Weather puts chill on Longhorns’ signing day
AUSTIN — Statewide power outages, treacherous travel conditions and countless school closings turned what was already expected to be a light national signing day for Texas into, well, a whole lot of nothing.
An afternoon news conference with Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian was canceled with UT facilities closed and more than 160,000 Austin-area residents without power amid a crippling ice storm. The adverse weather also led several unsigned 2023 prospects to delay their signing ceremonies until schools reopen later this week.
That was the case for one of Texas’ key remaining targets, Red Oak defensive back Warren Roberson. Red Oak ISD announced all of its schools and facilities will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, potentially pushing Roberson’s announcement to Friday.
A 6-foot, 180-pound four-star senior who excelled at both wide receiver and defensive back, Roberson is the No. 47 in-state prospect and No. 22 safety in the nation, per the 247Sports composite rankings.
He verbally committed to TCU in October but decided against submitting a national letter of intent during December’s early signing period, instead using the time to weigh other options. Roberson took an official visit to Texas last weekend, though he’s still expected to sign with the College Football Playoff runner-up Horned Frogs.
The Longhorns and the rest of the world also will have to wait a bit longer to find out what fivestar Phoenix Pinnacle tight end Duce Robinson will do. A twosport supernova, the 6-6 Robinson is both the nation’s topranked tight end and Baseball America’s 123rd-ranked 2023 MLB draft prospect, one who’s drawn comparisons to New York Yankees masher and reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge.
Robinson has narrowed his college options to Texas, Georgia and USC.
After recently working out with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Robinson reaffirmed his desire to play both sports for as long as possible. That could give the Longhorns a potential edge considering the baseball program’s superior track record — Texas has appeared in three of the past four College World Series — compared with the other finalists.
“To be honest, It’s just a flat-out we’re not sure where we want to go yet,” Robinson told ESPN on Wednesday. “It’s been a long process. It’s been a fun process. We just don’t have that conviction yet. When I make my decision, I want to be at peace with it, I want to be fully convicted. I want to be there for three years, but maybe more.”
Texas did see one of its top remaining prospects sign elsewhere Wednesday.
Lawrence County (Miss.) three-star defensive lineman Jonathan Davis was a late riser in the 2023 class. In February, the 6-5, 305-pound tackle went from lightly recruited to highly coveted, landing scholarship offers from Texas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and several other FBS programs.
Davis decided to stay home, signing with Mississippi State on Wednesday morning.
Even after missing on Davis and having to play the waiting game with Roberson and Robinson, Texas still has 247Sports’ third-ranked 2023 signing class, trailing only Alabama and Georgia. The Longhorns’ group of 24 high school signees and four transfers has the Big 12’s top cumulative grade, just ahead of Oklahoma’s fourth-ranked class.