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Texas Recruiting Notes 2026: They Can't Keep Getting Away With This


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Recruiting news and notes from Pylon Dallas
 

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With the Super Bowl being the only football game left to play from the 2024 season, we're just now getting into the thick of the offseason. 

Although there's never a true offseason when it comes to recruiting, there are 7on7 tournaments, showcases, spring ball practices, and college camps all over the spring and summer calendar that provide useful information if you're able to attend whether it be interviews, measurements, or getting a better feel for a prospects playstyle, projection, and overall skill level with an in person evaluation. 

7on7 tournaments are usually able to check most of those boxes and today I attended a Pylon 7on7 tournament at Duncanville High School in the southern sector of Dallas where I was able to evaluate and catch up with several intriguing prospects including a young group of Texas targets in the 2027 class. 

Let's get into it!

Mansfield Top247 WR Zion Robinson

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
Zion Robinson is one of the quietest kids I've covered and he never says much when he's being interviewed. That said, it's hard to get a read on where the top 100 prospect is leaning towards but the schools that seem to be in the mix right now include TCU, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma. Robinson has barely taken any visits yet due to his football, basketball, and track schedule and he's approached his recruitment incredibly patiently, so getting out on visits this spring will be extremely important for the DFW area speedster. Robinson's father ran track at TCU before running in the Olympics and later returning to Fort Worth to be TCU's director of track and field, so the Frogs are in this one with family ties and proximity.

Academics are extremely important to this recruitment which is why Stanford is in the mix, and the Cardinal will have a good shot going forward. Robinson hasn't been on the Texas campus since this past summer and is working on setting up visits in the spring with a trip to Austin as one of those visits Robinson is hoping to take. A bit of a wild card at this current juncture as I could see Robinson heading to several different programs to play at the next level, we'll have a better idea of where Texas stands and where the recruitment is headed the further we get into the spring.

Duncanville three-star TE Zach Turner

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
Zach Turner has been one of the most productive tight ends the state has seen in some time as the Duncanville native is heading into his senior year with nearly 1,800 receiving yards and 32 receiving touchdowns to his name with three seasons of varsity experience already under his belt. As far as his recruitment goes, Turner is yet to release a top schools list and didn't name any favorites, but he did mention Miami, Georgia, SMU, Oklahoma, USC, Ole Miss, and Texas as the schools he's hoping to visit this spring. Turner didn't take any visits in January and he's yet to schedule any spring visits to the schools mentioned above, so things seem relatively open right now. I get the vibe Texas isn't towards the front of the group and I think that might correlate with him being a bit of a tweener as a receiving threat tight end that's 6-foot-2, and 215 pounds.

However, Jeff Banks paid Turner a visit when making the rounds last month so the communication is still ongoing. Turner's loved getting to see his former Duncanville teammate Colin Simmons put together a stellar true freshman season that earned him the Shaun Alexander freshman of the year award and he's fan of Texas' offensive system, but again, the vibe I got from speaking with Turner is that Texas is behind a few other schools. With Texas heavily in the mix for the nation's No. 1 tight end Mark Bowman and in a good spot with other guys like Heze Kent and JC Anderson, Turner isn't someone I'm expecting to end up in Texas' 2026 class as things currently stand in the early spring.

Flower Mound Marcus Top247 2027 QB Colton Nussmeier

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
I caught up with Colton Nussmeier who's the younger brother of LSU star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the son of longtime coach Doug Nussmeier, and the current No. 1 ranked quarterback in the Lone Star State's 2027 class. The Longhorns have yet to offer Nussmeier, but Texas quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee stopped by Marcus high school to see the gunslinger just a couple weeks ago. Nussmeier is currently working on setting up spring and summer visits and a visit to Texas could be a possibility, but not a certainty. The Longhorns have offered two quarterbacks in 2027 in Ohio State commit Brady Edmunds and Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian Academy's Peyton Houston, and I would not be shocked to see one or two more offers go out before the Longhorns end up with their 2027 QB commit.

