Cliffs Notes: The Longhorns picked up another high school prep commitment for the incoming class of 2022 on Saturday when Mission Hills (Ca.) Bishop Academy safety Larry Turner-Gooden committed to Steve Sarkisian and his staff.
Rankings: Rivals currently Turner-Gooden ranked as a low four-star prospect, the No.21 prospect in the state of California and the No.27 safety in the nation. 247 currently has him rated as a low four-star prospect and the No.25 overall prospect in California, while ESPN has him ranked as a four-star and the No.84 overall prospect in the nation. On3 has him ranked as a three-star and the No.30 player in the state of California.
Key Offers: USC, Colorado, Penn State, Arizona State, Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Michigan.
Evaluation: At 6-1, 190 pounds, Turner-Gooden brings a lot of the pro-type skills to the safety position that you look for at the position. Aggressive in run support, he's at his best when playing downhill and able to use his physicality in the running game. He's a capable player in coverage, mostly because he has instincts and a nose for the ball that ensure he's always around it on the defensive side of the ball. What stands about him the most is the fact that he's a damn good football player. If were talking about any areas of weakness, it probably centers around a lack of elite-level quickness/explosiveness.
Former Texas player he reminds me of:B.J. Foster
Why it matters: The Longhorns are tight on scholarship numbers, so it speaks volumes about what Sarksian and his staff think about the California prep star because they've clearly saved one of the five remaining sports in this class for him. If Turner-Gooden plays early in his career, the smart money would see it occurring on special teams. It might take a little longer for him to carve out a spot for himself in the Texas secondary, but he's such a good football player that it wouldn't surprise if he's knocking on the door by 2023 or 2024.
