2024 recruiting - Softball

Our chances at her were probably non-existent right? At least she didn't go to OU

 

Well she is a left coast girl from Oregon. When she made her second visit to UCLA and was talking about it on Twitter I guessed her decision was made. Still plenty of good pitchers left and I have to believe Coach White is on them!

 

No shocker there. Hopes and wishes on to Salmon coming. Heard she was on visit to UCLA with Fisher. Geez if they pull both of them they will have strongest class at this point. Think Salmon has more visits. Townsen Thomas there too.

Think it is clear we won’t get Samya Jones or Ella McDowell. McDowell done with visits. Sounds like she will announce shortly given some of these commits going the football trend of how they are announcing their commitments (videos, social media "big day" announcements, pre-announcements, narrowing to top 10 announcements, etc.). The line is heavy Arkansas on McDowell with OSU being the dark horse.

No indication Samya has us in her sights (which is tough to swallow as a local top prospect who can damn near do it all with the best of them). Maybe Tia Milloy is still possible but haven’t seen her on visit since OU. Usually OU commits make decisions quickly. These 3 are probably best middles out there. But if we add Paislie Allen and maybe steal a strong arm we can salvage what isn’t looking like a great start so far for this 2024 class recruiting.

-Emma Kavanaugh committed to AZ.
-Kai Ricket committed to Ohio State!! Shocker because I think several big schools were after her.
-Salmon hasnt gone on an Oregon visit or Washington from what I have seen. Thinking UCLA or Florida strongest competition for her services. Sure she has a couple visits left. TX needs her or I will be quite pessimistic of this recruiting class. The studs disappearing.
-I don't think we get Townsen or Samya and those 2 I were no brainers. Both of them likely have a couple visits left. Not sure where Samya was this past weekend but it doesn't look like it was TX. Guessing she will go to TN, Wash or LSU but that's just a guess. Guessing Townsen odds are to Washington, UCLA or Florida. Two resident beasts that look like will slip through the fingers.

UCLA, LSU and OU (of course!) looking good so far in 2024 depending on what they add. All 3 start with a stud pitcher and OU & LSU added a strong position player already. Washington and Oregon not looking great but Wash could make a splash if they nab say Townsen and Samya and a great arm. Confused by the Bubke add unless lower money. I don't know what to say about us yet!!!! Eerily quiet. But Mike White knows more than me so I'll just wait and see. We will be good for awhile but gotta feed the pipeline!!!!! #hornsup

 

Another elite down.

 

Can someone remind me of our 2024 commits so far?

 

That would NONE so far.

 

I like that that board is so knowledgeable about recruits

 

I couldn't think of any commitments, that that is why I asked. Excuse me for being so very uninformed.

 

Nothing to be excused for as far as I'm concerned. On most topics I come here and learn so much. I'm just amazed at how much information I get here from yall.

 

RESET: Still on the board potential ELITE pick ups:

--**Townsen Thomas (one of the top outfielders in the country): Unlikely from what it looks like. Speedy triple threat lefty with size and ability to cover ground outfield. Extremely athletic and competitive. Proven against best competition at highest levels. Has visited us along with LSU, UW and UCLA.
--**Samya Jones (one of the top MIF/utilities in the country): Unlikely from what it looks like. Righty with slapper like speed and elite power, hits for high average, has a great glove & versatile. Not really tall but extreme athleticism makes up for it and competitor. Proven against best competition at highest level. Has visited LSU, TN and Purdue from what I know of.
--**Cambria Salmon (probably top arm left in class): Tall kid with velo and movement. Proven against best competition at highest levels. Visited us and UCLA that I'm aware of. Sure she has a few more visits.
--*Tia Milloy. (Very good middle) Physically passes the eye test for sure. Good pop and comes from the left side. Plus speed but not like Thomas or Jones. Only visited OU from what I'm aware of. Like Jones, no clue if she is visiting TX.
--Morgan Reimer (pitcher with GA Impact PGF winners). Not in same class as Fisher and Salmon and doesn't appear to be on our radar.

PITCHERS: Other than Salmon all the top arms appear to be off the board. A few notables still out there but not the level of Fisher, Salmon, Lowery, Tanner, Llamas. A few local arms like Creeger and Harrison (thought to be going to Ark with her teammates). Not sure if the Morgan Reimer kid from GA impact has committed but she is solid too. This is the position that looks most bleak unless we steal Salmon.

INF/UT: Of the most elite infielders only Jones and Milloy stand out that are still on board (for now). Allen is a local we had visit though and probably get her. Haven't seen her on any visits other than UNT. But heard a couple of good programs might be bringing her in. Not looking great here either.

