Malcolm Brown: Would He Leave Texas For Florida State Or Texas A&M?

Malcolm Brown, the second-ranked running back in the nation, hasn't lifted his verbal commitment to Texas. In fact, he committed rather early for a top recruit-Aug. 18-because of his strong relationship with Longhorns running backs coach Major Applewhite. 

When Applewhite was rumored to be a candidate to be Will Muschamp's offensive coordinator at Florida, however, the rumors began swirling. 

With all that said, a verbal is a verbal and Brown still isn't signed with Texas. If he were to lift his commitment and head elsewhere, where would he go?

Teams That Recruited Brown Before His Verbal With Texas

Where Isaiah Crowell ends up could weigh on Brown's destination if he chooses to leave Texas.

Throughout the recruiting process, Brown was courted by Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Florida State and Georgia. 

With Dee Hart comfortably committed to Alabama, Brandon Williams committed to Oklahoma and Isaiah Crowell likely heading to Georgia, Texas A&M and Florida State remain the favorites for Brown if he were to pull out of his commitment with Texas.

Texas A&M

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Wide receiver Jeff Fuller #8 and Uzoma Nwachukwu #7 of the Texas A&M Aggies celebrate a touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald

Texas A&M lacks the ESPNU150 recruit that would tip the scales on the Big 12 and would certainly love to have Brown in its backfield. The Aggies have a solid crop of athletes and linebackers but will hope to add offensive stars as National Signing Day approaches. 

Adding Brown to the Aggies' recruiting class would instantly improve their chances against Oklahoma State, Texas and Oklahoma in the Big 12 South.

Florida State

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Jimbo Fisher and the Florida State Seminoles reacts after their 26-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin

The Seminoles have the No. 2 recruiting class but recruited heavily on the defensive side of the ball. With perhaps the most impressive crop of secondary players already committed and room on the offensive side of the ball, Tallahassee seems like a logical choice for Brown. 

Florida State's highest-ranked running back recruit is Devonta Freeman, a four-star recruit from Miami, who's already signed.