Brad Horton spent most of the last five years traveling the state preparing for what he hoped would be a college basketball career. Brad Horton
It wasn't until last year that the course of his life took a dramatic turn.
During his junior year, the Liberty Christian hoops standout decided to play football for the first time since seventh grade.
The decision turned out to be one of the best Horton has ever made.
The 6-6, 235-pound athlete has developed tremendous speed and agility for someone his size and quickly adapted to playing defensive end.
The talent Horton showed last season and early this fall attracted the attention of coaches across the country, including the staff at North Texas, which convinced him to stay home and play for the Mean Green. Horton orally committed to UNT late last week.
"I thought about it for a while to make sure it is the right fit," Horton said. "[UNT head coach Dan McCarney] is going to turn the program around and I want to be a part of it."
Oral commitments are non-binding. The first day recruits in the Class of 2012 can sign national letters of intent is Feb. 1.
Horton said he chose UNT over offers from Air Force, Army and Louisiana-Monroe.
What makes Horton's quick ascent as a football prospect all the more remarkable is that he started playing defensive end when he resumed playing football his junior season. Horton played wide receiver until he gave up football to concentrate on basketball.
"He has grown by leaps and bounds," Liberty coach Greg Price said. "He has not spent a lot of time in the weight room and needs some work there, but he is fast for his size. I timed him last spring and he ran six straight [40-yard dashes] in the 4.8s and that was after running six 60-yard dashes."
Some schools told Horton that they wanted him to put on weight and move to defensive tackle or the offensive line. UNT defensive coordinator Clint Bowen recruited Horton to play defensive end, where his athletic ability could be an asset.
"My speed and height benefits me at defensive end," Horton said. "I can out-athlete guys and, if I don't get there, get my hands up and knock the ball down."
The challenge Horton will face on the college level is gaining weight and learning the intricacies of playing defensive end. He felt UNT's staff could help him improve rapidly.
"I feel like once I am able to gain some weight and get some coaching at the position, I can help the team reach its goals," Horton said. "I was always trying to get in basketball shape. This is the first time I have tried to get a body type for football."
Horton decided that UNT was the perfect place to continue adjusting to the game for a number of reasons, including the relationship he's built with the team's coaches.
Horton and his family sat down with McCarney recently to discuss UNT's program.
"We didn't know a lot about North Texas," Horton said. "We were sold after that."
Horton said UNT's coaches told him to come to fall camp prepared to compete and that he could play as a freshman, depending on how he continues to develop.
"Brad has a high ceiling," Price said. "What makes him attractive for teams are his capabilities, considering how much he has played. He has a lot of potential."
BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com . NORTH TEXAS COMMITMENTS
The following players have orally committed to sign with North Texas from the Class of 2012.
Player
Position
High school
Devante Davis
DB
Baton Rouge Woodlawn
Malik Dilonga
DE
Cedar Hill Trinity Christian
Boone Feldt
OL
Buda Hays
Brad Horton
DE
Liberty Christian
Royce LaFrance
LB
Helen Cox (La.)
Roderick Lancaster
WR
Oak Cliff Life School
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