OF: Townsen only big stand out left on board. Thomas and Destiny Harris (LSU) were the only 2 OF's that stood out big. A few others not in the class discussed here are still out there though. Rylee Slimp has been on some bigger visits than most expect. Wouldn't put her near Harris or Thomas though. Nia Mcknight from Vipers probably closer but not on our radar it seems.

CATCHERS: Don't think we are hunting for a catcher. Not a lot of high end catchers I'm aware of. Mujica only one that comes to mind. But again, doesn't look like we are looking for one.

Certain there are some sleepers but we should not be looking for sleepers. We should be at the top of the food chain. Trusting White, Singleton and Zaleski know what they are doing.

 

Thanks for the update on the players and where we stand, which doesn't look like very strongly with anyone. Very odd recruiting cycle for Mike. It can't be due to the loss Megan Barlett and the time it took to find her replacement, could it? Or could it be that Mike's realizing that the portal is a better way of sustaining your roster? Don't worry about the freshmen, recruit the juniors and seniors?

 

That's a VERY GOOD observation! Didn't even think about that. They may be chasing OU the OU-way. Get em from other teams through the portal. Different schools have different philosophies on it. OU clearly has NO problem utilizing the portal. Some other schools seem principally against it--feeling they should stay committed to the kids they recruited. Not sure what to think. But you're right: That may be exactly what Mike is thinking--portal shopping. That would be one excuse for missing out on these studs I guess.

And TX will be chasing more than OU once these 2024 prospects matriculate in. They should be in the SEC then. Portal and NIL has officially changed the game!

 

Just because these players picked another school now doesn't mean they wont be with us later

 

You make a good point Racer and made me think. He and his staff have done a GREAT job recruiting out of the schools in his 22 and 23 class where he really got some elite level players. (I love these freshmen on this year's team) I believe he is thinking that if he cannot get the elite high school players he wants (top 25 ranked players) in a cycle, like it appears is happening for his 2024 class, he is not going to panic and settle for second tier players. He will go to the transfer portal as required where he has had a lot of success. It appears that Mac Morgan and Baylea Brandon look to be great additions to the team this year. And it may not be over with!

 

Another elite player from Texas headed to Arkansas.

 

Worst kept secret in travel ball. Rumor throughout travel ball and even college coaches was all 3 were committed to going there as early as middle of the summer. Good solid class but definitely won't be the top recruiting class of 2024. But 3 more that TX didn't get.

 

I can see where Arkansas would be an easy choice to make. They have a rabid fan base, a beautiful relatively new softball complex (not covered seating though), with outfield seating area where they can throw a blanket, bring their family and dogs. A real family atmosphere! Plus Arky won the SEC this last season. OU is having a major upgrade to there softball facilities as well. Texas better get serious if they want to compete at this level. I know Mike White has asked for a major face lift and CDC says it’s on the books but it’s several years away.

 

I made an off-the-cuff suggestion that maybe Mike is focusing more on transfers than "home grown" recruits. I'm not sure if that's true. Maybe I said it to make me panic less about the zero recruits for 2024 so far. Anyway, I put together a chart of those players recruited by Mike from high school and those from the transfer portal. I did count his first year freshman class as Mike's recruits since I know he pulled scholarships from some players he didn't think would fit. So those Freshman are Mike's recruits.

A = contributor
B = played some games
C = not a significant contributor

YELLOW = eventually transferred or gave up softball or didn't use the bonus COVID year

 

THIS is exceptional. Thank you!! Marking for references sake. Curious of what grade the incoming 2022's are worthy of in many opinions.
-Viviana would be an A in my book for sure. Not so sure about the others.
-Morgan very likely to be a big add and probably an A or close to it.
-The Goode kid is athletic with a plus arm but needs a lot of work cleaning up defense from what I've seen and heard and inconsistent at the plate.
-Atwood decent catcher but better stick. She won't beat Cimuz out behind the plate and don't think she can play other spots at this level. Good stick though from what I know of her.

 

Looks like another busy weekend for 2024 recruits, as our Horns drop a 10-inning scrimmage to TX State. But TX State seems to always tag us---They love our colors/pitching or something LoL. UCLA with a few solid commits....

UCLA COMMITS THREE!!!: LSU opened this recruiting season up with a bang but has been quiet since then. UCLA is on it now with 4 commits in the last week or so and 3 this past weekend:

****Sofia Mujica (Ranked #1 catcher by Extra Innings and #3 by Perfect Game) COMMITTED to UCLA. Don't think we are in market for catcher but she is definitely one of the top 3 in class (Cori Hicks another committed to OU).
***Kaniya Braggs COMMITTED to UCLA this weekend. She is on the Lady Dukes travel team--loaded with committed kids. She is good from what I can tell.
***Aleena Garcia from Corona Angels COMMITTED to UCLA. Solid athletic player with Corona Angels.

