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1 minute ago, texifornia said:

There's nothing to compare to warm spring weekend in East Lafayette 

Indiana is one of only a few states I’ve not visited, which doesn’t bother me. My little brother played in a world series tournament for 2 weeks in Lafayette once. When he came home, I asked him what Indiana was like.  “Dude, it’s nothing in every direction for as far as you can see. “ Okay, then.  

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13 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

Indiana is one of only a few states I’ve not visited, which doesn’t bother me. My little brother played in a world series tournament for 2 weeks in Lafayette once. When he came home, I asked him what Indiana was like.  “Dude, it’s nothing in every direction for as far as you can see. “ Okay, then.  

don’t go 

1 hour ago, closetojumping said:

I’m right there with you. 

One thing I enjoy each cycle is seeing weird visit lists. This is the weirdest one I’ve seen so far. 

Unlimited visits for athletes I expect to see more lists like this is the future. You’ll have these lower tier schools going rouge on nil 

So when does Chris Stewart get processed out?  Gerry and co stated he may look at schools that are offering his brother who is a safety.

We look like we are swinging at all the elite talent at every position again this year.  I imagine we are going to take swings at Burroughs, Mack, Keys, Finley, Clay, Dixon-Wyatt.  
 

As for RB, based on the offers to the top guys like Crowell, Cooper… I’m guessing it’s going to be a ridiculous NIL package and they will pair one of those two with a speed guy like KJ Edwards.  I’ve heard Osborne referred to being called 1B to those other two.  Him taking Texas off his OV list may indicate the direction the staff is going.  As much as position coaches play into decisions, I feel these elite recruitments come down to NIL and opportunity to see the field as the two biggest factors.  With Wisner and Baxter being JRs this year.  The RB room is wide open for a young guy to come in and be the guy.  
 

I fully expect this to be another top 3 class and would not be surprised at all if we ended up with the #1 class again.  Programs get a small window to win titles.  We’re very close, I imagine Sark and the donor base are basically at the point where all the chips are either already in the pot or about to be.

 

Lets fucking go!

 

 

Edited by victory88

2 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Indiana is one of only a few states I’ve not visited, which doesn’t bother me. My little brother played in a world series tournament for 2 weeks in Lafayette once. When he came home, I asked him what Indiana was like.  “Dude, it’s nothing in every direction for as far as you can see. “ Okay, then.  

You would think that the most intensely religious and extremist state would be in the south, but surprisingly, it's Indiana. 

2 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Indiana is one of only a few states I’ve not visited, which doesn’t bother me. My little brother played in a world series tournament for 2 weeks in Lafayette once. When he came home, I asked him what Indiana was like.  “Dude, it’s nothing in every direction for as far as you can see. “ Okay, then.  

I’ll have you know that there is a little hidden gem named Pawnee, Indiana that is a must visit sir.

On 2/22/2025 at 8:27 AM, immamac said:

also remember player cards are cross site embeds.

 

Screenshot_20250223_122434_Firefox.thumb.jpg.dd72af6f0382bad832d9f49571dc4d75.jpg

Very cool.

2 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Indiana is one of only a few states I’ve not visited, which doesn’t bother me. My little brother played in a world series tournament for 2 weeks in Lafayette once. When he came home, I asked him what Indiana was like.  “Dude, it’s nothing in every direction for as far as you can see. “ Okay, then.  

 

2 hours ago, MontereyMX said:

don’t go 

And to be clear, Monterey's "Don't go" is not one of those "Don't go" that Austinites give to Californians, or that San Diegans give to everyone else.

Really. Don't go.

14 minutes ago, Rimbo said:

 

And to be clear, Monterey's "Don't go" is not one of those "Don't go" that Austinites give to Californians, or that San Diegans give to everyone else.

Really. Don't go.

I have heard Gary, Indiana is lovely in the winter.

15 minutes ago, Rockwell Torrey said:

I have heard Gary, Indiana is lovely in the winter.

Harold Hill certainly thought so. 

4 hours ago, closetojumping said:

I asked him what Indiana was like.  “Dude, it’s nothing in every direction for as far as you can see. “ Okay, then.  

Worked up there the summer after my freshman year.  Little town called Bluffton, and had to drive to Indianapolis every other week or so.  Early in the summer before the corn comes up, you can see Indianapolis about 45 minutes before you get there.  Zero elevation change in the entire state, and look how long and straight all their highways are.  Just the most boring place I've ever been.

image.png.7ac1c33ef4055d9525716074108c3030.png

Edited by Mittens

24 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

Harold Hill certainly thought so. 

If you'd like to have a logical explanation 
How I happened on this elegant syncopation,
I will say without a moment of hesitation
There is just one place
That can light my face.
Gary, Indiana, 
Gary Indiana, 
Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome, but--
Gary, Indiana,
Gary, Indiana, 
Gary Indiana,
My home sweet home. 

Sounds like Chad Scott’s first couple of calls were Crowell and Cooper. I’d take both of those guys over Osbourne as the number one back in the class. If you can land one and bring in a KJ Edward’s that’s a damn good class. 
 

