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If the early returns are any indication, new Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman isn’t afraid to pursue transfers, as the ‘Horns offered former Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Kendall Sheffield on Wednesday, according to Horn Sports and 247 Sports.
After leaving Tuscaloose in August, Sheffield transferred to Blinn College in Brenham, where former Longhorns defensive end Eddie Jones is the co-defensive coordinator.
A member of Herman’s staff made a visit to the school to extend the offer.
Other intriguing prospects at the junior college are former Texas tight end signee Devonaire Clarington and offensive tackle Hanner Shipley, a cousin of Jordan and Jaxon who originally signed with LSU.
Sheffield is a former consensus five-star prospect from the 2015 recruiting class who ranked as the No. 20 prospect overall and the No. 2 cornerback, according to the 247 Sports Composite rankings.
As recently as early August, just before his transfer, Alabama head coach Nick Saban considered him something of a project at cornerback.
"I think we just keep trying to work reps, reps, reps, so that he can play his position with a little more naturally instinctive reactions," Saban said. "He certainly has a lot of ability and we're certainly trying to bring it out of him in every way we can. Right now it's a work in progress and he is making progress. We certainly would like to be able to enhance that with a little better coaching on our part."
Now a consensus three-star prospect ranked as the No. 2 junior college cornerback, Sheffield is a 6’0, 185-pounder with track star speed being recruited by Ohio State, TCU, Texas A&M, and USC. The Buckeyes and Trojans already received official visits, with the Horned Frogs (December 2) and Aggies (December 9) in line to receive two of his final three.
A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin will have an in-home visit with the Sheffield family on Thursday evening.
So Herman is a bit behind those other top programs with the Aggies holding a commanding lead in Sheffield’s 247Sports Crystal Ball projections, but it is a positive that Herman is willing to pursue all avenues to land top-flight talent.