Texas could be on the verge of a major recruiting win, with five-star wide receiver Brysen Wright set to announce his college decision Thursday.
The Longhorns are among the three finalists for the Jacksonville standout, who is the nation’s top-ranked 2028 prospect by ESPN. Florida and Miami are the other schools still in the mix.
Wright has built a national profile that goes well beyond the usual high school hype. The 6-4, 215-pound receiver at Mandarin High School has turned heads with big plays, rare athleticism and a frame that already looks built for the next level. ESPN has him at No. 1 overall in the class, while the Rivals Industry Ranking lists him third nationally and first among wide receivers.
His rise has also been fueled by flag football highlights that made him an internet sensation. Those viral clips helped lead to the 2025 NFL FLAG Player of the Year award, which he received during Super Bowl week in February.
On the field, the production matches the buzz. Wright finished the 2025 high school season with 46 catches for 983 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also added 63 tackles, five interceptions and five touchdowns on interception and punt returns.
That kind of two-way impact is a big reason college programs have been chasing him for years.
This fall, Wright has helped Mandarin to a 9-1 record, with the Mustangs positioned for a strong postseason run when Florida’s Class 5A playoffs begin November 13.
For Texas, the appeal is obvious. Steve Sarkisian has built his offense around explosive passing games, and Wright has the size and speed to become a centerpiece in that kind of system.
The Longhorns also have a little recruiting history with Mandarin. Texas signed receiver Jaime Ffrench Jr. from the Jacksonville school in the 2025 class, though Ffrench played only four games in Austin before transferring to Michigan after his freshman season.
That connection gives Texas’s staff some familiarity with the program, but it does not make Wright’s recruitment any less competitive.
Miami and Florida have both pushed hard, and each has the advantage of keeping Wright closer to home. Texas, meanwhile, is trying to close the 2026 season strong while also keeping its eyes on the future.
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