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*****
(From Suchomel)
We’re still in a dead period, but it’s been a crazy active couple of weeks on the recruiting front, with new information pouring out at a rapid pace in the past few weeks. Let’s take a look, position by position, on where things stand …
QUARTERBACK
Hudson Card – Lake Travis (Texas commitment) – The Longhorns locked this one up early and the decision to push for an early commitment looks smarter and smarter by the day. Texas took Card before he had much quarterback experience but he absolutely backed up their confidence in him, including a stellar showing at the Elite 11. Card is very happy with his commitment and completely locked in.
Ja'Quinden Jackson – Duncanville (Texas commitment) – Another huge pick-up at the QB position, Jackson is a terrific all-around athlete who could help Texas at a number of positions. He’s also a gamer who has shown a knack for elevating his play when his team needs him most. With him and Card both solidly committed, the QB position appears to be in good hands for years to come.
Overall: You can put a bow on this one. Barring anything completely unforeseen that would have either Card or Jackson wavering on their pledges, Texas is done here.
RUNNING BACK
Bijan Robinson – Tucson Salpointe – There was a time a couple months ago when Texas looked like the team to beat here. In fact, Robinson told some Rivals reporters behind the scenes that the Longhorns were out in front after his visit for the Orange-White game. Now, with his official visits to Texas and Ohio State in the books, this one is looking like it’ll fall the Buckeyes’ way with Robinson scheduled to announce in early August.
Zachary Evans – North Shore – Texas looked good for Evans at one point. Then the Longhorns didn’t make his top five. Then he popped into Austin for an under-the-radar unofficial visit. Then there were talks of Evans updating his top five and including Texas in it. All that, and about 100 other rumors in between those developments. This one certainly isn’t trending UT’s way, but I was told by one person this week that Texas is still in the mix. There’s ground to make up, for sure, and it won’t be easy, but the nail isn’t in the coffin just yet.
Jase McClellan – Aledo – Here we have a guy who has been committed to Oklahoma for nearly two full years, but if I’m making a prediction on the guy who is most likely to sign with Texas out of the “big three,” my money might just go on McClellan. He’s taken several unofficial visits to UT in the last 18 months and he was recently on campus for an official visit as well. Schools like Georgia and Alabama have also shown interest so we’ll have to see if anything develops there, but the feel here is that Texas has a very real shot at a flip if the Longhorns perform well in the fall.
Ty Jordan – West Mesquite – There was a lot of USC chatter after Jordan took an official visit to Southern Cal late in June, and there’s even been some speculation that he could give the Trojans an early pledge. This has always felt like one in which Texas could win out if the Longhorns press. Jordan would be a nice addition with his speed and versatility, but it’s tough to predict how this one will fall without knowing what’s going to happen with the other targets on the Longhorns’ board.
Dominic Richardson – Oklahoma City Bishop McGuiness – He’s committed to TCU, but Richardson told OB shortly after he was offered that he’d be taking a visit to UT in the summer. That trip hasn’t happened yet, but I expect he’ll be on campus at some point.
Overall: Texas isn’t in the most desirable position with any of its top three targets, but I get the sense that there’s still plenty of room for movement for two of the three (Evans and McClellan). With Bijan Robinson, if he does commit to Ohio State, that one may not be completely over if the Longhorns win big in the fall and Ohio State struggles. If Texas can’t land any of the three, it’ll have to find some back-up options.
WIDE RECEIVER
Johnny Wilson – Calabasas (CA) – The Rivals100 member has taken two unofficial visits to Texas this summer, including an extended stay just before the dead period. Wilson looks to be a Texas/Oregon battle, and as it stands right now, I’d put Texas as co-leaders at worst. The kicker is that Wilson will take a visit to Oregon in late July before settling in for official visits in the fall. Tough one to call right now, but Texas definitely has a strong shot here.
