Texas Recruiting Notes 2025: Duck Around and Find Out

[IDIOTsavant 8688]

2 minutes ago, Radical Larry said:

Ole Miss

https://247sports.com/player/caleb-cunningham-46135273/

[kevwun 16438]

Meh, with the portal it's hard to get real worked up about wr recruits.

[Hookem2147 22033]

Suchomel said Michael Fasusi told him he might come in for the Kentucky game and Texas is “coming at him every day.”

[Viper 12221]

1 hour ago, Teryor said:

Not to go full Satya but these quotes aren't reassuring lmao

 

Ffrench described UF's chances as "somewhat of a chance" as he reevaluates things with his family.

 

Hard to beat that. 

[nycHorn 3123]

Suchomel said Michael Fasusi told him he might come in for the Kentucky game and Texas is “coming at him every day.”

If Fasusi happens then that means Turntine is no go right?

[Post Oak 20568]

No 

[Beer Drinker 690]

This time last year Fasusi was as big a lock to us as everybody thinks Turntine is now. If you can get Fasusi get him. If Turntine has an issue with Fasusi get somebody else. It looks like Banks/Cam may both be first rounders but we should be worried about some guy that is concerned about playing time as a freshman instead of developing and going to the league?

[billfromlaketravis 11823]

14 minutes ago, nycHorn said:

If Fasusi happens then that means Turntine is no go right?

I think it’s more about keeping themselves out of a bad spot in OL play/depth + keeping a good player away from OU and aggy. Additionally, portal OL options have been quite limited. 
 

They probably need to 1-2 war daddies in every class to stay elite. 

[Bevo14 8468]

10 minutes ago, Beer Drinker said:

This time last year Fasusi was as big a lock to us as everybody thinks Turntine is now. If you can get Fasusi get him. If Turntine has an issue with Fasusi get somebody else. It looks like Banks/Cam may both be first rounders but we should be worried about some guy that is concerned about playing time as a freshman instead of developing and going to the league?

No no no. You should pass on Andrew Luck to make sure you sign Garrett Gilbert.

[SydneyCarton 49505]

41 minutes ago, nycHorn said:

If Fasusi happens then that means Turntine is no go right?

Not at all. 

[TXRed 3585]

nvm. 

Edited November 18 by TXRed

[IDIOTsavant 8688]

41 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I think it’s more about keeping themselves out of a bad spot in OL play/depth + keeping a good player away from OU and aggy. Additionally, portal OL options have been quite limited. 
 

They probably need to 1-2 war daddies in every class to stay elite. 

 

[HtownHorn 15235]

51 minutes ago, Beer Drinker said:

This time last year Fasusi was as big a lock to us as everybody thinks Turntine is now. If you can get Fasusi get him. If Turntine has an issue with Fasusi get somebody else. It looks like Banks/Cam may both be first rounders but we should be worried about some guy that is concerned about playing time as a freshman instead of developing and going to the league?

This is correct. Even if Fausi and Turntine come in, they aren't starting over Baker and Goosby.

[Horn Under a Bad Sign 20925]

8 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

This is correct. Even if Fausi and Turntine come in, they aren't starting over Baker and Goosby.

Which is as it should be. It's a hard position to learn and it takes a lot of strength training. Look at Christian Jones. 

[cafe society 2903]

1 hour ago, nycHorn said:

If Fasusi happens then that means Turntine is no go right?

It was mentioned very early in the recruiting process that there was a little concern about this, but I think said concern has been dispelled.  Fasusi or no Fasusi,  the recruiting community expects Turntine to be a Horn.

[HtownHorn 15235]

4 minutes ago, Horn Under a Bad Sign said:

Which is as it should be. It's a hard position to learn and it takes a lot of strength training. Look at Christian Jones. 

The only reason Banks started day one was the lack of a depth chart, that is no longer a problem, and shouldn't be moving forward with Flood and Sarkisian.

