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The Horned Frogs have had some luck with West Texas players over the years, and have secured the commitment of another one in Estacado receiver TJ Steele.
I’m very honored and blessed to be signing with TCU ⚫️!!!!@CoachWrightTCU @SonnyCumbie_TCU @TCUCoachP @Coach_Cluley @JjWatson_3 @Coach_McHugh @coachvint pic.twitter.com/QfpieDlPcV
— 1️⃣0️⃣ (@Tj01782071) November 30, 2020
Steele is another under the radar gem; the three star prospect out of Lubbock held six offers, including Kansas and Tulsa, and had been committed to North Texas since June, shortly after receiving an offer from the Mean Green.
But on Monday, he switched, pledging to the Horned Frogs after conversations with Malcolm Kelly and Sonny Cumbie. He intends to make it official in just over two weeks as part of the NCAA College Football early signing period.
Steele had a solid junior campaign but has burst onto the scene in 2020, hauling in 58 receptions for 1,069 yards and adding another 521 on 60 rushing attempts. He has 17 total touchdowns on the season.
The 6’0” tall prospect is another speed demon for the Horned Frogs; in addition to starring on the football field, he is a top-tier track talent, boasting a 10.97 100-yard dash time. He had an impressive playoff performance in Estacado’s first round win, with six catches for 236 yards and three touchdowns.
Steele is considered a top 100 player in the state by 247 Sports, but isn’t necessarily one of those kids that jumps off the page when a P5 team signs him. Don’t let that curb your enthusiasm though, as he has the right mindset to be great — born out of competition from his five brothers. “I always thought I could be the best out of everybody, that’s just me,” Steele said. “But you know they showed me sometimes that I wasn’t and sometimes I showed them that I was.” He also understands his opportunity and is ready to make the most of it at TCU. What does college football do for him? “Takes me away from here,” Steele said. “Gets me out of home. Gets me somewhere.”
Steele is the second wide receiver to commit to TCU as a member of the 2021 class, joing Chocktaw’s Chase Jackson. The Frogs have eight total commits in the group — six of whom play on the defensive side of the ball — with the early signing period just 16 days away.