Which program is winning Texas in recruiting?
We’re about two months out from the Early Signing Period in December. While the No. 1 prospect in Texas, Zachary Evans, remains uncommitted, a good chunk of the state’s other elite prospects are divided among Texas, Texas A&M and others.
The Longhorns and Aggies have gone head to head on several of the best prospects in the Lone Star State in 2020. Oklahoma, Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson and LSU are a few out-of-state programs that also have highly-ranked Texas commits in the fold. So, which program is winning the state? Regional Analyst Sam Spiegelman and National Recruiting Analyst Mike Farrell discuss.
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COMMITMENT LISTS: Texas 2020 | Texas A&M 2020
CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals100 | Position | Team | State
MORE: Which ranking do you regret the most?
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FARRELL'S TAKE: TEXAS
I'm with Texas on this one. I know Texas A&M might end up getting the top three players in the state – if Evans stays there, which he might not – and LSU always does well in Texas and is also in the mix for Evans. But Texas has so many big names in the state, I don't think it's even close.
Hudson Card and J'Quinden Jackson are a great in-state 1-2 punch at quarterback and the Longhorns have an amazing group of offensive linemen from the state as well. From wide receivers to defensive backs to defensive linemen and linebackers, Texas has nailed each position in-state. To me this isn't even a discussion.
SPIEGELMAN'S TAKE: TEXAS
There’s a really strong chance that Texas A&M winds up signing Texas’ top three 2020 prospects when it’s all said and done. Two of those players are currently five-stars and Jaylon Jones is right on the cusp of that ranking. The Aggies can still make some noise down the stretch if they land Rivals100 ATH EJ Smith, Rivals250 OT Garrett Hayes or win the Evans sweepstakes.
Texas has made a statement with the 2020 class. While the Horns are out of the mix for Evans, they currently hold commitments from four in-state Rivals100 players (Troy Omeire, Vernon Broughton, Quentin Johnston, Prince Dorbah) as well as two of the state’s best quarterbacks in Card and Jackson. Overall, Texas holds commitments from 15 of the state’s top-60 prospects.
Tom Herman is currently winning Texas, but there is ample time for Texas A&M to shake things up late. It’s one thing to look at Texas’ quality and quantity of commitments in the 2020 class, but it’s another for the Aggies to potentially sign Evans, Demond Demas and Jones. So much hinges on what Evans will end up doing, and LSU, Georgia and Alabama are still making this a close race to the finish line.