Welcome to the Inside Texas football YouTube channel powered by InsideTexas.com. I'm Joe Cook. I'm here in Destin at SEC Spring meetings. We got Justin Wells and Eric Nelline in Nashville, the on three Elite series. And Charlie, Coach Dubb, we have a decision that we're about to show live here on the Inside Texas football YouTube channel from James Simon. He is a four star running back from Shreveport, Louisiana, attends Calvary Baptist Academy. Texas obviously has a four star running back in Chapel Hill product Ricky Stewart in the class right now and they are trying to get this player James Simon in there. You look through some of the players that Texas is after at the on three Elite series. What do you think of Simon when you were able to study some of his film? Yeah, I like that he's a one cut back get down hill and get vertical man. Go get forward game game yards right. I think any running back coach wants that like, no, he doesn't do a bunch of dancing. He can't make gas missing the hole, but he really wants to stick his foot in the ground and get vertical and get positive yards, which I really, really love his one of his first clips. He could easily walk into the end zone, but he decided to just run through the guy right and he didn't even choose. He couldn't walk him, but he chose just to make some contact and just run the guy over right. I love that. It's a short choice. Love that. But like I said, I'm making a guy missing a whole get vertical man. That's all you can ask for. One cut, make a couple of people missing get forward and get positive yards man. I love it. I love him as a just a powerful explosive running back. Very patient too. You can tell he has a great vision. Yeah. And if you're just tuning in again, James Simon, a four star running back from from Shreveport Calvary Baptist, he's in Nashville to on three elite series. He will be making his commitment live with on three on their YouTube channel. We will be able to stream it. They will be with Josh Newberg and Charlie. The finalists for this one, Texas, Texas A&M, LSU Notre Dame and Alabama. Obviously, the home state Tigers are involved here. They have two running backs committed, but it's not like they are pulling away from from Simon. They're still recruiting him. He visited Notre Dame in the recent past, but there's one factor in this recruitment. At this current juncture that I think you really got to look at, of course, that is James Simon has one official visit scheduled and that is to Texas on the 21st. So, you know, if to charge choice is able to get his guy and pair him with Ricky Stewart, what do you think that kind of overall means for running back recruiting when you're looking at this class and maybe even going forward in the 2026 class thinking about some of the talented end state guys there? Yeah, I think what it says is like with this class, you got a great one, two punch with him and James Simon and Ricky Stewart, if he decides to commit to Texas, it gives you kind of a bit of, you know, if you want to, I wouldn't say be John and Rosal, but it kind of gives you that why you have a finesse back who has speed and can make people miss. Then you have more for power back here who can catch up the backfield run people over, who has attitude to him, kind of like Rosal and Johnson did. So, I think it gives you two guys that to short choice really kind of covets, guys who look for tough guys who like will run through, don't let the first person talk to you and then you look into the 2026 class, you know, depending on who goes to the draft and who decides to go to the draft and then you got back to where you leave at the end of the year. I think it sets us up nice to maybe land two or three guys in a 2026 class from end state that can pair well with these two here for this class. Trying to get a picture over to our star producer, Texas Homer, Justin Wells has a tweet of what the scene looks like there in Nashville. It is beautiful there at the W Hotel, there in downtown Nashville, some nice digs, it's some good stuff there, has some of the on three elite, some trophies from James Simon's, you know, just his career backdrop for a commitment announcement and can't wait to show it to you. Charlie, when you were waiting on decisions at UNLV, were you all ever involved in any measure of hat science? We all had one or two guys who did the whole hat thing, everybody else pretty much gave us a commitment, but I mean, I think it's fun for the kids to be able to do this, right? You have your hats up there, show that people are interested in you, the schools are interested in you, the ones you're interested in, and sometimes it's just a fun experience for the kids, so be able to have the hats all lined up with who you pick, you know, it's just a lot of, brings a lot of entertainment to it. Looking at the, these are the same hats I'm pretty sure that they have for all their photo shoots. And on three, I mean, I remember seeing Colin Simmons holding onto that black long horn hat last year, so I don't think there's anything to glean on that. It's most, you know, what they have