[BurntOrange&White 41873]

3 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

The only reason Banks started day one was the lack of a depth chart, that is no longer a problem, and shouldn't be moving forward with Flood and Sarkisian.

i feel banks is a unicorn that would have started as a freshmen regardless

Edited November 18 by BurntOrange&White

[Beer Drinker 690]

Just now, BurntOrange&White said:

i feel banks is a unicorn that would have started ass a freshmen regardless

Disagree. He was pretty good

[Junior Bonner 6584]

A unicorn? At left tackle? 

Everyone knows they fit better in the interior… 

Edited November 18 by Junior Bonner

[Funk Doctor Spock 13287]

I always assumed unicorns were at the end of a rainbow. 

[Okcool 791]

47 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

i feel banks is a unicorn that would have started as a freshmen regardless

Was. Till Quinn started lowering his draft stock by scrambling into sacks on his own and making Kelvin and the rest of the OL look like shit. 

Edited November 18 by Okcool

[Hank_Hill 20054]

26 minutes ago, Okcool said:

Was. Till Quinn started lowering his draft stock by scrambling into sacks on his own and making Kelvin and the rest of the OL look like shit. 

NFL scouts definitely don’t account for such things. You should let them know. 

[canadianhorn21 970]

IT reporting Texas had a strong conversation tonight with Zion Williams and that things have gotten interesting. Would be nice to swing that one late and stick it to Bo.

[westexhorn 2167]

Ffrench's high-school QB has committed to Florida

[Coelenterate Fuccboi 13435]

3 minutes ago, westexhorn said:

Ffrench's high-school QB has committed to Florida

[TheBryMan81 2633]

3 hours ago, westexhorn said:

Ffrench's high-school QB has committed to Florida

I mean... Looks like his options were Florida or.... Florida State. How good is he?

[CBHorn 441]

10 hours ago, Funk Doctor Spock said:

I always assumed unicorns were at the end of a rainbow. 

End of a rainbow is where you’ll find Kyler Murray.

Edited November 18 by CBHorn

[closetohumping 17818]

13 hours ago, Viper said:

Ffrench described UF's chances as "somewhat of a chance" as he reevaluates things with his family.

 

Hard to beat that. 

Sounds like my dating life

[BurntOrange&White 41873]

Gerry Hamilton

 

Recruiting Update: Defensive line battles

The Texas Longhorns continue to swing away with hopes of igning a four man high school defensive line class. That means having to win out for two of four top targets remaining, with two of them being committed to other schools. 

Along with Texas battling to win out for two top remaining targets, Kenny Baker has to play keep away with Miami and Florida chasing 4-star++ commitment Myron Charles. 

OnTexasFootball begins Monday with a look at the percentages on top defensive line targets remaining. 

Texas commitments

Myron Charles, DL, Port Charlotte (Fla.) High
Charles made a visit to Florida this weekend. Miami is working to get him in this weekend too. Charles has spoken to Kenny Baker since returning from the Florida visit. 

Florida threat level: 3 (up from 2)
Miami threat level: 3

Josiah Sharma, DL, Folsom(Calif.) High
Sharma made a visit to BYU over the weekend with a few teammates. Sharma informed Kenny Baker prior to the visit to let him know he was going with a few teammates.  

BYU threat level: 1

 

Texas remaining targets

Joseph Mbatchou, DL, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+ 
The recruitment: Texas fighting Auburn and Florida

The percentages: Texas 37%, Florida 32% and Auburn 31%

Kevin Wynn, DL, Greensboro (Ga.) Greene County - *FSU commit
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+ 
The recruitment: FSU, South Carolina and Texas battle with Georgia on peripheral. 

The percentages: South Carolina 45%, FSU 35% and Texas 20%

The big question with Wynn is will the Longhorns will get Wynn on campus this weekend. If they don't, the percentage drops to 5%. 

Justus Terry, DL, Manchester (Ga.) High 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star 
The recruitment: Georgia considered the leader over Alabama, Texas and Auburn.

The percentages: Georgia 35%, Alabama 25%, Texas 20% and Auburn 20%

Chace Sims, DL, Richmond (Texas) Randle - *Texas A&M commit
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+
The recruitment: Texas will have to get Sims back on campus and spend time talking to Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski for this flip to become a realistic possibility. Conversations with Kenny Baker and members of the defensive staff have continued since the Georgia visit October 19.

