Texas Longhorns Recruiting: Are Recent Decommitments a Cause for Concern?

Other than a clutch field goal from Cameron Dicker that saved a near-disaster loss to Kansas, Texas football fans haven't had much to cheer about the past few weeks.

The Longhorns have dropped two of their last three and the win in the middle doesn't feel like something most players and coaches can hang their hats on.

Coupled with unexpected struggles on the field, the Longhorns have also seen a rash of decommitments on the recruiting trail.

Four-star cornerback Ethan Pouncey (No. 10 corner in the class of 2020, according to 247 Sports) was the latest decommitment, per remarks made by him on Twitter yesterday.

All I ask is you respect my decision 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/INsD07RyiC
— EVP (@EthanPouncey) October 31, 2019

It was the third such occurrence in a week's time. Manor, Texas defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (No. strong-side defensive end, according to 247 Sports) and Houston's Josh Eaton (No. 30 cornerback, according to 247 Sports) both made similar announcements.

While losing three commitments in a week's time can be seen as a troubling trend, it's not quite the sky-is-falling level of breakdown one might think from reading message boards and listening to call-in radio this week.

Pouncey's recent decision likely follows a decision from brother Jordan Pouncey to enter the transfer portal. The Texas receiver has struggled to climb the depth chart at slot receiver since arriving on the Forty Acres and has made a decision to take his talents elsewhere after this season.

It's highly likely that the two brothers want to play together and will come as a package deal to a school in the near future.

A little more troubling are the moves by Eaton and Umanmielen. Both were seen as huge head-to-head recruiting wins for Texas over rival Oklahoma and with the Longhorns and Sooners so heavily involved in the battle, one can't help but wonder if Texas will lose one or both guys north of the Red River before it's all said and done.

While losing three four-star players on defense is never a good thing - especially when one looks at how the Longhorns have been trending on that side of the ball of late - it's important to remember that Texas has the No. 6 overall class and No. 1 in the Big 12 for 2020 right now with a handful of strong Texas leans still yet to make their official decision.

Also, this writer can confirm from a Thursday trip to the city that the sky still has yet to fall in Austin despite rumor and innuendo that would suggest otherwise.