While many 2018 players in Texas have made commitments over the summer ahead of their senior seasons, there are still a number of players in the state that have two teams primarily competing for their upcoming commitments. Here’s a look at the highest-ranked uncommitted players and the two teams in the hunt for each.
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TEXAS VS. OHIO STATE
Cook is planning on announcing his commitment in late October and publicly, he’s released a top three that included the Buckeyes, Longhorns and LSU. The feeling predating the release of that top three was that it has really always been a two-horse race between Texas and Ohio State, so that announcement backed up that sentiment.
Personal relationships figure to play a part in his decision as in one hand his good friend, Jeffrey Okudah, has been recruiting him to Ohio State since he knew that he was going to commit there last year. On the other hand, many of his friends - including at least one of his high school teammates - are committed to Texas this year.
FLORIDA STATE VS. ALABAMA
It’s likely too early to say that things are definitively down to Alabama and Florida State. The Seminoles, however, have long been thought to be the top contender for Waddle - particularly with former teammate Marvin Wilson in Tallahassee. Alabama is thought to be the one making the push slightly out in front of the rest of the pack, following his attendance at the Crimson Tide’s season opener against the Seminoles.
Waddle had planned on taking his official visit to Florida State this weekend, but that is likely going to be postponed now that FSU’s game against Miami has been rescheduled for Oct. 7. There are enough teams in the mix that he’ll likely take all of his officials, but it seems as though the Seminoles and Tide are the frontrunners for the time being.
ALABAMA VS. OKLAHOMA
Brown is set to announce his commitment in early November, and has been eyeing an official visit to Alabama in October when the Tide host Tennessee. Brown said in July that he felt as though Oklahoma had cooled a bit on him, but after the fast start the Sooners have had this season with Lincoln Riley at head coach, the staff should look to refocus its efforts on him. Brown has had a long relationship with the coaches on the Alabama staff, and that will be a difficult hurdle to clear for the Sooners or anyone else.
TEXAS VS. TCU
Similar to Cook, the most significant conversation when it comes to Jamison has been his likely decision between the Longhorns and Horned Frogs. With all of the defensive backs committed to Texas already, is it possible that he knows Cook is leaning to Texas and chooses to commit to TCU? A number of his friends from Houston Fast 7v7 have committed to the Frogs already, including another teammate from Lamar/Fast, Ta’Zhawn Henry.
Texas has been the more present team in his recruitment, as Jamison made several visits to Austin during the offseason and has a number of friends committed to the Longhorns in this class. Jamison will announce his commitment in October.
TEXAS TECH VS. WASHINGTON STATE
Even though the Red Raiders seem to have a full stable of wide receivers in 2018, have you ever known them to not take just one more? Jackson would also be the highest-ranked player in that group and give Tech two four-star prospects in its class for the first time since 2015. Jackson said this summer that he’s really valued the attention that the Washington State staff has shown him going back to last season, and with its recent success, Wazzu has become a more attractive option than one might think.