I think Nussmeier is good enough and is a realistic name to be another signal caller Texas could potentially offer in 2027, but we'll cross that bridge if we get there. If they were to offer, the Longhorns could be an interesting contender with Texas' offense and the Longhorns being an in-state program a few hours away. Nussmeier's father is currently the Philadelphia Eagles QBs coach, but he coached under Steve Sarkisian as the offensive coordinator and QBs coach in Washington for two seasons and that relationship could potentially serve as a boost to Texas' chances if they were to offer. Nussmeier is a lefty and if he were to end up at Texas I'm pretty sure he'd be the first lefty signal caller Sarkisian has coached since Tua Tagovailoa, and that could also potentially serve as a boost to Texas' chances if the Longhorns ever offer.

Richmond Randle Top247 2027 RB Landen Williams-Callis

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
The nation's No. 1 ranked RB in the 2027 class, Landen Williams-Callis is a special prospect that's currently on pace to finish on the top ten all-time list in rushing yards in TXHSFB history, and if he continues at the rate he's currently on, he'll also have the least amount of carries of any rusher on the top ten all-time list. When I spoke with Williams-Callis he was unaware of the buzz around Tashard Choice and the Dallas Cowboys that started this morning, so unfortunately I was the one who passed on the news that he'd interviewed for the Cowboys running back job. If Choice was to leave for the NFL, Williams-Callis mentioned he'd view Texas differently with Choice no longer in Austin. However, it appears it's still early enough in the process for Williams-Callis where if Choice was to leave, whoever the new hire is would still have a shot in getting Texas towards the top of Williams-Callis' list like the Longhorns have been under Choice.

The main reason for Texas' early standing in Williams-Callis' recruitment has been because of the work Choice has done and the relationship the two have built, and on the same note I've yet to see Choice put this much effort into recruiting a sophomore running back than he has with Williams-Callis in my time covering Texas. Williams-Callis is yet to set any dates, but he mentioned Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU (if the Tigers offer) as schools he's looking to see on visits this spring. What ends up happening with Choice could have a major impact on this recruitment, as I did feel like Texas was the program set up best to eventually land Williams-Callis as things currently stand. If Choice ends up leaving for the NFL, whoever the new hire is will have some big shoes to fill.


DeSoto Top247 2027 WR Boobie Feaster

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
The nation's No. 6 overall prospect and No. 2 receiver prospect in the 2027 class, Boobie Feaster had around a dozen offers entering high school and his recruitment has yet to slow down with Feaster just one offer away from hitting 50 total before the end of his sophomore year. Feaster is set to have two announcements coming up with one including a top schools list and the Longhorns will be included. Besides Texas, Feaster also mentioned Oregon, LSU, Alabama, Texas A&M, and Ohio State as the schools he's working on setting up spring visits for but at this current time dates are yet to be set for any programs.

Expect the other five schools that he mentioned to make the top schools list cut as well. Feaster's most recent visit to Texas was for the Oct. 19 Georgia game and Chris Jackson has done a good job at building the relationship especially with Feaster being just a sophomore. Feaster loves Jackson's resume and the fact that not only has he coached players into the NFL, but that he's coached in the NFL and played in it as well. With Feaster being born and raised in Louisiana, I've long looked at LSU as the school that I think will eventually win out and I still feel that way for the most part, but this recruitment is far from over and it does not feel as if there's any one school actually leading the race as things currently stand.

Crowley 2027 WR Tay Ellis

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
Chris Jackson and the Longhorns have only offered three wide receiver prospects from Texas' 2027 cycle thus far, and like Feaster, Tay Ellis is one of the three. The Crowley product picked up his offer from the Longhorns when Jackson stopped by the school this past spring, and in the time since Ellis has been able to build relationships with both Jackson and Steve Sarkisian. Ellis hasn't been able to take many visits thus far and he's yet to get to the Forty Acres on a visit, but he mentioned Texas along with Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas A&M as the schools he's working on setting up dates for to see this spring.

