Longhorns Yet to Release Ron Holland from Letter of Intent; Arkansas Commitment on Hold?

Texas Longhorns decommit Ron Holland is still bound to the team through his letter of intent, which the program has not granted him a release from. But if recruiting rumors prove true, could he commit to the Arkansas Razorbacks once released from his LOI?

AUSTIN, Texas -- For the Texas Longhorns, the 2023 offseason has been filled with back-and-forth emotion.

At its best, it's been full of celebration and optimism due to some talented additions via the transfer portal, headlined by former Oral Roberts guard Max Abmas.

But at its worst, you'd think that fans would come marching onto the Forty Acres with pitchforks and torches at any moment to protest a program that was seemingly falling apart from the point of view of the most hopeless of pessimists.

Much of the reason for the jokingly-exaggerated latter has been a result of the decommitment from a pair of 2023 five-star signees in guard A.J. Johnson and forward Ron Holland. But while Johnson's decommitment in order to go play professionally in Australia was certainly disappointing, Holland's sudden decision to de-commit was a painful shot in the gut for the program.

However, ever since Holland announced his intent to leave Texas on April 28, not much has changed on his front as far as recruiting goes. Per 247Sports, Texas has not granted Holland's request to be released from his letter of intent (LOI), meaning he is still bound to the program for the time being while being unable to sign or commit elsewhere.

"While Holland has taken the steps to be released by Texas, his release hasn’t yet been granted," 247Sports wrote. "It doesn’t sound as if Texas is trying to hold up Holland, their administration is just making sure there hasn’t been any foul play."

Holland, who has recently moved up multiple major rankings to become the No. 1-ranked player in the 2023 class, made it clear that he's still considering Texas as one of his options despite asking for a release. This has given Longhorn fans some hope that he'll still end up sporting burnt orange.

But the G League Ignite reportedly remains an option while general speculation and recruiting predictions have also linked Holland to the Arkansas Razorbacks, who were one of his top choices before he originally chose Texas.

On3's national recruiting expert Joe Tipton even recently said that Arkansas appears to be in the lead for Holland if he indeed decides to go the college route.

"Talking to sources from around the situation, it looks like the only school that really feels that they might have a shot to land his services is Arkansas," Tipton said. "It looks like Arkansas would be the front-runner if he decides to go to school."

247Sports is siding with this speculation.

"While any program would love to have him, the two options outside of Texas that continue to come up most often are Arkansas and the G League," 247Sports wrote.

But all of this remains flatlined until Holland is granted his release.

"While Holland will have to get his release from Texas to play at Arkansas (or any other school) next season, there’s nothing stopping the G League Ignite program from trying to get him to go the professional route and they’ve long been targeting Holland and continue to do so," 247Sports wrote.

All this talk begs the question of whether or not Holland has already made his decision but just can't reveal it. Once Texas officially grants his release, a choice to join the G League or commit to Arkansas could come soon after, though it's anyone's guess.

Despite holding out hope that Holland could end up re-committing to Texas, Longhorn fans will likely need to be prepared to be let down again during an offseason that has been a whirlwind of emotion.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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