Bill Snyder makes rare recruiting visit to K-State commit Zach Shackelford

Three-star offensive lineman Zach Shackelford made an oral commitment to Kansas State football in July, and it’s obvious the Wildcats want to hold on to him as he gains interest from other schools.

K-State coach Bill Snyder thinks enough of Shackelford — who is 6 feet 4, 295 pounds — that he flew to Shackelford’ hometown of Belton, Texas, with offensive line coach Charlie Dickey for an in-person recruiting visit on Thursday.

Snyder rarely leaves Manhattan for recruiting purposes. So his presence made a bit of a stir on social media when Shackelford posted a photo with him on Twitter.

Texas is also making a late recruiting push for Shackelford. He will make an official visit to Austin this weekend and decide between K-State and Texas on Monday. Shackelford plans to begin college a semester early and participate in spring practices, so he will enroll at one of the two schools next week.

Snyder visited Shackelford in an attempt to keep him in K-State’s 2016 recruiting class, instead of flipping to the Longhorns. K-State has already lost two other former commitments — Wichita’s Xavier Kelly to Clemson and St. Louis running back Tre Bryant to Nebraska — that once appeared destined for Manhattan.

Shackelford explained his thought process earlier this week to Orangebloods.com, the Rivals site that covers Texas.

“I was kind of stressed about toggling with taking an official visit (to Texas), but now that I’m taking one, it kind of relieves some stress,” Shackelford told the site. “I’m just going to see how it feels, go with my gut.

“I’ve known (the K-State coaches) longer, have good relationships with them. At the same time, it is a business at the end of the day. I think either party would understand whichever decision I make.”

Will Snyder’s recruiting visit be enough to keep Shackelford with K-State? We will find out Monday.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 12:44 PM with the headline "Bill Snyder makes rare recruiting visit to K-State commit Zach Shackelford."