Top 2022 RB Jaydon Blue commits to Texas
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On the eve before signing day for the 2021 cycle, Texas is making more moves in 2022. Texas gained the commitment Tuesday of the No. 1 running back in the Inside Texas Top 75, Klein Cain’s Jaydon Blue
Blue, the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2022 Top 75, chose the Longhorns over 34 other offers including Oklahoma, LSU, Georgia, Ohio State, Texas A&M, USC, and Notre Dame.
Verified measurables for Blue include a 4.31 shuttle, a 75-inch wingspan, and a 10-foot long jump. On the track, Blue has posted sub-11.00 100m times.
Excerpt from the Recruiting Notebook (10/6/20)
How he fits at Texas: Blue is not a typical Texas running back recruit. He has some wiggle in the hole and great balance while running, but he’s not currently a power back that is at his best picking through interior gaps and running through arm tackles. Where he excels is in space where he has a running back’s change of direction, vision, and balance and home run speed. Blue’s hands are good and at 5-foot-10, 205, he’d be more of a bully on the perimeter than in the box. At Texas, he’d be a nightmare in the slot getting work in the screen game and learning how to translate his vision and feel for running crossing patterns. – Ian Boyd
Coach says: Strengths – Solidly built with a great frame for the position. Has potential to grow into a thickly built power back. Takes a good first step with patience to let the blocking play out. Excellent balance. Good vision and a quick burst of acceleration to the hole. Has a subtle jump cut and has good lateral ability to make people miss in tight space. Accelerates well to a very good top end speed although it does not look as fast as his track time would suggest. Runs hard and with purpose and will run through just about any arm tackle. Has reliable hands with good soft catching motion.
Areas for Improvement/Concern – Pass protection and route running are relatively unknown.
How this affects Texas: UT has its eyes on a handful of tailback targets in 2022 but none more important than Blue. With 30+ offers and as a 97 composite four-star, it’s easy to see why he’s regarded as one of the top running backs in the country. Stan Drayton has built a nice stable of backs at UT and Blue would be amongst the biggest if it’s orange house. – Justin Wells
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Excerpt from the Inside Texas 2022 Top 75
Having seen Blue in person, on the practice field, and on Friday nights this season, I have seen he has a special pair of hands for a running back prospect. He has the big play ability at running back but it’s the versatility in the passing game with his great 100-meter wheels that makes him an elite prospect. – Gerry Hamilton
I love a pinball back who bounces and darts his way to open grass. Add in his quality hands and slot receiver movement skills, and he’ll have coaches adding a few pages to the playbook. – Eric Nahlin
Blue is the third commit in Texas’ 2022 class including Armani Winfield (Lewisville) and Jaylon Guilbeau (Port Arthur Memorial).
