Texas Recruiting Board: Defense (Monday 2:05 p.m. CST)

[Gerry Hamilton]

Texas Recruiting Board: Defense

The Texas Longhorns staff has more than 30 prospects in the 2025 cycle scheduled for official visits in June ahead of the spring evaluation period. 

That means the recruiting board is starting to take shape, even with Kenny Baker's spring evaluations likely to play a role in any board additions or changes. 

OnTexasFootball gets the first week of April started with a look at the recruiting board on defense.

Defensive line (3-4) 

Brandon Brown, DL, Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie #AllGasNoBrakes
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas unofficial visit March 22 went very well. Brown's OV's are Tennessee June 7-9, Texas June 14-16 and USC June 21-23. LSU, Florida and Miami are also threats. 

Josiah Sharma, DL, Folsom (Calif.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas put together a very impressive unofficial visit March 22 with Josiah and his mom leaving Austin extremely impressed. Sharma is expected to officially visit Texas June 14-16. Alabama, Washington, Oklahoma, Utah and Oregon are in the mix. 

Zion Williams, DL, Lufkin (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas vs. LSU currently with Texas A&M and TCU in the mix. Williams will be in Austin April 6 with his mom. The OV's are TCU May 3-5, LSU June 14-16 (likely), Texas June 21-23. The Aggies should get a visit as well. 

D.J. Sanders, DL, Bellville (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas A&M and Texas the top two with the Aggies receiving the most mention at this point. With that said, Texas will host Sanders April 6 and for an official visit June 21-23.

Malik Autry, DL, Opelika (Ala.) High - *Auburn commit 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Auburn commit taking visits. Was at Florida Saturday, and is scheduled to be in Austin April 6. USC and Oregon will also receive official visits. Texas is also a likely OV. 

Myron Charles, DL, Port Charlotte (Fla.) High 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas hasn't been able to make a dent in this one, yet. Florida State considered the favorite over Miami, Florida and a couple of SEC powers.

Kevin Wynn, DL, Greensboro (Ga.) Greene County 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Florida State, Alabama and Georgia are the top three. Texas will keep working to get the Peach State over the ball prospect on campus. 

Chace Sims, DL, Richmond (Texas) Randle 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas will host Sims for the first time April 6. Texas Tech and TCU are in pretty good spots early on with the Red Raiders set to host officially June 21-23. 

Floyd Guidry, DL, Spring (Texas) High - *TCU commit
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas will continue to hang around in this one for a while. The Horns do like Guidry. 

Derry Norris, DL, Port Orange (Fla.) Spruce Creek 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know: Texas will go see the 6-3, 270 pounder in person in May. One to watch. Miami has an OV June 7-9. Georgia Tech and Minnesota also have OV's on the books. 

EDGE (2-3)

Hayden Lowe, EDGE, Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Lowe will be on campus this weekend, and also make an official visit to Texas June 14-16. Johnny Nansen and Pete Kwiatkowski are all in on Lowe. Gird up your loins with an OV schedule of Georgia, Miami, Oregon and USC. 

Lance Jackson, EDGE, Texarkana (Texas) Pleasant Grove #AllGasNoBrakes
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Football is become more of the focus. Has been set back this spring on the diamond with a minor injury. Could be a 5-star prospect when all is said and done. 

Damien Shanklin, EDGE, Indianapolis (In.) Warren Central
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: This recruitment is Notre Dame's to lose. The official visit schedule is Notre Dame June 7-9, Tennessee June 14-16 and Texas June 21-23. He will also attend the Fighting irish spring game April 20. 

Smith Orogbo, EDGE, Alief (Texas) Hastings
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas will have Orogbo on campus this weekend, and for an official visit June 14-16. SMU on the OV schedule for May 17-19. USC, Oregon and Oklahoma State also mentioned. 

Linebacker (3)

Riley Pettijohn, LB, McKinney (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Was at Ohio State over the weekend, and is scheduled to be at USC this weekend and Texas April 20. The official visit scheduled has Florida State May 31-June 2, Texas June 14-16 and USC June 21-23. 

 

Elijah Barnes, LB, Dallas (Texas) Skyline
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know:  Texas is in a strong spot headed into April. Barnes' official visit scheduled is Nebraska April 26-28, SMU May 10-12, Texas June 21-23. Barnes and family are scheduled to be on campus April 6. 

Matai Tagoa'i, LB, San Clemente (Calif.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4–star
What to know:  Was on campus at USC last weekend as the Trojans look to make a big move to begin the spring. Washington, Utah and Texas have OV's scheduled with the Horns June 21-23. USC vs. Texas is where this one is headed, as of today. 

Anthony Williams, LB, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek #AllGasNoBrakes
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3–star
What to know:  The Texas pledge has been on campus at Baylor, and is expected to visit Florida and TCU among others. 

Johnathan Cunningham, LB, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3–star
What to know:  TCU is all in, and will receive an official visit May 3-5. SMU is also all in. Texas' Johnny Nansen remains in contact after a January offer. 

Defensive back (4-5)

Dorian Brew, CB, Conroe (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Was back on campus at Ohio State over the weekend. USC and Ohio State (June 21-23) are locked in for official visits. Texas and LSU will also receive OV's. Texas is likely June 14-16. LSU is also in the mix, and Michigan and Texas A&M are trying. 

Cobey Sellers, CB, Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Oklahoma lead headed into the spring over Texas. Made unofficial visits to Texas and Texas A&M over the weekend. Will be at Oklahoma April 20 for the Sooners spring game. Official visit scheduled consists of Texas A&M June 7-9, Texas June 14-16 and Oklahoma June 21-23. 

Adonyss Currie, CB, Lancaster (Calif.) Quartz Hill
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas has been working on an unofficial and official visit date for a while. Terry Joseph is the point man on the recruitment. Currie's OV scheduled is already packed with Miami, Washington, Utah, Nebraska and Texas A&M.

