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Recapping a big recruiting weekend for the Texas Longhorns

News and notes on the Saturday visitor's, Sunday's mini-camp, and updates on key targets.

By Wescott Eberts
Kenneth Murray at Texas
Kenneth Murray at Texas
via @murrayyy_2

Horns_bullet_mediumDuvernay down to 'Horns and Horned Frogs. Last week, the revelation that Oklahoma finished second for No. 4 wide receiver Devin Duvernay, the attempted Baylor signee who is now considering Texas and TCU in addition to the school north of the Red River, it looked like the Sooners had a strong chance of landing the speedy former Sachse star.

The fact that Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray is Duvernay's cousin only provided more fuel for that argument.

However, ESPN's Gerry Hamilton still believes that Texas and TCU are the leaders for Duvernay following his Saturday visit to Austin. And with good reason, apparently, as Duvernay confirmed that the 'Horns and Horned Frogs are his two finalists.

In addition to the normal sight-seeing on a visit, Duvernay sat down with the Texas staff to review the Orange and White game, with the staff selling him on the team's need for a difference-maker in the slot and highlighting every throw made by freshman Shane Buechele. Current players Brandon Jones, Jeffrey McCulloch, Charles Omenihu, and DeShon Elliott have also been making their own pitch to Duvernay, including letting him know that head coach Charlie Strong's job is safe.

A TCU visit is currently in the works for the consensus four-star prospect.

Horns_bullet_mediumThree-star linebacker Kenneth Murray visited Texas and Texas A&M on Saturday. No. 4 wide receiver Devin Duvernay wasn't the only high-profile visitor for Texas over the weekend, as rising Fort Bend Elkins linebacker Kenneth Murray spent the early afternoon in Austin and then travelled to College Station in the evening:

Both schools made the top 10 that Murray released at the beginning of June and his recruitment could come down to the two recruiting rivals, which isn't the case with many other 2017 prospects. Keep an eye on Oklahoma, as well, as the Sooners have jumped back into Texas recruiting with a vengeance after avoiding or neglecting the state for several years.

Horns_bullet_mediumOne of the Moore brothers was back in Austin for Sunday's mini-camp. A week after Yoakum twins Jordan and Joshua Moore picked up offers immediately after working out for head coach Charlie Strong and his staff at the first Texas mini-camp of the summer, Jordan returned to Austin to work out at wide receiver:

Joshua is currently listed at 6'0.5, but may be taller, while Jordan is 5'11, so Joshua seems more likely to end up at wide receiver than his shorter twin, who is likely to end up at cornerback or safety.

However, even if Jordan is headed for the defensive side of the ball, his relationship with Texas quarterback commit Sam Ehlinger could prove important for the 'Horns as a supplement to the fact that the mother of the twins went to Texas.

Horns_bullet_mediumTexas targeting two more former Baylor commits. In addition to Duvernay and likely several more 2016 Baylor signees who are requesting releases, Texas is evaluating two former 2017 commits -- Houston Bellaire teammates Donovan Stiner, a safety, and Jayden Peevy, a defensive tackle, according to 247Sports.

Neither player has an offer in hand from the Longhorns yet, but Stiner did visit for Sunday's mini-camp and worked out for the coaches:

With Hooks star Montrell Estell now a member of the Texas recruiting class, recruiting at the safety position is in much better shape than it appeared to be prior to Estell's decision, but Stiner is certainly a player who could be in line for an offer in the coming weeks. At 6'2 and 185 pounds, he's a player with a big frame and should see his recruitment take off now that he's once again on the open market.

Peevy is a 6'6, 279-pounder who could be at his best playing as a defensive in an odd front because of his height. Texas A&M offered during a weekend visit and Tennessee offered several days prior. Like Stiner, Peevy should see his stock rise in the coming weeks.

Horns_bullet_mediumFormer Texas tight end signee was apparently on campus Sunday. After failing to qualify to become a member of the Longhorns football program in the 2015 class, former US Army All-American Devonaire Clarington is now attending Blinn College out in Brenham.

On Sunday, Clarington posted the following:

So Clarington was hanging around at the Texas football offices, though he would still have a long way to go to end up at Texas as originally planned. But he clearly wants to be in the state and still has some ties to the program, so while it seems incredibly unlikely that Clarington ever suits up in burnt orange, it's not completely impossible, either.

Horns_bullet_mediumIn case you missed it...

  • Despite some serious recent buzz for Texas, Fort Bend Travis offensive guard Will Farrar committed to Texas Tech on Friday. With limited spots for interior linemen in the 2017 class and DeSoto guard Xavier Newman already pledged to the 'Horns, this isn't a particularly significant miss for offensive line coach Matt Mattox.
  • Several top Texas targets, including stud linebacker Baron Browning, No. 3 overall prospect Marvin Wilson, and new Rivals five-star offensive tackle Walker Little were in Atlanta for the 5-star Rivals Challenge over the weekend. Get their thoughts on the 'Horns here.
  • Wilson also released his list of top 10 schools on Sunday. Texas made the cut.

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