McCallum pitcher commits to Horns

Senior-to-be Bryant throws 94 mph in McKinney in June.

Texas has discovered a promising baseball prospect in its backyard.

Late last week, UT received a commitment from righthander Mason Bryant, a 6-foot-5 senior-to-be at McCallum High School. That’s the same area school that produced former Longhorns standouts Kyle and Kevin Lusson.

Bryant has been on McCallum’s varsity roster since his freshman year but has not been showcased much on the mound.

The Knights relied on Jesse Reed and Eric Worden this spring, so Bryant was primarily an outfielder who hit all three of McCallum’s home runs.

Bryant pitched only 20 innings in 2017. He went 3-0 with 25 strikeouts, 13 walks and a 2.45 ERA.

Bryant’s father, Ross, said working with former major league pitcher Brandon Puffer this offseason has “helped focus a few things for him, I think.”

Bryant hit 94 mph while throwing in McKinney in June.

Bryant’s recruitment heated up after that pitch. Incarnate Word and BYU offered scholarships, Oklahoma expressed interest, and Bryant heard from Arkansas, TCU and Texas State.

Last week, Texas extended a scholarship offer after attending one of Bryant’s club practices.

This weekend, Bryant will join future UT teammate Simeon Richardson — a pitcher out of Kempner High in Sugar Land — at USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars.

Bryant was an all-district wide receiver for McCallum’s football team in 2015.

He missed playing time in 2016 with a leg injury, but District 25-5A coaches still honored his work as a punter.