Gerry said Cooper runs mid 10s in the 100 at 6’1 - 6’2 210 lbs

8 minutes ago, Mittens said:

Worked up there the summer after my freshman year.  Little town called Bluffton, and had to drive to Indianapolis every other week or so.  Early in the summer before the corn comes up, you can see Indianapolis about 45 before you get there.  Zero elevation change in the entire state, and look how long and straight all their highways are.  Just the most boring place I've ever been.

image.png.7ac1c33ef4055d9525716074108c3030.png

Doesn't sound much different than Midland tbh. Or at least the Midland I remember, late 90s/early 2000s

Bloomington is a nice college town, tracks very differently from the rest of that god-forsaken wasteland.
I figure Chris Stewart winds up at a place like UH, Baylor or Okie St.
Osborne may yet return, let him talk to Chad Scott, who didn't take long to Svengali Crowell into changing his mind.
I'm illogically hoping that Sark signs 8 OL and 5 WR.  

34 minutes ago, Mittens said:

Worked up there the summer after my freshman year.  Little town called Bluffton, and had to drive to Indianapolis every other week or so.  Early in the summer before the corn comes up, you can see Indianapolis about 45 minutes before you get there.  Zero elevation change in the entire state, and look how long and straight all their highways are.  Just the most boring place I've ever been.

image.png.7ac1c33ef4055d9525716074108c3030.png

Indianapolis has some of the worst traffic I've experienced.  And I've lived in LA.

30 minutes ago, satyanash said:

Doesn't sound much different than Midland tbh. Or at least the Midland I remember, late 90s/early 2000s

Midland explains a lot about you.

3 hours ago, victory88 said:

So when does Chris Stewart get processed out?  Gerry and co stated he may look at schools that are offering his brother who is a safety.

We look like we are swinging at all the elite talent at every position again this year.  I imagine we are going to take swings at Burroughs, Mack, Keys, Finley, Clay, Dixon-Wyatt.  
 

As for RB, based on the offers to the top guys like Crowell, Cooper… I’m guessing it’s going to be a ridiculous NIL package and they will pair one of those two with a speed guy like KJ Edwards.  I’ve heard Osborne referred to being called 1B to those other two.  Him taking Texas off his OV list may indicate the direction the staff is going.  As much as position coaches play into decisions, I feel these elite recruitments come down to NIL and opportunity to see the field as the two biggest factors.  With Wisner and Baxter being JRs this year.  The RB room is wide open for a young guy to come in and be the guy.  
 

I fully expect this to be another top 3 class and would not be surprised at all if we ended up with the #1 class again.  Programs get a small window to win titles.  We’re very close, I imagine Sark and the donor base are basically at the point where all the chips are either already in the pot or about to be.

 

Lets fucking go!

 

 

Isn't CJ Baxter a redshirt sophomore this season after his injury last year in August?

4 hours ago, victory88 said:

So when does Chris Stewart get processed out?  Gerry and co stated he may look at schools that are offering his brother who is a safety.

We look like we are swinging at all the elite talent at every position again this year.  I imagine we are going to take swings at Burroughs, Mack, Keys, Finley, Clay, Dixon-Wyatt.  

Think OTF had a post yesterday saying Stewart had locked in his OV, so who knows??

26 minutes ago, Funk Doctor Spock said:

Just don't go to Gary, Indiana. It's so bad they had build a highway over it. Even the cops will tell you to GTFO before you're dead. 

Unless you are looking for crack. Many of a Chicago suburb kid has made his way to Gary to score

2 minutes ago, LebongJames said:

Unless you are looking for crack. Many of a Chicago suburb kid has made his way to Gary to score

Yep. Crack, fentanyl, getting stabbed, robbed, and shut at the same time is on the menu there. 

4 hours ago, cafe society said:

Bloomington is a nice college town, tracks very differently from the rest of that god-forsaken wasteland.
I figure Chris Stewart winds up at a place like UH, Baylor or Okie St.
Osborne may yet return, let him talk to Chad Scott, who didn't take long to Svengali Crowell into changing his mind.
I'm illogically hoping that Sark signs 8 OL and 5 WR.  

Billed as “The World's Greatest College Weekend,” the Little 500 is the largest collegiate bike race in the United States. Modeled after the Indianapolis 500, riders compete in four-person teams around a quarter-mile cinder track at Bill Armstrong Stadium…..as depicted in one of the best biking movies ever….Breaking Away!

Edited by Cairn Horn88

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8 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Indiana is one of only a few states I’ve not visited, which doesn’t bother me. My little brother played in a world series tournament for 2 weeks in Lafayette once. When he came home, I asked him what Indiana was like.  “Dude, it’s nothing in every direction for as far as you can see. “ Okay, then.  

Bloomington is awesome. IU was one of my favorite college visits, a really perfect college town in bucolic hills.

Fuck all else in the rest of the state, though.

20 minutes ago, texifornia said:

Bloomington is awesome. IU was one of my favorite college visits, a really perfect college town in bucolic hills.

Fuck all else in the rest of the state, though.

Indianapolis is decent. The shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo’s is legendary. 

11 minutes ago, Park Gothic said:

Indianapolis is decent. The shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo’s is legendary. 

Had it once while I was there for the Indy 500. Couldn't fucking believe I was eating a shrimp cocktail that good in Indiana.

My daughter got her PhD at IU in biological engineering (undergrad at Texas 😁). So I have been all over the Bloomington area and IU campus. it is a beautiful campus and an awesome college town. Southern Indiana from Bloomington to the Kentucky  border along the Ohio river basin is totally different from the feast of the state. Rolling hills, forests and nice lakes and creeks, etc. Bluegrass and horse ranches. 

