It's been a wild race to the recruiting finish line for the Texas Longhorns, and on the morning of National Signing Day, Texas has picked up a big commitment.

On Monday, Texas started its week with a pledge from quarterback Kai Locksley. This time, it's from Beaumont Central defensive back James "P.J." Locke.

A longtime Oregon commitment, Texas extended a scholarship offer to Locke on Sunday afternoon. Initially, Locke, out of Beaumont Central, had decided to stick with his Oregon pledge, but after talking to those close to him this week, he decided to make the switch to Texas.

"I got here in the spring of his sophomore year. I saw then he had potential and the academics to be a big-time recruit. I asked him then, if you could go anywhere in the nation where would you go and he said he wanted to be a Texas Longhorn," said Beaumont Central head coach Toby Foreman. "I reminded him of that this week. I think that's one thing that led him to Texas - if its in your blood, it's in your blood."

A 5-10, 185-pounder, Locke was offered by more than 35 schools over the course of his recruitment. He committed to Oregon in July of last year and had remained solid to the Ducks until the Longhorns entered the picture. Making the change to Texas was not a decision that Locke took lightly.

"We had been talking since Sunday, whenever he got the offer. I know it's been weighing on him heavily. We've been meeting every day since Sunday," Foreman said. It's a tough decision that's been weighing on him pretty good. He met with his family, he called me, we took a drive and just talked about the pros and cons of things.

"He's about my 50th or 60th Division I talent that I've had, so I have a lot of experience. I told him, 'You have to make a decision that's best for yourself, not anyone else. Coaches are going to come and go, but with you, this is a five-year commitment and this is your future. Right now, this is the biggest decision of your life, your first big adult decision.'"

In Locke, the Longhorns pick up a commitment from a playmaking defensive back who recorded seven interceptions as a senior. The Texas staff quickly identified Locke as a replacement for Jamile Johnson, who decommitted from UT after taking an official visit to Texas Tech last weekend. Foreman, who coached former Longhorn DBs Earl Thomas and Deon Beasley, said Locke compares favorably to his former pupils.

"His qualities, he's a bigger DB than probably some of the DBs that I've coached. He's very physical, his feet are good but he's a smart player. That's what's going to help him," Foreman said. "He's very smart, very coachable. Coach (Chris) Vaughn, coach (Vance) Bedford, that's what they're looking for. He'll be able to learn the system right away, then however well he does in two-a-days and summer practice, that will determine if he'll play right away."

"Locke is a ball-hawking safety. He's physical as a defensive back and will come up against the run to make plays," said Rivals.com regional recruiting analyst Jason Howell. "He brings some nice size to the table and is more of a stout guy."

A three-star prospect, Locke ranks No. 65 on the 2015 Lone Star Recruiting Top 100. He becomes Texas' 26th commitment in the 2015 class and is the Longhorns' fifth defensive back pledge.