Texas to Receive Official Visit from Four-Star DL Robinson

Texas is among the top eight programs chasing the pledge of Dubose, listed at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds. Joining UT are Texas A&M, TCU, Houston, Kansas, UTSA, Penn State and Tennessee ahead of an August 25 verbal commitment date. 

Dubose, who was most recently on campus in late March, was originally targeted by Steve Sarkisian's coaching staff with an offer in January of 2022. 

April 18

The Texas Longhorns are one of the two teams in poll position for five-star 2024 wide receiver Micah Hudson.

And per On3's Chad Simmons, Texas Tech is the other team in the mix. 

Micah Hudson can go wherever he wants, but him staying in Texas seems likely at this stage. Texas and Texas Tech have positioned themselves well in this race. Hudson is very familiar with both programs and although the confidence is a little louder in Austin, there is a quiet confidence in Lubbock as well. Hudson has not locked in any official visits, but the Longhorns and Red Raiders are expected to receive one.

April 16

One of the state of Texas' best has come off the board.

Austin (Texas) Vandegrift High School four-star offensive lineman Blake Frazier, who had Texas in his group of finalists, announced his pledge to Michigan on Saturday afternoon via social media.

Frazier is considered a blue-chip recruit on two of the four major recruiting outlets. He is a three-star elsewhere, ranked as high as the No. 4 offensive tackle recruit in the class of 2024 (Rivals). 

Texas holds two commitments thus far in the rising-senior recruiting class. 

April 14

It's an All-SEC top five for Parker Livingstone. 

The Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy wide receiver, listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds or so, trimmed his list of options on Thursday with good news coming in for the Longhorns among others in the program's future conference. 

Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas and South Carolina round out the top group for the blue-chip recruit, ranked as high as the No. 17 wide receiver nationally by Rivals. 

Livingstone was in Austin as recently as January, furthering a longstanding relationship dating back to last summer, when the lifelong UT fan picked up his scholarship offer from the program. 

As a junior in 2022, the rising-senior registered 908 yards on 52 receptions, including 12 touchdowns. Livingstone tallied similar yardage and 16 scores as a sophomore in 2021.

April 13

Texas has been the trending program for 2024 No. 1 running back recruit Jerrick Gibson for some time, and now he’s set to see Austin up close once again. 

Multiple reports suggest Gibson, who visited during the month of January to kick-start the UT momentum, will be in town for the Orange and White game this weekend. He has already penciled in a Texas official visit in the month of June, too, further emphasizing his interest in Steve Sarkisian’s program. 

After the summer trip, UT will be Gibson’s most frequented program. Only Florida, close to home and where he was once verbally committed, has hosted the running back more overall. Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee are also involved for the top talent.

April 12

Texas is a finalist for one of the best in the state. 

Corian Gipson, the Lancaster (Texas) High School star secondary recruit, is down to the Longhorns, Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and TCU, he announced Wednesday via social media. 

“Texas’ coaching staff is outstanding,” Gipson told On3. “They should have a great season this upcoming season. There’s not too much needed to be said about Texas.”

Gipson has frequented Austin more than any other college campus to date, by a strong margin, with UT also set to receive an official visit the weekend of June 23. Alabama also has an official visit scheduled in the month of June.

The blue-chip recruit is ranked as high as the No. 4 safety nationally (On3). 

April 12

Texas is firmly in the mix for one of the top pass rushers in SEC country. 

Jordan Ross, the Birmingham (Ala.) Vestavia Hills blue-chipper, has taken the next steps in his recruitment in setting multiple official visits. One of them, per On3, will go to Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. 

Ross told the outlet he would be in Austin in mid June, checking out the program for the first time the weekend of the 15th. There he will potentially reconnect with another Birmingham-area native working on the Texas defensive line. 

"I am excited to see it and see how they develop players," he said. "It will be my first time there. I’ve seen one of the players, Justice Finkley, play. I think he was playing as a sophomore. I was on the phone with the coaches and they were telling me he’s experienced. He knew what he was doing.”

Texas came into the picture for Ross with an offer extension back in January, courtesy of Bo Davis, who has recruited aplenty from the Yellowhammer State from his time at Alabama and well beyond.

April 10

Fresh off of his first trip to Austin, Texas got good news from Jayden Jackson. 

The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive lineman released his top programs on Monday and the future SEC program of course made the cut. 

Many national brands also made the top group, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Official visits and additional unofficial visits are still to be planned in Jackson's recruitment. 

The rising-senior helped anchor one of the top defensive line units in prep football, which held opponents to just 2.1 yards per rush during the 2022 season.

April 6

The top-ranked offensive tackle recruit in the country will soon see Texas. 

Brandon Baker, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei standout offensive lineman and five-star recruit per 247Sports, is set to see Texas during the spring game weekend on April 15. Baker posted the news, among other visit plans, via social media this week. 

With some two dozen scholarship offers to his name and obvious familiarity at programs like USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington, the 6-foot-5, 285-pounder has been busy across the country with unofficial visits of late. 

Texas, which offered more than one year ago, will now get its shot. UT does not yet have an offensive lineman on board in the recruiting class of 2024. 

April 4

As Texas continues to ramp up its class of 2024, it has eyes on top uncommitted prospects but of course also some having made an early decision to play elsewhere. 

The latter is the case for the most recent top recruit to schedule a visit to UT, too, in Fox Crader. 

The Vancouver (Wash.) Evergreen offensive tackle, standing 6-foot-6, picked the Oregon Ducks back in November but is spending the month of April on a half-dozen campuses across the country. 

In addition to the unofficial visit to Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Stanford are to host the Pac-12 pledge, ranked as high as a the No. 9 offensive tackle in the country (On3), this month. 

Crader hasn't yet publicly reported a scholarship offer from Texas, so it will be interesting to see how Steve Sarkisian, Kyle Flood and company court him once he is on campus for his first look at the program. 

April 3

While it's not a surprise, it's still worth noting. 

Texas is all in on five-star wide receiver recruit and in-state star Micah Hudson. The Temple (Texas) Lake Belton standout continues to confirm as much any time he goes on the record, including over the weekend with On3. 

Hudson said UT and Texas Tech are the programs "all over him" among many that remain consistent within his recruitment. If the Longhorn staff and new wide receivers coach Chris Jackson can keep it up, the Texas offer will be tough to turn down even with Alabama, Ohio State and droves of others on the hunt. 

“I’m always talking to him,” Hudson told On3 about Jackson. “At least once or twice a week. He loves to check in, even if he just sends me a motivational quote."

Hudson is a five-star on every major outlet aside from ESPN, ranked as highly as No. 6 overall by Rivals. 

APRIL 1

The Texas Longhorns have landed in the top-5 finalists for 2024 four-star offensive tackle Blake Frazier.

The 6-foot-6, 280-pound pass blocker out of Vandergrift (Austin, TX) also had Michigan, Clemson, Florida, and LSU listed amongst his final group.

