Kinne follows his heart
ORLANDO, Fla. - Quarterback G.J. Kinne didn't plan on changing his college choice with just a little over a month to go before Signing Day. However, when a special opportunity presented itself, Kinne had to follow his heart.
With his father, Gary Joe Kinne, at Baylor, the Gilmer, Texas signal caller seemed all but dead-set on signing with the Bears. However, when Texas lost a commitment from five-star quarterback John Brantley, Kinne showed interest in the spot.
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Seemingly overnight, things changed and the talented quarterback had to de-commit from where his father was coaching and become a Longhorn.
"When you're growing up in this state, Texas is your main school," Kinne said. "That's why they've got the nation's top recruiting class. There was nothing wrong with Baylor, they're still going to have a great program. This is what I had to do."
Kinne said that when Brantley de-committed, he text messaged Texas coaches Greg Davis and Ken Rucker. The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder said that he expected not to hear anything back until after the bowl game had ended.
The night before the bowl game, Gilmer coach Jeff Traylor heard from the Texas coaches about a scholarship offer for his quarterback.
Kinne knew he didn't have a lot of time. In the end, he didn't need much.
"I talked it over with my family and I knew the coaches didn't want this to linger," Kinne said. "When I finally sat down and looked at everything, I talked with coach Mack Brown and told him my decision. That was it."
Kinne is one of several Texas recruits at the East Meets West All-American game. He's definitely had to do some introductions to a few of his future teammates.
"I think they all heard I committed, but I don't think they knew who I was," Kinne said. "Getting to know all these guys has been great."
Current starterColt McCoy has impressed early in his career, but that hasn't shaken the confidence of Kinne one bit. He says that he'll be ready when he steps on the practice field for the first time in Austin.
"To all the fans, I'd say get ready," Kinne said.