Key Texas targets officially visiting Longhorns this weekend

Prior to the major pool party recruiting event the Texas Longhorns will host next weekend, Tom Herman and his staff are gearing up to welcome a handful of priority prospects for a key official visit weekend.

According to The Football Brainiacs and various other reports, a long-time Texas pledge will be in town, as will a long-time Sooners commit, and they’ll be joined two of the nation’s elite defensive talents.

Here’s a look at who’s expected to be in Austin this weekend:

Jase McClellan — 5-star RB — Aledo — Oklahoma commit: The nation’s No. 5 running back, per the 247Sports Composite, McClellan sided with the Sooners during the summer of 2017, and for the most part, he appears solid to Oklahoma. That said, McClellan, the cousin of former Longhorns running back Jonathan Gray, has made his way to the Forty Acres a few times since his tremendously early commitment, with his most recent taking place in January. Though prying McClellan away from Oklahoma would be a tall task, it’s clear that the interest is mutual, especially with McClellan returning to Austin for an official visit. If Texas can roll out the burnt orange carpet this weekend, McClellan’s recruitment could become a bit more interesting than it has largely been throughout the past two years.

Hudson Card — 4-star QB — Austin Lake Travis — Texas commit: Last summer, Card became the first member of Texas’ 2020 class and he’s remained solid to his pledge. The local four-star passer has since emerged as a key presence in Texas’ recruiting efforts for other key prospects, especially around the state. Expect that to continue this weekend as the lone Longhorns commit on campus.

Prince Dorbah — 4-star OLB — Dallas Highland Park: Texas’ top target at the outside linebacker position, and for good reason, Dorbah has been on campus multiple times throughout his recruitment, including a trip to Austin for the spring game in mid-April. A little more than a month later, Dorbah named Texas in his top five, alongside Arkansas, LSU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma state. The former two are considered to be the biggest threats to Texas, and bearing in mind that Dorbah is aiming to announce his decision this summer, this weekend will be monumental if the Longhorns hope to land the nation’s No. 7 outside linebacker. His two Crystal Ball picks currently favor Texas.

Lathan Ransom — 4-star S — Tucson (Az.) Salpointe Catholic: A top-75 national prospect and the No. 4 safety, Ransom made his first trip to Texas to begin the month on June 1. Ransom’s father, Nathan, raved to Orangebloods’ Jason Suchomel of the initial visit, and suddenly, it seems as if Texas has more than a mere puncher’s chance here. That said, it would be premature to dub Texas as the team to beat, the Horns are certainly well within the mix and Texas can continue to creep towards the top with a strong visit this weekend.

Elsewhere, on the unofficial front, Texas is set to host top-ranked 2021 dual-threat quarterback Preston Stone, according to Horns247’s Mike Roach. The Dallas Parish Episcopal School star has already visited Texas twice in the past, including earlier this offseason for Junior Day. Stone is, without question, Texas’ priority at the position next cycle.

As far as a visit coming to a close is concerned, Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas strong-side defensive end Riyad Wilmont arrived in Austin earlier this week for a three-day unofficial visit.

The three-star talent picked up a Texas offer earlier this month. Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, and Purdue are among the programs involved with Wilmont, who’s currently ranked as the No. 60 strong-side defensive end in the 2020 class.