Frazier explained why the Longhorns made the cut in an interview with On3.

“Having grown up in Austin I’ve probably gone to more Longhorn games than any other school,” Frazier said. “The Longhorns are a staple within the city and everyone of my friends loves them and everywhere you go it’s a Hook ‘Em shirt. It’s hard to hate the horns and I definitely have enjoyed the process with them being in it.”

MARCH 30

The Texas Longhorns lost their last priority 2023 recruit on Thursday night, when Five-star and No. 1 overall tight end Duce Robinson committed to the USC Trojans. 

Robinson picked the Trojans over Texas, Georgia and Alabama. 

Robinson, who stands 6-6 and weighs in at 225 pounds, could have fit a variety of needs for the Longhorns from his tight end spot, whether it be lining up on the line, in the slot, or as an outside receiver in the red zone.

And as evidenced by his 2021 season, in which he caught 60 passes for 972 yards and eight touchdowns, while also taking snaps as a rusher and even a quarterback at times, he could handle the load. 

However, Texas must now find that kind of weapon elsewhere, either through the transfer portal, or the 2024 class.

MARCH 28

One of the state's top prospects, and certainly a local priority, will soon trim his list. 

When that step happens, it would appear Texas making the cut is a relatively safe bet for Blake Frazier. The Austin (Texas) Vandegrift standout was also on campus for the most recent big visit weekend. 

Texas has been up and down with its hyper local football recruiting in recent cycles, but Frazier has a strong rapport with Steve Sarkisian, Kyle Flood and the like. He did post about the tremendous unofficial visit over the weekend and mentioned future visits, tipping the public of Texas' likely inclusion in his top group. 

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound offensive line recruit is also extremely coveted, boasting offers more than two dozen programs. Michigan recently hosted him while Clemson, Florida, LSU, Oregon and others are involved. 

Frazier is currently pegged as highly as the nation's No. 4 offensive tackle recruit (Rivals).

MARCH 23

The son of one of the NFL's most famous running backs of the 2000's has become a national football recruit and Texas will soon host the class of 2024 recruit for a visit. 

Willis McGahee IV, the son of the former Miami Hurricanes and NFL running back by the same name, is hitting the road this spring with more offers and attention attached to his name. 

The younger McGahee is a linebacker recruit now playing at Miami (Fla.) Columbus High School within a stacked front-seven unit, and he arrived with plenty of scholarship offers in tow. 

Now, more could be on the way as the 6-foot-2, 228-pound 'backer hits the road, including a scheduled stop at the University of Texas this weekend. The March 25 trip will be his first documented trip to Austin as a prospect. 

MARCH 21

Corian Gipson put it simply on social media Monday evening. 

He's taking an official visit to Texas during his birthday weekend, also coinciding with other big UT targets like Jerrick Gibson and Daniel Calhoun making a return to Austin in late June. 

The stacked visitors should begin arriving on Friday, June 23 and stay for the allotted 48 hours on Texas' dime. Per On3, Gipson has other spring trips ahead of the return to Texas, too, including Ohio State and Oklahoma in April.

Texas offered Gipson way back in January 2022, more than one year ago. He told the outlet he is in communication with Steve Sarkisian "all the time."

The speedy secondary projection out of Lancaster (Texas) High School is a blue-chip recruit across the recruiting industry, ranked as high as the nation's No. 4 cornerback projection by On3.

MARCH 17

One of the best in Texas has frequented Austin and at least one more trip to town is set to go down before a verbal commitment is to be made. 

Blake Ivy, the League City (Texas) Clear Springs star offensive lineman, earned his offer while in town for UT camp last summer. As the battle for his services heats up with fellow SEC members Texas A&M, LSU and beyond, the Longhorns will have another chance to soon impress the 6-foot-4, 270-pounder.

Ivy recently told Brian Perroni Texas has a strong chance to host him for an official visit during the offseason, though a date has yet to be set for the trip. 

Texas has a pair of verbal commitments in the class of 2024, each from within state lines, though neither is projected to play along the offensive line. 

MARCH 14

Any time Colin Simmons cane make it to town, it's national news. 

The five-star pass rusher out of Duncanville (Texas) High School is one of the most coveted prospects in the country regardless of position, and the Longhorns are of course working overtime to keep him within state lines. 

Per Chad Simmons of On3, Simmons now has a return visit set for Austin for next weekend, March 25. Per the outlet, this will be Simmons' fifth time on the 40 Acres as a top recruit, meaning he can make it a cool half-dozen should he elect to use one of his official visits with Steve Sarkisian's program.

Texas won't be the sole program hosting the five-star going forward, however, as Colorado, Texas A&M and USC are also on the busy spring swing he aims to take.

MARCH 9

Another top 'back in the Sunshine State is high on Steve Sarkisian and Texas. 

While UT has 2023 No. 1 running back Cedric Baxter on campus and is trending for 2024 No. 1 Jerrick Gibson, each from Florida, another from the state is trimming his list with the Horns held up high. 

Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola rising-junior back Taevion Swint cut his list to eight programs on Thursday and UT made the cut, he announced via social media.

Texas originally got in the game for Swint last fall, extending an offer his way in September via Tashard Choice. As a sophomore last fall, he rushed for more than 1,600 yards and notched 20 touchdowns through 14 games.

Swint trimmed his list from nearly 20 scholarship offers by more than one half. 

MARCH 7

A former Fort Worth-area star now prepping at IMG Academy is set to be in Austin on Friday. 

Jordon Johnson-Rubell, a four-star who was a freshman All-American secondary selection at Fort Worth (Texas) Brewer back in 2020, told Rivals he will be back in Austin on Friday. 

The unofficial visit will be critical for Texas to hang around in a recruitment that has gone national. Even just for the visit swing, Johnson-Rubell will also see Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Colorado and TCU. 

The Horned Frogs will get him on campus Thursday, so the timing there favors UT as he will be on campus during the Horns' Friday spring practice. 

The versatile secondary player, who could work safety or nickel in college, appears to be in no rush to make a verbal commitment at this time.

MARCH 6

Like many coveted prospects looking to make the most of big recruiting weekends like the first after a dead period, Sael Reyes visited a pair of rivals on back-to-back days. 

On Saturday, he checked out the Texas Longhorns and on Sunday he was in to see Texas A&M.

The DeSoto (Texas) High School class of 2025 standout got good news on the front end of the trip, earning a UT offer. 

A former East St. Louis (Ill.) standout before the move to Texas this year, Reyes is catching up to lofty recruiting expectations within the family. His older brother is former Texas A&M defensive back Antonio Johnson and he already had the Aggie offer in-hand. 

Reyes told multiple outlets he plans on returning to both in-state powers, sky high on each rival program while Oklahoma appears to be the next trip in mind.

