Yes, I know, you're probably tired of reading about how five-star wide receiver Easton Royal continues to entertain the recruitment efforts of other teams, especially those in the SEC, despite having committed to the Texas Longhorns about a year ago.
In fact, you may have even thrown up your hands and said, "Just let the guy go somewhere else." I have, at least.
However, with his final decision reportedly looming just over the horizon, it looks like the Horns and head coach Steve Sarkisian haven't given up quite yet.
"I’m very close to a decision," Royal recently told recruiting insider Sam Spiegelman, seemingly bringing a long-awaited end to the saga that his recruitment has been.
According to multiple reports, both Sarkisian and wide receivers coach Chris Jackson are scheduled to be in Louisiana to check on Royal, seemingly throwing a Hail Mary as his home-state team, the LSU Tigers, and the Florida Gators circle in the water.
"They're going to be in Baton Rouge tomorrow to go see Easton Royal, that's been planned, Chris Jackson wants to go check in on his five-star," recruiting insider Justin Wells told InsideTexas's Cord Samuels.
Sarkisian paying Easton Royal a home visit could do the trick
Over the last few months, Royal's endless visits to programs throughout the SEC, mainly to Florida and LSU, have rightfully put Texas on edge about his commitment.
The blue-chip wideout has done anything but hold back on his praise for these other teams, even immediately after attending the Horns' stunning comeback win over the then-No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes.
However, with Sarkisian and Royal's future position coach, Jackson, taking the time out of their singular weekend off in the season to pay him a visit at home could pay off big time.
According to Rivals and On3, the Horns have just a 2.2% chance to hold onto Royal's commitment. That was, however, before the home visit was made official. But still, the recruiting experts have given LSU more than 91% odds to keep him home, and have even given the Gators a 1.5% chance to flip him in their direction.
The five-star wideout is the No. 1 receiver in the cycle and the No. 5 overall prospect. He is rated as a 98-overall recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports. During his junior season of high school football, he played in 13 games, earning 54 catches for 1,065 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns through the air.
Royal is currently the highest-rated player in Texas's class of 2027, which is probably a major part of why Sarkisian and Jackson are pushing so heavily to keep him for themselves.
Ultimately, the final decision comes down to Royal and the team he has around him, but for right now, it looks like Sarkisian and the Horns are willing to do whatever it takes, up until the very last moment, to make sure he suits up for Texas next season.
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