5-star WR Ryan Wingo signs with Texas Longhorns
Saint Louis (Mo.) St. Louis University five-star wide receiver Ryan Wingo has signed with Texas.
Wingo entertained offers from across the country, and Texas, Miami, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas A&M and Missouri made his final six. But the No. 2 prospect in Missouri is taking his talents to Texas, after choosing the Longhorns in October.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder is the No. 28 overall prospect and No. 8 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Texas battled Missouri until the end
Wingo officially visited the Longhorns during the summer, along with Georgia, Missouri and Michigan. The Tigers and Longhorns, however, emerged as the two favorites coming out of the summer and early into the fall.
“I think I feel comfortable there,” he said after the official visit to the Forty Acres. “I was able to see the campus more and talk with the players. The players, they won’t lie to you because they were just in my shoes six or seven months ago or two or three years ago. They obviously will tell me the real things about the school, so I think I could see myself there.”
He returned to Austin for an unofficial visit on Sept. 16 for the Wyoming game, and Texas was trending as the favorite after. He visited Missouri multiple times in between then and now, and much of the momentum was considered to be with the Tigers. He even moved his original commitment date up from December 20.
The Tigers were considered by many to be the favorite to land him, but the Longhorns remained in contact. As the final days drew down to his decision, he liked what Texas offered in terms of development and early playing time, as well as the chance to play for wide receivers coach Chris Jackson.
“In the beginning, I thought this would happen on Dec. 20,” he said. “I took visits, I have been to all of those schools and I just had a change of heart. I talked it over with my family and got that feeling, so I decided to commit sooner. This is happening earlier than I expected, but things just changed.”
Wingo is the third five-star commitment this cycle for the Longhorns, joining Duncanville (Texas) Five-Star Plus+ EDGE Colin Simmons and Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei offensive tackle Brandon Baker.
Ryan Wingo Scouting Summary
“An electric playmaker who picks up yards in a hurry. Ran a 10.64 100m, 21.46 200m and a 50.72 400m in 2022. The ability to defeat the angle with the ball in his hands is among the best in the 2024 cycle early on. Can take the top off of defenses with ease but is not just a straight line player. His ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces and finish runs is rare for someone with his long speed. Has a chance to be an impact player at the next level. Older brother is former Arkansas running back Ronnie Wingo.”