Junior Day visit helps UT's chances with Rivals100 DE Marcus Stripling

The Texas Longhorns hosted some high-level talent over the weekend for junior days on Saturday and Sunday. One of the top players to make his way to campus was Mayde Creek defensive end Marcus Stripling.

A Rivals100 member with a long list of offers, Stripling made his way to Austin on Saturday, and said it was a great visit overall.

“It was a great day. It was an outstanding show coach put on. I learned a lot about Austin today,” Stripling said. “Me being the best defensive end in Texas, they want to keep everything home in Texas.”

Stripling is hoping to make several recruiting visits this spring and summer. Florida, Alabama and Oregon were possible stops he mentioned. A return visit or two to Texas is also a strong possibility.

“I’m going to get back to Austin pretty soon,” Stripling said. “I’m always in Austin, but I’m going to get back to Texas soon.”

The 6-5, 240-pound Stripling does not have timeline in mind for when he’d like to make a final decision. He says he’s “completely open” among all the schools recruiting him and plans to take his time with the recruiting process.

As for Texas, the UT staff has stressed to him how much of a priority he is for the Longhorns’ 2019 class, and Stripling said he likes what he was shown of the Texas defense during his Saturday visit.

“I like the 4-4 defense they had going on,” Stripling said. “They had a lot of blitz packages, and stuff like that.”

Ranked No 90 on the Rivals100, Stripling holds offers from the likes of Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. While he doesn’t have a formal list of favorites, he does admit that Saturday’s visit to Texas helped the Longhorns’ chances.

“Of course. Every time I come visit, it becomes better and better,” Stripling said.