The mysterious recruitment of 2013 Livingston athlete Chevoski Collins came to a close on Monday morning in an announcement at his high school, during which he opted to join the Texas Longhorns recruiting class by making his verbal commitment.
Chevoski Collins Commits To The Texas Longhorns
In a good old-fashioned Red River recruiting victory at the start of Oklahoma Hate Week, the Longhorns secured their first commitment in months with the pledge of the 2013 Livingston athlete.
Erich Schlegel - Getty Images
A 5-11, 185-pounder who held offers from many of the top programs around the region, as well as Utah and Vanderbilt, Collins chose the Longhorns over finalists that included the Oklahoma Sooners, Baylor Bears, and Oklahoma State Cowboys, with the TCU Horned Frogs in the mix as well, according to some reports.
Here’s why and how he chose Texas:
Collins said he felt like he was at home with the Longhorns and with the Texas coaching staff
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) October 8, 2012
Collins on decision: "I made my decision sometime last week. I was praying, woke up one morning and I knew it was the right decision for me"
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) October 8, 2012
More Collins on Texas: "When I went to the University of Texas, it felt like family. I fit right in." #longhorns
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) October 8, 2012
"It's a real good coaching staff and I have a real good relationship with all of them." -Chevoski Collins on Texas
— Sam Khan Jr. (@skhanjr) October 8, 2012
Now the 15th commitment in the 2013 class (including grayshirt candidate Naashon Hughes), Collins provides some good news for a program that has been severely lacking in that regard for the group that will sign in February. The Livingston product is the first pledge since fellow defensive back Erik Huhn committed after a summer camp back in early June.
A jack-of-all-trades for his high school team, Collins initially had some reluctance about moving to defense full-time in college, but appeared to get over those concerns in recent weeks. Though Oklahoma saw him as a cornerback, Texas will play him at safety, as while he is a strong athlete, he does not project as a prospect with the recovery speed to play at the corner position. Generally considered quick rather than fast, Collins has the versatility that position coach Duane Akina craves in his defensive backs and will also bring some trademark East Texas toughness to the equation.
It remains to be seen if Texas is finished recruiting at the defensive back position in 2013 with outstanding offers to Florida’s Marcell Harris and Arizona’s Cole Luke, the latter of whom was in Austin for the West Virginia game Saturday. The Longhorns likely have around three or four spots remaining in the class at this time.
