The football careers of Brelan Chancellor and Brandin Byrd didn’t start out looking like they would be all that impressive.

The Copperas Cove duo first teamed up on a team in third grade and won just one game in two seasons.

Both stuck with football through some tough times and saw it pay off this week when they orally committed to play for North Texas.

Oral commitments are non-binding. The first day recruits in the Class of 2010 can sign national letters of intent is Feb. 3.

“It’s a plus to go to college with a friend,” Chancellor said. “It will be easier to cope. We started playing together in the third grade.”

Both developed into college prospects after their humble beginnings.

Byrd (5-11, 190) rushed for 1,061 yards last season and was an honorable mention selection on the All-District 12-5A team that featured Temple running back Lache Seastrunk, who is rated second on Rivals.com’s list of the top 100 prospects in the nation.

Chancellor (5-9, 165) rushed for more than 600 yards and was a first-team all-district selection as a utility back.

The duo helped Copperas Cove advance to the state semifinals, where the Bulldawgs lost to Wylie.

“It was pretty fun last year,” Byrd said. “That is what you dream about as a kid growing up watching the Bulldawgs in Copperas Cove. To be a part of it when you are older and be successful with people you have played with your whole life is a great thing to have happen.”

UNT recruited Byrd as a running back, while Chancellor is expected to move to slot receiver in college.

“North Texas is a perfect fit for me,” Chancellor said. “They run routes in their offense that I like running, have a great coach and a program that is a lot like my high school team. North Texas has coaches who mean business.”

UNT has struggled the last few years and has not won more than three games in a season since 2004.

“I like how North Texas is rebuilding the program,” Byrd said. “Todd Dodge did it in high school, so I believe he can do it in college and I want to be a part of it.”

Both could fit well into UNT’s spread offense.

“They are both very talented,” Copperas Cove assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Tracy Welch said. “They will fit well into Todd Dodge’s offense. Byrd has the best vision of any player we have had since Vontez Duff, who went to Notre Dame. He is a great receiver out of the backfield. Chancellor is a slippery player with great moves.”

UNT was the only team to offer either player a scholarship, although Louisiana Tech and Louisiana-Monroe had shown interest in Byrd. Idaho was among the teams that showed interest in Chancellor.

UNT now has commitments from four players who will be seniors this fall.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .

The following players have orally committed to become members of UNT’s 2010 recruiting class: