5-star FL RB Lorenzo Lingard picks up Texas offer

The first national target at running back for new Texas Longhorns ace recruiter Stan Drayton?

Lorenzo Lingard, a 2018 Orange City (Fla.) University product who picked up an offer from the ‘Horns on Wednesday:

The 6’0, 180-pounder also recently retweeted the following tweet from the Texas Assistant Director of Player Personnel:

Lingard now has close to 30 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and others.

In-state schools Miami and Florida State both hold early 247Sports Crystal Ball projections for the consensus five-star prospect, but Ohio State is also considered a contender after hosting Lingard for an unofficial visit in November. The Hurricanes and Seminoles also hosted him during the fall.

If Texas is going to have a shot with Lingard, it will be because of Drayton, who has experience recruiting Florida and a reputation as one of the top running backs coaches in football.

Just ask Ezekiel Elliott, a player Drayton recruited and developed with the Buckeyes.

Even before leading the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie, Elliott credited Drayton with helping him become a great player.

Because of the social media efforts from a member of the Texas support staff, Lingard is aware of Drayton’s work with Elliott, as evidenced by Lingard retweeting this:

Right now, Lingard is even more highly regarded than Elliott in high school — the Florida product is ranked as the No. 16 player nationally, the No. 2 running back, and the No. 3 player in Florida, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.