MARCH 3

On3 connected with top Texas Longhorn in-state target Kobe Black this week, and Steve Sarkisian's program remains in the thick of this recruitment.

"They don’t sugarcoat anything," Black said of Texas. "They always tell the truth. There are good vibes there. 

"Everything’s cool there.”

Black, who was offered by Terry Joseph more than one year ago, was most recently in Austin again in January. He is planning several visits into the future and the expectation is for the Waco (Texas) Connally five-star recruit.

Texas A&M, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and others are also involved for one of the nation's top athletes in the class of 2024.

FEB 28

The Texas Longhorns have been seriously trending as of late for the nation's No. 1 overall running back, Jerrick Gibson. 

Now, according to the major recruiting services, it appears that the Longhorns could be running away with his recruitment. 

On Sunday night, Rivals.com predicted Gibson to commit to the Longhorns, which was quickly followed the next morning by a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports analyst Steve Wiltfong in favor of Texas as well. 

And on Monday afternoon, that trend continued, with On3's prediction machine being updated to give the Longhorns a 78.1-percent chance to land the five-star recruit.

Other schools in the running for Gibson, include Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.

FEB 27

One of the top offensive tackles in the class of 2024 will take an official visit to Austin before all is said and done.

Daniel Calhoun, the Marietta (Ga.) Walton standout offensive lineman checking in at a staggering 6-foot-6, 350 pounds, told reporters at the Under Armour Atlanta camp on Sunday he has multiple official visits locked in. 

Texas will get one of them, the last of four currently scheduled, during the weekend of June 24. Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee have the other trips scheduled at this time. 

Calhoun is working with a top 10 he put out in January, but the official visits suggest the list could be narrowing sooner rather than later. Texas hosted Calhoun last spring for an unofficial visit, kick-starting the connection between he and offensive line coach Kyle Flood. 

In another interview Sunday, Calhoun admitted he would like to see his recruitment end early in the 2023 season. 

FEB 24

Texas is still in the game for the No. 1 tight end recruit in the class of 2025, per On3. 

Davon Mitchell, the Los Alamitos (Calif.) High School star sophomore cut his list of more than 30 scholarship offers in about one third on Friday evening, trimming to 11 top programs, including Texas among others. 

Steve Sarkisian's program has hosted the Lone Star State native, who moved to California after his run at Allen (Texas) High School, in the past -- but another trip to Austin would help keep the Longhorns involved in the contested recruitment. 

Mitchell, who was offered by UT last summer, caught 33 passes for 731 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022, per MaxPreps. 

FEB 23

To create buzz as a freshman, at quarterback, is no easy feat. But when you're the reigning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year like Julian Lewis is (ala Arch Manning in 2019), it comes a bit easier. 

So do the 30-plus scholarships already to the class of 2026 quarterback's name. Texas is among the many and he has already been to Austin, now we know when he will return. 

March 24, per 247Sports.

Lewis is the eye of the rising-sophomore class after a brilliant 2022 campaign quarterbacking Carrollton (Ga.) High School to a 14-1 state championship runner-up season in the fall. Through the freshman campaign, the coveted passer racked up a staggering 4,118 passing yards and 48 touchdowns against strong competition.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder was offered by UT last summer after an unofficial visit and was back in town as recently as October. 

FEB 22

Texas landed a No. 1 RB recruit nationally, with Florida roots, to close the class of 2023 in Cedric Baxter. 

Can it do the same in 2024 with Jerrick Gibson?

The IMG Academy superstar has long been a fan of Tashard Choice and Texas, and each party may soon spend considerable time together for an official visit in the month of June, according to 247Sports. Multiple official visit windows were included in the report with Texas' trip slated at the tail-end of the month, around the weekend of June 24.

"I just feel like Coach Choice, he just keeps everything true with you," Gibson told LonghornsCountry.com last season. "He's very genuine ... he doesn't hold back anything, he's just gonna tell you what it is and how it is, and I think that's very important when you going to college cause you don't wanna go nowhere where they are just lying to you all the time."

247Sports ranks Gibson as the top running back recruit in the junior class at this time. In 2022, he helped IMG Academy to an 8-1 national record and averaged better than seven yards per carry, per MaxPreps. 

FEB 21

One of Texas' newest targets will soon see Austin for the first time as a recruit. 

Darien Mayo, a towering 6-foot-7 edge rusher from Olney (Md.) Good Counsel, will be checking out Texas among many other spring visits on April 3, according to Brian Dohn. 

The blue-chip recruit, who was just offered by Steve Sarkisian's coaching staff in late January, holds more than two dozen scholarship offers to his name to date. 

Additional spring visits to Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame are also upcoming for Mayo, per the report. 

As a junior in 2022, he accounted for 33 total tackles, including four for loss and two sacks in just six games per MaxPreps. 

FEB 17

Texas has its hands full if it wants to keep the state's top wide receiver recruit within state lines in the class of 2024. 

According to Rivals, Ohio State and Texas Tech are all among the favorites for Temple (Texas) Lake Belton wide receiver Micah Hudson. The outlet is framing the early stages of the recruitment as an Ohio State versus Texas battle for the blue-chip pass catcher, at a minimum. 

"Ohio State is a school to watch for Hudson because of its success developing receivers but Texas is absolutely a real player along with Texas Tech because he has great relationships with the coaches in Lubbock. There are many others in the mix, too," Rivals National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney wrote this week.

More than 30 programs have offered Hudson a scholarship to date, with Florida being the latest to jump in this week.

Rivals tabs Hudson as the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2024, second among wide receivers. He spent time in Austin last month.

FEB 16

Polynesian Bowl All-Star offensive lineman and blue-chip Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei junior DeAndre Carter has plenty of suitors. 

However, according to his interview with 247Sports this week, only a handful of programs are pushing with more consistency than the rest. 

Texas, which recently hosted the 6-foot-4, 340-pounder for an unofficial visit, is in that group. 

“The school’s recruiting me the hardest right now are probably Penn State, Texas, Tennessee, USC, Michigan and Georgia," Carter told Greg Biggins. "I’ve been to all of those schools except Michigan but I really enjoyed all of them."

Carter was on campus at the end of January but has been a Steve Sarkisian and Kyle Flood target since extending an offer his way in late January 2022.

FEB 15

The new week was met with new rankings at Rivals, and Texas' best were well represented. 

The outlet has a pair of Lone Star State natives among its newest five-stars in No. 3 overall recruit Colin Simmons out of Duncanville (Texas) and No. 6 overall recruit Micah Hudson out of Lake Belton (Texas). Each is of course a priority for Steve Sarkisian's coaching staff and has been on campus of late.

The five-star measure was extended to 17 players nationally, with the rest of the Rivals 250 updated later in the week, with Texans Justin Williams (OLB), Kobe Black (CB), DJ Lagway (QB) and Dre'Lon Miller (WR) all within the top 50. Of the bunch, only Lagway is verbally committed to date (Florida). 

