Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie 4-star defensive tackle Brandon Brown has three official visits locked in, and one of them is to Texas.

The Texas verbal and 6-2, 285 pound uber explosive defensive tackle told OnTexasFootball Wednesday night that he will make an official visit to Texas June 10-12. 

"My visit to Texas is June 10, we get there. And I think we leave on the 12th," Brown told OTF.

Brown also remains scheduled to make an unofficial visit to Texas march 22 around a weekend 7v7 tournament in the Austin area. 

That visit to Texas will come on the heels of an official visit to Tennessee June 7-9. Brown will also make an official visit to USC June 21-23. 

The Sunshine State 4-star is also looking at official visits to Florida, Miami and possibly either Penn State or LSU. 

Brown committed to Texas December 19 over Tennessee, Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, Oklahoma and USC. 

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, area recruiter Tashard Choice and Jeff Banks stopped by Eau Gallie High January 29 to talk with Brown. 

Brown put up monster stats as a junior for Eau Gallie High. He totaled 65 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and four stats. He enters his senior season with 155 tackles, 48 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks in 32 games over three years. 

Hours after OnTexasFootball broke the news that Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill running back Rickey Stewart will officially visit June 14-16, OTF can report a 4-star wide receiver target will visit the same weekend. 

Hitchcock (Texas) High speedy playmaker Kelshaun Johnson will make his official visit to Texas June 14-16.

Johnson, 5-11 and 165 pounds with 4.4 speed, will begin the official visit process the last weekend in May with a trip to Penn State. He will follow up the trip to Happy Valley with an official visit to Texas Tech June 7-9. 

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, wide receivers coach Chris Jackson and area recruiter Blake Gideon all made stops at Hitchcock High in January. The Longhorns are considered the favorite headed into the spring. 

Texas A&M is also in the mix for an official visit, as well as USC. Programs such as Kansas, Ole Miss and others are also in pursuit. 

June 14-16 Official Visitor List
Rickey Stewart, RB, Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star

Kelshaun Johnson, WR, Hitchcock (Texas) High
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star

John Mills, IOL, San Francisco (Calif.) St. Ignatius 
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star

Jonte Newman, OT, Cypress (Texas) Bridgeland
OnTexasFootball ranking: 4-star

Majority of schools are split at wide receiver and running back for where he fits in at the next level. Texas is still even trying to decipher what is the best fit for him. The message Terry is receiving most from schools is "get to campus and we will figure it out from there."

New programs in this recruitment include Oregon, TCU, Texas A&M and Nebraska. Texas is firmly in the mix as well.

Tashard Choice actually extended the first offer Michael Terry III received when he was in 8th grade. Choice offered when he was still at Georgia Tech. 

When I get back home, I will have a more detailed outlook on the recruitment posted up on the site. Biggest takeaway here is that things are pretty open going into the spring – much more so than coming out of the winter visit to Texas.

Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill's Rickey Stewart told OnTexasFootball Wednesday afternoon that he has locked in his official visit to Texas.

Stewart, 5-11 and 190, will make an official visit June 14-16. He's the first known official visit date for a Texas running back target in the 2025 cycle. 

Stewart told OnTexasFootball last week that he plans to visit Texas unofficially April 6. He will make that visit with his mother. 

Stewart was one of a handful of 2025 prospects offered by Steve Sarkisian and staff January 20. Sarkisian and area recruiter Blake Gideon followed with a visit to Chapel Hill High the following week.

Since the Texas offer, the Longhorns have held a big lead in the race for the east Texas tar and one-time SMU verbal. Baylor is running second in the recruitment with SMU and Oklahoma State on the peripheral. 

Stewart by the numbers

Stewart is part of a junior class at Chapel Hill that has been winners in every sport. He rushed for 2,855 yards on 271 carries (10.5 per tote) with 40 touchdowns, along with 18 receptions for 284 yards and four scores as a junior. That was after a standout sophomore season of 236 carries for 2,262 yards (9.6 per carry) and 20 scores in 2022. 

Stewart also delivered against the top competition on the schedule:

Vs. Gilmer - 19 carries for 278 yards and a TD

Vs. Van - 19 carries for 195 yards and 4 TD’s

Vs. El Campo (playoffs) - 16 carries for 222 yards and 3 TD’s

Vs. Kilgore (playoffs) - 32 carries for 230 yards and a TD

Vs. Davenport (playoffs) - 28 carries for 220 yards and 3 TD’s

His three year totals are 630 carries for 6,098 yards (9.7 per carry) with 64 touchdowns, and 28 receptions for 400 yards and six scores in 31 games. 

Sachse, Texas - When listing the top targets at wide receiver in the 2025 cycle for the Texas, Sachse High's Kaliq Lockett is one of the first few mentioned. 

Lockett, 6-1.5 and 175 pounds with 10.25 inch hands, was offered by the Longhorns December 7. Following the offer were visits to Sachse High by Steve Sarkisian, Chris Jackson and Tashard Choice in December and January. The communication has been relationship building prior to an April 6 visit to Austin. 

