The Texas Longhorns have apparently managed to keep one of their committed defensive tackle in the 2014 class, as multiple reports emerged on Wednesday that Longview (Texas) product Zaycoven Henderson will stick with the Longhorns after all, first reported by ESPN's Max Olson.
4* DT Zaycoven Henderson reportedly sticking with Texas Longhorns
The news of Henderson’s Tuesday evening de-commitment was apparently premature.
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The first report of Henderson’s de-commitment came out on Tuesday evening, following the de-commitments of both of the other defensive tackles in the Texas recruiting class, before confirmation Wednesday morning from Orangebloods. However, Horns247 reported at the time that Henderson’s mind was not completely made up.
A conversation with new head coach Charlie Strong seems to have convinced Henderson to stay with his commitment to the Longhorns and he is once again expected to enroll early at Texas. The presence of friend and high school teammate Dorian Leonard in the Longhorns recruiting class probably helped play a roll in Henderson’s decision as well.
The 6’1, 280-pound Henderson is a Semper Fi All-American ranked as the No. 23 defensive tackle nationally and No. 33 player in the state of Texas. He has offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, TCU, and Texas Tech.
Strong’s ability to keep Henderson in the class is big news for Texas after completely missing on the defensive tackle position in 2013. With limited depth moving forward and Henderson currently the only prospect in the class that will definitely play defensive tackle in college, losing the Longview product would have been disastrous for a group that has been defined in 2014 by high-profile misses.
With Henderson back in the fold, Texas once again has 22 commits in a class that ranked No. 12 nationally and tops in the Big 12 in the 247Sports Composite ranking without him.
