Landen Williams-Callis Sets Decision Date! Where Does Texas Sit? | Longhorns Recruiting

Summary

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On Texas Football – Landen Williams-Callis Sets Decision Date! Where Does Texas Sit? | Longhorns Recruiting

Host: Bobby Burton (featuring Jeff Howe, Jerry Hamilton, Hank South)
Date: July 16, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on key Texas Longhorns football recruiting updates, especially focusing on the upcoming decision dates for highly sought-after recruits, such as Landen Williams-Callis and Mongen Sales, as well as the ongoing recruitment battle over five-star Wide Receiver Easton Royal. The hosts analyze Texas’ positioning with these prospects, dissect the recruiting landscape, and give listeners an insider’s look at how the Longhorns are handling intense competition—especially in the modern NIL era.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mongen Sales’ Pending Commitment (01:21–03:34)

• Sales, a five-star wide receiver from Indiana, is announcing his commitment on July 17th at 11:00am Central on the Pat McAfee Show.

• As of the night before his announcement, he has not informed either Texas or Indiana (the two finalists) of his decision. The hosts commended his ability to retain secrecy.

  “This is really coming down to Indiana, Texas. I think the Indiana side and the Texas side would both be surprised if it wasn’t one of them. But he is not as of, yes, as of Wednesday afternoon, has not informed either team of his decision. And by the way, that's the way you keep an announcement quiet. So kudos to him.”
  — Jerry Hamilton, (02:02)

• A key consideration is whether Sales envisions himself at Indiana or playing in the SEC. The hosts agree a decision will likely hinge on his dreams growing up and whether he wants to play in the South.

  “Did he grow up wanting to go to Indiana? Can he envision himself at Indiana or did he grow up wanting to play in the south and in the SEC?”
  — Jerry Hamilton, (03:20)

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2. Landen Williams-Callis Locks In Commitment Date (03:34–06:03)

• Williams-Callis, a top-ranked Texas running back, will announce his commitment on August 1.

• Texas, previously the favorite, saw its position waver after coaching changes, but has rebounded after his official visit in June. Jabar Jaluk’s hiring as running backs coach reinvigorated Texas’ pursuit.

  “This is one Texas early on when Tashar Choice was still the running backs coach… Texas were the trending team... Texas hired Jabar Jaluk this offseason and things have started to… trend back towards Texas, all culminating on that official visit June 19th through 21st.”
  — Co-host (Hank South), (04:13)

• Williams-Callis has taken eight official visits. Other contenders include SMU, Houston, Texas A&M, and Mizzou, with SMU described as “very competitive in the NIL era.”

• The hosts believe this is shaping up to be an in-state battle, but Texas has the “leg up.”

  “We still like Texas as we sit here on July 16th. But again, don’t expect teams to just kind of sit down and say, ‘Oh, he’s just going to Texas.’ It’s going to be a, you know, a fight across the finish line... But I think the Longhorns are in good shape.”
  — Co-host (Hank South), (05:47)

• They underline Williams-Callis’ elite productivity (averaging ~10 yards per carry in HS) and NFL family pedigree.

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3. The NIL Era and Recruiting National Prospects (06:03–07:33)

• Jerry Hamilton notes that for programs like Indiana, SMU, Houston, and Missouri, the primary challenge is that national recruits rarely grow up dreaming of playing for non-traditional powerhouses.

  “Those guys generally don’t grow up wanting to wear U of H jersey or Missouri jersey or an SMU jersey…”
  — Jerry Hamilton, (06:18)

• Prestige, tradition, and even “cool uniforms” (i.e. Oregon) make it hard for smaller or less historic programs to land five-star recruits.

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4. Easton Royal: Texas vs. LSU (07:33–12:53)

• There’s heavy “rumor and innuendo” regarding Easton Royal, a five-star WR committed to Texas, though LSU is pushing to flip him before the season.

• Royal is described as media savvy, “building his brand” and fueling speculation on social media by posting in both Texas and LSU gear.

  “Easton… is building his brand quite a bit and I think he's very smart about the way he's doing this.”
  — Jerry Hamilton, (10:34)

• The key indicator for Texas is continued communication; so far, they haven’t seen any signs of Royal wavering.

• LSU is described as pushing hard for a flip before football starts, wanting him on campus all season if they succeed.

• The hosts predict LSU will keep trying throughout the season if Royal doesn’t flip now; Texas remains confident as long as dialogue persists.

