Austin, Texas 2021 tight end, Lake McRee has seen some big changes in his recruiting status since the first of the year. Once committed to the homestate Longhorns, he’s now open and planning a trip to Seattle.
“Sometime in April”, the 6-5, 227 lb. athlete told Realdawg.com over the weekend, “I get along real well with Coach Cato.”
The two have been getting acquainted more and more, and continue to stay in touch on a regular basis, “He face-timed with me and I’ve been talking a lot to him and he’s been telling me about how they use their tight ends”, McRee added.
Right now McRee holds 22 offers, and it was just nearly a month ago he announced his decommitment from Texas on Twitter, ““While I have much respect for the University of Texas, after talking with my family I’ve decided to reopen my recruitment.”
At this point McRee is completely open and has only unofficially visited TCU and Baylor, but the Huskies are definitely getting him on campus in April — and Washington offered just in time — several schools have recently shown up with offers.
Just over the weekend, Penn State offered as well.
“I’m going to try to set in stone a top 10 after spring ball”, McRee said.
As for Washington’s shot at this Lone Star tight end, McRee said he was just beginning to learn more about Washington after conversations with Derham Cato, “I was intrigued”, he said, “That’s why I’m excited to visit.”
It doesn’t hurt that Washington has put their mark in the NFL with tight ends, and for a guy who’s been playing football since kindergarten, the dream is always to get to the next level after college.
Despite missing his junior season after an ACL tear, McRee still has all the intangibles that college recruiters look for in a big tight end; his blocking skills are excellent, he has real good hands and is instinctual in his routes.
Because of his height he does create mismatches and can pluck the ball out of the air without the risk of it hitting his pads. Across the middle McRee demonstrates good balance and should regain his foot speed now that he’s made a strong recovery from the knee surgery.
“I think I create mismatches”, he said of his strengths on the field, “I can block — and I feel that I’m athletic.”
Indeed; before the pre-season injury in 2019 McRee was already seeing a sharp rise in stock, and after a strong sophomore season he was ready to bust out of the gate in 2019. But all the intangibles are there — and getting a visit from him will definitely help the Huskies’ cause in their search for quality tight ends in 2021.
