This weekend has been full of pageantry and big names on the Forty Acres.
First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have made sure to pull out all the stops in order to host a group of what could be program-changing recruits.
The Texas football name is hot on the recruiting trail again, and this weekend the program looked to impress some of the biggest names in high school football.
Five-star quarterback Arch Manning headlined the group as he and his family toured the campus, along with some other five-star players such as 2022 linebacker Harold Perkins, 2023 wide receiver Jalen Hale, and 2023 running back Rueben Owens. One of the top 2023 wide receivers, Johntay Cook II, was seen catching passes from Manning on Saturday.
Here is a video of Manning’s 70+ yard pass to a streaking Cook.
QB Arch Manning with a 70 yard bomb to Johntay Cook II earlier today at Texas 🎯 pic.twitter.com/pvf36L6ajt
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 13, 2021
Along with some gummy bears for Perkins, Texas made sure that some of the most elite alumni that walked through the Forty Acres were on sight in order to help showcase what being a Longhorn is about.
Some of those on sight included “Minister of Culture” and famous actor Matthew McConaughey, former players Vince Young, Jamaal Charles, Michael Huff and Earl Campbell. Take a look below to see the elite group.
Y’all ever get chills from a photo?
(h/t @Huffy247) pic.twitter.com/77iiPpvQEI
— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) June 12, 2021
This type of effort will likely impress recruits and possibly make them reconsider if they are already committed elsewhere, or it can put Texas in position to be the favorite of their recruitment.
For Texas to get a few commitments out of this weekend, it would be astronomical for the program and allow for them to build off this preseason success, with some in season success as well. Their 2022 recruiting class now sits at No. 8 in the nation according to 247Sports rankings, while the 2023 class is No. 2 in the nation with Owens as the lone commit.
The Longhorns are hoping this weekend changes that, and gives both classes a boost to the top.