Texas CB Jimmy Wyrick commits to Stanford

With prospects forced to remain home in what would otherwise be a busy spring of camps, 7-on-7 and college visits, decisions are popping up more and more frequently.

Jimmy Wyrick is the latest to do so.

The three-star cornerback from Dallas (Texas) South Oak Cliff High School committed to Stanford on Tuesday. Wyrick also held offers from Georgia, Missouri, Cal, Arkansas, Duke, Georgia Tech, Utah, Oklahoma State and Minnesota, among others, and recently made a trip out West to Berkley right before the CoVid19 led to an NCAA dead period.

Wyrick currently ranks as the nation's No. 36 cornerback and the No. 54 overall prospect in Texas' 2021 class. He is also the son of former Minnesota and NFL defensive back Jimmy Wyrick, who played for Dallas area powerhouse DeSoto High School before relocating to Minneapolis from 1996-99. The elder Wyrick spent four seasons at cornerback with the Detroit Lions before a two-year stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2003-2004.

On paper, there are plenty of question marks on Wyrick's game. Like his father, Wyrick is of a smaller build. He's 5-foot-10 and about 160 pounds with a verified 25.91-second 200-meter time. While he's short in stature and does not possess high-end track speed, Wyrick packs a big game that is evident not only on tape, but showed in multiple in-person evaluations at the 2019 Rivals Camp Series stop in Dallas and again at Prime 21 last July.

Wyrick is technically sound with a high football IQ, but the most promising attribute of the newest Stanford commitment is his exceptional short-area quickness to break on balls and jump routes. As a junior last season, that propelled Wyrick to a pair of interceptions and no shortage of pass breakups. It's an area of his game that cannot be quantified by speed and is more so a reflection of his instincts and explosiveness from his hips.

By trade, Wyrick is a cornerback, but he also offers position versatility to line up inside as a nickel or over the top as a safety. Wyrick possesses excellent coverage skills in a one-on-one setting. He's disciplined in trail technique and despite being limited by a smaller frame, flashes the ability to get vertical and challenge in jump-ball scenarios downfield.

It's also worth noting that Wyrick is a proven run defender that does not shy away from being physical and is above-average in that regard to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, break up pass attempts with a hit or confidently make a play in the open field.

Wyrick excels in both press and man coverage -- enough to routinely force no-throws out of opposing offenses. While his speed remains a question mark, the other areas of his game allow him to consistently defend well against the run and pass. That includes his quick and technical aspects of his game.