Prediction: These recruits will end up at one of Texas, A&M, OU, or LSU

The SEC has long been known for its intense recruiting battles in the Deep South. With Texas and Oklahoma officially joining the SEC in July, the fierce SEC recruiting battleground has expanded westward.

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There have always been intense recruiting battles in Texas, but I don’t recall a time where it was so obvious this amount of instate players were going to end up at one of these four schools. Part of that has to do with external factors (e.g. UT and OU officially in the SEC, Nick Saban retiring) but a major driving factor is the talented in-state crop. The state of Texas is loaded in 2025 and each of the four schools are positioned well to land Texas recruits. 

UT is on the upswing after making the playoffs and entering the 2024 season as a Top-3 or 4 team. Thanks to explosive offense, including Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, LSU has won amidst a rebuild in Baton Rouge. OU has kept its head above water during a significant rebuild. A&M has the new car smell of a new coach after retiring the old lemon.

I’m certainly not saying these are the only options for in-state players, but I’d bet heavily most of the players listed below will end up at one of the four regional rivals.

Some prospects who aren’t listed will end up at one of these schools but I didn’t include them because it doesn’t appear they are battles between at least two of the main participants.

WR Dakorien Moore – LSU

On3 Industry Rating: 98.72

Details: He’s the best player in the state and best receiver in the country. Committed to LSU but Texas remains a team to watch in addition to Ohio State and Oregon.

OT Michael Fasusi

On3 IR: 96.25

Details: Texas vs OU, or OU vs Texas. But, both A&M and LSU are making strong pushes as well. Outsider Missouri has emerged as a dark horse. 

OT Ty Haywood

On3 IR: 96.22

Details: Of the Big 3 OT’s in the state (Fasusi, Haywood, Rogers), OU is in the best position to land two of them. A&M and Texas are also pushing, as are a number of outsiders. There’s a good chance he’ll end up at one of OU, A&M, or Texas.

CB Dorian Brew

On3 IR: 95.61

Details: Outsiders Ohio State and USC are definitely in this recruitment but when it’s all said and done I believe he’ll end up at UT or LSU.

ATH Jonah Williams

On3 IR: 95.61

Details: OU has the inside track with A&M pushing. Texas has never truly gained traction. Oregon is an outsider to watch. 

WR Kaliq Lockett

On3 IR: 95.53

Details: The player with perhaps the best ball skills in the country is pretty open with a busy Spring scheduled. A&M and LSU are squarely in it but I feel UT has the chance to make a move after he visits Austin. A number of outsiders could make a strong push, including Oregon and Ohio State.

ATH Michael Terry

On3 IR: 95.05

Details: Both Texas and A&M are right in the mix for the top ‘athlete’ in the country. A&M might have the inside track if they go with a ‘wide receiver’ evaluation. I do wonder what his NFL position would be long-term.

LB Riley Pettijohn

On3 IR: 94.16

Details: Texas is in a good spot with A&M also in the mix. The outsider to watch is Ohio State.

OT Lamont Rogers

On3 IR: 93.81

Details: Of the four schools, I would handicap this one OU, A&M, LSU, and UT. Though, like with Fasusi, Missouri has entered the chat.

WR Andrew Marsh

On3 IR: 93.65

Details: It’s not hard to see the playmaker ending up at Texas, A&M, or LSU. Michigan is also in the mix.

TE Kiotti Armstrong

On3 IR: 92.87

Details: This is seemingly an A&M vs Texas battle with LSU and Miami trying to get in the mix. I’d handicap the Aggies as the favorite with two Spring visits scheduled.

DT DJ Sanders

On3 IR: 92.58

Details: Another A&M vs UT battle where the Aggies have the inside track. 

CB Cobey Sellers

On3 IR: 91.78

Details: Texas vs OU. Outsiders are certainly trying to gain his attention but this is a Red River Shootout.  

Edge Max Granville

On3 IR: 91.68

Details: Of the regional schools this is OU vs A&M. OU has recruited Granville harder than anyone but A&M is really stepping up its efforts. 

WR Kelshaun Johnson

On3 IR: 91.02

Details: Texas is the current favorite for the track star, though A&M and USC will receive visits this Spring. 

TE Nick Townsend

On3 IR: 90.86

Details: The still under-rated (possible five-star to me) dynamic tight end is in contact with each of Texas, A&M, OU, and LSU. There’s a decent chance Texas and A&M will split Townsend and Armstrong, though each recruitment has a ways to play out. 

OT Ryan Fodje – Oklahoma

On3 IR: 90.41

Details: OU is trying to LOAD up at offensive line this cycle and struck early gold with Fodje. That was a win over A&M and UT who had just entered the picture with an offer.

WR Jacorey Watson

On3 IR: 89.94

Details: Texas, Texas A&M, and LSU are squarely in it. My main prediction is he’ll blow up this season as he gets to return to wide receiver, his future college position. He has tremendous all-around makeup to become a stud slot receiver. 

S Kade Phillips

On3 IR: 89.87

Details: Phillips already knows he’s taking official visits to Texas, LSU, A&M, and Oregon. 

WR Tanook Hines

On3 IR: 89.55

Details: Texas and OU remain in contact but so too do a number in- and out-of-state schools. 

DT Zion Williams

On3 IR: 89.06

Details: First, this rating is perplexing but so too are many of the ones to follow. Linemen don’t seem to receive the same level of evaluation from the networks unless they’re obvious freaks. Anyway, this battle involves Texas, LSU, and A&M. 

OT Jonte Newman

On3 IR: 89.00

Details: Texas, OU, and A&M are all involved but so too are a number of schools across the country. Newman will take an official visit to Texas. The Big 3 OT’s might end up being the Big 4. I’m a big fan of Newman.

DT Landon Rink

On3 IR: 88.66

Details: Texas, A&M, OU, and LSU are all after him. Ohio State is as well. Not bad for a three-star! A&M might be the favorite despite Rink being a Texas legacy. 

IOL Jackson Christian

On3 IR: 88.61

Details: At one point Texas held the inside track but A&M is making a big push with the new staff. He already has his official visits locked in for each.

IOL Connor Carty

On3 IR: 88.28

Details: Texas, A&M, OU, and LSU comprise 33% of his Top 12. 

IOL Tyler Thomas

On3 IR: 87.44

Details: Thomas has all four of Texas, A&M, OU, and LSU in his Top 8.

DL Xavier Ukponu

On3 IR: 85.50

Details: Texas A&M, Texas, and LSU are all recruiting the Denton Guyer defender. Oregon is in the mix as well. 

CB Caleb Chester

On3 IR: N/A

Details: The Fort Bend Marshall star will visit each of Texas, LSU, and A&M this Spring and already has June official visits scheduled to Texas and A&M.

CB Courtland Guillory

On3 IR: N/A

Details: Guillory has Spring visits set for Texas, OU, and A&M, and June official visits scheduled for Texas and OU.