Analyzing 3 blue-chip DL recruits visiting Texas football in July
#AGTG Blessed and Honored to receive an offer from Texas University🧡🤍 @CoachBoUT @B6Harris @_Austin_Brown @samspiegs @247recruiting @318Sports @coach_jay318 @BillyEmbody @rivals pic.twitter.com/STv4iPbibr
— Ta’Derius “Tootie” Collins (@TCollins_4) June 13, 2022
Ta’Derius Collins, DL/EDGE
One of the more underrated recent offers among defensive recruits in the 2023 class for the Longhorns is the four-star Northwood (LA) edge rusher/defensive end Ta’Derius Collins. This is another recruit whom the Longhorns seemingly got on at the right time.
Texas offered Collins back on June 13, bringing his offer sheet up to 20 schools now. This does look to be a tough road ahead, though, for Texas to land a commitment from Collins. That is unless Davis and the Longhorns staff give Collins the treatment as a top priority among edge rushers/defensive linemen.
And given Texas’ heightened pursuit of key defensive recruits such as five-star Denton-Ryan linebacker Anthony Hill, five-star Katy-Paetow defensive lineman David Hicks, four-star Marlin edge rusher Derion Gullette, etc., it’s hard to see that coming to fruition.
Nonetheless, Texas would likely have a spot ready immediately for Collins in the 2023 class if he wanted in by the end of the month. Collins is set to visit Texas for the BBQ on the last weekend of July.
What the 6-foot-5 and 250-pound Collins brings to the table is a sneaky explosive and rangy edge rusher that mostly thrives when standing up on the edge in the pass rush. Collins is also extremely capable stopping the run. He’s also to use his length and burst off the line of scrimmage to quickly shed blocks from slower linemen and blow up the opposing ball carrier in the backfield.
A good way to sum up what Collins brings to the table as a lengthy and rangy edge rusher is disruptive. He’s got sneaky good closing speed in pursuit of the ball carrier and takes excellent angles when approaching tackles. That means he rarely misses when given the opportunity to bring down the ball carrier in the backfield.
We also shouldn’t overlook the fact that Collins has NFL-level physical tools. His speed, agility, and overall athletic profile could see him turn into an NFL-caliber talent if developed properly at the next level.