Texas Football: 5-Star Kobe Black was ‘most impacted’ by Simmons

Texas football got its biggest win on the recruiting trail since landing five-star quarterback Arch Manning last summer when it landed a commitment in the 2024 class from the elite five-star Duncanville edge rusher Colin Simmons. You could argue that landing Simmons is more valuable for Texas than getting Manning in the 2023 class last offseason since the elite Duncanville EDGE comes at a big-time position of need for this program.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns put everything into this recruitment to land Simmons over the LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, and SMU Mustangs on Aug. 10. Simmons was the must-get recruit for Sark and the Longhorns staff in the 2024 class.

The impact of landing Simmons’ commitment to the Longhorns stems beyond what he brings to the defensive front coming off the edge upon the move to the SEC in 2024. Getting Simmons in the boat in the 2024 class also builds a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail for the Longhorns heading into the fall.

Texas football landing 5-Star EDGE Colin Simmons can help them with 5-Star CB Kobe Black

There is a good chance that Simmons committing to Texas will help the Longhorns’ case with other top-priority defensive recruits in the 2024 class in the coming weeks.

One example of Simmons’ commitment to Texas helping on the recruiting trail with other top defensive prospects in the 2024 class, is the elite five-star Waco (TX) Connally cornerback Kobe Black.

Simmons and Black are close. It’s been reported multiple times throughout the summer that Simmons and Black communicate regularly.

A report from Hudson Standish of Horns247 on Aug. 11 (paid content) mentioned that Black is the “player most impacted by Simmons’ commitment” to Texas earlier this week. Getting Black in this class is a priority for Simmons.

After he committed to Texas on Aug. 10, he told the media that Black is his most important priority recruit to get in this Longhorns’ class with him.

Texas among the top 5 schools for Black

Black included Texas among his five finalist schools, which he announced on social media on Aug. 9, along with the LSU Tigers, Oregon Ducks, Texas A&M Aggies, and Ohio State Buckeyes. It also sounds like the Alabama Crimson Tide remains involved in this recruitment heading into the fall.

Texas is in the best spot for Black heading into the fall among his top schools. Black had a successful official visit to Austin in late June. He also made a surprise unofficial visit to Texas in the final week of July.

Between the multiple visits Black took to Austin during the summer and the pull of Simmons’ commitment to Texas, we’ll be watching to see if he moves up his decision timeline heading into the fall.