  “As long as the communication remains with Easton and his circle and his people, then Texas still feels pretty good about where they’re at. They know they're in for a fight.”
  — Jerry Hamilton, (12:40)

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5. Opportunities in Texas’ 2027 Wide Receiver Room (12:53–14:40)

• The hosts discuss the expected open competition at wide receiver in 2027, as current starters Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, and Emmett Mosley are all projected to be NFL-bound within a year.

  “If you’re a big time wide receiver recruit coming to Texas, you could be walking into a wide receiver room in 2027 where there is ample opportunity to go earn playing time.”
  — Jeff Howe, (12:53)

• The room could open up dramatically for true freshmen, making Texas an attractive landing spot for Sales, Royal, or other top recruits.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You could be walking into a wide receiver room in 2027 where there is ample opportunity to go earn playing time.”
  — Jeff Howe, (12:53)

• “The main thing I would say for Easton Royal is the communication remains with Texas… Until the communication stops… I still think there’s confidence that remains in Austin.”
  — Jerry Hamilton, (10:44)

• “Those guys generally don’t grow up wanting to wear U of H jersey or Missouri jersey or an SMU jersey… unless there’s a family connection.”
  — Jerry Hamilton, (06:18)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:21 – 03:34: Mongen Sales recruiting update and analysis
• 03:34 – 06:03: Landen Williams-Callis commitment date, Texas position, recruitment battle
• 06:03 – 07:33: NIL era challenges for non-blue blood programs
• 07:33 – 12:53: Status and saga of Easton Royal’s recruitment (Texas vs. LSU)
• 12:53 – 14:40: 2027 Texas wide receiver room outlook and opportunities

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Conclusion

This episode delivers an in-depth, insightful look into the Texas Longhorns’ recruitment battles for elite offensive skill talent, dissecting the strategic challenges facing Texas and rival programs. The panel emphasizes Texas’ strong standing with key recruits like Landen Williams-Callis and Easton Royal while underscoring how opportunity and legacy shape high-end recruiting. The conversation is rich with insider perspective, giving fans a clear sense of optimism and strategic awareness as the Longhorns vie for future stars.

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Transcript

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[Co-host]

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[Jeff Howe]

We're on the eve of a massive recruiting decision and a big time target locks in his commitment day. We'll talk about that on this latest edition of On Texas Football brought to you by Price Picks. I'm Jeff Howe joined by Jerry Hamilton and Hank South. Jerry, we are on the eve of Montreal and sales. The five star wide receiver out of the state of Indiana making his announcement. It'll be 11:00am Central on the Pat McAfee show on Friday. What is the latest Jerry, as we sit here some 24ish hours ahead of his decision.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah, look, I think the interesting thing for sales, as long as he's been recruited, right? We, we he has a decision but as of this afternoon we were informed that he hasn't told either school of his decision. Now there's still communication ongoing between all both schools, Indiana and Texas and sales and I'm sure there's this, there's communication with others but this is really coming down the Indiana. Texas. I think the Indiana side and the Texas side would both be surprised if it wasn't one of them. But he is not as of yes, as of Wednesday afternoon has not informed either team of his decision. And by the way, that's the way you keep an announcement quiet. So kudos to him. I mean, if you tell the schools you're where you're going or not going, that it normally gets out from the schools that aren't getting the kid. We all know this, Hank. We all know this from Jeff covering recruiting for years. So it's always better if you just at this late in the game, just don't tell anybody. But there's communication, continuing communication between the agent and the circle of sales with Texas, with Indiana. So we assume it's other schools as well. But talking about Indiana, Texas, I mean, look, Texas feels like they have a puncture's chance in this. Somebody told me, hey, we could be 50, 50. I think those sales has a decision. And again, I, I think the interesting thing for me, guys, and I can very. And I'm not saying I'm not predicting sales to Texas when I say this is Indiana still has to get over a major hurdle with a guy who's ranked top 10 in America. Did he grow up wanting to go to Indiana? Can he envision himself at Indiana or did he grow up wanting to play in the south and in the sec? A kid from the state of Alabama. We will know in about 24 hours.

[Jeff Howe]

All right, that's the latest with monster sales, Hank. Landon Williams callous has locked in his commitment date. We've been waiting on the date and now we know August 1st is when he's going to make the call.

