A day widely considered at the recruiting version of Christmas at Texas, the first Junior Day for the Longhorns didn't feature the same fireworks as 2010, with not a single commitment breaking through the morning and afternoon. By the same time last year, Mack Brown had received 10 pledges on the Junior Day alone with 13 pledges in the class overall. Talk about anti-climactic. Almost a little bit depressing.
Copperas Cove ATH Orlando Thomas, a surprise invite to the Junior Day, finally broke the dry spell ($) for Texas early Saturday evening and became the first commit of the Junior Day and the fourth of the class, joining Connor Brewer, Alex Norman, and Alex De La Torre. The 5-11, 175 pounder had offers from Baylor, Texas A&M, and TCU. Though he's listed as an athlete, Thomas will likely play cornerback for the Longhorns.
Receiving the first commitment of the day is a good sign in and of itself, but perhaps more positive is the fact that a future defensive back was willing to commit to Texas without having a position coach. As Mack Brown might have pointed out to Thomas and even to other prospects today, they are committing to a university rather than to a specific coach. For Orlando Thomas, it appears that was enough.
More info as it becomes available on Thomas.