Horns247 looks at the recruitments where the 247Sports Crystal Ball currently favors the Longhorns.
Hank South
Texas football is getting set for another busy summer on the Forty Acres with well over three dozen official visitors expected throughout the month of June. The Longhorns have top targets at every position expected, with many planning to make their college decisions after taking their official visits in the summer.
Ahead of the action, Horns247 takes a look at the current 247Sports Crystal Ball trends that are favoring the Longhorns, of which there are 10 recruitments (we're not including recruits that are already committed to Texas).
We break down who they are and the latest as it pertains to the Longhorns.
Take a look!
Dakorien Moore, 5-star WR,
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 175 pounds
Rating: No. 1wide receiver, No. 3 overall player in the country, per the247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available: "Big-play receiver who provides return game weapon for perennial Texas 6A powerhouse. Pedestrian height but good length with some frame space.
Possesses a strong multi-sport profile that includes some promising 100- and 200-meter reps, plus participation in state title-contending 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Speed shows on the field, especially in the first 10 to 20 yards. Glider with separating ability thanks to both speed and agility.
Gets on top of corners in a flash and shows excellent downfield ball-tracking concentration. Spatially aware of defender, boundaries, etc., and displays good body control when required. Plays bigger than listed size thanks to timing, ball skills, and adjustment acumen.
Shows some subtle route snap that fosters separation at multiple levels. Impressive run-after-catch threat with a sprinter's stride, but also elusiveness without punitive gear-down when redirecting.
Honing expanded route tree will raise ceiling on playmaking arsenal. Plays plenty fast but every once a while the top end might not correspond to the combine testing and track data.
Bona fide high-major receiver prospect who looks like one of the top prospects in Texas and top receivers nationally entering his junior season. Projects as a multi-year impact player with a long-term ceiling that could produce NFL Draft early-round consideration."
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Moore de-committed from LSU on Thursday evening, something most covering Texas recruiting have expected for a few months. The Longhorns are now trending on the Crystal Ball ahead of three summer official visits to Ohio State, Texas, and Oregon. The Buckeyes may be the top competition at this point in time, but Texas is in good shape entering the summer.
James Simon, 4-star RB, Shreveport (La.) Calvary Baptist
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds
Rating: No. 15 running back, No. 199 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available: N/A
Crystal Ball: 84.6 percent to Texas, 15.4 percent to LSU
The latest:Simon will announce a commitment on May 29. Texas, LSU, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M are the main teams in consideration, although he hasn't named a final group of favorites. The Longhorns have been trending in recent months, as Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice has turned up the heat on the talented Bayou State ball carrier to join Rickey Stewart in UT's 2025 backfield.
Riley Pettijohn, 4-star LB, McKinney
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
Rating: No. 4 linebacker, No. 34 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available:An athletic defender who can play on all three downs, Pettijohn has been the heart of McKinney's defense since moving to inside linebacker in his junior year. At roughly 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Pettijohn's frame should have the capacity to play closer to 230 pounds at the college level.
A highly-instinctive linebacker who triggers quickly on the run and shoots gaps well, Pettijohn is an exceptional open-field tackler. He takes good angles of pursuit and fits the run well. Having previously played safety, Pettijohn is capable in coverage as well.
Pettijohn is solid when taking on contact at the point of attack, but he can be inconsistent at times with technique there. His physicality should improve once he gets into a college strength program.
His testing numbers indicate a high ceiling for development and he has a strong pedigree as the son of a former two-time All-Big East defensive lineman.
A production machine that averages double-digit tackles per game, Pettijohn should be viewed as a future centerpiece of an elite college football defense.
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Pettijohn says he has a leader in mind, but isn't sharing which school that is for now. Texas, Florida State, Ohio State, Texas A&M, and USC are all under consideration. Pettijohn is UT's top linebacker target remaining on the board. We believe he's UT's to lose.
Michael Fasusi, 5-star OT, Lewisville
Height/Weight:6-foot-4, 285 pounds
Rating: No. 3 offensive tackle, No. 13 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available: N/A
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Fasusi is getting set to embark upon his official visit slate in the month of June with planned stops at Missouri (May 31-June 2), Texas A&M (June 6-8), Oklahoma (June 14-16) and Texas at (June 21-23). Horns247 predicted Fasusi to the Longhorns earlier this year and continue to feel good about where Kyle Flood and Co. stand entering the summer. Texas has considered Fasusi its top tackle prospect for some time now.
