When wide receiver Lawrence Keys finished up his official visit to Notre Dame two weekends ago, he was very open in listing the Irish as his top school with about two weeks remaining on the recruiting calendar. On Sunday night, after spending 48 hours in Austin for a Texas Longhorn official visit, Keys said it’s now a two-team race.
“Everything is really balanced out right now. Those are my last two final schools,” Keys said. “I’ll be choosing one of those two visits on signing day, so those two are kind of balanced out.”
The New Orleans McDonogh 35 product said there were several things that stood out about the Texas visit and elevated the Longhorns’ standing, including time spent with the current Longhorn players.
“What really stood out was the campus, the facilities, just the city of Austin, period,” Keys said. “And really, going out and doing things, being with the players.”
Prior to the Texas visit, Keys said it would be important for the Longhorns to not only make a strong impression on him, but also on his mother, whose input he values. Mission accomplished for the Longhorns.
“She actually liked it. She gave all positive feedback about everything that went on,” Keys said. “She really enjoyed it.”
Texas talked to Keys and his mother about the need the Longhorns have at the slot receiver position, and also stressed academics. The 5-11, 160-pound speedster said both pitches left an impression.
“It was both. They really balanced it out with academics and the football part,” Keys said. “They said I could come in and have a chance to start. Right now they have a big guy (at slot receiver) but he could really be more on the outside.”
Up next, Keys will take his final official visit to SMU, but he said this one will likely come down to the Longhorns and the Irish. He plans to have a final decision on National Signing Day, and said he’ll just do what feels right.
“That’s kind of tough. Wherever my heart tells me to go, where I feel most the comfortable and feel at home, I’ll choose that place,” Keys said. Everything just equaled out. I’m not leaning to Texas or Notre Dame. Everything has really balanced out.”
