With the early signing period less than a week away, coaching changes typically have a major impact on whether recruits choose to sign in December, or instead wait until February to re-examine their options.
Unfortunately for Texas A&M, news broke that defensive coordinator Mike Elko would be accepting the Duke head coach job just five days before the early signing period begins.
Not only does this impact Texas A&M’s 2022 commits and potentially even the current players on the roster, primarily on the defensive side of the ball, it also plays a role in the decisions of several highly rated targets still left on the board.
Texas and Texas A&M have been battling it out for several sought after targets in the 2022 recruiting class. Five-star defensive back Denver Harris is one of the highest rated prospects that the two in-state schools are fighting for, and the departure of Elko could put Texas in a better position.
Former Texas targets that have already announced their commitments to Texas A&M, such as four-star safety Bryce Anderson, expressed their initial thoughts on Twitter shortly after the news broke of Elko’s departure.
The Longhorns have a great chance to benefit off of several coaching changes this offseason, and a few Texas ex’s have already started to attempt to sway blue chip recruits to Austin following the Elko departure.
Take a look at the best reactions following the Elko news.