My dad grew up in Angola, Indiana. They sold fireworks in the grocery store. That’s all I got!

4 hours ago, shnsajax said:

My dad grew up in Angola, Indiana. They sold fireworks in the grocery store. That’s all I got!

 

11 hours ago, Park Gothic said:

Indianapolis is decent. The shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo’s is legendary. 

 

11 hours ago, billy_bats said:

Had it once while I was there for the Indy 500. Couldn't fucking believe I was eating a shrimp cocktail that good in Indiana.

I can't believe you're both not dead.  Have you happened to try the Sushi in the Sahara?

15 hours ago, rvm96 said:

Isn't CJ Baxter a redshirt sophomore this season after his injury last year in August?

Have we seen any injury progress report on him? He had one that was bad enough to derail career.

10 hours ago, Sgt Hulk said:

I’m partial to French Lick 

You related to Larry Bird?

Quote

You’ll have these lower tier schools going rouge on nil 

Did Tilman Fertitta buy Maybelline? 

IMG_3508.thumb.jpeg.77718dc07dc8eada54bebac96422467d.jpeg

 

Will Turboff - the new guy at Horns 247 - puts in Texas CBs for Tao Katoa, Jamarion Carlton and Nic Robertson.  

 

image.thumb.png.a841ad18ca66f2727c8df7796fe9c03a.png

 

 

Turboff's Notes on the 3 predictions.

 

THREE NEW 247SPORTS CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTIONS IN FAVOR OF THE TEXAS LONGHORNS:

 

Klein 3-star IOL Nicolas Robertson (TURBOFF)

Love it —

In late February, Texas remains as the only school to schedule an official visit with Nicolas Robertson. While there's still a handful of months for Texas A&M, LSU, and Houston to do so, it's apparent that Kyle Flood has likely laid out the most favorable plan for Robertson and his camp throughout this point in his process. 

When Robertson was on campus for Junior Day in January, it was clear that Flood and others within the program have pitched him as a priority target, and that was far from the first time sources close to the situation have felt that way. In the last year, Robertson has visited Texas more than almost any other prospect, and has done so far more than to any of the other schools mentioned. Heading into the late months of spring, it feel like the biggest question regarding this recruitment is if Robertson will be committed before he takes his official visit in June.

 

Euless Trinity 3-star IOL Toa Katoa (TURBOFF)

Like it —

For as long as Kyle Flood and the Longhorns have been involved in Toa Katoa's recruitment, many have felt that Texas would eventually get the job done. Although it's expected, there's very legitimate competition in this race, most notably with Tennessee. Throughout the last few years, the Volunteers have done a standout job recruiting Polynesians, including starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but he and several others in that group did not put the emphasis on staying close to home as much as Katoa has.

At this point, only the Longhorns and the Vols have scheduled official visits with Katoa, so others still in the mix, namely Texas A&M, SMU, and Oklahoma, appear to be a step behind. When you combine the proximity factor and the belief that the 365-pounder is one of, if not the top interior lineman target for Texas, it's hard to picture a better option for him on paper. Katoa's most recent conversation with Horns247  after his visit to Austin for Junior Day reflected the idea of his status as a priority, and it's hard to find any other instances of him speaking of a program in that way.

 

Temple Top247 EDGE Jamarion Carlton (TURBOFF)

Like it —

This prediction for the Longhorns comes nearly nine months after Horns247's Jordan Scruggs was the first to do so, and that should say a whole lot about how lasting Texas' momentum has been in Jamarion Carlton's recruitment. In recent months, Pete Kwiatkowski has backed off his pursuit of multiple elite pass-rushers in favor of Carlton, and it's no secret that the Temple star is seen as one of the program's top front seven targets.

That being said, Texas isn't the only school that has Carlton near the top of their board. Baylor, which is just about 35-minute drive from Temple, has been a major player to watch throughout the latest stage of his process, and the Bears have already proven themselves to be competitive when battling the Longhorns for blue-chip prospects in the current cycle. Apart from Baylor, both USC and LSU have done a solid job in their respective pursuits, but they all seem to fall short of what the Longhorns have to offer.

 

 

 

 

Edited by Getafix

 

The Stampede: Classifying Crystal Ball predictions as like it, love it, leave it
Horns247's Hank South and Jordan Scruggs classify their 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction as like it, love it, leave it before Will Turboff breaks down three new predictions in favor of the Longhorns.
Horns247 Staff
 

Spoiler

 

The Stampede: Classifying Crystal Ball predictions as like it, love it, leave it
Horns247's Hank South and Jordan Scruggs classify their 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction as like it, love it, leave it before Will Turboff breaks down three new predictions in favor of the Longhorns.
Horns247 Staff
 

The Texas Longhorns are on the hunt for another banner recruiting haul in 2026 after the burnt orange landed the nation's No. 1 ranked recruiting class for the first time in program history the prior cycle. 

Already holding three commitments spearheaded by the pledge of NBA legacy and five-star quarterback Dia Bell, the Longhorns are on pace to sign another special group come December as Texas is already in great standing with a large handful of 2026 prospects heading into the spring. 

And in this edition of The Stampede, Horns247's weekly gathering of recruiting intel, we take a look at Horns247's current 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions and classify them as to how we see them trending— Like it, Love it, or Leave it.

