Bijan Robinson and at least one other AZ HS stud sign on the dotted line with Texas in December??
Tough one. If I say yes, that would be assuming Bijan Robinson is in the bag as the first part of the equation. I’m not there yet. The second part would entail landing someone like Kelee Ringo or Lathan Ransom. Certainly possible, but I don’t think I can comfortably go with Texas landing two of the three. Close call though.
Texas will have a top 7 class in the next 5 years (Each year - Top7)?
Man, that’s a tall order. In looking back at the last seven years, only Alabama has accomplished that feat, but that program has recruited at a different level than most over the past decade. Texas already has two under its belt in 2018 and 2019 and this year could be a third consecutive year if the right pieces fall into place, but I have to think at one point the Longhorns will fall just outside of that range, possibly due to taking a smaller class. It’s nice to even have that be a consideration though.
Another 2021 from Dallas, RB Wheaton, getting ready to come our way?
Garland Lakeview Centennial RB Camar Wheaton is a tremendous prospect, but it’s tough to truly get a read on what he’s thinking because he rarely talks. The Longhorns are definitely right there in the mix but I haven’t heard that UT is definitely in the lead. One person I communicated with who has spoken with Wheaton recently thought schools like Texas, OU, TCU and Alabama are all being strongly considered. But honestly, I don't have a great read on him because he's so quiet. I'll check around with some close to him to try to get an update.
Texas does not get a QB in the 2021 class?
That would surprise me. In today’s day and age of the portal, it seems like it’s almost a necessity to take a quarterback in every class. The Longhorns are already heavily involved with guys like Preston Stone and Jake Garcia, and Katy Tompkins standout Jalen Milroe is supposed to visit this week (still working to confirm the specifics). I would expect the Longhorns to push hard to get a quarterback commitment in the 2021 class.
UT gets 3 to 5 commits between now and end of July.
Sure, I’ll go with that. A couple that I felt strongly would happen are a bit more touch-and-go than I had previously thought, but I still think we see a flurry of action in that timeframe.
Why does it seem like Texas has fallen behind on Broughton, Collins and Umanmielen? What are the chances Texas misses on all 3?
I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet, but yes, other schools have surged with Vernon Broughton and Princely Umanmielen did tell me this week that Texas slightly trails A&M. But I still think there’s room for movement with Broughton and there’s certainly still time with Umanmielen, who will be back on UT’s campus on June 22 and won’t decide until October. As for Alfred Collins, nothing has really changed there, so I’m not sure where the negative viewpoint from fans is coming from. Collins has always wanted to take his time, he’s always maintained that he’s pretty open, and he said the same things when I talked to him on Sunday. I still think Texas is the team to beat there.
We have a chance at 3 of the top 4 players from the state of Arizona, do we get ‘em all, none of them, or somewhere in between?
Somewhere in between. I’d set the over/under at 1.5.
Chances on Preston Stone committing early? Who is our main competition with him and do the two 2020 commits scare him off???
If by early, you mean in the next month, that probably won’t happen. But yes, Stone is expected to commit pretty early, possibly early in the fall. SMU is believed to be UT’s biggest competition (he has family ties there) and he’ll look at some out-of-state schools as well (USC, Virginia, Stanford, LSU, etc). As for the 2020 commitments scaring him away, I don’t see that happening. Stone, like most players with his talent, is confident in his abilities … as he should be. And Texas can also recruit him with the knowledge that one of the 2020 commitments could very well wind up at a position other than quarterback.
In your time covering Texas recruiting, which longhorn coach ( head coach or position) would you say made the best evaluations of recruits talents? Basically who was the best at finding the diamond in the rough?
That’s a good question. So many coaches from which to choose that it’s hard to single out one guy. I’m trying to think of what positions have really been consistently elite during my time covering Texas and the one that comes to mind first is defensive back, so Duane Akina would be my first choice. He took guys like Michael Griffin, Michael Huff and even Cedric Griffin before those guys were known national recruits, and they all went on to have amazing college careers. Akina did have a couple questionable takes towards the end of his UT career, but he generally did a fantastic job as a recruiter and as a DB coach.
