Cliff-notes: Copperas Cove (Texas) High offensive lineman J.P. Urquidez became the second former member of the Baylor 2016 recruiting class to sign with Texas after deciding to leave the BU program following one of the worst scandals in NCAA history.
Key Offers: Before signing with Baylor in February, Urquidez had offers from the likes of Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State and UCLA.
Recruiting rankings: Listed at 6-7, 300 pounds, Urquidez is regarded as a low four-star prospect by Rivals and ranks as the No. 9 offensive tackle and the No. 173 overall prospect in the nation from the 2016 class.
Scouting report: At 6-6, 293 pounds, all you have to do is see a little bit of Urquidez in person to understand exactly what it is that college coaches like about him because he definitely passes the eyeball test, perhaps as much as any tackle prospect from the Lone Star State in 2016. Yet, he's still not always the player on the field that matches the expectations that are easy to create when you see the kind of size/frame he brings to the table, although he took massive strides as a senior for Copperas Cove. While he’s a plus-athlete, I don’t know that he'll be able to play at left tackle at the next level, but he has a real chance to emerge as a quality right tackle. I could also see him playing inside when it’s all said and done. He plays hard and his effort is one of the things that gives you a lot of hope that he’ll work to reach his ceiling as a player, as football matters to him. If you put the need for Texas to have immediate help along the offensive line aside, Urquidez needs a year or two of seasoning before the light switch finally flips on for good, but when it does he could be a player with Sunday upside.
Why it matters: The Texas program is still in dire need of upgrading along the offensive line and Urquidez gives it potentially an immediate contributor at tackle, especially when you consider the back-up tackle situation was not good coming out of the spring. Even if he's not able to make a first-year impact, at worst Urquidez is a player who projects to be a 2-3 year contributor after a little development. On top of that, Urquidez's commitment gives Texas added momentum in its pursuit of other members from the list of players leaving Baylor. There's a lot of burnt orange momentum at the moment.
Enjoy: Take a look at these highlights.
Recruiting rankings: Listed at 6-7, 300 pounds, Urquidez is regarded as a low four-star prospect by Rivals and ranks as the No. 9 offensive tackle and the No. 173 overall prospect in the nation from the 2016 class.
Scouting report: At 6-6, 293 pounds, all you have to do is see a little bit of Urquidez in person to understand exactly what it is that college coaches like about him because he definitely passes the eyeball test, perhaps as much as any tackle prospect from the Lone Star State in 2016. Yet, he's still not always the player on the field that matches the expectations that are easy to create when you see the kind of size/frame he brings to the table, although he took massive strides as a senior for Copperas Cove. While he’s a plus-athlete, I don’t know that he'll be able to play at left tackle at the next level, but he has a real chance to emerge as a quality right tackle. I could also see him playing inside when it’s all said and done. He plays hard and his effort is one of the things that gives you a lot of hope that he’ll work to reach his ceiling as a player, as football matters to him. If you put the need for Texas to have immediate help along the offensive line aside, Urquidez needs a year or two of seasoning before the light switch finally flips on for good, but when it does he could be a player with Sunday upside.
Why it matters: The Texas program is still in dire need of upgrading along the offensive line and Urquidez gives it potentially an immediate contributor at tackle, especially when you consider the back-up tackle situation was not good coming out of the spring. Even if he's not able to make a first-year impact, at worst Urquidez is a player who projects to be a 2-3 year contributor after a little development. On top of that, Urquidez's commitment gives Texas added momentum in its pursuit of other members from the list of players leaving Baylor. There's a lot of burnt orange momentum at the moment.
Enjoy: Take a look at these highlights.
