Live Updates: On3 No. 1 RB Cedric Baxter Jr.'s commitment ceremony

On3 imageby:Chad Simmons08/10/22

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ORLANDOCedric Baxter, Jr., the No. 1 running back in the On300 is ready to reveal his college decision. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound four-star named Florida, Miami, Texas, and Texas A&M as his finalists and those hats are expected on the table this evening.

Heading into the evening, Baxter has been very quiet about his decision. He told On3 that his mind was made up weeks ago, but he does not plan to tell any coaches of his decision prior to the announcement. Heading into this event, Texas is trending on On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.

The ceremony inside the auditorium at Edgewater High School is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.

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On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons is live on hand in Orlando with updates from the announcement ceremony.

Cedric Baxter commitment live updates

7:23 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. celebrates following his announcement.

7:20 p.m. ET: Cedric Baxter Jr. has committed to Texas.

7:19 p.m. ET: Drumroll. He is taking his talents to…

7:19 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is breaking into tears about a childhood friend who passed away on this day.

7:19 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is now thanking the coaches that recruited him. Called it a stressful process.

7:18 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is now thanking teammates, trainers, teachers and mentors.

7:18 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is now thanking the Edgewater staff.

7:17 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. has started his speech. He said that he promised his family he will buy them a house one day. Thanking parents, brothers and sisters.

7:16 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr.’s family is coming onto the stage. Additionally, he is now at the mic.

7:16 p.m. ET: We are going to a break and then the commitment.

7:15 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is speaking on his senior year now. He loves his coaches. Added that he couldn’t sleep last night. Then he said the first day of school and commitment day.

7:14 p.m. ET: New hat on the table is UCF. Baxter Jr. said he always loved UCF. Added that it’s close and easy for coaches, parents and friends to get to and that head coach Gus Malzahn’s track record speaks for itself.

7:13 p.m. ET: On Texas, head coach Steve Sarkisian won with Alabama. Baxter Jr. says he knows how to win. Also mentioned a relationship with running backs coach Tashard Choice.

7:13 p.m. ET: On Texas A&M, Baxter Jr. grew up a Florida State fan. Watched head coach Jimbo Fisher then and the running backs he had at FSU. He’s talked to Karlos Williams and some others.

7:12 p.m. ET: On Miami, it is close to home. He’s from south Florida. He likes Cristobal being an offensive line guy.

7:11 p.m. ET: On Florida, Baxter Jr. is talking on Napier and being consistent. Brings up the track record under Napier.

7:11 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is starting to talk. He’s going down the line. Baxter is speaking in each school

7:11 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr.’s mom is now speaking. She says she is so proud. Behind him 100%. His mom is trying not to cry.

7:10 p.m. ET: His advice is make sure the kid picks the school he wants to commit to. He said, “Don’t be scared to tell people no.” He called it a grown man decision.

7:09 p.m. ET: Hayes is talking to the parents. Baxter Jr.’s dad is speaking on the process and coaching calling.

7:07 p.m. ET: Principal is now talking about Baxter Jr.’s “close to 4.0” GPA. Then, he discusses his agility on the field. Coach Hayes is brought up and the ceremony is about to start.

7:03 p.m. ET: A coach is speaking. Parents are sitting on the right of Baxter Jr. Nothing special about what they are wearing. It is red and black.

7:01 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is taking a seat at the table set up.

6:58 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is walking back on the stage. He is still using his phone.

6:57 p.m. ET: A coach just announced the ceremony is starting in five minutes.

6:56 p.m. ET: An Edgewater coach is starting to test the microphone at the podium.

6:54 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. is back on stage. He is on his phone and getting mic’d up.

6:52 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr.’s family is starting to arrive. They are sitting in rows behind the media at the front.

6:51 p.m. ET: Hearing the ceremony could start around 7:15 p.m.

6:47 p.m. ET: A lot more media have come in. I’d say there are close to 100 people inside the auditorium.

6:40 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. has now added a fifth hat to the table. It is UCF, along with Florida, Miami, Texas and Texas A&M.

6:30 p.m. ET: Baxter Jr. has arrived. He’s wearing all black with a gold chain.

6:28 p.m. ET: They have brought in an Edgewater banner. Additionally, they have dropped the video screen with Baxter Commitment on it. But there is still not a lot happening overall.

6:15 p.m. ET: News outlets are starting to set up and teammates are starting to trickle in.

6:04 p.m. ET: They have opened the auditorium hosting Baxter Jr.’s commitment ceremony.