Texas hopes it can point to family ties as Steve Sarkisian is left scratching his head about an elite playmaker's decision
The Texas Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class took a hit when 4-star running back Amari Latimer canceled his official visit to Austin, opting instead for an official trip to Wisconsin. The Georgia native, ranked as a top-tier prospect by 247Sports, has a recent family connection to the Badgers that could steer him away from the Forty […]
The Texas Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class took a hit when 4-star running back Amari Latimer canceled his official visit to Austin, opting instead for an official trip to Wisconsin. The Georgia native, ranked as a top-tier prospect by 247Sports, has a recent family connection to the Badgers that could steer him away from the Forty Acres and toward Madison.
Latimer’s decision to skip Texas comes at a tough time for the Longhorns, who are pushing for a star-studded recruiting haul under head coach Steve Sarkisian. The running back’s cancellation, reported by 247Sports’ Evan Flood, follows the departure of Texas’ running backs coach Tashard Choice to the NFL’s Detroit Lions, which already cost them another elite RB recruit, Ezavier Crowell.
Now, Latimer’s pivot to Wisconsin highlights a new challenge: competing against family legacy.
Latimer’s ties to Wisconsin run deep. His father, Alando Tucker, was a basketball standout for the Badgers, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors in 2007 and leaving a lasting legacy in Madison. Tucker’s success and connection to the program give Wisconsin a unique edge, as Latimer grew up immersed in Badger fandom.
Sources close to the recruitment say these family ties are a major factor, with Latimer feeling a pull to carry on his father’s legacy in the Big Ten.
Wisconsin’s coaching staff, led by Luke Fickell, is leaning hard into this narrative, emphasizing the chance for Latimer to carve out his own path at a program where his family name resonates. The Badgers’ run-heavy offensive scheme also aligns with Latimer’s bruising, versatile running style, making Madison an increasingly attractive destination. Latimer’s upcoming visit to Wisconsin next weekend could solidify their lead.
Texas had high hopes for Latimer, whose speed and vision made him a perfect fit for Sarkisian’s explosive offense. The Longhorns’ pitch centered on their NFL pipeline—think Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks—and the chance to compete for SEC titles. But without Choice, a key recruiter who built strong relationships with prospects like Latimer, Texas’ momentum has stalled.
The Longhorns are still in the mix, alongside other contenders like Georgia and Florida State, but Latimer’s cancellation signals Wisconsin’s growing advantage. Texas may try to reschedule a visit, but they’ll need to overcome the emotional pull of family ties—a factor that’s proving tough to counter.
While losing Latimer would sting, Texas isn’t out of options. Sarkisian’s staff is targeting other top 2026 RBs, and their No. 1-ranked 2025 class shows they can still land elite talent. But the Longhorns’ recruiting trail is getting rockier, and Wisconsin’s family-driven pitch could be a blueprint for other programs looking to outmaneuver Texas.
