Texas to host one of most important recruiting weekends of season

After watching rival Texas A&M capture recruiting momentum in the Lone Star State last weekend, the Texas Longhorns hope to flip the script with an important recruiting weekend on tap.

The Longhorns are expected to host three five stars and an important four-star quarterback target visits this weekend. A big group of unofficial visitors in the 2023 class and even some select sophomores will also be on the Forty Acres.

Texas gets chance to impress 5-star Devon Campbell

On3 Consensus five-star offensive tackle Devon Campbell of Arlington (Texas) Bowie made news earlier this week when he canceled his LSU official visit and reaffirmed he would be in Austin this weekend.

Campbell, the No. 9 prospect in the 2022 class according to the industry-generated On3 Consensus, has already visited Alabama, Oklahoma and USC. The candidates for the fifth and final visit on his list are Georgia, Florida, Oregon and Texas A&M. UGA is the favorite, at this point, to get that last visit.

But make no mistake, Texas and Oklahoma are considered the teams to beat.

Campbell said he hasn’t been concerned about the Longhorns’ struggles this season and believes he can be part of turning things around.

“Their season hasn’t impacted me at all,” he said. “Whatever school I go to, I’m committed to working and getting on the field to help the team win. Doing what I’ve got to do to better myself and for my teammates.”

From the Oklahoma side, star freshman quarterback Caleb Williams has been a big part of Campbell’s recruitment, and the two have formed a tight bond. Oklahoma, like Alabama, is another program that he says is “just business.”

Another top OL visiting Longhorns

On3 Consensus four-star offensive tackle Kam Dewberry of Humble (Texas) Atascocita is also scheduled to be at Texas for an official visit.

It’s been hard to get a read on where Dewberry is leaning toward. Texas A&M did a great job of hosting him last weekend, and he has a strong family bond with the Aggies. Oklahoma is also high on his list, so this visit weekend will be big for the Horns to regain some momentum with him.

There has been some chatter about Campbell and Dewberry talking about the same school potentially winning out for them. Campbell’s decision will be independent of anyone else’s, according to On3’s Gerry Hamilton.

Horns get shot with QB Devin Brown

Four-star quarterback Devin Brown says he’s still committed to USC. But until the Trojans have a coach, other schools – namely Ole Miss and Texas – aren’t going to stop pursuing him.

Brown raved about his official visit in October to Ole Miss, and it’s now the Longhorns’ chance to put themselves squarely in his recruitment.

Brown – whose recruitment will be one of the key recruiting battles that will determine the top 10 classes – still says all the right things about USC and his commitment. But who the Trojans hire likely will go a long way toward where he officially lands.

Texas wants to make sure Brown knows Austin would be a good option if he wants to go a different direction than USC.

5-star OT expected for unofficial visit

Five-star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks of Humble (Texas) Summer Creek made national headlines when spurned local schools Texas and Texas A&M to commit to Mario Cristobal and the Oregon Ducks on July 4.

Texas, which needs franchise offensive linemen like Banks, has yet to relent in its pursuit of the Houston area star. Neither has Texas A&M. Intel indicates there are some family dynamics that might keep Banks close to home.

That explains why he is expected to be at UT this weekend.

Another five-star that should be at Texas for a visit is cornerback Denver Harris of Houston North Shore. Harris has Alabama, A&M, Texas and LSU on his list.

Former TCU commit could visit

Matthew Golden, a four-star receiver out of Houston’s Klein Cain, recently added a Texas offer after he backed away from his commitment to TCU.

The coaching change at TCU opened the door up for the Longhorns. Texas now hopes to get Golden on campus this weekend for a visit.

“The offer was surprising,” Golden said. “Coming from Texas, that was unexpected. Coach Sark (Steve Sarkisian) Facetimed me and told me how good of a player he thought I was. Then he offered me a scholarship.”

Top underclass names visiting

Texas’ big recruiting weekend will also feature some top underclass prospects:

• 2023 four-star OT Isaiah Robinson of Arlington (Texas) Lamar
• Junior four-star IOL Harris Sewell of Odessa (Texas) Permian
• 2023 four-star EDGE Braylan Shelby of Friendswood, Texas
• 2024 LB Payton Pierce of Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy
• Sophomore Aeryn Hampton of Daingerfield, Texas