Tag: Texas football recruiting

Five-star WR Ryan Wingo discusses Texas and commitment date

Ryan Wingo is the No. 7 recruit in the country for 2024.

Texas has perhaps the best receiver corps in the country heading into the 2023 college football season, and it is looking to add to it via the recruiting trail. Continue reading “Five-star WR Ryan Wingo discusses Texas and commitment date”

Texas inches closer to a commitment from No. 1 OT Brandon Baker

Texas seems like a good match for Mater Dei (CA) offensive tackle Brandon Baker.

Texas has arguably the most talented offensive tackle in the nation on its roster, Kelvin Banks. The team also has its sights on his heir apparent.

Mater Dei (California) offensive tackle Brandon Baker is a realistic get for the Longhorns. According to Inside Texas, offensive line coach Kyle Flood and company make a lot of sense for the top offensive tackle in the country.

There are more than enough serviceable linemen on the roster to man the left tackle position when Kelvin Banks departs. Presumably Cam Williams or Neto Umeozulu could move to tackle after Banks’ junior season. Nevertheless, Texas would be wise to look further than 2025, and Baker would figure to be a good replacement at the position.

That Flood has put the Longhorns in position to go from No. 1-ranked tackle to No. 1-ranked tackle is a testament to what he brings to the Forty Acres. The famine in offensive line recruiting under previous head coach Tom Herman is well documented. Texas is far removed from that drought.

The Longhorns look to close on the indispensable recruit over the next few months.

Four-star CB Selman Bridges to make commitment announcement on Friday

Texas will battle Arkansas for a second Top 50 recruit in the 2024 class on Friday.

It’s about that time. Top 50 recruit Selman Bridges is set to commit to his school of choice on Friday, July 14. Texas faithful would welcome a commitment to their hometown team. While it’s rumored that Arkansas is the likely school of choice, the commitment is still worth watching for Texas.

Bridges is one of a few 2024 recruits who could bring a historically good cornerback class to Texas. In the early 2000s, the Longhorns were among the best universities in sending cornerbacks and safeties to the NFL. Even among those great secondaries, this group could be special.

Bridges has a chance to join Texas commits Santana Wilson and Jordon Johnson-Rubell as well as the uncommitted trio of Kobe Black, Corian Gipson and Wardell Mack in Austin. Even so, the elite and lengthy cornerback doesn’t have to play second fiddle to anyone. He seems to be one that relishes the prospect of competition with fellow talented defensive backs.

Texas already has one Top 50 recruit in the boat in 2024 running back Jerrick Gibson. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and company will look to add a second Top 50 player on Friday.

Four-star DB Wardell Mack receives crystal ball predictions to Texas

The predictions pour in for Louisiana DB Wardell Mack to Texas.

If four-star defensive back Wardell Mack intends to choose a school other than Texas, he has national analysts fooled. Mack has received three crystal ball predictions in favor of the Longhorns.

On Tuesday, we learned that the elite Louisiana corner received crystal ball predictions from Florida State insider Chris Nee and LSU insider Sonny Shipp. A day earlier, Alabama insider Hank South issued a Texas prediction for the 5-foot-11, 170-pound cornerback.

Mack (No. 80 overall) joins fellow elite 2024 cornerbacks and On3 Top 100 players Kobe Black (No. 22 overall), Selman Bridges (No. 46) and Corian Gipson (No. 67) who trend hard to Texas.

Some made a big deal over No. 101 player Hunter Moddon’s decommitment, and certainly he’s a tremendous player. Now we know why Moddon might have reopened his recruitment with several higher ranked cornerbacks likely to choose Texas.

Texas cornerbacks coach Terry Joseph will enter Tashard Choice’s tier should he secure three commitments from the four above Top 100 players. Texas has every reason to pursue all of them.

We’ve mentioned that some believe the Longhorns can’t have all the cornerbacks they are pursuing. I would push back on that notion. Texas needs to look to lock down commitments from all four elite cornerbacks while they can and later find a place for all of them on the field. Teams should always take elite talent.

We’ll keep an eye on the four cornerbacks and their recruitments over the coming months.

In case you missed it: Three-star TE Jordan Washington chooses Texas

Texas is winning on most players making decisions of late, including tight end Jordan Washington.

Jordan Washington intends to spend his college playing days in Austin. The three-star tight end announced his commitment to Texas on Tuesday.

Washington is a special talent despite his three-star rating. Some consider the talented pass catcher a late bloomer at the position, and one who could make a big impact. What is clear is that the Texas staff viewed him as a key part of its 2024 recruiting cycle.

