Horns Hook Delance
The Texas Longhorn coaches know they need help along the offensive line to get their offense up to speed, and on Saturday afternoon the UT coaches picked up a commitment from a player who could be a big help as early as next year.
Rivals250 offensive tackle Jean Delance had narrowed his list to Texas, Michigan and LSU. During the Under Armour All-America game, in front of a nationally-televised audience, Delance gave the Longhorns a big commitment.
“Definitely playing time at right tackle or left tackle is a big factor," Delance told Orangebloods.com. "And definitely the relationship with coach (Charlie) Strong and my family. It’s not too far from home."
The 6-5, 270-pound Delance will take his official visit to UT on January 15. He and his family members took an unofficial visit to Texas back in the summer, and the UT coaches, led by Strong and Brian Jean-Mary, have developed a tremendous relationship with Delance and his family over the past several months.
The Texas coaches have stressed to Delance that he'll have the chance to play early, possibly as a true freshman, and Delance feels the young talent in the UT program is going to help get the Longhorns back on top. He wants to be a part of that climb.
"I believe in two or three years from now, Texas will be an 11-win team, easily," Delance said. "They have talent coming in with this recruiting class, got some guys that are solidly committed who are going to be good at the next level.”
Delance becomes Texas' third offensive line commitment in the 2016 recruiting class, but he's the only pure tackle of the group. Fellow pledges Tope Imade and Denzel Okafor are regarded as interior players, whereas Delance could help Texas at either right or left tackle.
"Delance is a big get because it adds another talented piece to a young offensive line group," said Rivals.com Regional Recruiting Analyst Jason Howell. "He is a powerful, athletic presence on the line with a high ceiling who could contribute early at Texas."
A four-star prospect, Delance is the nation's 10th-ranked tackle prospect. He checks in at No. 9 on the 2016 Lone Star Recruiting Top 100. Delance is the Longhorns' 13th commitment overall.