Texas appeared to have a strong grip on a top in-state target, but three powerhouse programs are pushing back. Washington, Ole Miss, and Michigan are making it tougher for the Longhorns to close the deal. Their relentless pursuit has turned Texas’ once-promising hopes into an uphill battle. And now, fresh intel from the recruit’s camp has given Sherrone Moore’s Michigan a major boost, hitting Steve Sarkisian’s squad with a recruiting scare.

The target is none other than Chace Calicut, the standout safety from Houston’s North Shore. He hasn’t been shy about his love for Texas, saying, “I love Texas. I’ve always watched them growing up.” On top of that, the coaching staff and Austin’s atmosphere kept the Longhorns at the top of his list. But now, the script has flipped. Michigan insider EJ Holland recently spoke with Victoria Calicut, Chace’s mother, about their visit to Ann Arbor— and the update is a bombshell for Texas.

Chace visited Texas back in January and even set another visit for June. But after his trip to Michigan, the momentum may have shifted for good. When asked about the visit, his mother couldn’t stop raving, and she said, “The staff was amazing. The school was amazing. We had an absolute perfect moment at Michigan… It was so amazing.” From the nutritionists to the coaching staff, she praised their down-to-earth approach. And her words make one thing clear—Michigan just made a massive move in this race.

Here, a huge chunk of the credit for Michigan’s recruiting push goes to secondary coach LaMar Morgan. His football IQ and attention to detail blew Chace’s mother away. “He’s so smart. He writes with the right and left hand. And he sees stuff that other people may not see on the field,” stated Victoria. However, Morgan’s vision for Chace stood out—he sees him as a versatile weapon, ready to play wherever needed to win. Following that, she said, “He was very thorough.” So, with Morgan leading the pitch, Michigan just made this race even tougher for Texas.

It’s not just LaMar Morgan making waves—Michigan HC Sherrone Moore has also left a lasting impression. His coaching style and leadership captivated Chace’s mother. “Everybody fits there. It’s just their persona. It’s all strategic,” said the impressed mother. Moreover, watching Moore in action, she saw a coach who commands respect without needing to yell. And she said, “He has put such great players together… He has the ‘it’ factor.” Honestly, with Moore at the helm, Michigan isn’t just recruiting—it’s building for the next level.

However, the big question—how would Chace fit at Michigan? Here, his mother has no doubt, and she stated, “I see where they need him at safety. He would make a major impact on the defense.” You know, she doesn’t just see him as her son—she sees him as an athlete. So, she added, “If he wasn’t good, I’d tell him. But Chace is phenomenal.” So, with his speed, size, and ability to read the field, she believes he can take Michigan to another national title.

Look, Chace hails from Texas, and distance could be a game-changer. Could this be the lifeline Steve Sarkisian needs to keep him close to home?

Could Michigan’s distance be the deal-breaker?

Chace isn’t a mama’s boy—he’s built to explore. And his mother made that clear, stating, “I raised my children to go out and be who they want to be.” Michigan’s vibe? She loved it. Calm, peaceful, and full of purpose. Ann Arbor is a student’s city, packed with great restaurants and quiet spots to focus. But food? No worries there. On top of that, Michigan’s athlete cafeteria has everything he needs. And if not? Chace knows how to smoke meat—turkey legs, ribs, you name it. So, a three- to four-hour flight? No big deal. Because his sister is at Jackson State, six hours away. So, Chace can go wherever he wants.

However, nothing is set in stone for Chace. He’s still exploring. And when it comes to picking a school, even he isn’t sure yet. His mother put it best, stating, “We like Michigan. We like Washington. We like Texas. What’s going to be the factor? I don’t know.”

One thing is clear—money isn’t driving his decision. Chace has his sights set on the NFL. And all three schools have proven they can get players there in three years. For now, his mom’s focus is simple: keeping him happy, laughing, and playing spades while the world watches and waits. Let’s see what transpire at the end.