Known recruiting decision timelines of note for Texas fans
It’s about that time in the recruiting calendar when many recruits wind down their decision-making process and announce for the school of their choice.
Before we get to some targets with known decision dates, this is a good place to remind fans that we’re in a new era. Official visits have always been opportunities for schools to make their most persuasive case, but as we’ve seen with wide receiver Micah Hudson, linebacker Tyanthony Smith, and most recently, Nyier Daniels, official visits are becoming a tool to create urgency with a recruit and pre-empt other schools from making their pitch.
Each of the players listed in this article will have already taken their OV to Texas or will do so this weekend.
Parker Livingstone, WR, Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy
Timeline: July 1
The prospect: Livingstone already has good size and speed but he’s an upside player who will become even more physical and faster through S&C. Good hands and ball skills. Boundary receiver.
Competition: South Carolina wide receivers coach Justin Stepp is a good one and he prized Livingstone. Brian Kelly at LSU did as well, but Livingstone canceled his official visit to Baton Rouge.
UT’s chances: Casa naranja.
Deshawn Warner, EDGE, Goodyear (Ariz.) Desert Edge
Timeline: July 1
The prospect: Similar to 2023 Texas signee Billy Walton. Warner will blossom to 240 pounds and likely keep his athleticism. He has a good motor, solid pass rushing traits, and shows good speed when in chase mode. It’s easy to envision Pete Kwiatkowski prioritizing Warner if he was still at Washington.
UT’s chances: I’m just not sure if Texas will go all in. Warner is on an OV to Washington now and will go to Kansas this weekend, where two teammates (one a cousin) are already committed.
Alex January, DT, Duncanville (Texas)
Timeline: Early July
The prospect: True nose tackle or 1-technique. He has the size, foot quickness, and ability to bend to become a starter at Texas. Not Sydir Mitchell as a jumbo athlete, but under-appreciated in my view.
UT’s chances: Very good. I’d have an RPM in but I’m not a fan of follow the leader.
Aeryn Hampton, ATH, Daingerfield (Texas)
Timeline: July 7
The prospect: When he first burst on the scene I thought he had a chance to be a Kendall Sanders redux. Never mind Sanders chose the wrong side of the ball to play on. Hampton is viewed as an athlete but it’s tough to get a clear view of which side of the ball he’ll play. He’s not as big or fast as Sanders (or Terry Bussey who Texas is also pursuing) but he is a good football athlete.
UT’s chances: If Texas pushes, probably Texas. We believe he is a take at this time.
Malik Blocton, DL, Pike Road (Ala.)
Timeline: July 8
The player: Uses his arm length and hands very well to guide blockers and get them off balance. Pretty loose in the hips and well-balanced. He’s a good athlete for D-line. Projects to play 3-tech out to 5-tech.
UT’s chances: Texas’ chances are improving but Auburn has a big head start.
Melvin Hills, DL, Lafayette (La.) Lafayette Christian Academy
Timeline: July 15
The prospect: Good, not great junior Hudl, but he was coming back from a knee injury. You get the sense his best football is ahead of him, in large part to his work ethic and being coachable. Not an explosive athlete as a junior, but he is a chess piece you can move around.
UT’s chances: Hill is a take, but what if Blocton picks Texas a week before Hills decides? Texas taking both would be somewhat redundant.
Khmori House, LB, Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco
Timeline: July 15
The prospect: House is a quality athlete who will put on the necessary weight to be a three-down linebacker. He’s both good in coverage and coming off the edge. His ability as a run-plugger is somewhat in question, and I wonder if he projects to having the same success off the edge in college. Like Hills, he has strong football character which lends itself to maximization.
UT’s chances: This is likely going to end up being Washington or Auburn while Texas elects to evaluate options and play the long game. He’d be a Horn in a three linebacker class.
Myles Davis, DB, Converse (Texas) Judson
Timeline: August 25
The prospect: Good, strong build, but can still turn and run in coverage. Shows good ball skills and the ability to make a play after the turnover. Quality player I haven’t paid close enough attention to until recently. Can play field or boundary, in my opinion.
UT’s chances: Texas made up ground and is a legitimate contender but Davis’ A&M visit looms large. USC is also in hot pursuit.
Joshua Lair, DB, Missouri City (Texas) Fort Bend Marshall
Timeline: August
The prospect: Almost all of Lair’s footage is him coming screaming downhill to wreck the ball carrier. While it’s wildly entertaining, I’d like to know more about him in coverage. He does make some plays on the ball in the air but they were mostly routine. At minimum, he looks like a quality Cover 3 safety who plays underneath. If paired with, say, Corian Gipson or Jordon Johnson-Rubell, the fit makes sense.
UT’s chances: Texas is going to land one of Davis or Lair with an outside chance they push for both. I’m curious to see how it unfolds. At this time I would say Lair is more likely than Davis, but what if Davis picks Texas first?
Jordan Washington, TE, Houston (Texas) Langham Creek
Timeline: August
The prospect: Washington is a high-end receiving tight end: good route runner, above average quickness and speed, solid hands, good body control, and ball skills. As far as ‘flex’ tight ends go, he’s a spirited blocker. Things will get really interesting if he blossoms into a 250 pound do-it-all player. He’s visiting Utah this weekend and apparently they can find those types. They had three quality tight ends last year.
UT’s chances: How desperate is Texas A&M? That’s the only thing keeping me from a Texas RPM.
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These won’t be the only announcements of note. It would be surprising if defensive backs Corian Gipson and Jordon Johnson-Rubell didn’t make decisions in the coming weeks. Cornerback Kobe Black has stated he intends to wait until December but if things go well this weekend at Texas I wouldn’t rule out a Summer decision. A few more D-lineman will announce as well.
On the offensive side, I’d expect running backs Christian Clark and Jerrick Gibson to select their schools this Summer. In addition, Texas will probably earn 2-3 O-line commitments before the season starts.
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