Tag: Texas football recruiting

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.

Texas looks different in OL recruiting under Sarkisian and Kyle Flood

Texas is on the right side of the haves and have nots in offensive line recruiting under Kyle Flood.

Texas continues to thrive in offensive line recruiting under Kyle Flood. Continue reading “Texas looks different in OL recruiting under Sarkisian and Kyle Flood”

LSU podcaster alleges negative recruiting by Texas coaches

LSU might consider cleaning up its own backyard rather than worry about Texas’ recruiting pitch.

LSU fans are unhappy that Texas leads for five-star edge Colin Simmons. One even took to his podcast to vent about alleged negative recruiting by Texas football coaches.

Blake Ruffino of AYS Sports laid out his beef with Texas on his podcast. He shared a clip of the discussion to Twitter on Wednesday.

Clearly, Ruffino believes Texas coaches were talking down on LSU. What is unclear is which topic he alleges the Longhorns coaching staff shared. There’s a long list from which to choose.

Earlier this week we alluded to LSU’s three-year probation for instances of misconduct in football and basketball. We did not mention what went on during the Ed Orgeron era or how his tenure unraveled, nor did we mention Texas coaches being prevented from having satellite camps inside Louisiana. On top of that, the school’s head coach has his own alleged history of mischief.

Perhaps the program should be more concerned about winning the right way than being called out for not doing so. We will see if the program will continue to win after being reprimanded by the NCAA.

Texas making a push for Alabama WR commit Ryan Williams

The five-star WR is the No. 2 player in the country for the 2025 class.

Texas’ 2025 recruiting class is already off and running thanks to a commitment from four-star quarterback KJ Lacey. The Longhorns are reportedly targeting one of his teammates as well. Continue reading “Texas making a push for Alabama WR commit Ryan Williams”