OTF Premium Texas football weekend recruiting intel: Part I

[Hank South]

AUSTIN, Texas — OV Weekend 1 is complete and buzz around the Texas Longhorns is growing as UT looks to build on its 2027 class. 

Here’s Part I of the latest intel we’re hearing coming out of the weekend -- Jordan and CJ will post their intel in the comments below. 

Later on tonight Gerry Hamilton will publish Part II. 

— On five-star CB John Meredith III … returns from talking to sources have relayed the same optimism sources have been relaying for weeks. The Longhorns look to be in prime position despite Texas A&M doing everything they can to sully those efforts. We maintain this continues to be an Aggies/Longhorns race, with a decision coming in the near future. 

— Multiple sources noted Texas Tech linebacker Jhadyn Nelson enjoying his visit, one source going as far as thinking the Langham Creek product flips. We’re not there just yet in terms of that projection as a staff, but the interest is more serious in the Longhorns than just simply taking a visit.

— I spoke with one source familiar with four-star defensive lineman Kasi Currie’s recruitment, who told me Texas “is looking real good” in the Sierra Canyon product’s recruitment. Earlier this spring Currie named Texas his leader. The Longhorns are battling Ohio State, Oregon, and Georgia for the talented West Coast prospect. Richard Wesley helps here. 

— Five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou is more than likely to decide between Texas and Ohio State whenever he does make a decision, which sounds like it’s gearing more towards end of July to early August as originally planned. One source thinks UGA is out at this stage. Oregon and Notre Dame are up next on the OV schedule. This could be a signature recruitment for LaAllan Clark, similar to that of Richard Wesley — also out of Sierra Canyon. Sources are bullish on where Texas stands. 

— Four-star safety Junior Tu’upo says Texas outright leads in his recruitment ahead of Alabama, Oregon, and others. Tu’upo is the top safety target and was treated as such, spending time with Jonah Williams, who he resembles as a prospect. Tu’upo plans to announce a decision on June 25. Auburn will host the Alabama standout next weekend, followed by Alabama June 19-21. The Tide are the biggest competition at this stage. Of note, Tu’upo has only lived in Alabama for a year after moving in from Florida, so he’s not born and raised Crimson Tide. 

— OTF has been on the forefront of projecting four-star edge rusher Jabarrius Garror to Texas, and we feel even better about that projection coming out of the weekend. We could see movement on a decision from the Mobile area pass rusher this upcoming week. Florida State is set to host him June 19-21. We’ll see if that visit even happens. This is a Texas-Auburn race. 

— Texas is locking down its commitments early. Of the guys we talked to at the airport: Derwin Fields, Noah Roberts, JT Geraci, and Brock Williams … they’re all shutting down their recruitments, only planning to visit Texas going forward. The class camaraderie is strong at this juncture.

[Jordan Scruggs]

Notes/thoughts on Texas' latest commitment, two of this weekend's official visitors, and one of next weekend's official visitors:

North Forney WR Briceson Thrower — AGNB27

Looking back on it, the Thrower recruitment was awesome to cover. It was straightforward the entire time and there was never fluff or much of any misdirection. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve ever covered a recruitment of a wide receiver that had as little drama as Thrower’s recruitment did. He is a great young man from a great family and is extremely likable and easy to root for. And he’s not your regular three-star either. He could very well finish as a four-star and is a player with traits, measurements, times, and the right mental wiring to be projected to the NFL Draft years down the road. 

I think his commitment was taken a bit for granted given that there was no drama and that it was Texas vs. the field for months, so I just wanted to make it clear Thrower isn’t just a player that can play at Texas, he’s a player who can start and make a real impact in Austin before hearing his name called in the NFL Draft. He’s also a relentless and hard worker who will make the rest of the position room and locker room better. Rankings and stargazers might take Thrower for granted, but Texas fans shouldn’t be sleeping on the young man from North Forney. 

I was able to speak with Thrower’s wide receivers coach, offensive coordinator, and head coach at Thrower’s ceremony on Saturday and will have quotes from them up on OTF on Monday. 