When he's able to get to Austin and visit Texas for the first time, he's hoping to get a better read on Texas' culture and the family atmosphere he's already heard so much about. Ellis last saw the Texas staff last when Jackson swung through Crowley in January while making his round of school visits in DFW, and the 2027 receiver prospect mentioned his favorite part of his conversation with Jackson was when the Texas receivers coach broke down the individual developments of his past and future draft picks Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Isaiah Bond, and Matthew Golden.


Euless Trinity 2027 CB John Meredith III

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
I'm a huge fan of John Meredith III after getting to see Meredith in person for the first time earlier today. Now that I think about it, the state of Texas is on an unreal run in producing prospects that have the same name as their father and grandfather with guys like Meredith, John Turntine III, and Michael Terry III all coming to mind immediately. Meredith is a legit 6-foot-2.5 and I would not be shocked if he measured in at 6-foot-3. While the size is what catches your eye immediately, it's Meredith's ability to move at that size that has had him already pick up a dozen plus offers with his list steadily growing. Originally a quarterback/wide receiver, Meredith is just now starting to tap into his potential as he's only played defensive back for one season.

As far as the recruitment goes, Meredith tripped to College Station for A&M's Junior Day in January and he's working on visiting Texas, TCU, and Baylor before the spring is over. Meredith was offered by Texas when he visited Austin for the Mississippi State game in December, and the spring visit to Austin will be his first time back on the Forty Acres since then. The Longhorns are an early standout alongside Baylor, Texas A&M, and TCU, but there's a long way to go in this recruitment as in my eyes Meredith is well on his way to eventually being a Top247 prospect. Texas seems to already be in a good spot for the DFW area native but the Longhorns might be able to boost their chances if they're able to close on 2026 IOL target Toa Katoa who also attends Euless Trinity.

North Crowley 2028 WR Damarion “Champ” Mays

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
I've heard about this kid since he was in eighth grade and have been a big fan since. But after seeing Damarion Mays in person for the first time today, he's easily the best 2028 WR prospect I've seen thus far and it isn't remotely close. Mays transferred into North Crowley just weeks ago, but as a freshman on varsity at Life Oak Cliff (which plays 3A-DI competition), Mays accounted for 68 receptions for 1,640 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on an average of 24.12 yards per catch en route to a season in which he finished 17th in the nation and 3rd in the state of Texas in receiving yards.

Again, this kid is a freshman and has only been in high school for about four and a half months. He's also already 6-foot-3, and 184 pounds. Mays has already picked up 17 offers and will likely finish with three dozen by the time all is said and done. Texas has yet to offer, but I doubt that'll last much longer with how much Texas recruits North Crowley and with how good Mays is. In talking with Mays, the Longhorns are a school he's yet to hear from but if Texas was to offer, they'd immediately be towards the top of his list. Although Mays is originally from Arkansas, he's spent most of his life in Texas and the Longhorns have long been a school that's caught his eye.


Life Oak Cliff 2029 ATH Sukora Cooper Jr.

(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
If you've followed my work for any amount of time you'll know how little I care about prospects when they're still in middle school due to obvious reasons. However, Sukora Cooper Jr. is an exception. I entered today not knowing he even existed but that quickly changed once he was pointed out to me as an eighth grader playing in the 18u division at the tournament. Less than a minute later, Cooper went deep and caught a full length of the field touchdown pass on his team's first play of the drive.

North Texas has already offered and I would not be shocked to see more schools throw their hats in the ring before Cooper starts high school in August. Cooper is also already 6-foot-1 and likely has some growth ahead of him and if he's able to continue developing, he'll have a shot to end up as one of the top WR prospects in the state of Texas' 2029 class. Cooper is the first 2029 prospect I've noted down that doesn't have some familial tie to a former college or NFL player, and he's certainly a name to watch going forward for the Lone Star State's 2029 class.

