Texas Football: 3 biggest priority 2023 recruits post-Early Signing Period

Jelani McDonald, ATH/LB

If I had to put money on the one Texas recruit on this list that could land in the Longhorns 2023 class, it would definitely be the touted four-star Waco Connally athlete Jelani McDonald. The former Oklahoma State Cowboys commit is someone that was trending in Texas’ direction since his official visit to Austin last weekend.

And compared to the report that Suchomel of Orangebloods got from Scott’s signing decision (or lack thereof) this week, it looks a lot more certain that McDonald was able to put pen to paper on the Early National Signing Day. Suchomel reported that McDonald confirmed he signed his LOI earlier this week.

That is good news for Texas since this staff was in a good position to get McDonald in the 2023 class when he officially announces his decision at the All-American Bowl on Jan. 7.

Moreover, it sounds like the TCU Horned Frogs fell behind a bit in the race to land a commitment from McDonald in the last few weeks. And while Oklahoma State was still involved in this recruitment in the last month or so, head coach Mike Gundy and his staff had a lot of ground to make up to get McDonald to re-commit to their 2023 class.

This leaves Texas in the best position to be able to add McDonald when he put pen to paper on the first signing day. And there isn’t any new information we’ve heard in the last couple of days that would otherwise indicate that Texas doesn’t have the pole position to land McDonald’s commitment when he announces in a few weeks at the All-American Bowl.