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Posted
1 hour ago, CHIEF said:

Living in NOLA, and making over a million a year would drive me to a gout ridden early grave. 
 

CHIEF

This is how it’s done.

Posted

Gerry:

Two big recruiting notes 

OnTexasFootball caught up with two of the nations top prospects today. 

And the news is both good and not so positive.

Texas and 5-star Tyler Atkinson …

Multiple members of the Texas defensive staff are in a consistent communication with Grayson High (Loganville, Ga.) since the departure of area recruiter Tashard Choice. 

OnTexasFootball spoke with a member of the 6-2, 210-pounders circle today and the news for the Longhorns was positive.

Atkinson remains very likely to make a June OV to Texas - as of today. Atkinson and family continue to have very positive feelings and thoughts about the Texas program. 

Texas and Javian Osborne …

The news with the 4-star++ running back isn’t as positive. A person close to the recruitment has a feeling that Texas isn’t recruiting the DFW area back as hard as others.

Texas running back’s coach Chad Scott has spoken with Osborne twice since being hired. 

Osborne has spring unofficial visits scheduled and to be scheduled to Michigan, Georgia, Miami, Florida State and possibly Alabama.

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Posted
41 minutes ago, bluto said:

I’ll trade Osb for Atk, the latter looks once a decade on film. 

Good thing that's definitely a 1:1 trade and not two completely unrelated players.

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Posted

Seeing Osborne go elsewhere wouldn't bother me as much now as it would have three months ago. He's a great 3-down back, but we're in on several others of similar value. Atkinson, though, seems closer to a unicorn. So while this obviously isn't a one-or-the-other situation, I'm happier about our standing with the LB than I am bummed about where we are with the RB. 

Posted

We thought the same thing about Justus Terry. Sark is big game hunting and he's he's beenb on campus at least 3 times, so we are absolutely in it. Have faith. He'll fill the Ant Hill role, and I bet they're selling that and a too education. 

Posted

The Stampede: Top recruiting priorities for new Texas assistants
 

Quote

Texas had a somewhat busy coaching carousel this offseason, with three assistant coaches leaving for new opportunities. That includes running backs coach Tashard Choice going to the Detroit Lions, defensive backs coach Terry Joseph joining the New Orleans Saints, and safeties coach Blake Gideon getting the Georgia Tech defensive coordinator job.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has his new hires in place in running backs coach Chad Scott from West Virginia, cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey from Rutgers, and safeties coach Duane Akina from Arizona (after spending many years in Austin earlier in his career). Sarkisian also hired an EDGE coach in LaAllan Clark from Ohio State. 

Staff changes will always have recruiting implications, with new some former targets falling down the board and new targets emerging. 

Here, Horns247 takes a look at each new assistant and who we believe is their top priority in the class of 2026 and '27. 

Running backs coach Chad Scott

Four-star running back KJ Edwards. (Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
 

2026
KJ Edwards, 4-star RB, Carthage (Texas) 
Edwards has long been a top priority for the Longhorns, dating back to an offer before he finished his freshman year at Carthage. Nearly two years and a coaching change in Austin later, Edwards has emerged as the sole in-state tailback that Scott and the Longhorns are fully pressing for, as communication with Javian Osborne has reportedly dwindled since Scott's arrival. 

Because the list of the Longhorns' options at the position appears to be shortened as a result of Tashard Choice deflection to the NFL, Scott, Steve Sarkisia and all others involved in Edwards' recruitment are itching for a commitment ahead of a planned announcement date of August 2. Although Alabama, LSU, and Florida State just recently offered the nation's No. 3 running back, Horns247 expects that he will continue to focus on in-state schools in the last few months of his process. In a best case scenario for Texas, Edwards will make a pledge to the team during his June official visit. (WILL TURBOFF) 


Four-star RB Landen Williams-Callis. (Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
 

2027 
Landen Williams-Callis, 4-star RB, Richmond (Texas) Randle 
Even before 247Sports revealed its initial Top100 2027 rankings, Williams-Callis has been considered the nation's top running back. When Texas offered in November 2023, the Houston-area star was just a handful of games into his high school career and already held offers from Texas A&M, Alabama, Oregon, and over a dozen others.

As for where the Longhorns sit, it will all depend on how hard Scott pursues him. In September, Williams told Horns247 that Texas and Choice were recruiting him harder than anyone, which led to the 5-foot-7 back returning to Austin the following month, when Texas played Georgia. For now, it's hard to get a read on who truly leads for Williams-Callis, but based on his previous comments about the Longhorns, many expect that they will still remain to be deep in the mix. (WILL TURBOFF) 

EDGE coach LaAllan Clark

Four-star EDGE Jamarion Carlton. (Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
 

2026 
Jamarion Carlton, 4-star EDGE, Temple (Texas) 
A gifted 6-foot-4.5, 240ish pounder with unreal length and nice athleticism for his size, Carlton and Duncanville's KJ Ford have long been viewed as the top two EDGE prospects in the state of Texas' 2026 class.

