Longhorns Recruiting Tracker: Calif. WR Flores Has Horns in Final Group, Commitment Date
With college football’s 2021 season now officially underway, rumors are beginning to fly in terms of visits, and commitments for the 2022 class and beyond.
Under new head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns recruiting momentum is hitting full-force, and as a result, recruits who were once thought to be unattainable, are now beginning to take a hard look at the makings of what Sarkisian is building in Austin.
Stick with Longhorns Country for all of the latest updates in recruiting below:
APRIL 18, 2022, 3:40 PM UPDATE:
One of the top pass catchers in the class of 2023 is down to a handful of programs with a commitment date set.
Rico Flores, the Folsom (Calif.) High School star, announced plans to commit on July 3 between programs Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and UCLA.
The rising-senior standout had more than two dozen offers to choose from but appears set to pick one of the five programs. He is fresh off of a trip to Columbus for a closer look at the Buckeyes and has plans to see Notre Dame and Georgia according to 247Sports.
Texas had him on campus last summer, when he was presented with the scholarship offer from the program. A return trip to Austin is possible before the decision, Flores told Greg Biggins.
APRIL 18, 2022, 2:45 PM UPDATE:
Texas is still in the hunt for one of the best from the Northeast.
Jayden Bonsu, a defensive back projection out of Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter’s Prep, announced a top 10 on Sunday. Texas made the cut along with Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, USC, Oregon, Oklahoma and Miami.
Bonsu most recently visited Ohio State and Oklahoma. He was targeted and offered by UT back on February 2.
APRIL 16, 2022, 7:45 PM UPDATE:
Texas is still in it for one of the nation’s top pass rushers.
Desmond Umeozulu, the Springdale (Md.) Flowers High school pass rusher with three dozen offers to his name, trimmed his list to a top nine on Saturday.
Along with the Longhorns, Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, North Carolina, Pitt, Clemson, Maryland and South Carolina made the cut. The 6’4″, 230-pounder was just in Austin for an unofficial visit to kick off the month of April and figures to be a candidate to get him on campus again before all is said and done.
Umeozulu, who is committed to the Under Armour All-America Next Game, was originally targeted by Texas with an offer in February.
APRIL 14, 2022, 1:00 PM UPDATE:
One of the top class of 2024 recruits will return to Austin this weekend.
Colin Simmons, the Duncanville (Texas) standout pass rusher with two dozen scholarship offers to his name, announced plans to be back at Texas for another visit.
The rising-junior recruit has been to Texas A&M, Arkansas and TCU of late, but did see Austin in person in January. He originally picked up the scholarship offer during the 2021 season, back in September.
APRIL 13, 2022, 12:00 PM UPDATE:
Texas has plenty of in-state targets, especially in the trenches, and one of the most important cut his list on Wednesday.
Harris Sewell, rising-senior recruit at Odessa (Texas) Permian, trimmed more than 20 scholarship offers to just five and the Texas Longhorns are still very much in the picture, he announced.
Sewell also has Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and Clemson in the mix for his services. The in-state star has been to UT, A&M and Clemson most recently.
Texas originally got involved for Sewell more than one year ago, offering in February of 2021.
APRIL 11, 2022, 10:30 AM UPDATE:
The Texas Longhorns are in need of help and depth at all levels of the defense, but particularly at linebacker, where DeMarvion Overshown sits as the only reliable option.
And on Monday, UCLA linebacker transfer Caleb Johnson revealed to 247Sports that he has narrowed his choices down to Miami and the University of Texas.
“They fit everything I’m looking for,” Johnson said. “They’ve got great fanbases and locations as a bonus.”
Johnson was once a member of the 2019 recruiting class for the Horns, signing a letter of intent and enrolling at the 40 Acres.
Johnson then transferred to Fullerton College, and eventually ended up at UCLA, before making his way back to the transfer portal.
APRIL 8, 2022, 10:30 AM UPDATE:
The Longhorns are still in the mix for one of the best in the state.
Temple (Texas) athlete Mikal Harrison-Pilot, who can play skill positions on offense or defense at 6′, 190 pounds, cut his list of more than 40 scholarship offers down to a dozen.
