2020 TE Elijah Yelverton recaps spring visits to top programs

DALLAS, Tex. -- Elijah Yelverton has been one of a talented group of underclassmen at Bishop Dunne High School that has added offers this spring at a furious pace, but he’s also been proactive about making visits.

He’s done well to see schools beyond just his backyard as well, which is necessary considering his early offers have come from all over the map. The stops that he’s made have certainly been notable programs - and ones that have traditionally done well to feature ace pass-catching tight ends - but he’s also been trying to get a feel for where he feels most comfortable as a person.

“I’ve definitely been loving the atmosphere at those schools,” he said. “I’ve just been looking, seeing what they had, the coaching staffs have been important to look at - seeing what they’ve had to offer - things like that … I’m really just trying to see whatever fits me the best.”

Yelverton should continue seeing his share of interest as a big-bodied athletic target in the middle of the field, and is quick to point out the visits that he’s taken aren’t an indication of favorites in his recruitment. That being said, he gave good reviews to the trips he’s made thus far to Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M and with so many programs looking at him early in the process, any step to establish a foundation with him could be critical.

On Oklahoma State, where he visited for the Cowboys spring game

“The coaches are amazing,” he said. “I loved the facilities, there is just a great vibe there. I was excited to go out there - I like it … We got there early and they showed us around. We spent some time with the coaches talking and hung out for a while after the spring game too.”

On his relationship with tight ends coach Jason McEndoo

“We keep in contact - I get in touch with him probably once-a-week,” he said. “He’s a great dude, he’s funny and real easy to get along with.”

On Arkansas

“It was really nice getting to see how everything was up there,” he said. “It’s great seeing what they’re looking to do with their tight end sets and everything. I thought that I could fit in and it looks like there is a lot of good things they’re doing.”

On his feel for the offense after the staff’s time at SMU

“I got a good look at it, it was definitely always on TV,” he said. “I’ve definitely been able to visualize what kind of role I could have out there. We’ve been talking pretty regularly since then.”

Yelverton said that his trip to Iowa was highlighted with getting a look around the campus and Iowa City, and said that it was a fun experience. While on a junior day visit to A&M at the end of February, he said that he left with a good feeling that the tight end would get looks in the Aggies new offense.

“It was really nice,” he said. “It’s Texas football, so that’s exciting. After talking to the tight ends coach in some meetings, I got the vibe they’re going to be looking at using the tight end more.”

More summer visits are to come for Yelverton, who has also picked up offers from the likes of Michigan and Georgia during the month of May, but he hasn’t quite figured out which programs he’ll get to next.

“I’m just keeping things open right now,” he said. “We’re still going to visit some places in the summer - we haven’t specifically chosen where yet or dates, but we’re definitely going to try and get around some more.”