Texas Four-Cast: Where will the top recruits land?

High school football has started throughout Texas, so it is time to look at four more top prospects across the region and identify which schools are sitting in the best position in those recruitments.

MORE REGIONAL FOUR-CASTS: Mid-Atlantic | Midwest | Southeast | West

The situation: Wilson released his top 10 list of schools in June with no real surprises in the group. He recently said in an interview with SoonerScoop.com that he is going to cut that list down to five after he’s taken his official visits. A visit doesn't mean a school will be a finalist though.

The frontrunner: In perhaps a 1A and 1B scenario sit Texas and Oklahoma. Wilson has said that he has been a fan of the Longhorns since he was young but that there is also plenty to like about the Sooners. Texas’ Paul Boyette Jr.'s game against Notre Dame makes it easy to envision Wilson doing the same for the Longhorns, and he was there to see it in person. Meanwhile, Wilson said that the chances are ‘really high’ that the Sooners make it through to his top five.

The other option: Alabama and Ole Miss could emerge as the SEC options for Wilson over LSU after all. Wilson took a spring visit with teammate Walker Little to Oxford that was critical for the Rebels. He also did a peculiar thing a little more than a month ago when he deleted a tweet to the effect of ‘Alabama is back in my recruitment’ quickly after posting it.

Don’t count out: He mentioned that Ohio State and Florida State were two teams that were likely to receive official visits, despite him saying that doesn’t mean they will definitively make his top five.

The situation: There hasn’t been much noise made in Okudah’s recruitment after taking a couple of visits over the summer to schools most believe are his main choices thus far. The X-Factor in his recruitment will be if a fourth team can make a run at him during the fall and persuade him to take a late official, then scoop him up at the end.

The frontrunner: Oklahoma seems to be winning the battle with Ohio State when it comes to luring Okudah into the fold. The Sooners already have a number of defensive backs committed, but none of them are as polished and ready to contribute as quickly as Okudah. The Sooners already have a big, strong class and could be looking to create some urgency in his decision with spots filling up.

The other option: Okudah plans on being in attendance for Oklahoma’s home game versus Ohio State on Sept. 17, and the Buckeyes are the other heavy-hitter that have made a strong play for him. He visited Columbus over the summer with fellow top-ranked defender Baron Browning. Urban Meyer would love to pick up a win in Norman with him in attendance.

Don’t count out: Okudah has said that Texas has maintained a good relationship with him. Charlie Strong could still use help in his secondary sooner than later, and there’s no question Okudah would instantly be the best player in Texas’ class with his pledge.

The situation: Filiaga, who released his top 10 schools this week to Rivals, will be taking an official visit to Oregon this weekend. The Ducks and Southern Cal are the West Coast teams still in the picture with him. But Filiaga was in attendance at the Trojans’ game against Alabama, and they didn’t exactly deliver an inspiring performance in a neutral venue.

The frontrunner: Oklahoma has been going hard after Filiaga and the Sooners are tentatively his next visit after he returns from Eugene. The Sooners already have three offensive linemen committed, but they’re all interior players. Filiaga would round out the group well, but more importantly give Bob Stoops a top tackle in the class.

The other option: Texas is going to be hard to ignore if the Longhorns show throughout the season that they’ve turned the corner and are well on their way back to national prominence. Filiaga was also on hand last weekend for Texas’ win against Notre Dame.

Don’t count out: Michigan could be a sneaky pick as the season goes on. Filiaga has an affinity for big gameday atmospheres and he can certainly find that in Ann Arbor. He also admits that he’s not considering location as a major criteria in his decision, after having moved around throughout his childhood numerous times.

The situation: Hines released his top 10 recently and a commitment date of Nov. 29. He took a visit to Texas A&M last weekend, and originally had scheduled a visit to Texas this weekend when the Longhorns host UTEP. It’s been reported that now Hines will not be taking that visit and he’s yet to release any dates or destinations of any official visits he may be taking soon.

The frontrunner: It’s Oklahoma, again, that could hold this position by the most narrow of margins. The Sooners didn’t do a tremendous job representing themselves to kick off the season, but the aura of Bob Stoops remains a crucial element with recruits. Conventional wisdom would suggest that Hines will be in attendance for the Texas-OU game in October in Dallas. Of which team will Hines be considered a guest?

The other option: Texas and Texas A&M will be seriously considered with the added wrinkle that Hines has canceled his originally scheduled official to Texas this weekend following his trip to College Station in Week 1. He is a top priority for A&M and is familiar with the Longhorns after having visited several times.

Don’t count out: Ohio State will be floating around as a contender with the Buckeyes also thought to be finalists for fellow Texas recruits Baron Browning and Jeffrey Okudah. Hines took a big unofficial visit to Columbus in June, and the trio of Texas defenders would be an incredible haul for Urban Meyer.