Three Recent Texas Decommits Who Became Stars
Texas football has experienced some high-profile decommitments in the late 2010s and early 2020s under previous coaching regimes. Despite their elite recruiting tradition and strong brand, Texas occasionally lost key prospects due to scouting and player development issues. Here’s a look at three recent Texas decommits who have found success elsewhere.
Billy Bowman, S
Initially committed to Texas in the 2021 class, safety Billy Bowman switched to Oklahoma. His decommitment was a significant loss for Texas, as Bowman went on to excel at Oklahoma, becoming one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12. In 2022 and 2023, he led the conference in interceptions and was named a 247Sports First-Team All-American. Bowman will play a crucial role in Oklahoma’s defense as they enter the SEC in 2024.
Evan Stewart, WR
Evan Stewart was Steve Sarkisian’s first commitment in the 2022 class for Texas. However, Stewart re-opened his recruitment and eventually committed to Texas A&M. Despite being highly prioritized by Texas, Stewart flourished at Texas A&M, amassing over 1,100 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns. Following a coaching change at A&M, Stewart transferred to Oregon, where he is expected to be a top receiver in their transition to the Big Ten.
Jalen Milroe, QB
Texas lost four-star quarterback Jalen Milroe from the 2021 class when Quinn Ewers reclassified and committed to Texas. Milroe then committed to Alabama, where he waited behind Bryce Young before becoming the starting quarterback. Milroe led Alabama to an SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff, totaling over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns. Entering 2024, he is a Heisman contender, expected to thrive under new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Conclusion
Despite these losses, head coach Steve Sarkisian has rejuvenated Texas’s recruiting and player development. The Longhorns are poised for success as they join the SEC in 2024, and with continued strong recruitment, they aim to avoid the missteps of the past.
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