When do we get a defensive commitment for the 2020 class?
I don’t have an exact date, but I expect it will be very soon. July, or maybe even June.
Who ends up with the best class - UT, OU, A&M?
Tough call since there are so many variables that will play into that. Right now, A&M and OU are number 13 and 14, respectively, but that’s because A&M has 9 commitments and OU 10. Texas, with just 6 commitments, ranks No. 29. But if we’re going by average star ranking, Texas is first at 3.83, followed by A&M (3.67) and OU (3.60).
If the Longhorns can close on a few top national targets, I like Texas’ chances. But some of that success may have to come from out-of-state targets because it’s once again tough sledding in the state this year. Of course, all of this can change dramatically depending on how the teams play in the fall.
Any players in the pipeline at Skyline that we can throw Samples at?
Not really in this year’s class. They have a 2020 LB (Jaqwondis Burns) who is committed to Ole Miss but I haven’t heard of Texas going after him. The big name to know there (aside from Quay Davis, obviously) is recent transfer Keithian Bear Alexander. He’s a member of the 2022 class and will be a top national prospect if he can stay focused on his weight and conditioning.
Ok I have a serious question about the Utah kid: At 6’4” 255 and only turning 17 (this week) do you see a senior year plus a redshirt year ... Would you then be looking at a 6’4” 295 D- tackle?
Very possible. When Texas offer Van Fillinger this week, he was simply told he was being offered as a defensive lineman, not a defensive end specifically. Depending on how his body fills out over the next couple years, he could certainly be an inside player.
14 to 16 verbals by La. Tech kick with the guys listed below being the best bets to be part of that 14.
QB Hudson Card
RB Bijan Robinson
Z-WR Quentin Johnston
Y Jaden Hullaby
OG Jake Majors
OC Logan Parr
OT Jaylen Garth
B-LB’er Prince Dorbah
CB Kitan Crawford
CB Jahari Rogers
S/LB Chris Thompson
S Bryson Washington
S Lathan Ransom
Ath. Ja’Quinden Jackson
Lots to chew on there. Texas is already at six commitments, so would need eight more to get to that 14 mark. I do like UT’s chances with every guy you listed, with maybe Bryson Washington and Lathan Ransom being the most “worrisome” of that list. The timing on some of those players is hard to pin down as well – guys like Kitan Crawford and even Bijan Robinson have mentioned the possibility of taking their recruitments into the fall. And as always, I’d be surprised if there weren’t any surprise additions to the commitment list between now and September. But yes, if the ones most likely to pull the trigger this summer, that’s a pretty good list. I’d add in the possibility of an offensive lineman like Andrej Karic or even Chad Lindberg making a summer decision. One more wildcard could be Johnny Wilson, who has said a summer decision isn’t out of the question.
Several months ago, I asked you a question that players would use to Portal to test the waters and then transfer if they do not like the school. I think you posted a comment that you did not think so. Since Bru McCoy did use the portal. Do you change your view on this?
I think McCoy’s situation was extremely unique. Players will obviously use the portal at a dizzying rate, but I would expect most will at least spend a year in the program they sign with before they bolt.
I know there are or have been long threads on Austin area kids not accepting offers to play for Texas. Last year we had two good players reject Texas for Ohio State and Stanford. We just had an Austin LBJ kid commit to Alabama, and heard that aggy leads for a kid from Manor. Should we be concerned?
Not really. Latrell McCutchin committing to Alabama could sting down the road, but there’s a long way to go in his recruitment so let’s see how that one plays out. My advice is to celebrate the ones you get instead of worrying about the ones you didn’t. Hudson Card is an elite prospect, Texas has recruited Temple (not Austin, but Central Texas) very well and you could see other talent from the area (Alfred Collins, Lake McRee) wind up at UT as well.
Your thoughts on Camar Wheaton?
