Surprisingly, the Texas Longhorns didn’t announce any additions to their 2023 recruiting class on national signing day.
Still, UT worked early, convincing 14 in-state prospects to stay local. F
One of the Longhorns’ 24 recruits won a state championship in the state of Texas.
Receiver Johntay Cook II and running back Tre Wisner were a part of a DeSoto team that dominated Vandegrift in the Class 6A Division II title game. Wisner accounted for two touchdowns in their winning effort.
Cornerback Malik Muhammad and edge rusher Billy Walton led South Oak Cliff to defend their Class 5A Division II championship. Specifically, Muhammad was named the defensive MVP of the championship game, returning a clutch interception for a score.
Coach Steve Sarkisian is passionate that high school champions will help the culture with the Longhorns.
“I think we’ve got a culture here that is starting to understand the importance of why we’re here to win and the idea about being competitive in everything that we do,” Sarkisian told the Austin American-Statesman. “Now we’re bringing in another influx of players that is driven and focused. My idea is that you surround yourself with like-minded people that are winners; that should raise the level of all of us to perform to a point of, man, we’re about winning.”
Texas has already extended that philosophy to next year’s class; of the three players that inked on the dotted line, one is from the Lone Star State. Defensive back Jaden Allen had a team-high six tackles in Aledo’s championship triumph in the Class 5A Division I final.
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
