2020 Defensive Recruiting: A brief summary of where we stand at each position for the 2020 class
While the offense has landed some great players on the OL and at QB, we have yet to see any defensive players pull the trigger. That said we are in a good position with several players at all levels of the defense.
DT - With the 3 man front Texas often plays, we really just need one true DT each class. Getting a stud at the position each year is ideal but will be a challenge given how few and far between these types of players are
Vernon Broughton - 4 star, #69 in nation - Texas lean
At 6'5, and a lean 285 Broughton already has legit size to hold down the spot. Get him with Yancy and man, he could be a 315 pound statue. There is a lot in our favor in this recruitment currently but others are trying their best to pull Vernon away. He is one of the most important recruits in the class for Texas.
- Recent successful visit to Arkansas and others are pushing hard but Texas does seem to still have the lead here.
Jaquelin Roy - 4 star, #59 in nation - LSU lean
Jacobian Guillory - 4 star, #147 in nation - LSU lean
Both from SE Louisiana, it'll be hard to pull them out of the boot but we have created some in-roads in case Broughton chooses elsewhere.
DE
Jason Harris - 4 star, #1236in nation
Currently 6'7" and only 220 pounds, this guy has a lot of room to grow. He also plays basketball and has great athleticism. Get some weight on him and he could cause tackles a lot of trouble. He is out of Arizona, but Texas continues to have a lot of success out West.
Alfred Collins - 4 star, #212 in nation - Texas lean
Collins, a Texas legacy, is currently quite high on the horns. His mom played basketball for Texas and they live just outside of Austin in Bastrop. TAMU is going after him hard, but Texas is still the likely landing spot.
Princely Umanmielen - 4 star, #248 in nation, Texas lean
Similar to Collins, Princely grew up just outside of Austin in Manor. Texas is considered the favorite right now but other regional schools (OU, TAMU) will be recruiting him hard.
LB - A true insider backer became even more important in this class with DeGabriel Floyd's career being uncertain at this point. Texas needs LBs that can hold up in the run game while also having enough speed to cover all the athletes Big12 offenses will throw at them.
Justin Flowe - 5 star, #3 in nation
One of the most elite recruits in the nation from California. Texas has thrown their hat in the ring and Flowe intends to make his way to Austin for a visit. Get him on campus and see what happens
Sav'ell Smalls - 5 star, #5 in nation
Similar story to Flowe, an elite OOS athlete with legit interest in Texas. He plans to visit and once he does we can really consider Texas as having a legit chance.
Prince Dorbah - 4 star, #107 in nation - Texas lean
Texas sits in a good position with the Highland Park athlete. He would be a great fit in the scheme and Texas would gladly welcome his commitment.
Damien Sellers - 4 star, #118 in nation
Another Arizona player that Texas is pursuing. There is legit mutual interest here.
Josh White - 4 star, #269 in nation - LSU Commit
After visiting LSU, a barrage of crystal balls came through for LSU. That said, White visited the spring game (a bit of a surprise) and plans to return to Austin with his mother. LSU has the lead here but it seems Texas caught White's attention and isn't out of it.
Brennon Scott - 4 star, #342 in nation
Scott seems very open currently. He has a host of top offers at this moment. Texas seems to be in a good spot but it's too early in this recruitment to really name a favorite.
CB - Texas boasts another good DB class but not quite as strong as we have seen in recent years. Texas fortunately, doesn't have as great of a need for DBs this year given recent successes. That said, I think they will look to add several stars at both safety and CB.
Kelee Ringo - 5 star, #9 in nation - Georgia lean?
Ringo is a top national player and the type of CB Texas would love to have. He is from Arizona but has Texas ties in coach Bryant Westbrook. Texas seemed to be in the drivers seat after Kelee spent his entire spring break in Austin but things have swung to Georgia in a big way. Kelee still seems to have Texas interest and is a maybe for a visit in June for the Pool Party. I'd call it quits if he doesn't make it for that visit.
Jalen Kimber - 4 star, #159 in nation - Georgia Commit
Still a ways to go in this one but Georgia seems like the likely spot at this juncture
Dwight McGlothern - 4 star, #170 in nation, TAMU lean
Some of the shine has faded from Dwight's recruitment lately but he still remains a top CB and a great addition wherever he ends up. Some attitude evaluation is needed and will likely determine how aggressive the staff is in pursuing him.
Jahari Rogers - 4 star, #213 in nation - Texas Lean
An CB/Ath prospect and OU legacy, many have thought he was OUs to be had. Texas has done a great job getting in the conversation and nothing is a done deal at this point.
- Texas has made themselves very competitive in this recruitment and may be able to seal the deal
Ryan Watts - 4 star, #287 in nation, OU Commit
Watts recruitment picked up quite a bit this spring. All the regional powers are after him.
Kitan Crawford - 4 star, #298 in nation, Texas Lean?
An athlete who could play WR or CB at the next level but Texas seems to be recruiting him as a CB. He seems high on Texas at this point.
Joshua Eaton - 3 star, #484 in nation
Like Watts, Eaton's recruitment has taken off recently. His ranking probably does not reflect his talent quite yet as all the big schools have come through with offers over the last few months. Texas is in a good position but still a long ways to go.
Safety -
Chris Thompson Jr - 4 star, #65 in nation - Texas lean
Thompson is one of the best safeties in the nation and Texas is in a great spot with the Duncanville player. He would be another top notch safety to add to our defensive backfield that boasts so many top recruits.
Nathan Ransom - 4 star, #72 in nation - Texas lean
Texas jumped in this recruitment more recently and things got real this past weekend with a very successful UOV with Ransom and his dad on campus. Texas seems to have surged into the lead for Ransom who plans to return for an OV later this month.
- An announcement is scheduled to come out today, likely a top schools list.
Bryson Washington - 4 star, #173 in nation - ???
Like Thompson, a very solid safety prospect. I don't have a good read on this recruitment but I do think Texas is still in the thick of it. Landing the above 2 safeties make this recruitment low risk and high reward for Texas.
Xavian Alford - 4 star, #185 in nation - LSU lean
Alford and LSU picked up a lot of momentum recently. He did visit Texas for the Spring Game and seemed to really enjoy the visit. Texas has work to do but will work hard to turn the tide against the tigers.
Darius Snow - 4 star, #265 in nation - Mich St Commit
Similar to McGlothern, it feels like some of the excitement about Snow has faded (or melted). Still a top player and a solid addition but some further eval may be needed for Texas to know how to proceed here.
.