My thoughts are that he’s an elite prospect and he’ll be a huge score for whoever gets him. His film is as exciting as just about any back I’ve seen in a long while. His ability to get the edge against pursuit is simply tremendous … very Jamaal Charles-like. Also tremendous ability as a one-cut runner in between the tackles when he sees a crease.
Do you think we get back in with Zachary Evans or is he gone?
Texas isn’t going to give up there from what I’ve been told but a lot of that decision will depend on what happens with guys like Bijan Robinson and Jase McClellan. The longer the situation with Evans goes on without him re-engaging with Texas, the wider the gap between the two parties will become. It almost feels like Evans relishes in the fact that he’s shocking people by not including some of the local schools, and those feelings could grow stronger in time.
Are any of the current OL commits or targets possibilities at DL? Have any of them played defense in their HS careers?
I’m not sure if any of them have dabbled on defense (I haven’t thought to ask) but no, I don’t see any of them playing defense. Those guys are offensive players all the way.
Seems we got off to a fast start in recruiting only to have the bottom fall out. It feels like if not for out of state and juco recruits Texas would be in trouble.
Name two current potential recruits that could have the biggest impact to jump start our recruiting back up.
Man, I guess I just don’t agree with some of the sentiments that things are going that badly for Texas. Yes, in-state recruiting with some highly-ranked guys could be better, but this is still shaping up to be a very good class. As for guys who could jump-start things a bit, landing a couple top national players like Bijan Robinson and/or Kelee Ringo certainly wouldn’t hurt. In-state, if Texas can reel in someone like Vernon Broughton or Chad Lindberg, that could carry some weight, especially in the Houston area.
What is the nonsense with what 4-star CB target Latrell McCutchin had to say about Texas basically being slow in the recruiting process. He committed to Bama.
Texas offered him last week, which was a bit later than most other schools. More than that though, Alabama has a reputation that has been earned of a consistently dominant program. Texas is working back to that status, but the Longhorns aren’t there yet. Think about it, McCutchin was probably barely out of diapers the last time UT won a national title, whereas Bama has been in the mix just about every year that McCutchin can probably remember.
Is there any hope? Seriously. Will beating LSU and Okie cure all ills? I speak, of course, to North Shore recruits and D lineman.
I’ve said it before and will continue to say it for as long as I’m alive, but yes, winning cures everything. If Texas handles LSU in week two, I’d expect the Longhorns to establish some quick momentum and beating Oklahoma a few weeks later would only build upon that. Whether or not it would help with someone like Zach Evans is tough to say, but overall, a fast start to the 2019 season would definitely give Texas a shot in the arm that would probably even carry over to the 2021 class. Oklahoma has recruited very well of late and it’s not because teenagers are in love with the city of Norman. It’s because the Sooners have been winning.
So are recent developments — Evans (apparently) writing us off and Lindberg and Prince/Princely being anything but slam dunks — just part of the normal ebb & flow of this hyper-competitive recruiting environment OR something potentially troubling? Bottom line: Are we still likely to finish with a 2020 class ranked somewhere between 3rd & 7th?
If you assume right now that Zach Evans will land somewhere other than Texas (and Jase McClellan sticks with OU), that’ll mean the Longhorns will have missed out on the top three prospects in the state in terms of the current Rivals.com rankings. A couple other players Texas actively recruited – Troy Omeire and Josh White – are committed to A&M and LSU, respectively. Vernon Broughton (No. 4 in the state) is not a lock to UT by any means. If Texas misses on him, you could realistically be looking at the Longhorns landing only one of the current top-10 in the state (Quentin Johnston) and even he’s not a slam dunk.
That’s certainly not an ideal situation, but again … I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet. Those rankings will be adjusted, Texas is once again recruiting well out-of-state and the Longhorns have several top in-state guys committed. But yes, you’d like to see Texas get back to being able to pluck those top-10 types from within the state.
As for Texas finishing in the 3-7 range, that might be tough unless the Longhorns can close on three or four of their top out-of-state guys, players like Bijon Robinson, Lathan Ransom and Kelee Ringo. Certainly possible, but it won’t be easy.
