Texas to host QB target Casey Thompson ahead of planned spring decision

An Oklahoma Sooners legacy will head across the Red River this weekend for a multi-day visit with the Texas Longhorns, as head coach Tom Herman and his staff will host Moore Southmoore quarterback Casey Thompson this weekend, according to The Football Brainiacs.

Then, at some point this spring, the 6’1, 184-pounder will announce his decision:

New offensive coordinator Tim Beck previously recruited Thompson while at Ohio State, securing a visit from the son of former Oklahoma quarterback Charles Thompson last April and then extending an offer in May.

So it wasn’t particularly surprising when Beck offered Thompson at Texas several weeks after arriving.

And since Thompson is the only uncommitted quarterback on the Longhorns recruiting radar at this point in the process amid a weak in-state class, he looks like the top target at this time.

Moreover, Oklahoma was the perceived favorite after offering Thompson until taking a pledge from California passer Cameron Rising — Thompson no longer has a committable offer from the Sooners.

Likewise with Texas at this time, according to the Brainiacs, though that is expected to change after the coaches watch Thompson in person during the spring evaluation period.

Unsurprisingly, that evaluation will happen shortly before Thompson makes his planned decision, with Oregon and Miami also reportedly in the mix.

The 247Sports timeline for Thompson doesn’t feature any visits to those schools since he camped at Miami last summer — if he doesn’t make it back down to Coral Gables or out to Eugene before making his decision, that bodes well for Texas.

In fact, the last four predictions in the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Thompson are all for the Longhorns.

A consensus four-star prospect, Thompson ranks as the No. 135 prospect nationally, the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback, and the No. 5 player in Oklahoma, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Despite appearing at a Nike regional camp, there aren’t any speed times for Thompson, just a 30.3-inch vertical leap.

However, Thompson did prove his running ability in high school, having rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 39 touchdowns on 6.0 yards per carry over his three varsity seasons, according to MaxPreps.

On his Hudl page, he lists a 40-yard dash time of 4.55 seconds and a 4.18 shuttle time.

As a passer during his junior season, Thompson took advantage of talented receivers who signed with Kansas State and Eastern Michigan, respectively, mostly on play-action passes. So the big-play ability and downfield accuracy are both there for the Southmoore product.

In fact, he’s averaging 14.8 yards per attempt during his high school career, so he’s always taken advantage of his opportunities, getting vertical with big-time results. In that respect, talented pass catchers have certainly helped him, but he’s done his job by putting the football in positions where they can make plays.

Thompson’s sophomore film provides better evidence of his overall ability — moving in the pocket, stepping into throws over the middle with velocity, putting the right weight on touch throws, showing good footwork for quick releases, and delivering the ball on the run.

Ultimately, the rankings tell the tale and even though Thompson is around the height of Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger — which is to say, not quite ideal — he would still be an excellent pick up for the Longhorns.

Herman and Beck both have sterling reputations as quarterback recruiters, so landing Thompson seems likely at this time, if not probable, and securing a quarterback pledge heading into the summer to lead the class would be an important development for Texas.

Time to take the first steps toward closing this weekend.