Top QB recruit gives pledge
Gentry would add to Longhorns’ diverse options at position.
No recruiting class is truly complete without a quarterback, and Texas made a big statement by landing one of the highest-rated ones available on Monday.
Zach Gentry, a four-star prospect from Albuquerque, N.M., was the nation’s highest-rated pro-style quarterback still available before pledging to Texas.
He’s the No. 6 pro-style quarterback in the country, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings of the recruiting industry’s leading sites’ ratings.
Gentry, who is surprisingly mobile despite his size — 6 feet 7 inches, 230 pounds — took an unofficial visit to Texas in mid-April. He chose the Longhorns despite offers from several elite FBS programs, including Alabama, Oklahoma State and Tennessee.
“Happy to say I’ve committed to the University of Texas today,” Gentry announced Monday via Twitter.
His commitment could be a big momentum boost for the Longhorns’ recruiting efforts. Gentry — the third-highest rated prospect in UT’s class behind fellow four-star players Patrick Vahe, a guard from Euless Trinity, and Spring Westfield tackle Toby Weathersby — gives Texas a shot in the arm right before the summer, a popular time on the recruiting calendar for players to commit.
Where Texas was headed
at the quarterback spot was one of the biggest questions facing Charlie Strong, who’s assembling his first class at UT. The Longhorns have shown interest in a number of pro-style and dual-threat quarterbacks but have been patient.
Texas still might add another project quarterback, such as Fort Bend Marshall athlete J.W. Ketchum, but Gentry should be the one who’ll fight for playing time behind 2014 blue-chip quarterback Jerrod Heard, a four-star recruit who’ll arrive in Austin this summer.
The state of New Mexico’s No. 1-rated recruit, Gentry already was familiar with Strong even before the former Louisville coach was hired at Texas.
Last summer, Gentry had been offered a scholarship by Louisville, and he attended a recruiting camp there that was led by then-Cardinals offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, who is now Strong’s assistant head coach for offense at Texas.
Gentry is Texas’ 10th pledge for 2015. The Longhorns’ class is ranked No. 8 nationally and tops in the Big 12, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.