The percentages: Texas A&M 80% and Texas 20%

Texas' percentage will go up if Sims and family show up in Austin this weekend.

Of note

LSU 4-star++ commitment Walter Mathis Jr. (Savannah, Ga./Calvary Day) is not expected to visit this weekend - barring a significant change. Miami continues to swing away.

Texas continues to have conversations with Nebraska 4-star commit Malcolm Simpson (Hitchcock, Texas/High). 

[BurntOrange&White 41873]

[TXRed 3585]

 

[satyanash 15610]

Quote

“Lance Jackson is one of the premier “first off the bus” prospects in the 2025 cycle. He has excellent weight distribution throughout his frame and looks to be a lean 270 as a high school senior. Primarily, he lines up as a defensive end and tight end for his high school. He’s an effective edge setter with his size and strength, shows good initial quickness, and has length that shows up in implementing a straight arm move. He transfers his physicality as a tight end over to the defensive side as well, walking offensive tackles back to the quarterback. Ultimately, he may outgrow the EDGE position given his current size, but would be one of the more athletic defensive linemen in the class as well.” — Cody Bellaire, On3 National Scout

 

Edited November 18 by satyanash

[futureman 22704]

damn top 10

[Chuckie Finster 23079]

Jackson is now rated higher than either Anthony Hill or Colin Simmons, and I feel like it's flown completely under the radar. 

[Hookem2147 22033]

Texas commits in the new On3 rankings:

Lance Jackson- #3

Jonah Williams- #15

Smith Orogbo- #31

Elijah Barnes- #34

Kaliq Lockett- #36

Myron Charles- #58

Jaime Ffrench- #66

Graceson Littleton- #73

Daylan McCutcheon- #78

Nick Townsend- #105

Josiah Sharma- #161

James Simon- #200

Zelus Hicks- #295

 

Ricky Stewart dropped out of the top 300. KJ Lacey dropped to a 3-star. 

[texifornia 59017]

30 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

Texas commits in the new On3 rankings:

Lance Jackson- #3

Jonah Williams- #15

Smith Orogbo- #31

Elijah Barnes- #34

Kaliq Lockett- #36

Myron Charles- #58

Jaime Ffrench- #66

Graceson Littleton- #73

Daylan McCutcheon- #78

Nick Townsend- #105

Josiah Sharma- #161

James Simon- #200

Zelus Hicks- #295

 

Ricky Stewart dropped out of the top 300. KJ Lacey dropped to a 3-star. 

Sheesh, I know he's a little undersized, but it seemed like Lacey still had phenomenal stats this year. 

[Lonestar88 5175]

44 minutes ago, Chuckie Finster said:

Jackson is now rated higher than either Anthony Hill or Colin Simmons, and I feel like it's flown completely under the radar. 

As someone who keeps up a lot with TXHSFB, Colin Simmons 1000% should have been the #1 player in the state. There was not a better high school player in Texas and it was obvious at the time. These rankings have gotten worse in recent years.

It’s even more obvious with hindsight, they had Micah Hudson and Terry Bussey ranked ahead of him, complete joke.

 

[deech 2391]

53 minutes ago, Chuckie Finster said:

Jackson is now rated higher than either Anthony Hill or Colin Simmons, and I feel like it's flown completely under the radar. 

What was amazing is how Sark and crew were on him before the camps he started hitting last year and were he really started taking off in his evaluations (and the highlights he was putting together during those camps).

[Lonestar88 5175]

1 minute ago, texifornia said:

Sheesh, I know he's a little undersized, but it seemed like Lacey still had phenomenal stats this year. 

I think these recruiting services are trying to predict success instead of just ranking the players based off of tape and measurables. They know we have Arch Manning next up and Dia Bell coming in after Lacey and are just betting he won't ever start here.

It’s why certain Alabama and Georgia commits get outrageous bumps, they’re thinking the chances of success at those programs is higher. I like Keelon Russell as a prospect, but there is no way in hell he’d be getting the kind of recruiting bumps he’s getting if he weren’t committed to Bama. He went from low 4-star to top 3 player in the entire country, and most of that jump happened before he even played another game.