Tough one. If I say yes, that would be assuming Bijan Robinson is in the bag as the first part of the equation. I’m not there yet. The second part would entail landing someone like Kelee Ringo or Lathan Ransom. Certainly possible, but I don’t think I can comfortably go with Texas landing two of the three. Close call though.
Texas will have a top 7 class in the next 5 years (Each year - Top7)?
Man, that’s a tall order. In looking back at the last seven years, only Alabama has accomplished that feat, but that program has recruited at a different level than most over the past decade. Texas already has two under its belt in 2018 and 2019 and this year could be a third consecutive year if the right pieces fall into place, but I have to think at one point the Longhorns will fall just outside of that range, possibly due to taking a smaller class. It’s nice to even have that be a consideration though.
Another 2021 from Dallas, RB Wheaton, getting ready to come our way?
Garland Lakeview Centennial RB Camar Wheaton is a tremendous prospect, but it’s tough to truly get a read on what he’s thinking because he rarely talks. The Longhorns are definitely right there in the mix but I haven’t heard that UT is definitely in the lead. One person I communicated with who has spoken with Wheaton recently thought schools like Texas, OU, TCU and Alabama are all being strongly considered. But honestly, I don't have a great read on him because he's so quiet. I'll check around with some close to him to try to get an update.
Texas does not get a QB in the 2021 class?
That would surprise me. In today’s day and age of the portal, it seems like it’s almost a necessity to take a quarterback in every class. The Longhorns are already heavily involved with guys like Preston Stone and Jake Garcia, and Katy Tompkins standout Jalen Milroe is supposed to visit this week (still working to confirm the specifics). I would expect the Longhorns to push hard to get a quarterback commitment in the 2021 class.
UT gets 3 to 5 commits between now and end of July.
Sure, I’ll go with that. A couple that I felt strongly would happen are a bit more touch-and-go than I had previously thought, but I still think we see a flurry of action in that timeframe.
Why does it seem like Texas has fallen behind on Broughton, Collins and Umanmielen? What are the chances Texas misses on all 3?
I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet, but yes, other schools have surged with Vernon Broughton and Princely Umanmielen did tell me this week that Texas slightly trails A&M. But I still think there’s room for movement with Broughton and there’s certainly still time with Umanmielen, who will be back on UT’s campus on June 22 and won’t decide until October. As for Alfred Collins, nothing has really changed there, so I’m not sure where the negative viewpoint from fans is coming from. Collins has always wanted to take his time, he’s always maintained that he’s pretty open, and he said the same things when I talked to him on Sunday. I still think Texas is the team to beat there.
We have a chance at 3 of the top 4 players from the state of Arizona, do we get ‘em all, none of them, or somewhere in between?
Somewhere in between. I’d set the over/under at 1.5.
Chances on Preston Stone committing early? Who is our main competition with him and do the two 2020 commits scare him off???
If by early, you mean in the next month, that probably won’t happen. But yes, Stone is expected to commit pretty early, possibly early in the fall. SMU is believed to be UT’s biggest competition (he has family ties there) and he’ll look at some out-of-state schools as well (USC, Virginia, Stanford, LSU, etc). As for the 2020 commitments scaring him away, I don’t see that happening. Stone, like most players with his talent, is confident in his abilities … as he should be. And Texas can also recruit him with the knowledge that one of the 2020 commitments could very well wind up at a position other than quarterback.
In your time covering Texas recruiting, which longhorn coach ( head coach or position) would you say made the best evaluations of recruits talents? Basically who was the best at finding the diamond in the rough?
That’s a good question. So many coaches from which to choose that it’s hard to single out one guy. I’m trying to think of what positions have really been consistently elite during my time covering Texas and the one that comes to mind first is defensive back, so Duane Akina would be my first choice. He took guys like Michael Griffin, Michael Huff and even Cedric Griffin before those guys were known national recruits, and they all went on to have amazing college careers. Akina did have a couple questionable takes towards the end of his UT career, but he generally did a fantastic job as a recruiter and as a DB coach.
