Before they've even played a down in their senior year of high school, 19 players have already committed to play football for Texas in 2009. A highlight of the class is five-star quarterback prospect Garrett Gilbert, the second-ranked quarterback in the nation according to Rivals.com.
Many of these players committed in February of their junior year, some while they were still 16.
While sites such as Rivals, which awards stars to athletes and track their every move, have always been around, the recent trend has been athletes committing earlier and earlier.
For example, the artist formerly known as Vincent Young did not commit to Texas until January of his senior year in 2002. That's after having a full senior season under his belt. While taking a stroll down memory lane, Young's choice was between Texas and Miami, but he decided on Texas after Florida quarterback Brock Berlin transferred to Miami that year.
Good thing he waited. If he were an incoming senior prospect in today's time, Young may have already made a commitment to Miami. And if he did, Berlin probably would have chosen a different school to transfer to, and Texas would have had to go with Chance Mock all year in 2003 and no telling who in 2004 and 2005. Without Vince Young, there would be no national championship. That's about as sure of a guarantee as Greg Davis calling a screen pass on third and long.
The fact that players are committing earlier and earlier also may be one of the causes of the increasing parity in college football. Division 1-AA Appalachian State beat Michigan, and Arkansas State played Texas down to the wire. Arkansas State had a player, safety Tyrell Johnson, drafted in 2008 before Texas did.
Late-blooming players are often ignored by major schools and end up having to go elsewhere when big schools fill up their available scholarships with other players, or when the schools have recruited another player at their position.
Same goes for players who have a breakout senior season. By the time Texas made an offer to quarterback Chase Daniel, it was too late. He had been waiting for the offer and finally grew tired of it and committed to Missouri. Take a look at him now.
No offense to Colt McCoy, but Texas would be in much better shape with Daniel.
Who can blame the schools? In this day and age of big money college sports, if you think a player has star potential, you want him as soon as possible. Texas fans probably crack a smile every time they see the five-star Gilbert on the commitment list.
It just may be better for the players to be kids and wait a little while longer before making such an important decision.
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