Texas Should Worry That 4-Star QB Zach Gentry Is Visiting Michigan

A visit from 5-star Texas A&M commit Kyler Murray may have fired up Longhorns fans Wednesday, but he isn't the only quarterback who warrants attention moving forward. 

Zach Gentry is reportedly reconsidering his commitment to Texas.

Michigan has mounted a late push for the New Mexico product, who received an in-person visit from Jim Harbaugh on Monday, per James Yodice of the Albuquerque Journal. The Wolverines' new head coach, attempting to salvage a depleted 2015 recruiting class, quickly identified Gentry as a top target.

The 4-star prospect pledged to Texas last spring, but quickly reciprocated interest from Michigan. He is suddenly set to spend this weekend on an official visit in Ann Arbor, according to Steve Lorenz of 247Sports.

Gentry—a 6'7", 230-pound Eldorado High School standout—has also provided other signals that suggest his time in the Longhorns' class is approaching a conclusion.

He cancelled an in-home visit with members of the Texas coaching staff and removed any mention of a Longhorns commitment from his Twitter bio.

Clint Brewster of 247Sports succinctly summarized the situation:

Gentry, rated eighth nationally among pro-style quarterbacks in 247Sports' composite rankings, was named New Mexico's 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year. He displays dual-threat capabilities with a physical frame that's rare for the position.

His senior campaign included 2,978 passing yards, 1,057 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns, per Gatorade. Gentry registered 38 scores on the ground as an upperclassman and tallied at least three total touchdowns in 11 of 12 games last season. 

Gentry may have been overlooked at times during this recruiting cycle due to his home state, but college scouts took notice by the end of his junior year. He's assembled an offer list that includes Alabama, Louisville, Oklahoma State and Tennessee. 

Michigan offers him an opportunity to become the only quarterback on campus recruited exclusively by the new coaching regime. Alex Malzone, a 4-star early enrollee, was one of six holdover commits from the Brady Hoke era. 

Harbaugh has compelling quarterback talent to work with in Ann Arbor, notably redshirt freshman Wilton Speight, but he inherited each of those options.

Gentry is a player he has specifically targeted. Harbaugh displayed legitimate admiration by traveling to a faraway state with no other potential Michigan prospects just to sit down for a conversation. 

It wouldn't be a surprise if Gentry became a member of the Wolverines' class this weekend before boarding his flight home.

Tony Ding/Associated Press

This development puts immense pressure on Charlie Strong to identify a solution in Austin. A disastrous end to his first season at Texas put emphasis on the fact that he has substantial work to do on roster development.

Starting quarterback Tyrone Swoopes didn't win over many Longhorns supporters down the stretch. He averaged just 4.4 yards per pass attempt in losses to TCU and Arkansas, throwing five interceptions in the process.

Many foresee an eventual position change for Swoopes, but further reinforcements at quarterback are needed to facilitate that move. Strong must add legitimate alternatives on national signing day. 

Jerrod Heard was a 4-star signee last February and should step up to challenge for the job this spring. Commit Matthew Merrick, rated 57th nationally among pro-style quarterbacks, is destined for grayshirt status that would eliminate him from the equation in 2015.

Murray set social media ablaze with his Twitter post from Austin on Wednesday, but there's a vast difference between visiting a campus and flipping your commitment:

"

pic.twitter.com/UhDj9MTnsp

— Kyler Murray (@TheKylerMurray) January 21, 2015"

He remains entrenched as the catalyst of Texas A&M's 2015 class, which also features close friend and 5-star wide receiver Christian Kirk.

His father, Kevin Murray, was a star Aggies quarterback and eventual Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame inductee. 

You better believe Kevin Sumlin and his staff have already mounted a response to Murray's trip with their own recruiting tactics. He likely received several assurances from College Station about his future.

Simply put, it wouldn't be wise for Strong to place all of his eggs in Murray's basket. 

With Gentry inching toward the exit door less than two weeks shy of national signing day, concern should run rampant in Austin.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.