Texas and Texas A&M displayed their animosity in full effect on the weekend. The Longhorns booked their ticket to Atlanta and inflicted a season-ending loss upon their rivals. They might have made a rod for their own backs, though, in the process. Now that the Aggie’s focus is exclusively on the recruitment front, they’re making plenty of noise down in College Station. Noise that has reverberated across to Austin. The Lone Star Showdown has carried over from the gridiron to the front offices. The two schools are facing off, with a significant third wheel in the picture, for the no.2 offensive tackle in the country- Michael Fasusi.

Fasusi was present among the “12th Man” in a visit to Kyle Field on Saturday. The Texas native has been committed to the Oklahoma Sooners since August. However, he’s been spending some time down in his home state. This visit came off the back of another visit to the Longhorns the previous week. A potential flip is on the cards and recruitment expert Steve Wiltfong has leveraged intel which hints at his likely landing spot.

Wiltfong dissected where Michael Fasusi’s recruitment stands on the On3 Recruits’ YouTube Channel. “Going into these [Texas and Texas A&M] visits, the thought was [it] is an uphill battle to flip Michael Fasusi. There are question marks with the Oklahoma coaching staff, though…It’s opened the door for Texas and Texas A&M to make a late charge”, he remarked. Wiltfong proceeded to shed light on the personnel leading the charge in swaying Fasusi, along with their approach.

“I know the Longhorns have been all-in the last month. The Aggies, they probably were the runner-up [to Oklahoma] the first time. [Fasusi has had] a good conversation with Mike Elko. Coach Adam Cushing has done a bunch of Zoom sessions with him. Just talking about schematics and his potential fit. So he’s comfortable with Texas A&M. Toss up was the word that I was told on his recruitment coming into the final days”, said Wiltfong. The hands-on nature of the Aggies’ operation is quite telling.

Adam Cushing is the O-Line coach at A&M. An athlete of Michael Fasusi’s ilk perhaps slots into the trenches as a true freshman. It is very discernable that clarity over the O-line coach’s plans with him can make or break his recruitment. This is a major thorn in the side of his current tenants Oklahoma. But it seems that the Sooners are responsible for their mess.

Fasusi’s apprehension for the Sooners caused by their own misadventures

The Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns both joined the SEC ahead of this season. However, their traversal navigating the southeast in Year 1 couldn’t be more different. Texas has taken the conference by storm, while the Sooners were an afterthought for the most part. They’re lost in the abyss of mediocrity at 6-6. This has led to them making a change to personnel on the sideline.

Brent Venables has summoned the services of a 29-year-old from Washington State with Ben Arbuckle just being announced as the new offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners. This massive change in dynamic has caused uncertainty around the disposition of O-line coach Bill Beadenbaugh. Meanwhile, this uncertainty has inadvertently permeated into Michael Fasusi and his commitment.

Oklahoma will need talent such as Fasusi to be back among the programs they belong with. The Longhorns and Aggies, however, have an opportunity with the staff makeover for their adversary. Mike Elko and Texas A&M are pulling all kinds of strings to build upon this season. It is a 3-way race to the finish for Fasusi. Texas A&M may just about be leading it, for now. Where do you see Fasusi landing next? Let us what you think in the comment section below!