Texas is vying for a spot among the top 30 recruits who have made significant career announcements.
While the Texas Longhorns are close to securing the No. 1 ranked class for the 2025 recruiting cycle, it’s never too early to begin looking toward the future. And one of their big targets could be arriving in Austin sooner than expected.
On3 Sports’ Hayes Fawcett reported on Saturday that 2027 tight end Mark Bowman has reclassified to the 2026 recruiting class and is already listed as the top TE prospect in the class. Fawcett also reported that Texas is one of the top contenders for the big target out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA, along with the likes of Georgia, Oregon, and Alabama.
At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Bowman is one of the fastest-rising prospects in prep football and is already drawing comparisons to All-Pro rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Moving from Colorado to southern California to attend Mater Dei this past season, he made a huge impact for the powerhouse program as a sophomore, hauling in 32 targets for 435 yards and eight touchdowns.
Currently ranked 30th nationally in 247 Sports’ 2026 rankings, his is bound to rise and could earn a five-star ranking by the time the early-signing period rolls around this December.
Texas is seemingly in a favorable spot to land his signature as it, Georgia, and Oregon were the three schools he made an unofficial visit to this past fall. Strong tight end play has been a key part of Steve Sarkisian’s offenses over the past few seasons with the likes of Ja’Tavion Sanders and Gunnar Helm breaking out. If Bowman ends up in Austin, there’s a chance he could be a top target for Arch Manning, who will be a senior in 2026 should he decide to skip the NFL Draft and return to the program.
