Texas set to host key targets for weekend visits

Once again, some key Texas Longhorns targets will spend their weekend touring the Forty Acres.

With recruiting rivals in Oklahoma and Texas A&M off to hot starts this cycle, featuring pledges from major Texas targets, each opportunity to get high-level talent on campus is critical for Tom Herman and his staff, especially when the visitor list features must-have prospects and potential day-one contributors.

That’s certainly the case with the talent that will be in Austin this weekend.

• Tyler Johnson — 4-star OT — Conroe Oak Ridge: Johnson was scheduled to visit Texas for the Longhorns Junior Day, but was unable to make it. Instead, he’ll tour the Forty Acres this weekend. Oklahoma and Texas A&M are among Texas’ biggest competitors for Johnson, and bearing in mind that he’s a target Texas simply can’t miss on, this weekend will be huge. Texas holds all 10 of Johnson’s Crystal Ball projections.
• Lakia Henry — 4-star ILB — Dodge City C.C.: The nation’s No. 2 JUCO prospect and No. 1 inside linebacker (sound familiar?), Texas is recruiting Henry on the pitch of following in the footsteps of Longhorns linebacker Gary Johnson, who starred at Dodge City C.C. before taking his talents to Austin. The Longhorns recently offered on Feb. 14, and Henry has already established a strong relationship with defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. The ‘Horns can make a huge impression this weekend with programs such as Alabama, Tennessee, Nebraska and Texas A&M in the mix.
• David Gbenda — 4-star ILB — Katy Cinco Ranch: Gbenda doesn’t hold a Texas offer yet, but that’s a very real possibility at some point during or soon after his visit this weekend. A fast-rising prospect, Gbenda visited Texas for Junior Day, and within the last week alone, he’s added offers from Texas A&M, TCU, Iowa State, Missouri, SMU and Baylor. EJ Holland of 247Sports called Gbenda the best inside linebacker in the state.

2020

• Alec Bryant — Unranked WDE — Pearland Shadow Creek: Bryant is currently unranked and only holds two offers from Oregon State and Tulsa, but his recruitment should take off in the near future. Several reports have raved about Bryant’s performance at The Opening in Houston and for good reason. Texas could help itself by jumping into the mix early.

Visit confirmations courtesy of Twitter, 247Sports.