Although Ford has out-produced Carlton up to this point, the Temple prospect is taller, longer, and while he's currently more raw at the moment, possesses more explosiveness and athleticism. That said, Carlton is the top EDGE prospect in the Lone Star State in my eyes and the un-coachable traits should place him at the top of LaAllan Clark's board going forward.

Clark's main competition when it comes to getting Carlton to Texas will be Texas A&M and SMU, but schools like Baylor, LSU, and USC are also in the picture to some degree. At this point A&M, Baylor, and SMU are the only schools locked in with summer official visit dates, but the Longhorns are working to get Carlton on campus in June. Now planning to make an in-season commitment, I think Texas is taking the right approach by working to host him in June as there's always the chance he could push his timeline back to what it originally was with July or August as the time period he'd make his commitment in. (JORDAN SCRUGGS) 

Richard Wesley
Four-star EDGE Richard Wesley. (Photo: Blair Angulo, 247Sports)
 

2027 
Richard Wesley, 4-star EDGE, Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon 
Wesley, the No. 1 EDGE in a class where four prospects at that position rank within top seven players overall in 247Sports' 2027 rankings, looks to be Texas' superstar target from The Golden State. Although the Longhorns were far from the first to offer Wesley when they did so on January 28, Clark and others will likely showcase early returns from Colin Simmons to provide Wesley with a true pitch and jump ahead of other initial contenders in the race.

Throughout the early stages of his stardom, Wesley has been hailed as "the best edge prospect to come out of California since Kayvon Thibodeaux," per 247Sports' National Analyst Greg Biggins, so it's hard to imagine that his offer list of 21 programs will not drastically grow in the coming months. If Clark and the Longhorns are able to stake their claim before that happens, the team will have the opportunity to press for Wesley harder than almost anyone else involved. (WILL TURBOFF) 

Cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey

Four-star WR Jalen Lott. (Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
2026 
Jalen Lott, 4-star WR, Frisco (Texas) Panther Creek 
Lott is ranked as a wide receiver, but would be just as highly regarded as a cornerback in the standings if that's where he opts to play. He can do either at Texas, and of late is more open to the idea of playing in the secondary.

A Texas legacy, Lott bleeds Burnt Orange, with both his mother and father being former athletes on the Forty Acres.

New cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey will be tasked with picking up where Terry Joseph left off in this recruitment, and the relationship aspect if big to Lott. Luckily for Texas, that seems to be an area where Orphey thrives.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has spoken with Lott about playing him on defense, but having packages for him on offense. Other programs like Oregon, Texas A&M, LSU, and Miami have said similar.

Lott will officially visit Austin June 13-15.

The Longhorns likely have the inside track here, in my opinion. My Crystal Ball is on Texas. (HANK SOUTH)


2027 CB John Meredith III. (Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
 

2027 
John Meredith III, CB, Euless (Texas) Trinity 

Meredith visited Texas for the Mississippi State game last fall where Terry Joseph offered the rising 6-foot-2.5, 175-pounder. Texas has already impressed Meredith with its on-field play, plus the fact that Jahdae Barron just brought home the Thorpe Award, and is expected to be a first round pick later this spring in the NFL Draft. 

"It stands out a lot, because it shows that that could be me and that they could develop me," Meredith told Horns247's Jordan Scruggs last month. "I feel like if I go there then I'll get progressed to that too, being the best DB."

Other programs in play for the talented rising junior include Texas A&M, Oregon, Oklahoma and Penn State, among others. Meredith hopes to get back to Austin for a spring visit as he builds out his schedule for the next few months. 

You can be he's already on new cornerbacks coach Mark Orphey's short list, if not atop the list, for 2027. (HANK SOUTH)

Safeties coach Duane Akina

Four-star S Chace Calicut. (Photo: 247Sports)
2026 
Chace Calicut, 4-star S, Houston (Texas) North Shore 
I've always been under the view it's best for Texas to target the top in-state prospects before expanding the search to a national one, and well the Longhorns will have a chance to sign the  top ranked safety in the state for the third cycle in a row after landing Xavier Filsaime and Jonah Williams in back to back cycles.

Calicut is the top ranked safety in Texas' 2026 cycle and provides a lot of versatility as a long 6-foot-3, 190 pounder that can play the traditional safety spot but can also line up in press and more than hold his own in man coverage due to his extensive experience in 7on7. 

The next North Shore defensive back to come from the illustrious Mustangs defensive back pipeline, Texas will battle Alabama, Michigan, and Oregon amongst others for Calicut's signature, but just about every source you connect with views this as Texas' race to lose at this current time. Horns247 expects the Longhorns to eventually close and I've already gone ahead and entered in a 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction in favor of Texas. (JORDAN SCRUGGS)


Four-star S JayQuan Snell. (Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
 

2027 
JayQuan Snell, 4-star S, Waxahachie (Texas) 
Blake Gideon had the Longhorns in a good early spot for the 6-foot-3, 175 pounder that comes from a multisport background that includes baseball and track and field, Texas might have some work to do after Gideon's departure.

