There was a time when 2012 Mineral Wells safety Adrian Colbert was planning on coming to Texas. To run track. Then, the whole football thing started to happen, as he quickly became one of the most sought-after prospects in the state after committing to Baylor back in the middle of October.
Colbert now holds offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and TCU, but appears to have ended his recruitment by switching his pledge to the Longhorns after visiting Austin for the football banquet. Reports have defensive backs coach Duane Akina giving the third-rated safety in the country by 247Sports the hard sell on Friday night and it appears to have paid off. It's good to be DBU.
During the early afternoon on Saturday, Colbert cryptically tweeted nothing other than "24", taken by many as meaning that he became the 24th commitment of the class. In texts to the services, Colbert denied a commitment, but more reports starting surfacing hours later that Colbert had indeed pulled the trigger, the first coming from Blake Munroe of Inside Texas.
The news became official on Sunday when Colbert texted his coach that he had committed to Texas during his visit.
At 6-1, 190 pounds, Colbert stars on offense and defense for Mineral Wells, using the track speed that helped him win the 3A state finals in 2011 in the 400m to cover as much ground as any safety in the state. When he does get there, Colbert is every bit in the discussion with LaDarrell McNeil as the hardest-hitting 2012 defensive back in the state. But the newest Texas commit is faster and has a slightly bigger frame. He's a legit top-15 talent in the state.
The commitment from Colbert fills a need for the Longhorns created with the retirement of Nolan Brewster and the graduations of current safeties Christian Scott, out for the bowl game with a wrist injury, and Blake Gideon. Though Mykkele Thompson has the inside edge on Sheroid Evans to receive more playing time next season, Colbert could be asked to come in and provide instant depth with Bryson Echols and Duke Thomas as the only other defensive backs in the class, with both projecting as corners.
Adrian Colbert (senior highlights) (via 247SportsStudio)