Learning from Todd Orlando is a huge selling point for top LB DaShaun White
DaShaun White remains committed to Texas A&M, but the Richland linebacker knows he could be in for a tough decision in the coming weeks. One of the state’s hottest prospects, White has taken recent official visits to both Oklahoma and Texas, and he continues to evaluate his options while also keeping a close eye on the coaching shake-up at Texas A&M. All three schools are being considered, but as of right now, White’s primary focus is on helping his team continue its playoff run. Richland plays Parkland on Saturday in a regional match-up in Lubbock.
While helping his team advance is top priority, White has stayed in touch with the coaching staffs of the three schools that remain on his list. Texas defensive coordinator Todd Orlando visited with White and White’s mother on Monday, and Oklahoma and Texas A&M will do in-home visits on Thursday.
The recent visit with Orlando over dinner made yet another strong impression on the Longhorns’ behalf.
“It was really good,” White said. “I was just getting a feel for coach Orlando. I was telling my mom, I was just saying how I value his honesty. He’s always kept it really honest with me, especially with all the places recruiting me that haven’t always been honest.”
Oklahoma made a strong push during White’s official visit in late October. Texas A&M has been able to hold onto his commitment despite Kevin Sumlin being let go, and the Aggies will send defensive coordinator John Chavis and defensive line coach Terry Price to White’s visit on Thursday evening. If either of those two are retained by A&M’s new head coach, it could make White’s decision even tougher.
“That would be pretty big. It would make my decision a lot harder. Coach Price, coach Chavis, they’re both amazing men,” White said. “They were a big reason in my commitment and I’m so comfortable around them. I believe in them and I trust them. Them staying would be pretty big.”
With Texas, White’s recent visit from Todd Orlando was another chance to get familiar with his potential position coach, should he choose the Longhorns, and White holds Orlando in high regard.
“He was really just hitting the points that he’d already hit, but wanted to emphasize more. He kind of broke down the Malik Jefferson situation - they still don’t know what he’s going to do. If he’s out of there, things are sort of wide open with the linebackers that are on scholarship that are there now. There’s that opportunity,” White said. “We talked a bunch about, really something I’ve been paying attention big-time to, is him as a defensive coordinator. I want to be a coach one day, and I feel like if I go to that system, I could learn some things from a really good defensive coordinator. I’ve talked to people from other schools that call him the best defensive coordinator in the nation.”
White’s hope has been to have a final decision this month so he can sign with the school of his choice in December. The coaching situation at A&M and Richland’s ongoing playoff run could throw a wrench into those plans.
“I’m still sort of in the same spot. I really want to get it done in December. A&M made things a little more interesting, and we’re still playing right now so I haven’t even been focused on the whole recruiting thing,” White said. “There are a lot of things I haven’t been able to dig too deep into because I’m still playing. The only reason I would want to hold it off (until February), would be if I’m still playing in the state championship.”