Path to the top 5 for the Texas Longhorns 2024 class

One of the questions asked most frequently on Inside Texas and the OnTexasFootball youtube channel is where will the Texas Longhorns finish in the 2024 class rankings.

Steve Sarkisian and staff currently sport the No. 19 ranked class with 14 commitments. The Longhorns have a longer runway that the majority of classes ranked ahead of Texas right now. Georgia will sign the No. 1 class. That’s essentially a done deal. Ohio State is a virtual lock to finish No. 2 or 3. After that, everything in the class rankings is up for grabs. Of the 18 teams ahead of Texas as of Sunday morning, six already have 20 commitments or more. And five more have 18 commitments or more. That means Texas has plenty of room to ascend up the rankings with as many as twelve spots remaining in the class.

Inside Texas takes a look at what Texas has to do to accomplish a third straight top 10 class, as well as the path for a third straight to 5 finish.

Path to the Top 10

This is the part of the equation where stacking the 4-stars has to happen. The Longhorns have eight prospects that carry a four-star ranking on the board right now. And two of those will announce decisions this week.

On300 four-star D’Antre Robinson, DL, Orlando (Fla.) Jones

One of four-star cornerback Corian Gipson, Lancaster (Texas) High or four-star cornerback Wardell Mack, Marrero (La.) John Ehret. Both would be a class rankings bonus. Both are ranked in the top 100 of the On3 Industry Rankings.

Four-star T.J. Lindsey, DL, Bryant (Ark.) IMG Academy

One of four-star Danny Okoye, Tulsa (Okla.) NOAH or four-star Zina Umeozulu, Allen (Texas) High. Get both, and it’s a class rankings bonus. Both have On3 Industry Ratings of 90.68 or better.

Four-star IOL Blake Ivy, League City (Texas) Clear Springs or Four-star IOL DeAndre Carter of Mater Dei. Both have On3 Industry Ratings of 92.39 or better.

Path to the Top 5

Of course, how many 5-stars the Longhorns sign will ultimately determine just how high the class can finish. If Texas signs two, firmly in the top 10 likely around 6 or 7. Sign three with one being Colin Simmons, and the Horns will sign a third straight top 5 class.

Five-star+ Colin Simmons, Duncanville (Texas) High

Five-star cornerback Kobe Black, Waco (Texas) Connally

Five-star offensive tackle Brandon Baker, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei

Five-star Dominick McKinley, Lafayette (La.) Acadiana

Five-star Ryan Wingo, Saint Louis (Mo.) University

Senior risers in rankings will have an impact

The final piece to where the Texas class could eventually finish will be prospects committed that will rise in the rankings as senior. Inside Texas has a strong opinion that four commitments stand a very good shot to ascend as seniors.

Three-star DL Alex January makes jump to On3 Industry Ranking 4-star.

Three-star TE Jordan Washington makes jump to On3 Industry Ranking 4-star.

Four-star RB Christian Clark makes jump into top 150 in the On3 Industry Ranking, which would take his rating from 90.44 currently into the 92.5 range.

Four-star Daniel Cruz makes move into the top 150 in the On 3 Industry Ranking from No. 196 currently. That would be a small bump, but a bump that would matter in overall class prospect ratings.

Players that could commit to Texas that will rise

No. 406 nationally D’Antre Robinson, DL, Orlando (Fla.) Jones should see a senior season bump into the top 300 overall. That would change his On3 Industry Rating 1.5-2.0 points, which is significant in determining an overall class rating and ranking.

Four-star T.J. Lindsey, DL, Bryant (Ark.) IMG Academy currently has a rating of 89.72, near the bottom of On3 Industry Ranking 4-stars. Inside Texas could see a senior season jump into the top 150-175 range nationally playing at IMG Academy. That will ascend his rating to the 92 range, which would be significant in a class ranking equation.

Should Texas take and land On3 Industry ranking high three-star safety Joshua Lair, that would be another prospect poised to end up a four-star by January’s final ranking for the 2024 cycle. Lair will decide out of Texas, LSU and Baylor prior to his senior season.

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