Offensive lineman Zach Shackelford is going to be in for a very eventful Sunday and Monday.
Shackelford, out of Belton, has been committed to Kansas State since July of last year. Texas offered Shackelford in November and Shackelford has been weighing his options ever since.
The 6-4, 295-pound Shackleford took his official visit to Kansas State on December 12. He'll take his official visit to Texas this weekend. He'll enroll at either K-State or Texas on Monday.
Talk about a pressure-packed weekend ...
Key quote: "Basically I think I'll just take the visit this weekend, then go home early Sunday and kind of think it over. I'll probably make my decision and on Monday, wherever I decide, pick north or south to head on I-35. That's basically how I'll do it."
Big week for the Longhorns: Obviously, this weekend's official visit will be big in determining where Shackelford winds up. Prior to that, Texas head coach Charlie Strong and new offensive line coach Matt Mattox will make an in-home visit with Shackelford on Thursday night.
Mattox previously recruited Shackelford when Mattox was at Tulsa, so the two do know each other pretty well. The in-home visit and official visit will give Shackelford's mother a chance to get better acquainted with the UT coaches.
"I would assume (the in-home) is to just talk to coach Strong again, and so coach Mattox can talk to my mom again," Shackelford said. "I don't think he's talked to her since he got to Texas. It's probably more important for the parents since I already know them pretty well."
Looking back at his K-State visit: Shackelford's official visit to Kansas State took place in mid-December. Reflecting on that trip, he said there was a lot to like, including the time spent with current team members and seeing the recently upgraded K-State facilities, which include a $70 million field house in the north end zone of the stadium.
"It was really good. There were a lot of highlights," Shackelford said. "I got to basically see everything as far as academics, I got a full tour of the new facility they have there. The best thing, I got to meet some of the guys, the players."
Texas' plans: If Shackelford winds up at Texas, the Longhorn coaches have told him he'll first get a look at center, where Texas has very little depth after the news that projected starter Jake Raulerson has decided to transfer. Guard is also a possibility, and Shackelford said the opportunity to see the field early is a factor that will weigh into his decision.
"(Mattox) said he'd probably try me at center. I think that would be pretty cool," Shackelford said. "I've always kind of thought about the idea of playing center. You're kind of the qurterback of the offensive line, so I've always thought that would be pretty cool. He said I could play guard too if it didn't work out.
"That's one of the big reasons I'm considering (Texas) because I really want to play early."
Handling the pressure well: Though he knows he'll face a tough decision, Shackelford is at peace knowing that he has two good options in front of him. When Texas first offered, he felt some pressure on whether or not to take an official visit to UT, but he has now settled in on the realization that he simply has to make the best decision for himself.
Wherever he chooses, Shackelford said he expects both coaching staffs will understand and respect his decision.
" You have to be able to handle pressure. I was kind of stressed about toggling with taking an official visit but now that I'm taking one, it kind of relieves some stress," Shackelford said. "I'm just going to see how it feels, go with my gut.
"I've known (the K-State coaches) longer, have good relationships with them. At the same time, it is a business at the end of the day. I think either party would understand whichever decision I make."
My thoughts: The next five days will tip the scales one direction or the other, but if you're a Texas fan, you have to feel pretty good about where this one is trending. The Longhorns will get the last visit, Shackelford has been on UT's campus several times over the course of his recruitment, Texas offers a tremendous chance for immediate playing time and UT is close to home.
Barring any setbacks during his in-home visit and/or official visit, I like Texas' chances to land a commitment on Sunday night.
