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Texas added two more big names to the commitment list this week, with pledges from running back Keaontay Ingram and safety DeMarvion Overshown on consecutive days. The Longhorns now sit at 10 commitments overall with several other big prospects still on the board, so this feels like a good week to take a look at the top guys the UT staff is recruiting. Let’s call this a bit of an updated recruiting board before I officially update the OB board in the coming days.
QUARTERBACK
Needs – 2; Commitments – 2
Casey Thompson – The first QB commitment in the class, Thompson was UT’s top dual-threat target. Everything he has indicated since committing (and since Texas added a second pledge) is that he’s solid with his decision. I’m sure other schools will continue to work him, but I like the odds of Thompson sticking with UT and enrolling in January.
Cameron Rising – Still the biggest surprise commitment of the class (and one of the biggest in my career), Rising stays pretty quiet but there’s no reason to think he’s going to look anywhere else. He, too, will enroll in January.
Tanner McKee – The Longhorns are still involved with McKee, but with him expected to take a mission trip following graduation, he wouldn’t really factor into this year’s class. UT’s chances … 30%
RUNNING BACK
Needs – 1; Commitments – 1
Keaontay Ingram – The state’s top tailback and the top guy on UT’s board by a wide margin, Ingram was pretty much pegged to Texas all along (although he did like OU some) and he popped the news of his commitment on Tuesday. Ingram said he’s been told he’ll be the only back in this year’s class.
WIDE RECEIVER
Needs – 3 or 4; Commitments – 1
Justin Watkins – Texas’ first commitment in the class, but this is one the staff will probably have to work to hang on to. Alabama has told people behind the scenes they’re not going away and Watkins is already on his third commitment, so he’ll be one to watch through the whole process.
Brennan Eagles – One of the nation’s best, Eagles has stayed pretty quiet in the public forum but the Longhorns look really good in this one. I had him at 70 percent in our last recruiting board update, and that’s too low. UT’s chances … 86% (see what I did there?).
Al'Vonte Woodard – He’s been considered a UT lean for a while and with his repeated visits to the Forty Acres, there’s no reason to think anything has changed. He’s been thought to be the next man up on the commitment list for a while … maybe he’ll keep holding out but this one feels like it’s going UT’s way sometime this summer. UT’s chances … 75%.
Jaquayln Crawford – Texas has always been high on his list and that hasn’t changed. Crawford told us a few weeks ago UT and OU were his top two and he visited Oklahoma shortly after. Texas is still very-much after him, but Oklahoma did a good job on his visit and the Sooners have pulled even, at the least. Texas likes him a lot, but there’s some thought that Crawford may be overshadowed by some other prospects on the board and that could hurt Texas a bit. UT’s chances … 45%.
Jaylen Waddle – I’ve said for a while that I thought Florida State was the biggest threat in this one, and I still feel the same way. The Seminoles have quietly felt good about their chances for a long time and there are some connections that weigh in FSU’s favor. Texas can certainly win out, but this one is probably going to be a battle until the end. UT’s chances … 40%.
TIGHT END
Needs – 2; Commitments – 0
Mustapha Muhammad – This one feels to me like it’ll come down to either Texas or Michigan when all the dust settles. If Texas wins big this fall, I’d put the Longhorns’ chances at a little higher than 50 percent. If not, Muhammad is likely Michigan bound. UT’s chances … 50%.
Malcolm Epps – He’ll be at Texas’ camp next week and the Longhorns look good here based off Epps’ social media presence. I fully expect Texas to win out, but what I’m hearing this week is that Epps plans to take his time with the process and he is eyeing some other schools, in addition to Texas. Still, you have to like UT’s position right now. UT’s chances …. 70%.
Dominick Anderson – It’s been tough to get much info out of Anderson. He told me a few weeks ago he’d take an official visit to Texas, probably this summer, but has been unresponsive since. Alabama and Oregon have already received visits so they have to be in the mix. I’ve had him at 35 percent for a while, but something in my gut tells me I may be underselling UT’s chances. The staff visited him a couple times this spring, and the dude is pretty much guaranteed to start from day one if he comes to Texas. UT’s chances … 35%.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Needs – 3 or 4; Commitments - 1
Reese Moore – He’ll be at Texas this weekend for a camp. No need to be worried about his status.
