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Four-star linebacker Cameron Townsend commits to the Texas Longhorns

Let's ride.

By Wescott Eberts
Cameron Townsend at a Nike event
Cameron Townsend at a Nike event
Student Sports

The Texas Longhorns will have some help coming for the linebacker corps after receiving a commitment from Fort Bend Ridge Point linebacker Cameron Townsend on Sunday in an announcement at his home.

The 6'1, 195-pounder chose Texas over finalists Oklahoma and Oregon State.

Long considered a Texas lean, Townsend had just visited Norman, but opted for his longtime favorite. It was the expected choice considering that his 247Sports Crystal Ball was unanimous that Austin would be his destination -- no predictions were ever made for any other schools during his entire recruitment.

He also held offers from Baylor, Houston, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Syracuse, USC,  Utah, and Wisconsin.

A rangy linebacker with good pursuit ability, speed, and range, he should be a perfect fit in the Big 12 operating against spread offenses. He's fluid enough to excel in coverage, though he's not asked to do that much in high school as primarily a downhill player off the edge, but he can bend to turn the corner.

Like most high school prospects, he needs to learn how to use his hands better, a skill that will be invaluable in college as a run defender. In that area, he's physical enough to hold his own in high school and is a consistent tackler.

The only concern with Townsend is his weight -- he still has quite a ways to go before he's add a typical weight for a linebacker, which may result in him ending up playing a hybrid role when he first arrives.

Now the 18th commitment in the 2015 class, Townsend is the second linebacker to pledge, joining Westlake's Breckyn Hager, though Rockwall safety DeShon Elliott could eventually grow into a linebacker as well -- he's already 200 pounds. With the pledge, Texas has moved into the No. 15 slot nationally, ahead of LSU, while increasingly the lead for top class in the Big 12.

Texas still remains in hot pursuit of five-star Mesquite Poteet linebacker Malik Jefferson, whose Crystal Ball has been trending towards the Longhorns in recent months.

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