Austin Barrett commits

[Aclone]

To help put this move into context…

Clanton is…enthusiastic…about Neal and Miller at the tackle spots. “Glowing” might be a good way to put it. Aside from QB, OT is probably the most solid starting spot on the team.

Unless Tyler Maro decides to use his last year of eligibility somewhere he has a better chance to start (I’d hardly blame him), this is a move about preparing for ‘26.

We stand to lose five seniors from the OL, including three OT’s. The only ‘26 upperclassman returning on the last depth chart would be Gabe Greenlee.

Austin will give the room some seasoned leadership at OT next year, and be a candidate to start. Indeed, he’ll have a year to work with Clanton and our staff, and familiarize himself with the offense.

The move also serves to mitigate the need to try to find a portal OT next January, in the middle of a frenzied bidding war.

Doesn’t mean we won’t take one then (or that we will), but hopefully won’t have to be desperate about it. And it’s not like we don’t have some talented young guys.

 

[flycy]

FYI this is current Iowa State OL Dylan’s younger brother. Super good dudes!

So we lost brothers and gained brothers. This definitely helps depth that was suddenly concerning.

 

[Aclone]

So we lost brothers and gained brothers. This definitely helps depth that was suddenly concerning.

Concerning?

No, it really wasn’t. It was alleviating overcrowding. Besides, Austin plays OT, the other two were IOL.

 

[t-noah]

Welcome to the good guys Austin!

 

[MTCyclone43]

Hopefully he plays/competes as mean as he looks. Welcome aboard BIG MAN!!!

 

[Frak]

Concerning?

No, it really wasn’t. It was alleviating overcrowding. Besides, Austin plays OT, the other two were IOL.

I don’t think losing two RSFR that were probably going to be in the two deep can be spun as a good thing. Especially when we are likely starting 5 seniors this year. I’d much rather have the heltons plus the younger Barrett.

 

[Aclone]

I don’t think losing two RSFR that were probably going to be in the two deep can be spun as a good thing. Especially when we are likely starting 5 seniors this year. I’d much rather have the heltons plus the younger Barrett.

Really?

We have an interior core of Black, Barrett, Bonifas and Buhr.

Deylin Hasert is in limbo for now.

We also have redshirt freshmen still here on the interior in Garret Rutledge—per Clanton, impressing at RG—and Dontrell Holt.

Multiple mentions of walkon Easton Elledge doing well.

Will Tompkins is already on campus, one of the top recruits in the class, and the extra semester of S&C shoukd have him ready to go if need be.

Vaea Ikakouka arrives this summer, and already had the physical traits, size, strength, power and mobility, to contribute as a freshman if need be.

Not counting Hasert, Elledge or Ikakoula, that’s still seven guys for the three interior spots.

There’s a reason the Helton twins left. No guarantee they were going to even be in the two deep, let alone once the season starts.

As in, perhaps:

RG Black, Rutledge
C Barret, Bonifas
LG Buhr, Holt OR Tompkins OR Ikakoula

 

[Al_4_State]

James has been one of the stand-outs of the off-season. Very excited for his Fall potential. Also an incredible young person that I think the world of.

He's got a very cool story, coming to the game so late in life and truly learning everything on the fly.

 

[isucy86]

I don’t think losing two RSFR that were probably going to be in the two deep can be spun as a good thing. Especially when we are likely starting 5 seniors this year. I’d much rather have the heltons plus the younger Barrett.

Generally I agree about always good to have depth. But I also take coach speak about young players potential in the spring with at grain of salt. Maybe the Helton's would have been in the 2 deep this fall, maybe not.

Sure the staff might have been looking for them to start in 2026. But being pragmatic- in the NIL/Portal era the staff has plenty of time to develop interior OL depth among underclassmen this fall. And the portal is a 2-way street.

I also think it's a reality with the portal, losing depth players is the least of our worries. There will be a day when we have elite players defect.