 

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3 hours ago, Rimbo said:

i think you misunderstood what I was asking

I'm asking if hs coaches being upset at Texas recruiting OOS  was a thing

Yes, anyone who’s been around here long enough remembers that this was in fact a thing when Strong was here. We’d read articles about anonymous HS coaches bitching all the time.

It was all a bunch of bullshit, and the type of thing that only festers when the program is down. If Strong were a better coach, he would’ve been able to tell them to stfu.

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36 minutes ago, Lonestar88 said:

Yes, anyone who’s been around here long enough remembers that this was in fact a thing when Strong was here. We’d read articles about anonymous HS coaches bitching all the time.

It was all a bunch of bullshit, and the type of thing that only festers when the program is down. If Strong were a better coach, he would’ve been able to tell them to stfu.

Yep. Nobody's gonna tell our current staff, with their reputation, "No can do; I'm sending my best kids to A&M."

Heh. I'm laughing just thinking about it.

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1 hour ago, Lonestar88 said:

Yes, anyone who’s been around here long enough remembers that this was in fact a thing when Strong was here. We’d read articles about anonymous HS coaches bitching all the time.

It was all a bunch of bullshit, and the type of thing that only festers when the program is down. If Strong were a better coach, he would’ve been able to tell them to stfu.

Strong also had to follow Mack who was known as the Helobious of stroking Texas highschool football coaches. They weren’t ready for a less baby soft touch.

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57 minutes ago, SuckitKevin said:

High school coaches were much more important before NIL. They had more influence on kids, now it’s “family” members.

Their decline in relevance predates NIL. The rise of the street agent in the mid 00’s drove HS coaching relevance decline. NIL just iced it. 

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2 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

I think this is the guy Gerry said they are expecting to run a 10.4 100m.


Perhaps, but I just looked it up and he apparently doesn't run the 100m or the 200m, which I find surprising if he's actually a 10.4 100m guy. 

Tristen does have a 21'5" long jump, but Roy jumped 25'+ in high school.

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As Troy Aikman mentioned last week, having a strong running game requires commitment and a certain attitude, including having offensive linemen who have a bit of a nasty streak to them. 

That advice is pretty consistent with what we’ve seen in the past at Texas and elsewhere. I hope Texas is weighing that heavily for its OL recruiting.

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3 hours ago, Dbeasy said:

As Troy Aikman mentioned last week, having a strong running game requires commitment and a certain attitude, including having offensive linemen who have a bit of a nasty streak to them. 

That advice is pretty consistent with what we’ve seen in the past at Texas and elsewhere. I hope Texas is weighing that heavily for its OL recruiting.

There were only two guys on our line that didn't fit that description last year and that was Conner and Majors. 
 

I feel like the guys we have been recruiting have been nasty finishers and very very physical. 

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The Stampede: Top out-of-state targets for Texas in 2026
 

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When you're the Texas Longhorns, you don't have to go far to find the talent to field a championship-level program. Texas high school football has about all you need to build a playoff-worthy roster. But still, you have to expand your recruiting footprint and dot your i's and cross your t's in this day and age. Kids are taking notice of the Longhorns more from a national level as the program continues to ascend. Therefore, Texas has an added advantage on the recruiting trail with top tier prospects out of state. 

In 2025, the Longhorns signed 10 out-of-state recruits in its No. 1-ranked class. 

Now, in 2026, the Longhorns have plenty of top out-of-state targets to choose from. 

Here, Horns247 breaks down 10 out-of-state targets we believe could top the list of most coveted targets outside the state of Texas for the Longhorns staff. 

Take a look! 

