Texas Longhorns Continue Rolling on Recruiting Trail, Add Linebacker Otaro Alaka


Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Longhorns are on a torrid recruiting pace for the class of 2014.  Going into this past weekend, the Horns already had, arguably, the best recruiting class in the country, just a hair above their ‘former’ rivals the Texas A&M Aggies.  Well, Texas just made the gap between the two Lone Star State powerhouses a little bigger yesterday with the addition of linebacker Otaro Alaka, who chose the Longhorns over the Aggies.

Alaka, a 6-foot 3, 210 pound outside linebacker from Houston’s Cypress Falls High School, is the 13th commitment for the Longhorns.  He’s also the second linebacker in Texas’ very impressive class, joining fellow outside ‘backer Cameron Hampton (Carter HS, Dallas).

Hampton should be a fantastic fit in Manny Diaz’s rangy and aggressive defense.  Diaz cut his teeth under Florida State’s longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, arguably one of the best defensive minds the college game has seen the last quarter-century, and inherited many of his styles and schemes.  That scheme is predicated on big, fast and incredibly athletic playmakers at his linebacker positions.

Alaka fits the bill.  He’s big, but has the frame to get even bigger without sacrificing too much speed or agility.  He’s got sideline-to-sideline speed that perfectly complements his intuitive football I.Q.  That speed will be necessary when dealing with the Big 12′s spread offenses.

What made Alaka choose UT over Texas A&M?  In his words, “coaches and academics”.

Make no mistake people, the Longhorns are the hottest team in college football recruiting right now.  In the last week alone, the Horns have pulled in five verbal commitments for the class of 2014, and three verbal commitments for the class of 2015.  Not too shabby, even by Longhorn standards.

Now if only the Horns can get back to using that all of that talent they’ve accrued towards winning championships, all should be right again in Sam Houston’s country.

Rick Stavig is a National Recruiting Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rickstavig or add him to your network on google.

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