Longhorns snag a DB commitment

The Texas Longhorns have taken a unique approach to their defensive back recruiting efforts in the 2013 class, taking things at a slower pace than they did with other positions. Texas extended its first DB offer on April 2 after the Longhorns had already garnered commitments from prospects at every other position.

On Friday, UT's patience and thorough evaluations paid off, with the Longhorns securing a commitment from one of the country's best, Bastrop cornerback Antwuan Davis.

The 6-0, 188-pound Davis is one of three defensive back prospects to hold offers from the Texas coaches, and he's been a player that most thought would commit to Texas at some point. Davis has always had the Longhorns at or near the top of his list, and he had commented recently that he'd likely make a commitment sometime this spring. On Friday, he decided to go ahead and make his commitment official during a meeting in Mack Brown's office.

"We had been talking about it. We talked thoroughly last night with his head coach," said Anthony Davis, Antwuan's father. "It's a great place to be, great atmosphere, the DB coaching is the best as far as technique and we like how they take care of the kids.

"We thought it was time to make the decision. Once we got in that office, he was hypnotized. It was basically over after that."

As the nation's No. 14-ranked defensive back prospect, Davis gives Texas defensive backs coach Duane Akina a blue-chip athlete who has tremendous speed to go along with his impressive frame.

Davis had been considered a strong lean to the Longhorns ever since picking up his offer, but he held off on committing in order to help draw attention to his Bastrop teammates as college coaches stopped by the school for spring evaluations. But all along, he had a strong inclination that he'd eventually wind up at Texas.

"He had a pretty strong idea of what he wanted to do. He knew where he wanted to go to school the whole time, but he wanted to wait to help his teammates out," said Anthony Davis. "But it was time for him to get out there and do his thing."

Davis suffered a back injury last season that caused some coaches to delay their evaluations, but he's since returned to full strength and his offer list has grown considerably in the past couple months. He chose Texas over offers from the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Vanderbilt.

In February, Davis took a quick unofficial visit to Texas to get a close look at the UT program and meet with the coaches. After that visit, he mentioned that the Longhorns were one of his top choices and UT has remained in a strong position ever since.

"I really like coach Akina," Davis said after that visit. "I like what he does with his DBs. He has this secret that he does with his DBs to get them in the NFL. I want that secret."

Davis becomes the Longhorns' 14th commitment of the 2013 class. Texas is planning to take two defensive backs in the class. The UT staff has outstanding offers to Maurice Smith and Chevoski Collins.

"We're very excited. My parents can come down and watch him play. It's an overwhelming feeling for it to happen," Anthony Davis said.

Davis will run in the 2012 Texas Track & Field State Meet next Friday as a participant in the 100 meter dash.