(this is not in any particular order)

Mark Bowman, 4-star TE, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei

Mark Bowman (Photo: Blair Angulo, 247Sports)
 

The nation's No. 1 tight end prospect even after he recently reclassified from the class of 2027 to the class of 2026, Mark Bowman is one of the higher profile prospects to come out of the famous prospect factory known as Mater Dei. Bowman fell from the No. 5 overall prospect in 2027 to the No. 30 overall prospect in 2026 when he reclassed, but the 6-foot-4.5, 225 pounder has remained atop the tight end board for 247Sports and for countless blue bloods across the country.

Originally from the Denver area, Bowman moved out to the Los Angeles area ahead of high school in order to play on a big stage on Friday night lights. Bowman happened to grow up pulling for the Longhorns, as his father grew up in Austin and later raised his son to cheer for the burnt orange. The nation's No. 1 tight end prospect has been to campus twice in the past. Once we stopped by in March of last year with his 7on7 team while in the state for a 7on7 tournament, and once when he and a few of his Mater teammates tripped down to Austin for a three day unofficial visit experience the weekend the Longhorns blew out Florida 49-17.

Following the trip, Bowman said "they're number one for sure" when referencing the Longhorns' position in his recruitment after breaking down the three day visit experience to Austin. Texas' main competition at the top of Bowman's list has been Georgia and Oregon thus far, but make no mistake the entire country wants Bowman and other schools like Alabama, Miami, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Ohio State, and USC are all in the running too.

Texas will have plenty of pitches to make in this recruitment whether it be their success with another tight end who hails from the Denver area (Gunnar Helm), the Mater Dei alumni in the program (Brandon Baker, Spencer Shannon, Chris Jackson), Texas' quarterback room, and of course the need for the tight end position in Steve Sarkisian's offense. Sarkisian's son Brady Sarkisian, who's a walk-on at Texas, also attended Mater Dei his first two years of high school.

In the same story Bowman named Texas as his leader with Horns247 back in November, he also mentioned his growing relationship with Spencer Shannon and highlighted spending a lot of time with Shannon as well as Brandon Baker when in town during the Florida game weekend. Bowman is expected to take a bunch of spring unofficial visits to programs he's never seen before so the Longhorns might not get a return visit from Bowman till later in the spring or possibly until official visits roll around in June, but regardless Texas has put themselves in a favorable spot heading into the spring. The No. 1 tight end prospect has yet to decide on a timeline for a decision but he'll take official visits before announcing a commitment with the possibility his recruitment stays open all the way until early signing day. (JORDAN SCRUGGS) 

Jett Washington, 4-star S, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman
Before Blake Gideon traveled to Las Vegas to see Washington at his basketball game on Thursday, there hadn't been much buzz between the Longhorns and the nation's top safety since the team offered last August. Earlier this year, Washington told Horns247 that a visit to the Forty Acres would be in his plans for later in the spring, but nothing has materialized to this point. While no visits prior to the spring of his junior year may not seem like an incredibly promising sign, Washington has been busy on the court, following in the footsteps of his late uncle and NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and it's not like he's been taking visits to others schools as of late. Oregon, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame are also in the mix here. (WILL TURBOFF) 

Heze Kent, 4-star OT/TE, Brunswick (Ga.)

Heze Kent with Jeff Banks last week. (Photo: Twitter: @HezeKent)
 

One of the most unique prospects in all of America, Heze Kent was measured at 6-foot-5, 315 pounds on a visit this fall and in 12 games junior posted 41 receptions for 983 yards and eight touchdowns on an average of 24 yards per catch, while also rushing for 211 yards and eight more touchdowns on 32 carries. Those numbers had Kent finish as the 35th leading receiver in the state of Georgia and on the basketball court, Kent is currently averaging 15.7 points per game, 13.9 rebounds per game, and at least one steal, assist, and block per game as well through 17 contests in Kent's junior hoops season. Kent's numbers currently have him 9th in rebounds in the state of Georgia and 12th in double doubles in the state of Georgia according to MaxPreps.

