Tag: 2021 recruiting class

Former Texas Tech commit Jaylon Tyson follows Chris Beard to Texas

Jaylon Tyson signed with Texas Tech before requesting a release from his LOI. Just hours later, Tyson announced he was committing to Texas.

New men’s basketball head coach Chris Beard left Texas Tech for Texas and the feeling was immediate for both programs. We knew there was going to be an after-effect from this as some of Beard’s coaches followed him to Austin.

Now, he’s also attracted a player of his to Austin as well.

Four-star forward Jaylon Tyson signed with the Red Raiders on Nov. 11 before requesting a release from his national letter of intent. Just hours later, Tyson announced he was committing to Texas, following Beard.

The John Paul II product is the No. 35 player and No. 8 small forward on the 247Sports composite. Within the state of Texas, Tyson ranks as the No. 4 player. He is one of Texas’ highest-rated recruits ever (No. 18), just behind Andrew Jones.

With how depleted the Longhorns’ roster could be next season, landing Tyson is big for Beard. Matt Coleman, Andrew Jones, and Courtney Ramey are still contemplating their futures, leaving little to no perimeter shooting.

This will be the first of a few new faces on the 40 Acres. Beard is going to hit the transfer portal hard to make sure there is not a rebuilding year. In his introductory press conference, the message was clear- the University of Texas was about winning championships.

Landing Tyson was the first step to making sure Texas can contend in the Big 12 next season.

Texas Basketball Recruiting: Four-star center Charles Bediako releases top five

Texas is going to be in need of big men next season. Charles Bediako, who released his top five, could provide relief from the 2021 class.

Chris Beard’s work on the recruiting trail has already begun, even less than a week into his tenure. With Kai Jones already off to the NBA and Jericho Sims more than likely right behind him, Texas is going to be in need of big men next season. Charles Bediako could provide relief from the 2021 class.

The four-star center from IMG Academy released his top five schools on Thursday, with Texas making the cut with some elite basketball programs. Duke, Michigan, and Ohio State were on the list, plus Alabama.

Bediako is one of the highest-rated uncommitted prospects left in the 2021 class. Landing the center would be the perfect start in the recruiting circuit for Beard.

Rating

Stars Overall Position State
247 4 27 4 4
Rivals 4 29 4 –
ESPN 4 29 7 1
247 Composite 4 26 4 5

Vitals

Hometown Bradenton, Florida
Projected Position Center
Height 6-11
Weight 215

Recruitment

  • Offered on April 3, 2020
  • No visit yet

Top five schools

Film

Twitter

Four-star SG Tamar Bates requests release from national letter of intent

Another player will be leaving the Texas program before ever playing a game. SG Tamar Bates has requested a release from his national LOI.

When a head coach is fired or moves on to a different school, there is going to be turnover both on the roster and in the recruiting world. Since Shaka Smart headed back home to Marquette, two players have entered the transfer portal and Kai Jones has declared for the NBA draft.

Another player will be leaving the program before ever playing a game.

Four-star shooting guard Tamar Bates, Texas’ top signee in the 2021 recruiting class, has requested a release from his national letter of intent. Bates is listed at 6-4, 175-pounds and went to IMG Academy in Florida. On the 247Sports composite, he ranked as the No. 56 overall player and the No. 14 shooting guard.

His loss will severely hurt the Longhorns, especially with how thin the 2021-2022 roster could be. Guard Matt Coleman is expected to leave, while Andrew Jones and Courtney Ramey are still in the air. If all three do decide to test the NBA waters, Texas’ depth at guard will be one of the thinnest in the Big 12.

11 days before his commitment in Aug. 2020, Bates released a top seven schools list. Alabama, Creighton, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri, and Oregon will all in contention for the shooting guard before he ultimately picked Texas.

According to Eric Bossi of 247Sports, the four-star will not be discussing his recruitment until after his season at the GEICO Nationals. As Bates is originally from Kansas City, Kansas and Missouri should be two schools to look out for.

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Texas signee Ja’Tavion Sanders listed as a prospect with the most potential

ESPN took the top 25 classes and picked a player who had the most potential. Five-star Ja’Tavion Sanders was selected for the Longhorns.

