Big weekend ahead for Texas linebacker recruiting
Texas linebackers coach Jeff Choate is authoring a strong reminder coaches not only need time to develop players they inherit but also time to sign new players who match their preferences. Looking at both the current roster and the recruiting class year-over-year is eye opening, and Choate doesn’t yet appear to be done in either regard.
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Junior linebacker Jaylan Ford is in fact having the breakout season he appeared poised for back in August. He’s been the Big 12’s defensive player of the week not once, but twice, after earning the recognition against Kansas State this past weekend. He’s come a long way in the last year and still appears to be improving each week. He already has 82 tackles on the season, a good number made all the more impressive by him not notching a tackle in the season opener.
Senior DeMarvion Overshown is also a better player from last year. He’s the second leading tackler on the season with 67 and is tied with Ford with 7.5 tackles for loss. Overshown and his unique athleticism is going to be difficult to replace next year, though Choate will have numerous options with more on the way.
It’s been written countless times at Inside Texas how hard it is to find modern linebackers. Last cycle there just weren’t many instate targets, but this year there are a handful and Texas is acting greedy. The staff already holds commitments from S’Maje Burrell, Liona Lefau, and Derion Gullette. Burrell and Lefau might not have the highest recruiting profile, but they should. Both have the ability to compete for snaps, perhaps even starter snaps, as freshmen. Gullette is a monster athlete for Choate to mold over time. Unfortunately he injured his knee over the offseason and is still rehabbing. He has to like what he’s seen from Overshown, though.
Lefau being from Hawaii has left the door cracked open for other schools to try and pry him away. The notable competition for Lefau appears to be Oregon and resurgent Tennessee. He’ll be back in Austin this weekend for the TCU game. Lefau electing to visit Texas is quietly a big development and should further strengthen UT’s chances to sign him.
While Burrell and Lefau might not have the recruiting profile they deserve, Anthony Hill certainly does. The On3 Consensus five-star has been a very well known recruit for years while starring at state power Denton Ryan. Texas finished second to Texas A&M for Hill’s summer commitment but he reopened his recruitment today not long after it was revealed he’d also be visiting Texas this weekend. Hill Jr. is a reminder it’s sometimes okay to finish second in recruiting. A&M’s disappointing season, something that was always possible given the questions at quarterback, has certainly aided UT’s chances but the coaches have done well to position Texas for the potential flip.
Given scarcity at the position, Texas is also pursuing Jelani McDonald from nearby Waco. The former Oklahoma State commit is an elite football athlete like Gullette who best projects to linebacker. He, too, will be in Austin this weekend for an unofficial visit. It’s possible, if not likely, McDonald will take an official visit to Texas in December.
Timing couldn’t be better for Texas to host these players. Ford and Overshown are shining examples for the Texas coaches to show recruits proof of concept. They might not be bad recruiters themselves, either.
