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Texas Recruiting Notes 2023: Strippers, Monkeys, and 5-Stars


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— I caught up with a few more sources regarding Arch Manning today. The words that keep coming up are when I talk to people about Manning and Texas are "authentic relationships" and "hard work." The bottom line is this is a strong foundation Texas is building on and that helps them overcome the struggles on the field or the lack of the championship pedigree a few others in the race have. It was also repeated over and over just how vital AJ Milwee has been in this recruitment. While Steve Sarkisian plays a massive role in the recruitment, I'm not sure Texas would be where they are without the presence of Milwee. Having an assistant like him who Manning can relate to directly has been important for Texas and their pursuit of him. Milwee didn't come to Austin with a huge recruiting reputation, but he's been lights out so far in this one.

— I caught up with Texas linebacker target S'Maje Burrell coming off of his Texas visit this weekend. The Longhorns did a great job re-establishing position in this race, and putting themselves near the top for the North Crowley linebacker. Burrell told me that Texas gave him a great feeling when it came to comfort and feeling like home. I was told the entire family loved the visit and Burrell has really clicked with Texas linebackers coach Jeff Choate. He's also connected with Demarvion Overshown and the two are talking quite a bit. Burrell has upcoming trips to Ohio State and Texas Tech, but I think Texas has the edge in the recruitment right now. I'm entering a Crystal Ball in favor of the Longhorns with a confidence score of 7. His upcoming trips could change the trajectory as both Ohio State and Tech have done a great job of recruiting him, but I like where Texas is right now.

— While this weekend's visit won't have a name like Arch Manning, we expect there to be a lot of buzz coming out of Austin once again. I'm especially interested to see where things stand with Anthony Hill coming out of the game. I still feel other schools like Texas A&M and Oklahoma are going to be extremely tough to top in his recruitment, but Texas will have a huge opportunity with Hill scheduled to visit Austin twice in a three-week span. I also think that landing Hill would be a great indicator for what this staff can do in the 2023 cycle. We will see what comes of the weekend.

 

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3 minutes ago, texifornia said:

Choate killing himself in the Aloha State

 

We did make this kids top 7 I believe. Trip to Hawaii in December paid off!

In all seriousness, I’ll forgive Choate for his past transgressions if he lands Burrell. Kid is a stud. Not sure how much of a role he’s playing with Hill as that seems more like a head coach heavy involvement recruitment.

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2 hours ago, Hookem2147 said:

Burrell is a must-get. Hill might be more talented, but Burrell has the cleanest fit to ILB out of anyone we are recruiting and has such a high floor.

Yeah some national analysts were saying he looked real good at that camp in Dallad a week or two ago.  Have to think his 87 rating on 247 goes up at some point.

Need to take 3, maybe even 4 LB's this class.

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@LTtxfan posted the 'Fong tweet in the $9.95 thread ... here's the article.

The theme is love.  A whole lotta love.

 

Texas continues to impress five-star QB Arch Manning, teammate Will Randle
STEVE WILTFONG

 

Spoiler

Texas continues to impress five-star QB Arch Manning, teammate Will Randle
STEVE WILTFONG

 

On Monday, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman teammates five-star quarterback Arch Manning and touted tight end Will Randle were back home from their four-day trip to Texas, on the field breaking in the new footballs head coach Nelson Stewart ordered before they got in a good lift in the weight room. After a terrific weekend, the switch was flipped back to getting prepared for spring camp.

“They just came back to work,” Stewart told 247Sports. 

The Longhorns have been working hard to get both in the fold. Manning is the 247Sports Composite’s No. 1 recruit in the country, and Steve Sarkisian and his staff were one of the first schools to extend a scholarship to Randall, too. They each visited Austin together back in the summer and then took in a game during the fall. This was their most thorough look yet.

“I think the last time they were there they were in hard hats so they hadn’t really been in the facility,” Stewart said. “I think they absolutely loved that. The facility is phenomenal. They went out to the Dell tournament match play and that was awesome.

“I think they wanted, like we talked about, just to go as players. There wasn’t a lot of flash. They were able to watch practices and install and have interaction in the meetings and Arch took notes. So much of the recruiting has been on the front end with Texas. I think it’s the next phase of it. Again a great weekend and it tied nicely because I know Will Randle loved Coach (Jeff) Banks. That was his first time seeing him and the tight ends blew him away with the energy and how hard they worked.”


This past weekend, Manning got a great feel for the life of a Texas player.

“He said he really enjoyed time with Sam Ehlinger and Colt McCoy,” Stewart said. “I asked about Quinn Ewers and he said Quinn looked great. He loved it. He loved being in it, loved the room. Sounds like something special is building there. He loved the organization of practice, he loved the install, and he really liked watching A.J. (Milwee) and Sark work.