[TXRed 3585]

14 minutes ago, Lonestar88 said:

As someone who keeps up a lot with TXHSFB, Colin Simmons 1000% should have been the #1 player in the state. There was not a better high school player in Texas and it was obvious at the time. These rankings have gotten worse in recent years.

It’s even more obvious with hindsight, they had Micah Hudson and Terry Bussey ranked ahead of him, complete joke.

 

On3 definitely lets popularity and clicks influence their rankings. It became obvious when they randomly moved Nico ahead of Arch in 2023. 247 is probably guilty of playing favorites as well, ESPN and Rivals are just bad. 

[irishtexan 11712]

Seeing Kade Phillips at 23 is frustrating.

[kevwun 16438]

If Kelly gets fired, he will be free to portal even if he signs with them.

Edited November 18 by kevwun

[Elmer_Fudd 22994]

6 minutes ago, irishtexan said:

Seeing Kade Phillips at 23 is frustrating.

What's more frustrating is Corey Raymond's DB groups have been hot garbage for the past several seasons.  Granted, ours wasn't anything to brag about under Joseph until this season, but Phillips committed and flipped during the summer.  Why not just wait and see how things went for both programs during the season, which is clear as day now which one is better.

[Teryor 5005]

The Stampede: What to make of Texas football commits taking visits elsewhere
tldr be a little nervous about Ffrench but everyone else is good

Quote

It's silly season, flip season, whatever you want to call it, in college football recruiting. And what makes this year even more chaotic is the Early Signing Period begins Dec. 4. So after the Longhorns visit Texas A&M, the coaching staff will have to turn around and try to put the finishing touches on its currently No. 3-ranked high school recruiting class, per the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings, while also potentially preparing for an SEC Championship Game appearance. Oh, and the Transfer Portal opens on Monday, Dec. 9. That's why the coaches get paid the big bucks, though. 

Leading up to December, recruits are taking last-minute visits, including Texas commits giving looks to other programs. This past weekend we saw a handful of UT pledges go elsewhere with the Longhorns out of town. 

So, what is there -- if anything -- to make of these trips? 

Horns247 breaks it down here! 

Nick Townsend visits Texas A&M
— Spring Dekaney Top247 tight end and Texas commit Nick Townsend tripped to Texas A&M for the Aggies' home game vs. New Mexico State on Saturday. Although Townsend has told the media he wasn't at the game on Saturday, folks in College Station confirmed his attendance. Good ol' recruiting right?

As the summer began, I was told by a source the Aggies were hoping to sign three tight ends in 2025 with the goal being at least two. Since then, they've hosted four tight ends for official visits in Kiotti Armstrong, Townsend, Chase Loftin (Florida St. commit), and Lincoln Cure (Kansas State commit) with all of those trips taking place back in the summer. They landed Armstrong then while he was still on campus for his official visit, but they've failed to hit their goal of at least two tight end takes with Early Signing Day just a little over two weeks away.

The Aggies have been quietly recruiting Townsend behind the scenes at times throughout the season, but it's never been something I've felt was really worth reporting due to me not feeling concerned about him flipping. For example, in mid-September he told me the remaining Texas games he planned on attending (at that time) were the games against Georgia and Texas A&M. When I asked him if he knew that he'd have to go as an A&M recruit to see the Aggies and Longhorns game, he told me he was fully aware of that. I held off on reporting it at the time because I knew that visit was yet to be finalized with us having that conversation in mid-September, and when he spoke with Horns247 yesterday the visit to College Station at the end of the month still seems as if it isn't finalized. As far as another visit to Texas goes, he's expected to be back in Austin for the Texas-Kentucky game on Saturday, marking his first time back on campus since the Georgia game on Oct. 19. I'm sure on the upcoming visit to Texas there'll be some conversations with Townsend and his camp relating to the following Saturday.

Although you never want to downplay one of the top ranked Texas commits visiting a rival school, Horns247 isn't super worried about Townsend and in fact we have more concern about Ffrench's Texas commitment than Townsend's. The main reason for our lack of concern with Townsend comes from our conversations with sources in the Houston area, who aren't expecting the dynamic 6-foot-3, 235 pounder to back off of his Texas commitment.

