The Texas Longhorns are still more than a month away from putting the finishing touches on their 2020 recruiting class, but the coaches are also keeping an eye on their priority 2021 targets as well. The Longhorns already have seven commitments in the 2021 class, and numerous other prospects hold UT offers and are high on the Texas staff’s wish list. Linebacker Clayton Smith is one of those players, and he stays in close contact with the Texas coaches.
“I talked to coach (Derek) Warehime. We talk probably once a week, twice a week. He texts me,” Smith said.
With Texas going through a coaching change on the defensive side of the ball, including hiring a new defensive coordinator in Chris Ash, one might think the course of the conversations might be different than it was a month ago. According to Smith, things remain the same and his and Warehime’s conversations are more about building on their already strong relationship.
“It hasn’t changed much. It’s still the same, really, as before the major changes were made. Really, it’s more personal. It’s mostly about family, him seeing how I’m doing,” Smith said. “We’re past the ice breaking stage.”
Smith said he’s been so focused on his off-season workouts that he really hasn’t paid attention to the ongoing coaching changes at Texas. That will change in the spring, he said, when he’ll try to make his way down to Austin to get a feel for the new coaches that are brought in.
“I’ve just been grinding, working out,” Smith said. “I’d say speed an explosion are my main two things I’m focused on.”
On the recruiting front, Smith says he’s pretty even among the schools that have offered. Programs like Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, LSU and TCU are among those that have put scholarships on the table.
“Right now, it’s pretty even. I’m not playing any favoritism yet,” Smith said. “I’ll narrow it down, probably later in the spring, like April.”
Out of Texas High in Texarkana, Smith said he’ll likely take a few of his official visits in the spring and then save one or two for next fall. He’d like to commit this summer to have it out of the way before his senior season begins. The Longhorns are believed by most to be a team at or near the top of Smith’s list, but he said he really hasn’t formulated a pecking order just yet.
“It’s still pretty even right now. I wouldn’t say no (to Texas being out in front), but I wouldn’t say yes either,” Smith said.
Texas, LSU, Oklahoma and Washington are the schools Smith said are recruiting him the hardest. He’d like to get to LSU and Oklahoma for visits this spring and will probably get back to Austin as well. As for Texas, Smith said there’s a lot to like.
“It’s the environment for the most part. I love the city,” Smith said. “I’m really cool with coach Warehime too. Coach (Todd) Orlando is gone, but I have a great relationship with coach Warehime. Coach Herman too.”
Smith is ranked as a Rivals250 member and a four-star prospect. This spring, the 6-4, 220-pounder will also take part in track and field, where he’ll participate in the high jump and likely the 4X400.