When do we get a defensive commitment for the 2020 class?
I don’t have an exact date, but I expect it will be very soon. July, or maybe even June.
Who ends up with the best class - UT, OU, A&M?
Tough call since there are so many variables that will play into that. Right now, A&M and OU are number 13 and 14, respectively, but that’s because A&M has 9 commitments and OU 10. Texas, with just 6 commitments, ranks No. 29. But if we’re going by average star ranking, Texas is first at 3.83, followed by A&M (3.67) and OU (3.60).
If the Longhorns can close on a few top national targets, I like Texas’ chances. But some of that success may have to come from out-of-state targets because it’s once again tough sledding in the state this year. Of course, all of this can change dramatically depending on how the teams play in the fall.
Any players in the pipeline at Skyline that we can throw Samples at?
Not really in this year’s class. They have a 2020 LB (Jaqwondis Burns) who is committed to Ole Miss but I haven’t heard of Texas going after him. The big name to know there (aside from Quay Davis, obviously) is recent transfer Keithian Bear Alexander. He’s a member of the 2022 class and will be a top national prospect if he can stay focused on his weight and conditioning.
Ok I have a serious question about the Utah kid: At 6’4” 255 and only turning 17 (this week) do you see a senior year plus a redshirt year ... Would you then be looking at a 6’4” 295 D- tackle?
Very possible. When Texas offer Van Fillinger this week, he was simply told he was being offered as a defensive lineman, not a defensive end specifically. Depending on how his body fills out over the next couple years, he could certainly be an inside player.
14 to 16 verbals by La. Tech kick with the guys listed below being the best bets to be part of that 14.
QB Hudson Card
RB Bijan Robinson
Z-WR Quentin Johnston
Y Jaden Hullaby
OG Jake Majors
OC Logan Parr
OT Jaylen Garth
B-LB’er Prince Dorbah
CB Kitan Crawford
CB Jahari Rogers
S/LB Chris Thompson
S Bryson Washington
S Lathan Ransom
Ath. Ja’Quinden Jackson
Lots to chew on there. Texas is already at six commitments, so would need eight more to get to that 14 mark. I do like UT’s chances with every guy you listed, with maybe Bryson Washington and Lathan Ransom being the most “worrisome” of that list. The timing on some of those players is hard to pin down as well – guys like Kitan Crawford and even Bijan Robinson have mentioned the possibility of taking their recruitments into the fall. And as always, I’d be surprised if there weren’t any surprise additions to the commitment list between now and September. But yes, if the ones most likely to pull the trigger this summer, that’s a pretty good list. I’d add in the possibility of an offensive lineman like Andrej Karic or even Chad Lindberg making a summer decision. One more wildcard could be Johnny Wilson, who has said a summer decision isn’t out of the question.
Several months ago, I asked you a question that players would use to Portal to test the waters and then transfer if they do not like the school. I think you posted a comment that you did not think so. Since Bru McCoy did use the portal. Do you change your view on this?
I think McCoy’s situation was extremely unique. Players will obviously use the portal at a dizzying rate, but I would expect most will at least spend a year in the program they sign with before they bolt.
I know there are or have been long threads on Austin area kids not accepting offers to play for Texas. Last year we had two good players reject Texas for Ohio State and Stanford. We just had an Austin LBJ kid commit to Alabama, and heard that aggy leads for a kid from Manor. Should we be concerned?
Not really. Latrell McCutchin committing to Alabama could sting down the road, but there’s a long way to go in his recruitment so let’s see how that one plays out. My advice is to celebrate the ones you get instead of worrying about the ones you didn’t. Hudson Card is an elite prospect, Texas has recruited Temple (not Austin, but Central Texas) very well and you could see other talent from the area (Alfred Collins, Lake McRee) wind up at UT as well.
Your thoughts on Camar Wheaton?