Caleb Chester, CB, Missouri City (Texas) Marshall
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
What to know: Chester's official visit schedule has Texas June 7-9, Arkansas June 14-16 and Texas A&M June 21-23. 

Aidan Anding, CB, Ruston (La.) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
What to know: The most recent offer by Terry Joseph visited Miami over the weekend. He told OnTexasFootball on Friday that he plans to visit Texas this spring. 

Kade Phillips, S/DB, Missouri City (Texas) Hightower
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas led headed into the spring. Phillips will be on campus April 6 after visiting Texas A&M last weekend. The official visit schedule has Texas A&M June 7-9, LSU June 14-16 and Texas June 21-23. 

Jonah Williams, S, Galveston (Texas) Ball 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Oklahoma has been the favorite since a January unofficial visit. Texas is scheduled to host Williams April 6, and for an official visit in June. 

Faheem Delane, S, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Delane is scheduled to visit Texas April 13. Ohio State, LSU, Maryland, Oregon and Tennessee are squarely in the hunt. 

Courtland Guillory, DB/S, Houston (Texas) Klein Oak
OnTexasFootball ranking: 3-star
What to know: Guillory visited Texas March 23 and will be at Texas A&M April 6. Arizona State is on the books for a May OV. 

 

Athlete (1)

Michael Terry, ATH, San Antonio (Texas) Alamo Heights
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star
What to know: Texas will host Terry April 20 for the Longhorns spring game. He will make an OV to Nebraska in late April. TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oregon and USC are in the mix. 

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[hookem1]

Not looking forward to seeing Rink likely commit to OU or A&M, but there are lots of talented DL players on the board regardless. 

My loins are girded up and ready. 

[GoHorns1]

Gerry, which DT offers are 0 tech who are 3, 5 tech?

Edited April 1, 2024 by GoHorns1

[HenryJames]

  On 4/1/2024 at 7:21 PM, hookem1 said:

Not looking forward to seeing Rink likely commit to OU or A&M

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Meh.

[hookem1]

  On 4/1/2024 at 7:50 PM, HenryJames said:

Meh.

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I just enjoy seeing players continue family connections at Texas (Holle, Shipley, etc) But I understand how recruiting boards work, and have faith in our recruiting staff. 

[Gerry Hamilton]

  On 4/1/2024 at 7:46 PM, GoHorns1 said:

Gerry, which DT offers are 0 tech who are 3, 5 tech?

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Brown and Sharma can play anywhere

Zion is a zero/tilt 

Malik Aurty is likely a zero/tilt 

[GoHorns1]

  On 4/1/2024 at 7:21 PM, hookem1 said:

Not looking forward to seeing Rink likely commit to OU or A&M, but there are lots of talented DL players on the board regardless. 

My loins are girded up and ready. 

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Rink isn’t a priority for Texas, time to move on

[Dave Hart]

Did anything happen with Woodfork and Morgan at EDGE, or did Texas simply have other players higher on their board? Thanks!

[hookem1]

  On 4/1/2024 at 8:25 PM, GoHorns1 said:

Rink isn’t a priority for Texas, time to move on

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  On 4/1/2024 at 7:59 PM, hookem1 said:

I just enjoy seeing players continue family connections at Texas (Holle, Shipley, etc) But I understand how recruiting boards work, and have faith in our recruiting staff. 

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[John Moore]

Heck of a board

[ryantnelson02]

Barnes and Pettijohn is how you build the 2021 Georgia defense. Two Elite Linebackers! 

[GoHorns1]

  On 4/1/2024 at 10:25 PM, ryantnelson02 said:

Barnes and Pettijohn is how you build the 2021 Georgia defense. Two Elite Linebackers! 

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Plus we already have Derion Gullette on campus.

[Ojeezy]

  On 4/1/2024 at 10:25 PM, ryantnelson02 said:

Barnes and Pettijohn is how you build the 2021 Georgia defense. Two Elite Linebackers! 

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Hope we get them both because Tagoa'i just committed to USC! Lol

[goathumper]

Expect Nansen to recruit Matai Tagoa'i through the whistle

[Burnt Orange Horn]

  On 4/1/2024 at 11:33 PM, Ojeezy said:

Hope we get them both because Tagoa'i just committed to USC! Lol

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So will he still visit Texas?

[John Moore]

  On 4/2/2024 at 3:04 AM, Burnt Orange Horn said:

So will he still visit Texas?

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With the nature of recruiting in 2024 I'd be shocked if he didn't

[agentmule]

the board is a banger!

[Gerry Hamilton]

  On 4/1/2024 at 8:36 PM, Dave Hart said:

Did anything happen with Woodfork and Morgan at EDGE, or did Texas simply have other players higher on their board? Thanks!

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Texas just has others higher on the board. Texas is very high on Hayden Lowe - that will be a recruiting war

Smith Orogbo has really emerged in state too. 

[qaertyisthatdude]

This DL class for Texas is going to be special.  I can feel it.  Longhorn fans are going to love the Kenny Baker era, especially if the coaching/development aspect doesn’t fall off after the departure of Bo Davis.  Doesn’t hurt to make NIL for DL to come to Texas more of a priority either.

[Gerry Hamilton]

  On 4/1/2024 at 11:33 PM, Ojeezy said:

Hope we get them both because Tagoa'i just committed to USC! Lol

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USC is extremely aggressive right now. Let's see what happens ... one of their recent "commits" is already scheduling visits to other schools. 

[cottoncitysmooth]

Is Texas still in contact/recruiting Chuck McDonald from Mater Dei? 

[Hookem97]

A lot of 4 stars lol...love to see it will build depth & versatility I think. Hook'em!