Texas Longhorns have path to a top 3 class

The Texas Longhorns enter December with the No. 5 class in the On3 Consensus rankings.

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That means Steve Sarkisian and staff are on the cusp of signing back-to-back top five recruiting classes after last cycle’s thunderous close in December. That also means that a top three class is within reach should the Longhorns close strong once again. After beating Baylor to finish 8-4 to provide a three win improvement over year one in Austin, the Texas staff is hitting the road with very positive momentum.

A look at the top five of the class rankings reveals that Notre Dame’s No. 3 class doesn’t have as much upside possibility as Texas or Ohio State. And the Fighting Irish are in battles to hang on to a 5-star and 4-star from the Lone Star State.

Inside Texas believes Alabama and Georgia are locks for the top two classes. It then comes down to how well Ohio State and LSU close.

As important as it is to look at other classes, Sarkisian and staff absolutely must hold onto the highest ranked prospects committed in the class. That’s a must in order for Texas to challenge for a top three ranked class.

The class as is stands

Texas’ 2023 class is currently made up of 21 commitments, and is headlined by On3 Consensus 5-stars Arch Manning and Derek Williams. Texas has two 5-stars and 12 On3 Consensus 4-stars in the class.

When looking at the On3 Consensus team rankings and calculating the Longhorns’ chances, only the 18 highest ranked prospects in a class count toward the class ranking.

That provides the possibility of a combination of four prospects that are 5-stars and 4-stars to ascend the Texas class into the top three.

Anthony Hill is a “must get”

In order for the Longhorns to land a second consecutive top five class, and challenge for a top three class, Anthony Hill is a “must get” recruit. The one-time Texas A&M verbal is considered a slight lean to Texas following the re-opening of his recruitment and unofficial visit for the Longhorns’ game versus TCU.

The Texas staff is all in on Hill, and a win by Texas is a must from a recruiting perspective and for filling a need.

Need to land two 4-star wide receivers

The Longhorns are in the mix for four On3 Consensus 4-star wide receivers. The kicker with this quartet is that they are all currently committed to other schools. So the flips could impact the class rankings in more ways than one.

Should the Longhorns flip Westlake star Jaden Greathouse from Notre Dame, that would set up Texas for a top three class if Hill were in the boat. Texas remains in communication with the local playmaker.

On3 Consensus 4-star and Louisville verbal DeAndre Moore Jr. made an official visit to Texas on November 12, and confidence remains fairly high in Austin. Sarkisian always wants to have a strong footprint in the state of California, and Moore is very high on his list.

A flip of USC commitment Ja’Kobi Lane would push the class up a little as well. Texas has some confidence they are in the fight, but those on the West Coast expect Lane to stick with USC.

The same can be said for On3 Consensus 4-star and LSU verbal Kyle Parker. A flip of Parker would push the average ranking in the class up a little. Texas wide receivers coach Brennan Marion will be in DFW to see Parker this weekend.

Defensive line still a need

The defensive line position remains a need in the class. Two high school prospects the Longhorns remain in the mix for are Roderick Pierce and Justin Benton. The 6-foot-2.5, 293-pound Pierce will officially visit December 17, while West Virginia “soft commit” Benton is likely to do the same.

Neither would make a dent in the class ranking as it currently stands. Pierce remains one of the more underrated prospects nationally in the 2023 cycle.

Like the defensive linemen, Peach State cornerback Tyler Scott wouldn’t likely push the class up in the rankings. With that said, the Longhorns covet the 6-foot-2 senior riser cornerback. Texas is battling Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn and USC for Scott with Texas scheduled to host him December 17.

Wildcard recruitments impact the ceiling of the class

The Texas staff continues to fight for a number of highly ranked prospects. The big name is On3 Consensus 5-star tight end Duce Robinson. The Longhorns continue to trail USC and Georgia for the nation’s top tight end. Robinson may not decide until the February signing period.

The Longhorns continue to recruit a pair of in-state defensive backs considered long shots headed into December. Four-star Javien Toviano is a possibility to make a December official visit. His recruitment is a complete wildcard with LSU having felt the most confident during the season.

Then there is On3 Consensus 5-star safety and Notre Dame verbal Peyton Bowen. The Longhorns will keep swinging away. With that said, Oklahoma and Texas A&M considered to be the teams with the best shot to flip throughout the season.

Landing one of the two 5-stars would obviously put Texas over the top with a top three class.