Junior Angilau – He visited for UT’s spring game and after talking to his mother, I feel pretty confident that Texas is the team to beat. They’ll be back for another visit in the fall but you still have to be leery of some of the West Coast schools, even though his mom said she’s perfectly comfortable with him moving away for college. UT’s chances … 60%.
Rafiti Ghirmai – I’ve always felt that the longer this one goes on, the better UT’s chances are because Ghirmai could want to be a part of something big at Texas if the Longhorns win games and start assembling a good recruiting class. He tweeted on Thursday that he may be getting close to a decision, which is confusing because the first part of my equation hasn’t happened, but the second is. LSU is in the mix, as is Alabama. Tough one to call right now. UT’s chances … 45%.
Cameron Wire – Really likes UT, but with LSU recently offering, they’ll be tough to beat. UT’s chances … 25%.
Barton Clement – Texas has closed the gap on A&M, but I still think UT trails. UT’s chances … 35%.
Trey Stratford – This one has fallen off, but that’s more by design as the staff has other players higher on the board, including Angilau. UT’s chances … 25%.
DEFENSIVE END
Needs – 2 or 3; Commitments – 1
Ron Tatum – Another “surprise” commitment, Tatum was pretty much down to Texas and OU, but most felt he would stay in-state and play for the Sooners. When he first committed, he mentioned that he’d probably still take visits but he has since then visited UT again and seems locked in with his pledge.
Max Wright – He’ll probably come down to Texas A&M or Texas, but right now the Aggies are the team to beat. The Longhorns have surged and the staff has done a great job of closing the gap, but Wright just feels more comfortable with A&M. The longer this one goes on, the better UT’s chances, but right now the Aggies have the lead. UT’s chances … 30%.
Joseph Ossai – This one’s interesting, because on one hand, you have people claiming he could be close to committing to A&M, the school he has called his dream school. But when I’ve talked to him, he has raved about what he’s seen at Texas and he told me he’ll visit UT on June 17, which means the odds of him committing anywhere in the next couple weeks don’t look good. A&M still has the upper hand, but Texas is in the mix and things could get interesting if he does in fact visit this month. UT’s chances … 30%.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Needs – 2 or 3; Commitments – 0
Keondre Coburn – Coburn has been tough to figure out. He doesn’t talk a lot, and when he does he’s pretty savvy in that he doesn’t tip his hand. Behind the scenes, he’s said things that have Texas feeling pretty good. The problem is, he’s said the same things to A&M people. I still think Texas ultimately wins out, but it’s not the slam dunk some have made it out to be. UT’s chances … 60%.
Bobby Brown – Brown kind of flies under the radar because he doesn’t do many interviews, but the Longhorns are squarely in the mix here. Oklahoma and A&M are in the picture as well. Brown told me recently he wasn’t taking any camp visits, so I’m not expecting a ton of movement on this one anytime soon. But again, he’s a tough one to read. UT’s chances … 40%.
Calvin Avery – Texas is staying in touch and working hard on this one, but until I see Avery make a visit or two to Austin, I’m considering the Longhorns chasing other programs. UT’s chances … 30%.
LINEBACKERS
Needs – 2 or 3; Commitments – 1
Byron Hobbs – The first in-state commitment in the class, and Hobbs is all-in for the Longhorns.
Ayodele Adeoye – He’ll visit this weekend (more on him in a bit) and word behind the scenes this week is that Texas and Illinois are the two teams sitting atop his list. If things go well this weekend, and there’s no reason to think they won’t, this will be one to watch closely as a commitment isn’t out of the question.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Needs – 4 or 5; Commitments - 2
Caden Sterns – Sterns is being recruited by Texas as a guy who can do a little bit of everything in the defensive backfield, which makes him extremely valuable. He’s been to Austin a couple times since he committed and is turning into a lead recruiter among UT prospects.
DeMarvion Overshown – Overshown is another versatile playmaker, and he ended what little suspense there was when he committed to Texas on Wednesday. A physical striker as a safety, he’ll start his career there but is a player who could eventually grow into an athletic, rangy linebacker.
