Last year we hypothesized that Ben Decker would get a call to make up for Texas’ thin breaststroke ranks.  Well, the Kingwood native bolted to Louisiana State, but Texas was, in the words of Eddie Reese, “able to take care of our needs in different events.” 

And to think, Reese said that BEFORE getting defending NCAA breaststroke champion Scott Spann to transfer from Michigan.  Spann has received his release and will be available immediately. 

He’s just one piece of an all-star class that includes National High School record-holder Jimmy Feigen.  Feigen is the top prep sprinter in the country.  The Longhorns corralled fully a third of the nation’s top dozen recruit.  That type of thing doesn’t happen and Reese himself admits that the recruits were at, “a much higher level than we had hoped.”  That will win you recruit rankings, but not NCAA titles. 

That’s where even this class stands out.  A master talent evaluator, Reese can say with without hesitation “These swimmers are very good, and they will do nothing but get better.”   19.49 aside, Feigen, is still developing.  Similarly, backstroker Hayes Johnson and breaststroker Eric Friedland, and flyer Neil Caskey all have their best swimming ahead of them.  Kyle McNeilis flew under a lot of radars, but now he's a money player headed to Austin instead of Columbus.   

The Longhorns corralled fully a third of the nation’s top dozen recruit.  That type of thing doesn’t happen and Reese himself admits that the recruits were at, “a much higher level than we had hoped.”  That will win you recruit rankings, but not NCAA titles.

Still not convinced of Reese's eye?  Look back to Ben Decker.  A year ago he was the top junior in the 100 breast.  One year and a half-second later, he's 11th.   

You gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em and know when to walk away.

A rival coach’s view: “What a great fit.  They get potential, they get talent, they get experience and they fill what few holes they had.  Amongst a bunch of great classes, Texas’ stands alone.”

2	Feigen, Jimmy	San Antonio Wave Aquatics
	San Antonio, TX	Winston Churchill HS
5	Caskey, Neil	Fleet Swimming
	Houston, TX	Cypress Falls HS
8	Spann, Scott	Transfer from Michigan
	Austin, TX
12	Wilcox, Jackson	Nashville Aquatic Club
	Nashville, TN	Ensworth HS
33	Friedland, Eric	Rockville-Montgomery
	Bethesda, MD	Walter Johnson HS
48	McNeilis, Kyle
	Dublin, OH	Dublin Scioto HS
58	Johnson, Hayes	Nashville Aquatic Club
	Nashville, TN
82	Whitehurst, Branden
	Jacksonville, FL	The Bolles School
183	Hoyland, Matt
	Mendota Heights, MN	St. Thomas Academy
221	Schaffer, Alex	Greater Columbus
	Columbus, OH	St. Charles Prep
396	Sutton, Donald	Pine Crest School
	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Cardinal Gibbons HS