The Texas Longhorn coaches are out on the road this month, checking in on prospects and building relationships with high school coaches. With so much talent in the Lone Star State, that's where the UT staff's primary focus is, but there have been some key out-of-state stops as well.
On Monday, Texas assistant coach Brian Jean-Mary was in Florida and after a stop by Lakeland (Fl.) High School, Texas extended a scholarship offer to one of the country's top offensive players.
Running back A.J. Davis, a Rivals100 member, is officially on the Longhorns' radar as of yesterday, and Davis said the Texas offer is one on which he had been waiting.
Key quote: "I was really waiting on it. I had talked to them earlier, like last month. talked to a different coach," Davis said. "So I was waiting on it."
Schools in the mix: When you're going through the schools that are recruiting Davis, it may be easier to list the ones who haven't made contact than the ones who have. Davis has about 30 formal scholarship offers. Among those offers are invitations from in-state powers Florida, Florida State and Miami, as well a number of other regional and national powers.
At this point, Davis said he's taking the recruiting process at a very slow pace and he does not see himself making an early decision.
"Not yet," Davis said when asked of schools standing out. "Not as of now. I probably won't do that until towards when I'm graduating."
Thoughts on Texas: Though the Longhorns are new to the mix, Davis did say he has a genuine interest in Texas. He wants to try to make it to Austin this summer for a visit and he expects Texas to remain in the mix as he works through the recruiting process.
"If they keep recruiting me hard, they'll be up there with the top as more schools that offered fade away," Davis said.
With the Longhorns going to more of a spread-based attack that tries to get its skill players in space, the UT coaches are looking for running backs who can run the ball effectively but also be a versatile weapon in the passing game. Davis thinks he fits that bill.
"I like their play scheme, the type of offense they run," Davis said. "They like running the ball. I saw a couple videos on twitter. They like how I can catch the ball out of the backfield.
"I think I'd fit in perfectly with what they do, since that's what we run in high school too."
My thoughts: On the surface, it would seem that it will be tough to pull Davis out of the state of Florida, or even the Southeast region, but he does seem open to the idea of playing anywhere if he finds the right fit. Add in the UT staff's connections in the state of Florida, and it makes perfect sense for Texas to at least make a run at Davis.
An explosive runner at 5-10 and 198 pounds, Davis shows a versatile skill set on film, with tremendous breakaway speed, an ability to make plays as a receiver and willingness as a blocker.
