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Texas is trending with a number of key targets as of late and among those is elite Converse Judson defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal.
A four-star prospect out of the San Antonio-area powerhouse, Leal has made the short trek up I-35 to the Forty Acres on numerous occasions, with some of the most recent being for Junior Day and an unofficial visit on March 31.
Texas visit was good❗@BCarringtonUT @OscarGiles95 pic.twitter.com/g4HD3On4o5
— marv.9 (@boimarv9) February 17, 2018
Prior to those two tours, Leal included the Longhorns in his top five in early January, and even at the time, his recruitment was thought to be an in-state battle between Texas and Texas A&M, although Alabama looms as a threat. Throughout the past three months, though, Texas has went from being perceived as one of Leal’s top options, to emerging as the clear frontrunner as of late.
As recently as Tuesday morning, a pair of Crystal Ball picks came in projecting Leal to side with Texas, echoing the expectations recently predicted by Austin American-Statesman recruiting reporter Mike Craven.
With the latest projections coming in, each of Leal’s last five Crystal Ball picks now favor the Longhorns, but Texas hasn’t sealed the deal just yet. Leal will officially visit Texas A&M this weekend for the Aggies spring game, and depending on how the visit goes, it could get interesting, at least until his next trip to Austin — Leal plans to officially visit Texas at some point this spring, as well.
It’s also possible that Leal officially visits Alabama, but with his summer decision looming, Texas A&M appears to be the Longhorns most notable competition, and at least to this point, the gap between the two seems substantial.
And of course, it certainly helps the ‘Horns case that Leal’s mother is on board with Texas, adding further reason to believe that despite any push Texas A&M may make, if any, the Longhorns will be the pick when that time comes.
A versatile interior talent who can play both, defensive tackle and 4i technique at the next level, Leal totaled 66 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, two sacks and four pass breakups as a junior.
The 6’4, 280-pound Leal is ranked as the nation’s No. 104 player, No. 7 defensive tackle and the No. 15 player in Texas, per the 247Sports Composite.