Cane Berrong is a four-star tight end in the class of 2021. Hailing from Hart County High School in Hartwell, Georgia, the incoming junior already has a strong list of offers. Berrong tells HornSports his thoughts on Tom Herman, future visit plans, and what he is looking for in a school.
At 6-foot-4.5, 220 pounds, Cane Berrong is the nation’s No. 1 tight end in the class of 2021 and the No. 5 player in the state of Georgia per 247Sports.
Still a sophomore, Berrong already has 19 offers from Power Five programs. His list includes Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.
The Texas Longhorns extended an offer to Berrong on May 3, and will join the list of elite programs vying for the young recruit’s signature
It is not hard to see why some of the premier college programs in the country are after Berrong, a sophomore with his stature is a guy college scouts drool over.
During his sophomore season, Berrong recorded 32 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns. After a solid season and a few camps, Berrong saw his recruitment pick up steam.
“I went to Miami’s Paradise Camp, I was the youngest tight end there and named MVP. Some schools started noticing my film in the fall, but it really exploded when I ran a 4.53 second 40-yard dash at the National Combine.”
With a 40-yard dash time like that, Berrong would have been second at the 2019 NFL Combine. Former Iowa star tight end and first round draft pick Noah Fant, posted a 4.50 second time.
Berrong is from the talented football state of Georgia and has plenty of offers that would be closer to home than Texas, though distance does not faze the young recruit, as he says he wants to find the best fit whether it be in the North, East, West, or South.
Despite being a native of the Peach State, Berrong has a childhood connection to Texas.
“I grew up playing for the Longhorns in my local league. We were always the best team. When we scored they would play Texas Fight over the speakers, it was awesome. It was a very special offer knowing I can play for the real Longhorns.”
The real Longhorns will have their work cut out for them if they want to poach Berrong away from local powerhouses Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia. However it is not all about championships for the four-star player, who is looking for a program that fits three categories.
“I look at academics. I want to major in exercise science and be a strength coach, or major in business and get the strength certifications after school. The type of offense they run, how have they used their tight ends in the past and how they develop their players. Finally tradition, are they a winner or a team on the rise. I want to play for a chance at a ring.”
Not many will argue that Texas is a team on the rise. The Longhorns have been named to many publications’ top 25 pre-season rankings. The team’s success last season excited Berrong, especially its performance against his home state team.
“I watched the Sugar Bowl. They played with a lot of grit and a chip on their shoulder. They are definitely a team on the rise.”
Recruiting is as much about relationships as it is about program prestige. While Berrong hasn’t had much contact yet, he looks forward to connecting further with the Longhorns’ coaches throughout his recruiting process.
“They seem like really nice guys. I’ve talked to coach Fedora and coach Warehime, but it happened so fast we haven’t developed a relationship yet. I will continue to contact them and see how it goes.”
As for visits, Berrong has yet to make the trip to the 40 Acres, though is planning to remedy that soon.
“I plan to get down as soon as possible. I do most of my visits in the spring because my summer is so full with workouts, so I can’t do many camps, but I plan to get down as soon as I can. Hopefully in the fall too.”
As of now, Texas does not have any commits for the class of 2021. Though recently the Longhorns have done well recruiting in the state of Georgia, snagging Loganville’s Kenyatta Watson II and Buford’s Derrian Brown.
With the addition of Berrong, the Longhorns have now offered four tight ends for the 2021 cycle; fellow four-star Moliki Matavao, Lake Travis’ Lake McRee, and Dekaney’s Var’Keyes Gumms.