Quentin Johnston – Temple – Johnston doesn’t say much, so he’s a tough guy to read, but he has taken two unofficial visits to Texas in the spring and summer, and common sense would seem to indicate the Longhorns are a major player in this one (proximity, teammate Jared Wiley at UT). Other schools like TCU and Baylor are still in the mix but the Longhorns look to be a smart bet for a player who isn’t drawing the type of recognition he probably deserves.
LV. Bunkley-Shelton – Gardena (CA) Serra – This one feels like it’s a situation if you were in Vegas and needed a big return, it would be a pretty smart bet when weighing risk versus reward. Bunkley-Shelton will be in Austin for an unofficial visit later this month, and he’ll likely return for an official visit as well. In talking to him at the 5-Star Challenge, he comes across as a guy who is very open to leaving the West Coast, and he has a strong interest in the Longhorns before having seen the campus or city. Bunkley-Shelton does have some academic work that needs to be cleaned up, but he’d be a fantastic addition to the Texas class if the Longhorns can make this one work out.
Javian Hester – Tulsa Booker T. Washington – Hester has told OB repeatedly that the Longhorns are the top team on his list, so this one looks good if Texas pushes here. The Longhorns have other talented outside receivers on their board so we’ll see where Hester fits in, but Texas is in good standing right now.
Loic Fouonji – Midland Lee – I haven’t talked to Fouonji in a while and need to follow up, but when I spoke with him after Texas first offered, Founji mentioned that he was definitely interested in that offer. If he visits, which should happen at some point, Texas has a legit shot here.
Devon Achane – Fort Bend Marshall – Achane didn’t really get involved in the recruiting process until recently, and he’s not one to offer daily updates on what he’s thinking in regards to the schools recruiting him. As such, he’s a tough one to predict. Anyone telling you they have a good read on this one is really just trying to put small pieces of the puzzle together. If Texas gets him on campus for a visit, things could get interesting but right now there’s really no telling where this one will go.
Overall – The Longhorns have missed out on a few key targets like Demond Demas, Troy Omeire and Mookie Cooper, so it’ll be imperative that Texas close on a few of the other targets that are high on the board. Johnny Wilson would be a huge get, and Quentin Johnston’s upside may be as high as anyone on the board.
TIGHT END
Overview – Not much to report here. Texas didn’t make the cut for guys like Jalin Conyers, and there aren’t many other options on the table right now. Jaden Hullaby could factor into the equation here.
Overview – Texas hasn’t been overly aggressive with tight end recruiting this year, so it may not be a top priority for the staff after signing a couple very good prospects in two of the last three classes.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jaylen Garth – Port Neches-Groves (Texas commitment) – He’s locked in. Nothing to worry about here.
Logan Parr – San Antonio O’Connor (Texas commitment) – See Jaylen Garth.
Jake Majors – Prosper (Texas commitment) – See Garth and Parr.
Chad Lindberg – Clear Creek – Texas has been long-believed to be the leader in this one and while I subscribe to that theory, I don’t believe it’s quite the lock that some others do. Lindberg has taken several visits and as of this week, he’s still unsure of a commitment timeframe. Texas looks good here, but others like Georgia are hanging on and the Longhorns may take only one more lineman so numbers could become an issue if he waits too long.
Andrej Karic – Southlake Carroll – I’ve had a heck of a time tracking down Karic for an update ever since he visited Texas and picked up an offer, so if you’ve got any intel, I’m all ears. I can say comfortably that he’s a player that the UT staff values, and if he wanted to make an early move (which I’ve heard isn’t out of the question … although I’m not sure anyone truly knows) Texas would take his commitment, which would make numbers tight.