The Georgia native projects at either offensive tackle or as an inline tight end, but with the caliber of athlete Kent is, he's someone you just sign and get in the building first before figuring out the positional home later. Kent released a top five a few weeks ago that featured Miami, Florida, Florida State, Texas, and Alabama and he's already set up official visits to four of those schools to see the Gators May 31-June 2, the Hurricanes June 6-8, the Longhorns June 13-15, and the Crimson Tide June 20-22.

Jeff Banks recently swung by Brunswick in January and the Georgia native has already visited Texas once when he stopped by the Forty Acres for the Texas-Kentucky game weekend in late November. (JORDAN SCRUGGS) 

Dylan Berymon, 4-star DL, Monroe (La.) Ouachita Parish
We recently wrote about Berymon being one of the war daddy targets in the class of 2026. Between him and Jaimeon Winfield, Texas has to premier interior defensive line prospects atop their board, and are in strong position for both. Of course Berymon resides in Monroe, La., but that hasn't kept him from expressing serious interest in the Longhorns. Plus, Monroe isn't as close to Baton Rouge as other LSU strongholds in the Bayou State. The 6-foot-1.5, 305-pound Berymon has family ties near the Austin area and has been to Texas on more than one occasion in the post Bo Davis era. He's a big fan of D-line coach Kenny Baker as well. This recruitment will more than likely come down to Texas or LSU. (HANK SOUTH) 

Valdin Sone, 4-star DL, Dyke (Va.) Blue Ridge School

Valdine Sone (Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)
 

Another incredibly intriguing prospect, Valdin Sone hails from Sweden and grew up playing soccer and participating in taekwondo and ju-jitsu before picking up American football and later moving to the United States to chase dreams on the gridiron. The 6-foot-3, 320 pounder is a widely built bumper car type of defensive line prospect that 10 of the 16 SEC teams have already offered, and he's just now beginning to tap into his potential having played only one season of football in the states.

Originally a 2027 prospect, Sone made history when he became the first international prospect to ever make the initial 247Sports debut top 100 rankings for any recruiting cycle when he debuted at No. 96 overall in the 2027 rankings in August of 2024. In the time since, Sone has reclassified from the 2027 class to the 2026 class in order for his age to line up more in sync with his grade level.

Now the nation's No. 247 overall prospect in the 2026 class, Sone is trending upwards and has the chance to finish even higher in the rankings. As far as Texas and Sone goes, the international prospect visited Texas in late January after previously stopping by campus once the week of the Texas-Texas A&M game. The January trip was taken with Hero Kanu, who Sone happens to share the same mentor with in Brandon Collier who's the lead man running PPI Recruits, the top international prospect "placement program". Collier was on the trip in January and he was also on the trip in November, where after stopping by the Forty Acres to visit the Longhorns, Sone and Collier stayed in the Lone Star State a few more days to catch Texas beat Texas A&M 17-7 as visitors of the Aggies.

Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Nebraska, and Penn State seem to be the main competition as things currently stand, but once more college staffs do more digging on Sone, he'll become a much bigger priority across the country. Texas has given themselves a good early shot having already hosted Sone twice and from having the connecting through Kanu, but there is a long way to go in this one and the Longhorns will have to outlast several other top programs to land Sone's commitment. (JORDAN SCRUGGS) 

Shaun Scott, 4-star EDGE, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
For a time early last fall, it appeared that Tennessee, Ohio State and USC were leading the charge in Scott's recruitment. Given that the Mater Dei prospect has returned to Austin twice in the last few months to see the Longhorns in action against Kentucky in November, as well as for Texas' Junior Day late last month, Pete Kwiatkowski, Johnny Nansen, and the rest of the staff seem to be back near the top as Scott begins to plan his official visit schedule. Texas is already in a good position for in-state option Jamarion Carlton, as well as Kevin Ford Jr. to an extent, so this apparent full-court press for Scott makes it seem that he could eventually join the Longhorns' class. (WILL TURBOFF) 

Jabari Mack, 4-star WR, Destrehan (La.)

