:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46824796/peyton_aucoin.0.0.jpg)
As the Texas Longhorns remain in pursuit of two tight ends for the 2016 recruiting class, a reported visit from New Orleans (La.) Brother Martin's Peyton Aucoin could loom extremely large.
The 6'4, 254-pounder was on campus on Friday with his family and plans to make a decision in the next several weeks. Down to the Horns and Florida Gators, the consensus three-star prospect visited Gainesville a month ago and tripped to Austin in late April.
After the commitments of Colorado tight end Jack Stoll to Nebraska and Aucoin's teammate Irvin Smith to Texas A&M, Aucoin emerged as the key target at the position because there's only one other uncommitted prospect among the eight tight ends offered by the Horns so far -- Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage's Nick Eubanks, who hasn't shown any significant interest in Texas since picking up his offer in May.
Texas hosted LSU pledge Jamal Pettigrew at Under the Lights last weekend and could receive a visit from Texas Tech pledge Donte Coleman, so there is at least a slight chance of flipping one of those prospects. Since position coach Jeff Traylor wants to take two recruits, landing Aucoin and then continuing to recruit the two receiving specialists looks like the current ideal scenario.
Aucoin is the No. 949 prospect overall, the No. 41 tight end, and the No. 48 player in Louisiana, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Other schools to offer include Arizona State, Michigan, Missouri, NC State, and Ole Miss.
The battle between the Longhorns and Gators is an interesting one -- both are proud programs that have fallen on hard times in recent years. Both feature new head coaches selling a vision for the future. Which staff will more effectively communicate that vision to Aucoin and his family?
The Horns currently hold the lead in his 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions:
Since Smith is the primary receiver of the two at Brother Martin, Aucoin works mostly as a blocker, but he does have solid athleticism, so he may have more upside in the passing game than he's been able to show in high school.