Commitment Spotlight: Montrell Estell (By Mike Roach)

The Longhorns continuing effort to takeover recruiting in east Texas rolled on today when Hooks (TX) athlete Montrell Estell announced his commitment to Texas. Estell can play both safety and receiver, and Jeff Traylor closed the deal once again in east Texas. Estell picked Texas over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Notre Dame , Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.

While Estell liked Texas early on, the Longhorns weren’t in the thick of his recruitment. Texas A&M and Baylor raced out ahead of the pack, and the Longhorns got involved when they offered him back in the spring. The lanky east Texan has one of the higher ceilings among in state prospects, and he’s a legit player on either offense or defense. The Longhorns have a need at wide receiver, but their greater need lies at safety. Estell said publicly that Texas A&M was leading for him, but his recruitment took a turn recently thanks to the incredible efforts of Jeff Traylor. Estell joins Lagaryonn Carson, Damion Miller, and Major Tennison as prospects from the piney woods recruited by Traylor. There was some thought that Estell was part of a package deal along with his younger brother Malik, but we have not yet confirmed an offer to his brother.

Film Analysis:

Estell has great size for offense and defense at 6’2, 185 lbs. He has long arms and good bulk for his frame with the ability to add on a bit more. Estell shows elite ball hawking ability at the safety position and a tendency to take interceptions to the house with his explosiveness and burst. While it takes a bit to build up speed, Estell is a long strider that kicks it into another gear when he sees daylight. He shows the ability to run the alley and provide a physical presence against the run. While Estell is a bit raw technique wise, his instincts and football IQ stands out. Estell shows fluid athleticism and movement from his size, but he should work on wrapping up more consistently when he tackles. Estell is used in a myriad of ways on offense, as Hooks deploys him at inside and outside receiver along with running back. Once he has the ball in the open field, Estell has great vision and an ability to make defenders miss in short distances. When the ball is in the air, Estell has explosive leaping ability and great ball skills, but he sometimes fails to utilize his superior size. On special teams, Estell is a reliable returner with big play ability. The thing that stands out most on his tape is the fact that Estell is at the center of every big play on the field.

Final Verdict:

Whether Texas decides to play Estell at receiver or defensive back, they are getting a high ceiling athlete with big play potential on both sides of the ball. Estell’s versatility and explosive athleticism profile to a player with big time upside. If Texas can teach him the finer nuances of the position he ends up at we are looking at the type of player with a future as an all-conference performer and high draft pick.