Spring Forecast Texas 2027 Recruiting Class

Spring Ball is in full swing and evaluations of the talented Texas squad is underway.  The Horns have one of the most talented and truly one of the youngest teams in America.  They also have a truly unique recruiting situation that will allow them the staff to be EXTREMELY selective when it comes to talent and culture fits.

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**All comments and opinions are my own and simply taken from hunches and guesses that I gather being around the recruiting scene for the past few years. Also people that have followed the site know I don’t pretend to be a VB genius at all and I simply try and evaluate how programs will attack recruiting and observe things like culture, philosophies, etc.  

Our evaluation professionals do all of the technique and skill breakdown. When I report it is on other aspects of programs, coaches and prospects.**

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Texas Culture is a real thing.  I have talked on this for two years now, but culture is a very real thing at Texas.  You don't have to like them, but it is a player friendly environment and athletes rarely leave and enjoy their experience their (often regardless of playing time, which is rare in today's game).  A large part of that is the athletes they recruit.  It is hard to bring in multiple All-Americans and have them all buy in to "Team Concept", but Texas has done that for years.  **Now I personally did not think last year's Sr. group was as good of a culture fit as others (again only my opinion) and I think you saw results of that, but I will tell you the culture on the team right now is amazing and the staff won't sacrifice a stat or two to ruin that (despite Volley Talk rumors otherwise).

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Transfer Destination.  It is proven that transfers want to come to Texas and yes Texas has resources that maybe only one other school has (so deal with it college volleyball).  What that means is that Texas doesn't need to "reach" on any prep prospect they don't think fits because they can go after most any transfer they want.  Might upset you, might be very boldly stated, but it is the truth.

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So what that all means for recruiting is that if their actual 2027 BIG BOARD isn't very big at all.  Here is my projection of what it might look like heading into April based on my knowledge of their needs, their culture and the 2027 class.

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Setter: Need (TBD) 

Again this is completely a FIT and CULTURE decision, but I love one athlete here.  You have Genevieve Harris coming in the 2026 class and you also have a very talented setter group in 2028 that Texas figures to be active pursuing someone.  So IF the Longhorns go after a setter it has to be someone who can compete, but also can be a team player.  To me there is only one true option that is talented enough, on their list and also has the mentality/culture makeup for what Texas might be looking for in a setter.....

Marlie Smith, Legacy Volleyball PPV 266, could fit what Texas wants.  Could backup anyone and be ready to play at any minute, plus competitve enough to push anyone ahead of her.

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I have thought of this "fit" since last Summer since I've petitioned to get Smith an NTDP invite (unsuccessful) why not go and learn at Texas?  If it doesn't work you transfer somewhere else and you train with Texas for a year or two.  If it does work you are a Setter for Texas.  Her attitude is perfect for their culture and locker room and would be a great fit with Harris and could back her up for a year.  Plus she is a very, very good setter.  Unless she gets a really good P4 offer to come and start right away this is an appealing thought for Smith (if it even is an option).

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Middle Blocker: Right Fit (TBD)

You have a couple of the #1 ranked middles (Ames and Harvey) who look to be anchoring the position for the near future so again this needs to be a talented athlete that buys in culture wise and can compete, but might be ok waiting a bit to play.  I do think Texas takes a middle, but they do not have to as transfer is always an option so they do not have to reach on a character concern or athlete that is not 100% on-board with their plan.

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Possible options at MB in '27:

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Kyla Williams, AVC Cleveland PPV 266, Williams loves Texas, but she also is from the Midwest and she wants to play.  Her work ethic and attitude are fits for UT, but waiting behind the others may be hard because Williams will have multiple BIG P4 offers to be THE ONE and play right away elsehwere.

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Hunter Ross, Metro DC PPV 237, Ross has come on everyone's radar lately and has huge upside.  Could be a "dream scenario" to attend UT if they were interested and I think she can grow into a serviceable M2 at a Top 5 program.  No clue how she feels on waiting to play?

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Carsyn Comer, Munciana PPV 269, I throw Comer in because she reminds me a little bit of Ames and I know her attitude is impeccable and culture fit is A+.  I truly feel like she's a Midwest fit and she is going to have so many options to play immediately that may be hard to pass up, to wait at Texas.  She is a talent and if she can add a couple inches on her approach she can play with the Texas middles in the future.  **So just keep an eye out for Texas coaches around the Muncianna 18-1s court:)

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Outside Hitter: (Take for Sure)

Again when you are one of the Power Brokers in college volleyball you have to add a top OH in every class and Nebraska will take a look at all of the best arms available.

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Ireland Real, WAVE Volleyball PPV 296,

Real has been my pick since Nationals last year.  The other "ranking sites don't agree with me at all (ranking her something like 36th or something crazy like that, but trust me I think she is #1 on Texas board for a couple of reasons.  First, yep you guessed it "Culture Fit" I've mentioned 50x already about how much energy brings on the court, well guess what Texas loves that too.  Second, her game is still raw and that is scary for the rest of college volleyball.  Finally, Texas has a staff of coaches with international experience who love six-rotation OH's who can play all the way around and Ireland will be able to do that.  There are rumors that Stanford may seriously be an option and Wisconsin could also, but I'd really be surprised if this wasn't as all-in as the Longhorns go on someone this year.

Shaye Witherspoon, Rockwood Thunder PPV 297, 

This is our highest evaluated PPV and most ready to play at that college level now. It all depends on what Shaye wants in a program?  

Playing time, championships, $, Keys to the Program etc because she will have her options. Nebraska will be all in on her, but how does she fit in their mix of deep OH’s and she will have options to go play immediately elsewhere.

We talked on Shaye with Nebraska and will say it again, what does she want?  Texas will obviously look very hard at her and I could see her and Ireland being 1/1A right now and either one being a take on June 15th.  You know that Witherspoon will get offers from everyone: Nebraska, Pitt, Wisconsin, USC, Kansas, Michigan State, etc so there will be competition. 

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Olivia Henry, IMG Academy PPV 287, 

Henry will be in the conversation for UT as well.  She may be a bit down the list for them?  Simply because Ireland and Shaye each do certain things better than she does currently.  Also, little is known about her attitude/character and that is obviously a big deal.  But when you have the ceiling Olivia has and her athletic ability she will be in the mix for certain.  We have mentioned Penn State is the big pursuers of Henry to battle against.

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Opposite: (No)

There isn't an opposite in the class that will meet Texas criteria so they will look to the portal and then look ahead to the Class of 2028.

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Libero/DS: (TBD)

.Again this is a position that is changing with them due to their coaching philosophy.  Adding Josephson and his love for OH's that can play all the way around they are hoping they have some in camp and they can target another in the class that they don't need to reach on libero every year.

I think they are still gathering names and are uncertain of a favorite.  They have a deep roster right now, so my guess would be that this is 50/50 at best on taking a libero this year. 

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This is an initial, list of some possibilities I can see playing out for Texas, but as you can see the Longhorns may again only be taking 3 in the class and it may be done real quick.  We will update with more names and names coming on and off as we approach June 15th.

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