Overview – The Longhorns would love to take four OL in this class, with five being a possibility. Lindberg still looks good for Texas but it could get interesting if Karic decides to pull the trigger out of the blue, crunching the numbers.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Vernon Broughton – Cy Ridge – If you’ve been paying attention to my reporting over the past few weeks, I’ve stated that I feel Texas is a bit behind A&M and to a lesser degree, Ohio State. I have very good reason to believe that, and it was stated to me again on Wednesday, yet I can’t quite shake the feeling that UT (his longtime leader) is going to surge down the stretch and win this race. Broughton is making a commitment video, which could be released as early as next week, so the time is running out on this one. Most of the signs I’ve picked up point to Texas A&M but there’s enough Texas buzz that I’m not ruling the Longhorns out at all. Tough one to call, and I just don’t have a great read on it yet. That should change soon.
Octavious Oxendine – Radcliff (KY) North Hardin – Another guy who is under the radar a bit in terms of the possibility of him landing at Texas, Oxendine took an unofficial visit to Texas in late June and told OB he loved what he saw. Look for him to return for an official visit.
Princely Umanmielen – Manor – I just can’t get past the fact that Umanmielen said last week that he wants to play in a 4-man front (which Texas only does part of the time), and he may be moving his decision up from his October timeline. If Umanmielen waits until October, as originally planned, to see Texas’ defense in action, Texas could win out here. If he decides this summer, I think the Longhorns are left on the outside.
Alfred Collins – Bastrop Cedar Creek – In all my conversations with Collins, he never really tips his hand on who is leading. But he’s been on the UT campus multiple times, including for a camp in June and for the Heat Wave the following week … signs that are hard to ignore. He plays just outside the Austin city limits, his mom played basketball at Texas … this one just makes too much sense for UT.
Van Fillinger – Draper (UT) Corner Canyon – Yet another that feels like it’s not drawing the attention it deserves, Fillinger took two unofficial visits to UT in June. If that’s not showing legitimate interest, I’m not sure what is. Michigan and Nebraska are two schools that have drawn a lot of interest, but Texas is surging in this one. He’s a guy I need to check in with for another update.
Jalen Logan-Redding – Columbia (MO) Rock Ridge – Logan-Redding doesn’t really offer up much in interviews that would give an indication of where he’s leaning, but he’s taken two unofficial visits to Texas, including one for a camp. I’d expect him back for an official visit at some point and he’s made it clear that Texas is a top school for him, even if he doesn’t have a formal list of favorites.
LINBACKER
Prince Dorbah – Highland Park (Texas commitment) – Texas snagged a huge commitment this week from Dorbah, and explosive playmaker off the edge who should be a force as a B-backer.
Justin Flowe – Upland (CA) – In speaking with Flowe a couple weeks ago, he maintained that he has a strong interest in Texas and said there’s no doubt that he will be in Austin for a visit at some point. Until that happens, this one feels like it’s an extreme longshot. Get him on campus, and Texas would have a slight chance, but this one feels like it’s going to go another direction.
Len'Neth Whitehead – Athens (GA) Academy – Texas made his top seven and he’ll be in Austin for an official visit, and possibly even an unofficial visit late this summer. I’ve been told that Georgia isn’t pushing here (yet), and if that holds true, Texas could have a real shot. Whitehead told me at The Opening that he’s not locked into staying in the Southeast, and he really likes Texas and Todd Orlando.
Brennon Scott – Dallas Bishop Dunne – This one just has a feel that if Texas pushes, the Longhorns are going to win out. Officially, he has five schools on his list but I’m not sure any of them can compete with Texas if the staff makes him a priority.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Kitan Crawford – John Tyler (Texas commitment) – He committed on the first day of his official visit in late June, and there’s no reason to think Texas has any reason to worry about this one. Crawford had been a UT lean for a while and is completely locked in with his pledge. Great evaluation by the UT staff to get on him early and a bit of a sleeper who could be one of the surprises of the class.
Kelee Ringo – Scottsdale (AZ) Saguaro – A lot of signs are pointing to Georgia after Ringo took a few visits there in the fall, but he’s been on the UT campus four times and will return for one or two more visits. My money would be on Georgia right now, but if Texas can win big this fall and blow him away on his official visit I wouldn’t count the Longhorns out just yet.
