The Texas Longhorns made the first significant cut to the list of Kennedale linebacker Baron Browning upon its release on Wednesday evening via Twitter:
— Baron Browning (@baronbrwnng) April 7, 2016
The Longhorns are currently considered one of the front-runners to eventually land the services of the 6'3, 230-pounder who was a longtime pledge to the Baylor Bears before re-opening his recruitment on Valentine's Day. Interestingly enough, the Bears did not make the cut, despite hosting Browning for an unofficial visit in the middle of March. Another surprising omission are the Texas A&M Aggies, another in-state school that recently hosted Browning on a visit.
The biggest competition for Texas at this point may be the Ohio State Buckeyes -- Browning plans on taking a visit to Columbus in the near future and is close friends with fellow five-star prospect Jeffrey Okudah, the standout South Grand Prairie safety. Okudah is also high on the Buckeyes and could end up taking the visit with Browning, who told Burnt Orange Nation in March that Ohio State is near the top of his list.
Like a lot of recruits in the state, Browning will keep a close eye on the Texas program this fall to see what happens on the field and that could ultimately prove to be a key factor in his eventual decision. He was a visitor for the Junior Day in late February.
The last five predictions in the 247Sports Crystal Ball all favor the Longhorns in the national battle for the nation's No. 2 outside linebacker, so Texas is seemingly in a good position heading into the summer.