Texas football could pass on flipping Baylor commit Jeremy Patton

We’ve often discussed the up and down results on the trail of late for the 2022 Texas football recruiting class. New head coach Steve Sarkisian has done well to assemble a solid 2022 class thus far, and Texas still has a chance to finish at the top of the Big 12 recruiting rankings. Yet, the problem of late is the fact that Texas is losing some real momentum with top tier targets seemingly all at the same time.

That trend for Sark and the Longhorns on the recruiting trail just started since the conclusion of visit season two months ago. Texas can’t seem to get much traction with some of the top targets announcing decisions in the past six or seven weeks. That list of top Texas targets that had late rallies from other schools to win over decisions included multiple four and five-star prospects too.

That list includes the likes of four-star safety Bryce Anderson, five-star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, four-star linebacker Sebastian Cheeks, and three-star interior offensive lineman Cam Williams. And you could even consider decommitments like four-star cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau and five-star running back Rueben Owens on that list.

Texas football would not be best served to prioritize flipping 3-Star ATH Jeremy Patton

Moreover, it is tough that Sark could not lock in key three-star targets for the 2022 class such as Williams and Tenaha athlete/wide receiver Jeremy Patton. Williams wound up giving his commitment to the Oregon Ducks (as did Banks) more than one month ago. And Patton committed to the Baylor Bears over the Longhorns back on July 31.

The question still remains if Sark and the Longhorns will try to flip any commitments of key targets that took their talents elsewhere. Patton is really a key question mark since it feels like Texas could make a good run at him this fall.

Yet, according to a report from Horns247 on Aug. 17 (paid content), Texas could just pass on trying to flip the commitment of Patton entirely and turn the focus elsewhere this fall. If Texas was planning on having Patton play wideout, there’s bigger targets out there. The top of the board at wideout for the Longhorns 2022 class should consist of five-stars Evan Stewart and Kevin Coleman.

Even if Texas wanted Patton to play at linebacker, three current commits in the 2022 class that can play at the position are all higher-rated than he is.

Given limited numbers for spots remaining in the 2022 class, Sark and the Longhorns look to be best served to keep the focus elsewhere down the stretch. This fall will have plenty of opportunity for Texas to try to win over some of the top five-star targets.

Texas has three-star linebackers/athletes Anthony Jones, Eoghan Kerry, and Trevell Johnson currently committed in the 2022 class. The focus at linebacker should really only be on five-star Cy Park product Harold Perkins at this point.