FEB 9

One of the best in the state of Texas has trimmed his offer list and the Longhorns have made the cut. 

James Peoples, out of San Antonio (Texas) Veterans Memorial, trimmed more than 20 scholarship offers down to a half-dozen on Thursday. Along with the Longhorns, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio State and TCU made the cut.

Peoples has frequented Austin as an underclassmen recruit, returning several times in 2022, including for camp in the summer when the UT offer was initially extended his way. 

As a junior, Peoples ran for nearly 2,000 yards and scored 28 touchdowns on the ground. 

FEB 8

Another blue-chip recruit has trimmed his list, meaning Texas is still in the running moving forward. 

Avery Hampton, wide receiver out of Daingerfield (Texas) High School, trimmed his list and announced seven programs still in the running via social media. Along with UT, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, LSU, Michigan and Nebraska are still in the race. 

“It has always been love from the whole staff at Texas, even from the fans!” Hampton told On3. “Coach Sark is a great coach that lets his receivers run down the field. I’m a deep threat receiver, so if I was to go to Texas, it would be a great fit.” 

Feb 7

There is not a more anticipated recruiting decision in college football remaining than the choice of five-star No. 1 tight end, Duce Robinson. 

And that decision now has a deadline. 

According to Robinson in an interview with 247Sports, he will make his choice no later than April 1.

“April 1st is the cut-off date so I’ll have a decision by then,” Robinson told 247Sports on Saturday following the Day 1 workout at USC’s Dedeaux Field. “As far as when that date might be, I couldn’t really tell you. A hundred percent plan on committing and signing to a school and being there whenever move-in day is.”

Robinson will make his decision between Georgia, USC and Texas, with his ability to place baseball in college also a major part of the process. 

Does that play in the Longhorns favor? That has yet to be determined. 

Either way, Robinson is the Longhorns' top remaining target on the board, and would certainly be the 'cherry on top' of their already elite 2023 haul.

Feb 1

No. 1 tight end Duce Robinson did not commit or sign his letter of intent on Wednesday, as he continues to consider all of his options. 

And following the conclusion of National Signing Day, Robinson explained that decision to 247Sports.

“To be honest, it’s just a flat out, we’re not sure where we want to go yet,” Robinson said in the interview. “It’s been a long process. It’s been a fun process, but just don’t have that conviction yet. When I make my decision, I want to be at peace with it. I want to be fully convicted. I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to be there for hopefully three years but maybe more.”

Robinson, the Longhorns' top remaining target on the board, does plan on making a decision before summer move-in day, however, and would certainly be the 'cherry on top' of their already elite 2023 haul.

“As of right now, the plan is fluid,” Robinson said. “I plan on making a decision at some point, hopefully before move-in day. I want to go through summer workouts with those guys. I want to play early. I want to get the scheme down and everything. Get the playbook in. I plan on making a decision before move-in day and then just seeing where the draft will take us from there.”

Jan 31

Can Texas finish the class of 2023 with the best player at one of the sport's most important positions?

Longtime college football recruiting expert Mike Farrell is predicting yes for Texas relative to the No. 1 tight end recruit, Duce Robinson. 

"My prediction here is going to surprise a lot of people, but I really like Texas to grab Robinson," Farrell wrote Tuesday. "He would be a great addition to this already stacked class that includes Arch Manning."

Robinson has admitted the appeal to play alongside Manning, though most analyst view the race as one between initial favorite USC and emerging threat Georgia. 

"You know, (Arch and I) just text about life about how we're doing, but, but every once in a while, you know, he'll, he'll just ask me where I'm at in the process," Robinson said last month. "But we text consistently probably once or twice a week. Any time we're together, we really enjoy spending time with each other. I think it would be a lot of fun to catch passes from him."

There is also the thought that Robinson could delay a final decision, perhaps beyond National Signing Day itself. 

Jan 30

The college football world will know for sure in 48 hours time, but the growing expectation throughout the industry is that Texas is in position to flip TCU commitment Warren Roberson to cap the 2023 class. 

The Red Oak (Texas) High School star, as physically developed as any senior recruit, spent the last weekend of the open recruiting period in Austin for his final official visit. He originally committed to TCU on Halloween.

Should Texas complete the change of heart, it would round out an already-strong secondary haul of seniors including top five players at cornerback (Malik Muhammad) and safety (Derek Williams). The On3 Consensus tabs Roberson as the No. 270 overall prospect in the country, No. 19 among safety projections.

Jan 28

As the class of 2023 winds down towards National Signing Day on Wednesday, there is a new senior recruit Texas fans need to keep a close eye on. 

Warren Roberson, longtime TCU secondary commitment out of Red Oak (Texas) High School, is expected to be in Austin for an official visit this weekend per multiple reports. 

Committed to the Horned Frogs since Halloween, Roberson's stock as a versatile defensive back has continued to rise beyond the end of his senior campaign. Also a track and field standout, Texas became increasingly involved since early in the fall with an offer on September 5.

A physically-imposing presence at 6-foot, 200 pounds, Roberson is already familiar with Austin so plenty of eyeballs will be on this return trip to town just before pen meets paper on Wednesday.

Jan 26

One of Texas' most recent visitors has trimmed his list and the Longhorns have made the cut. 

Kolaj Cobbins, the Destrehan (La.) High School linebacker fresh off of a state championship run in 2022, announced his top six programs of consideration amid nearly 20 FBS scholarship offers. In addition to Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, Michigan, Oregon and Colorado made the cut. 

Cobbins was just in Austin last weekend for the Longhorns' big junior day event, where he reported a "great time." 

UT did very well in the state of Louisiana in the class of 2023, not only of course signing Arch Manning, but also top-five safety projection Derek Williams in the process.

Jan 23

January is rankings season in the college football recruiting landscape, and variance around top class of 2023 Texas signees continues. 

ESPN updated its ESPN 300 and sure enough, at the top, there were a lot of elite quarterbacks. One sat at No. 1, in Malachi Nelson (USC signee), while Dante Moore (UCLA) and Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma) round out the top three. The only other quarterback in the top five and among top 10 prospects, overall, is Arch Manning. 

The update is the latest in what has been a momentous final call by most of the top outlets covering recruiting. As of Monday morning, this is where Manning ranks overall:

SI: No. 9

ESPN: No. 5

On3: No. 3

Rivals: No. 1

247Sports: No. 1

Of course it matters little where Manning, already on campus in Austin, is ranked in the end. He is already hard at work with his new UT teammates. 

Jan 21

2024 Wide Receiver Micah Hudson was set to miss his visit to the 40 Acres this weekend, due to a timing conflict with a training session in Waco. 

However, per 247Sports, Hudson has now moved that training session, and has made his way to Austin after all on Saturday. 

“I haven’t been down to Austin in a while so I moved my training session to make time for the visit," Hudson told Jordan Scruggs.

