Texas looking to impress blue-chip SEC flip targets visiting this weekend

It’s spatula season on the recruiting trail. As the number of uncommitted targets continues to decrease with the December signing period in the wings, teams are turning their attention to potential decommitment and flip candidates.

Steve Sarkisian and Texas will be on the hunt this weekend as the Longhorns are set to host a plethora of recruits in Austin this weekend for their game against Kansas. In particular, a pair of blue-chippers committed to high-profile SEC programs are scheduled to be in attendance.

InsideTexas recruiting insider Gerry Hamilton joined On3’s Josh Newberg to detail who could be on flip watch as Texas looks to carry its momentum into the end of the year.

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Texas has chance to impress 4-star IOL DeAndre Carter

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star interior offensive lineman DeAndre Carter was seriously considering Texas before he pledged to Auburn on Sept. 3. He had planned an official visit with the Longhorns before committing, and while he hasn’t backed off of his commitment to the Tigers, he’s still making the trip to the Lone Star State for that OV this weekend.

Carter is the teammate of new five-star Texas pledge Brandon Baker, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2024 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. The Longhorns have a chance to make a big impression on the No. 9 IOL this weekend.

“I think Texas has a chance, we’ll see what we make of the visit. I think Auburn’s probably feeling a little nervous on this because he just committed Sept. 3,” Hamilton said. “He has not backed off that official visit date to Texas this week for Kansas … both of his parents are making the trip as well, so if you’re Auburn, you feel a little uncomfortable with this one because that’s pretty quick after you commit to make an official visit to the school that was probably their biggest competition.”

Auburn had Carter on the Plains for an official visit in June, which was subsequently followed up by an unofficial at the end of July, eventually leading to his commitment. Texas is now welcoming him back following an unofficial trip back in January. According to Hamilton, eventual playing time upon arrival could be a major factor for whether or not Carter sticks to his pledge with Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

“I think the interesting thing for Texas and Auburn in this one is: does he see a path to the field quicker at Auburn versus Texas? If you’re a guard, you have to have a little bit of patience at Texas right now, they have some really good young players that are starting, none of those guys are graduating,” Hamilton said. “Obviously that’s what Texas is going to have to overcome this weekend.”

5-star WR Dakorien Moore back in Austin for second straight week

This weekend will be Duncanville (Texas) five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore‘s second in a row in Austin. The LSU commit is the No. 9 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle and has plenty of connections to Texas.

“I would say it’s a soft commitment,” Hamilton said of Moore’s pledge to LSU. “This is the second Texas home game in a row he’s been to. There’s a decent chance he’s in the Cotton Bowl to watch Texas against Oklahoma next weekend. This is a recruitment that’s going to play out a while.”

Moore has a pair of teammates committed to the Longhorns in the 2024 cycle in Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons and three-star defensive lineman Alex January. It’s more than pull from his Duncanville compatriots, however. Moore’s family also features plenty of burnt orange.

He committed to LSU on Aug. 12, but all of the talk surrounding his recruitment since his pledge has come with a Texas-heavy theme. The more that Texas’ Quinn Ewers-led offense can thrive this season, the easier it’ll be for Moore to see how he’d fit in at the in-state powerhouse.

“Two of his teammates are (committed to Texas), is that the difference maker? Not necessarily, I think Texas winning football games, big-play offense at wide receiver is very helpful,” Hamilton said. “The thing for Texas fans to know with Dakorien Moore is: mom is from Austin, grandmother went to Texas, they’ve had other family members go to Texas, still has a lot of family in Austin…there’s gonna be that continued draw to Austin and Texas for the family. LSU’s going to have to overcome that long-term.”