Football Recruiting: Jalen Myrick commits to Minnesota

After naming the Minnesota Gophers as his favorites in June, 2013 cornerback Jalen Myrick has committed to the team two months later. The fast Savannah, Georgia CB is a two-star recruit, but he is a track star with good potential. Myrick is a bit too raw to project, but the Gophers coaching staff likes him and he really likes the Gophers.

July 26, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill speaks during the Big Ten media day at the McCormick Place Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-US PRESSWIRE

Jalen Myrick also received offers from Colorado State, LA Lafayette, and Middle Tennessee State. Minnesota was his only major offer, but he received interest from a few big schools in Maryland, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Rice, and West Virginia.

The 5’10″, 185 pound Savannah Christian School standout runs a 4.4 forty and was offered by Minnesota on the 7th of June. From then on, the complexity of his recruitment completely changed, even just a day after his first BCS offer. Myrick named the Gophers the leaders in his recruitment a day later, thus his commitment to Minnesota hasn’t been a surprise in the least.

The biggest contribution that Jalen Myrick will make to the Gophers will likely be as a returner. Myrick, who can also play at receiver and running back, is an absolute speed demon who is incredibly dangerous in the open field. He is an elusive playmaker who can break off a big gain on a punt or kick return. Initially expected to be an offensive player in college, the speedy playmaker is expected to be a corner. However, his true position is “speedster” or, if you want to be less cliche and more realistic, a “returner”. Myrick has the ability to be a game-changing returner, and we’ll see how Minnesota utilizes him.