It was a star-studded recruiting weekend for the Texas Longhorns, with a large number of high-profile recruits making their way to Austin to take part in the program's first ever junior day under Tom Herman.
One player who had people talking was Casey Thompson. A Rivals250 member, Thompson plays the most recognizable position on the football field as a quarterback. He's a player who has Texas high on his list and the Moore (OK) Southmoore product actually spent the entire weekend in Austin. Add all those factors together, and Thompson was a player that held the close attention of the Texas fan base.
Overall, it was a very productive visit for the Longhorns and for Thompson, who said he enjoyed everything about the visit.
Key quotes: "This is the most impressive campus I've been on by far. I've been to Clemson, Ohio State. I've been a lot of places," Thompson said. "The city of Austin is really nice."
"I was really impressed with coach Herman. I had a meeting with him (Saturday) morning, me and my dad. We got to talk a lot. ... We just talked about family history. He visited with my dad and we talked about my family," Thompson said. "He just kind of got to know me. it was more of an introduction. That was actually my first time meeting coach Herman in person."
Reconnecting with UT OC Tim Beck: Thompson and new Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck have known each other for a while. Beck recruited Thompson heavily while Beck was at Ohio State, and the two spent a lot of time together last weekend, including Thompson sitting in on a quarterback meeting.
"I've know coach Beck since last winter. He recruited me at Ohio State," Thompson said. "It was just another time to be around coach Beck. He didn't have to ask me a lot of questions. I know coach Beck. I talk to him almost every day."
Where Texas fits: The 6-1, 176-pound Thompson has a small group of schools that are standing out, and he said the Longhorns continue to be "a top priority" and last weekend's visit makes Texas' footing among his favorites even stronger.
The Longhorns are in Thompson's top three, along with Miami and North Carolina. Virginia Tech and Arizona State are also drawing consideration.
"Texas is a great program. I don't think either side - I'm not ready to commit and they're not ready. I think it's just getting to know coach Herman and they want to get to know me more," Thompson said. "The guys that they've offered that are uncommitted are me and Dorian (Thompson-Robinson). I know Dorian and I have much respect for him. I think we're very similar. Either way it goes, they're going to get a great quarterback. If they wait on me - I'd like for them to wait on me, obviously. But like I said, Texas is still in the top three as they were before I came this weekend."
Time spent with the UT players: Thompson got some time with current Texas quarterbacks Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger and said he feels he'd fit in well with what the Longhorns are trying to build.
"I think Texas is a great fit. I got to be around Sam (Ehlinger). I got to be around Shane Buechele. I got to be around all these guys this weekend. I hung out with (Malcolm Roach) last night too. It was just an overall really impressive," Thompson said. "When I got to the facility, I was like 'Why didn't somebody tell me it would be like this?'"
Upcoming visits and commitment plans: Thompson is hoping to visit North Carolina this weekend, when the Tar Heels will host Duke in basketball. He may visit Miami in March. If things go well, Thompson said he'd like to make a final decision before the end of his junior year.
"Spring is what I would like. But if I'm not ready in the spring, I'll commit in the summer," Thompson said. "But I think the schools that I'm looking to narrow it down to soon, I think they're willing to wait on me."
Texas rolling out the red carpet: Thompsonspent the day on Saturday with the UT coaches as part of the team's junior day. He then went to the Texas basketball game on Saturday evening, where he got more time with Tom Herman. On Sunday, he was back on campus to visit with the coaches again. Overall, the visits went well and Thompson said he feels like the UT coaches have made him a top priority.
"I met Coach Herman (Saturday) morning. That was my first time meeting him in person. I was really impressed with him," Thompson said. "(Beck) has made me a priority. Even when he was at Ohio State. It was down to me and Emory Jones and Emory pulled the trigger earlier than I did. I respect that, but he has definitely made me a priority. I trust him, and I'm looking forward to building a relationship with coach Herman as well."