Texas made the cut along with TCU, Houston, Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Cal, Oregon, Michigan, Florida State and Baylor.
Harrison-Pilot recently visited Stanford and Cal, but spent time in Texas before that point. Oklahoma and Houston also hosted him in March.
At this point, there appears to be no timetable for a decision.
APRIL 6, 2022, 8:30 PM UPDATE:
On Wednesday, elite 2023 running back Javin Simpkins announced his top five schools.
Along with the Longhorns, Simpkins included Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Louisville and UCF. The Longhorns running back room is currently the strongest its ever been and Simpkins is certainly taking note:
APRIL 3, 2022, 10:30 AM UPDATE:
One of the top offensive tackles in the 2023 class, Chase Bisontis, narrowed his list of schools down to eight schools on Saturday night, including the Longhorns amongst the finalists.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound Don Bosco Prep (NJ) star also included Texas A&M, Ohio State, Rutgers, Miami, Georgia, LSU, and Michigan State in his list of finalists.
Bisontis also holds offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, USC, Tennessee, Wisconsin and many more.
March 31, 10:15 AM UPDATE:
On Thursday, 2023 Fort Worth (Texas) native linebacker S’Maje Burrell has shifted directions, cancelling his upcoming visit to Ohio State and now coming to Austin.
This is the second consecutive visit for Burrell who made the short trip to Austin just last weekend.
Credit to the coaching staff for bringing him back for a second straight weekend. As a junior for North Crowley High School (Fort Worth, TX), Burrell racked up 104 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
March 30, 10:15 AM UPDATE:
There is a new Texan being targeted by Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff.
On Tuesday evening, Houston native Josh White announced he had earned a scholarship offer to continue playing college football in Austin. Just a day prior, he announced intentions to enter the transfer portal after two years at LSU, which of course underwent a coaching change after the season.
Texas isn’t alone in courting the former Houston (Texas) Cy Creek standout, as White has also announced offers from USC, Baylor, TCU, Nebraska, Miami and Colorado since the transfer portal news went public.
White, who saw action in 10 games as a true freshman in 2020, should have three seasons of eligibility remaining due to the pandemic year NCAA athletes were granted. He was recruited by the Tom Herman staff at UT while he was in high school.
March 26, 8:00 PM UPDATE:
On Saturday, elite 2023 receiver Jaquaize Pettaway announced his top 10 schools, including the Texas Longhorns.
Along with the Longhorns, Pettaway included Oregon, Georgia, Ole Miss, TCU, Oklahoma, LSU, Houston, Cincinnati, and Ohio State.
March 18, 5:00 PM UPDATE:
Texas is still in the mix for 2023 linebacker recruit Liona Lefau.
On Friday, the Kahuku (Hawaii) High School standout cut his list of some two dozen scholarship offers down to a top eight. In addition to the Longhorns, BYU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, USC and Utah made the cut.
“I loved my time in Austin when I went up last summer,” Lefau told 247Sports’ Blair Angulo. “It was good vibes and I liked coach Steve Sarkisian, as well. I have a good relationship with coach Jeff Choate and Jake Langi, so I still like it there.
“I want to go up for another visit soon.”
Visits appear to be the next step in arguably the top prospect in Hawaii’s recruitment and a return trip to Austin would help the Longhorns potentially make the next cutdown among contenders.
As a junior in 2021, Lefau helped Kahuku High to an undefeated state championship run.
March 17, 11:30 AM UPDATE:
David Hicks is already a well-known recruit in the college football world and Texas is still involved with the in-state star.
The Allen (Texas) High School star recently connected with Fan Nation’s Brian Smith for more on his interest in Steve Sarkisian’s program.
“I feel like the coaches at Texas are really cool,” Hicks told Smith. “I have a really good relationship there. The people around Texas, too. It’s a great environment.”
Hicks added that his best relationship on the UT staff is with defensive line coach Bo Davis.
“Most definitely.”
The pass rusher could visit Oregon, Oklahoma and others in the coming weeks. Official visits are likely in the summer, with the…
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