Texas OL Recruit Denzel Okafor Breaks Down His Top 2 Schools

Skill-position players dominate the state of Texas, and schools like Texas and TCU are making sure they are going after their share of the talent available.

While skill-position guys are plenty, quality offensive lineman are more scarce. They're also needed by both programs. Lewisville, Texas, standout Denzel Okafor is well aware of that fact and could make one of those programs very happy by the end of the month.

Okafor said he's looking into making a decision of where he'll play college football either the last week of August or the early part of September. His top two schools are Texas and TCU.

"I'm just honored that God's given me the talent and the ability to be in this spot. I'm just blessed," Okafor said. "A lot of people don't get this opportunity."

Now standing 6'4" and weighing 293 pounds, Okafor is a hybrid lineman who can play tackle or guard at the next level. He is listed as a 3-star guard according to 247Sports' composite rankings, but he said he's more comfortable playing tackle—even though he's all for lining up anywhere to see early playing time.

TCU may have the inside advantage over Texas at this point. The Horned Frogs, he said, were the first school to offer him, and he's built a great relationship with head coach Gary Patterson, co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Sonny Cumbie and other members of the coaching staff.

Texas, however, is a school he's grown up a fan of. He likes the direction head coach Charlie Strong has the program going, and he's excited about the program's future. He mentioned Strong and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Joe Wickline.

"TCU really stood out last year. No one expected them to have the season they had," Okafor said. "They're building a great program that's only going to get better. With them being my first offer, the fact that I was a necessity to them stood out to me. Coach Patterson, Coach Cumbie, they're all great coaches. I can see myself being there.

"With Texas, I've always liked Texas. Coach Wickline was the first coach to really start talking to me. Coach Strong and I have had some good conversations. He's a great coach, and he's going to get them back to where they once were. I feel like he can get me where I want to be."

TCU's 2016 class already has a 4-star tackle committed in Austin Myers, as well as 3-star interior linemen committed in guard Tyler Brown and center Kellton Hollins. Additionally, the Horned Frogs' 2015 class only had three offensive linemen sign.

Texas has a ton of young offensive linemen on its roster, but it's landed only one commit for the 2016 class in 3-star guard Tope Imade. The Longhorns' 2015 class featured six offensive linemen to sign.

Okafor said that while Texas and TCU are his top two, schools like Texas A&M, LSU and Oklahoma still should be considered in the running. Wherever he ends up, Okafor said he wants to be at a school that he can help make better, as well as a place where he knows he'll learn a lot.

Look for a decision in a few weeks. Okafor said he'll either announce his decision via Twitter or by way of an announcement through a local television station.

"They're both great programs," Okafor said of Texas and TCU. "It's going to be a tough decision."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles