Texas Spotlight: Five prospects who might flip
There were 300 prospects who decommitted from Power Five programs in last year’s recruiting cycle. So, it’s inevitable that decommitments will again come into play in this 2020 class, but for whom? We navigate the early commitments out of Texas and break down who could decommit down the line.
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Chibuzo has been committed to Texas A&M for some time, and he has returned to nearby Aggieland quite a few times since. However, the four-star offensive lineman has continued to make visits elsewhere. Chibuzo has been spotted at schools all across the SEC, namely LSU, Georgia and Alabama, and two of those teams face A&M on a year-in, year-out basis. Chibuzo feels very comfortable with his pledge to the Aggies, but his visits to conference rivals seem to suggest otherwise.
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Bryant popped to the Tigers on February on his first visit to campus. He’s certainly an edge-rusher in the mold of an LSU lineman. Oklahoma was a legitimate contender before LSU offered. Bryant has since put on his recruiting cap to lure other prospects from Texas, including his Shadow Creek teammates, to join him in Death Valley. However, the four-star defensive end committed without offers from either Texas or Texas A&M. An offer from either of the major in-state programs would likely give Bryant a lot to think about, especially as coach Ed Orgeron continues to recruit other highly rated recruits at the same position for 2020.
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Jefferson has been embedded in the Aggies’ 2020 class for more than two years. The big offensive lineman is quiet - especially when it comes to his recruitment as it pertains to visits and other college interests. A&M currently holds three commitments along the offensive line in its 2020 class, including Jefferson, but the team is eyeing several other additional reinforcements in the trenches before December arrives. It would not be surprising to see Texas A&M and Jordan part ways at some point during this recruiting cycle.
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Duke netted a commitment from Hood, a talented three-star linebacker over the weekend. Hood, who missed several games due to injury as a junior a season ago, made his way to Durham, N.C., and pledged to coach David Cutcliffe’s team upon his arrival home. Duke made a strong impression on Hood, but should his offer sheet balloon in the spring when healthy, it would not be out of this world for Hood to eventually give consideration to some other options.
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Demas is the biggest name on this list and the centerpiece of the Aggies’ 2020 recruiting class. He has not given any reason to believe he’d decommit from Texas A&M. Demas, a top 50 prospect, boasts more than 55 offers. Schools not named Texas A&M are in daily contact with the elite wide receiver and are trying to lure him to campus. Demas has openly stated he will use all five of his official visits, one of which will go to A&M, and that schools like Auburn, Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State are still pushing very hard. For that reason alone, Demas is a candidate to consider for decommitment, but he’s given every indication that he believes the Aggies will capture a national championship during his tenure in College Station. Let the dissection begin.