Jabari Mack (Photo: Hank South, 247Sports)
 

Take your pick for which out-of-state wide receiver Texas is currently recruiting. It was hard to just select one in Mack, as the Longhorns are extremely high on Mississippi product Tristen Keys, Jacksonville area standout Naeem Burroughs, or Texas A&M commit and Georgia native Aaron Gregory. We went with Mack for the fact that 1.) Texas considers him a top target and. 2.) he's been on campus more than once, most recently for Junior Day last weekend. Chris Jackson was in the Bayou State last week to visit with Mack. He told Horns247 at Junior Day that Texas and Texas A&M were standing out to him, but that he's really starting to like the Longhorns. He was at LSU this past weekend and the Tigers are naturally going to present the biggest challenge. You have to like UT's positioning right now, however, for the 6-foot, 192-pounder. (HANK SOUTH)

Jordan Thomas, 4-star CB, Oradell (NJ.) Bergen Catholic
The New Jersey native is one of the most sought after cornerbacks in the nation as Jordan Thomas checks every box you look for in a defensive back whether at corner or safety. Holding three dozen offers and counting, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Miami, Texas A&M, Michigan, Penn State, Auburn, Ohio State, USC, and Notre Dame are the main schools in the hunt and all have either hosted the Bergen Catholic product for a visit in the last month, or Thomas hosted a coach from one of those schools at either his school or his home in the last month.

Terry Joseph made the trip up to the northeast to see Thomas in an in home visit on Jan. 22, and Thomas has also already been on campus when he stopped by last July for the Texas Bash Pool Party recruiting event. Thomas was also in attendance as a Michigan visitor when Texas knocked off the defending national champs in Ann Arbor 31-12.

Texas has good positioning with in-state cornerback targets Jalen Lott and Jermaine Bishop and might not have to trek up to the northeast to fill a cornerback spot, but nonetheless Thomas is a versatile 6-foot-1, 185 pounder that could play any position in the secondary. If Texas wants to win this one they'll have to win out a national dog fight, but Terry Joseph has a Thorpe Award winner and a rolling Texas defense to pitch Thomas' way and he already has several impressive out of state skins on the wall in Derek Williams Jr., Wardell Mack, and Graceson Littleton. (JORDAN SCRUGGS) 

Xavier Griffin, 4-star LB, Gainesville (Ga.) -- USC commit

USC LB commit Xavier Griffin (Photo: Chris Trevino | USCfootball.com, 247Sports)
 

Out of all of the prospects on this list, it feels like Griffin may have the longest odds to commit to Texas. Over the last six months that 247Sports' No. 1 linebacker has been committed to USC, Griffin has been communicating with the Longhorns, alongside Tennessee, Alabama, and the home state Bulldogs among several others, but his connection to the latter two seem to be his strongest outside of the Trojans. Griffin told Horns247 that he plans to take several official visits this summer, which opens the door for Texas to roll out the red carpet in hopes of a flip commitment, but he did not specify if that would necessarily be in the cards. (WILL TURBOFF) 

Amari Latimer, 3-star RB, Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek
Texas has been extremely high on Latimer for the better part of the last year. The Georgia native fits the big, bruising style of back the Longhorns covet in at least one of their RB takes each cycle. My thoughts on this one are simple: as long as Tashard Choice is the running backs coach in Austin, I believe Latimer is going to end up with the Longhorns. I placed a Crystal Ball prediction in favor of UT last summer and still like it a lot. Wisconsin is making some noise in this one with Latimer's older brother transferring into the Badger's program, but I'm not sure if that's put too much of a dent in the Longhorns' chances to this point. (HANK SOUTH) 

 

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19 hours ago, Chili dog said:

Yeah, the Roy Williams comp is actually pretty good, crazy as that sounds. 

