Anthony Wheeler to Texas: Longhorns Land 4-Star LB Prospect

Versatile 4-star linebacker Anthony Wheeler has taken himself off the market by committing to Texas, according to Jeff Howe of 247Sports:

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During the Under Armour All-America Game on ESPN2 the four-star linebacker from Dallas Skyline chose Texas over Oklahoma. Baylor and LSU were also among the finalists, but it came down to a decision between the Longhorns and the Sooners.

“I sat down with my family and talked about how comfortable I felt with the coaches and how comfortable I felt with the school,” Wheeler said. “I felt like that's where I needed to be.”

The relationship that has Wheeler headed to the Forty Acres is the one he developed with Brian Jean-Mary. The Texas linebackers coach and Wheeler started speaking weekly during the fall and with the additions of Malik Jefferson and now Wheeler within a two-week stretch Jean-Mary has gone a long way towards retooling the Texas depth chart at linebacker.

“He's a real cool dude,” Wheeler said of Jean-Mary. “I've just gotten more comfortable with him. He's laid back and you can talk to him about anything. He's a good coach.”

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A native Texan, Wheeler's two favorites were the two Big 12 schools that battle in the Red River Rivalry, Texas and Oklahoma. To the chagrin of his home state, during an interview with Adam Gorney of Rivals.com (subscription required), the linebacker said he "would put them over Texas in my top."

Wheeler also tweeted a photo from his visit to Norman, Oklahoma, with Sooners head coach Bob Stoops:

Wheeler did visit Texas, in April, after Charlie Strong was named head coach, and told Jason Higdon of Scout.com that he liked what he saw from the team and that coaches tried to tell him about the outgoing crop of linebackers:

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I talked to every coach mostly. They all said they could see me playing for them and that a lot of seniors are leaving after this year so they are going to need some new tough and good linebackers. The best part was just watching the game and seeing where I could fit in to play and they still stand in my tops.

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In addition to the battle between Texas and Oklahoma, 247Sports also noted that Wheeler had at least a dozen total offers from schools like Alabama, Baylor, Michigan and Ohio State. The Big Ten schools were always a long shot.

A coveted prospect, Wheeler now provides Charlie Strong with a talented building block for the defense.

Wheeler is ranked as the 10th-best outside linebacker recruit in the country, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. Listed at 6'2", 225 pounds with a 4.55-second 40-yard dash, there's a lot to like about him at the position.

Already possessing the frame to fill out as he develops, Wheeler also has polished instincts for a player his age. He's a good tackler who pursues the ball well and understands how plays develop. Those fundamentals are crucial for young prospects.

The linebacker finally made his choice and will be a critical addition to Texas' recruiting class for 2015.  While he may not make an immediate impact, he has a bright outlook and should develop into an anchor off the edge.

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