The second big weekend for Longhorn recruiting is in the books and capped off an explosive week that sparked one of the biggest stories in recent recruiting history. The Longhorns hosted several elite visitors, lost a big commitment, and solidified some of their others. With just ten days left until signing day, let’s examine everything that happened in this week’s Recruiting Rewind.
The fireworks started on Wednesday when Allen (TX) quarterback Kyler Murray and Cedar Hill (TX) wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge showed up in Austin and tweeted pictures out of Texas jerseys (with their numbers). That caused a firestorm, and has had Texas fans glued to their computer screens refreshing sites around the internet looking for the latest scoop on the state’s top signal caller. The Murray rumors are wide-ranging, but that didn’t stop several big time prospects from making a trip to Austin this weekend just to make sure they didn’t miss the bus.
Plano West (TX) running back Soso Jamabo already had a visit scheduled for this weekend before the Murray news broke. But a banquet at his high school conflicted with the typical official visit weekend schedule, so Jamabo moved his visit up and arrived on Thursday to meet with the coaching staff. Jamabo is very close with Murray and the two have stated they want to play together at the next level, but Jamabo doesn’t have much of an interest in Texas A&M. Texas will have to contend with UCLA for Jamabo’s signature, but all signs point to a significant impact being made by Texas this week. Jamabo plans to announce his decision on National Signing Day. At this point if we had to handicap things we’d call it 60% Texas and 40% UCLA.
Gladewater (TX) defensive tackle Daylon Mack put together a visit on very short notice and got himself to Austin after cancelling a trip to Auburn. The Horn Sports Top 50’s number one player is very close with Malik Jefferson and got to spend some important time with him this weekend. Mack’s decision to visit is intriguing because he is also very close with Kyler Murray and scheduled this visit following news of Murray’s trip to Austin. On twitter it appeared that Mack was really enjoying his visit – after leaving the 40 Acres, Mack tweeted out that it was an awesome visit. Texas appears to be in a great position with Mack along with Jamabo, and together those two could help seal the deal for Kyler Murray.
Texas will need to find some sort of answer at quarterback, as official word came out this weekend that Albuquerque, NM (El Dorado) quarterback Zach Gentry officially committed to Michigan. Originally Gentry was committed to the Horns, but Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh started pursuing him since getting the head coaching job in Ann Arbor.
Gentry reported that he de-committed last week, but hadn’t let the news get out. Rumors that the Longhorns will be changing their offense to a spread/read option style forced Gentry to re-evaluate his choice and choose a team that played more of a pro-style. Committing to Jim Harbaugh was a big factor and a bit of a no brainer as Gentry gets to join a proven NFL coach that has a staff with a lot of professional experience. One domino has fallen, and with Texas playing this dangerous game of quarterback roulette, you get the feeling they have several backup plans in place.
One of those backup plans could be Baltimore, MD (Gilman School) quarterback Kai Locksley. Locksley was very interested in the Longhorns earlier this year, but chose to commit to Florida State. FSU has three quarterback commitments, and that is part of the reason that Locksley maintained contact with the Texas coaching staff. Locksley enjoyed his time on campus and was hosted by Malik Jefferson. He stated that he will have a lot to think about when it comes to his recruitment, and could be a candidate to flip with or without the commitment of Murray.
Coffeyville (KS) Community College wide receiver Dominique Reed’s weekend visit is a credit to new Texas receiver coach Jay Norvell. Reed was being recruited to Oklahoma by Norvell and made plans quickly to visit Austin following a scholarship offer. Reed was hosted on his visit by Marcus Johnson and seemed to be enjoying himself while on campus. The big receiver is considering Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Auburn and will visit Oklahoma next week. While Texas can be picky at the receiver position, Reed has potential to play right away and provide big time playmaking ability in a new look offense.
Miami (FL) Northwestern defensive back Deandre Baker has flown under the radar for quite some time. The Georgia commit has kept in contact with the Texas staff and his visit to Austin was a big step in the Horns’ direction. Baker and his father reportedly enjoyed their visit and will consider staying with Georgia or flipping over to Texas. Baker could be very important to Texas if they miss out in their pursuit of Holton Hill or Kris Boyd.
Texas also hosted several committed prospects this weekend and had a great opportunity to re-connect with those players and firm up any recruitment that may have been straying as signing day approaches. The biggest story was Houston (TX) Cy-Falls defensive tackle Du’Vonta Lampkin who has shown signs of a wandering eye lately. Lampkin re-affirmed his commitment this weekend and called himself “100% committed†after having a great time on his visit. Lampkin tweeted a vine from the Texas basketball game against Kansas and was really enjoying his time with the other commits. Lampkin also looked to be doing some recruiting on Daylon Mack, who he would like to play next to at Texas. Lampkin ended the weekend by tweeting that Texas fans would “crap themselves†on signing day. Lampkin followed that up by tweeting that he knew something fans didn’t know, and they should just sit back and enjoy the days.
2015 bell cow and true believer Charles Omenihu of Rowlett (TX) hit the campus this weekend and called it the best weekend of his life. Omenihu has been the most vocal recruiter this year and didn’t miss his chance to work on some of the uncommitted prospects on campus. Like Lampkin, Omenihu also tweeted out hints that something big was coming for Texas. Certainly these signs will continue to make Texas fans optimistic when it comes to news about Kyler Murray.
Irving (TX) Cistercian quarterback Matthew Merrick was also on campus this weekend, and is still happy with his commitment to Texas. The project quarterback is set to gray-shirt and enrolls in a year, but depending on how the quarterback situation shakes out he could be a candidate to be upgraded for a full offer. He was joined by several other commitments including Tristian Houston, Jamile Johnson, Breckyn Hager, and Cameron Townsend. Those guys have all remained pretty quiet, but are firm in their pledges and are sure bets to sign with Texas in ten days.
Another committed prospect, Dallas, TX (Skyline) linebacker Anthony Wheeler, also took his official visit over the weekend. Wheeler announced his pledge to Texas at the Under Armour All-American Game. The big linebacker has only visited Texas, and could hold some sway over fellow Skyline Raider Carlos Strickland who is evaluating Texas as a possible choice going forward. Wheeler reportedly has some work to do in the class room, but is close to having it done and could join a loaded linebacker class in Austin.
After a busy week, the staff looks to hit the road and make final pushes down the stretch. Keep an eye on the Kyler Murray situation, but Texas will meet with him and Daylon Mack in home this week. With the way this recruiting cycle is progressing, don’t be surprised if another big time visitor surprises everyone by taking a trip to Austin. Patience and planning will be at a premium over these next ten days – they are pivotal for the future of Charlie Strong and the Texas program.