Resetting the Texas Longhorns defensive recruiting board

The Texas Longhorns’ entered August with the No. 20 ranked recruiting class. And that class ranking could ascend quite a bit if Steve Sarkisian and staff get good news this month.

August 10 is the day Texas fans have circled to see where On3 5-star+ Colin Simmons will commit. The month is also likely to have decisions by a pair of Pelican State prospects. Five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley and 4-star defensive back Wardell Mack are likely to make decisions prior to their senior season.

Texas will sign up to five defensive linemen, two or three EDGE prospects and as many as five or six defensive backs in the 2024 cycle.

Inside Texas takes a look at the defensive board ahead of some huge decisions on the way.

Defensive line (4-5)

The Longhorns have three defensive lineman in the boat in the 2024 class with Alex January and D’antre Robinson addressing the need for large humans on the defensive front ahead of the move to the SEC. Melvin Hills has athletic upside as well. There are currently two targets remaining with decisions by both possible prior to the first weekend in September.

Dominick McKinley, DL, Lafayette (La.) Acadiana
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 23 (5-star)
Official visits: Ohio State June 2-4, Texas A&M June 9-11, Oklahoma June 16-18, Texas June 23-25
What to know: The timeline is moving from the Under Armour All-America Game announcement in early January of 2024 to before his senior season. Texas and Oklahoma continue to receive the most mention. An unofficial visit to LSU this weekend the last Friday of July has given the Tigers more hope. Texas A&M remains in the mix.

T.J. Lindsey, DL, Bryant (Ark.) IMG Academy
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 343 (4-star)
Official visits: Auburn June 2-4, Miami June 9-11, Texas A&M June 16-18, Texas June 23-25
What to know: Texas and Auburn continue to be where the decision is expected to come from with the Tigers trending more in the last two weeks. Lindsey really likes the idea of being a student athlete at Texas, but that doesn’t mean the Longhorns will win out. Texas A&M and Miami have not given up.

EDGE (2-3)

Colin Simmons, EDGE, Duncanville (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 5 (5-star)
Visit schedule: Miami June 9-11 (OV), Alabama June 16-18 (OV), Oregon June 20-21, Texas June 23-25 (OV), LSU July 28-29
The decision: There are three finalists. Texas, LSU and Miami. Simmons picking the Hurricanes would be one of the all-time shockers for me over the years. LSU vs. Texas.

Zina Umeozulu, EDGE, Allen (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 242 (4-star)
Official visit schedule: Texas A&M June 9-11, Oklahoma June 16-18, Texas June 23-25
What to know: Texas continues to be considered the favorite. With that said, Texas A&M and Oklahoma continue to go full steam ahead. And the Aggies got the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder back on campus the last weekend of July. A decisions remains possible prior to September, but certainly not s lock in this unpredictable recruitment.

Danny Okoye, EDGE, Tulsa (Okla.) NOAH Homeschool
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 190 (4-star)
Official visit schedule: Texas June 16-18, Oklahoma September 2-3
What to know: Tennessee is considered the slight favorite over Texas, Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma. But the a visit to Oklahoma the last weekend of July will be followed with an official visit for the Sooners season opener.

Solomon Williams, EDGE, Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 256 (4-star)
Official visits: UCF June 2-4, Alabama June 16-18
What to know: Williams made unofficial visits to Texas and Texas A&M the last weekend of July. The 6-foot-2.25, 250-pounder plans to make official visits to both plus Oregon during the season. Williams is also scheduled to be at Alabama (unofficially) for the Texas game September 9.

Safety (2)

On3 Industry Ranking 4-star Jordon Johnson-Rubell locked down one of the two spots July 1.

Joshua Lair, S, Missouri City (Texas) Marshall
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 428 (3-star)
Official visits: LSU June 2-4, Baylor June 9-11, Texas June 16-18
What to know: The walking hit stick has remained quiet about the process. LSU is getting the most mention around the Marshall High program over Texas and Baylor with a decision possible prior to the start of the season.

Cornerback/nickel (2-3)

On3 4-star Santana Wilson is in the class and was a fantastic evaluation from Sarkisian, Terry Joseph, and company.

Kobe Black, CB, Waco (Texas) Connally
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 25 (5-star)
Official visits: Oklahoma June 9-11, Ohio State June 16-18, Texas June 23-25
What to know: Texas continues to be considered the favorite as headed into the second week of August. Texas A&M is currently the biggest threat to the Longhorns. Should Black make an official visit to LSU September 9-10, the Tigers could become a true threat.

Wardell Mack, CB, Marrero (La.) John Ehret
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 72 (4-star)
Official visits: Florida State June 2-4, Florida June 16-18, Texas June 23-25
What to know: Mack continues to trend toward an August decision. Florida and Texas are receiving the most chatter right now with Mack’s circle liking the Horns. Mack has a genuine liking for the Gators. Florida State is in it, but hasn’t been confident. LSU will continue to hang around even after Mack commits.

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