Kenny Baker lands his first pledge to bounce back from a slow start with the Longhorns on the recruiting trail.
After committing to the Oregon Ducks less than a month ago, Folsom (Calif.) defensive tackle Josiah Sharma flipped to the Texas Longhorns on Thursday, announcing his commitment to position coach Kenny Baker.
Sharma initially chose the Ducks over the Longhorns and two other finalists — the Crimson Tide and the Huskies, with all four schools hosting Sharma on official visits over the weeks before his decision.
The Texas staff extended an offer to Sharma in February and hosted Sharma for an unofficial visit in March before getting him back on campus for the June 7 official visit weekend.
Sharma initially committed to Washington on New Year’s Day as the Huskies took on the Longhorns in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl. When Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer left Seattle for Tuscaloosa, however, Sharma decommitted less than four weeks after giving his initial pledge.
“I mean, honestly, it was really good opportunity for me — it gave me a chance to re-establish what I felt like I needed in a college,” Sharma said before his announcement on Friday.
Sharma chose the Ducks over the Longhorns and two other finalists — the Crimson Tide and the Huskies, with all four schools hosting Sharma on official visits over the weeks before his decision.
The Texas staff extended an offer to Sharma in February and hosted Sharma for an unofficial visit in March before getting him back on campus for the June 7 official visit weekend.
Sharma initially committed to Washington on New Year’s Day as the Huskies took on the Longhorns in New Orleans at the Sugar Bowl. When Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer left Seattle for Tuscaloosa, however, Sharma decommitted less than four weeks after giving his initial pledge.
“I mean, honestly, it was really good opportunity for me — it gave me a chance to re-establish what I felt like I needed in a college,” Sharma said before his announcement on Friday.
Oregon’s pitch on developing Sharma close to home played a role in the 6’4.5, 325-pounder’s decision last month, but new Texas defensive line coach Kenny Baker was able to sway Sharma weeks later, landing his first pledge since taking over for Bo Davis after missing on four other defensive tackle targets in recent weeks. The Longhorns still need quantity and quality at the position in the current cycle, so Baker has plenty of work ahead of him with Bellville’s DJ Sanders remaining the position’s top target.
A consensus four-star prospect, Sharma is ranked as the No. 245 player nationally and the No. 30 defensive lineman, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Sharma is now the 16th pledge in a class that ranks No. 13 in the country.
Analysis (by Daniel Seahorn):
When you are out shopping for interior defensive linemen, Sharma is exactly the way you picture them in your head. Sharma looks every bit of his listed 6’5, 295 pounds on tape and he also boasts a 79 inch wingspan to boot. Sharma sticks out on tape physically, and he is also young for age as he played his entire junior season at the age of 15. That makes him an extremely intriguing prospect, as he is only just a pup that still has plenty of growing left to do. For his listed size, Sharma possesses very good quickness at the snap and is an absolute load for opposing offensive linemen to slow down. Needs to more consistently use his hands, but when he does you see the play strength and length show up in a hurry. Consistently gets to the heel line of offensive linemen on tape and is disruptive both against the run and the pass. Shows very good awareness when it comes to recognizing screens. Doesn’t get too far up the field and shows the ability to quickly retrace his steps and get to the ball. Moves very well for his size and possesses a good motor on tape, as his effort and hustle consistently shows up. It is evident that he doesn’t play against the stiffest competition on film, but that is not something any player can control. When you combine the physical traits, the high motor, and the fact that he is barely scratching the surface of his ability you have a pretty exciting prospect at the defensive tackle position.