Around Texas: A round-up of recruiting news in the Lone Star State
The recruiting action continues as the transfer portal opens, and college coaches are already hitting the road for the spring evaluation window. Decisions are being made, and lists are being trimmed. It is once again time to take a look at the latest news, notes and headlines.
Big Gets
WR Brock Boyd flips from TCU to Ohio State
QB Rees Wise pledges to Ole Miss
WR Jabarie Thornton commits to Oklahoma State
RB Jett Walker is a Mountaineer
Headlines
Preparing to decide – Forney All-American running back Javian Osborne announced a decision date of May 3, with Notre Dame and Michigan his choices. Port Arthur Memorial linebacker Tank King also has a decision date and a top 10. He will announce his decision on July 4 with a top 10 of Texas A&M, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.
Decisions Made - Texas Tech added a couple of key additions. Savannah (GA) Benedictine Military QB Stephen Cannon chose the Red Raiders over offers from the likes of Georgia Tech, UCF, Wake Forest and Virginia. Pflugerville (TX) Weiss OL JJ Mays also chose Tech from the likes of SMU, Ole Miss, Arizona and Arizona State. Cibolo (TX) Steele defensive end Julian Hugo chose Arizona State over offers from Arizona, Baylor, Cal, Colorado, TCU, Texas Tech, UCLA and USC, while Prosper (TX) defensive lineman Jake Johnson opted for USC over the likes of Baylor, Cal, North Carolina, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech and Wisconsin.
Portal Fever – The Longhorns and Red Raiders hit the portal or key additions, both from Stanford. DE David Bailey opted for Lubbock, while WR Emmett Mosley chose Austin. A few former Texas high school standouts are also in the portal looking for new homes. OL Jaylen Early (Florida State) of Duncanville, TE Davon Mitchell (Oklahoma) of Allen, WR Freddie Dubose (Texas) of Smithson Valley, RB A’Marion Peterson (USC) of Wichita Falls Hirschi and S Tracy Revels (Bowling Green) of Texarkana Liberty Eylau are among the familiar faces already in the portal this spring window.
New Name to Know
OL Jackson Hooker, Prosper (TX) Walnut Grove – 2027
The violence is real. At 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, Hooker packs a powerful punch, quick feet and generates some explosive force at the point of attack.
A varsity starter at right tackle for 4-5A DII district champions the last half of the 2024 season, Hooker prides himself on an explosive and aggressive style of play. I would add athletic with the ability to get to second level and work in space, and as he approaches the spring of his sophomore year he boasts a 5.03 time in the 40-yard dash.
Hooker is also a student of the game with strong athletic genes. His football role models include NFL greats Joe Thomas and Trent Williams, and he enjoys studying his craft. As for those genes, his sister just signed with Michigan State to play softball, his mother played basketball at Ohio State Lima, and his dad played baseball at Creighton and Madison College.
His recruiting process has yet to really kick off, but on Wednesday he received his first offer from ULM and early interest has arrived from North Texas, SMU, Texas State and Northern Arizona. He was able to visit South Dakota State and North Texas this fall.
What’s up with the top
Top 2026 LBs
1. Tank King, Port Arthur Memorial
2. Kosi Okpala, Katy Mayde Creek
3. DaQuives Beck, Carthage
4. Jamarion Phillips, Dallas South Oak Cliff – Baylor
5. Joseph Credit, Pearland
Top 2027 LBs
1. Cooper Witten, Argyle Liberty Christian
2. Braylon Williams, Arlington Lamar
3. Cade Haug, Humble Kingwood
4. Cam Pettijohn, Anna