US Army All-American Tim Irvin talks Texas commitment

Irvin and the rest of the Florida Five are ready to make their mark in Austin.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- During the third quarter of the 2015 US Army All-American Bowl on Saturday at the Alamodome, Miami (Fla.) Westminster athlete Tim Irvin committed to the Texas Longhorns over several other finalists, including the hometown Miami Hurricanes.

The consensus four-star prospect is hardly the only Florida player planning on heading to the Lone Star State for college -- Irvin's old high school teammate, tight end Devonaire Clarington, also pledged to the 'Horns during the Army Bowl. And two other members of the so-called "Florida Five" were already committed to Texas. The final member, Georgia Prep wide receiver Gilbert Johnson, added his name to head coach Charlie Strong's commitment list on Sunday.

All of the momentum for the Longhorns in the Sunshine State helped Irvin make his choice.

"They impacted a lot on my decision," he told SB Nation Recruiting after the game. "I wanted to go somewhere I feel comfortable and go somewhere that my boys are going. All of us from Florida feel connected to Texas and feel like we're going to rebuild that program."

The likely college safety said that he and the other Florida prospects spent a lot of time talking about playing together.

"We used to talk almost every day about this decision," he said. "It was a big decision. When we went on our official visit, that's all we were talking about -- building a Florida pipeline to Texas."

Despite the Longhorns trending heavily in Irvin's 247Sports Crystal Ball over the last several weeks, the two-way high school star said it wasn't until the morning of the game that he made up his mind.

"I actually knew it this morning. I talked to my parents about it and that's when I announced to them where I was going to be playing," Irvin said.

The educational opportunities at Texas weighed heavily with Irving, who had told SB Nation Recruiting earlier in the week that he's planning on majoring in entrepreneurship when he gets to college. The opportunity to play early and the comfort level that he felt with the coaching staff also played roles.

"I like that Coach Strong is very passionate. He's a character on and off the field and I can't wait to get up there and play for him," he said.

As an early enrollee, Irvin won't have to wait long to head to Austin. Once there, he's been told that he'll have a chance to compete for the starting nickel back job vacated by the graduation of Quandre Diggs.

Irvin believes that he and the rest of the Florida Five will be able to make an early impact on the Texas program that they're hoping to help rebuild.

"I feel like our first year we're going to have a big impact," said the 5'9, 186-pounder. "I feel like if we buy in to Coach Strong's system, we'll do well."

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