OTHERS
*Samya Jones was at Stanford this weekend. Rumor was potentially LSU awhile back. Been hearing Washington or TN lately, but she hasn't visited Washington from what I've seen so maybe that is just rumor. And after seeing her at Stanford (and previously Purdue), who the heck knows. Might have academic value of the degree as a big criteria.
*Tia Milloy was at UCLA this weekend. UCLA and OU have been all I've seen on her so far. Not looking like her or Jones will visit TX. Another baller that can go that might be making the rich richer. She has the pedigree, the size and I know both those schools love California gals. But with the UCLA adds this past weekend Milloy may end up elsewhere soon. I saw Patty Gasso still openly interacting with her social media---hints?.
*Townson Thomas at Florida this weekend. Still rumored Florida and UCLA odds on favorites. Don't think we get any of these 3 kids (Samya, Tia or Townsen). They are all big-time studs that probably have their pick of schools with full rides.
*Paislie Allen at Georgia this past weekend. Still think she's as close to a lock for us as there might be out there. All I recall so far is Salmon, Thomas, Allen on visits unless there have been a few under cover visits.
*Esther White also visited Georgia. She's been to TN, LSU, Ohio State and Auburn. Not as highly sought after as some of the names we throw around a lot here and not on our radar it seems, but kid getting solid attention from top rated programs. Good size and pop.

*Nothing on Salmon since UCLA. UCLA got Fisher so one would guess she isn't going there but you never know! They did just commit two more in Mujica and Bragg. With NIL money and other factors UCLA might be able to convince her to join Fisher (scary!!!). Think we still have a shot at her but with no announcements from her yet, there is little doubt she is checking another school or two out. I only know of UCLA and TX for visits for her so far. If she was out this past weekend haven't heard or run across it anywhere.

They all have to be coming to the end of their visits. All of these mentioned have been to multiple visits and there is no doubt they've received big offers. Would be surprised if we don't know their destinations over the next couple of weeks or so. At this point I'm beginning to feel like it would be a HUGE win if we get Salmon and Allen because I don't see us getting any of those others. Especially Salmon. She will have some great options so I'm sure White and Singleton are holding their breaths.

LSU and UCLA top class so far but LSU only has 2. Bruins with the best class so far with the top arm and 3 solid position kids. OU has solid start too as usual but they go to the portal so much hard to value their "2024" class with the transfers coming in (5 top transfers this year).

 

UPDATE:
Tia Milloy commits to OU. OU now one of the top classes--no surprises.

 

Yeah, this gets old.

I think this is how the rest of college volleyball views Texas volleyball. We get some of the best recruits and we pull in some of the best transfers. Nebraska is the other volleyball equivalent.

Oh well, if they weren't from OU (and the thought of coming to Texas makes then queasy) then I would say we should mine the OU players who were recruited over next year.

 

she will end up transferring

 

We don’t have one single commit for the 2024 class. We are the university of Texas so there is no excuse. Did we even try?

 

. LMAO. Agreed, there is a high percentage Chance.

 

Bro!!!!! Not sure how hard we tried. I may have missed it but I only know of 1 hosted visit (Paisli Allen, Cambri Salmon & Townson Thomas) We aint getting Thomas. And rumor is Allen is leaning UGA. Twitter noise seems to support it too! Just knew that was one we would get. No word on Salmon but if I'm that family watching TX not looking great to me if I have UCLA and Florida on the table. If we don't get the Salmon kid we'd better take comfort in the fact that the portal will stay hot. We can pick up OU's leftovers there.... :-(

The three biggest names out there not committed I'm aware of are Salmon, Samya Jones and Townson Thomas. Rumor on Thomas is UCLA or Florida. But that has been the rumor for awhile. She has been on 5 visits--not sure if she is doing more (i.e. unofficial). Won't be us. Rumor on Jones was UW or TN, after first hearing some LSU noise earlier. Saw she was at Stanford though so not sure on that one. She has done 4 visits so I'm guessing she has another(?) or maybe we will hear something on her soon. Clearly not us though. My money is on FL for Thomas and money on TN for Jones. LSU potential dark horse--if they can nab either of these two they would have an extremely strong class.

Saw UGA added the Esther White kid so she is off the board.

UCLA, OU, & LSU (in that order) still top of 2024 recruiting food chain IMHO. OU top of transfer portal food chain though LoL.

 

I’m just going to assume Mike White is going to go for the portal more and more but even then I don’t want to turn into Oklahoma and build your team off the portal and recruit over younger players.

 

Well damn!!

 

Thats the one I thought we would get. Wonder whats going on??