provided. So if our buddy string says is watching from the A&M, from the A&M crowd, there's, there's nothing to glean with hat science on this one. Then we've talked about in past episodes of recruiting Intel on this channel. And again, if you're just now finding us, head to YouTube, find inside Texas football and give us a like on this video, subscribe to the channel. But just the challenge that is presented by trying to recruit two running backs, and we know to shard choice always tries to get two running backs. He did it in the, you know, with the clap, I see when did he show up at Texas, oh, after the 2022 2021 season, 2022 class. So that featured some strong players, like Trey Weisner, obviously this 2023 class had CJ Baxter in one other, I'm just struggling to remember right now, 2024 fresh in my memory. You have Jared Gibson and Christian Clark. That's a lot of people in one room. So what's like the challenge of recruiting a two running back class year over year? Well, the thing is, you got to look at production, both you play two or three running backs out of time. They're out throughout the season. Everybody gets the ball. Everybody gets a chance to touch the ball, either by Kerry's or catching the ball out the backfield. And then you look at the recent draft. We have 200 backs drafted back to back, like one other school can really say that, right? So if you come to Texas, you got a chance to play, you got a chance to get half production, have a chance to get drafted, and not have a lot of wear and tear your legs at the exact same time. Like if you're a running back, what else could you ask for? You're going to get everything NFL scouts look at and covet, you're going to get a ton of film, a ton of carries, a ton of accolades. If you take it to the next level, while you're at Texas, then like I said, you won't have a lot of wear and tear, which prolongs your NFL career, possibly. So I think it's just a win-win for everybody, and that's the selling point for the charge choice, honestly. If you're just tuning in, whether you're on X, whether you're on Facebook, whether you're on the inside Texas YouTube channel, the ceremony gets started at 1230. So it should just be right around the corner. I know our colleague, Josh Newberg, over at On3, is setting that up and is going to have that great ceremony there, trying to think of some other aspects to this. Texas, they already have Ricky Stewart committed, he's from Tyler Chapel Hill in the 2025 class, and he's a player that has run a lot during his career. He has been someone who has helped out that Chapel Hill squad, make the State Finals, I believe, and someone who does have a lot of wear and tear. I don't think James Simon has that same problem, and we even got a comment. Our buddy Eric Nalene is there, says he reminds me of Duke Catalan with his east-west agility to find space, but also looking to get north-south when the lane appears. I definitely like that one a lot, and it looks like we are just about to get going, or that's just his highlight tape. So at this point, Duke Catalan, that is a blast from the past, if you can recall one, I think that was the class of 2014, ended up having a solid career at Houston and turned into a really good football player there for the Cougars. Looking at recruiting rankings, right now Texas is 13th, they don't have the same volume of commitments as some of the people ahead of them. They have nine, right in front of them at 12 is 15, excuse me, right in front of them at 12 is Oklahoma with 15 commits, you scroll up to see the top five, it's Notre Dame who's almost got a full class, you know, Notre Dame has a full class basically with 22, Clemson is number four, they have 11, and you look up, USC has 12, LSU has 11, and Ohio State has 12 as well. So it looks like there's definitely room to grow for Texas, official visit season is about to get going for the Longhorns, and that leads into kitchen table time, which we always like to talk about in those kids going and being able to make the decision. You have a class that only has nine people at this point. Is that a big deal, you know, does that mean that you may not have as many people on these official visits recruiting, or is that just something to, you know, you fix throughout the course of June with these visits and get more people in the boat to maybe help down the stretch for some guys who want to take the process further. Honestly, I think it says a lot about, you know, talking to staff right now, they are at a place where they can kind of do the due diligence, can decide who they really, really want and recruit and try to close on those guys. You don't have to be able to hear you just take guys again, commitments, right? It's a great thing, it's a great place for them to be at this point, but I think over the next few months with official visits, I think they'll start, you know, getting the guys they want to kind of close in on them here in June with the official visits, and then all the way into these similar you do in-home visits, I think Sark is known for being in close, and I think they'll do