Addition of OC Tim Beck should help as Texas closes out 2017 class

Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns took a significant step forward Tuesday afternoon with the news that Tim Beck would be stepping in as the ‘Horns latest offensive coordinator. Along with bringing a familiar pedigree of winning at a high level from his previous two stops as Ohio State and Nebraska’s offensive coordinator, in which the Buckeyes and Cornhuskers collectively won 60 games in six seasons under Beck, the hire follows suit with Herman’s quest for alignment and more immediately, he provides a considerable recruiting presence as Texas scrambles to close out the 2017 class.

Prior to heavily recruiting the state for the past decade, Beck once coached high school football at Summit in Mansfield and RL Turner in Carrollton, and his ties to coaches throughout the state hasn’t faded.

"There are so many unbelievable high school coaches here, and the great thing is having coached high school football here, once you're a part of that circle, you'll always be a part of it,” Beck said. “There's a special bond with Texas high school coaches, and I'm thrilled to be back here and humbled by the opportunity to be representing all of them."

Beck played a substantial role in recruiting in-state Longhorns priority targets such as five-star Kennedale linebacker Baron Browning and four-star La Grange running back J.K. Dobbins to Ohio State, as well as serving as the lead recruiter for presumed silent Buckeye pledge Jeffrey Okudah – the nation’s No. 7 prospect out of South Grand Prairie. It’s too little too late for the in-state trio, although a Horns247 ($) report suggested that the Beck hire might impact Texas gaining a sliver of hope with Dobbins, an early enrollee. The ‘Horns staff doesn’t plan to add another running back to the 2017 class after gaining December commitments from Langham Creek’s Toneil Carter and Houston Westfield’s Daniel Young, but an exception would surely be made if Texas was somehow able to flip Dobbins.

But Beck’s immediate recruiting value will come into play as Texas tries to secure commitments from other key remaining targets around the state.

The two names to keep an eye on here are Lancaster wide receiver Omar Manning and Bishop Dunne cornerback Chevin Calloway. Beck has a previous relationship with the two, whom are now Texas priorities and both are realistic options to sign with the ‘Horns come National Signing Day.

Manning, a TCU pledge, officially visited the 40 Acres prior to the dead period and also has a great relationship with Texas passing game coordinator Drew Mehringer. Now that Beck is in the fold as Texas offensive coordinator, it should only give the U.S. Army All-American more to think about as Texas looks to add another high-level receiver to a class that features four-star John Tyler product Damion Miller.

Calloway, on the other hand, has significant ties to Arkansas – the heavy favorite for the Dallas area product – but he’s a prospect Beck’s focus likely turns to with National Signing Day just a month away. Calloway is set to officially visit Texas Jan. 27 following a Jan. 20 visit to Arkansas.

It was previously noted that Herman hopes to construct the “greatest assembly of recruiters in the history of the state.” Beck may prove to be a substantial addition to that end and the results could be evident as soon as Wednesday, Feb. 1 when recruits officially sign with the program of their choice.