4-star ILB David Gbenda includes Texas in top group

Katy Cinco Ranch inside linebacker David Gbenda has cut more than half of his 24 offers out of his recruitment. On Sunday, the four-star Houston-area product announced his top 10 and the Texas Longhorns are still firmly in the mix.

Notre Dame, Houston, Michigan, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Washington, Ole Miss, TCU, and Missouri were named as the other nine school’s Gbenda will continue to consider going forward.

Of the teams still standing, the tea leaves indicate that Texas may very well be the team to beat. The Longhorns are the only team with Crystal Ball projections thus far, which isn’t a surprise given how this offseason has played out. Gbenda has made it to the Forty Acres four times this offseason, with the most recent being on June 15 for the Longhorns Heat Wave pool party. More notably, Texas has reportedly won over Gbenda’s father, who serves as the most important figure in his recruitment.

With that in mind, the Longhorns are in an ideal position at this point and will likely make his top five when he announces that, which is welcomed news for a Texas team in need of talent at depth at linebacker. Gbenda is one of just three uncommitted inside linebacker prospects with a Texas offer, although the Longhorns are still in the mix with Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou star Maninoa Tufono and Saint Louis (Mo.) Trinity Catholic product Shammond Cooper, which have Texas in their top group as well.

Gbenda is aiming for a December decision date.

A 6’0, 212-pound prospect, Gbenda totaled 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and two sacks as a junior.

He’s ranked as the nation’s No. 258 player, No. 8 inside linebacker, and as the No. 35 player in Texas, per the 247Sports Composite.