Texas four-star commit Kobe Black: "I've known since August."
For Kobe Black, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound four-star cornerback from Waco (Texas) Connally, the announcement was only a formality.
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Black committed to Texas in front of family and friends at a ceremony at Connally High School on Wednesday. He chose the Horns over LSU, Texas A&M, Oregon, and Oklahoma State. But for those close, this decision had been made months in advance.
“I’ve known since August, and honestly, when I silent committed, I was still looking at my other options, but I stayed locked in,” said Black. “But Texas kept being consistent with me so I had no reason to de-commit.”
In Austin, how will Black fit in the Texas secondary? During the recruiting process, Texas detailed how he’d begin at the boundary corner in Ryan Watts’ role.
“Me being a big corner, I’d be the boundary a lot, something like Ryan Watts,” Black said. “That’s my fit.”
Black and Texas have been doing this dance for almost two years. They had help too. Texas players and former Connally athletes Jelani McDonald and Tre Wisner have been in Black’s ear, preaching the virtues of playing in Austin. Cornerbacks coach Terry Joseph was instrumental as well.
“Coach Joseph been on me since Day 1,” said Black. “We kept the relationship going and it got better and better. I love him. Coach Sark is my guy too. He just FaceTimed me yesterday. (Steve Sarkisian) calls me a lot actually, for a head coach. We are always talking and catching up. Nothing but love.”
Black took official trips to Texas, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, and took unofficial visits to Texas A&M, Oregon, LSU, Alabama, and others. But there was something about Texas, especially when he watched the Longhorns thrive during the 2023 season and nab a College Football Playoff berth.
“It was exciting,” Black said. “Watching them get better every game, it was crazy. You could see them getting better every week. So they have to be doing something right. I really just wanted to be a part of that program.”
Any prediction on the Texas-Washington Sugar Bowl?
“Hook ‘Em all the way,” Black said emphatically. “All gas, no brakes.”
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On3 Personal File
Black is the youngest from a family of college-level players. His oldest brother played hoops in junior college, his middle brother, Korie, plays football for Oklahoma State, and his father Keith was at Kansas State under Bill Snyder. His father was roommates with College Football Hall of Fame quarterback Michael Bishop. Black is a multi-sport star on the football field, hardwood in basketball and on the track for the Connally Cadets, where he excels in the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400 relays. In football, he does a little bit of everything for Connally. In 2022, he racked up 337 yards rushing and six touchdowns on the ground. He also had 305 yards receiving and five touchdown grabs. He also had 21 tackles, two interceptions and two tackles for a loss at cornerback – an impressive number, especially since teams would not throw his direction. As a sophomore, Black had 41 tackles and seven pass breakups. Those numbers were solid enough for him to be named the Waco Tribune’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year.