 

Like it = I'm happy with my pick where it's at.

Love it = I love my pick and am not considering changing it at the moment.

Leave it = I don't like my pick and I'm considering changing it soon.

With Hank South and Jordan Scruggs classifying their current Crystal Ball predictions, Will Turboff has gone ahead and entered in four new predictions in favor of the Longhorns.

 

Forney Top247 RB Javian Osborne (SOUTH)

Prediction: Michigan Wolverines

Like it — 

Michigan was already hanging around for the talented four-star running back. And with Tashard Choice leaving for Detroit, I changed my longtime Crystal Ball prediction in favor of Texas to the Wolverines. 

Javian Osborne took to social media on Friday night to announce he was calling off his official visit to Texas. Obviously this could be just as easily put back on the calendar if he decides to do so, but for now it appears Texas is not in the running. 

Osborne's official visit slate currently includes: Georgia, SMU, Miami, Alabama, and Michigan. 

Texas has time on its side, though. New running backs coach Chad Scott has already smoothed things over with another 2026 back in Ezavier Crowell, who opted to put his June 6-8 official visit back on the schedule after initially calling his trip off as well in the wake of Choice's departure. 

For now I think Michigan is the team to beat for Osborne, though. 

Check in with me in a few months.

 

San Antonio Madison Top247 WR Jordan Clay (SOUTH)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Leave it —

Texas has so many talented options to choose from at the receiver position in the class of 2026. I really liked my Crystal Ball pick for Jordan Clay when I submitted it. And that's not to say I don't like it now, I'm just not as convinced he's going to end up in the class when you look down the list of who all Texas is pursuing at the wide receiver position. 

Clay did say Texas and Baylor are his top two when we caught up with him at the All-American Bowl in January. The Longhorns offered him at camp, one he said was a dream come true. 

I don't think Texas is in a huge hurry to fill up at the position, so it's hard to say exactly where things stand at this point in time. 

I think Baylor is right there with Texas for Clay at this point in time. If my pick was on the Bears, I'd leave it there, too.

 

Aledo Top247 WR Kaydon Finley (SCRUGGS)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Love it — 

One of the first few predictions I placed in the 2026 cycle, Kaydon Finley has long been one of the Longhorns' top targets and he was actually one of the first few prospects Texas offered in the 2026 class as Finley picked up his offer from the Longhorns in June heading into his freshman year at Aledo. In the time since Texas has remained the favorite, but it's definitely worth bringing up that Notre Dame has made this recruitment much closer than it used to be and other programs like Texas A&M and Arizona State are also in the mix. 

The Longhorns will host Finley on an official visit the final weekend of June, and while I do expect the Irish, Aggies, and Sun Devils to host Finley on official visits of their own, it's hard to not expect the burnt orange to eventually win out for the Texas legacy. If the decision isn't Texas I strongly believe it'll be Notre Dame as Finley compares well to a souped-up, twitchier version of Jaden Greathouse, but again, I do expect Texas to eventually win the race and think it's the Longhorns' recruitment to lose and has been going back to when Texas offered Finley in the summer of 2022.

 

Waco University Top247 WR London Smith — Baylor commit (SCRUGGS)

Prediction: Baylor Bears

Love it —  

With the Waco University prospect being a local recruit for the Bears that had endless ties through his parents to Baylor, it always felt as if London Smith ending up in green and gold was not an if, but a when situation. Other schools like Texas and Texas A&M, and even Alabama and Ole Miss made things interesting at times, but it was always going to be extremely tough to get Smith to leave Waco, especially with plenty of other programs preferring Smith as a defensive back rather than wide receiver, whereas the Bears went all-in on the local legacy prospect at the wideout position from the jump. 

Wide receiver has always been the position Smith preferred though he's genuinely talented enough to have played in the secondary at the college level, so the early pledge to Baylor made a ton of sense from the jump but especially the further we got into the recruitment once most schools changed their pitch from athlete to defensive back. With all the ties Smith has to the Baylor program, Smith being a local prospect, and the fact that he'll be able to contribute early in Waco at his preferred position, I love the chances of Baylor holding onto Smith come signing day and I'm not expecting a flip to take place before then.

 

North Crowley 4-star OT John Turntine III (SOUTH)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Love it —

Texas has no shortage of offensive line options in the class of 2026, but the two most often talked about are Felix Ojo and John Turntine III. Both are considered priority prospects, Turntine for a little bit longer after Ojo didn't earn his offer until camp last summer. Texas has been aftere Turntine for a quite a while, hosting the elite OL prospect on a number of occasions. He and Kyle Flood, along with other members of the staff, have formed a strong relationship throughout the process. Adding to Texas' chances, Turntine has family in Austin. 

Expect him back in the spring and then again for an official visit at some point in the summer. 

There's plenty of competition for him, including Tennessee, Texas A&M, TCU, and others. We continue to feel the Longhorns are in pole position. 

 

Melissa 3-star OT Max Wright — Texas commit (SOUTH)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Love it — 

Not much to say here. I loved my Crystal Ball pick when I placed it in the summer after Max Wright earned an offer from Kyle Flood and that never really changed. Wright's recruitment always felt more like when and not if he was going to join Texas' class. He committed in recent weeks and I don't expect too much recruiting drama — if any —  from the in-state tackle going forward.

