Texas Longhorns fans were dealt a blow this week as four‑star running back Amari Latimer—ranked No. 32 nationally and the No. 17 RB in the 2026 class by 247Sports—scrubbed his official visit to Austin, setting off a recruiting shake‑up in the SEC landscape .
Latimer, a Tyrone, Georgia native, had originally planned to join the Longhorns for an official visit this weekend. Instead, he announced a shift in plans: he’ll visit Georgia Tech next weekend and then follow with an official visit to UGA on June 20 . Local loyalty appears to be influencing his trajectory; staying home gives both schools a natural recruiting edge.
The cancelation marks a clear setback for Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who had hoped the visit would breathe fresh momentum into their 2026 class. With the departure of Latimer from their official visit roster, Texas will likely pivot toward other RB targets to fill what is shaping up to be a crowded and competitive position battle .
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets are making the most of the moment. Per SI’s Payton Blalock, Georgia is still very much in the mix for Latimer—an addition that would significantly bolster their RB depth and class ranking . Georgia’s storied backfield history, elite NFL prospects, and recent championship pedigree clearly resonate, offering a compelling draw.
However, don’t count Wisconsin out just yet. The Badgers are currently the Crystal Ball favorites on 247Sports, and Latimer has already taken an official visit to Madison on May 30. He even returned for an unofficial trip while skipping a Michigan visit—demonstrating genuine interest in the Big Ten program . A family connection in Madison—his brother transferred to Wisconsin this past winter—may be a decisive factor in the final decision.
Why This Matters
Talent war intensified: The loss of Latimer at Texas shifts momentum to the SEC border, stirring competition among Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Wisconsin.
Home‑state pull: Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets reinforce their recruiting pitch with geography, family ties, and elite development pipelines.
Strategy at play: Texas must now reallocate recruitment resources to strengthen its RB targets list for 2026.
What’s Next
Latimer’s decisions at Georgia Tech (next weekend) and Georgia (June 20) will be pivotal. His official characteristically wraps up shortly after, potentially announcing a commitment before summer’s end. Sources expect a definitive announcement by mid‑July—potentially coinciding with the UGA visit or soon after.
Bottom line: Texas’s loss, and Georgia and Wisconsin’s strong positioning, signal a significant recruiting pivot—one that could influence RB room standings and class rankings for all involved programs as the 2026 cycle deepens.
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