Texas is in the running for 2021 SDE Tunmise Adeleye

The Texas Longhorns have grown accustomed to producing disruptive pass rushers in the past, with reigning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Charles Omenihu being just the latest example. 2021 strong-side defensive end Tunmise Adeleye boasts that kind of upside, and he’s being recruited accordingly.

The Katy Tompkins product’s sensational frame and length, ability to maintain tremendous explosion off the ball, and overall athleticism makes him a valuable option for numerous universities. As a sophomore, Adeleye utilized such a skill set to the tune of 53 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.

Thus far, 17 programs that have extended an offer to Adeleye, as he owns invitations from. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, alongside a Longhorns offer that he garnered last September, just to name a few.

Adeleye’s recruitment is getting hotter by the week, but he’s taking it all in and processing this recruiting carousel.

“It’s starting to pick up speed,” Adeleye told BON. “A lot of coaches are starting to hit me up and the ball is starting to roll. You know at first it was real slow, but then once you start receiving a lot, all the coaches start loving on you. It’s hard to decide where to go.”

With a high volume of schools targeting Adeleye, there are a few coaches that are making a huge impression on him. The Longhorns defensive line coach, Oscar Giles, is one of those coaches.

“Coach Giles from Texas, Coach [Elijah] Robinson and [Terry] Price from Texas A&M, Coach [Calvin] Thibodeaux from Oklahoma shows a lot of love, and then you got Coach [Jeff] Banks from Alabama that shows a lot of love too,” Adeleye said. “There’s a lot of programs out there that are loving on me.”

Although Adeleye is weighing out his options, Texas is most certainly a program standing out to him early on in his process. The feeling of being welcomed with open arms is something Herman and his staff has displayed to Adeleye.

“It’s just a family atmosphere up there,” Adeleye said. “Everything is about family. Coach Herman is a family man, Coach Giles is a family man, and Coach [Craig] Naivar. It’s just a lot of family values over at Texas.”

Adeleye has been a frequent visitor to the Forty Acres, especially this year. He made his way to Texas’ elite day and Junior Day, and was able to speak with coach Herman more in-depth during his time there.

Here’s what Adeleye had to say about those latest visits:

Elite Day visit: “I enjoyed that. Coach Herman showed me that I’m really an athlete that they’re going to recruit. I just like talking to him.”

Junior Day visit: “It gave me the ability to ask some of the players I’ve developed relationships with like Keondre Coburn, Peter Mpagi, and Moro Ojomo and ask in-depth questions about the university and what they like about it.”

Aside from recruiting, though, Adeleye is focused on his own personal development this offseason.

“Just get bigger, faster, stronger, that’s my goal. Work on my pass rush. You know if you’re an elite pass rusher you can do anything at the next level.”

Wants to cut his list down to a Top 12 sometime during his junior season. Texas currently owns each of Adeleye’s two Crystal Ball projections.