 

Temple Top247 EDGE Jamarion Carlton (SCRUGGS)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Love it —  

Another one of the first few predictions I placed in the 2026 class, my crystal ball was placed just a handful of days after Jamarion Carlton picked up his offer from the Longhorns after competing at the June 1 Texas Elite camp this past summer. The prediction was placed based off intel I received from earlier that spring/summer that made it pretty clear Texas would be tough to beat out if they were to offer, and the intel came from several sources in the 254 area.

In the time since the offer, sources have still felt like Texas is best positioned down the stretch to land the Temple native. Carlton released a top six earlier this month that had Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, LSU, SMU, and USC making the cut, but folks close to the recruitment have felt like the chances of Carlton going out of state are relatively low. After all, the top four prospects out of Temple in recent memory (Quentin Johnston, Jared Wiley, Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Taurean York) have all elected to stay in-state lines over offers from power programs from across the country, and many expect Carlton to approach his recruitment the same way.

Texas and Texas A&M have long been viewed as the main contenders in the race and I still expect the decision to come down to the Lone Star State rivals with me leaning towards the Longhorns winning out. Pete Kwiatkowski did a great job establishing the early relationships and the ground work in the recruitment, but it'll ultimately be up to recently hired EDGE coach LaAllan Clark to get this recruitment over the finish line. With Carlton not planning on making a decision until the summer months following official visits in June, there's plenty of time for things to change but Texas is in a good spot heading into the spring and I currently love their chances of eventually landing the high ceiling 6-foot-4.5, 238 pound pass rusher.

 

Georgetown Eastview 3-star LB Tieson Ejiawoko — Texas Tech commit (SCRUGGS)

Prediction: Texas Tech Red Raiders

Like it (for now) — 

One of the more interesting recruitments included in this story, I placed a prediction in favor of the Red Raiders back in August upon hearing from a source that Tieson Ejiawoko would be making a commitment to Texas Tech on August 16. Contrary to many recruits in today's day and age, Ejiawoko isn't big on the recruiting process and decided to knock his commitment out of the way and lock in a spot by pledging to Texas Tech before his junior season even started. 

But things have changed a bit with Texas formally entering the picture by offering the Georgetown East View product back at the Junior Day in January, and several other schools that have yet to pull the trigger are monitoring Ejiawoko this spring including Georgia. I'm told by a source close to the recruitment to expect Ejiawoko to take things slow and wait until official visits are taken to make a decision on either sticking with the Red Raiders or flipping to another program, and at the time of this writing the official visits that have been scheduled include Texas (June 13-15) and Texas Tech (June 20-22).

That being said, I'm staying put on my Texas Tech prediction for now, but I definitely think there's a possibility I end up changing the prediction to being in favor of the Longhorns once we get further into the spring or summer. I would be classifying this prediction as "leave it" but with the "leave it" criteria featuring the word soon and with me not expecting a prediction to be potentially changed until April or May at the earliest, I'm sticking with "like it" for now. 

The Tech prediction reflects the current pulse of the recruitment with Ejiawoko being committed to the Red Raiders without having shown any true signs of being close to flipping, but again, that could potentially change the closer we get to the summer. Texas will have a great shot to pull off a flip and if there was a gun to my head and I had to pick where Ejiawoko signs in December I'd probably roll with the Longhorns, but we're just not there yet as there hasn't been anything I've heard to lead me to believe a flip would happen sooner rather than later on in the summer. There's still a lot of time for things to play out in this recruitment and I'll be remaining patient with my prediction.

 

Waco Connally Top247 CB Jamarion Vincent — Baylor commit (SCRUGGS)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Leave it (not going to cheat and delete) — 

I placed a prediction in favor of the Longhorns back in the fall due to intel I had at the time that suggested Texas would be the pick once Jamarion Vincent made a commitment in the summer following official visits. However, Vincent did not stick to his original timeline as the Bears were able to convince him to shut down his recruitment and stay home in Waco after an incredibly successful Junior Day visit in January. Props to the Baylor staff for landing Vincent just days after they made their first 2026 recruiting statement by landing local Top247 wideout London Smith, but Vincent's commitment to the Bears is unlikely to be as stress free for the Baylor staff as Smith's will be. 

Since making the commitment to Baylor on January 30, there hasn't been much of any communication between the Longhorns and the Waco Connally product, but a source does believe Vincent would take an official visit to Texas if the Longhorns were to attempt to set one up. As far as my crystal ball for Texas goes, I'm not going to cheat and change or delete it off of the Longhorns, as instead I'll just take the L for the time being and roll with the "leave it" classification since I'm obviously not happy with getting the prediction wrong. 

I do think Texas could have a good shot to pull off a flip if the Longhorns were to make a run at Vincent between now and signing day, and especially if former Connally Cadets Jelani McDonald and Kobe Black take advantage of the opportunities available in the Texas defensive back room and put together quality campaigns in 2025. Tre Wisner is sure to fit into the running back equation once more in 2025 as well, but if the former Connally defensive backs play at a high enough level in the fall, Texas will have a helluva pitch to make to Vincent in regards to a flip attempt. As things currently stand I'm not expecting a flip to happen anytime soon, but Texas will have opportunities to pull one off if they were to push the right buttons upon reengaging their pursual. The records of Baylor and Texas in the upcoming season could also potentially influence a flip, but we'll have to stay patient and see how things play out before we come to the expectation a flip will happen as Texas will probably have to miss on other cornerback targets before going all-in on Vincent.

