The 2021 recruitment class was an important one for Tom Herman and played a part in why he was let go as head coach.
Not only did Texas miss some key goals during the cycle, the Longhorns saw six players return to their dedication. Each of these players ended up drawing elsewhere.
Ironically, all six prospects came from the offensive side of the ball. Former offensive coordinator Tim Beck may not have been the best with the X’s and O’s, but he did an excellent job on the recruiting path. Herman hired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich after Beck was let go and he wasn’t as talented as a recruiter.
No strings attached are inevitable, especially if you make changes to coaching twice during the cycle. However, Texas tied Kansas and Iowa State with the most clearances in the Big 12. Here are the six players who went back on their initial promise to Texas and where they ended.
Quaydarius Davis
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Wide receiver
residence: Dallas, Texas
Where they ended up: Kansas
247Sport composite arrangement: Four star, 0.9374
AnalysisQuaydarius Davis was an early commitment to the Longhorns in June 2019. It was only five months when Davis decided to reopen his recruitment in November. For the past 15 months, Davis has been committed to USC, before quitting and signing with Kansas on Wednesday. He ranks as the best Jayhawks recruit ever on the 247Sports composite.
Lake McRee
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Tight end
residence: Austin, Texas
Where they ended up: USC
247Sport composite arrangement: Three stars, 0.8784
AnalysisBorn in Austin, Lake McRee attended Lake Travis High School and committed to Texas in July 2019. The tight ending was seen as a position of distress in the 2021 class, and trapping a hometown prospect was a win for Tom Herman. Around the same time as Davis, McRee reopened his commitment and joined USC later that summer. The Longhorns ended up at Gunnar Helm.
Countries King
(image courtesy of Houston Chronicle)
Position: Tight end
residence: Humble, Texas
Where they ended up: Auburn
247Sport composite arrangement: Three stars, 0.8709
Analysis: Another tight prospect Texas lost was Humble’s Landen King. The three-star was only stuck for a month. Once decommissioned, Chad Morris, recently hired by Auburn as attack coordinator, immediately assured his dedication. Despite Morris leaving the plains after the firing of Gus Malzhan, King signed his letter of intent during the early signing period.
Jalen Milroe
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Quarterback
residence: Katy, Texas
Where they ended up: Alabama
247Sport composite arrangement: Four star, 0.9633
Analysis: Jalen Milroe was the heart and soul of the 2021 class for a long time. When Quinn Ewers committed to Texas in August, Milroe explained and left for Alabama. He landed with Jeff Banks and Steve Sarkisian who were still in Tuscaloosa at the time. Ewers were eventually decommissioned from Texas, but Milroe stayed with the Crimson Tide.
Billy Bowman
Smiley N. Pool / The Dallas Morning News via AP
Position: ATH
residence: Denton, Texas
Where they ended up: Oklahoma
247Sport composite arrangement: Four star, 0.9801
Analysis: Outside of Milroe, Texas has been hurt the most by losing Billy Bowman, especially where he ended up. The Longhorns and Jay Valai recruited him as a defensive back and when Oklahoma invaded and said he could play a wide receiver in Lincoln Riley’s attack, it was over. Bowman and high school teammate Ja’Tavion Sanders were the top two potential clients and why Texas fans raved about the ’21 cycle. Losing Bowman to the Sooners hurts.
Michael Myslinski
NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN STATESMAN
Position: Middle
residence: Jacksonville, Florida
Where they ended up: Iowa
247Sport composite arrangement: Three stars, 0.8581
Analysis: When Texas missed the Brockermeyer brothers, Michael Myslinski was the next man for the middle spot in class. However, when rumors started circulating about Herb Hand’s job security, he decided it was time to cancel. The state of Michigan also made an effort to beat Myslinski, but the center chose to move to Iowa.