Yeah, i hate to comp 17 year olds to the great ones but something in the way the kid runs, adjusts to the ball and moves after the catch that reminded me very much of Roy.  

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2 hours ago, Teryor said:

Bowman happened to grow up pulling for the Longhorns, as his father grew up in Austin and later raised his son to cheer for the burnt orange. The nation's No. 1 tight end prospect has been to campus twice in the past. Once we stopped by in March of last year with his 7on7 team while in the state for a 7on7 tournament, and once when he and a few of his Mater teammates tripped down to Austin for a three day unofficial visit experience the weekend the Longhorns blew out Florida 49-17.

Following the trip, Bowman said "they're number one for sure" when referencing the Longhorns' position in his recruitment after breaking down the three day visit experience to Austin.

massive

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3 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Gerry posted what I would call an extremely bullish 50/50 list yesterday. 50/50 meaning that, right now, Texas has as good of a shot at landing each of these as anyone. That would also mean that Texas is likely signing the top class in the country again if they land most of these dudes. 

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Texas recruiting: 50-50 odds or better

The dead period begins at 11:59pm tonight and runs through March 2. That means there will not be face-to-face recruiting for the Texas Longhorns for a month. 

The Texas staff spent the last half of the month of January on the road seeing top targets, making new offers and solidifying position with several prospects prior to the dead period. 

With all the intel OnTexasFootball has received, it's time to take a look at which prospects in the 2026 cycle we believe Texas has a 50-50 shot or better at headed into spring unofficial visits around spring practice. 

Running back ...
This could change if Tashard Choice heads to the Dallas Cowboys. 

Javion Osborne, Forney (Texas) High
Height & weight: 5-9, 192
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

Amari Latimer, Tyrone (Ga.) Sandy Creek
Height & weight: 5-11.5, 209
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

Wide receiver ...

Kaydon Finley, Aledo (Texas) High
Height & weight: 6-0, 200
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Height & weight: 6-2, 180
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Tight end ...

Mark Bowman, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei 
Height & weight: 6-5, 225
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star

Offensive line ...

John Turntine III, OT, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley
Height & weight: 6-3.5, 280
OnTexasFootball ranking: 5-star

Felix Ojo, OT, Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge
Height & weight: 6-6, 280
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

Toa Katoa, IOL, Euless (Texas) Trinity
Height & weight: 6-4, 355
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Nicolas Robertson, IOL, Klein (Texas) High
Height & weight: 6-4, 335
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Samuel Roseborough, OT/IOL, Clearwater (Fla.) High
Height & weight: 6-5, 285
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

Sam Utu, OT/IOL, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran
Height & weight: 6-5, 295
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

Max Wright, IOL/OT, Melissa (Texas) High
Height & weight: 6-7, 290
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star

Defensive line ...

Dylan Berymon, Monroe (La.) Ouachita Parish
Height & weight: 6-2, 310
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

Jaimeon Winfield, Richardson (Texas) High
Height & weight: 6-3.5, 300
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

EDGE ...

Jamarion Carlton, Temple (Texas) High
Height & weight: 6-4.5, 238
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Shaun Scott, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Height & weight: 6-3, 230
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Luke Wafle, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School
Height & weight: 6-4.5, 242
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Linebacker ...

Kosi Okpala, Houston (Texas) Myde Creek
Height & weight: 6-2, 219
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Defensive back ...

Jalen Lott, CB/ATH, Frisco (Texas) Panther Creek
Height & weight: 5-11.5, 170
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

Chace Calicut, S/LB, Houston (Texas) North Shore
Height & weight: 6-3.5, 190
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star+

Athlete ...

Jermaine Bishop, CB/WR/Ret, Willis (Texas) High
Height & weight: 5-11, 160
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star++

 

Only 2 5-stars and no 5-star++?? What a failure.

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