Jan 20

The Longhorns were set to host top 2024 wide receiver Micah Hudson this weekend for the Junior Day Event. 

However, it looks like that will no longer be the case, with Hudson now expected to attend a training session in Waco.

The Longhorns will remain firmly in the race for Hudson, however, despite this timing conlict.

Jan 19

The list for this weekend's Texas recruiting visitors grows by the hour. 

At last check Thursday, many new names dot the list like blue-chip running back Taylor Tatum. He pairs with IMG Academy's Jerrick Gibson among the headliners. Other top offensive targets expected include elite wide receiver Micah Hudson and offensive tackle Michael Uini, per On3 Sports. 

The Longhorns hold a trio of 2024 commitments to date and many, including cornerback Jaden Allen, are also expected back in Austin over the weekend. 

Jan 15

The Texas Longhorns have had great success recruiting running backs in the Steve Sarkisian era. 

And it appears that could continue in the 2024 cycle. 

According to reports, the. No. 1 overall running back in the 2024 class, IMG Academy five-star Jerrick Gibson, will visit the Longhorns for their junior day event next weekend. 

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound back rushed 83 times for 608 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games. 

He is also heavily considering Georgia and Tennessee and has been compared to former Bulldogs running back, Sony Michel.

Jan 13

When it comes to one of the nation's most coveted 2024 recruits, Texas is in the thick of the race. 

Micah Hudson, the electric wide receiver recruit out of Temple (Texas) Lake Belton, isn't close to narrowing his vast list of programs to his name. However, when that time comes, UT will stay in the hunt. Ohio State and Texas Tech are in similar spots. 

“What keeps me interested in them is it’s just Texas football,” Hudson told On3's Chad Simmons. “Texas football is always gonna be known for having great athletes, good football players and things like that. It’s really the culture and that’s pretty much what it is. 

"They(‘ve) got a good coaching staff and they may have lost a few people and things like that, but I do like the staff there.”

According to 247Sports, Hudson has about 30 scholarship offers before his senior football season begins. 

Jan 12

A trio of Texas Longhorns signees picked up a strong, national honor this week as Maxpreps All-Americans. 

A pair play the same position, too, in wide receivers Johntay Cook and DeAndre Moore. Cook notched the first team honor while Moore occupied one of the wideout slots on the second team. 

Defensively, one of the most recent UT additions in Tausili Akana, made the cut. The Utah native was named to the second team thanks to a state title run which included 21 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks for the freshman-to-be.

JAN 11

One of the top secondary prospects in the country has narrowed his list.

IMG Academy's Jordon Johnson-Rubell announced a top group of schools on Tuesday and the University of Texas still in the running. 

Alabama and Ole Miss were the only other SEC programs to make the cut for the 2024 class standout, who is originally from the state of Texas. The 12 programs still in the running span the country, so this recruitment appears far from over.

UT originally joined the mix back in May 2022 while Johnson-Rubell, who is already committed to play in the 2024 Under Armour Next All-America Game, was in Austin for an unofficial visit. 

JAN 7

And the rich get richer. 

On Saturday during the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, the Longhorns awaited word on one of the top prospects in the 2024 class, in St. John Bosco safety, Peyton Woodyard. 

Unfortunately for the Longhorns, it didn't go their way, with Woodyard committing to the defending national champion, Georgia Bulldogs. 

The Longhorns were rumored to have made a serious move for Woodyard in recent days, but in the end it was not enough, as Woodyard becomes a cornerstone piece of the 2024 class for Kirby Smart

JAN 6

Another day, another honor for Arch Manning. 

On Friday morning, Gatorade announced its finalists for the National Player of the Year Award in football and the Longhorn enrollee was among the trio named alongside Oklahoma's Jackson Arnold and USC's Malachi Nelson. The group of quarterbacks each won state Player of the Year honors as well, with Manning representing Louisiana. 

Manning led New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman to another deep playoff run, within a new offense, throwing for 2,305 yards and 34 touchdowns while rushing for 378 yards and four more scores. For his storied prep career, in which he set various program records as a four-year starter, Manning tallied 8,683 yards and 115 touchdowns passing.

The winner of the national award will be announced at a later date in January. 

JAN 5

There are 16 members of the Texas Longhorns 2023 recruiting class that are coming in as early enrollees in the spring semester. 

And on Thursday, some those players began to arrive on campus, including star No. 1 quarterback, Arch Manning. 

Some players have yet to make it to Austin, due to other obligations and all-star games, but the Longhorns will have all 16 players enrolled and on campus by the start of the spring semester.

JAN 3

Texas signed a top-five recruiting class on December 21, and while it still has top prospects on the board yet to decide like No. 1 tight end Duce Robinson, some of the Early Signing Period victories came by narrow margins. 

Pass-rusher Tausili Akana certainly qualified as one, as most of the recruiting industry considered him an Oklahoma lean late in his recruitment. 

The Utah native, who registered 25 sacks as a high school upperclassman, detailed how close things were with 247Sports while checking in at the All-American Bowl.

“I kind of knew where I wanted to be in that final week,” Akana said. “Coach Steve Sarkisian called me talking about all the great things I could accomplish in Austin and what I could do for that program. 

"They’ve got a great culture and the class we’ve got coming in is special, so I’m excited to be a part of what the coaches are building.”

DEC 30 

The Texas Longhorns finished the 2023 Early Singing Period with one of the nation's top classes, but there is still plenty of talent left of the board for them to pursue. 

So who is left for the Horns? 

Check out the list of top targets below: 

TE Duce Robinson - Pinnacle (Phoenix, AZ)

- Uncommitted, considering Texas, Alabama, Georgia and USC. Signing in February.

WR Ja'Kobi Lane - Red Mountain (Mesa, AZ)

- Committed to USC, Signing in February.

DB Tyler Scott - Pebblebrook (Mableton, GA)

- Uncommitted, considering Texas, Alabama, Auburn, and USC. Signing in February.

ATH/LB Jelani McDonald - Connally (Waco, TX)

- Uncommitted, considering Texas, TCU and Oklahoma State. Announcing Jan 7 

DECEMBER 22

The saga of the recruitment for 5-Star safety prospect Peyton Bowen has finally come to an end, with the Guyer (Denton, TX) product finally committing to the Oklahoma Sooners on Thursday. 

Bowen had flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Oregon on Early Signing Day Wednesday morning, but did not submit his national letter of intent to the Ducks. 

And just one day later, the former Texas target has now flipped from Oregon to Oklahoma, joining his high school teammate, quarterback Jackson Arnold. 

DECEMBER 21

The Texas Longhorns hoped to flip and sign one of the top receivers in the 2023 class on Wednesday in Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco Prep star, DeAndre Moore. 

However, Moore was reportedly absent from the signing ceremony, and will is not expected to sign anywhere on Wednesday.

