Cobbs makes best of situations
Demarco Cobbs
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Things have a way of working out for Demarco Cobbs.
Like when Cobbs joined the Tulsa Central (Okla.) football team his sophomore year. The school was by no means a football powerhouse; in fact, the Tigers hadn't had a winning season since 1996. But three seasons later, the four-star recruit is leading his team to its second straight winning record and the Tigers are one game away from the 5A playoffs.
And then there's his recruitment.
It started with a letter from former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville. Then came a flood of letters, calls and offers from top-rated programs. One conversation stood out.
"Lane [Kiffin] called and I was like, 'Dang. Like, I'm all the way in Oklahoma and they're recruiting me.' That was pretty cool," said Cobbs, the No. 3 athlete and the No. 18 overall recruit in the ESPNU 150.
So Cobbs committed to Tennessee in September. It was a good fit, but not perfect. There was another school he couldn't get off his mind.
"When recruiting first started, Texas was my dream school," said Cobbs, who is a force on both sides of the ball. "I was going to commit to them in the beginning before recruiting started but they weren't allowed to take commitments at the time; it was too early."
Cobbs decommitted from Tennessee last week and will make his commitment to the Longhorns official in Austin this weekend when Texas hosts Central Florida. He will be at UT on an unofficial visit, and he plans to take his official visit in early December.
Changing his decision wasn't something Cobbs did lightly.
"I've never been in this predicament before," he said about decommitting from Kiffin and Tennessee. "But also, this is part of recruitment too. … It happens every day so I hope I'm not a real big loss to him."
Recruiters started taking notice of the dynamic Cobbs during his sophomore season. Central head coach Corey Russell says one of the most impressive aspects of Cobbs' game is his versatility.
"We'll put him at running back, we'll put him at free safety, we'll put him at receiver, we'll put him at a slot," Russell said.
Cobbs' main role is quarterback, though, and his ability to play additional roles adds an extra element to the Tigers.
"Being so explosive the way Demarco is, he can really take over a football game and control the football game," Russell said. "I mean, he does so well with his feet and is such a vicious hitter and tackler, we can put him on defense and then we can line him up at receiver because of his speed and just know there's not anyone who's going to cover him."
Cobbs says that knowing how to read other teams' coverage as a quarterback helps him to get open and to run his routes when playing receiver, which he is likely to play at Texas. It also helps him on the defensive side of the ball, where he has recorded 50 tackles -- 35 solo -- in nine games this season.
"It's just being able to make plays without the ball, making key blocks downfield and also making plays with the ball in my hand," Cobbs said, who has scored 13 rushing touchdown so far.
His ability to make plays and get in the end zone is a big part of Central's 7-2 record.
"We've got a lot of different things that we can do with Demarco, and him as quarterback and being able to touch the ball every single play just does a lot for us." Russell said.
Cobbs' role in turning around Central's football program is a great sense of pride for him.
"I'll be remembered, I'm hoping, for bringing their program back up," said Cobbs, who threw for 1,108 yards and six scores and rushed for 1,307 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. "We came from nothing to life. We turned it around big-time. But I think I'll be remembered and probably get my jersey retired or something."
Central has become a second family to Cobbs. His closeness with his high school coaches is another reason he committed to Texas.
"I started thinking about, as far as my family … and my coaches coming to see me play, and Tennessee is far," he said. "I mean, Texas is pretty far, but they can still hop on the highway and come on down and watch me play, especially if there's a night game."
Before the Under Armour All-American plays on Saturdays, he still has Friday night plans. With one more win, Central will reach the playoffs and be another step closer to the state title game.
"I might break down and cry if we make it to state because it would be a real big thing," Cobbs said.
Whether the Tigers make a deep run in the playoffs or they retire his jersey is yet to be seen, but don't be surprised. Things do have a way of working out for Demarco Cobbs.
Julie Turner is a recruiting editor for ESPN.com.
