3-Star Houston LB commit Donavan Mutin hanging tough with Cougars

HOUSTON, Tex. -- Klein Collins linebacker Donavan Mutin is easy to spot. Just look for the player that looks like he pulled the bus to his game rather than ride in it.

Physically, the Houston commit has the look of a player ready to step in and compete for snaps on Day 1. Fortunately for head coach Major Applewhite, for now he has no serious intentions of doing so for anyone but his hometown Cougars.

“I’m hearing from others,” he said. “Schools will tell me ‘great game’ or ‘I’m coming to watch you play’ or they’re interested in me. I’m committed, but I’m hearing things but I’m pretty set on Houston. That was my first love in recruiting; that’s where I wanted to go from the beginning and everything about up there is why I feel like that’s where I want to go.”

Mutin was on campus multiple times over the spring and summer, but took in his first game at TDECU stadium last month when Houston pounded cross-town opponent Rice, 38-3. Mutin said that the game day atmosphere is something that the Cougars really have working in their favor when it comes to their recruiting efforts.

“They always bring a great crowd with great energy,” he said. “That just brings recruits into it. How they play, the morals behind the team and how they do what they do. That’s just fun to watch and having an inside scoop, that makes me even more interested in going there.”

Houston fans might also be happy to know that Mutin doesn’t do social media. With such forms of communication having become a major instrument to teams’ recruiting strategy, general exposure to other teams hasn’t been a significant factor with him. Still, Mutin said that Oklahoma State and TCU are still finding ways to stay in touch with him and are the two most likely programs to impact his final decision, should anything change.

“I wouldn’t say they’re not a threat as of now,” he said. “But I’m not taking that in because I still have a season to focus on and a team to focus on. I’m not going to shut that out until it’s time to sign the paper, but as of now, I’m set on Houston.”

Mutin seems content in his relationship with Houston, although he has been advised to not completely eliminate other teams that are still interested in him.

“A lot of my coaches tell me that it’s great that I’m committed and I should be loyal to that school,” he said. “But you shouldn’t just settle down and not take a trip because you don’t know if (another school) is the place for you. So I am kind of being influenced by that, so I may take a couple trips.”

Given his connection to the Cougars’ staff, and his more immediate commitment to his Klein Collins team this season, it would seem as though the Cowboys or Horned Frogs would need to keep a spot available for him in their class until after the season, which bodes well for Houston’s chances of keeping him in its class come February.