4-Star WR Tren'Davian Dickson Flips Commitment from Texas Back to Baylor

The Baylor Bears regained a crucial in-state commitment Monday evening, flipping record-setting wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson from the Texas Longhorns.

Dickson, a senior at Navasota High School, cancelled plans to play in Austin four months after joining the class, according to Gerry Hamilton of ESPN. He initially pledged to Baylor before his junior season and backed off that verbal pact in February, but Dickson now returns as a centerpiece for the Bears' 2016 recruiting efforts. 

The 6'0", 171-pound playmaker, rated 22nd nationally among receivers in composite rankings, was the top-rated commit in Texas' 2016 class. Without him on board, the Longhorns fall to 56th overall in composite class rankings and sixth among college football programs in the Lone Star State.

Dickson is No. 2 in terms of talent currently committed to Baylor. Only 5-star offensive tackle Patrick Hudson grades out higher in composite rankings.

Texas, carrying a 10-12 record under head coach Charlie Strong, no longer holds a single commitment from players considered top-20 prospects in state composite rankings. In contrast, LSU's top-ranked recruiting class includes three top-20 talents from Texas.

It's a difficult loss to take for the Longhorns, who could have capitalized on Dickson's advanced abilities early and often next season. He previously voiced concern about potential widespread coaching staff changes.

“The stability of the program (is the biggest question mark),” Dickson recently told EJ Holland of 247Sports. “Just people talking about is (Charlie) Strong going to be there? Is (Jay) Norvell going to be there? Is he still going to coach receivers? Is (Shawn) Watson still going to be the offensive coordinator? All that kind of stuff.”

Clearly, swirling uncertainty is an issue Texas must contend with on the recruiting path. It seems that element at least slightly contributed to this decision from Dickson, who provides Baylor with another premier offensive piece. 

The 4-star standout caught 90 passes for 2,166 yards and 39 touchdowns as a junior. That scoring total set an all-time national high school record.

Dickson's eye-popping 2014 production was preceded by a strong sophomore campaign. He hauled in 13 touchdowns that season and has averaged more than 20 yards per catch since 2013.

Baylor now holds pledges from four of Texas' top 40 overall 2016 prospects, including versatile running back Kameron Martin. Quarterback Zach Smith, the No. 15 pro-style passer in composite rankings, tossed 65 touchdown passes during his past two seasons. 

The Bears lead college football with 57.4 points per game this season, spurred by a passing attack averaging 357 yards per contest. True freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham, an Elite 11 finalist last year, could emerge as a national star down the stretch and attract increased interest from young offensive weapons.

Baylor has built an impressive supporting cast for its quarterbacks throughout Art Briles's tenure, headlined by former 4-star recruit and 2015 Heisman Trophy candidate Corey Coleman.

The Bears add Dickson to an explosive group that's well-equipped for sustained postseason contention while weakening the future offensive outlook of an in-state rival.

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Tyler via Twitter @TDsTake.