Rising SDE Taurean Carter names Texas in top 5

The Texas Longhorns are one significant step closer to potentially securing a commitment from rising Mansfield Legacy strong-side defensive end Taurean Carter.

On Wednesday, the three-star edge rusher announced his top five, and as expected, the Longhorns made the list, along with TCU, Texas Tech, Michigan State, and Arkansas.

The Longhorns and Razorbacks weren’t initially included in Carter’s top 10 list on May 20. Oklahoma State, Houston, Purdue, Colorado, Utah State, Indiana, and Florida were all top schools at that time, but are now on the outside looking in.

Of the five still in the mix, Texas and TCU are considered the frontrunners, by Carter’s own admission. Carter visited the Forty Acres just weeks ago for the Texas’ Heat Wave pool party and following the trip, he named the ‘Horns in his top two, along with the Horned Frogs. This leaves Texas Tech, Michigan State, and Arkansas playing catch-up ahead of Carter’s Oct. 24 decision date.

Should the Longhorns land his pledge when that time comes, it could certainly help in the recruitments of four-star defensive backs and Carter’s Mansfield Legacy teammates, Jalen Catalon and Jeffery Carter. The latter is actually Carter’s cousin, and the three have discussed playing together at the next level. Texas is the only team named in each of their top groups, and thus far, the Longhorns, own all three of Carter’s Crystal Ball projections.

As a junior, Carter totaled 65 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 8 sacks in 2017 en route to first-team all-district honors. At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, Carter is ranked as the nation’s No. 39 strong-side defensive end and the No. 70 player in Texas, per the 247Sports Composite.

This story will be updated.