4-star S Jerrin Thompson commits to Longhorns

After previously striking out with key prospects at the position, the Texas Longhorns have picked up a major pledge from one of the state’s top safeties, as Lufkin standout Jerrin Thompson announced his commitment to Tom Herman’s program on Sunday.

A four-star talent, Thompson has held a Texas offer for only a few weeks, as the Longhorns jumped into the mix on July 23. Just days later, Thompson unofficially visited Austin on July 29. A flood of Crystal Ball picks almost immediately followed, projecting Thompson to pick Texas, despite the Horns’ short-lived presence in his recruitment.

The official interest on Texas’ part came just one week after the Longhorns missed out on Tucson (Az.) Salpointe Catholic’s Lathan Ransom, who ultimately sided with Ohio State. Just shy of two weeks prior to that pledge, the Horns also lost a Red River recruiting showdown with Oklahoma, as the Sooners secured Houston C.E. King’s Bryson Washington’s commitment on July 4. In the weeks since, Duncanville’s Chris Thompson Jr. surprisingly spurned Texas with an August 4 commitment to Auburn.

So within the span of a single month, as Texas missed out on one safety target after another, Thompson emerged from an un-offered prospect to the Longhorns’ priority at the position, and now, their latest pledge.

Prior to Texas’ late summer push, Arkansas, TCU, and Oklahoma State were major factors in Thompson’s recruitment, with each hosting him for official visits throughout the spring and summer.

A 6’0.5, 183-pound talent currently ranked as the nation’s No. 194 player overall and as the No. 16 safety, per the 247Sports Composite, Thompson earned District 8-5A-I Defensive MVP honors last season after tallying 90 tackles, four tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups, and one interception. Notably, Thompson has also forced five fumbles throughout the previous two seasons.

Thompson becomes the 14th addition to a 2020 class that ranks No. 9 nationally and headlines the Big 12.

• Bijan Robinson — 5-star RB — Tucson (Az.) Salpointe Catholic
• Hudson Card — 4-star QB — Austin Lake Travis
• Ja’Quinden Jackson — 4-star QB — Duncanville
• Vernon Broughton — 4-star DT — Houston Cy Ridge
• Prince Dorbah — 4-star WDE — Dallas Highland Park
• Jaylen Garth — 4-star OT — Port Neches-Groves
• Ethan Pouncey — 4-star CB — Winter Park (Fla.)
• Jake Majors — 4-star C — Prosper
• Kitan Crawford — 4-star CB — Tyler John Tyler
• Jerrin Thompson — 4-star S — Lukfin
• Logan Parr — 4-star OG — Helotes O’Connor
• Van Fillinger — 3-star SDE — Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon
• Andrej Karic — 3-star OT — Southlake Carroll
• Jaden Hullaby — 3-star ATH — Dallas Bishop Dunne