Despite Elite Early Signing Day Success, Steve Sarkisian Is Looking For More
The Texas Longhorns wrapped up the first day of the Early Signing Period with a bang, securing the signatures of 23 players, including four five-star prospects.
As a result, the Horns currently sit with the No. 5 ranked class in the country, per the On3 team rankings, sitting behind Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Miami.
However, according to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, with multiple targets and potential flips left on the board, they might not be done just yet.
“I don’t think we’re quite done yet," Sarkisian said. "I think we’ll have a couple of things to go here over the next day or two, and then as the portal shakes itself out you never know what happens there.”
The logical choices for those 'couple of things' would be a trio of current Texas A&M commits, four-star linebacker Tyanthony Smith, four-star defensive lineman Dealyn Evans, and five-star defensive lineman, Dominick McKinley.
The Longhorns have been in contact with all three of those players over the last few days, and seem to be in prime position to land any of those three players, should they so choose.
That is particularly true in the case of Smith and Evans, who are ripe for the picking if Texas wants to go that route. The Longhorns should find out shortly after we write this one way or the other.
In terms of McKinley, the Horns seem to be right in the mix, but as of now, he is scheduled to take visits to LSU and Tennessee, and may not sign until February.
However, Sarkisian also mentioned both being done on the offensive side of the ball either, particularly at receiver.
“Clearly, receiver was a position where we wanted to address and we may not be done there yet," Sarkisian said. To have four receivers in this class, three high school and a transfer, I think is big for us.”
The first name that will immediately jump to the minds of Longhorns fans after that statement is that of Texas A&M Aggies transfer Evan Stewart, who just entered the transfer portal on Tuesday night.
And Stewart, of course, would be a welcome addition to the roster with Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Jordan Whittington all potentially moving on to the NFL.
Yes, the futures of Mitchell and Worthy have not yet been determined, but given their current evaluation, it's hard to imagine their return to Austin in 2024.
Still, with the haul of Matthew Golden, Ryan Wingo, Freddie Dubose Jr. and Parker Livingstone, as well as the already on-campus Johntay Cook, DeAndre Moore and Ryan Niblett, there will still be talent in the room.
That said, if the Horns can land Stewart, or perhaps another receiver in the portal who has yet to sign his letter of intent, it would go a long way for the offense in 2024.
