Texas may be the favorites for some big-name 2017 wide receivers

‘Horns the headliners

It's hard to be any more of a sure thing to end up in Austin when a recruit has already committed, as four-star Damion Miller did last June to the Texas Longhorns. But with decommittments becoming second nature in today's recruiting world, nothing's set in stone. While Miller has remained solid to his pledge to Texas, Ole Miss and Baylor have emerged as potential pocket pickers. While it's unlikely Miller ultimately elects to head elsewhere, 247Sports reported Ole Miss as a legitimate threat, though the Bears appear to be much less of a threat now.

Lancaster's Omar Manning is another crucial target Texas will have to pry away from the early in-state favorites TCU and Texas A&M. Manning holds 32 offers --€” a number that will continue to rise -€”- but told 247Sports that Texas was one of his favorite schools growing up. Manning was likely referring to the days of Texas' dominance and if the Longhorns want to land the Lancaster product, a successful season in the win column will be the way to do it.

Texas in contention

The Longhorns have been the team to beat in Mannie Netherly's recruitment essentially since he decommitted from Texas A&M last month. The four-star Crosby receiver included Texas in his recent list of six and told 247Sports that the Longhorns were "on top." To land Netherly, Texas will have to outlast Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Florida and Texas A&M, but that's a battle Texas quarterback pledge Sam Ehlinger may have recently hinted Texas will see end favorably.

Got some interesting inside scoop on @yovng_netherly

— Sam Ehlinger (@sehlinger3) June 14, 2016

Longhorns a long shot

The primary reason the Longhorns are a long shot for four-star Cedar Hill's Charleston Rambo is due to Texas not extending an offer. Meanwhile, Rambo committed to Oklahoma, which certainly isn't a bad landing spot, by any means. Rambo told 247Sports he'd listen if Texas offered him and will be at its satellite camp later this summer. If the ‘Horns want to steal this one from the Sooners, getting heavily involved fairly soon would be advisable.

Next in line to receive an offer

Judah Bell, a three-star Bishop Gorman product originally from Tyler, is yet to pick up a Texas offer, but has been on Texas radar and in contact with the staff. Bell has been to two Texas camps and attended Junior Day in February and could be in line for an offer before the end up the summer.

Lufkin wide receiver Dhailon Phillips hasn't generated much Power Five steam in his recruitment thus far and a Texas offer would likely be all he needed for a commitment. The three-star talent attended Texas' Junior Day and has been in constant contact with Jeff Traylor.

Not many in-state receivers could run a 4.37 forty and not hold a Texas offer, but that's a list McLane Mannix may be his own company on. The three-star Midland product was at Texas' camp June 7 and raved about his interest in the Longhorns. Mannix has seen interest from Texas Tech and Stanford, but a Texas offer could give the Longhorns one of the fasted 2017 talents in the nation.

If the Longhorns were to extend an offer to Herb Sparks, an unranked receiver out of Dallas, it would be hard for him not be become a Longhorn. Sparks has been in contact with the Texas staff and took an unofficial visit April 16.

Others holding a Texas offer

• Tyrell Shavers - 4-star - Alabama commit
• Devonta Smith - 4-star
• Jalen Reagor - 4-star -€” Oklahoma commit
• Hezekiah Jones - 4-star
• Camron Buckley - 3-star
• Tyler Hamilton - 3-star

Texas targets without an offer

• Jhamon Ausbon - 4-star
• CeeDee Lamb - 4-star
• Sam Crawford - 3-star
• Octavius Evans - 3-star
• Cartrell Thomas - 3-star
• Pascal Mondombo - 3-star
• Jeremy Singleton - 3-star
• Trestan Ebner - 3-star
• Carmoni Green - 3-star
• Brandon Rachal - Unranked - Holds Texas basketball offer
• Cyrus McCullogh - Unranked
• Donte Howell - Unranked
• Kevin Howard - Unranked
• Waydale Jones - Unranked
• Elijah Shelton - Unranked