Texas teams turning up interest in 2018 4-Star Atanza Vongor

Four-star 2018 defensive back Atanza Vongor became an early target for a number of teams this spring, and the schools in Texas have certainly shown him that he’s a priority.

After making an appearance in late July at Texas’s Under the Lights camp, where he as a guest but not a participant, TCU came through with an offer. Now, all of a sudden, the Horned Frogs are the benefactors of recency when it comes to his early attentions.

“Not a whole lot is going on, but I’m really just trying to focus on the season right now,” he said. “I’m getting to see Texas, TCU, but I’m really just trying to focus on the season and take it week by week.”

Vongor was never going to need help getting noticed, but it’s worth mentioning that he operates in the same secondary as 2017 five-star prospect Jeffrey Okudah. Both project as safeties in college, but Vongor - who hits as ferociously as you’d expect when you see him - does so well covering so much ground in pass coverage, Okudah is afforded the opportunity to play cornerback.

In the game the pair played a week ago against rival Grand Prairie, there wasn’t much opportunity on their side of the field to catch passes. Running the ball to their side of the field was equally futile.

“Coming into the game, our plan was just to lock it down,” Vongor said. “We played a lot of man [coverage] tonight, locked things down in the secondary and gave our players in the box the opportunity to get back there, put pressure on the quarterback and make our jobs easier.”

On TCU

“TCU has been talking to me and already telling me that they think I can come down there and play early,” he said. “They have a great campus, atmosphere, coaching staff, and it’s just a great program.”

On his visit to Texas

“It was great,” he said. “I love the coaching staff, they treat me just like family. The atmosphere down there - I love it.”

On Houston, who has recently become more prominent in his recruitment

“Their game against UConn was dope,” he said. “They’re doing big things this year. I know they had a good season last year, but they’re getting better. I’m loving what’s happening there.”

As with most 2018 prospects - particularly ones of Vongor’s caliber - the road is going to be a long one as he continues to weigh his options. Earlier in the summer he mentioned Baylor as a team he was considering as well, but including the Bears, all four programs could have very different identities by next season. Some expect Tom Herman to be next up for the job at Texas, if not LSU, which means Charlie Strong will have been removed, and for those that like stirring the pot, Gary Patterson’s name was included among replacements for Les Miles as well.

Vongor showed against Grand Prairie that he has a nose to make plays in the secondary defending passes, which pairs nicely with his natural ability to lend a heavy hand in run defense. His interest in Houston at this stage is a great sign for the Cougars and shows that the identity of the program is starting to establish itself as more than just a second option for players that don’t end up at the more traditional Texas powers. Vongor said that he is very interested in attending Houston’s game against Louisville on November 17.