When a major program loses a key recruit, Rivals.com takes a look at how big of a blow it is to the respective school, analyzing it from a local and national level. To quantify the “sting” of each decommitment, we assign a score from one to 10, with one being no big deal and 10 being a catastrophic hit.
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THE STORYLINE
There had been rumors for months that Jamarion Miller was being courted by Alabama and that it was possible a flip could happen.
The Tyler (Texas) Legacy four-star pledged to the Longhorns in June and it was a major score for coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff. Miller is a powerful back who can shed tacklers, run between the tackles or get outside, and he can also catch the ball out of the backfield.
Essentially, Miller was the kind of running back that Sarkisian could utilize in a variety of ways. But it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
The four-star flipped to Alabama in recent days as the Crimson Tide worked for months to get it done and it finally happened.
Miller will definitely play running back and then four-star athlete Emmanuel Henderson, who mainly plays that position in high school, could be moved around for the Crimson Tide.
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LOCAL REACTION
“Miller’s a terrific talent so it hurts Texas from that perspective but running back is the one area in which the Longhorns can probably absorb the loss. They still have Jaydon Blue committed, freshman Jonathan Brooks looks like he’ll be a very good back for Texas in the coming years and both Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson will return next fall. It could also help Texas in its chase with 2023 standout Rueben Owens.” - Jason Suchomel, Orangebloods.com
Sting factor: 6
NATIONAL REACTION
“The Texas running back room is loaded and there is a decent chance the Longhorns can get Owens back in the fold for the 2023 class. But this sets a worrisome precedent that anytime Alabama – or another national power – wants to pick off a major piece of Texas’ recruiting class that it is possible.
"Texas needs as many talented playmakers as it can get on the offensive side of the ball and someone with diverse abilities like Miller could have been a real weapon in Sarkisian’s offense. That won’t happen now and the in-state prospect is now headed to Tuscaloosa. It’s not the end of the world but it’s certainly a big miss.” - Adam Gorney, Rivals National Recruiting Director
Sting factor: 7
