Ethan Burke

Around the state of Texas, big decisions were made in December's Early Signing Period, but plenty of high-caliber recruits still remain unsigned. It is time to take a look at the latest happenings on the Lone Star state recruiting front.

*I'll start with some recruiting news and one of Texas A&M's biggest targets in competition this weekend was Austin Westlake 2023 OL TJ Shanahan . After Westlake claimed the 6A D2 championship Saturday night he was excited about his win and he had plenty of great things to say about the Aggies. He said he has been to Texas A&M more than any other college program and while he has not narrowed his list he said he would put the Aggies in his top five. His relationship with coach Henson played a big role in A&M's standing, and after the news of Henson leaving for USC he said it would impact his thoughts on the program."Honestly, it impacts it a lot," Shanahan said. "A&M was one of my top schools and one of the big reasons was Coach Henson. I'm definitely going to have to sit back and evaluate a lot of things with these recent coaching changes."Before the freakout begins, I do not think for a second all hope is lost. TJ has been very clear his relationship with his college OL coach will play a big role in his decision, and I bet Texas A&M brings in a high caliber coach. Jimbo Fisher has also been personally involved. After the game on Saturday, TJ mentioned he was on the phone with coach Fisher for 20 minutes last week. It also sounds like he plans to take his time with the recruiting process."I'm still trying to take it slow," Shanahan said. "I definitely want to take all five of my official visits before I make a decision. I definitely am leaning towards a couple of schools but I think I will drop a top 10 or 12 list probably about here in a month."He also has a few factors high on his list."I would say my relationship with the offensive line coach," Shanahan said. "You know you spend 90-95-percent of your time with him. If your relationship isn't strong with him you might as well just kiss it goodbye. "Then also I hope my family likes it there too because I'm a big family guy. As long as my family likes it there I'll like it there too. Also just how campus life is and how my relationship is with the whole coaching staff and not just the offensive line coach."The opportunity to play with his brother could also factor into his decision. Michael Shanahan entered the transfer portal following an All-American sophomore season at Tennessee-Martin. Texas Tech offered yesterday and he has also received offers from UNT, UTSA, Akron, Sam Houston State, Jackson State, FIU, Miami (OH), Buffalo, Louisiana Tech, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, UNLV, and Ball State."I definitely would want to go to school with him, but I think maybe we will have to take our own path," Shanahan said. "We may end up at the same school but I don't know. Time can only tell."****************Now for some more notes and thoughts*How about those South Oak Cliff Golden Bears. What a story. The program has come a long long way and to see the out pouring of support from across the city and state was awe inspiring. Anyone and everyone who had a connection to SOC was doing everything they could to see this happen. I saw so many current and former high school coaches reach out to encourage and lend a helping hand. Former players and parents of players were there to do their part. Coach Jason Todd and his staff have poured a ton of blood sweat and tears into that program for many years now. They had a vision and a plan. They worked nights, weekends, and holidays with limited budgets, resources, and plenty of doubters and people just flat out in the way. Saturday, they did what they were told could not be done and helped lift a community in the process. I'm just glad I was there to witness the dream become reality. I have a feeling it won't be the last time we see SOC lifting the UIL trophy on Championship weekend.*The Bowen brothers from Denton Guyer can flat out play some football. Peyton Bowen recently received an offer from Texas A&M and has already established himself as one of the nation's best. His little brother Eli Bowen, a 2024 cornerback, has also planted his name firmly on the radar. Eli has been an INT machine this fall and he had another one against Westlake. Back to Peyton, he made a few plays on defense, but he showed himself to be a big weapon on offense too. Regardless of position Peyton is a playmaker and he has tremendous instincts on the field. Both of these guys are going to make a college coach look very smart.Peyton finished the night as Guyer's leading receiver, recording 60 yards on 2 receptions. He also had a 7-yard run, had 33 punt and kick return yards, and 2 tackles. Eli had 2 tackles and an INT. *Sticking with Guyer, Jackson Arnold seemed to be channeling his inner Tim Tebow for much of the game as he tucked his head down and picked up tough yards on the ground. He showed a lot of determination and grit and it may have something to do with him knowing all too well what he was getting into with Westlake. It was only two years ago he had to takeover when Eli Stowers went down with a knee injury. With zero experience and a championship on the line, it was a baptism by fire. This time around he showed himself to be a big time gamer. Guyer was given little to no chance to win and here they were not only in the game but winning at halftime. He showed he can spin it with the best of them, evade pressure and be a threat in the ground game. However, the fight I saw over the weekend gave me a new respect for him. He's the state's No. 1 QB in 2023 and he just solidified that status for me on Saturday night. He finished the night completing 18 of 27 for 183 yards and a TD, and he had 53 