"Man, I was on the phone with Coach Sark last week and I talk to Coach (Chris) Jackson on a week-to-week basis," Lockett said Tuesday afternoon. "And I touch base with Coach (Tashard) Choice too. So the coaches and I stay in touch, and I can't wait to get back to Texas."

That visit to Texas will be a first in over a year, and the message is clear by Sarkisian and Jackson. 

"I was there for Junior Day last year (January 2023). Coach Sark's message is that I'm a top target for Texas right now. And Coach Jackson has stressed that too."

Lockett is also being recruited by Texas 2025 quarterback commitment K.J. Lacey (Saraland, Ala./High). 

"Oh yeah, I'm in contact with K.J. He's telling me to go ahead and slide to Texas. He wants to be my quarterback."

Lockett also knows Johntay Cook II and Xavier Filsaime from the TexasFlex 7v7 program. He speaks with Cook frequently. 

Before Lockett makes the April 6 visit to Texas, the DFW area fast rising star will make a trip of visits. 

"I have Florida State March 9, Penn State March 14, Ohio State March 22-23, Texas on April 6, LSU April 12 and Texas A&M April 20. And it could be more.

Lockett on the contenders

Florida State: "I've never been to FSU. I have only been to Florida on time for a 7v7 tournament (January this year). Coach (Ron) Dugans has stressed to me that he has to get me out there. And I have to come check it out. Florida State is a school I'm interested in, and have been wanting to go see." 

Penn State: "I camped at Penn State last summer where I earned an offer. So I kind of got a feel for how Coach (Marques) Hagans coach a little bit. I got to meet Coach (James) Franklin and the rest of the staff. I didn't get to see all of Penn State, but I'm looking forward to seeing it March 14."

Ohio State: "I've never been on campus. I've never been that far from the region of Dallas. Ohio State is one that I have been wanting. The resume they have, and Coach (Brian) Hartline's resume, is that they have already had two Texas guys under his belt. And who he brought in for the 2024 class, including Jeremiah Smith, and the 2025 class they have guys coming in. I'm really looking forward to see how he coaches in person, and getting to meet the rest of the staff, see the campus and facilities."

LSU: "Coach (Cortez) Hankton, Coach (Brian) Kelly, Coach Sloan and Coach Turner - they have been in close contact with me. I talk to Coach Hankton on a week-to-week basis as well. Their fire power on offense was crazy."

Texas A&M: "I had the opportunity to camp with Coach (Holmon) Wiggins when he was at Bama. So I already got a feel for how he coaches. Coach (Mike) Elko, his resume speaks for itself. He took a 2-7 Duke team to a 9-3/8-4 Duke team. And he didn't have near the resources he has at Texas A&M. So when you combine his coaching skills with the people he's brought in and the resources he has - it's unbelievable what he could do at Texas A&M. Coach Wiggins put multiple receivers in the league that he has coached. His resume speaks for itself." 

Lockett's grandmother taught class at Texas A&M. His mom's side of the family is half LSU and half Texas A&M fans. His father grew up in Southern California. 

Lockett sports 30 offers with LSU, Oklahoma, USC, Ohio State, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Missouri, Florida State, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Miami and Kansas State since late October. 

***

First, there is a desire from new Texas offer and current Auburn DL commit Malik Autry to visit Austin this spring. Autry told me he is going to be making the trip to Texas but there was no date or timeline attached for when that might take place.

The 6-foot-5.5 and 320-pound defensive lineman has been committed to Auburn since February 1, 2023. Any chance of flipping this commitment starts with a visit to campus and building from there. 

Until then, it's just a prayer.

***

Our Gerry Hamilton released the visit dates for 2025 Jasper TE Kiotti Armstrong yesterday which included plans to visit three schools: LSU on March 23, Texas A&M on April 6 and Texas on April 13.

This does not quite lineup with where Texas wants its top offensive targets to arrive, as the April 6 visitors list has become remarkably loaded on that side of the ball. 

I too believe this will recruitment will be a Texas vs. Texas A&M battle when it all comes down to it. However, lately I have heard there is a slight edge in the favor of the Aggies despite the ties to Texas with early enrollee Tyanthony Smith helping the cause here.

Will certainly get a clearer picture following the spring visits and head into the summer months.

The Texas Longhorns once again ripped out the hearts of a moblike Texas Tech fan base Tuesday night. The Longhorns responded from one rough day at Kansas with an 81-69 win at Texas Tech Tuesday night in a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated. 

Texas (18-10, 7-8) has a strong NCAA Resume currently, and is firmly in the Big Dance after Tuesday night.  

OnTexasFootball takes a look ahead, and the scenarios for Texas to continue to be comfortably in the tourney.

