Skip to main content
Texas

Recruiting Scoop: Texas' In-Home Visits with Elite Southeastern Targets

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook05/09/25josephcook89
Heze Kent
Chad Simmons (On3)

Texas is making major moves in the Southeast with key in-home visits to top-tier recruits. We break down who the Longhorns are targeting, what it means, and where things stand heading into summer.

[Sign up for Inside Texas TODAY and get the BEST Longhorns scoop!]

Call Luxe Kitchen and Bath at 833-358-LUXE today or visit luxekitchenbath.com to discover where quality meets luxury and begin the process of transforming your home.

Texas added a major piece to its 2026 recruiting class with the commitment of Hayward Howard from Louisiana. The commitment followed a well-timed in-home visit and aligned with insider predictions. His decision signals Texas’ ongoing success in recruiting from Louisiana.

Heze Kent of Brunswick, Georgia, stands at 6’6″ and 280 pounds and is widely viewed as one of the most versatile prospects in the nation. His athletic profile includes playing positions such as Wildcat quarterback, tight end, and even slot receiver. His physicality and agility make him a rare recruit.

Texas is selling Kent on the idea of being a playmaker, rather than just another lineman. This personalized recruiting approach sets them apart from other major programs like Georgia and Florida, which are also in the mix for him. He is scheduled to return for an official visit in June and is likely to make a decision by late July or early August.

Mark Bowman from California is another top priority for Texas. Despite being young for his class, he shows refined skills as both a blocker and a receiver. A potential combination of Bowman and Kent at the tight end position would be a major win for Texas.

Chad Scott, Texas’ running backs coach, is making a strong push for Derrek Cooper from Fort Lauderdale. Cooper recently visited campus, and an official visit is expected soon. Competing schools include Georgia, Miami, and Florida State, but Texas is gaining momentum.

The program is making Louisiana a key recruiting region. With past success stories from that area now part of Texas’ narrative, players like Howard are finding the program more appealing. Texas is actively pursuing other Louisiana-based talents and aims to turn the region into a consistent pipeline.

Join Inside Texas for Market-Leading Texas Longhorns Football coverage!

InsideTexas.com provides just what passionate Texas fans expect: Market-leading coverage of Longhorns athletics and recruiting.

Join the best Texas fan community and receive all the benefits that come with it:

  • Elite team and recruiting coverage of the program you love
  • Immediate access to any Longhorns break news
  • Exclusive insider practice reports and year-round team info as well as board Q&A’s with IT staff
  • High level discourse with the most passionate and informed Longhorns fans across multiple board forums.
  • Market leading team analysis for those who are looking to increase their understanding of Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski’s preferred concepts
  • So much more!

SIGN UP and ensure no Longhorns information gets by you: Join Inside Texas community today!

Talk about this story and many more with fellow Longhorn diehards on the Members Only forum.

You may also like