4-star OT Jean Delance commits to Texas over Michigan, LSU

The Texas Longhorns landed key target Jean Delance at the 2016 Under All-America game when the consensus four-star prospect committed to the Longhorns on Saturday in Orlando.

Huge addition to the Longhorn Family! #LetsRide

— Charlie Strong (@Strong_TexasFB) January 2, 2016

Delance chose Texas over Michigan and LSU, his other two finalists. The 6'5, 291-pounder visited the Wolverines in December on a crucial visit as the Tigers also surged late. During the fall months, Delance looked like a strong Longhorns lean, despite the fact it took him some time to visit after picking up his offer in late February, and his 247Sports Crystal Ball trended heavily in favor of Texas in the hours before his decision.

In August, his recruitment looked like an in-state battle between Texas and Texas A&M, but the Aggies eventually faded out of his recruitment down the stretch.

In the end, Delance's relationships with another Mesquite prospect, Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson, and 2016 offensive guard commit Tope Imade of Arlington Bowie helped the Longhorns down the stretch. In fact, Jefferson teased something just before the end of the first quarter:

Better watch this All-American game Longhorns

— Malik Jefferson 4⃣6⃣ (@Official_MalikJ) January 2, 2016

Both had big reactions on Twitter after Delance made his decision:

Congrats to my brother @JeanDelance74 on his commitment to @TexasFB ❗️❗️

— Tope Imade (@TopeImade) January 2, 2016

Boom @JeanDelance74

— Malik Jefferson 4⃣6⃣ (@Official_MalikJ) January 2, 2016

Family members wanting to keep him close to home also played a role in his eventual decision. Several were present during his announcement and were clearly happy that he's not going to leave the state.

With his commitment, Delance should visit the Longhorns in January for his official visit. He hasn't been on campus in Austin since June.

The consensus four-star prospect is the No. 90 prospect overall, the No. 10 offensive tackle, and the No. 15 player in the state of Texas. Throughout his recruitment, which also included an early commitment and subsequent decommitment from Oklahoma, Delance picked up more than 25 offers.

Just how important is he for this class? It's arguable that the Horns need defensive tackles more than an offensive tackle, but even then, Delance is no worse than the third-most important target left in the 2016 class.

With the huge addition of Delance, who could compete for the starting right tackle position as a freshman, the Longhorns now have 13 pledges in the 2016 recruiting class, which now ranks No. 33 nationally and No. 4 in the Big 12, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.