A&M finished third back when Townsend pledged to the Longhorns on July 15, with Alabama finishing third and USC finishing fourth. The Aggies fell behind for several reasons, but the decision was really one that came down to Alabama and Texas. The Longhorns hit it out of the park on their OV and landed Townsend's silent commitment days after before a few weeks passed and he went public with his commitment in mid-July.

The sources I spoke with helped me cover this recruitment pretty well throughout the spring and into the summer, and they were adamant throughout Sunday that Townsend himself wants to be at Texas and that they don't see that changing. This is definitely a situation we'll be monitoring with Townsend being the highest ranked tight end to commit to Texas in the Sarkisian era, but as of late Sunday night there is not much concern from Horns247 in regards to Townsend's Texas commitment status. — SCRUGGS

Josiah Sharma visits BYU
— Folsom (Calif.) Top247 defensive lineman Josiah Sharma took an unofficial visit to BYU over the weekend to see the Cougars host Kansas as Jeff Grimes returned to Provo where he was first put on the map as a play caller.

If you're Texas you never want your committed prospects taking visits to other programs, but this is a pretty ok scenario in my opinion. Sharma made the trip to Provo with his high school teammates to take in a night game of No. 6 BYU. That's about all there is to the story. Sharma has never even posted a BYU offer.

Horns247 isn't worried about Sharma's commitment status for the time being, and if we were, Oregon would be the program we're worried about and not BYU. — SCRUGGS

Lance Jackson visits Arkansas
— Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove five-star EDGE and Texas commit Lance Jackson was in Fayetteville on Saturday for the Texas-Arkansas game. It's been well documented at this point, but in case you've never heard, Jackson's older brother is Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson, who came away with a sack on Saturday for the Hawgs.

Like Sharma, Horns247 isn't worried about Jackson's commitment status. After all, he is a five-star prospect per the 247Sports Composite that wanted to be at Texas and done with the recruiting process so bad that he decided to commit at the Jan. 20 Texas Junior Day without an NIL package in place. That's unheard of in today's day and age of college football, and it's a great example of the strong mental eval on the native East Texan.

Visiting another school's campus to see your older brother suit up against the school you're committed to is about the most justifiable visit elsewhere as a Texas commit, and that's all there is the story. Jackson is up there at the top of the list with Jackson Christian in terms of Longhorns pledges we're least concerned about when it comes to flipping, and we heavily expect him to be moving into Austin in January. — SCRUGGS 

Jaime Ffrench visits Florida
— Five-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench took an official visit to Florida for the LSU game, probably the most eye-opening of any commit visiting elsewhere this past weekend. When we caught up with the Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin product on his way out of Austin two weekends he ago, he was all smiles and all Texas. He did mention, however, if there was a school he would still visit it'd be Florida or Miami. He followed up by letting us know he'd be at Florida this past weekend.

At the time, there was still a low level of concern about his commitment status and the potential of flipping to the Gators.

Where are we at now? I'm still under the impression that Ffrench will remain in this class. He himself told Florida reporters he's "locked with Texas" as he left the UF facilities. One source I spoke with over the weekend felt good about the chances of Ffrench remaining in the class, but everyone is fully aware that he's a high-profile recruit in the state of Florida, with a UF program that's trying its best to build around the DJ Lagway era.

Still, Ffrench is bullish on the opportunity to play in Steve Sarkisian's offense and catch passes from Arch Manning at the next level.

There's been all sorts of different speculation about where things stand with Ffrench, but I maintain that I believe Texas is still in pole position to hang on to the talented pass catcher. We'll see what this week brings. Ffrench told reporters on Sunday he had no more visit plans. He told us two weeks ago he would try to get back to Austin for the Kentucky game. His high school season is over, so there's more flexibility on travel. — SOUTH

Zelus Hicks visits Florida
— Carrollton (Ga.) four-star safety and Texas commit Zelus Hicks took an unofficial visit to Florida this weekend, part of a trio of Longhorns commits in Gainesville. As has been well-documented, Hicks reclassified to 2025 and is taking advantage of the last (and only) few weeks of high school recruiting he has left. He trekked to Tennessee and Georgia Tech recently as well. He'll be at Texas this weekend for an official visit.

