Texas makes strong impression on WR Jordan Pouncey during official visit
Winter Park (FL) wide receiver Jordan Pouncey is well-aware of the history of the Texas Longhorn football program. In fact, Pouncey grew up a fan of the Texas program, thanks in large part to legendary Texas quarterback Vince Young.
Last weekend, the standout receiver prospect had the opportunity to take an official visit to see the Longhorn program and the city of Austin, and Pouncey said the experience was everything he had hoped it would be.
"I've been a Texas fan ever since I first started playing football. To be able to come to the University of Texas was a dream come true," Pouncey said. "I was shocked the whole time.
"The coaching staff is great. Coach (Tom) Herman, he's a real high-energy guy, fun to be around. My player host, John Burt, I don't know what it is, but we're really similar in personality. It was really fun with him. Getting to be at the University of Texas, what it's like to be a student-athlete, was really cool."
The 6-3, 182-pound Pouncey's UT fandom goes back to his days in elementary school when he first started learning about the game of football.
"I used to play quarterback, when I was younger," Pouncey explained. "I was a quarterback, and that's when Vince Young led the Longhorns to a national championship. I looked up to him, loved watching him play."
With one visit weekend remaining, Pouncey will next hit Tennessee beginning on Friday. He'll announce his final decision on National Signing Day with a commitment video that he and his friends are putting together.
A one-time Notre Dame commitment, Pouncey has a final four of Texas, Miami, Notre Dame and Tennessee. He says he doesn't have an order among his four finalists with one week to go, and will begin the process of settling on one school after his Tennessee visit. The Longhorns should figure heavily into the mix after last weekend's visit.
"Texas made a very big impression. I've been a fan since I was a little kid. To actually be here and experience it, that was a whole new thing I'm not used to. This was my first time in the state of Texas - to be here was crazy, to take it all in was amazing," Pouncey said.
The pitch from the Texas coaches was that they need receivers who can come in and help with the new Texas offense that the coaches will begin installing this spring. Pouncey was told he would have a chance to play early if he was to select the Longhorns.
"Coach Herman said 'We need you to come in and play,'" Pouncey said. "That's good for me. I like that. I want to play."
Several other recruits were on the Texas campus last weekend for official visits, including a handful of Texas commitments. Two players in particular were giving Pouncey their recruiting efforts on the Longhorns' behalf, and Pouncey said it had an impact.
"I was hanging out with Josh Thompson or Damion Miller. I could myself playing with them. We were together basically the whole weekend," Pouncey said. "Both of them were really trying to make a push, but it wasn't anything crazy. They know the decision will be on me, but they wanted to do all they can to make it fun for me. They were really laid back, really good dudes."