Big Board Series: Defensive End
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Moving over to the defensive side of the ball, there is some uncertainty in how things at DE will play out. In a short time period, top target Max Wright committed to TAMU as expected, while Tatum flipped to OU as expected. While neither were all to surprising, it was hard to see things go down that way and leave us wondering, where do we go from here?
While Tatum is a done deal, Wright should be someone we continue to hotly pursue. Sumlin's seat is as hot as ever and a coaching change could change everything for Wright. He seems more committed to the school and not the coach so pulling him at that point may still be a challenge.
After those two, keep an eye on Ronnie Perkins and Joseph Ossai. Both players are leans to our rivals, OU and TAMU respectively. However, there have been some positive developments lately. Texas has gained a bit of steam with Perkins recently with a new CB pick. They are also doing well in Missouri and already have one defensive commit (Ayodele) and will soon have another (Rondale Moore) to recruit Perkins as fellow Missourians. Today, the thought is he will head to OU, but there is still time left in this recruitment.
For Ossai, he was previously a big TAMU lean (80/20ish) but recently Texas has closed the gap and it is now more like 60/40. TAMU is still in the lead but as was said with Wright, coaching uncertainty could change everything.
After these two there are not many options. Texas could pursue one of the Texas kids who are committed elsewhere and at least land 1 or 2 3 stars along the d-line. This won't be our best position of the class but could range end up anywhere between 2 4 stars or 2 3 stars.
DE: Expected to take 2
Xavier Thomas (SC) 5 star - no offer, Clemson
Max Wright (Tx) 4 star - offered, TAMU
Aggie lean but Texas gaining momentum. Win on the field and another Aggy collapse and he could be ours.
2/25 - Junior Day Visit
4/25 Spring Game visit
5/22 Texas listed in top 11
Ron Tatum (Ok) 4 star - offered, OU
2/17 - Visited Texas
4/15- Spring game visit
4/20 - Texas listed in top 5
4/26 - Commits to Texas
6/12 - Flipped to OU
Tyreke Smith (Oh) 4 star - offered, uncommitted
4/28 - Texas listed in top 12
Jarell Cherry (Tx) 4 star - offered, LSU
Ronnie Perkins (Mo) 4 star - offered, uncommitted
Joseph Ossai (Tx) 4 star - offered, uncommitted (50%)
2/25 Junior day visitor
4/15 - Spring game visit
6/13 - Unofficial Visit
Jarell Cherry (Tx) 4 star - offered, LSU
Jamarcus Chatman (Ga) 3 star - offered, uncommitted
Daniel Carson (Mo) 3 star - offered, uncommitted
Tyler Lacy (Tx) 3 star - no offer, Ok St.
2/25 Junior Day Visit
Miles Emery (Ks) NA - no offer, Kansas
2/25 - planned to attend Junior Day, did not make it
Taylor Upshaw (Fl) 3 star - no offer, Florida
2/25 - planned to attend Junior Day, unable to make it
Iziah Filikitonga (Tx) - 3 star - no offer, uncommitted
2/25 Junior Day Visit