B.J. Foster – He’ll announce his decision on Monday, and all signs continue to look terrific for Texas. Anything other than an announcement for the Longhorns would be a huge shock. UT’s chances … 95%.
D'Shawn Jamison – He’s another guy who I keep thinking could make a decision at any point. TCU is in the picture but the Longhorns are the clear leader. UT’s chances … 75%.
Jalen Green – This one continues to look very good for the Longhorns. He’s part of that Houston group that is trending the Longhorns’ direction. UT’s chances … 70%.
Anthony Cook – This one feels a lot like Mustapha Muhammad … if Texas wins games in the fall, I still like UT’s chances. If the Longhorns struggle, he’s likely heading out of state, with Ohio State or Clemson feeling like the top choices. Right now, my money is still on Texas, but at some point, numbers could become an issue with some of these guys as well. UT’s chances … 60%.
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Texas is scheduled to host St. Louis (MO) Ritenour linebacker Ayodele Adeoye this weekend, and this could be a story worth watching closely (even though Adeoye doesn’t say much).
In talking to people who cover recruiting in Missouri, the four-star Rivals250 member is believed to be very high on Texas and Illinois, and there is some thought that Adeoye could commit to Texas this weekend if things go well. From what I’ve gathered, Adeoye hasn’t told people he’s planning to shut things down, but a couple people I spoke with this week do feel like it’s a possibility.
“When I talk to him, it sounds like he’s still processing things in his head, and he doesn’t have a strong grasp on what he wants to do or where he wants to go,” one source said. “If he did commit this weekend, it would be a bit of a surprise, but it wouldn’t be completely shocking. I would still say he’d be somebody Texas would have to continue to recruit until National Signing Day if they did get his commitment this weekend.”
And what does Adeoye bring to the table as an inside linebacker?
“The kid’s a finisher,” said Rivals.com regional recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt. “He arrives to the ball carrier in a hurry, and knows what to do when he gets there. He’s a lot of fun to watch play football. He will deliver that big hit that you want out of your linebackers. He’s also a pretty jacked-up kid, spends plenty of time in the weight room. I’ve seen him a couple times this off-season, he’s an impressive athlete. He lacks a little height (listed at 6-2) but is fine for that middle linebacker position.” (Suchomel)
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Nothing new to report on Angleton safety B.J. Foster, who is set to announce his commitment on Monday. Everything still looks great for the Longhorns.
Reminder, tight end Malcolm Epps will camp at Texas on Tuesday. Epps isn’t planning to commit any time soon, but the Longhorns still look good in that one as well.
Lastly, in case you missed the updates from the board on Thursday night ….
DBTrey Dean, a Rivals250 member out of Hampton (GA) Dutchtown, will be town this weekend and is planning to visit Texas. He told me he's coming in for the camp on Saturday but isn't going to work out.
Dean will also be at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge next weekend, so I'll get a chance to see him and talk to him there if I don't catch up with him this weekend. It's a loaded year in-state and the Longhorns are in great position with a number of prospects, but any time a player of Dean's caliber is willing to visit, that's a big plus.
Four-star 2019 WR/DB Jordan Whittington tells me he visited Texas today. That makes the second visit in less than a week after Whittington came in as a spectator for the camp on Sunday.
Whittington, out of Cuero, is a top national prospect for the 2019 class and holds a UT offer. Texas is recruiting him as a defensive back. He doesn't have a list of favorites yet, but told me recently if he did, the Longhorns would definitely be in it. (Suchomel)
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2019 LB/DE NaNa Osafo-Mensah didn’t pick up an offer from Texas following Sunday’s camp showing, but said it was a good experience overall. Osafo-Mensah is classified as a linebacker, but at 6-4 and about 218 pounds, likely projects as a defensive end, and that’s where he worked at the UT camp.
“I really liked all the drills, even starting the camp out,” Osafo-Mensah said. “We did some testing, then moving on to the different drills. I really liked doing drills with coach (Oscar) Giles. He’s a great d-line coach, taught us great technique - getting off the ball, hand technique.