DECEMBER 19

If there was any question remaining about the Texas Longhorns holding on to 2023 No. 1 overall running back Cedric Baxter, they are now answered, with Baxter reaffirming his commitment and announcing that he will be signing with UT on Wednesday at noon.

This fall, Baxter debuted as the top running back in the 2023 SI99 and the number 21 player overall.

He chose Texas over Texas A&M, Florida, and Miami, and despite late pushes from those programs, as well as Florida State, Baxter remains a Longhorn.

Baxter possesses day-one starting ability at the next level, and will compete for the job next year with current Texas running backs Jonathon Brooks and Jaydon Blue.

Over the last two seasons at Edgewater, Baxter had 376 carries for 3.093 yards and 41 touchdowns.

DECEMBER 17

One of the most coveted young quarterback recruits in the country is back on the market.

Accorrding to various reports Saturday morning, Dylan Raiola backed off of his verbal commitment to Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Before that point, the Chandler (Ariz.) High School star racked up more than two-dozen scholarship offers, including from Texas.

The news came after considerable turnover in college football this fall, including in-state Arizona State hiring Kenny Dillingham as head coach and Nebraska bringing in Matt Rhule from the NFL. Raiola has considerable family ties to the Cornhusker program, where his father Dominic was an All-American center.

As a junior in 2022, Raiola posted a 22:5 touchdown to interception ratio. He earned his offer from Steve Sarkisian on a visit to Austin in September of 2021.

DECEMBER 16

A former Texas Longhorn verbal commitment has found a new home. 

In-state defensive back standout Jamel Johnson, the Arlington (Texas) Seguin safety who was committed to UT for nearly one year, announced his pledge to TCU on Friday. 

The Horned Frogs, Ole Miss and Arkansas were among the programs most interested in Johnson surrounding the Texas recruitment.  

DECEMBER 15

On Thursday the Longhorns landed a commitment from linebacker Brady Sarkisian out of Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach, California. The linebacker is the son of coach Steve Sarkisian. 

DECEMBER 14

There has been a lot of buzz in and out of Austin surrounding SI99 slot receiver and longtime Longhorns commitment Ryan Niblett. The Houston native took an official visit to the University of Houston over the weekend, creating plenty of angst for UT fans late in the recruiting cycle. 

While the Cougars aren't considered to be on the outside looking in just yet, multiple reports say wide receiver coach Brennan Marion has been key in helping Texas hold off the late flip attempt. Not only has the wide receiver coach worked the phones with the Niblett camp, he stopped by for an in-person session before the UH official took place. 

UH has already flipped one Texas wide receiver commitment in Jonah Wilson, who made the local switch in October. 

DECEMBER 12

Just over one week from the beginning of the Early Signing Period, Texas is in the mix to bolster a top five recruiting class with big names. 

From No. 1 tight end Duce Robinson to California wide receiver Deandre Moore and former Texas A&M linebacker commitment Anthony Hill, UT has a shot to finish the cycle on the highest of notes. 

Arch Manning is pitching in down the stretch, too. 

“We’re working on Deandre Moore from Bosco in California, he’s a good player,” Manning told 247Sports. “We’ve got to make sure everyone stays and signs and I’m working on (five-star tight end) Duce Robinson, he’s a stud, we need him. And obviously (five-star linebacker) Anthony Hill.”

Manning will enroll at UT in January.

DECEMBER 11

The weekend around Texas football recruiting was largely focused on prospects in the state clinching state championship-game births like Johntay Cook and Tre Wisner at DeSoto High School, which upset Denton Guyer and Oklahoma-bound quarterback Jackson Arnold on Friday night. 

Beyond that, it's about visitors to UT, including a unique defensive line target in Justin Benton. The longtime West Virginia commitment from Georgia spent the weekend in Austin and shared pictures from his Texas photo shoot via social media on Saturday. 

Benton, who was named Class 7A-Region 4 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, was offered by UT at the end of October. In early December, Texas defensive line coach Bo Davis went in-home with the interior projection. The visit was then set to Austin, his second trip to a program other than the one he has been committed to. Benton also visited Arkansas for a November official visit. 

West Virginia hosted Benton for an official visit in June, just before he committed to Neal Brown's program. 

DECEMBER 7

Some six weeks after earning a scholarship offer from Texas, the Longhorns have made the next big cut for coveted class of 2024 wide receiver recruit Jordan Anderson. 

The Long Beach (Calif.) Millikan standout has amassed more than two dozen scholarship offers to date, but cut his list to seven programs via social media Wednesday. 

In addition to UT, USC, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Colorado and Michigan made the top group for Anderson. Several of the programs in the Pac-12 footprint, as well as Michigan, have hosted Anderson on campus within the last year or so. 

It appears as if Texas' next step would be to get the top junior on campus. 

DECEMBER 2

December 15 is the date all of college football has long awaited relative to arguably the top available secondary recruit in the country. 

A top five nickel recruit on SI All-American, Arlington (Texas) Martin defensive back Javien Toviano amassed dozens of scholarship offers over the years. He also spent considerable time on the road in 2022, and now he has the verbal commitment date as well as finalists Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, Georgia and Michigan.

Toviano announced the news via social media on Friday evening. 

The Early Signing Period opens up on December 21, the first day class of 2023 prospects can sign a National Letter of Intent for their college of choice.

2. One of the top juniors in the Lone Star State has trimmed his list of scholarship offers and Texas remains in the hunt.

Payton Pierce, the Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy two-sport star who projects as a premiere linebacker in the 2024 class, announced a top 10 on social media Friday. Along with UT, Texas A&M, Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Baylor, Arkansas, TCU, Tennessee and Oklahoma State made the cut. Pierce has a wrestling state championship to his name, too. 

Texas joined the race for his services back in February. He has since visited Austin several times, including for a home game this fall.

While a cut to 10 may not seem significant, it's a strong step for the Pierce, who has amassed more than 30 scholarship offers to date. 

NOVEMBER 30

The surprising decision from David Shaw, who stepped down from Stanford over the weekend, continues to reverberate in college football recruiting. 

Many Stanford football commitments are entertaining other scholarship offers while others are new targets of other programs. Add Texas to the list when it comes to Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon defensive lineman Cameron Brandt. 

Texas targeted the senior, who registered 61 total tackles and four sacks in 2022, with a new scholarship offer this week via Bo Davis.

The above is also Brandt's pinned Tweet on the social media platform, meaning it is the first post anyone visiting his page would see. 

Texas holds a top five recruiting class on SI All-American, with several targets still to be decided come Early Signing Day and/or beyond. 

NOVEMBER 29

The Texas Longhorns have lost a major commitment, in 2024 wide receiver pledge, Aeryn Hampton. 

Hampton de-committed from the program via Twitter. 

He was one of three commits for the 2024 class for Texas. 

