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As National Signing Day looms less than three weeks away, there’s some positive momentum for Texas Longhorns defensive line recruiting, including a surge in the 247Sports Crystal Ball with Conroe Oak Ridge weak-side defensive end Joseph Ossai.
Throughout the consensus four-star prospect’s recruitment, the Texas A&M Aggies have always loomed as the team to beat. In fact, Texas hasn’t ever come close to leading for Ossai in the Crystal Ball — until this week.
The new year brought a rare pick for the ‘Horns and more followed in the last week as Texas had an in-home visit with Ossai.
The surprise here is that the hire of defensive coordinator Mike Elko and the retention of defensive ends coach Terry Price hasn’t provided a boost at all for the Aggies, a strong indication that the recruiting pitch by the Longhorns is winning out.
On Friday, Texas added a pledge from strong-side defensive end Daniel Carson of Missouri, giving defensive line coach Oscar Giles a much-needed recruiting win. With two or three spots left at the position, not including committed defensive tackle Keondre Coburn, the ‘Horns are suddenly in good shape to close out by filling needs in the defensive trenches.
There isn’t a set decision date for Ossai, so it could happen at any time. And it’s not out of the question for Louisiana jumbo athlete Mike Williams to make a decision soon after his official visit.
Given all the concern about whether Texas would be able to land bodies along the defensive line, if Giles can close out with Carson, Ossai, Williams, and possibly another prospect, it would be quite an accomplishment.