Texas running back commitment
Keaontay Ingram took in his first Longhorn game of the season on Saturday, watching Texas defeat Kansas State in double overtime, and the Carthage standout loved everything he saw. The come-from-behind win moved Texas to 3-2 on the season while showcasing true freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger, and Ingram said he likes the direction the program is heading under first-year head coach Tom Herman.
“It was awesome,” Ingram said. “It gives you something to think about, showed the future, that the program is changing.”
During the visit, Ingram got to spend some time talking to the Texas coaches, who expressed that they were glad to see the four-star back on campus. It was Ingram’s first visit since the summer.
“I pretty much talked to almost all of (the coaches) except maybe a couple. They were just saying they were excited about me being there since it’s been a while since I’ve been there,” Ingram said. “They were glad to see me.”
The 6-0, 190-pound Ingram is in the middle of a strong senior season that has seen him and his Carthage teammates roll off a perfect 5-0 record. The only running back commitment in the Longhorns’ 2018 recruiting class, Ingram hasn’t been promised anything by the Texas coaching staff, but some feel his well-rounded game will help him get on the field early in his collegiate career. Ingram said he’s just keeping his head down and focusing on improving.
“They (the coaches) haven’t said too much about (playing time). They just say to come in, do what they need me to do,” Ingram said. “I feel like I can do a little bit of everything, but I still have a lot of work to do. I can improve on everything - footwork, pad level, between the tackles, open space, catching ability as well.”
While on campus for the Longhorns’ game on Saturday night, Ingram was able to connect with several other Texas commitments. He also did some recruiting on two uncommitted prospects who were at the game – quarterback Tanner McKee and defensive end Joseph Ossai.
“We talked, chatted it up, had a good time,” Ingram said. “We all liked what we saw. I pretty much talked to everyone.
"We were on (Ossai) pretty hard as a group," said UT RB commitment Keaontay Ingram. "We just told him, you know we want you, told him to go ahead and make the move but at the same time make the right decision for him," Ingram said. "We'll just have to wait and see. With the recruiting process, you never know."
"(McKee) is a great guy. Great people. I feel like that’s what we need at the University of Texas. I feel like he loved it," Ingram said.
Despite his early commitment to Texas, Ingram has never completely slammed the door on the idea of taking other visits. He’s always maintained he is solid with his pledge, but has said on numerous occasions that he may hit another campus or two at some point. As of this week, he has not set up any other visits.
“I’m still pretty solid. I still listen to coaches, they take their time so the least I can do is show them respect. But as of right now, I don’t have any plans set up for other visits,” Ingram said.
A four-star prospect, Ingram is ranked No. 27 in the state of Texas by Rivals.com.