Barbers Hill DL Raiden Cook — Houston commit

I was able to catch up with Cook while he was in the car on the way home from his Texas official visit. I went into the weekend viewing this recruitment as one that Houston would hold on to, and I still feel that way after speaking with Cook. He had a good time on his official visit and it’s not like Texas did anything wrong, I just don’t see a flip happening here at this current juncture. 

The Cougars have prioritized Cook more than anyone and in every which way and I continue to think that strategy will pay off for them. Texas A&M recently offered and will host Cook for an OV the June 12-14 weekend. Then he’ll head to Texas Tech for an OV the June 19-21 weekend and he also mentioned he might see Vanderbilt on a midweek OV this week or the next. 

North Crowley CB John Meredith III

Meredith didn’t offer much when I spoke with him coming out of the OV but he still plans to make a decision before the month is over and I still lean Texas over Texas A&M. The nation’s No. 1 CB was hosted by Jermaine Bishop and Jonathan “Deuce” Cunningham and said “it just felt like home” when talking about the visit.

Meredith told me he’s still considering scheduling an official visit for the June 19-21 weekend but if you ask me I think the Texas official visit was the last OV of his recruiting process. As OTF has reported for a while, Meredith is playing in the OT7 National Tournament June 11-14 and a decision being made during, before, or after the tournament would be far from a surprise. 

It’s also worth mentioning Texas A&M is all-in on landing one of Meredith or Joshua Dobson. It will essentially be fiscally impossible to land both. I spoke with a source in College Station earlier today who views the Aggies as the team to beat for Dobson and that the North Carolina native has higher chances to end up in College Station than Meredith does. Meredith will probably make his decision before Dobson does but it was still worth mentioning FWIW.

DeSoto RB SaRod Baker — Texas Tech commit

I don’t have any new intel to include but wanted to add that a source confirmed Baker still intends to officially visit Texas the June 12-14 weekend. I felt it was worth mentioning with all of Texas-Texas Tech talk on social media as of late. He was in College Station this weekend, will be in Austin this weekend, and Lubbock the weekend after that. Baker is one of only three running backs who will see Texas on an official visit this summer. The others are Texas pledge Noah Roberts, who OVed to Austin this weekend, and Richmond Randle’s Landen Williams-Callis, who will be in Austin on an OV the June 19-21 weekend.

[McCoyColt]

That’s the good stuff

[CJ Vogel]

2 minutes ago, Hank South said:

— I spoke with one source familiar with four-star defensive lineman Kasi Currie’s recruitment, who told me Texas “is looking real good” in the Sierra Canyon product’s recruitment.

Will echo Hank here. One source called after I got home from the airport and mentioned of all of the visitors this weekend, their biggest surprise was how well Texas is positioned for Currie. Source went on to say they believed Texas was the clear team to beat, but will see on that one. 

[Joe Zura]

Great stuff Hank and Jordan clearly the Aggie Gerry and the short person CJ have given up lol kidding great stuff 

[Bunk Moreland]

@Bobby Burton hats off to you—you have assembled a hell of a team. This level of recruiting news and analysis is not just unmatched in the market, you’re playing a completely different sport than the rest of the field. Really awesome work this weekend, OTF team!

[Hank South]

3 minutes ago, Joe Zura said:

Great stuff Hank and Jordan clearly the Aggie Gerry and the short person CJ have given up lol kidding great stuff 

Gerry gonna drop Part II before the livestream tonight at 7 👀

[Bunk Moreland]

Just now, Hank South said:

Gerry gonna drop Part II before the livestream tonight at 7 👀

How’s he gonna do that with a coconut cocktail in one hand and a mayo corndog in the other?

[All Gas No Brakes]

Great stuff guys! Been looking forward to hearing all the buzz coming out of the first official visit weekend 🤘🏼

[James Bianchetta]

This is far and away the best information you’ll find on the Texas market 

[Joe Zura]

14 minutes ago, Hank South said:

Gerry gonna drop Part II before the livestream tonight at 7 👀

You can’t trust that Aggie Gerry Hank you will soon understand lol

[CJ Vogel]

Nearly every commit we spoke to today mentioned recruiting Jhadyn Nelson away from Texas Tech. 

Based off other conversations, it sounds like he’s listening. We will see how Tech is able to limit the momentum here.  

[Jonesyfam7]

Good stuff!