4-Star John Burt Recommits to Texas, Gives Longhorns Better Depth at WR

That sigh of relief you may have heard probably came from Austin, Texas.

John Burt is a Longhorn commit again.

Burt, the 4-star wide receiver who decommitted from Texas earlier this month, announced via social media that he has recommitted to the program. The Tallahassee, Florida, talent is commitment No. 24 for the Longhorns, and he's the second receiver pledge of the class, joining fellow Floridian Gilbert Johnson.

Losing Burt on Jan. 6 was a big blow for the Longhorns, but Monday proved to be major news for head coach Charlie Strong, primary recruiting contact Chris Vaughn and the rest of the Texas coaching staff. Burt's recommitment gives Texas a big target at the position, someone who could be called upon as both a vertical threat and a red-zone threat.

Burt originally committed to Texas in July but opened his recruiting process this month to explore other options, primarily Auburn. After re-examining his process, Burt decided again to wear burnt orange in the fall.

Burt is 6'3" and 180 pounds, and as the nation's 14th-ranked receiver per 247Sports, he is a reliable option and someone who could immediately fill in the voids that seniors John Harris and Jaxon Shipley are leaving. Harris and Shipley provided more than half (127) of the Longhorns' 243 receptions in 2014. Harris additionally scored seven of Texas' 14 receiving touchdowns.

Early playing time will be a challenge but is possible for Burt at one of Texas' outside receiver positions. The Longhorns are expected to return Daje Johnson, Armanti Foreman, Jacorey Warrick, Lorenzo Joe and Dorian Leonard from last season, and only Foreman and Warrick finished the year with double-digit receptions.

Warrick, however, can be used as an inside receiver. Johnson, another who could play inside or outside, may be the most talented of the group, but off-the-field issues kept him out for most of the season.

Because of Burt's size, speed and overall upside (think of how Harris exploded in 2014), he could be a pleasant surprise for a Longhorns unit looking for someone to fill the role of go-to target in 2015. Coaches truly feel the sky's the limit for Burt's potential.

Burt's commitment gives Texas five Florida pledges and reminds all that Strong makes the state a priority in recruiting wherever he is. The Longhorns are hoping to add to its receiver depth before Feb. 4's signing day with 4-star DaMarkus Lodge and junior college talent Dominique Reed.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All star ratings come from 247Sports' ratings system. Follow Damon on Twitter: @DamonSayles.