Athlete Hunter Modden and defensive back Jaden Allen still remain firm with the Longhorns 

NOVEMBER 24

Priority Texas Longhorns defensive line target Johnny Bowens announced his commitment to Oregon on Thanksgiving Day, picking the Ducks over the Horns and the Texas A&M Aggies. 

Bowens was originally an Aggies' commitment, before committing earlier this year. 

He is one of the top defensive line recruits in the state of Texas.

NOVEMBER 14

The Texas Longhorns could be on the verge of adding one of the top linebackers in the class of 2023.

Per On3, the Longhorns are "in the driver's seat" when it comes to snagging a commitment from Ryan (Denton, TX) 2023 linebacker Anthony Hill, who decommitted from Texas A&M last week.

Hill is already out hunting for his collegiate destination, which now appears to favor the Longhorns. He was in Austin Saturday to watch Texas' 17-10 loss to the No. 4 TCU Horned Frogs. Hill was joined by other recruits, most notably 2023 Texas quarterback commit Arch Manning.

The full list of visitors can be viewed here.

NOVEMBER 11

As if this Saturday's matchup vs. No. 4 TCU wasn't big enough already, the No. 18 Texas Longhorns are set to host a star-studded list of visitors this weekend. 

And now, according to reports, it appears Texas is pulling out the big gun to help make their case this weekend, with star QB commit Arch Manning expected to make his way to Austin as well. 

Since his commitment, Manning has long been one of the Horns' top recruiters, and with so many top recruits heading to the 40 Acres, Manning's presence will be crucial to Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns selling their vision for the program. 

You can view the full list of visitors, which includes star Denton Ryan linebacker Anthony Hill, and defensive back Javien Toviano, here. 

NOVEMBER 9

The Texas vs. TCU matchup will bring star recruits out to Austin all weekend long and while most of the focus is with the class of 2023, the 2024 group will be able to hold its end of the blue-chip spectrum as well. 

One of the headliners among top juniors expected confirmed his plans to be back at UT Wednesday in Colin Simmons, he posted on social media.

Simmons, a star for Duncanville (Texas) High School, holds more than 40 scholarship offers to his name at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. 

Texas has been in this race for more than a year, extending an offer the junior's way last September. He has since been on campus multiple times. Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Texas A&M, LSU and scores of other programs are involved for Simmons at this time. 

NOVEMBER 7

One of Texas' top overall targets is back on the market. 

Shockwaves through college football were felt on Monday afternoon when Anthony Hill announced he was backing off of his commitment to Texas A&M. The Denton (Texas) Ryan linebacker, ranked top 50 in the SI99, had been on board with Jimbo Fisher's program since late July after a round of official visits. 

One of those trips, naturally, was to Texas during the weekend of June 24. Each of Hill's five allotted official visit trips has already been taken, with A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma and USC also receiving trips from him.

In a report from On3, Hill said he doesn't plan on making another decision until December. 247Sports reports Hill making plans to visit Texas this coming weekend for the TCU showdown. 

NOVEMBER 3

When Texas commitment and SI99 cornerback Malik Muhammad showed up on a Texas A&M visit in October, of course there was worry from the Longhorn side of social media. 

However, according to On3, not much should have been made of the trip. In fact, Muhammad told the outlet of his excitement to enroll at UT in January in addition to getting back to Austin for the TCU game the weekend of November 12. 

Muhammad, ranked as the nation's No. 2 cornerback per SI, is close to several future Longhorns on the commitment list. 

NOVEMBER 2

Texas will have a hat on the table for the top uncommitted offensive lineman in Alabama's ceremony next week. 

Vysen Lang, a 2021 state champion interior offensive line projection from Pike Road (Ala.) High School, announced intentions to come off the board next Monday. In addition to Texas, in-state Auburn and fellow SEC programs Tennessee and LSU are the named finalists. 

Texas is the only program among the final four yet to host Lang for a visit this season. That lack of a visit didn't hurt the Longhorns with the commitment of Payton Kirkland earlier in the 2023 cycle, however. 

OCTOBER 28

One of the top wide receivers in the country will soon see Texas again. 

Austin Westlake star Jaden Greathouse will not only be in town for the Longhorns game against TCU the second week of November, but the trip will be an official visit, according to multiple reports. 

Greathouse remains committed to Notre Dame, where he went public with a pledge back in July, after official visits to South Bend, Oklahoma and South Carolina. It means he has up to two more trips remaining, not including the plans to get back to Austin.  

UT has continued to court Greathouse as it had before the commitment was made, with a need at the wide receiver position. The Longhorns hold commitments from fellow SI99 wide receivers Johntay Cook and Ryan Niblett to date. 

OCTOBER 27 

The Arch Manning era, at least in principle, is just around the corner after all. After some back-and-forth on potentially playing basketball for his senior season, Anwar Richardson reports the Manning camp has opted for early-enrollment at Texas. 

It means Manning will be on campus in Austin come January, instead of later in the year in May or June, when traditional enrollees kick off their collegiate career. 

The elite recruit, pegged top 10 overall by SI.com and No. 1 overall by other outlets, recently broke Peyton and Eli’s career passing records at New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman High School. 

OCTOBER 26

Texas has long been after one of the top wide receiver classes in the 2023 cycle and one of the best of the bunch is still considering the program despite a commitment elsewhere. 

DeAndre Moore, star at Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco, has ben committed to Louisville since May but Texas and Georgia continue to press for a potential flip. Moore and his family are likely to take an official visit to Austin next month, though the date isn't locked in just yet. 

"I've had a great relationship with Sark (Steve Sarkisian) and Coach (Jeff) Banks since eighth grade when he offered me to Alabama, so I've been knowing him for a while," Moore told SI All-American. "When I visited Texas I got to see the city. I love Austin. Austin is like L.A. away from L.A. really."

But the similarity to his hometown is just one factor in what's increasingly sounding like the perfect fit in Austin.

"Not to mention Coach (Brennan) Marion. Coach Marion is probably one of the best receiver coaches there is. He's a player's coach really. I know I can go there and he can develop into the best player I can be, so that's really why Texas is so appealing to me."

The 6-foot, 185-pound playmaker got to visit Texas during the offseason and reflected on the trip.

"I went out there with my family and I got to really tour the city," he said. "Really spend some time with Coach Marion. Got to pick his brain a little bit. Ask him a few questions about how I can get better and I just loved it really."

Moore is set to enroll at his program of choice in January. 

OCTOBER 25

UT is still in the mix for one of the nation’s top pass rushers. 

Tausili Akana, a Hawaii native with north of 40 scholarship offers to his name, announced a top 10 on Tuesday morning. In addition to Texas making the cut, Texas A&M, Hawaii, Notre Dame, LSU, Alabama, Utah, Oklahoma, Penn State and Tennessee also made the top group. 

Akana is well-traveled thus far in the recruiting process, originally visiting Austin back in the summer of 2021. He returned to campus as the Longhorns kicked off the season in September, for an official visit. 