“Texas was just what it’s been, they really loved the staff and it was a reaffirmation weekend. There is an authenticity and Texas has worked real hard to build and that’s what it’s all about.”

This was the second visit of the spring for Manning who was at Georgia two weekends ago. This coming weekend he’ll head to Alabama.

“I would say potentially Florida, LSU and Ole Miss those are the other three,” Stewart said of more potential visits. “He’s going to try and see those schools in the coming weeks.”

Stewart also reiterated there is no timetable for a college decision.

 

 

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Pretty positive updates from 'ol streets.

Breakfast Bites: Transfer notes, Crystal Ball and more

Mike Roach

 

Spoiler

Breakfast Bites: Transfer notes, Crystal Ball and more

Mike Roach
 

— I exchanged a few messages with LSU transfer linebacker Josh White and some sources near him. White is already picking up steam as a transfer with offers from TCU, Baylor and Miami last night. A four-star prospect in the 2020 class, White picked LSU over Texas even though he flirted with the Longhorns late in the process. A source near White told me he could be visiting Texas this weekend as he's trying to see some schools up close. I feel that if Texas moves on him they will be in a good position to add him and improve the linebacker depth on campus.

— I've decided to enter another Crystal Balls after talking with sources over the weekend. One is for Arlington (Texas) Sam Houston tight end Lafayette Kaiuway. Hudson entered one for Kaiuway a few weeks ago, but I wanted to wait a bit longer and talk to a few more people. Kaiuway is still looking into a few schools and North Carolina is the main school that could pose a threat to Texas. The Longhorns were early on Kaiuway and are doing a great job with the relationships in the recruitment.

— One other prospect I'm close on is Baton Rouge (LA.) Woodlawn corner Jordan Matthews. The four-star corner is set to return once again to Austin this weekend, and sources we speak with feel Texas is one of the teams generating the most momentum for the rangy defensive back. We'll have to see what the feedback is on Matthews coming out of the weekend, but Texas could make a major move with Matthews if they have a strong visit.

— I spoke to a source that observed practice and last week, and I was told that freshman cornerback Terrance Brooks is impressing quite a few people as a true freshman. Brooks has the size and athleticism to play immediately at the college level, and it sounds like he's making a name for himself early. One thing that also stands out about Brooks from my time covering him as a recruit is his mental ability to process and his overall dedication to off-field preparation. Brooks is a name we heard frequently through workouts and it sounds like that's translating to the field early.

 

 

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Heat check on 2023 Texas Longhorns linebacker recruiting
HUDSON STANDISH

 

Spoiler

Heat check on 2023 Texas Longhorns linebacker recruiting
HUDSON STANDISH

 

After only signing one true inside backer in the 2022 class, (Trevell Johnson) one of the biggest needs the Texas Longhorns needed to address in the 2023 cycle was at linebacker. With multiple positive trends emerging at the inside backer spot, it felt like time to reassess the board heading into the heart of spring visit season.

In this edition of Heat check, I'll break down the Texas Longhorns' top targets at the linebacker position with updated recruiting intel for each prospect along with thoughts on positional recruiting as a whole.

THE IN-STATE "BIG THREE"
After talking with sources and recruits in the 2023 class, Mike and I have identified Denton Ryan's Anthony Hill, Marlin's Derion Gullette, and North Crowley's S'Maje Burrell as the three in-state targets the Texas staff is prioritizing for their likely three spots at the position in 2023.

While Texas coaches are still aggressively pursuing other linebackers in the 2023 class, we feel that if the Texas staff were to get their desired outcome at the position those three would be the ideal takes.

ANTHONY HILL JR.

The five-star Denton Ryan defender has been on the Texas Longhorns' radar since he was a freshman and has shown steady growth as a player that merits five-star status.

Mike and I spent a good amount of time with Hill Jr. at Battle Dallas ahead of his April 2nd Texas visit and feel like the Longhorns are right in the thick of it in his top six consisting of Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Miami, USC, and Alabama.

Hill mentioned that he could return to either Oklahoma or Texas for each school's respective spring game in late April.

As Mike and I have both mentioned  Texas A&M and Oklahoma are going to be extremely tough to top in his recruitment, but Texas will have a huge opportunity with Hill potentially scheduled to visit Austin twice in a three-week span.

S'MAJE BURRELL
Yesterday Mike and I both entered crystal ball predictions for Burrell to Texas after a visit that checked all the boxes for the prolific North Crowley athlete.

As Mike mentioned yesterday his upcoming trips to Ohio State and Texas Tech could change the trajectory as both schools have done a great job of recruiting him, but we really like where Texas is at the moment.

