{"id":912741,"date":"2026-06-07T21:12:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T21:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/912741\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T21:12:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T21:12:14","slug":"five-star-marcus-fakatou-dives-into-his-texas-official-trip-horns-moving-the-needle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/912741\/","title":{"rendered":"Five-star Marcus Fakatou dives into his Texas official trip, Horns moving the needle"},"content":{"rendered":"

For 2027 Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon five-star EDGE\/DL Marcus Fakatou,<\/a> the official visit process is helping him figure out his final decision. After seeing Austin multiple times in 2026, where do the Horns stand after this trip?<\/p>\n

\u201cTexas, I\u2019d say is definitely up there with Ohio State,\u201d Fakatou said. \u201cThey moved the needle a lot. I think that\u2019s a big thing for them.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cCoach (LaAllan) Clark <\/a>emphasized seeing me play the EDGE here in Austin,\u201d Fakatou said. \u201cThat plays a big part because of my weight and how much I\u2019ve lost. I weighed in at 260, so that\u2019s why I\u2019ll be playing off the edge. The nutshell of it was just me coming in early, and if not starting, just getting rotational reps in and the goal to be a Freshman All-SEC.\u201d <\/p>\n

2027 Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon EDGE Marcus Fakatou after his Texas official visit. <\/p>\n

Said the Longhorns and LaAllan Clark \u201cmoved the needle\u201d on this trip.<\/p>\n

Has OVs left to Oregon and Notre Dane pic.twitter.com\/Bl2TxnjJw2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) June 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Fakatou obviously has a number of factors in narrowing down his decision. Out of his top schools, what is the most important? <\/p>\n

\u201cDevelopment at the end of the day,\u201d Fakatou explained. \u201cTo be honest, coach Clark has a history with Coach (Larry) Johnson<\/a> when he was at Ohio State. That plays a big role for me. Because Ohio State stands so high because of coach Johnson\u2019s history and resume. Knowing that coach Clark was under him at some point in his college career is a big part.\u201d <\/p>\n

Justus Terry was his host and they were able to take in the sights of Austin. Top Golf, bowling, and karaoke were on the schedule. This was by plan. Texas wants the recruits to interact with the players as much as anything, away from family and staff. <\/p>\n

Ultimately, it sounds like Texas and Ohio State are standing out. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s either I go be a part of the relationship with coach Johnson (at Ohio State) or I come help start one with coach Clark over here at Texas,\u201d said Fakatou. <\/p>\n

Fakatou still has official trips to Notre Dame and Oregon. As for a decision timeline, that\u2019s still up in the air. <\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t know right now,\u201d said Fakatou. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to be anytime soon. Only time will tell from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas kept themselves firmly in the race. And it\u2019s definitely not a sprint, rather a marathon. <\/p>\n

Joe Cook provided audio. <\/p>\n