LSU and Oklahoma also had Akana on campus for in-season official visits, while Texas A&M is scheduled to receive one in November. 

OCTOBER 16

One of Texas’ top remaining offensive targets will soon be in town. 

Per On3, Duce Robinson will be making an official visit to Austin on November 12 when TCU is in town. The No. 1 tight end in the country, per the SI99, Robinson has been busy on the visit trail since the summer months. USC, Georgia and Alabama have already hosted him for an official visit. 

Robinson recently told Longhorns Country about his interest in Steve Sarkisian’s program, admitting “it would be fun” to link up with Arch Manning at the next level.

OCTOBER 15

Coming off their 49-0 shutout win over the Oklahoma Sooners, the Texas Longhorns are set to host the Iowa State Cyclones in Austin Saturday morning. 

And in town to take in the festivities is Longhorns 2023 Isidore Newman (LA) quarterback commit Arch Manning. Take a look:

Manning is joined by his high school teammate and fellow Texas 2023 commit, tight end Will Randle. 

OCTOBER 12

Texas has one of the top recruiting classes in America for the 2023 cycle, but it has room left for new additions ahead of National Signing Day come December. 

A new name to monitor on that front learned the good news on Tuesday, as Jelani McDonald announced the news of his new Texas football offer on social media. The two-way Waco (Texas) Connally star, who also plays basketball, has been a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State football since July 1. 

Even before the offer news came down, the 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect had been alluding to taking a visit to Austin relatively soon. Earlier in the week, On3 reported he will likely visit this weekend with Iowa State in town.  

Many top Texas commitments, including Arch Manning, are expected back in Austin for the Big 12 matchup, so tracking McDonald is worth some attention moving forward.

OCTOBER 11

There was no shortage of reaction from the college football world following Texas' statement win over Oklahoma on Saturday. 

From commentators to coaches, fans and of course recruits -- plenty was said. 

For Texas commitment Cedric Baxter, the top back in the nation in the SI99 rankings, it was more proof of concept in how Steve Sarkisian utilized running backs in the win. 

"I think the way they just used the backs speaks for itself and why I committed there," Baxter told SBLive.

Star back Bijan Robinson rushed for 130 yards and a pair of scores while reserves Roschon Johnson and Keilan Robinson each averaged better than 6 yards per carry as well. The trio added six catches for 79 yards and a score (Robinson) in the win, too. 

OCTOBER 4

Arch Manning will be back in Austin this month. 

The elite recruit, who just broke his uncle's passing records at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, will take an unofficial visit to campus the weekend of October 15 when Iowa State is in town. The news was first reported by Inside Texas.

Manning, who committed to Texas and spurred the nation's hottest recruiting run in June, has led Newman to a 4-1 record thus far in 2022. The quarterback has started on varsity since his freshman season in 2019.

Texas holds a top-five consensus recruiting class of 2023 to date.

OCTOBER 3

Yet another top commitment for the Longhorns will take a visit to the Alabama Crimson Tide, in New Iberia (LA) safety Derek Williams, according to a report from On3's Sam Spiegelman.

The visit to Tuscaloosa will be an unofficial one for Williams. 

“This visit does loom large,” Spiegelman said. “Pete Golding is leading the recruitment for Derek Williams. Pete Golding is you know, he signed a player from New Iberia Westgate last year from Danny Lewis, who was wanted by LSU and Florida. He’s been a the lead guy and Derek’s recruitment for several years so I think that this visit has been a long time coming. Along with Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Miami are all still shooting their shot with Derek Williams."

Williams currently sits as the No. 2 safety and the No. 32 overall player in the 2023 SI99.

SEPTEMBER 29

According to a report, Longhorns defensive back commitment Malik Muhammad will take an official visit to Tuscaloosa for the Crimson Tide's matchup against Mississippi State.

It will be the fourth visit for Muhammad to Tuscaloosa. 

He will also take a visit to Texas A&M on October 29 against Ole Miss. Muhammad's high school teammate, Jayvon Thomas, is currently committed to the Aggies.

Muhammad originally committed to the Longhorns in July of this past summer. 

SEPTEMBER 21

In the wake of their loss of Jalen Hale to Alabama on Wednesday, the Texas Longhorns are set to receive an official visit from Louisville wide receiver commit DeAndre Moore of St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA), per reports.

Moore de-committed from Oklahoma in January before committing to Louisville on May 31.

Moore has visited Texas before, most recently in the spring of this year. 

According to the report, Moore will visit for one of the Longhorns' two home games in in November.

SEPTEMBER 20

The Texas Longhorns will hope to continue their recruiting momentum on Wednesday, September 21, with the announcement of wide receiver commitment Jalen Hale.

Hale will make his announcement at 12:30 pm live on the Longview Gameday Facebook and Youtube pages, and will be deciding between the Longhorns, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Georgia Bulldogs.

Hale is a fan of both Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, and incoming commit Arch Manning, which could give the Horns and Edge.

"It definitely helps Texas that Quinn Ewers is on campus because he can spin it," Hale told 247 Sports. "After Quinn, my QB would be Arch Manning so that's another thing that I look into."

SEPTEMBER 16

The Longhorns are set to host three elite visitors for their matchup vs. the UTSA Road Runners on Saturday, including two current commits in safety Derek Williams and running back Cedric Baxter. 

2024 recruit Jordon Johnson-Rubell will also make the trip to Austin. 

One of the top safety recruits in the 2024 class, Johnson-Rubell currently holds offers from Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, TCU, and Texas A&M among others. 

SEPTEMBER 8

Texas is set to receive a major visitor this weekend when Phoenix (Ariz.) Pinnacle SI99 tight end Duce Robinson heads to the 40 Acres for the Longhorns matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. 

"I’m going to take my official for the Texas-Bama game," Robinson told Longhorns Country. "I’m really looking forward to it. Me and coach (Jeff) Banks have been talking for a while. I visited up there last year at the end of July, and I really enjoyed my time there."

Robinson, who stands 6-6 and weighs in at 225 pounds, could fit a variety of needs for the Longhorns from his tight end spot, whether it be lining up on the line, in the slot, or as an outside receiver in the red zone.

And as evidenced by his 2021 season, in which he caught 60 passes for 972 yards and eight touchdowns, while also taking snaps as a rusher and even a quarterback at times, he could handle the load.

SEPTEMBER 2

One of Texas' top remaining football targets, Longview (Texas) High School wide receiver Jalen Hale, is closing in on a verbal commitment. 

The SI99 prospect, who says he is down to Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia, may be thinking about cutting the list ahead of the decision -- at least privately. 

On3's Chad Simmons reports two teams emerging at the forefront of the race, including the next two he is set to visit in Alabama and Texas. Hale will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend and then will see the Longhorns host the Crimson Tide in Austin on September 10. 

Hale is planning on revealing his college commitment on September 21.