DERION GULLETTE
The small-school standout was one of the most impressive athletes at Texas Relays, anchoring the Marlin Bulldog relay teams at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds.

When I talked with sources about Derion Gullette it always seemed like it was heading towards a Texas vs. Texas A&M showdown. That is, until Alabama hopped in the picture with an offer.

The Crimson Tide have definitely made their mark in a short amount of time and will host Gullette this weekend on a visit. The four-star from Marlin has family from the state of Alabama and I'd expect the Tide to remain in the top group along with Texas and Texas A&M.

SPIN DOWN SAFETIES
One of the most popular trends in modern recruiting is the tactic of spinning down high school safeties to linebackers at the next level. 

With spread offenses dominating football at all levels, the ability to cover in space as a linebacker is a must and the traditional 6-foot-1, 240-pound "plugger" inside backers are being replaced by former high school safeties that bulk up in college while retaining their coverage ability.

Here are the three high school safeties that the Texas staff is recruiting as linebackers at the next level.

JAYVEN ANDERSON

When Texas offered North Shore athlete Jayven Anderson, a source immediately told me that the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder could be on commit watch as Texas was his dream school growing up.

Anderson's recruiting process has played out a bit slower, but after a recent visit I still feel like Texas is the team to beat if they push.

JOHNATHAN HALL
When Mike and I first laid eyes on Katy's Johnathan Hall it was clear that the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder was a linebacker all the way. Hall was a hit-stick specialist for TXHSFB blue blood Katy and was offered by Texas linebackers coach Jeff Choate on March 9th, 2022.

It's still early between Hall and Texas, but it's clear that the unranked prospect is one of Texas' top options at the linebacker spot in 2023.

BRYSON WASHINGTON

In addition to Gullete, Franklin's Bryson Washington was another linebacker that was extremely impressive at Texas Relays. Washington led the Franklin Lions to an undefeated record en route to a 3AD2 state title, playing on both sides of the ball at an all-state level.

While Texas hasn't offered Washington, after talking with the recruit along with sources on the Texas side it's clear that there is plenty of interest from both parties with the next step being a visit set up in the near future. I'll have more on Washington later this week.

LIONA LEFAU AND BRAD SPENCE
The last two offers worth mentioning on the Texas linebacker board are Kahaku (HI) LB Liona Lefau and Klein (TX) Forest's Brad Spence.

Lefau is the highest-ranked out-of-state linebacker that is still considering the Horns and recently released a top eight consisting of BYU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, Utah, Washington, and Texas. Lefau told 247 Sports West region national recruiting analyst Blair Angulo this about the Longhorns recently.

"I loved my time in Austin when I went up last summer. It was good vibes and I liked coach Steve Sarkisian, as well. I have a good relationship with coach Jeff Choate and Jake Langi, so I still like it there. I want to go up for another visit soon."

Lastly, Klein Forest's Brad Spence is one of the more intriguing names on the linebacker board for Texas. Spence primarily plays and works out at EDGE at the high school level, but is being recruited as an inside backer by Texas. While he is likely a bit of a "tweener" between linebacker and EDGE, the 6-foot-1 athlete has been in steady contact with Texas since his offer in December of 2021 and recently visited Texas this past weekend.

Spence is a second-tier linebacker target for Texas and the Longhorns would likely feel confident if they needed to push for Spence's commitment.

 

 

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12 minutes ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

Sam Spiegelman put in a Texas pick for Jordan Matthews to Texas on On3.

Gerry Hamilton also put in a Texas pick for S'Maje Burrell - said we could see movement there "in the next week or two."

Story:

Spoiler

The Texas Longhorns have two commitments in the 2023 class and that number could grow in the next week or two.

I have logged a new Recruiting Prediction Machine pick for the Longhorns, who are trending for one of the nation’s top linebacker prospects. Texas has emerged in a strong position to win out for On300 No. 74 S’Maje Burrell following a successful visit last weekend.

The Longhorns have surged in the recruitment with an entire defensive coaching staff effort, along with head coach Steve Sarkisian.

The 6-foot, 217-pound Burrell made unofficial visits to Oklahoma and Texas in recent weeks. The instinctive and hard-hitting linebacker is scheduled to visit Ohio State this weekend. Burrell will be heading to Columbus on Friday, and returning Sunday.

Burrell released his top 11 the morning of the Under Armour Next Series Camp Dallas on March 13. The top 11 consisted of Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Baylor, USC, Florida State, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas Tech, Ole Miss and Utah.


Burrell took home the District 3-6A Co-Defensive MVP as a junior. He posted 104 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception for North Crowley (7-4) in 11 games.

The DFW area budding star is the No. 23-ranked linebacker in the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

 

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