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After being spurned by a pair of of must-have targets in K’Lavon Chassion and Stephan Zabie, Tom Herman’s final 2017 pledge came in the form of three-star receiver Jordan Pouncey, as he committed to the Texas Longhorns over the Miami Hurricanes, Tennessee Volunteers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Winter Park's Jordan Pouncey decides on the University of Texas after video presentation-- #NSD17 pic.twitter.com/BzltkZTcZY
— Despina (@DespinaBarton) February 1, 2017
A former Notre Dame commit, Texas was projected to be on the outside looking in for Pouncey as early as a couple weeks ago, but for a prospect who admittedly grew up a Texas fan, a Jan. 20 official visit to the Forty Acres showed Pouncey all he needed to see.
It also helped that Miami took Jeff Thomas early on National Signing Day, giving the Hurricanes four wide receiver signees in the class. Tennessee also has four wide receivers in the class and 28 overall commitments.
Similar to many of Texas’ recent commits, Herman and his staff jumped into the mix with Pouncey late after seeing key targets such as Charleston Rambo and CeeDee Lamb head to Oklahoma, Omar Manning and Jalen Reagor stick with TCU, while Mannie Netherly and Chris Miller pledged to LSU and Colorado, respectively. Pressed for time or not, though, Texas prioritized Pouncey following his Dec. 20 offer and within a month, the Longhorns emerged as the new favorite.
Prior to the late surge by the ‘Horns, Pouncey, a Florida native, was widely expected to stay home and commit to Miami, where he officially visited the weekend before his Texas visit. Tennessee also made a late push with a Jan. 27 official visit, but as we now know, it wasn’t enough to keep Pouncey away from the Forty Acres.
In 33 games for Winter Park (Fla.), Pouncey complied 2,343 all purpose yards, which includes 946 yards and seven touchdowns behind 48 receptions and 802 yards and 16 scores in 94 carries. An athlete prospect, Pouncey was recruited by most as a wide receiver, including Texas.
A considerably deep, talented and youth-laden receiving corps now awaits Pouncey in Austin and a redshirt season seems likely, though Herman sold the Florida native on the opportunity to compete from day one. Pouncey joins long-time four-star pledge product Damion Miller as Texas’ only wide receiver takes in this cycle.
In total, Pouncey held 47 offers, which included Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Louisville, Michigan State and Penn State.
Pouncey ranks as the No. 106 wide receiver in the country and the No. 96 player in Florida, per 247Sports Composite.