Payton Pierce, nation's No. 1 inside linebacker, visiting Oklahoma this weekend, has high praise for Texas

Lovejoy High School (Texas) star Payton Pierce is rated the top linebacker in the state of Texas and the top inside linebacker in the country for the 2024 recruiting cycle. 

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound already holds more than 20 scholarship offers after racking up an an astounding 131 tackles, 21 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and four forced fumbles during his sophomore season.

In other words, he's special.

This weekend, the Oklahoma Sooners will get a chance to make a big impression, as Pierce is set to take an unofficial visit to Norman.

Given his close family ties to the program - he's had several family members attend the university - many have speculated he's a lock to go to Oklahoma.

While the Sooner will definitely have a shot, Pierce admitted, his recruitment remains in its infancy. 

"I'm pretty open. There's a lot of schools coming through right now with spring game," he said. "My recruitment is still open and I haven't decided on anyone yet. There's a big group of schools I want to check out and go look at. I'm looking at everyone."

That said, Pierce understands why there's buzz about the Sooners.

"I grew up an O-U fan, but I haven't even been up to Norman as a recruit yet," he said. "I could see how people might think that. My mom went to O-U, my great-grandpa played there, all of my cousins go there, my aunt and uncle on both sides went there, my grandma and grandpa went there and my brother did. That's why everyone thinks I'm going to go there." 

This weekend, Pierce said he just hopes to start building a foundation with the coaching staff.

It's a group that has him intrigued. 

"I'm super excited to meet the whole staff," he said. "I liked Brent Venables a lot at Clemson, watching their linebackers and defense. When I heard he went to O-U - Oklahoma was my favorite team growing up - I was super excited. I'm excited to check it out. I think their coaching staff is a lot different than the previous one - more defensive-minded, old-school, hard-nosed. I like that a lot." 

Pierce has had a busy spring, visiting several program as an information gathering venture. 

"I've taken a lot of visits this spring," he said. "We've checked out Arkansas, Baylor, Wisconsin, TCU, Texas, SMU... places around here, plus Wisconsin." 

One of the standouts for Pierce has been Texas.

"I've been up to Texas a bunch," he said. "They were one of first bigger schools to recruit me. That is a school that stands out. I visited a couple of weeks back and it has been super fun. I'll go down there again. I love their linebacker coach and coach (Steve) Sarkisian. It's definitely a school I like and will consider." 

Next up, Pierce is planning to check out Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, LSU Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M, but has yet to formally set visit dates. 

"We still have to schedule all of that," he said.