Texas Football: Predicting Longhorns’ next commit after Zina Umeozulu
Texas football added its 17th commitment to the 2024 recruiting class on Sep. 6 by landing a pledge from the touted four-star Allen (TX) edge rusher Zina Umeozulu. Landing Umeozulu’s commitment not only addresses a position of need for Texas in the 2024 class, but it also gives this staff some momentum back on the recruiting trail after a bit of a lull in the last few weeks.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian, co-DC Pete Kwiatkowski, and the Longhorns recently recruited well at the EDGE position in the 2024 class. Texas’ last two commitments in the 2024 class were Umeozulu on Sep. 6 and the elite Duncanville five-star Colin Simmons on Aug. 10.
Who’s next up to commit to Texas football in the 2024 class after 4-Star EDGE Zina Umeozulu?
Texas could be finished recruiting at the EDGE position in the 2024 class this fall, depending on what happens with Tulsa (OK) NOAH Homeschool four-star Danny Okoye and Tampa (FL) Carrollwood Day four-star Solomon Williams. Okoye and Williams are two of Texas’ top EDGE priorities remaining in the 2024 class.
But other top-priority recruits remain for the Longhorns in the 2024 class that could soon announce commitment dates this fall. Here’s a prediction of the candidates next to commit to the Longhorns in the 2024 class after landing Umeozulu on Sep. 6.
Joshua Lair, S
One of the upcoming decision dates to watch for key Texas targets in the 2024 class is the hard-hitting four-star Missouri City (TX) Fort Bend Marshall safety Joshua Lair. The 6-foot-1 and 185-pound in-state defensive back offer told Horns247 on Sep. 4 (paid content) that he plans to announce his commitment on Sep. 24.
Lair also included his top group of schools from what he told Horns247 earlier this week. His top three schools are the Baylor Bears, Washington Huskies, and Texas.
"“Well first off, coach Blake Gideon. He’s intentional and I gravitate towards that and that’s why I’ve kept them in the mix for so long and he hits me up everyday in the morning and just things like that.”"
Texas has remained one of Lair’s top schools throughout the offseason. He’s got a good relationship with safeties coach Blake Gideon and Sark. And since proximity to home is a factor for the Missouri City, TX, product and his family, Texas checks many boxes in this recruitment.
Lair does have an official visit scheduled to see Washington this weekend as the Huskies take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at home in Seattle. But this recruitment is expected to come down to the two schools closer to home, Texas and Baylor.
We’ve said this before, but if the Longhorns keep their foot on the gas in this recruitment for the next couple of weeks, this could be theirs to lose heading into Lair’s decision date on Sep. 24.