Texas Football: Breaking down 5 most important visitors for Rice game

Wardell Mack, CB

Potentially the most important visitor we’ll be watching on campus for the Longhorns in the 2024 class this weekend is the priority four-star Marrero (LA) John Ehret cornerback and Florida Gators commit Wardell Mack. Texas prioritized Mack’s recruitment among the top defensive back targets in the 2024 class throughout the summer.

The communication remains strong between Mack and Texas heading into the fall. This weekend is a huge opportunity for Texas to show Mack what the defense looks like against an overmatched Rice offense.

If Texas has positive results on the field this season, and Florida falls short of expectations, this recruitment could be very interesting heading into signing day in mid-December.

Ty Haywood, OT

The top-rated 2025 recruit visiting Texas for the Rice game this weekend is the elite five-star Denton Ryan (TX) offensive tackle Ty Haywood. A top 3 offensive tackle recruit in Texas in the 2024 class in the 247Sports Composite and On3 Industry Ranking, Haywood is an important recruit to watch for the Longhorns in the 2025 class this fall.

Haywood will be making a return visit this weekend for the first time since he made an unofficial trip to Austin in the spring. Texas offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Kyle Flood already has built a good relationship with Haywood as the Longhorns are one of the schools standing out to the elite in-state offensive tackle prospect early in his recruitment.