Gerry Hamilton has a story about about the must win head-to-head battles with have with certain schools for certain players. Here are some of those --
Texas vs. Oklahoma
S Bryan Allen Jr., Aledo The former LSU verbal is shaping up as a Longhorns vs. Sooners showdown with Texas A&M sitting third. Blake Gideon, Terry Joseph and staff have done a really good job here.
OG Devon Campbell, Arlington Bowie This is a “must get” for the Longhorns. Campbell has been a Texas lean for a while, Kyle Flood and Jeff Banks have Texas positioned well, and an upset loss in this recruitment would likely send Campbell to Norman, or possibly LSU.
WR Brenen Thompson, Spearman While there is some chatter the Sooners won’t have room for the versatile playmaker, let me say again that this is a prospect that runs 10.2-10.3 in the 100m. Programs find spots for difference making players, or difference making speed. The Longhorns are pushing as hard as they can. IT is not discounting other schools' chances, for the record.
Texas vs. Texas A&M/LSU/Alabama
CB Denver Harris, North Shore Harris’ top 4 was Texas vs. the SEC West recruiting powers, but is likely to end up a Texas vs. Alabama battle. One source believes Harris ends up closer to home, and one source says it’s 50-50 right now between the Longhorns and Nick Saban.
DB Bryce Anderson, Beaumont West Brook Texas is trending here over Texas A&M. There is still work to be done to win out in a few weeks, but the entire Texas staff is pushing the correct buttons to this point.
OT Kelvin Banks, Summer Creek Banks has gone from LSU over Texas A&M during the last half of the 2020 season, to a Texas vs. Texas A&M battle with LSU not being counted out. The offensive line coach relationship continues to be key here, and Kyle Flood has Texas ascending.
WR Chris Marshall, Fort Bend Marshall This is heading towards a Texas vs. Texas A&M battle should both programs remain fully engaged. LSU is one of many others in the mix.
Texas vs. Stanford/Notre Dame
DE Ernest Cooper IV, Arlington Martin The 6-4, 235-pounder has Stanford remaining at the top of the list with Notre Dame, Texas and Texas A&M also very much in the mix. The Longhorns have some momentum at Martin High with teammates Morice Blackwell and now Trevell Johnson heading to Austin, but Cooper will make his own decision. This recruitment will be all about the Texas staff’s ability to win out on academics/football close to home vs. Stanford and possibly Notre Dame’s distance.