Texas football adds walk-on commitment from DB/LB Eric Garza
Over the weekend, Texas football added a walk-on commitment in the 2024 class from Southlake Carroll (TX) defensive back Eric Garza.
Garza announced on his Twitter/X account on Feb. 2 that he will be joining the Longhorns program.
#AGTG Excited to announce that I have been admitted to The University Texas at Austin and have accepted a roster spot on the football team! Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this process! @coachrdodge @SLC_Recruiting @jmjonesUT @TexasFootball @BrianSides12 pic.twitter.com/N02EEauxMj
— Eric "UNO" Garza (@eric_garza29) February 2, 2024
Texas football lands walk-on defensive back/linebacker Eric Garza
The 5-foot-11 and 200-pound Garza held an offer from Division II UT-Permian Basin. Garza also visited and/or camped with the North Texas Mean Green, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Texas, among other in-state Division I programs.
Garza was a Second-Team All-Area linebacker and a team captain for the Dragons during the 2023 season. He was also named the Southlake Defensive Player of the Year last fall. Garza's contributions helped Southlake Carroll make a deep run in the Texas 6A1 High School state playoffs before falling short of the eventual champion DeSoto Eagles.
Regarding his impact on the Southlake Carroll defense, Garza did a little bit of everything. He showed the instincts, versatility, and playmaking ability to shine at linebacker and defensive back for the Dragons in the last couple of years.
During his senior campaign, Garza registered over 100 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions (one returned for a TD), three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked punt. He had two games with over a dozen combined tackles in 2023.
Senior Season Highlights (13-2)
— Eric "UNO" Garza (@eric_garza29) December 12, 2023
SS/LB 200lbs 5’11 #1
Stats:
🟢107 Tckls (75 solo)
⚫️7 TFLs
🟢4 INT
⚫️1 Pick Six
🟢5 Qb Hurs
⚫️1 Sack
🟢2 Fumble Recoveries
⚫️3 PBUs
🟢1 Blocked Punt@coachrdodge @SLC_Recruiting @BrianSides12 @CoachJWellsNCSA https://t.co/qM1kMISQ9d
Texas's walk-on program has developed many impactful players in the last decade
Over the last decade, the Longhorns have developed many walk-on players who were significant contributors on the field in live-game action. The investment that Texas football has made in the walk-on program has paid off in a big way recently.
Last season, former walk-ons such as redshirt sophomore safety Michael Taaffe, senior outside linebacker Jett Bush, and junior kicker Bert Auburn were all impact players for the Longhorns. Taaffe started nine games for the Longhorns last season, and Auburn was a First-Team All-Big 12 place kicker.
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