Texas’ Remaining Regular Season Schedule
3/2 Oklahoma State 
3/4 @ No. 12 Baylor 
3/9 No. 25 Oklahoma 

NCAA Men’s Basketball NET Rankings (Feb. 28)
Texas is No. 33 in NCAA NET after the win at Texas Tech. The Horns moved up seven spots from No. 40.

The Longhorns are 5-7 in Quad 1 games, 2-2 vs. Quad 2, 2-1 vs. Quad 3 and 9-0 vs. Quad 4. 

Quad 1 games remaining for the Longhorns:
No. 14 @ Baylor 

Quad 2 game remaining:
No. 40 Oklahoma 

Quad 3 games remaining:
No. 113 Oklahoma State 

T-Rank 
Texas is No. 23 in Bart Torvik’s rankings after Tuesday night.

2024 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings
Texas checks in at No. 28 after the win at Texas Tech.

What it means for Texas

The Longhorns are comfortably in the NCAA Tournament after Tuesday nights win. The resume continues to be aided by five Quad 1 wins and four Big 12 road wins. Only 14 teams in all of college basketball have more Quad 1 wins than Texas, and one of those is not in a Power 5 conference. 

While Strength of Schedule as a whole may not carry as much weight as it used to, the Longhorns have played a top 25 ranked schedule and will likely end up with a scheduled ranked in the 17-20 area. Texas' Big 12 schedule will carry a lot of weight when it comes to getting in the tournament, and seeding. 

Most years, a sub .500 conference record would not get you into the Field of 68. With the monster level Big 12 Conference in 2023-24, Texas would get in at 8-10. There currently nine Big 12 teams projected to get in the Big Dance.

Texas and seeding:

Scenario 1: 20-11, 9-9 is likely a 7 seed headed into Big 12 Tournament

Scenario 2: 19-12, 8-10 would likely be a 8-9 seed headed into Big 12 Tournament 

Scenario 3: 18-13, 7-11 would send the Horns to the NIT without a run in the Big 12 Tournament. That would mean an 0-3 finish to the regular season, which is highly unlikely. 

Right now, I do not see a scenario where Texas is 21-10 and 10-8 to finish the regular season. That would mean winning the last four games (Texas Tech starting the streak), including at Baylor on Monday.  Texas has not shown that consistent type of stretch this season over talent neutralized stretches. The Longhorns haven't won three Big 12 games in a row this season. 

Hightower (Texas) High defensive back Kade Phillips has locked in an official visit to Texas. 

The 6-1.5, 180 pound versatile defensive back with an 80 inch wingspan and 10 inch hands told OnTexasFootball he will make an official visit to Texas June 21-23.

Phillips was offered by safeties coach and area recruiter Blake Gideon February 17. 

"The Texas offer meant a lot to me," Phillips told OnTexasFootball last week at Hightower High. "Texas is a big school, big culture and it meant a lot. It felt great. Coach Gideon came to see me multiple times. He came to track practice, came by the field house multiple times just to talk. Texas is going to be up there. Up there." 

Phillips attended Texas Junior day January 20. He has been on campus multiple times in the last year, including a game visit in 2023. 

Texas A&M and LSU remain the competition

Phillips is the younger brother of former Texas A&M linebacker signee Kenneth Phillips, who had his career cut short after a devastating knee injury his senior season. He remains a student at Texas A&M. Kade Phillips was back on campus in College Station January 27 for Junior Day.

"Coach (Mike) Elko just wants everybody to be part of the recruitment. Not just your position coach, but all of the coaches. He wants it to be one big family. They offered me at corner, but like my versatility. Wherever the team needs me is what they said."

Phillips will make his first ever trip to LSU this spring. It's a visit that will be very key in the recruitment.

"I'm in contact with Coach (Corey) Raymond every day. He's just checking in on me, seeing how I'm doing. I just know it's LSU. Big facility, big program. It will be a big visit fore me when I go down there."

Arkansas, Oregon, Baylor and Kansas as schools also making runs right now. 

Phillips plans to commit prior to his senior season after June official visits. 

2027 QB Weston Nielsen has seen his recruitment really pop over the last few weeks.

After starting the final eight games of the regular season, the cat is out of the bag with the CenTex gunslinger. Nielsen received his offer from Oregon on September 24, then received nine offers in the months of January and February.

Texas made two stops by Bastrop during the contact window to evaluate Nielsen as well. The first was Steve Sarkisian on the first day of the contact window, January 12, and then the second was a solo visit from AJ Milwee two weeks later.

Milwee was able to watch the 2027 quarterback throw in workouts as well.

We know the Texas staff is rather peculiar when it comes to quarterback recruiting. Sarkisian is not loose with quarterback offers regardless of the talent crop, nor on-roster depth. Texas will have the shortest trek of any major D1 program to keep tabs on the 6-foot-3 quarterback during his development.

The Bastrop staff is expecting the Longhorn staff to return to campus again to watch Nielsen throw during the spring. Should be interesting to follow with the local kid.