Texas is still working the 2028 board hard, even after missing on the class’s top receiver.
Brysen Wright, the No. 1-ranked wideout in the cycle, picked Miami, leaving the Longhorns to pivot to other targets as Steve Sarkisian and his staff keep pushing to build out the future of the roster. After losing Easton Royal in the 2027 cycle, Texas has been leaning even harder into the 2028 group.
One name firmly on the radar is La Porte receiver Smith, the No. 14-ranked receiver in the class and a top-11 prospect from Texas. At 6-foot-2, Smith has turned heads with his speed, route-running and length, and Texas has been a major part of his recruitment. The Longhorns also have one thing working in their favor: the program is a “dream school” for Smith.
Texas is also in the mix for Mays, the No. 108 recruit in the 2028 cycle and the No. 16-ranked receiver in the class. The North Crowley product checks in at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, and he’s drawing heavy attention from the Longhorns along with Texas Tech and Texas A&M. Texas has held an early edge, but the competition is tightening.
Then there’s Wiley, who came into the recruiting picture a little later but has already become a serious target. He’s ranked No. 93 overall among receivers in the class, though his offer list suggests plenty of upside. Wiley visited Austin for the win over Ohio State and came away impressed.
“It was crazy I had a great time, the atmosphere was great, and the actual game was the best part,” Wiley told me for the Texas Longhorns On SI. “I feel great about Texas, definitely on top of the list.”
Texas is in a battle with Oklahoma for Wiley’s commitment, but the Rockwall native has clearly connected with the Forty Acres.
In Other News...
Texas Just Lost A Backfield Piece It Couldnt Afford To Lose
Texas backfield has already been stretched thin this season, and now it looks like the Longhorns will have to finish the year without Hollywood Smothers. He was ruled out for the upcoming game against Missouri, and the expectation is that he will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after injuries have repeatedly limited his availability.
Smothers absence is a tough blow for a running back group that has already had to adjust on the fly, with Raleek Brown stepping into a larger role during his time out. For Texas, the issue is no longer just replacing a player who flashed when healthy, but trying to keep the ground game steady without one of the pieces it was counting on most. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Just Lost A Key Rushing Threat At The Worst Time
Texas has already been juggling its backfield all season, and now it has to finish the year without one of its most experienced options. Senior running back Hollywood Smothers is out for the remainder of the season after tearing an MCL in the win over Mississippi State, a blow that comes just as the Longhorns are trying to keep their offense steady down the stretch.
Smothers had battled injuries throughout the year, but he still ranked second on the team in rushing yards before going down. His absence removes a proven runner from the rotation and leaves Texas preparing for Missouri without one of the few backs who had managed to provide both experience and production when available. [Read more 🡒]
Sarkisian Just Missed On A Five Star Target Texas Needed
A key wide receiver target came off the board for Texas on Friday, and it was a big one. Brysen Wright, the top receiver prospect in the 2028 class, committed to Miami and also reclassified into the 2027 recruiting cycle, leaving the Longhorns to regroup after being among his final three choices.
Texas still has two commitments in the 2028 cycle, but Wright was the kind of elite pass-catching talent the staff wanted to land as it keeps building out the future of the receiver room. With other top wideouts still uncommitted, the Longhorns remain in the hunt, but this miss only sharpens the pressure to keep trending with the next wave of elite targets. [Read more 🡒]