For the umpteenth time this year, the Texas Longhorns are most likely adjusting their mindset on five-star wide receiver Easton Royal.
While it was unquestionably exciting when Royal committed to the Horns back in November of last year, it has only devolved into a never-ending saga of perpetual drama and lingering uncertainties ever since.
Between Royal refusing to shy away from the allure of other programs: taking official visits, hyping up other programs, etc., and flip rumors coming in from every angle: committing to the Florida Gators, flipping to the LSU Tigers, etc., his commitment has been anything but locked in.
Also read: Concerning Easton Royal quote has Texas on edge with official visit around the corner
Now, the current Texas commit, maybe soon-to-be-LSU commit, shared that everyone is going to have to wait even longer to learn what his final decision will be.
"With all the visits, we want to wait until the season plays out, and [Royal] can choose a school from there," On3's Sam Spiegelman reported on a statement from Royal's team.
Well, now, instead of the blue-chip wideout being fully locked into Texas, or even announcing a commitment flip sometime in September or October, everyone may have to wait until... December?!
Royal is the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 wideout in the class of 2027, so it shouldn't be a surprise that teams are still vying for his attention despite having committed to the Horns over eight months ago.
However, for the process to drag out for over a year and for Royal to seemingly refuse to give any true indication which way he's leaning has been simply exhausting. So, when Texas fans saw the news that it is nowhere near finalization, that exhaustion undoubtedly manifested itself as a rightfully deserved exasperated sigh.
Horns must prove themselves vs. Ohio State and LSU to hang onto Easton Royal
The visits that Spiegelman's report referred to were the four game-day visits that Royal scheduled for the upcoming season, with two of them featuring none other than the Longhorns.
- at LSU Tigers vs. Clemson Tigers - Sept. 5
- at Texas Longhorns vs. Ohio State Buckeyes - Sept. 12
- at Florida Gators vs. Ole Miss Rebels - Sept. 26
- at LSU vs. Texas Longhorns - Nov. 14
Now, not only do the Horns and head coach Steve Sarkisian have to go head-to-head over prospects with programs like LSU and Florida on the recruiting trail, but they also have to contend with their in-game performances to impress top recruits as well.
Read more: Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin's battle over Easton Royal may play out on the field
Not to mention the fact that the games against Ohio State and LSU were two of the biggest games in the country for the upcoming season, much less with one of the most highly coveted recruits on the sidelines watching every single moment.
Obviously, when Royal comes to Austin for the Horns' game against the Buckeyes, Sarkisian and his staff have the home-field advantage in every conceivable way, boasting one of the premier facilities in the country.
Furthermore, when it comes down to the Texas-Ohio State game itself, the Longhorns will have the literal home-field advantage over the Buckeyes, and Royal will be standing alongside fellow Texas commits like five-star interior offensive lineman Ismael Camara.
Ultimately, the pressure will continue to mount for Sarkisian and his staff if they truly want to keep Royal in their recruiting class, and it may not reach its peak until the end of the year.
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