“I think people are starting to project me at defensive end. Right now, at 220, I still have two years. If I gain some weight, which I probably will, I think defensive end.”
The Texas coaches told Osafo-Mensah they like his ability to explode off the ball and the reps he showed in 1-on-1s.
“I think they really like my athleticism off the edge,” Osafo-Mensah said.
Texas didn’t offer, but in a conversation with the UT staff this week, Osafo-Mensah was told an offer could come in the future if his body continues to develop, which it should.
“I was talking to them today. They were telling me how they really like me, enjoyed me coming to the camp and competing and they see me potentially helping their program,” Osafo-Mensah. Since they project ma as a defensive end, they want to see how much weight I put on, see how much I put on the next few months. That's the one thing they want to wait to see before offer.”
Osafo-Mensah may camp at TCU on Friday and will camp at A&M on June 4. As for where Texas fits in …
“I really lie the program because all the history they have. All the coaches also. The way they coach players and develop a bond with everybody,” Osafo-Mensah said. “They make players feel at home, give them sense it’s going to be a family, that they’re going to work together.” (Suchomel)
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I caught up with former Syracuse tight end Kendall Moore last week, and that is when I learned the grad transfer would not join the football team on Monday because he was two credits short. Moore is enrolled in an online class and intends to join the team later this month, or early in July.
Since I delivered the news last week, here are the football topics we discussed in that previous interview:
Moore on staying in shape this offseason
“We were on a strict workout regiment at Syracuse, and being a fifth-year senior, I had a couple of guys transferring with me that were actually my roommates. We just stuck to the routine and had to use the facilities for the regular students who don’t play sports. Once I started getting recruited and committed to Texas, I was able to get the conditioning plan. Then I was able to get started on that program.”
Moore on attending Texas
“I just feel extremely blessed and honored to be a part of the legacy at Texas. Coming from Syracuse, football is great and everything. It’s an ACC school. As far as the fans and students, it’s not a real football town, or football feel. Just to be a part of the legacy, and know what I will be a part of, gives me extra motivation.”
Moore on Texas’ need for a tight end
“I’m actually extremely excited to be able to punch the clock and get to work because I know my skillset and everything, and I understand the situation at tight end. I just think it’s a blessing in disguise right now that everything is going down the way it happened, as far as me transferring from Syracuse and then finding Texas at the time I did. Then, for them to be in a position they are with tight ends. From the outside looking in, you would never expect a program like Texas to be in a position like this. From the outside, you would think Texas would always be a program with depth at every position, like next man up mentality.”
Moore on his role at Syracuse
“Coming out of high school, I played offensive tackle. I had to transition and learn how to run routes at tight end. Initially, I was just a blocking tight end my first season, when I think I actually had my most catches. Syracuse, we went through a lot of coaching changes. I had four tight end coaches in four years. I was in three offenses. They used be in different ways and in different fashions. My junior year when we ran the ball almost every play in the triple option, there weren’t much opportunities for me to get catches. My sophomore year, we were really trying to find it. We had a first-time offensive coordinator. We had like 190 plays. All of that was just trying to find what works. Trying to do what’s safe. It was just weird. That was one of the main things that made me want to transfer. I made a tape where I was wide open 35 times. It was not what I was doing, but how they were using me. This year, when we had Dino Babers (Syracuse football coach), I knew he threw the ball a lot. I expected way more catches, but he was not looking to throw the ball to the tight end. He’s actually spread mindset. He used to always tell us that we’re competing against the slot receiver. Slot receivers, that’s what they’re built for. Running routes and getting open in space. We threw the ball 60 times versus Pitt last year, but the tight ends were only targeted 10 times.”
Moore on Tim Beck’s offense
“Actually, Tim Beck, when I was there, I got to watch film of Ohio State and how they used the tight end, and how they like to stay in 11 personnel. It’s the same kind of concept that we were running at Syracuse where it’s spread with the no huddle and hand signals. But, the focus is staying in the 11 personnel. At Syracuse, it was 10 personnel. We’re trying to run the ball? Oh, bring the tight end in.” (Richardson)
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