5 key recruits visiting Texas this weekend

Colin Simmons, LB/EDGE

There might not wind up being a single more important target among the linebackers/edge rushers for the Longhorns 2024 class than the elite five-star Duncanville product Colin Simmons. The insanely talented 6-foot-3 and 210-pound linebacker/edge rusher is already turning out to be one of the highest-rated defensive prospects in the nation for the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Simmons is currently rated as one of the top 20 high school prospects in the nation, along with the top overall edge rusher and second-best prospect in the state of Texas in the 2024 247Sports Composite rankings.

It’s clear why it’s so crucial for Sark and the Longhorns staff to make the early connection with Simmons and his camp. Texas might not have a more important generic spot to hit on in the 2024 class than along the defensive front with the move from the Big 12 to the SEC looming within the next few years.

Getting Simmons interested in playing for Texas this early on in his recruitment is an impression that the likes of Pete Kwiatkowski and Jeff Choate need to do now.

Oklahoma is looking like an early leader in the race to land a commitment from Simmons. Texas can help to reverse that trend in the spring and summer if they can get him on the books for multiple visits to Austin. But this weekend’s visit will need to be the starting point of really getting a good pitch to Simmons and his camp.