On an Early Signing Day when 20 of the 21 Texas Longhorns signees submitted their National Letters of Intent in about two hours, the day’s biggest drama is arguably reserved for the 6:30 p.m. Tyanthony Smith, a Jasper linebacker, must choose between the Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies, who have had his commitment since late June.
The glaring remaining need for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff in the 2024 class is at linebacker, where the Longhorns have yet to secure a commitment.
After the Aggies fired Jimbo Fisher last month, the Longhorns worked hard to get Smith to come to Austin, with one reportedly scheduled for the regular-season finale against the Red Raiders. But that trip fell through, and Texas was forced to continue recruiting the 6’1 205-pounder in the hopes of luring him away from A&M.
And, while Jeff Choate, Nevada’s co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, is taking over as head coach, the state of recruiting at the position hasn’t changed much in the last month, aside from the staff offering Magnolia athlete Hunter Andrews, now a Utah signee who declined to visit the Forty Acres.
Similar reports surfaced last week that Smith would travel to Austin over the weekend before the start of the dead period, followed by conflicting reporting and questions about whether Smith actually visited the Longhorns. Smith’s first trip to Austin since late March, according to Rivals, he did.
While Smith was on social media promoting Texas A&M, four flip picks were entered in the 247Sports Crystal Ball and three more in the On3 RPM. So it’s safe to say Texas has trended in the hours leading up to Early Signing Day.
Smith, a consensus four-star prospect, is ranked No. 336 nationally and No. 28 linebacker in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
