3 important 2022 recruits to watch for Texas in January

TJ Dudley, LB

There are a few prospects that the Longhorns were associated with in the last couple of months that remain uncommitted that are still important to watch after the turn of the calendar year. Those names to watch include the likes of four-star athlete Larry Turner-Gooden, four-star running back Terrance Gibbs, and four-star Montgomery Catholic Prep (AL) linebacker TJ Dudley.

But the latter of those three prospects for the Longhorns 2022 class is most likely the one that could have some drama involved in the final stretch run of his recruitment. Texas looked to be pursuing Dudley pretty heavy at one point during the fall. This former Oregon Ducks commit was able to generate some buzz on the recruiting trail around the first signing period too.

The one thing that did turn the narrative of the Longhorns’ pursuit of Dudley on the recruiting trail, though, was getting the news that senior linebacker DeMarvion Overshown would return in 2022. Getting Overshown back meant that Texas didn’t have to put as much priority on just getting as many bodies as possible at the linebacker position.

Nonetheless, depending on how the numbers game shakes out with the Longhorns staff in the few weeks ahead of National Signing Day, I do believe that Dudley is still a relevant target. We’ll continue to monitor this storyline of Texas pursuing Dudley ahead of the next signing day.

It looks like some of the Florida schools are still pursuing Dudley pretty heavily. And he does have an official visit scheduled with the Florida Gators on Jan. 14.