We take a look at some Texas Longhorns recruiting rumors, including whether or not the Longhorns have a legitimate shot at flipping wide receiver Jalen Lott.
WR Jalen Lott – Frisco Panther Creek
Frisco Panther Creek wide receiver, Oregon commitment and top Texas target Jalen Lott was at the Longhorns’ win over Sam Houston. That’s obviously a good development for the Longhorns, but I’m not sure I’d go buying a special-order burnt orange Lott jersey just yet. Lott has been pretty quiet since the visit, but the things I’m hearing is that his interest in Texas is still lukewarm, and he’s still pretty locked in with his Oregon commitment. We’ve been hearing/reporting for a couple of months that Lott was keeping the door open just a sliver, but we don’t believe the recent visit to Austin was a real gamechanger. Regardless, this will be one we’ll continue to monitor all the way until Lott officially inks.
RB Derrek Cooper – Chaminade-Madonna – Texas commitment
Texas running back commitment Derek Cooper took his UT official visit for the Sam Houston game, and all indications, including from people close to Cooper, are that it was a smashing success. Last Friday, with Texas having an off week, running backs coach Chad Scott was in attendance for Cooper’s game. Interestingly, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was also in attendance. There’s been talk of Cooper hitting the Miami-Florida State game in Tallahassee this weekend but we have not confirmed that with Cooper or those close to him. A Florida-based source did not expect that trip to happen as of midweek. Cooper is expected to be at the Texas-OU game in Dallas next weekend. The in-state schools continue to press for a flip. We like Texas’ position to hold onto Cooper’s commitment as things stand now but don’t be surprised if Miami goes all-in at some point.
S Eli Johnson – Cibolo Steele (2027)
Cibolo Steele 2027 safety Eli Johnson picked up a Texas offer over the summer and he was in Austin for his first-ever Texas game when the Longhorns hosted Sam Houston. Johnson is keeping things pretty open at this stage of his recruitment but Texas could lean on proximity if the staff decides to push for the national top-100 prospect. Johnson told OB that he likes that Texas is “super close,” and his mom would love it if he stayed close to home. He also likes UT’s academic reputation and the product that the Longhorns have put on the field in recent years.
WR Aden Starling – Pearland Shadow Creek – Houston commitment (2027)
2027 wide receiver Aden Starling is committed to Houston, but he tells OB that he’s keeping his recruitment open. Is he ever. Starling was at UT’s game against Sam Houston and at Ole Miss last weekend. He’ll hit games at Nebraska, South Carolina, Georgia, Clemson, Missouri and Florida in the coming weeks before returning to Austin for the Longhorns’ game against Texas A&M. A teammate of Texas commitment Chris Stewart, Starling said Stewart has been recruiting him heavily.