Following Washington’s decision, the Longhorns recruiting class expands to 12 commitments and has surged to No. 16 in the On3 class rankings for the cycle. The class includes six Top 300 recruits with several more likely to get in the boat.

Texas checks in ahead of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Stanford to round out the Top 20. Albeit, there’s room to improve if the Longhorns are going to compete with the SEC’s best in its new conference.

Texas checks in at No. 8 among SEC classes for the 2024 recruiting cycle. The top of the class in order includes Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU, Tennessee and South Carolina.

The Longhorns will look to make up significant ground over the next month.

Assessing Texas HC Steve Sarkisian’s coaching job at Texas so far

We look at what Sarkisian has accomplished and what needs to happen moving forward.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian draws plenty of opinions from college football observers. The spectrum ranges from unabashed apologists to vehement detractors.

The reality of the situation is Sarkisian has a ton of potential. He’s shown it in flashes through his first two seasons. The issue is, as legendary Texas head coach Darrell Royal would put it, “potential just means you haven’t done it yet.” When it comes to winning at the level of expectation at Texas, Sarkisian hasn’t done it yet. The bar for success involves 10-win seasons.

The Texas coach has, however, displayed glimpses of what he can do in his short time in Austin. Sarkisian has compiled historic individual game performances and hit a few significant landmarks early in his tenure on the Forty Acres.

In the past we’ve noted accomplishments he’s already hit. Let’s look at a few more we might have missed.

Four-star safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell chooses Texas over TCU, others

Jordon Johnson-Rubell commits to the Longhorns over the hometown Horned Frogs and others.

Texas has found its premier safety commitment for the 2024 recruiting class. Continue reading “Four-star safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell chooses Texas over TCU, others”

Four-star WR Parker Livingstone commits to Texas

Parker Livingstone becomes the second receiver to commit to Texas for the 2024 recruiting class.

Dreams are becoming reality. Four-star wide receiver Parker Livingstone announced his commitment to The University of Texas on Saturday. Continue reading “Four-star WR Parker Livingstone commits to Texas”

Texas Tech media claims Texas recruiting landscape leans toward Tech

Texas is breezing past Texas Tech in recruiting after bold claims by Texas Tech media.

Texas Tech has seen significant improvement in recruiting. One media site believes the program is leveling the playing field with the top teams in the state of Texas, the Longhorns and the Aggies.

Viva the Matadors of SB Nation, an account that’s been known for controversial opinions, took to Twitter announcing Texas Tech’s arrival to the recruiting elites in modern football.

“The recruiting dynamic in the state of Texas is changing. More and more (of) the best players the state produces are looking away from Texas and Texas A&M and are looking at what’s building in Lubbock.”

While Tech’s improvement as a recruiting entity is undeniable, the program has plenty of work left to start consistently winning head-to-head battles with Texas and Texas A&M. Tech is in line to win over its first five-star recruit should it hold serve with wide receiver Micah Hudson. It’s doubtful that will ultimately happen.

Since the media outlet’s bold proclamation, Texas has began to run away from Tech in recruiting rankings. Aside from what the Longhorns have already won the team currently trends for several five-star prospects including wide receiver Ryan Wingo.

Outside of the recruiting aspect, there’s been a sizable gap between Texas and Tech on the football field in recent seasons. While Red Raider faithful are quick to discuss the Longhorns doing less with more, Texas Tech is 4-16 in its last 20 matchups against Texas.

The recruiting landscape isn’t changing. There could be a further divide. For that reason it’s imperative the Red Raiders win out for Micah Hudson over the Longhorns. We’ll continue to monitor the two teams’ recruiting classes over the upcoming months.

Decisions and dates to watch for Texas recruiting targets

Both Parker Livingstone and Jordon Johnson-Rubell decide which college to attend on Saturday.

Decisions are approaching for multiple Texas targets. Many of those players in question are likely to choose the Longhorns in the next few months.

Some of the bigger name targets might have a longer timeline. Edge rusher Colin Simmons, cornerback Kobe Black and receiver Ryan Wingo are all five-star talents who have been given Texas predictions. Ultimately, the latter two seem likely to choose the Longhorns but their decisions might not be imminent.

There are a few players whose decisions could come soon. Wide receiver Parker Livingtone, safety Jordon Johnson-Rubell and tight end Jordan Washington appear likely to decide in the next few days.

Here’s a look at Texas targets who are already set to decide along with their decision dates.