a great job and finishing with the class that they want, and that we rank pretty high, so I wouldn't worry about it too much right now. I think they'll get the guys that they want that they're after, like I said, they did their due diligence, and now it's time to close with the official visits. Not only when the recruit's over, but when the parents over, it's time. With this, and just to let you all know, we are just over a minute away from on three recruits going live, and we'll be able to show that on the screen. Is someone who worked in a football building, do you like knowing the answer? Is there some fun to not knowing when a kid is going to do on this stage? Honestly, man, I like knowing the answer, and just kids growing up like, it's like a Christmas present. No, I was the one that's picking and trying to tear up the rapper and then flipping over some of my mom wouldn't notice, so I like knowing the answer, but it's fun. We've got some kind of, you know, excitement to it, when you don't know if the kids are going to come in to you, but most of the time, in my position, walking the kid around, you can't do it if they were going to commit or not, so I like putting it out on Twitter or giving a hint saying, "Hey, we're about to get a commit," you know, by posting those little slot machines. That's what we use in Vegas, and so, yeah, man, we're about to be a jackpot, so, yeah, I like knowing, though. I think we all, there's always some fun intrigue. KJ Lacey was a little bit of a surprise last year, you know, there have been a couple others with between hoops and maybe one or two in footballs. We usually know who, when, or we usually know who, not always, when, so now we switch it. I think Nashville currently, right now, we are sitting on the rooftop of the W Hotel located down in the Gulch area, and we're here for another live commitment. I'm excited to be hosting this one today, we got a top 10 running back that will be committing with us here live, but before we get into it, make sure you guys are locked in, hit subscribe to the on three recruits channel. All right, today's commitment is brought to you by inhale water, super oxygenated water, get hydrated with inhale. Who are we here for today? Well, it's James Simon. James Simon is a four star running back from Shreveport, Louisiana, goes six foot 200 pounds. The number nine ranked running back in the country in the 167th best player overall. He attends Calvary Baptist High School and holds a ton of offers, but Simon has narrowed it down to a list of five, as you can see here. We got Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Texas and Texas A&M, and after getting on the road, taking some visits, the number four ranked player in the state of Louisiana is ready to announce this decision. I'm excited to host this one, but first, let's put on the tape. Now when we're watching James Simon highlight, normally I would talk through this, but I got James Simon sitting right here next to me. So James, what type of running back are you? What's your style? How would you consider it? I would definitely have to say my style is just flashy. I could kind of do anything that I feel like I like that phone with the game and just kind of put on a show when I play. So I feel like I can just have a great vision. I can make cuts. I can do anything that I put my mind to if I want to, and I just like to put on a show for people watching. Yeah, excellent combination of speed and power. As you can see in those highlights now, let's take a look at Simon's social handles. Remember to give him a follow because his career is really just about to take off. Now there you see it, smash that follow button on all his handles. Now I got James, James, you look ready. How are you feeling today is your big day? I feel excited, you know, it's been a long time coming, a long process, you know. Just take some time, but talk to my family and visits has definitely helped me get to the decision I am and get to the time that I am today. Yeah, and you have taken a bunch of visits throughout the spring, really, even before your 2025 cycle started, you've been taking visits. So you came down to a final five. What was it about these teams that made your final list? I would definitely say just the comfortability that I had visiting each school that kind of just showed me great love and I kind of had a great feeling. And when I went there, that kind of proves me why they decided to be in this top decision. Yeah, a really strong group you got here on the table. You couldn't really go wrong with any of these programs, but this is the moment. Your friends are ready, your family's ready. So at your convenience, say your thank yous, anything else you want to get out, and then let us all know where you will be committing to college. First off, I would like to thank God, definitely without him, none of this would be possible. Athletic abilities and talents he's given me, I'm very thankful for that. I was well as my family, all the things I supported me throughout this long journey. My dad, my mom, especially, and my brother, they