My thoughts are that he’s an elite prospect and he’ll be a huge score for whoever gets him. His film is as exciting as just about any back I’ve seen in a long while. His ability to get the edge against pursuit is simply tremendous … very Jamaal Charles-like. Also tremendous ability as a one-cut runner in between the tackles when he sees a crease.
Do you think we get back in with Zachary Evans or is he gone?
Texas isn’t going to give up there from what I’ve been told but a lot of that decision will depend on what happens with guys like Bijan Robinson and Jase McClellan. The longer the situation with Evans goes on without him re-engaging with Texas, the wider the gap between the two parties will become. It almost feels like Evans relishes in the fact that he’s shocking people by not including some of the local schools, and those feelings could grow stronger in time.
Are any of the current OL commits or targets possibilities at DL? Have any of them played defense in their HS careers?
I’m not sure if any of them have dabbled on defense (I haven’t thought to ask) but no, I don’t see any of them playing defense. Those guys are offensive players all the way.
Seems we got off to a fast start in recruiting only to have the bottom fall out. It feels like if not for out of state and juco recruits Texas would be in trouble.
Name two current potential recruits that could have the biggest impact to jump start our recruiting back up.
Man, I guess I just don’t agree with some of the sentiments that things are going that badly for Texas. Yes, in-state recruiting with some highly-ranked guys could be better, but this is still shaping up to be a very good class. As for guys who could jump-start things a bit, landing a couple top national players like Bijan Robinson and/or Kelee Ringo certainly wouldn’t hurt. In-state, if Texas can reel in someone like Vernon Broughton or Chad Lindberg, that could carry some weight, especially in the Houston area.
What is the nonsense with what 4-star CB target Latrell McCutchin had to say about Texas basically being slow in the recruiting process. He committed to Bama.
Texas offered him last week, which was a bit later than most other schools. More than that though, Alabama has a reputation that has been earned of a consistently dominant program. Texas is working back to that status, but the Longhorns aren’t there yet. Think about it, McCutchin was probably barely out of diapers the last time UT won a national title, whereas Bama has been in the mix just about every year that McCutchin can probably remember.
Is there any hope? Seriously. Will beating LSU and Okie cure all ills? I speak, of course, to North Shore recruits and D lineman.
I’ve said it before and will continue to say it for as long as I’m alive, but yes, winning cures everything. If Texas handles LSU in week two, I’d expect the Longhorns to establish some quick momentum and beating Oklahoma a few weeks later would only build upon that. Whether or not it would help with someone like Zach Evans is tough to say, but overall, a fast start to the 2019 season would definitely give Texas a shot in the arm that would probably even carry over to the 2021 class. Oklahoma has recruited very well of late and it’s not because teenagers are in love with the city of Norman. It’s because the Sooners have been winning.
So are recent developments — Evans (apparently) writing us off and Lindberg and Prince/Princely being anything but slam dunks — just part of the normal ebb & flow of this hyper-competitive recruiting environment OR something potentially troubling? Bottom line: Are we still likely to finish with a 2020 class ranked somewhere between 3rd & 7th?
If you assume right now that Zach Evans will land somewhere other than Texas (and Jase McClellan sticks with OU), that’ll mean the Longhorns will have missed out on the top three prospects in the state in terms of the current Rivals.com rankings. A couple other players Texas actively recruited – Troy Omeire and Josh White – are committed to A&M and LSU, respectively. Vernon Broughton (No. 4 in the state) is not a lock to UT by any means. If Texas misses on him, you could realistically be looking at the Longhorns landing only one of the current top-10 in the state (Quentin Johnston) and even he’s not a slam dunk.
That’s certainly not an ideal situation, but again … I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet. Those rankings will be adjusted, Texas is once again recruiting well out-of-state and the Longhorns have several top in-state guys committed. But yes, you’d like to see Texas get back to being able to pluck those top-10 types from within the state.
As for Texas finishing in the 3-7 range, that might be tough unless the Longhorns can close on three or four of their top out-of-state guys, players like Bijon Robinson, Lathan Ransom and Kelee Ringo. Certainly possible, but it won’t be easy.