[Co-host]

Yeah, we've all been saying, you know, by the end of July and then he, he puts August 1st on the calendar. But it's good to have a date set. We now know when he's going to come off the board. And this is a recruitment we've, you know, talked about ad nauseam. This is one Texas early on when Tashar Choice was still the running backs coach of Texas, the Longhorns were, were the trending team for Landon Williams. Callis obviously charge went to the Detroit Lions. Texas hired Chad Scott and things with Landon Williams Callis kind of, I don't want to say soured but you know, there, there wasn't as much of a, you know, connection there with the, with, with Williams callous. Texas obviously hired Jabar Jaluk this off season and, and things have started to, to trend back towards Texas, all culminating on that official visit June 19th through 21st. Ever since that visit, Texas really put their best foot forward, rolled out the red carpet as they should for a prospect of his caliber. And that's been the team we've been Hearing, you know, behind the scenes is, is making, you know, know, making moves for Landon Williams Callis again, a kid that's taken eight official visits. There's been, you know, I would expect the next, you know, two weeks to be filled with, oh, well, this team is still in the mixture. Landon Williams callous, you know, don't sleep on this team. And the teams we've been watching closest of late, smu, obviously very competitive in the nil era in Dallas, Houston, trying to keep Landon Williams callous home. Texas, obviously, Texas A and M has been in the picture. Mizzou has been mentioned a little bit. But we really think this is, this is an in state situation where, whether it be Texas, SMU in Texas with the leg up. But this is a guy Texas would love to add to the fold. Obviously have Noah Roberts committed. This has nothing to do with Noah Roberts. Texas absolutely loves him, wants to keep him in the class, loves his upside. But a kid like Landon Williams, College, a guy that's averaged about 10 yards of carry throughout his high school career, on track to break a lot of records, one of the most productive players in state history, has a lot of lineage and, and, you know, NFL, you know, relation or pedigree. This is a kid Texas wants and the kid you don't turn down if he wants to come. So August 1st, we're going to be paying attention. We still like Texas as we sit here on July 16th. But again, don't expect teams to just kind of sit down and say, oh, he's just going to Texas. It's going to be a, you know, a fight across the finish line. But I think the Longhorns are in good shape.

[Jerry Hamilton]

Jeff, I want to add on that too, real quick. It's the same. Some of these schools in that recruitment face the same battle that in Indiana does with sales. And again, I'm not saying sales is going to Texas. I'm saying what some of these schools battle. These school, these kids that are ranked this high who have been recruited nationally this long, have been known for as long as they have. Those guys generally don't grow up wanting to wear U of H jersey or Missouri jersey or an SMU jersey in, in Williams callous. And the first time in his, from his standpoint, first time you ever go and talk to him at Richmond, Randall, it's, well, Texas, it's Texas A M, Oregon, Ohio State, these kids all mention the same, a lot of the same schools that are the most highly ranked guys in the country. So those are the biggest hurdles. I truly believe this Even in the NIL era that's the biggest hurdle these schools have to overcome that aren't the traditional powers the Oregon who has the cool uniforms which kids are drawn to right Ohio State who's won as much as anybody has and then your in state powers you're a in Texas. Landon William Cows also visited lsu. They didn't make the cut but he also visited there. So if you look at these guys recruitments these highest ranked guys that's still the hurdle in Indiana has to overcome with sales ASMU Houston or Missouri has to overcome with a Landon Williams callous because the these guys that's just not what they where they dream about playing unless there's a family connection.

[Jeff Howe]

Jerry one other recruit we have to talk about which it's been maybe 10 minutes on the channel since we talked about him but the rumor innuendo is going to fly with Landon Williams callous leading up to the decision it is rampant with Eastern Royal and his recruitment. Jerry, where do you think things stand right now? LSU trying with everything it has to keep Easton Royal in state and get him away from Texas this summer.

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[Jerry Hamilton]