Joshua Eaton – Aldine MacArthur – There was a time early on when this one looked like it would go UT’s way but as the Texas staff has prioritized other targets, this one has shifted. He’ll decide in August and Texas A&M is the likely destination. Now if the Rivals system would let me change my damn futurecast.
Ethan Pouncey – Winter Park (FL) – I can’t say I have a great handle for what Pouncey is thinking. I’ve reached out but have never been able to connect with him. His brother Jordan is on the UT roster so that has to help, and Texas is in his top five. Most of the chatter has him staying in the Southeast, but he’s a guy I need to check on.
Lathan Ransom – Tucson (AZ) Salpointe – He’ll decide next week, and it’s down to Texas, Notre Dame and Ohio State. People who cover the Buckeyes program are extremely confident.
Xavion Alford – Pearland Shadow Creek – When Texas missed on Bryson Washington, Alford was a guy I was told would become a bigger priority but the Longhorns have work to do if they’re going to land him. The buzz coming out of Atlanta at the Five-Star Challenge is that Alabama is the clear leader right now.
Chris Thompson Jr. – Duncanville – He announced this week that he’ll make a decision on August 1, and Texas seems like a safe bet here. Thompson took four visits (UT, USC, Ohio State, Auburn) and I just don’t see any of those schools as a legitimate threat to the Longhorns when push comes to shove.
Jahari Rogers – Arlington – Rogers loved his Texas official visit just before the dead period and could be closing in on a decision fairly soon. There was a lot of Florida buzz on Rogers at The Opening but in my conversations with Jahari, I’ve always come away feeling Texas was in a good spot. I still feel that way.
ATHLETE
Jaden Hullaby – Dallas Bishop Dunne – A bit of a jack-of-all-trades, Hullaby could line up at multiple positions on either side of the ball, but he’s been told he’ll be an offensive weapon for the Longhorns. The versatile athlete is very happy with his commitment and after taking a late June official visit, he’s locked in.
****
(Ketch)
With a number of commitments going down in the last couple of weeks and a revision of the Lone Star Recruiting Rankings, I thought we would break down the talent by region again this week (something I did about a month ago in 10 Thoughts From the Weekend) with the goal of outlining where the real heat in the state is this year from an elite talent standpoint, while also assessing which schools are doing the best in each region of the state.
Here's the breakdown by region.
Austin/Central Texas
1. Hudson Card - QB - Lake Travis (No.3 in Texas - Committed to Texas)
2. Quentin Johnson - WR - Temple (No.8 in Texas)
3. Alfred Collins - DE - Bastrop Cedar Creek (No.22 in Texas)
4. Princely Umanmielen - DE - Manor (No.34 in Texas)
East Texas
1. Haynes King - QB - Longview (No.9 in Texas)
2. Garrett Hayes - OL - Athens (No.23 in Texas)
3. James Sylvester - DE - Newton (No.32 in Texas - Committed to TCU)
4. Kitan Crawford - Ath - John Tyler (No.40 in Texas - Committed to Texas)
Greater Houston Area
1. Zach Evans - RB - North Shore (No.1 in Texas)
2. Demond Demus - WR - Tomball (No.2 in Texas - Committed to Texas A&M)
3. Vernon Broughton - DT - Cy Ridge (No.4 in Texas)
4. Troy Omeire - WR - Fort Bend Austin (No.7 in Texas - Committed to Texas A&M)
5. Chad Lindberg - OL - Clear Creek (No.13 in Texas)
6. Bryson Washington - DB - C.E. King (No.16 in Texas - Committed to Oklahoma)
7. Josh White - LB - Cypress Creek (No.28 in Texas - Committed to LSU)
8. Malik Hornsby - QB .- Fort Bend Marshall (No.30 in Texas)