 

North Shore Top247 S Chace Calicut (SCRUGGS)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Love it —

The most recent Crystal Ball prediction I've placed, I entered in a pick in favor of the Longhorns landing Chace Calicut within the same week it was announced Rutgers cornerbacks coach and North Shore alum Mark Orphey would be joining the Texas staff. Although Orphey's role has now been finalized as the cornerbacks coach with Terry Joseph moving to safeties after Orphey was originally expected to replace Blake Gideon as Texas' safeties coach, I still view the Longhorns as the team to beat heading into the spring.

Back in the spring of 2024 when Calicut had just one offer from Purdue, he told me Texas was his childhood dream school and that the Longhorns would be really tough to beat out if they were ever to join the race with an offer. The Longhorns ended up joining the race for Calicut in January after Joseph stopped by the powerhouse program in East Houston, and before leaving Joseph got Calicut to lock in an unofficial visit to see Texas at the Junior Day. 

Shortly after the offer was made, Calicut told Horns247 Texas was leading the race for him and he proceeded to double down on that notion when catching up with Horns247 immediately following the Junior Day visit. Alabama, LSU, Oregon, and Michigan make up the schools that currently pose the biggest threat to Texas' chances, and the Wolverines are the only program I'm aware of that Calicut has already locked in an official visit with besides Texas. Texas will have to outlast some elite competition in order to land Calicut's eventual commitment, but the Longhorns have been viewed as the team to beat in this race since an offer was made and the addition of North Shore alum Mark Orphey has only increased Texas' chances in Horns247's eyes.

 

Fort Bend Marshall 3-star S Isaiah Williams (SCRUGGS)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns

Leave it — 

While I do think Texas would be the school Isaiah Williams would pick if he had to choose a school right now, I'm not sure what the chances actually are of that coming to fruition. When I entered the prediction in back in the fall I viewed Williams as the top safety target on the in-state board, but in the time since offers have been sent out to other in-state safety prospects in Chace Calicut, Aaron Bradshaw, and Donovan Webb and I no longer am under the same view.

That's not a shot to Williams by any means as I do love his game and have been a fan of his going back to when he was put on my radar in the spring of his freshman year, I'm just under the impression that the offers sent to Calicut, Bradshaw, and Webb have changed Williams' position on the board and I think the recruitments of out-of-state targets like Jett Washington, Blaine Bradford, and Blake Stewart have as well. With Texas signing at least two safety prospects in each of the last three consecutive recruiting cycles I'm not sure of what the target number of safety takes will be in 2026, but it's hard to picture Texas missing on Calicut and I think they'd prefer to land a few other safety targets before they do Williams as things currently stand. I'll be keeping my prediction in favor of Texas for now, but I do think I'll eventually change it to another program by the time Williams is wanting to pull the trigger on a commitment. 

 

Frisco Panther Creek Top247 ATH Jalen Lott (SOUTH)

Prediction: Texas Longhorns 

Love it —

This just isn't a recruitment I think Texas will let get away. Cornerback or wide receiver, Texas just wants to land the Longhorns legacy. 

And it has stiff competition in doing so. 

Jalen Lott has racked up a lot of offers throughout the process. Oregon, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Georgia are all in the running. 

Lott will officially visit Texas June 13-20. The Ducks get the last OV June 20-22. 

Again, I think Texas' longtime push, coupled with the culture he's raved about in visit past, is going to set UT apart in the end.

 

THREE NEW 247SPORTS CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTIONS IN FAVOR OF THE TEXAS LONGHORNS:

Klein 3-star IOL Nicolas Robertson (TURBOFF)

Love it —

In late February, Texas remains as the only school to schedule an official visit with Nicolas Robertson. While there's still a handful of months for Texas A&M, LSU, and Houston to do so, it's apparent that Kyle Flood has likely laid out the most favorable plan for Robertson and his camp throughout this point in his process. 

When Robertson was on campus for Junior Day in January, it was clear that Flood and others within the program have pitched him as a priority target, and that was far from the first time sources close to the situation have felt that way. In the last year, Robertson has visited Texas more than almost any other prospect, and has done so far more than to any of the other schools mentioned. Heading into the late months of spring, it feel like the biggest question regarding this recruitment is if Robertson will be committed before he takes his official visit in June.

 

Euless Trinity 3-star IOL Toa Katoa (TURBOFF)

Like it —

For as long as Kyle Flood and the Longhorns have been involved in Toa Katoa's recruitment, many have felt that Texas would eventually get the job done. Although it's expected, there's very legitimate competition in this race, most notably with Tennessee. Throughout the last few years, the Volunteers have done a standout job recruiting Polynesians, including starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but he and several others in that group did not put the emphasis on staying close to home as much as Katoa has.

At this point, only the Longhorns and the Vols have scheduled official visits with Katoa, so others still in the mix, namely Texas A&M, SMU, and Oklahoma, appear to be a step behind. When you combine the proximity factor and the belief that the 365-pounder is one of, if not the top interior lineman target for Texas, it's hard to picture a better option for him on paper. Katoa's most recent conversation with Horns247  after his visit to Austin for Junior Day reflected the idea of his status as a priority, and it's hard to find any other instances of him speaking of a program in that way.

