Ricky Seals-Jones: Why Texas Longhorns Have to Let 4-Star WR Play Basketball Too

Yesterday, the recruiting landscape got a shock to the system, as Texas' big-time commitment, Ricky Seals-Jones, decommitted from the Longhorns. The Dallas Morning News filled us in on the details with respect to the Longhorns remaining atop his list, but Texas A&M, Baylor and LSU all being in the hunt, again.

There is more to the noise, though. Not only are the aforementioned schools on the list, but they are on the list largely because Seals-Jones can do more than just play football; he wants to play basketball too, as Greg Powers mentions.

"

Ricky Seals-Jones has de-committed from #Texas. #LSU, #TAMU, #Baylor mentioned now as schools he can hoop at as well as play football.

— Greg Powers (@GPowers79) June 6, 2012"

That's a big deal because, as it stands right now, that means Rick Barnes and/or Mack Brown could not find a way to work together to keep Ricky Seals-Jones in the boat. A boat he committed to quite early and one that also houses on of his good friends, quarterback prospect Tyrone Swoopes. 

We've talked about Ricky Seals-Jones with the folks at Full Ride a couple of times, and the big athlete was the best player in Texas' 2013 class until his decommitment. Seals-Jones, as an athlete, is capable of contributing at multiple positions. He also was part of the push that was keeping the Longhorns ahead of their in-state rivals, Texas A&M. 

If you're Texas, you get to work, like yesterday, in figuring out why there has been confusion about his ability to play both sports and how that situation can be remedied. Seals-Jones is a class-maker type of a ball player. He is capable on both sides of the ball, and if he gets inclined to put on weight, he could play the linebacker spot in addition to safety or wide receiver.

We have seen recently in college football players deciding to focus their energies on one sport after originally committing to play both. Greg Little at North Carolina decided to focus on football once the promise of the NFL was clearer than the long shot of the NBA. Seals-Jones will be in a similar boat, but allow him to make that choice once he gets to campus. If you're Texas, getting him to campus is job one, even if it means both coaches have to compromise.