SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- During the second quarter of the 2015 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington tight end Devonaire Clarington donned a Texas Longhorns hat to become the most significant pledge at the position for the program in nearly 10 years.
No. 4 TE Devonaire Clarington, Florida 5 ready to take over Texas
The versatile pass catcher and his four Florida friends are ready to change the college football landscape in the Lone Star State.
Courtesy of All American Games.
After the event, Clarington told SB Nation Recruiting that the biggest thrill of it all was watching former high school teammate Tim Irvin, a consensus four-star athlete expected to play safety in college, commit to Texas as well. Despite their close relationship, Irvin had kept his decision a secret from his old teammate, which was what made Irvin’s announcement so exciting for him to see.
The two pledges drew the biggest cheers of the day from an apparently partisan crowd fewer than 80 miles from the Texas campus and are part of the so-called “Florida Five,” a group of prospects from the Sunshine State who took an official visit to Texas together in early November and are now all committed to the Longhorns.
“The Florida Five, we’re going to take over Texas,” Clarington said. “We’re going to rebuild Texas.”
What was it about that weekend? Clarington said that getting to know the coaches, experiencing the weather, and seeing the city all played a major role in his eventual decision.
Interestingly enough, however, Clarington and the other prospects didn’t always stay in close communication after the visit.
“We talked about playing together while we were there, but not much after we separated,” he said.
Confidence in the direction of the program under head coach Charlie Strong eventually played a role for all the Florida prospects in their respective decisions.
“What Charlie Strong did at Louisville, he’s going to do at Texas,” Clarington said. “That’s all I have to say about that.”
In recruiting the potential difference-maker at tight end, the Longhorns staff put on the full-court press, which eventually played a big role in Clarington grabbing the burnt orange hat at the Army Bowl. While Texas had been “showing me love,” the school that was considered his longtime favorite, the Miami Hurricanes, had fallen out of contact.
What Charlie Strong did at Louisville, he's going to do at Texas. That's all I have to say about that. -Devonaire Clarington
Clarington said that he knew he was going to pick Texas two days before his decision after a conversation with his father.
The discussion about Clarington’s decision revolved around transportation and how the family would be able to watch his games. A recent agreement between DIRECTV and ESPN to carry the Longhorn Network, which carries two games per season, could have helped out.
Ranked as a consensus four-star prospect and the No. 4 tight end nationally, what makes the 6’5, 222-pounder so appealing to college coaches is his versatility, as he has the quickness and ball skills of a wide receiver.
“Wherever Texas needs me I can play,” he said. “They can put me out wide like the coaches did here, they can put me in the slot.”
