Texas picks up commitment from 3-star TE Landen King

Things have been a bit quiet on the recruiting trail for the Texas Longhorns lately since the nationwide pandemic set in, but that hasn’t stopped other programs from gaining traction within the Lone Star State.

The Longhorn staff has been tirelessly working on identifying targets and assembling their big board for the current class and beyond, but not much had come to fruition in the form of commitments until now.

Humble Atascocita three-star tight end Landen King was able to visit Austin early on in the spring before everything began to shut down and during his trip he was extended an offer by the staff. At the time King had some offers to his name, but he hadn’t really blown up like he would later on in the spring when the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, and Texas A&M would come calling.

The Longhorns being relatively early to the party allowed them to get a leg up on the rest of the suitors and they treated him like a priority, which ultimately ended up paying dividends on Sunday evening.

Landing King gives the Longhorns a much-needed shot in the arm on the recruiting trail after things slowed considerably this spring — it’s the first pledge in the 2021 class since last September. The staff initially targeted Everman’s Juan Davis and Lake Travis’ Lake McRee early in the cycle at the position, but have since lost McRee to a decommitment.

Landing King now gives the staff two athletic options at the tight end position going forward and come with good timing given that they missed the cut for Elijah Arroyo’s top 10.

Quick Takeaway:

At 6’5, 210 pounds King possesses a tall and long frame that will allow him to pack on more mass down the road in college. King has been used in a variety of ways at Atascocita (H-back, in-line tight end, flexed out), but projects to tight end at the collegiate level. King is an intriguing prospect due to the fact that he shows promise as a receiver and a willingness to get his hands dirty as a blocker. King isn’t by any means a burner speed-wise and still has room to grow as a route runner, but he shows the ability to get separation from defenders and possesses a catch radius that allows him to get the ball vertically and horizontally. King has good hands and shows the ability to make tough catches, but I do notice at times that he will body catch. King still has to become more technically refined as a blocker, but it’s clear from a willingness and effort standpoint he is in a good place in that part of his game. He shows the ability to line up with his hand in the dirt and set the edge in the run game and he will get on the perimeter and do the dirty work to help spring plays. He is far from a finished product as a blocker, but as he continues to develop and gets coached up that is going to improve leaps and bounds as long as he continues to possesses the willingness he displays on tape. Overall, King possesses a good amount of ability to the point I think he is under ranked by services and he has the tools to be successful at the next level with coaching and proper development.

Landing King gives the Longhorns seven commitments for the 2021 class and moves them up to 14th overall nationally, according to 247Sports. The Longhorns also have the top ranked class in the Big 12 and are in a position take make another run at a Top 10 recruiting class.