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New Orleans (La.) McDonogh 35 defensive tackle Stephon Taylor narrowed his list to the Texas Longhorns and Florida State Seminoles after official visits to both schools over the last two weekends, according to Noles247.
The South Carolina Gamecocks are still expected to receive an official visit from Taylor next weekend ahead of his decision on National Signing Day due to Taylor's relationship with new head coach Will Muschamp, but that visit seems unlikely to boost the Gamecocks above his two tentative finalists if he does take it.
The 6'4, 292-pounder moved the Seminoles into strong contention after his trip to Tallahassee last weekend and an in-home visit from Florida State coaches last weekend. A Junior Day visit last February produced Taylor's offer originally, so the Seminoles have been lingering in his recruitment for some time.
However, Texas has been the hottest team in his recruitment for weeks -- a Football Brainiacs report in late December indicated that Taylor had Texas as his leader, according to a source. He visited Texas last summer and has had the Longhorns in the mix for a while, in part due to his longtime relationship with defensive line coach Brick Haley, who held the same position in Baton Rouge before coming to Austin.
Texas head coach Charlie Strong reportedly held his in-home visit with Taylor on Sunday night after hosting him on his official visit on January 15.
Former favorite LSU is now effectively out of it with Taylor after receiving a commitment from star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence, who is probably the final take for the Tigers at the position.
With LSU now all but officially eliminated, it appears that Texas will land Taylor if it can maintain the lead generated up until the Florida State visit bump.