Texas is a finalist for four-star WR Aaron Butler ahead of Friday decision

The Longhorns have officially extended an offer to the California product.

As the early signing period closes on Friday, the Texas Longhorns could land another talented high school prospect as Calabasas (Calif.) wide receiver Aaron Butler chooses between his three finalists. With the Longhorns officially extending an offer on Thursday, Texas is in that mix, according to Jason Suchomel of Orangebloods.

The other two finalists are Arizona and Washington with the Wildcats possessing the advantage of hosting the 6’0, 170-pounder on an official visit last weekend before the dead period started.

The Huskies were also able to get Butler on campus for an unofficial visit for the rivalry game in Seattle against the Cougars, so the Longhorns are working from behind in that level of familiarity. But as of less than two weeks ago, Washington also didn’t have an available spot for a wide receiver, Butler told 247Sports.

Texas wide receivers coach Chris Jackson, however, has been in contact with Butler in recent weeks, including making an in-home visit.

“It was a great home visit and my family really likes coach Jackson a lot. We’ve been talking a lot more in recent weeks and then home visit was a chance to meet in person and get some clarity on the situation there,” said Butler.

“They have a lot of young receivers already, but coach Jackson wants to bring in one more ’24 and I would be that guy. Coach Sark and the staff are still determining how many guys they want from the portal, so it’s uncertain if there’s another spot for a high school receiver so we’re waiting on that situation to move forward.”

Since then, Texas landed Houston transfer wide receiver Matthew Golden, but hasn’t heavily pursued any other wide receivers from the portal with Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart connected with Alabama and USC and Steve Sarkisian’s program not expected to pursue the one-time Longhorn commit.

The lack of another target in the transfer portal and the inclusion of Texas in Butler’s finalists suggests that spot is still open and Sarkisian’s preference is to take high school prospects instead of players from the portal. A two-way standout with physicality as a cornerback, Butler is also an explosive wide receiver who can get vertical in the passing game or create yards after the catch — in other words, a strong fit for Sarkisian’s offense.

A consensus four-star prospect ranked as the No. 122 prospect nationally and the No. 21 wide receiver, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and is on the open market after Early Signing Day after recommitting from Colorado earlier this month.

Unfortunately for Texas, Arizona profiles as the favorite with the only recent prediction from 247Sports, Rivals, and On3, but perhaps the Longhorns can pull out the surprise despite not hosting Butler for a visit.