Early into spring ball, Texas has had to put activities on hold due to positive COVID-19 tests within the program. Despite there only being one practice, a few members of Texas’ 2021 recruiting class were already standing out. J.D. Coffey was emerging at safety, while Juan Davis and Gunnar Helm have stood out at tight end.

The best of the bunch has yet to even arrive on campus, though. Five-star Ja’Tavion Sanders was the top-rated recruit that Tom Herman’s staff pulled in. Sanders is a weapon on both sides of the ball, playing defensive end or slotting in as a receiving tight end.

ESPN took the top 25 classes and selected one player in the class based on their potential. Sanders was selected for the Longhorns over names such as Terrance Cooks and Byron Murphy. Here is what they had to say about the Denton Ryan product:

Sanders is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire class for Texas. He’s a 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect labeled as an athlete and the No. 13-ranked recruit overall. Steve Sarkisian has said Texas will look at Sanders for both offense and defense, and he legitimately could thrive on either side. He had 1,161 yards on 63 receptions and 16 touchdowns his final season in high school while also playing defensive end. Such versatility is rare, and once he figures out where he can make the biggest impact, he could be a multi-year starter for the Longhorns.

Steve Sarkisian has been honest and transparent, stating that they will determine where Sanders is needed at the end of spring ball. Even if he plays mainly offense or mainly defense, Sarkisian has experience with two-way players. Sanders’ versatility is why ESPN loves him.

Scouting report: Sanders is a big athlete who brings a lot of value to a roster, as he could contribute at multiple spots on either side of the ball. He combines his size with good strength, quickness, and ball skills.

Outside of the quarterback battle, where Sanders lines up could be a top storyline going into the season. Wherever the coaching staff decides to line him up, Sanders will instantly improve this Texas team.

Oklahoma among teams that improved their CFP chances in recruiting per ESPN

Sooners among teams that improved their CFP chances after the 2021 recruiting class.

The Oklahoma Sooners are still seeking their first college football playoff win after four chances. The last attempt came in 2019 when the Sooners ran into a buzzsaw with the Louisiana State Tigers. Prior to that game, they played against Alabama, which resulted in an 11-point loss. The double-overtime game against Georgia in 2017-18 was their closest effort to the elusive win.

Recently ESPN (subscription required) listed their teams who improved their chances to get into the playoffs most following the 2021 recruiting class. For Oklahoma, they added three former Tennessee Volunteers to help fill needs on both sides of the ball.

Lincoln Riley and his staff turned Norman into Knoxville West, as former Vols Wanya Morris, Eric Gray and Key Lawrence transferred to the Sooners. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Morris is expected to lock down a starting offensive tackle spot and play for a season before heading off to the NFL, while Gray brings more than 1,300 yards rushing over two seasons to a talented backfield.

Standout wide receiver Marvin Mims became the top target for Spencer Rattler a year ago, leading the team in yards and touchdown receptions. For the team to continue their upward trajectory, some more freshmen will need to become impact players along with the three incoming transfers. The Sooners added plenty of candidates in the 2021 recruiting class that finished just outside the top 10 according to 247Sports composite team rankings.

Last season, Marvin Mims excelled as a freshman receiver. In 2021, it may well be Mario Williams, who is already on campus for the spring. Cody Jackson is another talented receiver already on campus. EDGE prospect Clayton Smith is also on campus, and could help fill a need as a pass-rusher. Defensive end Kelvin Gilliam won’t arrive until the summer, but he has a bright future and could be called up early.

While junior college defensive tackle Isaiah Coe isn’t expected to have the same impact Perrion Winfrey did a season ago, being on campus does provide for depth right away.

It will be the rise of the defense that will tell the world if the Oklahoma Sooners are ready to conquer those demons of the postseason. A group that has been trending in a positive direction under Alex Grinch since he arrived on campus.

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Oklahoma among teams that improved their CFP chances in recruiting per ESPN

Sooners among teams that improved their CFP chances after the 2021 recruiting class.

