach advised Ford he had over 20 recorded pancakes within the sport.

Cooper Witten, the son of Cowboys legend and Liberty Christian head coach Jason Witten, is a formidable wanting prospect and shined at a number of positions. In his freshman season, he performed primarily at security, however this season, after some development, he’s taking part in extra linebacker. He additionally traces up as a good finish/broad receiver hybrid, the place he made some massive performs. Witten logged seven tackles on protection in addition to three receptions with two touchdowns on offense. His two scores, which Murphy threw to him, had been the again pylon toss and deep crosser.

Witten is energetic on protection and is at all times within the space of the ball, typically taking part in nearer to the road within the field now that he’s at linebacker on most snaps. At 6-foot-2, 205 kilos as a sophomore, the 2027 prospect absolutely initiatives as a linebacker for the longer term.

I’ve seen Ty Haywood, a summer season Alabama dedication, on a number of events in 2024. What I noticed from him Thursday night time strengthened what I’ve thought on Haywood’s analysis for a while. When Haywood is ready to set the tone and fireplace off the ball, he’s dominant. Within the run sport, when he is ready to assault, he drives again defenders earlier than they actually have a probability to make a transfer on him.

One space of enchancment I’m on the lookout for from Haywood is his go blocking. There have been a justifiable share of snaps the place Haywood bought off stability in his set as he labored to react to a rushers strikes. The Alabama commit did higher on the skin as he was ready to make use of leverage to let rushers run previous their lane, however on the within, he did hand over floor on just a few events, resulting in quarterback pressures. At slightly below 6-foot-5, and 270 kilos, there’s loads to work with to construct up and develop Haywood for the longer term.