2021 Texas Football Recruiting: Longhorns get commitment from LB Derrick Harris Jr.

Tom Herman and his staff have been on a bit of a recruiting rampage the last few weeks and it’s not stopping anytime soon. On the heels of the 2020 Bijan Robinson news, this time it’s a 2021 high school junior-to-be. The latest addition to what looks to be a potentially special 2021 Texas Longhorn Football recruiting class is linebacker Derrick Harris Jr. from New Caney, TX. The big outside linebacker and edge rusher was district newcomer of the year as a sophomore and boasts a still roomy 6-2.5, 215 pound frame with two more years to grow before even setting foot in Austin.

On film, the four star recruit (currently ranked #34 of in-state recruits by 24-7 composite) shows good get off, motor, mobility and a burgeoning understanding of how to use his hands. He plays most of his ball as an edge rusher or as a hybrid outside linebacker, so it’s not clear how good he is as a pure off ball diagnostician, but he shows some traits as a pass defender when they line him up over a tight end or slot receiver and you can’t teach his kind of stop-start quickness.

What makes Harris special? Quickness off of the ball, flexibility around the corner, motor and wingspan. God gifts a few athletes with suddenness and Harris was on that mailing list. He appears to slot to B-Backer or Rover, but it’s very early in his development and the raw traits are there to work with wherever he ends up.

Harris makes the 7th commitment for the 2021 class. Currently a crop where Longhorn coaches seem to be doing more selecting than recruiting. Right now, they’re telling some really good players to hold off on their commitments to see how the landscape develops. That’s a really good place to be in.

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