With Texas only having two scholarship quarterbacks on campus right now, the discussion of taking two quarterbacks this cycle has taken place, but nothing had been firmed up with Casey Thompson just recently giving his pledge to the Longhorns. It was expected that the Longhorns would take their time and evaluate their options with Thompson in the fold while they searched for a suitable option that would be both a quality take and be willing to be part of a two quarterback class. What happened next is both a bit surprising a shocking all things considered.
Not only did Texas find a suitable option, Texas flipped Cameron Rising from archrival Oklahoma this evening and landed its second four star quarterback in a matter of weeks. Rising recently visited Austin for the spring game, but even after visiting there wasn’t much chatter in regards to a commitment or a flip from the former Sooner pledge.
While unexpected, this is certainly a huge pickup for Tom Herman’s staff and at the same time is a gut punch for the Sooners as they now have to go back to the drawing board at quarterback.
Film Analysis (By Will Baizer)
Cameron Rising has everything you look for in a prospect. Size, frame, speed, arm strength, accuracy, and touch. He possesses a quick and sharp release without much wasted motion and displays advanced ability for play recognition. Above all else, he’s versatile and fits the Tom Herman offense perfectly.
His deep ball accuracy and touch is astounding. He just seems to know where to throw the ball so that only his receiver can grab the ball.
On intermediate passes he’s is very accurate, allowing the receiver to maintain his speed by placing the ball to the perfect spot and knowing the touch needed for a certain route.
Rising has the size to stand in the pocket and deliver a ball over the middle. Tag on some pocket presence and calmness and you have yourself a fine quarterback.
However, what makes him a special prospect is his ability to make plays with his legs outside the pocket. He is deceptively fast for being 6’3” 210lbs. When he decides to escape a pocket he has the speed to out run defenders who underestimate him. His ability to make throws on the run is almost as good as if he had all day to throw in a clean pocket. He knows where to run, can escape to either side of the pocket and deliver a dime of a pass, or out run a defender down the sideline. The one thing I wish he did was be more secure with the football while he runs. He’s swingin’ the ball like John Anderson.
Final Verdict
With depth at quarterback being razor thin, Texas had to find themselves another quarterback one way or the other regardless of Thompson’s commitment. Even with that in mind, I don’t think anyone could have scripted that the Longhorns would flip Oklahoma’s prized quarterback commitment on the heels of landing a Sooner legacy at the same position.
Landing Rising in this fashion is a huge boon for the Longhorns on the recruiting trail and now gives them two blue chip quarterback commitments for this cycle. If both players stick in the long run and make it to campus, the position goes from thin to loaded with talent very quickly and will eventually become a position of strength. Tom Herman and Tim Beck deserve major kudos here for getting the ball rolling on this commitment and closing the deal.