 

Temple Top247 EDGE Jamarion Carlton (TURBOFF)

Like it —

This prediction for the Longhorns comes nearly nine months after Horns247's Jordan Scruggs was the first to do so, and that should say a whole lot about how lasting Texas' momentum has been in Jamarion Carlton's recruitment. In recent months, Pete Kwiatkowski has backed off his pursuit of multiple elite pass-rushers in favor of Carlton, and it's no secret that the Temple star is seen as one of the program's top front seven targets.

That being said, Texas isn't the only school that has Carlton near the top of their board. Baylor, which is just about 35-minute drive from Temple, has been a major player to watch throughout the latest stage of his process, and the Bears have already proven themselves to be competitive when battling the Longhorns for blue-chip prospects in the current cycle. Apart from Baylor, both USC and LSU have done a solid job in their respective pursuits, but they all seem to fall short of what the Longhorns have to offer.

 

 

 

Edited by Getafix

13 hours ago, Funk Doctor Spock said:

Yep. Crack, fentanyl, getting stabbed, robbed, and shut at the same time is on the menu there. 

You sound like a massive pussy. Gary recorded a whopping 40 homicides last year. Years of steep population decline has eventually brought on a decreasing violent crime trend over the past 5 or so years. 

1 hour ago, SydneyCarton said:

 

I can't believe you're both not dead.  Have you happened to try the Sushi in the Sahara?

Shrimp cocktail is kind of a misnomer at St. Elmo’s. It’s basically eating freshly ground horseradish. Not bad going down, but you immediately turn into a dragon.

18 hours ago, UDontKnow said:

Midland explains a lot about you.

Didn't live there, but a lot of foreign medical graduates (including two of my uncles) who come to Texas on J-1 visas end up working out there to fulfill their three-year waiver requirement.

  • Popular Post

 

Dia Bell - new 5-star, On300's #5 overall, #2 QB ... nice.

 

1894061626740891709.webp

 

 

- Felix Ojo is #10

- Kodi Greene is #9

- Tristen Keys is #8

 

#10 to #3, with write-ups, below:

 

3. QB Jared Curtis
School: Nashville Christian (Tenn.)
Scout’s Take: “At 6-foot-3.5, 225 pounds, Curtis pairs a big frame with an elite arm and plus movement skills. He improved his accuracy and efficiency as a junior, and no quarterback in the 2026 cycle makes more impressive individual plays on a weekly basis than Jared Curtis. He has a quick, elastic arm and regularly hits small window throws over the middle of the field. The arm talent allows for Curtis to access and attack all areas of the field. The improvisational skills also stand out.” – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings


4. OT Immanuel Iheanacho 
School: Baltimore (Md.) Georgetown Prep
Scout’s Take: “Immanuel Iheanacho blends excellent, ready-made size with advanced flexibility, power and functional movement skills. He plays with outstanding pad level, using his bend and understanding of leverage to get underneath the pads of defenders. Iheanacho fires off the ball and moves defenders at will once engaged. He’s a light footed mover, both as a run blocker and in pass protection, drawing on his basketball background. The movement skills look to be translatable as a pass protector, as he plays with balance and control. We also see Iheanacho flash his athleticism as a disruptive defensive lineman.” – Cody Bellaire, On3 National Scout

5. QB Dia Bell – Texas commit
School: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage
Scout’s Take: “From an arm talent perspective, Texas commit Dia Bell is as good as anyone in the 2026 cycle. He’s the definition of a natural thrower. His ability to manipulate the football and throw consistently catchable footballs from multiple arm angles is a treat to watch. He can dice up defenses on Friday evenings and makes special throws. He’s someone that has tons of upside especially as he develops and fills out his frame down the line.” – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings


6. EDGE Carter Meadows
School: Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga
Scout’s Take: “Checking in at over 6-foot-6, around 225 pounds, and arms that measure over 35 inches, Meadows is on the short list of the most physically-impressive prospects in the 2026 cycle. The Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga pass rusher pairs his monster frame with elite functional movement skills. The ability to bend as a young prospect of his size is rare. Meadows is highly loose and fluid. He makes impressive plays while tracking down plays in pursuit and shows strong hands while working as an edge setter. A developmental prospect, we currently view Meadows’ physical upside as one of the highest in the cycle.“ – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

7. EDGE Rodney Dunham
School: Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park
Scout’s Take: “Rodney Dunham has the look of a natural pass rusher. At around 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with plus length, he has a developmental frame along with excellent get-off and bend around the edge. Dunham is a coordinated athlete and shows encouraging flashes of pass rush skill. He makes impressive plays in pursuit. Dunham doesn’t turn 17 years-old until July, so he is younger for the cycle and has room to continue developing from a size and strength perspective.” – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings


8. WR Tristen Keys
School: Hattiesburg (Miss.)
Scout’s Take: “Tristen Keys is the total package. He has that rare combination of fluidity and twitch that every coach is searching for at the receiver position. He does such a great job of sinking his hips at the top of his routes, especially at 6-foot-3, and exploding out. Plus he has the foot speed and body control to throttle up and down during his routes which keeps defenders on their heels. His pacing and timing is so advanced for someone his age and he has natural ball skills. He’s going to walk in and compete for a starting job very early on in his career.” – Cody Bellaire, On3 National Scout