definitely kept me humbled throughout this whole entire thing. I definitely want to thank my friends also, and all the support from the community back home in Shrewport. Y'all have done a great job in just picking me up and leaving me to a great journey to him on now. Definitely, I want to thank all the sponsors that has helped me to get to where I am, and definitely Lionheart, they've definitely done a great job just producing me and making sure everything is settled and handled. I definitely want to just thank everybody for coming out to the decision, and you know, with all that being said, for the next three to four years, I'll be taking my time soon. University of Texas, there it is. That's the Texas Longhorns for James Simon as the powder falls down. Look at that. James, when did you know that it would be the Texas Longhorns? I would definitely say I knew about a good month or two ago, just continually going down there and knowing that it was just always, always felt like home, but they just showed me consistent love, consistent value that I was a top priority for them, so I just definitely knew it was time to be a home. Have you had a chance to talk to Steve Sarkeesian? Have you let him know that you're committing or was he watching live with everybody else? I let Coach Sark know about, I think I let him and Coach Sos know the day I got back from the spring game. I definitely had a long ride home, I had a long talk with them, and I figured everything out then, so once I figured everything out and just knew what I wanted, just let them know. Alright, do you mind if I get your mom in here real quick, can we talk to your mom about this? Come on in, come on in. How do you feel about the decision to go to the Texas Longhorns for James? I am excited that the process is over, but I do believe that Texas, their actions spoke louder than their words, and a lot of people had a lot to say and what they were going to do, but Texas is doing it, and we believe that he will be in the best care with Coach Sark and his wife and Coach Choice, and I would not have wanted him at any other school. There you have it, James, it sounds like your mom approves of the decision, so real quick before I let you go, talk to Longhorn fans, what are they going to get when James Simon steps on campus? Y'all, for sure going to get a dog, definitely something I have not seen before during my position. It came through once, y'all have seen some great talent at during my position, but I definitely don't think y'all have seen nothing like me yet, so definitely that's what y'all got coming. Alright, well congratulations, you got all your friends, your family, go celebrate, I'm bringing on national analyst Steve Wolfong, we're going to talk about your commitment, but congratulations James, thank you. That is awesome, Charlie, there it is, 4 star running back, James Simon commits to Texas, to Shard Choice, gets the job done in the 2025 class, and hey, the Longhorns are sitting real pretty right now with some offensive firepower. Of course, I'm here in Destin, Steve Sarkeesian can't talk about it, but I kind of want to see him and be like, did you watch the good news, did you check it out, he's got to be excited about this one. Yeah, definitely so man, another piece of the chessboard man, just another great addition to the team for him, I'm sure he has plans already, how he's going to use them once he gets to Texas, and I just love to attitude him, like hey, I know you had a bunch of great guys come through there, but nothing like you have to see him yet, so I was like yo, okay, I want to see that, that's a lot of confidence, and I love that effort. I love that confidence, that's something that sometimes, it's not in its place, I don't want to say it's in its place, but it's like oh, are you too confident, no, that's the type of thing you want to see from a running back, and that's the type of attitude that you want someone carrying the rock to have. Trying to figure out what this does to the Longhorns recruiting rankings does not look like it has updated quite yet, but all in all, you know, you bring in a four star from the state of Louisiana with an LSU offer, and you get him to commit to Texas, join Ricky Stewart, maybe you can pick each other up when they're going down I-20, that is a great pick up. Charlie, anything else on this one? No, just a great pick up, man, great day for the Longhorns, and can't wait until they got to do great things once it gets to the 40. You and me both, thank you for watching, make sure you like this video, subscribe to the channel, and also, come head to InsideTexas.com. If you were over on Inside Texas, you knew about this type of development for a long time, you can use the promo code IT1, and you get two months for just one dollar. That gets you through July 29th, but I bet there's going to be a lot more decisions that look like this one today headed your way. Charlie, thank you as always, we'll see you next time on the Inside Texas Football YouTube channel, powered by InsideTexas.com. [MUSIC]
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