Texas Football Recruiting: Catching up with five-star edge Omari Abor
Nobody has done a better job recruiting on the defensive line throughout the 2022 cycle than the Texas Longhorns. Bo Davis and Pete Kwiatkowski have snagged commitments from across the country, spanning from Phoenix, Arizona, to Trussville, Alabama.
Even with seven defensive line commitments, one of the best pass rushers in the country is still on the board, Omari Abor.
I caught up with the five-star edge after Duncanville’s historic win over DeSoto on Friday night. He did not play due to a minor shoulder injury, but he was there to support his teammates.
Both Jeff Banks and Kyle Flood were in town, and Abor had brief conversation with them pregame. 247Sports has listed Banks as one of the main recruiters alongside defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski.
However, Director of High School Relations Chris Gilbert has been the main point of contact.
“That’s my guy,” Abor said. “He knows my dad from back in the day, and we just chop it up with each other. I got to know about him more. Talking to him made me open up my eyes to Texas.”
Abor has yet to take a visit to Austin since picking up his offer in March 2020. Only one official visit remains for the five-star: Texas and Texas A&M are battling for it.
Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma and Ohio State officially hosted him over the summer. With the Sooners cut from his top schools list, the in-state schools have the opportunity to climb back in the recruitment.
Joining the SEC has helped Texas get back into a lot of races. Abor is not one of those. Playing in the sport’s premier conference is far from the top priority.
“I’m not really caught up into the SEC but I am at the same time,” Abor said. “I would love to play in the SEC, but I feel like that’s not one of my biggest concerns about picking a school.”
One of Texas’ best pitches may be the early playing time. The transfer portal is supplying most of the pass rush this season from the edge. Once Ray Thornton and Ben Davis are out of the program, young guys will have opportunities to step up.
Abor has been monitoring the depth chart situation and each of his top five schools but tries to keep it out of mind. He thinks no matter where his final destination ends up being, he will get on the field.
“I kind of look at the depth chart but I kind of don’t at the same time,” the five-star said. “If you can play, you’ll play. You’re going to step on the field.”
Out of Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Texas and Texas A&M, the Buckeyes have caught Abor’s eyes as the deepest at defensive end. But he reiterated depth does not faze him.
“The biggest depth chart I have seen is Ohio State, but it does not really bother me. I feel like I can really play anywhere.”
Abor confirmed he is still on track for a commitment at the Under Amour All-America game in January. Getting him on campus for an official visit instead of Texas A&M is critical for Texas if it wants to continue to chip away.
On the 247Sports composite, Abor is the No. 2 edge in the country and the No. 18 overall prospect. Within the state of Texas, he is the No. 6 player.
