4-star TE Nick Townsend picks Steve Sarkisian’s Texas over Alabama and Texas A&M

By Aman Sharma

Modified Jul 15, 2024 18:59 GMT

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Nick Townsend, a highly sought-after four-star tight end from Dekaney High School in Spring, Texas, has committed to the University of Texas at Austin. Townsend chose the Longhorns over other top programs, including Alabama and Texas A&M, after narrowing his choices to these three.

Texas, in need of an elite tight end for its 2025 recruiting class, landed Townsend, a versatile athlete who also shines on the defensive side as a potential linebacker/EDGE player.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Townsend had 35 offers from prestigious schools such as Notre Dame, Florida, USC, LSU, Michigan and Oklahoma but ultimately decided to join Texas alongside Calhoun (Ga.) tight end and fellow UT commit Emaree Winston.

Reflecting on his decision, Townsend shared with 247Sports.com:

"I stepped on campus and felt the energy when I pulled up for the official visit. It was crazy. I felt the vibe, I felt the energy. The head coach came out and greeted me.

"It was just crazy and a vibe that I didn't get from other schools. I feel like they can make me bigger, faster, stronger there and take me to the next level honestly, and then the fanbase is crazy. The fans love me there, I feel like, and I never got that feeling from anywhere else."

Nick Townsend's versatility makes him an ideal fit for Steve Sarkisian's offense, which frequently utilizes multiple tight-end sets. According to On3's Recruiting Prediction Machine, Texas had a 94% chance of securing Townsend’s commitment, significantly ahead of Alabama and Texas A&M.

Ranked as the No. 124 overall prospect, No. 6 tight end and No. 23 prospect in Texas for the 2025 class, Nick Townsend joins a robust Longhorns recruiting class. His addition, along with Winston’s, gives Texas a strong tight-end duo for the 2025 cycle.

Nick Townsend becomes the 13th commitment for Texas' 2025 class

Nick Townsend is the 13th addition to Texas' 2025 class. He joins a strong roster that includes QB KJ Lacey, EDGE Lance Jackson, RB Rickey Stewart Jr., LB Elijah Barnes, OL Jackson Christian, OL Jordan Coleman, OL Devin Coleman, RB James Simon, CB Caleb Chester, OL John Mills and EDGE Smith Orogbo.

Jeff Banks, Texas's tight ends coach and special teams coordinator, played a crucial role in Townsend’s decision. Nick Townsend praised Banks, saying:

"Honestly with coach Banks, I needed somebody with some juice like him. He just comes out with the juice, comes out with the energy and that's what I need and I feel like that's gonna make me better." [H/T 247Sports.com]

Steve Sarkisian, Texas’s head coach, also significantly influenced Townsend’s choice.

"He sat down with me and just gave me his whole life story," Townsend said. "Some people probably don't even know his life story and it's crazy what he's been through and how he's bounced back and just faced adversity. I said 'coach, that's the type of head coach I want to play for.'" [H/T 247Sports.com]

At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Nick Townsend is the highest-ranked tight-end prospect Texas has secured during Sarkisian’s tenure. He is ranked as the No. 108 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 3 athlete and the No. 20 prospect in Texas.