Ask any Longhorn football fan and they will tell you that National Signing Day hasn’t been the big deal for Texas that it is for most schools since Mack Brown took over the program. In a typical season, Brown has his recruiting class wrapped up before most teams get started. This year, however, things are a little different. Texas still has its eye on some top recruits.
Just yesterday, the Longhorns added former TCU commitment and 4-star athlete, Daje Johnson to their #2 ranked class.
But the Horns aren’t done yet.
This weekend, along with Johnson, Texas hosted in-state prospects Bryce Cottrell and Dalton Santos on official visits, and remain in the picture for the nation’s top recruit, receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.
Dalton Santos is a 3-star linebacker from Van, Texas who is currently committed to the University of Tennessee. Santos has received offers from such schools as Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio State, and several other top programs.
It is expected that Santos will make an official announcement on Monday, and many close to the program like Texas’ chances to land the linebacker.
UPDATE (5:10 PM, Sunday): Texas’ Rivals site, Orangebloods, is reporting that Dalton Santos has indeed informed the Tennessee coaches that he is switching his committment to The University of Texas.
Bryce Cottrell, a 3-star defensive end from Plano West and Oregon Ducks commit decided to make the trip to Austin for his official visit this weekend as well.
The Cottrell family is playing it very close to the vest, so there has not been a lot of information from them since he and his family left the Texas campus, though the Oregon site, AutzenZoo.com, is reporting that Cottrell has decided to stick with the Ducks. While it very well could be true, I would rather hear an official statement from his family before I count Texas out.
UPDATE: Bryce Cottrell has switched his commitment from Oregon to The University of Texas.
Dorial Green-Beckham is the nation’s top recruit, and the 5 star wide-receiver from Missouri remains uncommitted with signing day just 4 days away. Green-Beckham has been very quiet throughout the process, though the scuttlebutt suggests that Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas are the final three contenders.
Though Arkansas appeared to be the heavy favorite just a week ago, both Missouri and Texas have made late pushes, while there is some smoke that his family may be cooling on the Razorbacks.
Mack Brown traveled to Green-Beckham’s high school this week to spend some time with the outstanding receiver, and the Tigers hosted him and his family on an official visit this weekend.
There are several factors playing into this recruitment. Green-Beckham and his bother were adopted 6 years ago by the Beckhams and in that time, his younger brother was diagnosed with cancer. Though he is in remission today, many feel that Beckham-Green would like to stay close to his family, a factor which clearly favors both Missouri and Arkansas over Texas.
While Texas may be a long shot in this race, there are still enough rumors around the 40 Acres to suggest that there still may be some hope for the Horn.
So, will Texas land any of these guys? One? Two? All three?
You never know with recruiting. I’ve followed it long enough to know that you never really know anything.
UPDATE: It is now being reported that Dalton Santos has switched his commitment to Texas along with Cottrell, and lastly, though Texas has done a great job sticking with Green-Beckham, I think the distance may be too much for the Horns to overcome in the end, though nothing is official just yet.
All in all, for Texas fans, this recruiting season has been quite an exciting ride.
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