The Oklahoma Sooners are still seeking their first college football playoff win after four chances. The last attempt came in 2019 when the Sooners ran into a buzzsaw with the Louisiana State Tigers. Prior to that game, they played against Alabama, which resulted in an 11-point loss. The double-overtime game against Georgia in 2017-18 was their closest effort to the elusive win.

Recently ESPN (subscription required) listed their teams who improved their chances to get into the playoffs most following the 2021 recruiting class. For Oklahoma, they added three former Tennessee Volunteers to help fill needs on both sides of the ball.

Lincoln Riley and his staff turned Norman into Knoxville West, as former Vols Wanya Morris, Eric Gray and Key Lawrence transferred to the Sooners. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Morris is expected to lock down a starting offensive tackle spot and play for a season before heading off to the NFL, while Gray brings more than 1,300 yards rushing over two seasons to a talented backfield.

Standout wide receiver Marvin Mims became the top target for Spencer Rattler a year ago, leading the team in yards and touchdown receptions. For the team to continue their upward trajectory, some more freshmen will need to become impact players along with the three incoming transfers. The Sooners added plenty of candidates in the 2021 recruiting class that finished just outside the top 10 according to 247Sports composite team rankings.

Last season, Marvin Mims excelled as a freshman receiver. In 2021, it may well be Mario Williams, who is already on campus for the spring. Cody Jackson is another talented receiver already on campus. EDGE prospect Clayton Smith is also on campus, and could help fill a need as a pass-rusher. Defensive end Kelvin Gilliam won’t arrive until the summer, but he has a bright future and could be called up early.

While junior college defensive tackle Isaiah Coe isn’t expected to have the same impact Perrion Winfrey did a season ago, being on campus does provide for depth right away.

It will be the rise of the defense that will tell the world if the Oklahoma Sooners are ready to conquer those demons of the postseason. A group that has been trending in a positive direction under Alex Grinch since he arrived on campus.

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Reading into Lorenzo Styles’ number for Notre Dame

We know that Lorenzo Styles Jr. will wear the number 21, but what we don’t know is where he will line up wearing the number.

I have been on the record saying that athlete Lorenzo Styles’ Jr. has the potential to be a game-changing player on either side of the ball.

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The six-foot-one-inch and 185-pound early enrolling freshman posted this picture to Twitter yesterday and once again, got my mind thinking what position we will first see Styles Jr. playing for Notre Dame.

I know this is a huge stretch, but not many wide receivers wear that number. Yes, collegiate rosters have more than 100 players, so seeing multiple numbers on one team isn’t out of the ordinary.

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Could Styles Jr. end up playing defensive back? He certainly has the ability to do so, it’s not out of the question.

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I’ve looked at how the Irish stop the agonizing losing streak in marquee bowl games, upgrading the defensive backfield was included in that. What Styles Jr. would bring to the position would be a step in the right direction.

What also would be helping the Irish get over that hump? Big time skill position players. Styles Jr. fits into both categories.

Could this just be nothing also, sure it can. Why? Right now another defensive back, Caleb Offord, also wears the same number, so the number assigned to Styles Jr. might not mean anything. But it could. Either way, we’re excited to see where the talented Ohioan’s career takes him.

Texas five-star ATH Ja’Tavion Sanders listed among top 20 impact freshmen

Five-star athlete Ja’Tavion Sanders is expected to make an immediate impact for Texas next season.

It’s no secret that five-star athlete Ja’Tavion Sanders is expected to make an immediate impact for Texas this season. Continue reading “Texas five-star ATH Ja’Tavion Sanders listed among top 20 impact freshmen”

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football survey shows Longhorns as most overrated in-state school

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football surveyed 2021 recruits and the majority stated that the Longhorns were the most overrated in-state school.

In a recent survey conducted by Dave Campbells Texas Football, numerous recruits from the 2021 class chose the Longhorns as the most overrated in-state program. Continue reading “Dave Campbell’s Texas Football survey shows Longhorns as most overrated in-state school”

Texas lands commitment from three-star QB Cole Lourd

Hours after national signing day concluded, Texas added another piece to the 2021 class in three-star quarterback Cole Lourd.

Hours after national signing day concluded, the Longhorns added a piece to their 2021 recruiting class. Continue reading “Texas lands commitment from three-star QB Cole Lourd”