9. OT Kodi Greene – Oregon commit
School: Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Scout’s Take: “Kodi Greene is one of the most nimble and athletic pass protectors among offensive tackles that we’ve watched so far this season. He is very light on his feet, coordinated and has played well at this point after transferring to Southern California powerhouse Mater Dei for his junior year. He’s faced top competition and has done really well, especially in pass protection. When you go back and just watch the full breadth of film on Kodi Greene and dive into his movement skills, I think they stack up really well at the position and they project well. I think as he continues to get stronger and progress as a run blocker, he looks to have a five-star type of ceiling when you consider the athleticism and movement skills, and how projectable they are along with his plus size.” – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings


10. OT Felix Ojo
School: Mansfield (Texas) Lake Ridge
Scout’s Take: “Felix Ojo’s frame is exactly how you would draw it up for an offensive tackle; lean lower half, long limbs with room to fill out and add mass without losing athleticism. His ability to remain square and balanced in his pass set is picture-perfect. Combine that with his quick feet and ability to strike defenders and gain control at the point of attack and you have one of the most gifted tackle prospects in the country. He has a chance to be one of the most sought-after offensive line prospects in the state, if not the entire 2026 recruiting cycle.” – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings

 

Edited by Getafix

1 hour ago, Helobious said:

You sound like a massive pussy. Gary recorded a whopping 40 homicides last year. Years of steep population decline has eventually brought on a decreasing violent crime trend over the past 5 or so years. 

So there’s not enough people to murder anymore? The concentration of murderers must be Dead Sea salt levels high by now. 

6 minutes ago, Xminus6 said:

So there’s not enough people to murder anymore? The concentration of murderers must be Dead Sea salt levels high by now. 

I just assumed that the leading cause of death in Gary, Indiana would be hands down suicide. 

Is there a Maryland senator or something funding recruiting sites? The number of 5 stars out of DC/Maryland has been ridiculous lately. Every last one of them a massive bust besides Caleb Williams (Nyck Harbor and Rakim Jarrett LOL).

Just one more post re Indiana ties to UT that some of us may or may not have been aware of:

IMG_2194.thumb.jpeg.15125742748c13797b2bff57d035033c.jpeg

3 hours ago, Getafix said:

 

Will Turboff - the new guy at Horns 247 - puts in Texas CBs for Tao Katoa, Jamarion Carlton and Nic Robertson.  

 

image.thumb.png.a841ad18ca66f2727c8df7796fe9c03a.png

 

 

Turboff's Notes on the 3 predictions.

 

THREE NEW 247SPORTS CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTIONS IN FAVOR OF THE TEXAS LONGHORNS:

 

Klein 3-star IOL Nicolas Robertson (TURBOFF)

Love it —

In late February, Texas remains as the only school to schedule an official visit with Nicolas Robertson. While there's still a handful of months for Texas A&M, LSU, and Houston to do so, it's apparent that Kyle Flood has likely laid out the most favorable plan for Robertson and his camp throughout this point in his process. 

When Robertson was on campus for Junior Day in January, it was clear that Flood and others within the program have pitched him as a priority target, and that was far from the first time sources close to the situation have felt that way. In the last year, Robertson has visited Texas more than almost any other prospect, and has done so far more than to any of the other schools mentioned. Heading into the late months of spring, it feel like the biggest question regarding this recruitment is if Robertson will be committed before he takes his official visit in June.

 

Euless Trinity 3-star IOL Toa Katoa (TURBOFF)

Like it —

For as long as Kyle Flood and the Longhorns have been involved in Toa Katoa's recruitment, many have felt that Texas would eventually get the job done. Although it's expected, there's very legitimate competition in this race, most notably with Tennessee. Throughout the last few years, the Volunteers have done a standout job recruiting Polynesians, including starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but he and several others in that group did not put the emphasis on staying close to home as much as Katoa has.

At this point, only the Longhorns and the Vols have scheduled official visits with Katoa, so others still in the mix, namely Texas A&M, SMU, and Oklahoma, appear to be a step behind. When you combine the proximity factor and the belief that the 365-pounder is one of, if not the top interior lineman target for Texas, it's hard to picture a better option for him on paper. Katoa's most recent conversation with Horns247  after his visit to Austin for Junior Day reflected the idea of his status as a priority, and it's hard to find any other instances of him speaking of a program in that way.

 

Temple Top247 EDGE Jamarion Carlton (TURBOFF)

Like it —

This prediction for the Longhorns comes nearly nine months after Horns247's Jordan Scruggs was the first to do so, and that should say a whole lot about how lasting Texas' momentum has been in Jamarion Carlton's recruitment. In recent months, Pete Kwiatkowski has backed off his pursuit of multiple elite pass-rushers in favor of Carlton, and it's no secret that the Temple star is seen as one of the program's top front seven targets.

That being said, Texas isn't the only school that has Carlton near the top of their board. Baylor, which is just about 35-minute drive from Temple, has been a major player to watch throughout the latest stage of his process, and the Bears have already proven themselves to be competitive when battling the Longhorns for blue-chip prospects in the current cycle. Apart from Baylor, both USC and LSU have done a solid job in their respective pursuits, but they all seem to fall short of what the Longhorns have to offer.

 

 

 

 

Not sure if Katoa's Jr. highlights have been posted but, holy shit, that is a big, strong, ANGRY young man who looks like he'll make everything forget all about John Mills if we get him: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17897403/674f3d7f352362e4628e5abc

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