Countdown to Kickoff: This Texas OL to breakout after position change
We are just 62 days until Texas football is back and it’s time for another breakout candidate. We stay on the OL this week, with Brandon Baker. Baker’s move to the interior could lead to a breakout.
We are just 62 days until Texas football sets off on an all-important season and the all-important position is the offensive line. On last week’s “Breakout Longhorn Sunday,” we talked about Connor Roberston, the point guard of the OL. Today, it’s about his counterpart to his right, Brandon Baker. Baker started all 13 games last season at right tackle but has since moved inside to right guard. I expect the move to benefit the junior and the Longhorns massively.
Baker’s first season as a starter was an overall success. He started slow against Ohio State, giving up 2 pressures on Arch Manning on true pass-sets. He settled in and gave up just 3 pressures in the final month of the season and finished the season with no sacks given up. He finished the season with a 75.8 PFF pass blocking grade but just a 63.9 run blocking grade. That is where he’ll need to take a step forward this season.
Baker has gained praise from a number of people in the industry, including former Penn State OL and current national college football analyst, Landon Tengwall. Tengwall has tabbed Baker as a breakout candidate for this season, citing the move to right guard as beneficial for his future. I agree and expect the move to propel him up NFL Draft boards, whether in 2027 or 2028.
The last two weeks, we’ve covered two breakout candidates that I consider no-negotiables. I don’t see a world where Connor Robertson and Brandon Baker don’t breakout and Texas fulfills expectations. I believe Baker can not only take the next step forward, but can become one of the top IOL in the SEC. If he does, the Texas offense(and team as a whole), could be lifting their first National Championship trophy in over 20 years.
