Steve Sarkisian swings and misses on in-state CB who commits to Penn State over Texas

Five days ago, three-star cornerback Dhillon McGee was on the 40 Acres, taking his official visit with the Texas Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Fast forward to today, and McGee, a Texas native, has committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions, leaving his home-state Horns and SMU Mustangs hanging.

Throughout his lengthy recruiting process, McGee took visits (both official and unofficial) to teams almost entirely in Texas or a bordering state, including four visits to SMU, four to Texas, three visits to the Baylor Bears and Oklahoma Sooners, and two visits to TCU and Texas A&M.

Of course, he also took three tips to Penn State, but until his decision day flew into focus, it didn't quite look like the Nittany Lions actually stood a chance to lure him away from his home state.

That is, until it was just a few days before he committed, and the expert predictions started to roll in for Penn State and new head coach Matt Campbell.

Dhillon McGee commits to Penn State and snubs Texas, SMU

The draw of a prospect remaining in their home state is always a huge leg up for a team, no matter which state or which program it is. Not to mention if that means staying in the Lone Star State and suiting up for none other than the Texas Longhorns.

However, it clearly wasn't enough for Sarkisian to draw McGee to the 40 Acres. In fact, according to On3 and Rivals recruiting experts, the Mustangs even had a better chance to land McGee's commitment, holding 1.8 percent odds compared to Texas's 1.6 percent chances before the cornerback announced his decision.

"Pray for me going into the next chapter of my life," McGee said when he committed to Penn State, including the hashtag "We Are" in all caps.

Despite being rated as just a three-star recruit, McGee was the No. 43 cornerback in the class of 2027 and the No. 55 overall prospect out of the great state of Texas. He became the 22nd player to commit to the Nittany Lions out of the recruiting cycle, a group that ranks No. 20 in the nation.

At 6-foot-1 and just 175 pounds, McGee is slightly undersized for a collegiate defensive back, but with another year of high school football and a future of college camps ahead of him, it shouldn't be a surprise if he grows an inch or two, as well as possibly tacking on quite a few pounds.

While Texas missed on McGee, it is far from the end of the world for Sarkisian and his recruiting staff. Despite boasting just 17 commitments so far, the Longhorns' class of 2027 ranks eighth in the nation and fourth in the SEC.

Also read: 5-star IOL Ismael Camara hints at Horns, SMU despite Oregon as projected frontrunner

The group features blue-chip prospects like five-star cornerback John Meredith III, whose presence undeniably makes up for missing out on McGee... and then some. The class also includes five-star wide receiver Eatson Royal (for now), four-star defensive lineman, and more top-notch prospects.

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