You ask, IT answers: 5 most important uncommitted recruits for Texas
All is lost on the recruiting trail, but due to some recent misses, Texas’ margin for error isn’t what it has been in the previous two recruiting cycles.
I like this question because it focuses on what’s next for Texas rather than lamenting the last 10 days.
Who are the top 5 most important (to Texas) uncommitted guys in this class? – MPLSHORN
The key here is ‘most important’. Don’t misconstrue that with who are the best uncommitted Texas targets. There is a big difference.
Most important has to do with roster needs and the future of the program. It should also account for what you can and can’t reliably find in the portal.
(Quick note: These are based on my opinion. They do not reflect the Texas Longhorns staff.)
1. DT DJ Sanders, Bellville (Texas)
A tough miss on Josiah Sharma and perhaps temporary misses on Myron Charles and Zion Williams (there’s a lot of work to do on Zion) has Kenny Baker behind the 8-ball. I wish I had a magic 8-ball to say how this will all turn out. I feel for Baker, he was very close to landing both Sharma and Charles and then BAM!. Due to those misses and to his own individual talent, Texas can ill-afford to miss on the high upside Sanders.
I’m betting A&M will do all it can to make this difficult for Texas, especially with their recent increased motivation.
2. LT Michael Fasusi, Lewisville (Texas)
I like the Texas offensive tackle room but you need a left tackle in every class for a couple of reasons. They can often play other positions while waiting their turn on the blindside, and, you can’t find them in the portal. Factor in that he’s an in-state five-star and having Fasusi here is a no-brainer. The case can be made he should be No. 1 despite the much more pressing need at defensive tackle.
Texas will have to hold off its top two rivals to win this one.
3. TE Nick Townsend, Spring (Texas) Dekaney
Townsend and Lance Jackson are my two favorite in-state players. They’re plus-sized pure football players as evidenced by their ability to play both tight end and Edge. Townsend could probably credibly play ILB in college, not just Edge. Sub-11.00 seconds at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds is not common.
Athletically he’s a stud but he also plays a position of need — tight end. Jeff Banks needs a five-star level talent in the class. I don’t care what Townsend’s ranking is, he should be in that conversation. He’s a Top 50 player at minimum. I’ve seen both Townsend and Linkon Cure. Give me Townsend with his size, though Cure is a glider as a receiver.
Townsend will announce Monday. Just land the plane.
4. WR Jaime Ffrench, Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin OR WR Kaliq Lockett, Sachse (Texas)
NOTE TO STAR-GAZERS: Hope is not lost on both. This exercise is about ‘most important’ to the class.
Here we strike a balance. Receiver isn’t the greatest need in the class, however after the miss on Dakorien Moore, Texas has to land a five-star receiver. Schools are lucky to get one in a cycle but Texas is still positioned to land two.
This NIL cycle is obviously crazy. As I said a while back, Alabama is all in to keep the Saban dynasty on the tracks. That is clearly playing out for all to see on the recruiting trail. This is important when it comes to Lockett. You also can’t rule out A&M for him.
Ffrench has a number of suitors, each capable of going all in and making it hard for Texas to win out.
(BTW: If I’m Texas I’m going all in on Andrew Marsh right now)
5. LB Madden Faraimo, San Diego (Calif.) J Serra Catholic
Linebacker is important due to taking only one last cycle, losing four between the portal and graduation this year, Anthony Hill likely being a three-year player, and the miss (at least for now) on Riley Pettijohn. Good news here, Fairamo seems to be extending his timeline which is testament to the push Texas made on his official visit. He was living in a gold house before his trip to Austin. Notre Dame writers no longer have a clear read on this one. You can bet Johnny Nansen has a little extra motivation to win this recruitment.
As I reported the other day, I’m also watching USC, however USC running hot and cold on him has them playing catch-up. The extension does help their efforts, however.
The post You ask, IT answers: 5 most important uncommitted recruits for Texas appeared first on On3.
