Texas Football: Predicting Longhorns next commit after Colin Simmons

Wardell Mack, CB

The top out-of-state defensive back priority for the Longhorns in the 2024 class heading into the fall is high-four-star Marrero (LA) John Ehret cornerback Wardell Mack. Like McKinley, Texas is hitting the Boot hard to try and reel in a top defensive prospect with Mack.

Texas is in a great spot with Mack after a successful late-June official visit and an unofficial trip for the spring game in mid-April. Cornerbacks coach Terry Joseph has formed a fantastic connection with Mack as he continues to recruit the state of Louisiana hard for the Longhorns.

Mack’s decision will likely come down to Texas and the Florida Gators, with LSU trailing behind in third place. But LSU isn’t going to give up in this recruitment, just like they won’t with Simmons until the elite Duncanville EDGE sends in his signed LOI on signing day in December.

If a favorite had to be named for Mack late this summer, I would give Texas a slight lead over Florida due to the proximity to home and how well this staff has recruited Louisiana in the past couple of cycles.

Texas needs to get some of its top remaining defensive back priorities in the 2024 class after missing on the highly touted four-star Lancaster safety Corian Gipson and the lengthy four-star Temple (TX) Lake Belton cornerback Selman Bridges earlier this summer.

Mack will be one of the two top defensive back recruits that could realistically be labeled as “must-get” prospects at the position in the 2024 class for the Longhorns heading into the fall.

At the moment, there is no set decision date from Mack. But Inside Texas mentioned in a piece on Aug. 8 (paid content) a possibility of Mack announcing before the start of his senior season at John Ehret. If that were to be the case, Mack would announce in the next few weeks.