Friday could be a banner day for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. By the weekend, the Longhorns could have the top two five-star wide receivers committed to UT. But it’s starting to look more likely Texas will whiff on both.
On Friday at 11 a.m. CT, five-star wideout Monshun Sales will announce his commitment live on the Pat McAfee show. Sales is the top one of the top uncommitted prospects in the nation. He is the No. 2 ranked WR according to Rivals/On3 and the No. 1 ranked WR according to 247Sports. He shares his top two ranking in both rankings with Texas Longhorns pledge Easton Royal.
Sales will pick between the Longhorns, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Indiana. But most experts believe it’s really a two horse race between the Hoosiers and Texas. The Hoosiers have been considered the leader of the pack since the recruiting of the Indianapolis prospect began. IU is the biggest program in his home state and defending national champion.
Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti has done a remarkable job in Bloomington, turning a historically also-ran program into champs. Getting one of the best recruits in state history to commit is important for Cignetti to show Indiana isn’t a flash in the pan.
The Longhorns have reportedly made a lot of headway in recent weeks. Sales final official visit was to the Forty Acres. Paired with Royal, Sark would have one of the best 1-2 punches at receiver for years to come. But is it realistic? Can Texas land both?
Recruiting expert Justin Wells of On3’s Inside Texas does not think the two will both end up in Austin.
“It sounds cool that they would have the idea of playing together at a school, but that’s not real life. They’re not going to the same school. If they did, I think it would be Texas, as a matter of fact. But I just don’t see that. I don’t see that happening. I think they’re both making decisions based on both of what their needs and what their factors are. I just have a really hard time seeing both of those kids in the same class.” – Justin Wells of On3’s Inside Texas
Rivals recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman thinks Sales will stay home and commit to the Hoosiers. The veteran recruiting expert has filed a commitment prediction for Indiana. We’ll find out tomorrow.
Whether or not Sales commits to Texas might impact Royal’s final decision. But he already seems to have one foot out the door. The New Orleans native might also decide to play football in his home state. Even after his commitment to UT, Royal has played the field, taking multiple official visits and visiting Lane Kiffin and LSU several times.
Royal says LSU made a significant jump during his official visit to Baton Rouge. He says he’s now in decision mode with his decision coming later this month.
“All day at school, all of my friends are pushing me to flip to the LSU Tigers. You only get this process once – so I’m committed to Texas, but I’m still trying to figure out if that’s the best decision for me. The ultimate end goal is to make the best decision for my family and me. Coach Lane [Kiffin] and I are building a relationship. He texts me often, just telling me to have a good week—sending me videos, motivating me, and recruiting me to be an LSU Tiger.” – Easton Royal
It could be a dream scenario for Sarkisian and the future of the Texas Longhorns offense. Signing the top two receivers would go down in history. But it is more and more likely the Longhorns won’t have either in the 2027 recruiting class.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Will Texas football whiff on both five-star WR targets?
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
