Chase Walling had a few Big 12 teams show interest in offering him a scholarship over the last few months.
But the limited contact the Lake Highlands offensive lineman had with the coaches from those schools left him wondering just how interested they were in signing him.
North Texas and defensive line coach Mike Nelson left no doubt.
Nelson recruited Walling extensively ever since last year, when 6-5, 250-pound tackle prospect attended UNT's junior day.
That persistence paid off recently when Walling committed to play for the Mean Green recently. Oral commitments are nonbinding. The first day recruits in the Class of 2012 can sign national letters of intent is Feb. 1.
"North Texas was one of the first teams that contacted me," Walling said. "I went to their junior day and developed a relationship with coach Nelson. It's a program that is on its way up, and I wanted to be a part of it."
Walling is playing guard for his high school team this season, but UNT recruited him as a tackle. He will likely spend his first season at UNT as a redshirt and focus on adding size and strength.
"Chase is a really good fit for North Texas," Lake Highlands coach Scott Smith said. "I told coach Nelson that his upside is still out there. He is still growing. He has great feet, and kids who are that big with good feet are hard to find."
Walling's size and talent attracted the attention of Kansas State and Marshall, which both offered scholarships. Walling said coaches from Navy were going to stop by in the week after he committed to UNT.
He was anticipating receiving a scholarship offer from the Midshipmen as well.
"It was really, really hard to pass on an offer from a Big 12 team," Walling said. "Kansas State called one time and offered. I didn't talk to anyone up there and it was pretty far away."
Smith said interest in Walling had picked up in recent weeks. Kansas and Tulsa were both recruiting Walling, although neither had offered.
The chance to stay close to home and play for a team that had recruited him the longest and showed the most interest was too good an offer for Walling to pass up, especially since UNT is close to home.
"Staying close to home was part of his thought process," Smith said. "He said it would be nice to have his mom and dad drive up and see him play."
Walling said he will officially visit UNT in December. He is the 14th player to commit to be a part of UNT's 2012 recruiting class, the second in the tenure of head coach Dan McCarney.
"I really like coach McCarney," Walling said. "He coached at Iowa State and helped turn that program around. I believe in what he is doing at UNT."
BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.
NORTH TEXAS COMMITMENTS
The following is a list of players who have orally committed to sign with North Texas from the Class of 2012:
Devante Davis DB Baton Rouge Woodlawn
Malik Dilonga DE Cedar Hill Trinity Christian
Boone Feldt OL Buda Hays
Brad Horton DE Liberty Christian
Xavier Kelly CB Katy Mayde Creek
Royce LaFrance LB Helen Cox (La.)
Roderick Lancaster WR Oak Cliff Life School
Dylan McDorman DT Wichita Falls Rider
Jarrian Roberts LB Clarksville
Rex Rollins RB Tyler Chapel Hill
Nick Schrapps WR Beaumont Kelly
Andrew Tucker RB Tyler Chapel Hill
Sir Calvin Wallace DT Tyler Chapel Hill
Chase Walling OL Lake Highlands
