The 2021 recruiting class was an important one for Tom Herman and it played a role in why he was let go as head coach.
Not only did Texas miss a number of key targets throughout the course of the cycle, but the Longhorns also saw six players return their commitment. Each of these players eventually signed elsewhere.
Ironically, all six of the prospects came from the attacking side. Former attacking coordinator Tim Beck may not have been the best with the X’s and’s O’s, but he did an excellent job. Herman hired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich after Beck was let go and he was not as talented for a recruiter.
Withdrawals are inevitable, especially if you change coaches twice by coaching. However, Texas tied the Kansas and Iowa States with the most bets in the Big 12. Here are the six players who went back on their initial promise to Texas and where they ended up.
Quaydarius Davis
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Broad receiver
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Where they ended up: Kansas
247Sport compound ranking: Vierster, 0.9374
Analysis: Quaydarius Davis was an early commitment for the Longhorns in June 2019. It only lasted five months as Davis decided to reopen his recruitment in November. For the past 15 months, Davis has committed to the USC before releasing again and signing with Kansas on Wednesday. He considers the Jayhawks to be the highest rank ever judged on the 247Sports lineup.
Lake McRee
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: At the end
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Where they ended up: USC
247Sport compound ranking: Three-star, 0.8784
Analysis: An Austin native, Lake McRee, attended Lake Travis High School and committed to Texas in July 2019. ‘ A tight end was seen as an essential position in the 2021 class and the closure of a hometown prospect was a victory for Tom Herman. Around the same time as Davis, McRee reopened his commitment and ended up at USC later that summer. The Longhorns end up with Gunnar Helm.
Landen King
(image courtesy of Houston Chronicle)
Position: At the end
Hometown: Humble, Texas
Where they ended up: Rooibruin
247Sport compound ranking: Three-star, 0.8709
Analysis: Another solid prospect that Texas lost was Humble’s Landen King. The three-star was only committed for a month. After disengaging, Chad Morris, who was recently appointed by Auburn as the offensive coordinator, immediately secured his commitment. Despite the fact that Morris left the plains after the dismissal of Gus Malzhan, King signed his intention during the early signing period.
Jalen Milroe
(Mike Craven / Austin American-Statesman)
Position: Quarterback
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Where they ended up: Alabama
247Sport compound ranking: Vierster, 0.9633
Analysis: Jalen Milroe has been the heart and soul of the 2021 class for the longest time. When Quinn Ewers connected him in Texas in August, Milroe untied him and flew to Alabama. He landed with Jeff Banks and Steve Sarkisian who were then still in Tuscaloosa. Ewers eventually withdrew from Texas, but Milroe stuck with the Crimson Tide.
Billy Bowman
Smiley N. Pool / The Dallas Morning News via AP
Position: NOTE
Hometown: Denton, Texas
Where they ended up: Oklahoma
247Sport compound ranking: Vierster, 0.9801
Analysis: Outside Milroe, the loss of Billy Bowman Texas hurt the most, especially with the place where he ended up. The Longhorns and Jay Valai recruited him as a defensive rugby player, and when Oklahoma moved in and said he could play a wide receiver in Lincoln Riley’s attack, it was over. Bowman and Ja’Tavion Sanders, high school team company, were the leading prospects and why Texas fans were excited about the ’21 cycle ‘. Bowman loses to the Sooners hurt.
Michael Myslinski
NICK WAGNER / AMERICAN STATSMAN
Position: Centre
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Where they ended up: Iowa
247Sport compound ranking: Three-star, 0.8581
Analysis: When Texas missed the Brockermeyer brothers, Michael Myslinski was the next man to be in the middle of the class. However, as soon as rumors started circulating around Herb Hand’s job security, he decided it was time to dissolve. The state of Michigan also insisted on Myslinski, but the center chose to travel to Iowa.