9. Akinola Ogunbiyi - OL - Sugar Land Kempner (No.31 in Texas - Committed to Texas A&M)
10. Dwight McGlothern - Klein Oak (No.33 in Texas)
11. Damien George - North Shore (No.35 in Texas - Committed to Alabama)
12. Xavian Alford - DB - Pearland Shadow Creek (No.37 in Texas)
Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex
1. Jase McClellan - RB - Aledo (No.5 in Texas - Committed to Oklahoma)
2. Drew Sanders - LB - Denton Ryan (No.6 in Texas - Committed to Alabama)
3. Ja'Quinden Jackson - QB - Duncanville (No.10 in Texas - Committed to Texas)
4. RJ Mickens - DB - Southlake Carroll (No.11 in Texas - Committed to Clemson)
5. Lorando Johnson - CB - Lancaster (No.12 in Texas - Committed to LSU)
6. Davon Graham - WR - Keller Central (No.15 in Texas - Committed to Oklahoma)
7. Jalen Kimber - CB - Mansfield Timberview (No.17 in Texas - Committed to Georgia)
8. Jaxon Smith-Njigba - WR - Rockwall (No.18 in Texas - Committed to Ohio State)
9. Jake Majors - OL - Prosper (No.19 in Texas - Committed to Texas)
10. Nate Anderson - OL - Frisco Reedy (No.20 in Texas - Committed to Oklahoma)
11. Prince Dorbah - DE - Highland Park (No.21 in Texas - Committed to Texas)
12. EJ Smith - Ath - Dallas Jesuit (No.24 in Texas)
13. Chris Thompson - DB - Duncanville (No.25 in Texas)
14. Jahari Rogers - Ath - Arlington (No.26 in Texas)
15. Seth McGowan - RB - Mesquite Poteet (No.29 in Texas - Committed to Oklahoma)
16. Branard Wright - DT - Dallas Carter (No.38 in Texas)
17. Brennan Scott - LB - Dallas Bishop Dunne (No.39 in Texas)
Golden Triangle
1. Jaylen Garth - Port Neches-Groves - (No.36 in Texas - Committed to Texas)
San Antonio
1. Jaylon Jones - CB - Cibolo Steele (No.14 in Texas - Committed to Texas A&M)
2. Logan Parr - OL - Helotes O'Connor (No.27 in Texas - Committed to Texas)
Breaking down Houston ...
Total number of prospects on the list: 12
Total number of committed prospects on the list: 6
What's left out there for Texas: RB Zach Evans, DE Vernon Broughton, OL Chad Lindberg and DB Xavion Alford.
Big H-Town Takeway: Let's face it... Texas has taken it on the chin so far in the Houston area, as it doesn't have a single commitment from the area and has lost a number of head to head battles with the likes of Texas A&M and Oklahoma. This is usually an area of strength for the Texas staff, but it will need to do some damage with the four remaining players on the board and maybe flip someone already committed elsewhere to salvage the Houston part of this class. If the Aggies land Vernon Broughton, it'll have commits from the Top 3 players in Houston, which equates to three of the top four players on the list.
Breaking down the Metroplex ...
Total number of prospects on the list: 17
Total number of committed prospects on the list: 12
What's left out there for Texas: RB Jase McClellan, RB E.J. Smith, Ath Jahari Rogers, DB Chris Thompson, DT Branard Scott and LB Brennon Scott
Big Metroplex Takeway: Amazingly, this area has gone from a weakness or sorts to a major team strength (someone give Ra’Shaad Samples a raise!!!!). Four of the eight current Texas commits are from the DFW area and three of them rank as Top 11 prospects in the area. While Oklahoma has four of the top 15 DFW prospects in the Top 40 already committed, it's possible that the Longhorns could finish with seven or eight commits (or more) from the Metroplex, which would represent a massive portion of the 2020 class. Quite simply, the Metroplex has saved Texas' bacon and it couldn't come at a better time when you consider that 13 of the top 25 prospects in the state are from DFW.
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