EJ's Confidence Board:
Should Be In:
RB Keaontay Ingram, Carthage — Ingram has been committed to Texas since late May and is completely solid. Ingram does not have any official visits set up, and there is no imminent threat in his recruitment. Texas should be able to keep him locked in until National Signing Day.
DL Daniel Carson, William Chrisman (MO) — Texas defensive line coach Oscar Giles and Assistant Director of Player Personnel Bryan Carrington won Carson over on his in-home visit last week as he gave the Longhorns a verbal commitment last Friday. He will sign on signing day.
DL Michael Williams, Dunham School (La.) — UT's newest commit, Williams gave the Longhorns a verbal pledge shortly following his official visit this weekend. He will sign with Texas on signing day.
NT Keondre Coburn, Spring Westfield — Coburn gave Texas a verbal pledge in August but has always been adamant about keeping his options open. The four-star prospect visited Miami over the weekend and plans to make a couple more official visits as the cycle comes to a close. The most likely stops are TCU and Texas A&M. Still, we have reason to believe he will stick with the Longhorns.
DE/OLB Joseph Ossai, Conroe Oak Ridge — Ossai’s recruitment has been one of the most interesting of the cycle. But it appears the Longhorns have taken the overwhelming lead over Texas A&M in this one. Texas made a tremendous push while Texas A&M scrambled to find a defensive coordinator and took command late last week when a trio of coaches made an in-home visit. This one isn’t over just yet, but Texas is in a prime position to seal the deal.
OL Calvin Anderson, Rice — Welcome to the confidence board, graduate transfers. Now that we are including them in our recruiting coverage, it's safe to put Anderson in this category. The ex-Rice offensive lineman had an incredible official visit over the weekend and told Horns247 that the Longhorns were firmly at the top of his list. Anderson will no longer be making all five officials since Texas 'will be tough to beat.' The biggest threat to UT is Michigan, which will host him for an OV this weekend. Auburn and Oklahoma are on the outside looking in.
Major Players:
WR Joshua Moore, Yoakum — Texas made a big impression on Moore during his official visit over the weekend and is surging in his recruitment. Moore’s mother graduated from Texas, the family is related to Oscar Giles and cornerbacks coach Jason Washington made a huge impact when he visited Moore early in the contact period. Moore now feels like he’s a priority for Texas and believes he can play early. This recruitment has been wild, but Texas should feel very confident here. Don't be surprised if he moves into the above category soon.
WR Lawrence Keys III, McDonogh 35 (La.) — Welcome back to the confidence board. After eliminating Texas entirely just a little more than a week ago, Keys is now extremely high on the Longhorns after hosting Drew Mehringer and X-factor Bryan Carrington for an in-home visit last week. Keys has been in contact with Carrington since he made a visit in the spring, and the two have a great relationship. Notre Dame was considered to be the leader here, but Fighting Irish's lead is dwindling. Texas has a chance to move into the pole position this weekend when it hosts him for an official visit.
OL Casey Tucker, Stanford — Anderson isn't the only grad transfer the Longhorns are looking at. Texas is also making a push for Tucker, an ex-Stanford offensive lineman. Anderson made an official visit to Texas a few weeks ago, and we were told he was impressed with everything on campus. Tucker has a great relationship with new offensive line coach Herb Hand, who will play a big role in his recruitment. Texas is in a great spot here, but he still plans to make official visits to Arizona State, Colorado and TCU.
DL Moro Ojomo, Katy — Ojomo's recruitment has taken a bit of a weird turn. Texas A&M was considered the heavy favorite a couple of weeks ago, but now, it appears the Aggies are out of it. This one is basically a good, old Oklahoma-Texas recruiting battle. The Sooners impressed him on his official visit earlier this month, but the Longhorns will have their chance to make an impression this weekend. If things go well, Texas has an opportunity to move into sole possession of first place in the race for Ojomo's services.
DL Vernon Jackson, Boling — An Alabama commit, Jackson opted not to sign early and is taking a hard look at options closer to home. Jackson recently made an official visit to Texas , and we were told the Longhorns hit a grand slam. According to a source close to Jackson’s recruitment, the three-star prospect is leaning towards staying closer to home — Texas and Texas A&M are the big players in-state. Alabama, however, had him on campus for an OV over the weekend.
DL Caleb Okechukwu, St. John’s (DC) — Texas is keeping Okechukwu warm after a successful official visit over the weekend. If the Longhorns decide to make a strong push over the next couple of weeks, they will be right at the top of his list. Either way, Texas is currently a finalist along with Arkansas and Tennessee. He will visit the latter two over the final two weekends before National Signing Day.
Work To Do:
WR Tommy Bush, Schertz Clemens — Texas is back in the mix with Bush. The Longhorns staff made the short trip to see him last week and are now actively recruiting him. However, Bush only has one official visit left and is not sure if he will use it on Texas. Bush is also considering Arkansas, Baylor and Florida for his final trip. Texas was a top school for Bush early on, but contact dropped off throughout the fall. Texas needs to make up ground in a short period of time.
DL Tyree Wilson, West Rusk — Wilson is currently committed to Texas A&M, but his recruitment is far from over. He made an official visit to Arkansas over the weekend and might make it out to Texas this weekend. Wilson isn't necessarily a priority target, so it's more of wait and see approach with him just like with the aforementioned Okechukwu. If Texas does get him on campus and goes all in on him, this recruitment will get very interesting.
Outside Looking In:
QB Tanner McKee, Corona Centennial (Calif.) — Texas is still a top school for the four-star signal-caller. The Longhorns hosted him for an OV this season and made a nice impression. However, Stanford is the heavy favorite, and BYU is likely running second.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Houston Bellaire Episcopal — Texas was actually the favorite for Waddle early in his recruitment. However, the Longhorns slipped throughout the offseason. He didn’t use an OV on Texas but might make an unofficial visit this month. Texas A&M appears to be the heavy favorite here.
WR Jalen Preston, Manvel — Preston is committed to Texas A&M but is still looking to make official visits elsewhere. Texas recently reached out and might host him for an OV. But unless that happens, there is little to no chance in this one.
OL Nicholas Petit-Frere, Berkley Prep (Fla.) — Texas is looking to make a late push for the five-star prospect, but the Longhorns don’t appear to be a major factor here. UT will need to get him on campus for an official visit this month to have any type of shot.
ATH Jashaun Corbin, Rockledge (Fla.) — Texas just extended an offer to Corbin last week and is recruiting him as a do-it-all athlete. However, the Longhorns have plenty of work to do. The four-star prospect has offers from across the country, and Florida State seems like the heavy favorite.