Newton RB DeAnthony Gatson commits to USC over Texas

The Texas Longhorns wanted to add a second back in the 2022 class, but weren’t able to find their man on Tuesday as Newton running back DeAnthony Gatson made his pledge to the USC Trojans.

The 5’10, 198-pound back from Newton was an early visitor to the Longhorns at the end of the dead period, taking his official visit the first weekend following the end of the COVID dead period. Just two weeks prior, Gatson narrowed his list down to five schools — the USC Trojans, the Colorado Buffaloes, the Iowa State Cyclones, the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Longhorns.

However, based on the scheduled visits and his scheduled commitment date, there really only seemed to be three legitimate suitors, USC, Colorado and Texas.

Ultimately, the Trojans won out after hosting Gatson on June 11.

Gatson currently sits as a three-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings, but has been one of the most productive backs in the state over the last three seasons. Since taking the reins as a sophomore, Gatson amassed 3,836 yards on 350 carries (10.96 ypc) and 59 touchdowns, en route to earning district newcomer of the year and MVP awards in back-to-back years.

Texas had cancelled an official visit for El Paso Burges running back Tavorus Jones over the weekend, raising questions about whether the staff thought that Gatson was already in the fold or that another running back to join Klein Cain’s Jaydon Blue was unnecessary with the recent addition of Alabama transfer Keilan Robinson.