There's something so ironic and so delicious about the fact as an institution we spent our entire existence striving to keep the SEC out of Texas. It was a huge source for the resentment of A&M joining the conference after it was seen we were "partnered together" trying to keep the SEC out. We felt a bit back stabbed. Not that SEC schools had no success recruiting Texas before, but A&M's entrance opened the floodgates.
So in the best if you can't beat them, join them sort of way, we join the SEC as well, and now we've quickly started drinking their milkshake.
This season in recruiting has in many ways been my lifelong ideal. Yes, I always loved when we dominated recruiting the best athletes in Texas and won with predominantly Texas high school rosters, but I always looked at national recruiting powers and wondered why we couldn't do that as well. I am a bit stunned at the current shift. I always felt like we could if we really tried, but it's been a master class in terms of a systematic approach. From the staff working their tails off visiting schools across the country, evaluating players, being selective and strategic in terms of who they bring in on visits, managing the NIL piece. It's a wet dream come true.
Regarding the SEC, I keep having that The Watchmen reference run through my head. "I'm not trapped in here with you. You're trapped in here with me!"