Texas commits and key targets begin setting official visits

The Texas Longhorns haven’t hosted a big official visit weekend since the 2020 class, but even though the recruiting dead period lasts through the end of May, head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff have begun setting up June as a crucial month for the 2022 recruiting class.

On Wednesday, recruits began announcing those official visit dates, with the weekend of June 18-20 setting up as perhaps the most important of the cycle.

June 11-13

The Frisco Liberty product is still considering the Horns after his brief commitment to Sarkisian. Stewart also has visits set up to Florida and Texas A&M. And while a recruit committing, decommitting, and then recommitting is rare, it does happen occasionally, including with CeeDee Lamb at Oklahoma. Landing an official visit from Stewart is one of the first steps in possibly getting Stewart back in the fold.

Cole Hutson is the No. 9 offensive guard prospect nationally and also has a visit set up with Oklahoma the week after he takes in the Forty Acres. The Frisco offensive guard isn’t among the most highly-rated offensive linemen in the state, but he is on the list of prospects who could add quality depth at a need position group in the 2022 recruiting class.

June 18-20

As an out-of-state commitment, getting quarterback commit Maalik Murphy in Austin and around top recruits from the state will be important for Murphy continuing to build those relationships.

Ranked as the nation’s No. 1 running back by 247Sports, Blue committed in early February and has since emerged as one of the key leaders of the class, especially among in-state recruits.

The El Paso Burgess running back has long been a target of position coach Stan Drayton. With Blue already in the fold and serving as a top recruiter in the class, Jones could be the second running back taken by the Longhorns in the 2022 cycle, especially if Blue and Jones bond on their official visit.

The Humble Summer Creek product is now a consensus five-star prospect ranked as the No. 2 offensive tackle nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. A 6’5, 300-pounder, Banks also has official visits set up to LSU, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M during June. The Aggies hold the three most recent Crystal Ball predictions, but the Longhorns have improved their position with Banks since the hires of Sarkisian and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Kyle Flood.

Arlington Martin linebacker Trevell Johnson committed to Texas in February, but also revealed that he will take at least two other official visits — to Texas Tech from June 4-6 and to Oklahoma State on June 1.

Other visitors

Mission Hills (Calif.) Bishop Allemany linebacker Niuafe Tuihalamaka has Texas in his top five and plans on taking an official visit to Austin. Notre Dame is also a serious contender for the former USC commit.

Ponchotoula (La.) safety Jacoby Matthews is also expected to take an official visit, along with a scheduled trip to Florida. Beaumont West Brook safety Bryce Anderson and St. James (La.) wide receiver Shazz Preston are on the list as well.

Expect more confirmations in the coming days.