Top LB prospect David Gbenda updates on Top 10 selections

Dropping a Top 10 is one thing, choosing just five official visit locations is another.

That’s the situation Katy, Texas, linebacker David Gbenda finds himself in now that the summer is almost a wrap, and fall is right around the corner. He might not know – or want to name – the programs he’ll go on to take those officials to, but first thing’s first, he’ll be at TCU this weekend for his first visit.

After this week, he said he’ll start the process of sorting out which teams he’d like to take official visits heading into his senior season. The out-of-state programs recruiting him will no doubt have their fingers crossed to have him out for games, having sold the fact that nothing compares to being their respective stadiums for the gameday experience.

“The majority of those programs have been trying to get me out there,” he said. “Sort of the pitch that they give me – atmospheres like Nebraska of Washington aren’t something you can just talk about – it’s something you have to experience … You can talk all you want, but talk is cheap and you have to see it for yourself.”

Gbenda also included three other top in-state programs in Houston, Texas, Texas A&M, and said that it’s possible he may feel as though he’s seen what he’s needed to at those schools that an official visit isn’t entirely unnecessary, but hasn’t made that call yet.

“I have been to those schools a lot, but I’d really have to think about if I’ve been those places enough to not want to take officials there,” he said. “Most likely, after this weekend I want to sit down and look at schedules, bye weeks, but putting a schedule together for official visits is something that I want to have planned soon.”

Ole Miss has also entered the picture from Gbenda as well, and as the Rebels continue to make some kind of impact recruiting Texas, they’re looking to monopolize Gbenda’s travel interests in the short-term. Gbenda said Oxford is someplace he would like to visit sooner than later if he can squeeze in a visit before things get cooking to seriously with his senior season.

“I definitely want to try and check out Ole Miss and I definitely want to see Notre Dame,” he said. “That’s something that I want to witness for myself. With time and planning with my family I’ve had to push [Notre Dame] back, but hopefully with Ole Miss we can work something out before everything gets hectic.”

On Ole Miss

“I’m the top guy on their list for linebackers in Texas,” he said. “From what they’ve been telling me, they’re really interested. Coach (Phil) Longo and Coach (Jon) Sumerall have been keeping up and getting back with me and want me to come out for an unofficial before an official so they can solidify the relationship and really grow a bond.

“For the coaches to say ‘come out for an unofficial just so you can see and get a taste of it first, then you’ll see where you’ll really enjoy it on a full official,” that sounds pretty nice.”

On TCU

“I feel like it’s going to be a different sort of atmosphere, but something that I want to see for myself,” he said. “The talks with them have been serious, but others have gotten serious talking to me too … I just have to see it out there for myself.”

”Things have been good, I’ve been talking to Coach Chad (Glasgow) for a minute and he’s been trying to get me to come out there,” he said. “Coach Zarnell (Fitch) has been getting at me too. He’s been telling me to come on down so that’s something I definitely need to do.”

On Texas

“I have gotten familiar with a number of the players in their class,” he said. “I have a familiarity with those players coming in, and I’ve seen what they’re working on … Coach Tom Herman did some great things at U of H and brought that same intensity – that same drive – to Texas.”

Reflecting on his visit for the Heat Wave recruiting event

“That visit kind of opened me up to the other players and kind of the fun atmosphere that they have going on over there,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that it solidified anything with me yet, because I am still deciding – still taking my time – so that’s what I’m doing right now.”

On Texas A&M

“Seeing how A&M’s recruiting class is still chugging along, and guys like Javonne (Shepherd) are still undecided and whatnot, they’ve still had a recruiting class and a program that’s stuck out to me with the players that they’ve managed to get,” he said. “It’s not just the players, it’s the school in general that’s also won me over … The education at A&M is pretty good.”