Devin Coleman, IOL, Cedar Hill
Height/Weight:6-foot-5, 315 pounds
Rating: N/A
Evaluation if available: N/A
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Devin and his twin brother Jordan are two of the Longhorns' top interior targets in the class of 2025. Both have visited Austin twice this year so far, with Devin earning his offer shortly after Junior Day back in January.
"Everybody here is kind-hearted," Devin said after his latest visit to the Forty Acres on April 6. "Amazing people, amazing team. It seems like all the team loves each other. They have that amount of respect for each other. I like it. We will be back for an official visit."
Jordan Coleman, IOL, Cedar Hill
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 310 pounds
Rating: N/A
Evaluation if available: N/A
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Devin and his twin brother Jordan are two of the Longhorns' top interior targets in the class of 2025. Both have visited Austin twice this year so far, with Devin earning his offer shortly after Junior Day back in January. They'll be back on June 21 for an official visit.They'll be back on June 21 for an official visit.
"I love being here," Jordan said after an April 6 visit to the Forty Acres. "Every time we come down here it's always a great experience. Good people. I love the city. It's a good view, right over there. So yeah, I love being here."
Kelshaun Johnson, 4-star WR, Hitchco*ck
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 160 pounds
Rating: No. 5 athlete, No. 207 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available:Multi-phase playmaker at the TXHSFB 3A level. Slight frame but plays with wiry strength. Versatile prospect who could play receiver or in the secondary. Very well may be too good with the ball in his hands to keep him away from offense. Flashes twitchy, creative run-after-catch ability with sudden redirecting explosion. Good get-off at the line coupled with impressive acceleration. Simply faster than his foes at the TXHSFB small-school level. Owns strong multi-sport context with basketball experience and sub-11.00 100-meter speed. Need more concrete info regarding measurements and frame potential. Certainly fast but could possibly squeeze a bit more juice out of the top end. Projects as a high-major prospect who could provide early special teams value and long-term impact as a playmaking receiver with upside.
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Texas is trending for the talented playmaker. Johnson has even admitted he's considered committing to the Longhorns on a couple of occasions. He's going to follow through and take official visits in the summer. UT's top competition is USC.
Marcus Harris, 4-star WR, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 185 pounds
Rating: No. 15 wide receiver, No. 140 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available: N/A
Crystal Ball:100 percent to Texas
The latest: While the Crystal Ball favors the Longhorns heavily, this one could come down to official visits in the summer. Other programs like Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and Tennessee are heavily in the picture. With Texas trending up for guys like Dakorien Moore, Jaime Ffrench, Kaliq Lockett, and the aforementioned Johnson, does that ultimately influence Harris to look elsewhere? We'll see this summer.
Tyler Thomas, 3-star OT, Dickinson
Height/Weight: 6-foot-4.5, 317 pounds
Rating: No. 41 interior offensive lineman, No. 676 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available:Burly offensive lineman with experience at both tackles who may ultimately project to a long-term guard role. Likely capable of providing roster value / position flexibility. Enormous base with lower-body strength that enables anchoring. Adequate movement ability in pass protection and when asked to climb to the second level. Still developing foot quickness and functional athleticism in general. Hands are inconsistent at this stage. Size / mass suggest immense power capacity when fully developed. Checks the multi-sport box with limited (to date) shot put experience. Projects as a Power Five-caliber O-line prospect with ready-to-play size and natural physical tools that suggest some upside.
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Thomas said he was leaning to Texas last summer. Texas A&M has become more of a factor in the months since. It will likely come down to the Longhorns and Aggies after official visits in June.
Caleb Chester, 3-star CB, Fort Bend Marshall
Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 170 pounds
Rating: No. 70 cornerback, No. 742 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings
Evaluation if available: N/A
Crystal Ball: 100 percent to Texas
The latest: Chester is one of just a few cornerback targets of the Longhorns' within the state of Texas. Sources close to the recruitment believe the decision will come down to Texas and Texas A&M come commitment time. Chester has also has official visits for Arkansas and LSU in the month of June. UT has yet to land a defensive back in the class of 2025. That will change this summer.
Texas' 2025 class as things stand
Commitments: 7
Class rank: No. 22, per the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings
Commitments:
Lance Jackson, 4-star DL, Pleasant Grove
Elijah Bo Barnes, 4-star LB, Skyline
Emaree Winston, 4-star TE, Calhoun (Ga.)
KJ Lacey, 4-star QB, Saraland
Rickey Stewart, 4-star RB, Tyler Chapel Hill
Brandon Brown, 4-star DL, Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie
Jackson Christian, 3-star IOL, Port Neches-Groves
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