How Zach Gentry's Flip from Texas to Michigan Impacts Recruiting Landscape

Zach Gentry boarded a Friday flight from New Mexico considered a top Texas commitment. He'll head home Sunday sporting maize and blue as his new colors of choice.

The 4-star quarterback flipped from the Longhorns to Michigan on Saturday night while attending a Wolverines basketball game in Ann Arbor. He notified the team's staff during halftime of a matchup with Wisconsin, according to Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com.

The 6'7", 230-pound prospect spent eight months committed to the Texas, but things changed when he became a primary target of Jim Harbaugh. The new Michigan coach didn't waste any time in his courtship of Gentry, showing up at Eldorado High School (Albuquerque) last Monday.

Things progressed quickly from that point.

Gentry, rated eighth nationally among pro-style quarterbacks in 247Sports' composite rankings, lined up an official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend. He also canceled an in-home visit with members of the Texas coaching staff and removed any mention of his Longhorns commitment from a Twitter profile previously adorned with allusions to an eventual arrival in Austin.

As news spread of Gentry's impending journey north, the probability of him ultimately ending up at Texas appeared to drop precipitously, as 247Sports analyst Clint Brewster pointed out:

I speculated in an article Thursday that odds were in favor of Gentry committing to the Wolverines during his stay on campus. The allure of playing for a former star Michigan quarterback and NFL passer in Jim Harbaugh seemed too appealing to pass up, especially when you include his past mentorship of eventual No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck.

Gentry gives the Wolverines a pair of 4-star passers in this class. Alex Malzone, an early enrollee, was one of just six holdovers from Brady Hoke's depleted recruiting haul.

Both players should have a realistic opportunity to earn a role on Michigan's two deep in 2015. Harbaugh also inherits a few quarterbacks, headlined by redshirt freshman Wilton Speight.

However, Gentry is set to become the lone passer on the Wolverines' 2015 roster who was specifically targeted by Harbaugh and his staff. He'll arrive on campus fresh off a career-best senior campaign.

He earned honors as New Mexico's 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year, throwing for 2,978 yards and 26 touchdowns. Despite carrying a uniquely large frame, he added 1,057 yards and 22 scores on the ground.

Given his elite physical attributes and style of play, Gentry provides Harbaugh with a prospect who can make an impact as an underclassman if his transition to college football demands is smooth.

Michigan may have found its quarterback of the future, but Texas is left to explore alternative options as national signing day nears.

Charlie Strong and Co. have just 10 days to identify Gentry's replacement for a Longhorns class that's certainly in need of a premier passer.

Commit Matthew Merrick, rated 57th nationally among pro-style quarterbacks, has been slated for grayshirt status, which would prohibit him from receiving a scholarship until after the 2015 season. That plan might change by necessity if Texas is unable to track down a quality alternative. 

Kyler Murray is clearly the most wanted man in Austin at this point. The 5-star Texas A&M commit is considered the country's top-ranked dual-threat quarterback and spent time on campus Wednesday, tantalizing Longhorns fans with this Twitter post:

"

pic.twitter.com/UhDj9MTnsp

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

The 5'10", 180-pound passer may not possess Gentry's rare physical tools, but he'll go down in history as one of the all-time greats in Texas high school football.

Murray never lost a game during his three years as starter at Allen High School, which is located in suburban Dallas. He posted prolific statistics in 42 games, tallying 10,000 passing yards, 4,000 rushing yards and 182 touchdowns.

His surprise visit to Austin highlighted a VIP guest list for the Longhorns in recent days. Soso Jamabo (5-star running back), Damarkus Lodge (4-star wide receiver) and Daylon Mack (5-star defensive tackle) each spent time on campus during the past week, though none have followed through with a commitment.

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

If Murray is the lone legitimate quarterback option in place for Texas, it could spell disaster for the Longhorns. His father Kevin was a star Aggies quarterback, but he's looking at the possibility of sitting behind 5-star 2014 signee Kyle Allen for two or three years.

The pathway to playing time in Austin appears to be much clearer. Incumbent starting quarterback Tyrone Swoopes struggled mightily late in the 2014 season, and potential replacement Jerrod Heard, though talented, is unproven at the collegiate level.

Strong must find a way to develop better depth at the position. His chance for desired success in Austin may be counting on it.

With Gentry now headed to Michigan as Harbaugh's flashy new prize, Texas might now be engaged in a dangerous game of all—aka Murray—or nothing at quarterback as signing day approaches.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.