The 2021 recruiting class was important to Tom Herman and he played an important role in why he dropped out as head coach.
Texas not only missed a number of key goals throughout the cycle, but the Longhorns also saw six players return to their commitment. Each of these players ended up signing elsewhere.
Ironically, all six perspectives came from the offensive side of the ball. Former offensive coordinator Tim Beck may not have been the best with the X’s and the O’s, but he did do an excellent job in recruiting. Herman hired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich after Beck dropped out and he didn’t have the talent of a recruiter.
Commitments are inevitable, especially when coaching changes are made twice throughout the cycle. However, Texas tied Kansas and Iowa State with more commitments in the Big 12. Here are the six players who returned to their initial promise in Texas and where they ended up.
Quaydarius Davis
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Large receiver
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Where they ended up: Kansas
247Sports compound ranking: Four stars, 0.9374
Analysis: Quaydarius Davis was an initial commitment from the Longhorns in June 2019. It only lasted five months, as Davis decided to reopen his hiring in November. For the past 15 months, Davis committed to USC before being evicted again and then signing with Kansas on Wednesday. He is ranked as the Jayhawks’ highest rated recruit in the 247Sports compound.
Lake McRee
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Tight end
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Where they ended up: USC
247Sports compound ranking: Three stars, 0.884
Analysis: Austin native, Lake McRee attended Lake Travis High School and committed to Texas in July 2019. Closing was seen as a position of need in the 2021 class and closing in on a prospect of hometown was a victory for Tom Herman. At the same time as Davis, McRee reopened his engagement and ended USC later that summer. The Longhorns finished with Gunnar Helm.
Lands King
(image courtesy of Houston Chronicle)
Position: Tight end
Hometown: Humble, Texas
Where they ended up: Auburn
247Sports compound ranking: Three stars, 0.8709
Analysis: Another prospect Texas lost was Humble Landen King. The three-star was only engaged for a month. Once disengaged, Chad Morris, who had recently been hired by Auburn as offensive coordinator, immediately achieved his commitment. Although Morris left the pages after the dismissal of Gus Malzhan, King signed his letter of intent during the first signing period.
Jalen Milroe
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Where they ended up: Alabama
247Sports compound ranking: Four stars, 0.9633
Analysis: For longer, Jalen Milroe was the heart and soul of the 2021 class. When Quinn Ewers became engaged in Texas in August, Milroe broke away and headed to Alabama. He landed with Jeff Banks and Steve Sarkisian, who were still in Tuscaloosa at the time. The Ewers eventually withdrew from Texas, but Milroe was left with the Crimson Tide.
Billy Bowman
Smiley N. Pool / The Dallas Morning News via AP
Position: ATH
Hometown: Denton, Texas
Where they ended up: Oklahoma
247Sports compound ranking: Four stars, 0.9801
Analysis: Outside of Milroe, losing to Billy Bowman hurt Texas the most, especially with the place where he finished. The Longhorns and Jay Valai were recruiting him as a defensive defense, and by the time Oklahoma rushed in and said he could play a great receiver on Lincoln Riley’s offense, it was over. Bowman and teammate Ja’Tavion Sanders were the top two candidates and why Texas fans were excited about the 21st round. Losing Bowman for the Sooners hurt.
Michael Myslinski
NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN STATESMAN
Position: Center
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Where they ended up: Iowa
247Sports compound ranking: Three stars, 0.8581
Analysis: When Texas lost the Brockermeyer brothers, Michael Myslinski was the next man in the middle of the class. However, once the rumors about Herb Hand’s job security began to swirl, he decided it was time to disenfranchise himself. Michigan State pushed Myslinski as well, but the center chose to head to Iowa.