Gerry Hamilton
Posted 6 minutes ago
Recruiting: The Weekend
The Texas staff hosted a number of key visitors Saturday, and of course the returns have been extremely positive. This morning, we will talk about the 2026 prospects of note in attendance.
Derrek Cooper's OV ...
It's very rare when an OV doesn't go well, especially one in which a prospect is the lone official visitor on campus. Two sources informed OTF that the visit went very well, with Cooper and family. Cooper spent time with Texas players from Florida (Baxter, Myron Charles and Jaime Ffrench).
Texas only strengthened the position over the weekend. Does that mean Miami will give up? Nope. Does that mean Cooper won't take in another college game in the Sunshine State this season? Nope.
OTF also believes Cooper will be back on campus in November, or right before signing day the first week of December.
James Johnson ...
This is a repeat of Cooper. Johnson wants to do something different that stay in Florida, as of the last year and currently. Miami is all in on trying to flip him, to be clear. Johnson has already turned down staying in state twice in the process. Johnson spent a lot of time with buddy Myron Charles. The two guys grew up close to each other and are friends. Seeing Charles get extended snaps was a positive, along with the game day experience.
Corey Wells ...
Wells, his brother (South Alabama linebacker commit Chris Wells) ands mom were in town over the weekend. They didn't leave until Sunday afternoon to head back to Petal, Miss. OTF hears the visit went very well. The feeling is the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder wants to be at Texas. This was his first game experience at Texas, and the entire family loved it.
Auburn has told the family that they would take Chris Wells. That's what makes this recruitment sticky. On the Texas side, Chris Wells has a spot at Texas - should he want to be in Austin. It would be the same as Jordan Coleman, Devin Coleman and Isaiah Coleman in the 2025 cycle. It was good for Chris Wells to see Isaiah Coleman on the field late in the game Saturday night to know what's possible.
Auburn is working to get the family back on campus, and Ole Miss is trying to hang around the rim too.
Current Michigan State linebacker verbal Braylon Hodge ...
The 6-foot-3, 212-pound rangy linebacker out of Cherry Creek High in the Denver area had a tremendous unofficial visit to Texas. He told OTF this about the visit:
"You can tell football means everything down here," Hodge told OTF. "The energy, the passion, the way the team is playing to the fans. It's different!"
Hodge also told OTF that his official visit to Texas is scheduled for the Arkansas game weekend, dependent on Cherry Creek's playoff schedule.
OTF likes Texas' chances here, if a final push is made.
Dylan Berymon ...
This one isn't as clear as Wells. OTF isn't convinced, as of right now, that Texas and Berymon will remain a match. The ball is in Texas' court, to be clear.
Jalen Lott ...
It has essentially been radio silence in the last 24 hours with the people OTF would prefer to get the latest from.
Tyler Atkinson ...
We continue to hear all positive about Texas and the Grayson High 5-star linebacker after a second game day visit this season.