With the majority of Akina's recruiting targets expected to come from the Lone Star State, Snell checks a lot of boxes of what Akina has tended to target over the years: size, length, athleticism, and track/multisport background. 

Texas A&M is the main competition as things currently stand, but this recruitment is far from over. With the recruitment expected to be focused on the in-state schools, Texas will have more than just a  shot going forward but they'll be able to improve their chances if they can host Snell on a visit once again this offseason. (JORDAN SCRUGGS) 

 

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Posted
19 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

Wells put in a pick for KJ Edwards to Texas. 65% confidence.

This was still while Choice was a leader on the RB room decision-making, but the initial plan was Edwards or Osborne, plus Latimer if they could get him. If not, just take both Texas guys. 

I feel like now, it's take Edwards and then land a bigger difference-maker, preferably Cooper or the dude out of Bama. They seem like they've moved on from Latimer and they're not willing to make RB1 assurances to Osborne. 

We'll see how it plays out, but I'm guessing they're going to push to lock up Edwards more sooner than later and then run the gambit. I don't find the strategy concerning. Edwards is fine being part of a 2 RB class, supposedly. More and more guys are seeing things that way due to better understanding of the consequences for being a college workhorse when it comes to NFL value.

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Posted
3 hours ago, closetojumping said:

This was still while Choice was a leader on the RB room decision-making, but the initial plan was Edwards or Osborne, plus Latimer if they could get him. If not, just take both Texas guys. 

I feel like now, it's take Edwards and then land a bigger difference-maker, preferably Cooper or the dude out of Bama. They seem like they've moved on from Latimer and they're not willing to make RB1 assurances to Osborne. 

We'll see how it plays out, but I'm guessing they're going to push to lock up Edwards more sooner than later and then run the gamut. I don't find the strategy concerning. Edwards is fine being part of a 2 RB class, supposedly. More and more guys are seeing things that way due to better understanding of the consequences for being a college workhorse when it comes to NFL value.

I’ve been thinking about this but RB recruiting under Choice was good and he was great at volume recruiting for us but the RBs we’ve taken are good to real good but none are great or difference makers. What’s your thoughts on specifically the guys he’s taken. 

Posted
20 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

I’ve been thinking about this but RB recruiting under Choice was good and he was great at volume recruiting for us but the RBs we’ve taken are good to real good but none are great or difference makers. What’s your thoughts on specifically the guys he’s taken. 

I haven't had any problem with the way Choice evaluated and recruited at TB. Anyone bitching about him as a recruiter in aggregate is clueless. At TB? Okay, here are my thoughts:

1) Sarkisian apparently wants to take two RBs every cycle. While many RBs are warming up to the idea of sharing carries, the bluest of the blue still often bristle at that. 2 of the top 4 RBs in 2025 did not want another RB in their class (Dear/Kromah). 

2) At one point or another, Gibson and Baxter were each the #1 RB in their class. Baxter showed flashes of being a star. If he can recover and stay healthy, he's got all conference potential. I realize that @Red Five would like to see Texas cut Gibson immediately, but I think the guy fits the mold of what they want running between the tackles if he can hold onto the ball. 

3) Simon was also a top 5-7 back in the last class.

4) There were discussions of cutting Wisner lose and taking the commitment of someone else in his class. Choice fought to keep him and now that looks like a solid evaluation. 

So the guy signed 3 guys in the top 150 of each cycle, all top 5-7 or better at TB in that class. One showed a lot of promise in a reserve role as a freshman. Another guy that was completely off the national radar just had an amazing season when injuries struck. The two new signees and Christian Clark are hard to have an opinion on, but there's plenty of reason to think Symon could be a big contributor. 

Last year, two of the better RBs in college football were an unknown Texan playing for Boise State and a transfer from Sacto State at ASU. There are many years in which the highest rated RB recruit isn't considered a transcendent player. If you sign highly ranked guys with some raw guys mixed in and then they're all developing well, what else do you want? There isn't a Bijan Robinson in every cycle. 

I hope this new guy is awesome or he signs the next Bijan, or both. That considered, until proven otherwise, I'd much prefer for Choice to have stuck around. 

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Posted
39 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

I’ve been thinking about this but RB recruiting under Choice was good and he was great at volume recruiting for us but the RBs we’ve taken are good to real good but none are great or difference makers. What’s your thoughts on specifically the guys he’s taken. 

I think CJ Baxter has/had every tool necessary to be great in his kit.  I guess the jury is out, but I'm still a believer.   Hard to make a determination on the 24' guys.  He definitely coached up the guys he inherited, but really hard to judge his three recruiting classes currently with so little work product. 

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