Report: 4-star Texas WR commit Justin Watkins to visit LSU, Alabama, others

Four-star East Ridge (Fla.) wide receiver Justin Watkins’ recruitment isn’t over just yet.

Dating back to February 2016, the Florida native has decommitted from LSU, committed to Florida State and this February, flipped from the Seminoles to Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns. The staff in Austin will now have to continue working on retaining his pledge until next February.

According to a report from 247Sports, the first addition of Herman’s 2018 class has a handful of campuses he intents to visit throughout the summer, including Alabama, Louisville, Penn State, Ohio State and once again, LSU.

For a variety of reasons, Watkins’ decision to keep his options open between now and National Signing Day isn’t too surprising.

For starters, Watkins’ pledge to Texas in February was based on how the ‘Horns were selling his future in the slot. If Watkins is looking for the luxury of no incoming competition for reps in that role, then Texas still pushing for arguably more intriguing in-state options such as Jaylen Waddle and Jaquayln Crawford can serve as cause for concern.

Furthermore, Watkins has no real ties to the state and considering he’s already backed out of a pair of commitments, the possibility of him doing so once more based on how the next nine months play out fits the script.

Of course, Watkins simply taking visits elsewhere doesn’t signify that a decommitment is looming, but it’s also something the Texas staff will need to take note of continue their recruiting efforts.

Watkins is currently pegged as the nation’s No. 45 player and No. 7 wide receiver, but will the premier talent ever actually suit up in burnt orange?

That’s a question that certainly appears to be far from answered at this point.