Texas region recruiting Four-Cast: Predictions on elite prospects
As more visits recruits coordinate official visits, it’s starting to become more clear which teams are becoming serious options for some of Texas’ top prospects. The following quartet of recruits will be watched particularly closely in the coming weeks.
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The situation: Little has been tough to get a great read on but has family ties to Ole Miss, has visited Stanford several times, and is expected to still be considering Texas. He has scheduled an official visit to Florida State, so that would seemingly be his de facto top-five.
The frontrunner: Texas
The better Texas does this season, the more attractive option they become. Little is big and strong, but not bulky. He's the ideal offensive lineman that can lay the lumber in a power offense and also keep up with an up-tempo pace of play.
The other option: Stanford
Stanford has certainly piqued his interest and has an obvious bargaining chip with its academic programs that the other schools don’t. Little has said repeatedly that the fact that he has siblings at Ole Miss isn’t a major factor in his decision, so playing at a top program that offers him so much academically seems to play more to his personal interests.
But don’t count out: Ole Miss
Little hasn’t seemed overly concerned about the investigation into possible recruiting violations by the Rebels and no matter what he says, there is an obvious connection to Ole Miss. So long as the Jimbo Fisher-to-LSU speculation continues, he may be leery to lean to the Seminoles when he has more obvious options, but Tallahassee has been a landing spot for many a top offensive lineman.
The situation: Deculus made the expected move to commit to LSU following his team’s spring game, but now could be re-evaluating that decision with the dismissal of Les Miles last weekend. The top-tier four-star offensive tackle is no doubt on the short list of recruits other programs are looking to steal away from the Tigers, but Deculus made it clear when he committed that he had been an LSU fan for years.
The frontrunner: LSU
LSU still has the advantage with Deculus with much of the coaching staff intact. If Ed Orgeron has a real opportunity to continue on as head coach beyond this season, that could make a huge difference - not just with Deculus’ commitment, but many others committed to the class as well.
The other option: Oklahoma
Oklahoma was the last school that visited Deculus prior to his commitment over the spring, and the Sooners are still on the prowl for more offensive line commitments in this class. Particularly if they don’t end up with Chuck Filiaga, whom they have been working on for a while, Deculus would be a fantastic alternate option.
But don’t count out: Texas A&M
Texas A&M would seemingly have a full class of offensive linemen in 2017, but Deculus is arguably better than all of them. It might mean not accepting the commitment of another player to get him in, but with the season the Aggies are having and the proximity to Houston, they have an opportunity to make a play for him.
The situation: Omar Manning is one of the most sought-after wide receivers in the country and has tried hard not to tip his hand when it comes to which schools have the best chance of landing his commitment, which he plans on announcing before the end of the season. He’s was expected to visit TCU this weekend with his high school team on a bye, but confirmed on Friday he won't be making a visit anywhere.
The frontrunner: TCU
TCU could very well be in the driver’s seat as it’s essentially his hometown team, and this past week he likened every visit he’s taken there to being a "family affair." He may still be in attendance on Saturday as an unofficial visitor, and if TCU pulls out a win against a down Oklahoma team, that could give the Horned Frogs a major boost in his final considerations.
The other option: Texas
Texas and Oklahoma were the last schools that he was able to visit over the summer, but the Longhorns might be the more zealous team to add him, given that the Sooners already have three big-time receivers committed for the time being. Manning is a similar player to Damion Miller, who is already committed to Texas.
But don’t count out: Texas A&M
Texas A&M is likely next in line. Even though the Aggies have a number of pass-catching offensive weapons committed, Manning is not the only receiver they are still recruiting. Manning also had been reported to visit Texas Tech this week in the Red Raiders' win over Kansas.
The situation: Nixon decommitted from Tennessee after committing to them over the spring. Since then, he’s been biding his time with his recruitment. A few teams that had offered him earlier in the process are now becoming more legitimate options, even though the Volunteers are still there in his back pocket.
The front-runner: Colorado
Nixon is taking his first official visit to Colorado on Oct. 14 when the Buffaloes host Arizona State. Colorado is the only official visit he has scheduled, and teammate Laviska Shenault has been committed to the Buffaloes for some time. Prior to his commitment to Texas, another teammate, Xavier Newman, was also very high on Colorado.
The other option: Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State could be in the market for another offensive playmaker as Tracin Wallace, one half of a twin wide receiver tandem with brother Tylan, suffered his second ACL tear of his high school career. Nixon also has close personal relationships with other players up there and if things don’t come together elsewhere, he may err on the side of familiarity.
But don’t count out: Tennessee
Part of the reason Nixon decommitted from Tennessee was the anticipation of other programs coming through with offers and a renewed interest in recruiting him. That hasn’t exactly been the case, and Nixon may choose to try and reopen talks with the Vols as they carry on with their successful season.