"What have they not done good?" he told 247Sports of the Longhorns after his UF visit. "They've done recruiting good. I have great relationships with Coach Gideon, Coach Sark. I know a lot of the players. They've introduced me to players. They've told me the schemes I'm about to be running. They've took the time out to recruit me."

Hicks maintains he's still solid with the Longhorns and has no visit plans the final weekend of November before Early Signing Day. We'll certainly be keeping an eye on him, but Texas has a good foundation here with the Peach State standout. — SOUTH

Myron Charles visits Florida
— Port Charlotte (Fla.) four-star defensive lineman and Texas commit Myron Charles was also in Gainesville. He told Horns247 weeks ago this was the plan, so the trip getting set up is not really of any surprise.

His trip was also an unofficial visit. He didn't give comments after leaving UF on Saturday.

Checking in with sources on Sunday, we're told that Texas was in contact with both he and his mom multiple times throughout the day on Sunday. Things appear to be good as to his commitment status with the Longhorns.

Charles told Horns247 in our last interview, however, his recruitment was still open, so this is certainly one Texas will have to stay active in down the stretch. For now, though, it doesn't appear as if Charles is looking at changing anything up in terms of his commitment status. — SOUTH

 

[Atticus 4216]

10 minutes ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

What's more frustrating is Corey Raymond's DB groups have been hot garbage for the past several seasons.  Granted, ours wasn't anything to brag about under Joseph until this season, but Phillips committed and flipped during the summer.  Why not just wait and see how things went for both programs during the season, which is clear as day now which one is better.

Safety vs corner. He wanted Texas, but believed he’d have a better chance to stick at corner at LSU. 

He’s not a 5 star CB prospect, he’s really good though

[tokamak 6687]

44 minutes ago, Lonestar88 said:

I think these recruiting services are trying to predict success instead of just ranking the players based off of tape and measurables. They know we have Arch Manning next up and Dia Bell coming in after Lacey and are just betting he won't ever start here.

It’s why certain Alabama and Georgia commits get outrageous bumps, they’re thinking the chances of success at those programs is higher. I like Keelon Russell as a prospect, but there is no way in hell he’d be getting the kind of recruiting bumps he’s getting if he weren’t committed to Bama. He went from low 4-star to top 3 player in the entire country, and most of that jump happened before he even played another game.

Russell's stats this season are fucking absurd. 308 YPG, 45/0 TD/INT ratio.

[satyanash 15610]

1 hour ago, Hookem2147 said:

Texas commits in the new On3 rankings:

Lance Jackson- #3

Jonah Williams- #15

Smith Orogbo- #31

Elijah Barnes- #34

Kaliq Lockett- #36

Myron Charles- #58

Jaime Ffrench- #66

Graceson Littleton- #73

Daylan McCutcheon- #78

Nick Townsend- #105

Josiah Sharma- #161

James Simon- #200

Zelus Hicks- #295

 

Ricky Stewart dropped out of the top 300. KJ Lacey dropped to a 3-star. 

Orogbo Smith and Kaliq Lockett both fell out of the Top 25 nationally. 

[D3zii 3939]

29 minutes ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

What's more frustrating is Corey Raymond's DB groups have been hot garbage for the past several seasons.  Granted, ours wasn't anything to brag about under Joseph until this season, but Phillips committed and flipped during the summer.  Why not just wait and see how things went for both programs during the season, which is clear as day now which one is better.

Came to position preference 

[Lonestar88 5175]

13 minutes ago, tokamak said:

Russell's stats this season are fucking absurd. 308 YPG, 45/0 TD/INT ratio.

He’s very good and Duncanville as a whole  is unstoppable, but he became a top 15 national player before the season started. His jump happened in the offseason.

My point isn’t that he isn’t a good player, my point is he got a bump for going to Bama. That’s what actually happened in the offseason.

Edited November 18 by Lonestar88

[RabidM 2757]

Dammit, really hope we don't end up regretting not taking Russell.  His junior film was absurd and his senior season is crazy.