Payton Kirkland commits to the Texas Longhorns
Big surprise. 2023 On3 Consensus 4-star offensive tackle Payton Kirkland committed to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday.
The 6-foot-5.5, 354-pound Sunshine State lineman picked Texas over Michigan State and Oklahoma. The Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips product also considered Florida, Miami, and Alabama at various times during the recruitment.
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Kirkland, who sports an 81-inch wingspan and 9.5 inch hand, was in consistent contact with Texas offensive line coach Kyle Flood since the days leading up to Arch Manning’s commitment to the Longhorns. The Orlando area lineman was planning a mid-week official visit in June, but a family reunion caused plans to change. Kirkland and Texas have been discussing an official visit for September 3 or 10.
The No. 296-ranked prospect in the On3 Consensus ranking has one official visit remaining. He made June official visits to Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan State and Miami.
Kirkland becomes the 20th commitment for the Longhorns No. 5 ranked recruiting class, and the fifth and final offensive line commitment. Along with Flood, Orlando area recruiter Tashard Choice was key in the win for Texas.
Texas commitments
The Texas Longhorns No. 5 ranked class is headlined by a pair of On3 Consensus 5-stars, and 12 On3 Consensus 4-stars.
No. 1 Arch Manning, QB, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman – On3 Consensus 5-star
No. 27 Derek Williams, S, New Iberia (La.) Westgate – On3 Consensus 5-star
No. 37 Johntay Cook II, WR, DeSoto (Texas) High
No. 56 Malik Muhammad, CB, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
No. 70 Ryan Niblett, WR, Houston (Texas) Eisenhower
No. 240 Jaydon Chatman, OT, Killeen (Texas) Harker Heights
No. 242 Sydir Mitchell, DL, Ordell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic
No. 245 Jamel Johnson, S, Arlington (Texas) Seguin
No. 246 S’Maje Burrell, LB, Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley
No. 270 Dylan Spencer, DL, Houston (Texas) C.E. King
No. 272 Jonah Wilson, WR, Houston (Texas) Dekaney
No. 296 Payton Kirkland, OT, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips
No. 306 Tre Wisner, RB, DeSoto (Texas) High
No. 351 Liona Lefau, LB, Kahuku (Hi.) High
No. 482 Connor Stroh, IOL, Frisco (Texas) Wakeland
No. 497 Trevor Goosby, OT, Melissa (Texas) High
No. 592 Spencer Shannon, TE, Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei
No. 643 Billy Walton, EDGE, Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff
No. 728 Andre Cojoe, IOL, Mansfield (Texas) Timberview
No. 766 Will Randle, TE, New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman
