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For the second time in two days, the Texas Longhorns picked up a huge pledge from a 2017 East Texas product, with Liberty-Eylau defensive end Lagaryonn Carson joining Bullard tight end Major Tennisson early Thursday afternoon, according to multiple reports:
— Texas Football (@TexasFB) October 15, 2015
Another huge day! #LetsRide
— Charlie Strong (@Strong_TexasFB) October 15, 2015
While Tennison's commitment was huge from a need standpoint and because he has four-star upside, landing Carson was perhaps an even bigger get for tight ends coach and area recruiter Jeff Traylor. Ranked as a consensus four-star prospect, the 6'4, 260-pounder is the No. 70 player nationally, the No. 2 strongside defensive end, and the No. 11 player in the state of Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
The cousin of Texas A&M running back Tra Carson also held offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, LSU, North Texas, Oklahoma, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, and Tennessee. Because of his family ties to College Station, he was considered an Aggie lean, with both of this predictions in the 247Sports Crystal Ball favoring Texas A&M.
However, Texas was the first school to offer Carson during the spring and Traylor's East Texas ties are clearly starting to pay off on the recruiting trail -- of the four current commitments in the class, three of them hail from that region.
Carson has drawn comparisons to current Texas defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway -- like Carson, Ridgeway was considered a strongside defensive end out of high school, but possessed the frame to quickly add 60 pounds in college. So don't be surprised if the Liberty-Eylau product experiences a similar growth trajectory at Texas.
Here are some thoughts on Carson from Ian Boyd of SB Nation/Inside Texas:
How he fits at Texas: Shawn Oakman redux. Carson was often over-powering as a sophomore relying simply on strength and motor and his eventual future as a 6-6, 280 pound end is a promising one. In high school he frequently played wide contain as a 4-3 DE and could close on the ball in space or fight through the wash to reach the ball carrier. At Texas that range combined with further growth and development could turn him into an ideal 3-3 DE who's an excellent run blocker but can contribute to creating a viable 3-man pass rush. We'll have to check back in on his pass-rushing and physical development in a year. - Ian Boyd
As a sophomore, Carson recorded 101 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 18 sacks, as well as five forced fumbles.