Texas A&M, Oregon and Texas standing out for 4-star Gus Cordova

Austin (Texas) Lake Travis 4-star defensive lineman Gus Cordova’s last two months on the recruiting trail have been filled with highlights.

The 6-foot-3 (without shoes) and 253-pounder has picked up six Power 5 offers in the last two months, and they are impactful in his recruitment. Texas A&M offered in December, and the Aggies have been joined by TCU, SMU, Miami, Texas and Nebraska so far in January.

He has also been on campus at Texas A&M and Texas for Junior Day visits this month. Last weekend, Cordova was offered by Steve Sarkisian at the Texas Longhorns Junior Day.

After a great talk with @CoachSark ,
I am blessed to receive an offer from @TexasFootball ‼️ pic.twitter.com/fFSnquuJSc

— Gus “Bus” Cordova 4🌟 (@gusbus_99) January 20, 2024

Cordova will be back on the road each of the next two weekends. He will head north to TCU Saturday before making a trip to Oregon February 3-4.

Three teams standing out early on

While it’s early in the process, there are three teams standing out. Two are arch-rivals renewed in the home state, and one if a new member in the Big 10.

Texas A&M: “It was a whole new staff. Even though they just got in before I arrived, it seemed like they knew what they were doing and wanted me there. It was great to be one of those people that they wanted to be on campus. Coach (Mike) Elko had a way with words, and talked how there are going to rebuild the program. He talked about how effective their defense was at Duke, and how they are going to do the same at A&M.” 

Oregon: “I’m going on the 3rd. I talk to defensive line coach, Tony Tuioti. I also talked to Dan Lanning a little bit, and apparently he’s psyched for me to come out and visit.”

Texas: “There were a lot of people there, but I thought I was getting singled out by the staff. Felt good to be one of the few offered with about 150 kids there. Coach Sark and I talked for about 15 minutes. He said I’m wanted, and I’m a priority there.” 

Cordova has two keys early on that will be differentiators.

“I’m looking for great facilities, a very good position coach. I feel like I’m going to be with my position coach and in the facilities more than anything, so those two things are very important.”

Cordova is up to 24 offers after Nebraska earlier today. That list includes 17 Power 5’s with representation by the Big 10, Big 12, SEC and ACC.

The Lake Travis two-year standout recorded 65 tackles and two sacks in 2023. He also posted 59 tackles and a sack as a sophomore in 2022.

Cordova is the No. 238 ranked prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking in the 2025 cycle. He also checks in as the No. 23 ranked defensive lineman, and No. 40 ranked prospect in the Lone Star State.