4-star CB Deuce Harmon releases top 7 schools

New cornerbacks coach Jay Valai received some positive news on Thursday when Denton Guyer standout Deuce Harmon included the Texas Longhorns among his top seven schools.

The other remaining contenders for the 5’9, 185-pounder are Notre Dame, Oregon, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, and USC.

The news is significant for Valai and the Longhorns because Texas didn’t offer Harmon until April 9, three days after he released his list of top 10 schools — it wasn’t clear when Harmon was offered whether the Horns could emerge as a legitimate contender given the offer timing.

So far, so good, as Texas was able to displace Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech from his current list.

Still, there is likely some ground to make up on the perceived leader Texas A&M, which holds all 12 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions ranging from last November to a flurry in April around the time that Texas finally offered.

Harmon is emerging as an important target for the Longhorns because Texas needs speed at the cornerback position to effectively play the press quarters scheme brought to Austin by new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. And Harmon has that necessary athleticism — he ran a 4.53 40-yard at a regional camp for The Opening last year, posted a 40-inch vertical leap, and has a personal-best 10.83 100m time.

With the state lacking its typical depth and talent at the position, Harmon is all the more valuable as a recruit.

A consensus four-star prospect, Harmon is ranked as the No. 300 player nationally and the No. 21 cornerback, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.