Steve Sarkisian has his quarterback in the 2027 class after Smithson Valley’s Ty Knutson committed to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday.
The 6’3, 202-pounder became the only uncommitted quarterback with an offer from the Longhorns last month after visiting the Forty Acres for Junior Day.
The offer came after months of evaluation by Texas, including co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach AJ Milwee watching Knutson in action during his high school football season.
With Louisiana product Peyton Houston committing to the home-state Tigers and Palestine standout Kavian Bryant siding with Texas Tech last November, Texas didn’t have any outstanding offers to uncommitted 2027 quarterbacks, increasing the importance of Knutson’s evaluation.
Other offers for the 6’3, 202-pounder include Houston, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, as well as North Texas, Tulane, UTSA, UTEP, and UTRGV. Since Texas offered, San Diego State, Syracuse, and South Carolina also extended offers.
Some of those offers aren’t committable now, decreasing the legitimate competition for Knutson in a tough cycle for Longhorns quarterback recruiting after inking top-10 prospect Dia Bell, the potential successor to Arch Manning.
Knutson is a consensus three-star prospect ranked as the No. 729 player overall and the No. 51 quarterback, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Texas now has sixth commitment in the class, which now ranks No. 9 nationally in the Composite team rankings.
Analysis (by Daniel Seahorn):
My first glance at Knutson’s junior tape shows me a confident, game manager of the offense leading a quality program in Smithson Valley. Knutson checks in at about 6’3, 200ish pounds and has a lanky frame that will surely allow for him to fill out more as he continues to mature. Knutson possesses adequate arm strength and flashes good touch on deep balls down the field and shows the arm strength to hit the throws outside the numbers from center of the field. Knutson also shows the ability to dial up the RPMs a bit when having to throw off playaction and RPOs over center of the field into tighter windows. Knutson did show a couple throws where defenders could have made a play on the football, but for the most part his ball placement is very solid and he is putting it on the fingertips of his receivers. Would like to see him sell his ball fakes better on playaction to better hold defenders, but that is something that will get coached up over time. Shows comfort and accuracy when having to throw on the move and favors moving to his right when flushed from the pocket. Shows adequate mobility in and out of the pocket when he moved off his spot, but would like to see him do a better job of climbing the pocket when there is room to step up. Would also like to see how he handles adversity in the pocket more, as he is often working from clean pockets due to his offensive line doing a great job. Featured as a runner in the quarterback run game, though I am not sure if that is something that is going to translate to the next level given his fit at Texas. Feels like his wheels will more likely be featured when he has to go off script or extend plays. Would like to see him protect himself better as a runner when he breaks the pocket or if his number is called. Runs a bit high through traffic and that can leave him exposed to hits and even turnovers against better competition. With what Texas will be featuring in the quarterback room upon Knutson’s arrival, I like his fit within the Texas ecosystem as a guy who could provide a very solid floor for AJ Milwee’s position group.