BREAKING: Texas DT Confirms Decommit With Flip To Rival SEC Team
Bo Davis secures his target once again. Melbourne (Fla.) Eau Gallie defensive tackle Brandon Brown had initially committed to the Texas Longhorns, staying loyal for 18 days before defensive line coach Bo Davis left Texas in early January to join his alma mater, LSU.
Brown remained committed to the Longhorns for another 177 days, visiting the Forty Acres in March and making an official visit to Austin on June 4. However, on Friday, Brown flipped his commitment to Davis and the Tigers, following an announcement on Thursday that was a bad omen for Texas and new position coach Kenny Baker. Brown’s strong relationship with Davis led to his initial commitment to Texas even before visiting Austin. Once Davis left, Brown’s commitment wavered, evident from his unofficial visit to Alabama in early March and subsequent official visits to LSU, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and USC during the spring.
Although USC didn’t make Brown’s final cut when he narrowed his list earlier in the week, his decision to commit to LSU over Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee stands.
💛💜 HOME @CoachBrianKelly @CoachBoDavisLSU @CoachBlakeBaker @EauGallieHC @MomOfBOAM321 @KingSnoop_BOAM @EmmanuelSmall7 pic.twitter.com/5rM2SBwCdY
— Brandon Brown 4⭐️ DT (@321Brandonn) July 5, 2024
In isolation, losing an early pledge from a recruit who hadn’t visited the campus at the time of his commitment isn’t highly significant. However, for Texas, Brown’s decision exacerbates a tough stretch for head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff, despite securing the nation’s No. 5 class after a 5-7 season. Baker’s initial recruiting cycle at the Power Four level has been challenging, with five of the six top defensive tackle targets for Texas committing elsewhere despite official visits. Only Bellville’s DJ Sanders remains uncommitted.
With Early Signing Day on Wednesday, Dec. 4, Baker now has 152 days to secure Sanders, flip committed players, or identify and offer other defensive tackle prospects, typically evaluated during spring or summer camps. Despite the overall recruiting struggles for the Longhorns, defensive tackle recruiting under Baker is particularly problematic given the late start in relationship building.