South Oak Cliff's Billy Walton Flips to Texas After Longhorn Visit

I love this because it is good for business. However, there are some mitigating factors. This will be a small class. I had Kasey Dunn on my radio show today and he said that Braydon Johnson is the only receiver that leaves after this season. Others on offense that could go after this season are guard Hunter Woodard and quarterback Spencer Sanders. They each have the COVID year if they want it. I know Spencer is strongly considering it, but this season will be a determining factor. If all you lose on offense is one scholarship player that makes it hard to bring a lot in. They recruit knowing some will transfer but this is a young team and the guts will be there.

On defense you will lose Brendon Evers, Brock Martin, Sione Asi, for sure. Specialists kicker Tanner Brown, punter Tom Hutton, and snapper Matt Hembrough are all gone for sure as they too will have used up eligilbity. Unless there is a mass exodus in the portal then the recruiting class will be about 15-16 players. You are at nine and that include a quarterback (Zane Flores) that is at Elite 11, A pair of good defensive linemen (Jaedon Foreman and Ricky Lolohea) and an excellent safety (Kam Franklin) and corner (Dylan Smith).

Losing Walton is unfortunate and mind you, I don't believe he will re-commit. I commend him for going home from his Texas vist and de-committing before he commits to Texas. Yes, he likely will get some NIL deal and he was visiting on a huge momentum weekend keyed by the commitment of Arch Manning.

Two things to think about for the future. Recruiting class rankings will not be as important. I already had an assistant coach at one Big 12 school tell me that his school would rather recruit the portal than high schools. One, there is going to be more and more good talent in the portal as players that got money to sign find they aren't playing and will want to play. Second, from high school you have the freedon to leave with the portal. After you make that first move then it cost you sitting a year. More stability with portal recruits.

Focus on the next season and not any firther because things can now change very fast with the portal. Just the way it is.

If you are a bridge jumper or somebody that just likes to live the life or *****ing, moaning, and always being po'd about everything then keep on doing what you do.

We'll do another one soon, Not much has changed since this one except that Billy Walton de-committed.
https://pokesreport.com/s/2848/oklahoma-state-football-recruiting-update---2023-class

Oklahoma State is going to recruit in the present and in the future pretty much the way they have. They will get several high profile recruits, usually at quarterback when they can and maybe a few other positions. Where they will win in recruiting is by out evaluating other schools and getting the three-star and lower prospects that are misrated by recruiting media and undervalued as a result. Oklahoma State and the staff see them as much better. Collin Oliver, Trace Ford, Jabbar Muhammad, Tyler Lacy, etc. Then Oklahoma State will use Rob Glass and his staff and the coaching staff to develop them into the best players they can be.

Oklahoma State is not going to be Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma, etc. They have to do it a different way and have become better than most at doing it that way. Also, a new concern in the NIL world unless it is reigned in and there is enforcement of the current rules then that is going to be antoher negative factor to navigate.

I'm not in denial, I just have had a close up and inside view of the process and can see it for what it is, know it works, and accept the recruiting results on the surface knowing that in many cases Oklahoma State will do more with a class ranked anywhere from the 20s to the 40s than many teams do in the top 20.

That is a documented fact over the past 15-years. No homer magic, no making up stuff, just the way it has been done.

Not telling anybody how to think, just informing the best I can. It is up to you what you want to think.

Honestly, I would like to have seen Billy Walton go to Oklahoma State. I don't think he would have put the class on a pedestal. He is an undersized three-star defensive end with lots of potential. Hopefully, that will be realized (potential) where ever he goes, likely Texas. Oklahoma State will find players like Poasa Utu to develop.

One thing I have developed in a "homer" way is I've covered recruiting long enough to know this. You know the old Stephen Stills song, If You Can't Be with the One You Love, Love the One Your With. It really applies to recruiting. Then you see what happens and hope it plays out your way.

Polston, I haven't lost respect for you. Never did. If I did I would have ignored your post. I actually value your opinion. I may not agree with it. I would like to see Oklahoma State recruit at a higher level. I know the people involved want that too and are working toward it within the means they have, which I will add are better than they've been, There are many factors in recruiting, but in the end the old saying of control what you can control and work with what you have available are true. Maximize what you've got, work to get the best you can, and forget the players that want something besides Oklahoma State. It is simple for these coaches and staffers. Work with the players you have to be the best you can be and win as many games as you can.

If I'm a "homer" for believing in that, so be it. Tom Dirato has been offered the opportunity to work with us on this site. He is retired and I respect Tom for doing the things he wants to do. Looking forward to when I can pick and choose more like Tom.