Father of new Texas 5-star WR commit Ryan Wingo hints recruitment might not be over

Texas pulled off a major football recruiting win on Wednesday, as the Longhorns made an eleventh-hour charge to topple Missouri for five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo out of St. Louis (Mo.) University High.

Wingo is the third five-star commitment for the Longhorns this cycle with just eight weeks until the Early Signing Period in December. A lot can happen between now and then in the world of recruiting, and Wingo’s father hinted that the recruitment might not actually be over.

In an interview after the announcement with local media, Ronnie Wingo Sr. said, “Signing Day is December the 20th. You never know what can happen.”

When asked if they will accept Mizzou continuing to pursue Ryan, his father unequivocally said, “Yes sir.”

“Signing day is December 20th… you never know what can happen.”

Interesting thoughts from Ryan Wingo’s dad after his son’s choice of Texas. I guess it ain’t over till it’s over. pic.twitter.com/wbVgUuqnCC

— Frank Cusumano (@Frank_Cusumano) October 25, 2023

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Wingo is the No. 26 overall prospect and No. 7 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Longhorns had to come from behind to beat out the Tigers

Wingo officially visited the Longhorns during the summer, along with Georgia, Missouri and Michigan. The Tigers and Longhorns, however, emerged as the two favorites coming out of the summer and early into the fall. And according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, it came down to the final hours this time.

“Multiple sources were pointing toward Missouri, and that’s the way it was until two or three days before his announcement. Things started to pick back up with Texas, and by the final hours, it was pretty split. Sources close to it said it was 60/40 Missouri with two days out, then shifted to 55/45 Texas the morning of his decision. By the time he got to a few hours from commitment time, it seemed 50/50 for each program.”

Now, with his commitment in hand the Longhorns will have to fend off Missouri and any others that will look to flip him between now and December 20.

“I think just that Sarkisian offense and how he utilizes his receivers is just different,” Wingo said of why he committed to Texas. “They get the ball out to their receivers, and you want to go play somewhere where they get their receivers the ball. They’ve got the quarterbacks too.”

Despite heading out of state, there’s still hometown pride for Wingo, who can’t wait to get to Austin and work for early playing time.

“I’ve got to put on for St. Louis while I’m up there,” Wingo said. “They’re getting a hard worker who’s going to try to come in and compete from the start.”