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Tope Imade commits to Texas

On3 imageby:Justin Wells•05/26/15
Tope Imade
Tope Imade. (Courtesy of Imade)
Tope Imade. (Courtesy of Imade)

Tope Imade. (Courtesy of Imade)

Texas and coach Charlie Strong have been looking for recruiting momentum. Problem solved.

The Longhorns added their 5th pledge to the Class of 2016 today when Tope Imade committed to UT. Imade held offers from Michigan, Miami, Illinois, and Texas Tech among others. LSU and Oklahoma were also showing interest.

At 6-foot-5, 327 pounds, the 3-star guard/tackle from Arlington Bowie told IT in the past that Texas was always his “dream school.” All that waited was the official offer from the UT staff. When that happened last week, Imade knew where he was going.

“I knew I was going to commit to Texas,’ said Imade. “That’s where I’ve always seen myself. They have great academics, a great coaching staff, and a great environment. I couldn’t be happier.”

Excerpt from the Recruiting Notebook (5/6/15):

Tope Imade, OL – Arlington Bowie (2016)
Hudl: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3235704/tope-imade

How he fits at Texas: Tope is one of those “leaner” recruits that Wickline covets, no doubt. In reality this is what Wickline offers often look like. A big, long kid with quick moving feet that is a mobile wall opponents cannot scale or tunnel under. When he gets locked onto an opponent, it’s all over but he may also have the quickness to play at right tackle. He’ll be a bull on zone runs and is effective on reach blocks. – IB

Coach says: Damn near has tackle measureables at the guard spot. Probably got pegged there since he doesn’t have the ideal athleticism to stick at tackle. One thing I love about him is that he will get after you through the whistle; once he locks up on you he is looking to finish. Would love to see him play with better leverage, but that is something that can be coached up over time. He has enough athleticism to navigate and locate his man on the second level in the run game. Strong as an ox.

How this affects Texas: Let’s talk offensive line. This should be fun. Wickline is busy trying to find 4-5 O-linemen in the Class of 2016. So far, it’s been a slow process. After landing a great group in ’15, the juniors have been less inclined to join the mix. But it’s early. One such player is Tope Imade. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound guard/tackle is one of the strongest football players in Texas and has seen his recruitment rise recently. I wouldn’t be surprised if he nets a Texas offer in the near future. Actually thought he would’ve last week. He did too. Despite that, he remains a Texas lean. One at a time, Joe. – JW

Imade joins Gilmer’s DeMarco Boyd (ATH), Arlington Lamar’s Shane Buechele (QB), Manvel’s Reggie Hemphill (WR), and Valley Christian’s (San Jose, CA) (WR) Collin Johnson as members of UT’s Class of 2016.

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