At Timpson, Terry Bussey's level of talent 'doesn't come around that often'

Nation's top-rated athlete committed to Texas A&M in a ceremony at the school, fakes out viewers by putting on Alabama, Oklahoma hats

The top uncommitted prospect in the state of Texas in the class of 2024 is off the board. 

Timpson (Texas) 5-star athlete Terry Bussey chose to Texas A&M on Thursday in a ceremony at the east Texas high school in a live-streamed announcement.

The nation's No. 1 athlete, No. 15 overall prospect and No. 2 overall recruit in Texas (per 247 Sports) picked the Aggies over a final list that also included Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma and LSU.

He faked the audience out by putting on an Alabama hat, then an Oklahoma hat before choosing a Texas A&M hat and announcing his commitment. 

He visited Alabama in early September for the Crimson Tide's blockbuster loss to No. 11 Texas and donned Alabama gear shortly thereafter.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Bussey plays quarterback at Class 2A Texas power Timpson (5-0), but projects as an athlete at the next level. As a junior he was perhaps the most productive high school athlete in the country.

He racked up 4,773 total yards of offense — 2,596 rushing, 2,177 passing — and 72 total touchdowns in 15 games and led the Bears to the UIL Class 2A state semifinals, where it lost to Refugio.

Bussey missed the first three games of his senior high school season recovering from knee surgery in May. Three weeks in, he unexpectedly subbed in under center late and scored the game-winning eight-yard touchdown run against Dangerfield.

The next week, he scored four touchdowns in his official return.

He'll leave a legacy at Timpson — one the Bears hope ends with an elusive UIL Class 2A state title in December.

Here is what his high school coach had to say about coaching Bussey:

"This is my 38th year of coaching. To be able to be around a kid who it this committed, this sharp, this talented, it's just been a pleasure. I keep telling my younger guys on staff to enjoy it, because it doesn't come around that often at our level. A lot of these 6A guys are probably used to is, so it's just been a joy to be around, be associated with it and to watch him to his thing. We see it every day in practice, we see some of the stuff he's capable of, so it's not really as shocking to us on Friday nights as it is to some folks." 

-- Kerry Therwhanger, Timpson (Texas) head coach

The commitment was streamed by Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Watch it here:

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-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx