Texas football: 2024 signees who will have the biggest impact as freshmen

Brandon Baker, OT

The highest-rated offensive lineman that Flood and the Longhorns signed in the 2024 class was the No. 2 offensive tackle recruit in the nation in this cycle in the 247Sports Composite and On3 Industry Ranking, Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei five-star Brandon Baker. The 6-foot-5 and 300-pound offensive tackle from California Baker is a mature prospect with a high floor at the collegiate level.

The jump in competition won't be an issue for Baker, since he played at a premier high school program nationally in Mater Dei.

Baker has the necessary length and size to be a competitive offensive tackle as a true freshman at Texas. He's a polished offensive tackle with some real versatility to play at tackle or guard for the Longhorns along the offensive line. Baker has a good understanding of offensive concepts in different blocking schemes for the run and passing games.

Sark praised Baker during his signing day press conference on Dec. 20, comparing him to the former Freshman All-American and standout sophomore Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. He said watching Baker makes him "feel like he is watching Banks all over again".

Baker is too fundamentally sound and polished for him to be on the sideline for multiple years at Texas. With redshirt senior right tackle Christian Jones exhausting his eligibility after this season, Baker can compete with sophomore Cam Williams for the starting job at that spot.

There is also a chance that Baker can push for playing time along the interior offensive line at guard, given his versatility and length as a standout in pass pro and run blocking.