Momentum continues for Texas with a commitment from DE Taquon Graham
It's been a heck of a start to the week for the Texas Longhorn football program.
On Sunday night, Texas knocked off Notre Dame in what will likely go down as one of the most exciting games in college football this year.
On Monday afternoon, Texas picked up good news on the recruiting front with Temple defensive end Taquon Graham announcing that he has officially committed to the Longhorns.
Graham, a three-star prospect, had been a Longhorn lean for some time, and considered making a commitment in the spring. He eventually chose to slow things down to make sure he made the right decision, but after thinking things over he decided to add his name to the Longhorn commitment list.
"What I like so much about Texas, it's 45 minutes away from home. I like the coaches very well. Them being so close, my brother and my mom could see me," Graham said. "Even now my baby niece could come see my games. It's just so convenient for them to come see my games."
Graham was intending to attend last night's win over Notre Dame, but was unable make it in. That did not damper his enthusiasm, and word began to circulate on Monday morning that Graham may be close to making his decision. He made it official on Monday afternoon.
Graham described Texas as a "can't-miss place" and said the timing just felt right for him to make his commitment. He's glad to have the decision behind him.
"Texas is its own beast," Graham said. "It feels so relieving."
A 6-4, 240-pounder, Graham has been on the UT campus several times already and has struck up a good relationship with the Texas coaches, players and current recruits. Graham's former teammate at Temple, Davion Curtis, is a freshman wide receiver for the Longhorns. In July, Graham was in Austin for Texas' Under the Lights camp, where he spent most of the night mingling with current UT commitments Sam Ehlinger, Kobe Boyce and Montrell Estell.
TCU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M were Texas' main competition, and Graham had previously mentioned the possibility of visiting a school on the West Coast. Graham is the nation's No. 25-ranked weakside defensive end prospect. He ranks No. 12 on the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100. Graham becomes Texas' eighth commitment in the 2017 class and the second defensive end pledge, joining LaGaryonn Carson.
"Graham has ideal size and speed for a defensive end, but needs to play stronger. When he is able to get leverage and extend his arms, or break the block of an offensive lineman, he shows a great ability to close on quarterbacks or ball-carriers," said Rivals.com regional recruiting analyst Nick Krueger. "When we saw him over the spring at the Rivals Camp Series, he showed a good get-off when the ball was snapped, but he took all of his 1-on-1 reps against five-star offensive tackle Walker Little, who he struggled with to get through or around. Graham provides good upside and the type of canvas that Brick Haley and Vance Bedford are going to love to work with. At the very minimum, he is going to give the Longhorns a pass-rushing threat with a high motor."