When the Texas Longhorns extended a Thursday offer to Pensacola (Fla.) Washington offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, the nation's No. 5 prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings, it seemed like the type of shot in the dark that is worth taking in recruiting.

The consensus five-star prospect is committed to the reigning national champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide, so even getting him on campus would be a success for Texas head coach Charlie Strong and his staff.

However, according to The Football Brainiacs — there was a reason for the offer, and it may have been due to some interest on the part of Leatherwood, which was in turn influenced by a certain pair of five-star prospects:

Apparently Alex has gotten to know Baron Browning and Marvin Wilson. Wilson and Browning are the ones pushing Leatherwood to consider Texas. Let that sink in for a minute. If that doesn’t tell you just how interested Browning and Wilson are in Texas, not much else will. Alex tells JY that while it won’t be a deciding factor, it would be nice to play with Browning and Wilson. Alex said he is undecided on whether he will take a visit to Texas but is considering it.

For those caught up in the euphoria of the win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Sunday evening, both Wilson and Browning were in attendance, as well as fellow five-star prospect Walker Little, the offensive tackle who plays with Little at Houston Episcopal.

In the wake of that victory, numerous Crystal Ball predictions came in for the ‘Horns with those prospects and several others. Don’t add Leatherwood to the list yet, but the Brainiacs are right here.

The fact that Browning and Wilson would talk up Texas to another recruit while currently uncommitted is potentially huge.

Another interesting note from the Brainiacs — South Grand Prairie safety Jeffrey Okudah may have reached out to the staff in the wake of the victory after declining to include the Longhorns among his top six schools back in July.

Errybody, imo.