Per EJ @ 247
— Texas received a pleasant surprise when four-star Converse Judson defensive lineman
DeMarvin Lealmade his way to campus this weekend. I’m told the elite prospect had a great time in Austin as the Longhorns rolled out the red carpet. From everything I have been able to gather, it’s safe to say the Longhorns have the early edge in this recruitment. However, I am told by a source familiar with Leal’s recruitment that he still wants to make a couple of visits before shutting it down. Alabama and Texas A&M are the biggest threats. But all signs point to Texas as of today. He would like to make a decision before the summer.
— A factor playing in Texas’ favor in the Leal recruitment is his mother. I am told by a source close to his recruitment that his mother absolutely loves the Texas program. In fact, Leal’s mother has spent some time alone on the UT campus and has a strong relationship with the Longhorns coaching staff. Leal’s mother is also very close to Director of Recruiting Bryan Carrington, who is playing a major role in this recruitment. It seems like Texas has really won over his mother, so there is half the battle.
— Four-star wide receiver Garrett Wilson made his way to campus this weekend for an unofficial visit. But the short trip to the Forty Acres didn’t change the dynamic of his recruitment by any sense. I have my Crystal Ball on Texas for now, but Ohio State hit a homerun on its visit, and I’m told the Buckeyes have the momentum in this recruitment. Texas did a good job of immediately getting him back on campus after his trip to Columbus, but there is still work to be done, especially from a football aspect. Wilson is not sold on UT’s offense right now, which is playing a big role in his decision. With all of this said, I’m told Texas hasn’t lost any confidence here. This recruitment is going to come down to the official visits, and the Longhorns are at their best in crunch time.
— Texas also played host to another local four-star wide receiver in
Elijah Higgins. It’s unclear what exactly is holding Higgins back from pulling the trigger, but it is very clear that the Longhorns have the advantage here. Higgins plans to be back on campus later this spring and was wowed by the atmosphere on campus this weekend. The only school that still seems to be a threat here is Stanford. Higgins is a high academic kid and is intrigued by the idea of heading West. But at the end of the day, we would be surprised if he doesn’t stay close to home.
— Elite defensive back
Lewis Cinemade his first recruiting visit since moving to the Dallas-area from Massachusetts. The fact that it was to Texas speaks volumes of the Longhorns’ chances here. Texas safeties coach
Craig Naivarhas been working night and day on Cine since offering and was attached to his hip throughout his three-day weekend stay. I’m told that Cine found the visit eye opening and that the Longhorns are now a serious player. Cine is also a high academic kid and loved the business school. Penn State is still the leader here, but Texas has plenty of time to change that.
— Four-star offensive lineman
Branson Braggtook in the Longhorns’ practice on Saturday and watched the offensive line play closely. He was impressed with how
Herb Handworked with the guys in the trenches and is quickly building a strong relationship with him. However, this was a short trip due to Texas Relays, so Bragg hardly got any 1-on-1 time with Hand. He will make a return visit at some point in the next few weeks.
— The recruitment of four-star outside linebacker
NaNa Osafo-Mensahis a tough one to read. While Notre Dame entered the weekend as the favorite, I feel like Texas did enough to pull even. The Longhorns not only impressed Osafo-Mensah but also did some major work on his mother and head coach — both accompanied him on the trip. It should also be noted that UT hosted his 7v7 coach earlier in the week. Both
Todd Orlandoand
Oscar Gilesspent extended time with Osafo-Mensah and really sold him on scheme fit as well as UT’s academics. This recruitment is going to come down to his official visits to Notre Dame and Texas before his May decision.
— On the graduate transfer front, Texas played host to former Wake Forest wide receiver
Tabari Hines. I am told that right now, Texas is probably the team to beat. He does have an offer from the Longhorns and would be a take. In fact, he is the top grad transfer on the board. As I reported last week, Texas really wants some immediate help at slot receiver. If the Longhorns miss on Hines, they will make a harder push for former Notre Dame wide receiver
CJ Sanders.
— It’s crazy that we’re at this point in the article and are just getting to the commitment of four-star California outside linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd. The Longhorns hosted Floyd all week long and felt like they had a strong chance to land him before he got on his flight back home. UT didn’t pressure Floyd but still earned a verbal pledge. The UT staff wanted him to be sure, and Floyd was. He is completely solid, and we don’t expect him to waver at this time. Floyd is pondering enrolling early and is ready to help the Longhorns recruit.
Todd Orlandoand the aforementioned Carrington did a tremendous job with this recruitment.
— With Floyd in the fold, the Longhorns have an opportunity to make an even bigger impact in the state of California this cycle.
Tom Hermanhas made the Golden State a priority since arriving in Austin and will continue to do so moving forward. Floyd plays on the same 7v7 team as linebacker
Spencer Lytle, who recently visited, and five-state athlete
Bru McCoy, who is planning to visit soon. Floyd’s commitment could also play a role in the recruitment of five-star cornerback
Chris Steele, who recently named Texas a top school.
— Texas hosted several top prospects from the state of California over the weekend as Premium Sports 7v7, which is Floyd’s 7v7 team, invaded Austin. Out of all the prospects that visited, I have reason to believe that four-star wide receiver
Braedin Huffman-Dixonand elite quarterback
Bryce Young, the nation’s top 2020 signal-caller have the best shot to get offered. Texas has been in contact with Young for a while, and Huffman-Dixon was blown away by his time on campus.
— Texas played host to several trainers and 7v7 figures this week and over the weekend, including Clay Mack, Joey Moss of True Buzz 7v7, the aforementioned Premium Sports 7v7, Doug Smith of Dominate the Day 7v7 and Rischad Whitfield aka Footwork King. Mack, who works with several top defensive backs, said his relationship with Texas is growing stronger and that loves what Herman and
Jason Washingtonare doing in Austin. Moss is very close to Dylan Wright, so having him in its corner could go a long way for Texas. Whitfield worked with
Toneil Carterand is heavily involved in the recruitments of
Javonne Shepherdand
Demond Demas. Herman is continuing to embrace 7v7 coaches and personal trainers. He knows the game has changed and is connecting with as many people as possible to win recruitments.
— I had an extended conversation with Whitfield on Easter Sunday. He told me that he loved every second of his experience on campus this weekend. He arrived early in the morning with Demas and rising 2020 quarterback
Hunter Dunnand did not leave until late in the afternoon. He met with Herman for about 20 minutes and called him one of the most genuine coaches he’s ever met. Whitfield said the Longhorns staff is extremely welcoming and treated him like a king. He added that Demas loved the visit and felt like it was extremely personal.
— While Whitfield met with Herman in his office, he actually FaceTimed Shepherd. Herman is personally involved in that recruitment and is working extremely hard to reel him in. Whitfield is expected to bring Shepherd down to Austin for an unofficial visit this weekend. I am told that Shepherd plans to make a decision in June and that he will use spring official visits. Shepherd recently released his final eight schools, but I have reason to believe that this one is still down to Texas and Texas A&M. The official visits will be the deciding factor here.