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. *While Arnold was solidifying his standing, Westlake's defensive ends were making me remember their names. Ethan Burke is 6-7 and signed with Texas, and Colton Vasek is a 6-6, 230-pound 2023 prospect with offers. They weren't completely off the radar but this was the first time seeing them both in person, and they were impressive to say the least. Burke is long and lean and he came screaming off the edge all night long. He is relatively new to the game but the frame and athleticism are hard not to like. He finished the night with 5 tackles (4 solos, 1 assist), 3 TFLs including 2 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass break-up. The Longhorns got a good one. 2023 Vasek though took home defensive MVP honors and he too was all over the Guyer backfield on Saturday. He finished the night with 4 tackles (3 solos, 1 assist) and 3 sacks. His dad is Brian Vasek, Westlake's DL coach and a former Longhorn so I would look for Sark and Co to be heavily involved there too. *Let's talk about Jaden Greathouse. The speed has people wondering if he is a WR and the build has people wondering if he can line up at TE. I say that guy is a versatile threat who can be a heck a mismatch. That's a guy college coaches need to figure out because he can play some ball. He was Klubnik's favorite target and posted 236 yards and 3 TDs on 7 receptions on his way to Offensive MVP honors. *Westlake's Cade Klubnik got off to a slow start but the Clemson commit closed strong as he led Westlake to scoring drives on 5 of 6 second half drives. Three of five he capped with touchdown passes.*Who would think Westlake would have a kicker who could nail a 53-yard FG to turn the tide in a state championship game? Everyone. And Charlie Barnett was nails as he drilled that ball through the uprights at AT&T.*North Shore and Duncanville are stacked teams with top upperclassmen, but the underclassmen sure caught my attention. North Shore 2025 QB Kaleb Bailey showed tremendous poise under the spotlight. It was not a perfect performance, but it was really good especially when you realize he is only a freaking freshman. In a defensive battle he finished completing 10 of 13 passes for 107 yards and 2 TDs and he had 54 yards on the ground. That 39-yard TD pass to David Amador was a dagger. He dropped it in there perfectly. He was crowned offensive MVP and deservedly so. Duncanville 2024 S Ka'Davion Dotson also showed really well and he has had a monster playoff run. 2024 DE Colin Simmons and 2025 WR Dakorien Moore are also going to be big time prospects out of Duncanville. And remember the name of 2024 DL Alex January he is also a baseball standout and at 6-4, 300 he has the size to go with it.*I have to highlight Duncanville LB Jordan Crook. He came through with a huge effort in the championship game. He was the games leading tackler with 14 tackles (4 solos, 10 assists) and 2 TFLs including a sack. The Arkansas signee also had a 1-yard TD run. I have a feeling the fans in Fayetteville are going to love his skillset.*SOC's Jayvon Thomas had one hell of a season. Once he was cleared to play by UIL after transferring from Corsicana he made an immediate impact. He has been my favorite SOC defender this fall. He can play anywhere in the secondary. His speed gives him great range and he is physical on the back end. He is also a strong cover corner. I've been banging that drum all year and I will continue to do so. He finished the night with 10 tackles.*Thomas may be my favorite SOC defender but Malik Muhammad is right there with him. Those guys are two of the three best DBs in the state for 2023 and give SOC the best CB combo in the state.*College Station 2023 RB Marquise Collins is a bad dude. I know Brauny has absolutely raved about this guy for weeks now and he showed strong during the title game. When he broke free for his forth quarter 71-yard TD run, I thought it was game over for Paetow. That turned out not to be the case, but it doesn't dampen my thoughts on Collins' performance. The guy had 192 yards and 2 TDs on 23 carries, he was ridiculous. Coaches, the line at College Station forms to the left. You may want to show up early because that line is going to be long.*Katy Paetow's 2023 linebackers are definitely worth watching. Alex Kilgore and Daymion Sanford made life difficult on College Station all night and always seemed to ball around the ball. Kilgore had 10 tackles (4 solos, 6 assists), half a sack, and a fumble recovery and 31-yard run after. Sanford had 8 tackles (4 solos, 4 assists) and a sack. *I don't know what level these guys will play on but they had a heck of a weekend and deserve to be recognized. Coy Eakin (2022 WR) went off on both offense and defense for Stephenville. 9 receptions for 187 yards and 3 TDs, 25 yards and another TD on 6 carries, and he forced a fumble, had an INT, and recorded 2 tackles. I think that's good. Andon Thomas (2022 LB), Lloyd Johnson (2022 DL) were all over the place for Liberty Hill. Thomas rushed for 43 yards and 2 TDs on 7 carries and punted twice pinning SOC inside the 20 once. On defense he had 8 tackles (2 solos, 6 assists), a TFL, and a PBU. Johnson was a force in the trenches recording 8 tackles (4 solos, 4 assists) with 1.5 TFLs*I could not help but feel for Austin LBJ. Four fumbles on their first four possessions, and a fifth to start the second half. It was hard to watch, but that young talent makes me think they are going to be a tough out over the next few years. *Last but not least, I strongly encourage anyone who loves football, particularly high school football, to make the trip to the State Championships. It is truly a special experience. *Just because I know there will be questions, I was not there for the Brooks brothers and Shiner or Franklin so they didn't make my thoughts.