4-star ATH Derrick McFall names top six schools

Tyler (Texas) four-star athlete Derrick McFall won’t make a college commitment until midway through his senior season but he knows what school’s he’ll be picking between.

McFall announced his top six of Alabama, Florida, Louisville, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M Monday night.

“I feel like this was the perfect time to narrow it down so I can find that home and get the bond tight with that school,” McFall,  the No. 245 overall prospect and No. 11 athlete in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking told On3. “These six stand out more because they’re the main schools I hear contact from. They show love and kept it real with me each time we’ve spoke.

“It’s very close between three or four because they’ve all showed so much love since the beginning of my recruitment. My official visits will be a game changer for figuring out where I belong and where I feel the most wanted.”

The 5-foot-9.5, 175-pound recruit noted that the only official visit he’s set up so far is to Louisville on June 16. He said that he’s working on setting up officials to each of the others aside from TCU as Forth Worth is close to home.

In-state schools battling it out for McFall

McFall said that his recruitment really started to pick up his sophomore year and Texas was the first school to extend an offer to him. Since that offer he’s visited campus three of four times.

From the city of Austin to his relationship with Longhorns running backs coach Tashard Choice, the Longhorns have remained a constant in McFall’s recruitment over the last two years.

“The running back group and Coach Choice is what stands out to me the most about Texas,” McFall said. “I’ve built a great bond with Coach Choice and he’s producing great running backs like Bijan (Robinson) who will likely be first round draft pick so I just want to make an impact like he did.”

Like Texas, McFall’s also visited Texas A&M three or four times and the Aggies are heavy favorites to land his commitment according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

“Texas A&M built the No. 1 class in 2022 and they also show a lot of love,” McFall said. “They said I could have a chance of playing as a freshman and keep in contact well. Every time I go there, it’s like they’re putting out the red carpet.”

He’s visited the Longhorns and Aggies more than any other school but what the Horned Frogs were able to accomplish on the field during the 2022 season set them apart in McFall’s eyes.

“How TCU performed last season played a major role,” McFall said. “I like their backs and how they call their offense. I really liked what I saw from them this last year and I also have a great bond with their running back coach.”

How the out of state three feel in McFall’s recruitment

He may be a Texas kid but McFall said he grew up an Alabama fan and even called it his dream school.

On top of seeing the Crimson Tide win several national titles over the last decade, McFall’s kept an eye on the Crimson Tide’s running backs not only during their college careers but how they’ve fared in the NFL.

“I grew up watching Alabama so getting an offer from them meant a lot,” McFall said. “So many greats in the league came from Alabama. Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, a whole bunch of elite running backs in the league producing are from Alabama. It’s something I’d like to be a part of being the next big-time back to come out of Alabama.”

Florida and Louisville may not have the same dream school appeal to McFall like Alabama does but both remain heavily involved in his recruitment like the four other schools.

McFall acknowledged that his relationship with Florida running backs coach Jabbar Juluke is why the Gators made his top six and he’s set to visit Gainesville for the first time next weekend.

As for Louisville, McFall said that the Cardinals’ coaching staff have told him that they see a lot of potential in his game to excel both in college and after.

They’re saying I could come in as a freshman and immediately play,” McFall said. “They’re saying I have the type of potential to win a Heisman and stuff like that. I’d have a great opportunity there to make it to the next level quick and easy.”