Yeah, this, it's such a. I mean, in Easton. Easton. He's on social media, right. So he's kind of helping all this along, keeping it out there in social media. You know, whether you're working out with Texas shoes on, on a purple and yellow Hanville High School field. Right. I mean, there's so many things that go into this. They're just pulling the fan bases. It's kind of interesting to watch. Easton's a very street smart, very smart guy. He is building his brand quite a bit and I'm, I think he's very smart about the way he's doing this. Look, the main thing I would say for Eastern Royal is the communication remains with Texas. This isn't again, a situation where communication has drifted away and that's when a staff is starts wondering, okay, we don't feel good about this. That's not the case with Texas right now at this point. So until the communication stops or slows down and gives a Texas staff a reason to truly say, ooh, we don't like where this is going, I still think there's confidence that remains in Austin. Does that mean Eastern roll is going to stick with Texas? No, it does not. But I think the main thing to know is Texas hasn't gotten any indication that, oops, things aren't going well and this one's going to go another direction. Does that mean it won't? It does not. LSU is trying to apply as much pressure, I believe before the start of the season to see if they can get Eastern Royal to flip the lsu, I think the main thing is the longer it goes and he's committed to Texas. While I do think that November, lsu, even if they don't get him now, they fight it until fight for him until late November or signing day, I do think there's a push to get him to try to Flip now because the longer he remains in the boat with Texas, what if Texas goes out and has that magical season? What if LSU doesn't get off to a great start? The Lane Kiffin era, I think trying to. LSU is trying to get him to flip now as soon as possible so that they can get him in the boat and kind of have him committed. They get him on campus all season long at all their home games. But right now, from a Texas perspective, guys, Texas as of Wednesday midm morning, it doesn't have a reason to think that's going away from them at this point. As long as the communication remains with Easton and his and his circle and his people, then Texas still feels pretty good about where they're at. They know they're in for a fight.

[Jeff Howe]

And Hank, I think it's worth mentioning, we've talked about it here on the channel, but it's worth bringing up again. We're talking about two five star wide receivers. If you're a big time wide receiver recruit coming to Texas, you could be walking into a wide receiver room in 2027 where there is ample opportunity to go earn playing time.

[Co-host]

Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's what kids are taking notice of. It's like, you know, is Texas going to get, they'll get one or the other. Eastern Royal Manchin, Sales, it's like. Well, you can make a case for both in the fact that you look at the room right now. Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley, those are your, your projected starters. All three of those guys could be in the league this time next year. I, I would obviously I think we all feel really good about Cam Coleman being in that conversation, but Ryan Wingo certainly could play his way into that, that draft conversation. Emma Moseley as well, then you have Jermaine Bishop, you have a few other guys. You never know what's going to happen with the transfer portal when you start going down further the depth chart. Not saying anybody's transferring, but even if you lose your three starters to the, to the draft, that's opportunity for competition to come in and you know, get some early playing time and, and use in the rotation early as a potential true freshman. So I think kids are seeing that. I, I think and again, if this goes into the fall with the guy with Easton Royal and he sees, you know, maybe some heavy usage in different wide receiver sets or rotation or true freshman playing Jermaine Bishop making a statement that could also help. You know, again, as Jerry was talking about, maybe LSU doesn't get off to the best starter, you know, if Texas has that magical season. So, yeah, I mean, there's opportunities there for Texas. You know, they didn't sign, you know, outside of Jermaine Bishop, you know, Cohen, Brown, Chris Stewart, two developmental guys this past cycle. They're in line for maybe a big splash at the wide receiver position in 2027. Would love for that to be Easton Royal and in Mongen sales.

[Jeff Howe]

All right, guys, let's take a minute to let everybody know that this edition of On Texas Football is brought to you by Prize Picks. There's a lot of different ways you can watch sports. You can sit back, check the score, maybe flip between games. Or you can have something riding on every swing, shot, touch or possession. That's where Prize Picks comes in. The summer sports calendar is loaded between baseball, the WNBA and the World cup. And Prize Picks gives you a simple way to make all of it more interesting. You're just looking at player projections and deciding one thing more or less. It's all you got to worry about. Build your lineup, submit your picks, and now you'll be locked in from the first whistle until the final out. That's what makes Prize Picks fun. You trust your read, you make the call, and suddenly every little moment matters. Prize Picks is available in all 50 states, including right here in the great state of Texas. So if you haven't done it yet, download the Prize Picks app, use the code HMA play $5 and you'll get $50 in lineups instantly. Again, the code is HMA5. Get you 50 on the price Picks app. It really is that simple. And as always, please remember to play smart, play responsibly, Play Price Picks. Hey, Jerry. Thank you guys for the time, the knowledge, the intel, the expertise. As always, big thank you to Matthew behind the scenes for producing it. If you're not a member over to ontexasfootball.com make sure you get over the website. Check out everything we've got going on over there. Make sure that you like this video. Make sure you're subscribed to the on Texas Football YouTube channel and make sure you got your notifications set. That way, anytime we go live or drop a new video, you not going to miss any of our Longhorn coverage or breaking news for Hank, for Jerry, for Matthew, for the entire On Texas Football staff, I'm Jeff How. Thank you so much for watching and listening and until next time.

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