Recruiting Thread 2017
- Thread starter Scholz
- Start date
17 class could be something really special for Strong. I think he is already off to a very good start. All 3 of these guys will get huge bumps in the ratings. Ehlinger to a 4 star and Carson to a 5.
Don't we have 4 commits for '17? Unless I missed a de commit.
Miller, Tennison, Carson, and Ehlinger.
Damn, see. I'm already slipping! Need sleep and a beach to rejuvenate my worn out crootin habit.
Before this week concludes, an updated 2017 LSR Top 100 list will be released, but as we did a week ago, I wanted to create a primer for the top prospects in the state of Texas, as we begin our transition to the new recruiting year in a week. After taking a look at the offensive side of the ball in last week's War Room, now we take a look at the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive tackles
Marvin Wilson (DT/Houston Episcopal)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Five-stars/6.1), LSR (No.1 overall)Junior HighlightsandFuture50 1-on 1's
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC
Where UT Stands:There’s no question that Wilson is a fan of the Texas coaching staff, but this has the looks of an old school WWE Royal Rumble, as every powerhouse in the nation is making its move and Wilson seems incredibly open to taking a close look at numerous options. With Junior Day visits already scheduled for A&M and Florida State in the next month, this has a chance to be a long recruiting war filled with numerous battles.
Quotable: “I like coach Bedford, like him a lot. I got to go on an unofficial visit there, got to watch them practice. I like how he coaches his players. He gets in your grill, makes you want to get better. I want a coach who is going to get on me. He makes his players think, makes them work hard. That’s the kind of coach I want. Also Charlie Strong, he’s one of the best coaches out there. Those are the kinds of guys I want to surround myself around.”
Defensive ends
LaGaryonn Carson (DE/Texarkana Liberty-Eylau)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.9/No.127 overall nationally), LSR (No.1 overall)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Texas
Where UT Stands:An early commitment in the Class of 2017 for the Longhorns, you can make a very good case that Carson is the best defensive line prospect that has ever committed/signed with Charlie Strong since he’s been a head coach. He’s an early massive get for the Texas staff.
K'Lavon Chaisson (NorthShore)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.226 overall nationally), LSR (No.48)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Texas, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, LSU, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:The Longhorns joined the offer party for one of the fastest-rising prospects in the state on January 7th when it offered Chaisson. Baylor and LSU are thought to be two of the early standouts for the North Shore star, but he’s taking Junior Day trips to Texas A&M and Houston this weekend, and it would appear that his recruitment is just starting to heat up. Expect the Longhorns to be a factor.
Taquon Graham (DE/Temple)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Three-stars/5.7/No.39 in Texas), LSR (No.17)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Texas, Baylor, Georgia, Nebraska and TCU
Where UT Stands:His recruitment is just now starting to heat up, but he’s had his eye on Texas for years and it helps that the Longhorns were among the first schools to offer. He’s mentioned staying close to home could be a factor and I’d think the early smart money would be on the Longhorns, although TCU and Baylor are definitely factors as well.
Quotable*Via OB on 11/13) Of course, I'm a Texas kid. I grew up watching them, just had a chance to go Saturday. You see how the tradition is, how they have die-hard fans, how deep the fan base is. It was pretty ridiculous.
"They were pretty hyped up from the get-go, the stadium was full. People couldn't really even find seats. Some of them were trying to sit in with the recruits and they kept having to tell them it was full. It was crazy."
Linebackers
Anthony Hines (LB/Plano East)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.202 overall nationally), LSR (No.14)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:The top-flight national prospect has visited Austin quite a bit in the last year and he clearly has a good relationship with Charlie Strong, so you can safely put the Longhorns near the top of his list.
Quotable:“I’m building a relationship with coach Norvell. And I really like coach Strong. He’s a high-energy guy and he really stays true to his principles. I like that.”
“(UT's) definitely, as a whole, the program that fits me. Not only on the field, but academically and socially.”
Baron Browning (LB/Kennedale)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/6.0/No.4 overall nationally), LSR (No.8)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Baylor
Where UT Stands:Browning visited UT back in May and it was clear the Longhorns were in the mix, but the state’s top linebacker pulled the string on the Bears on the day of UT’s Under the Lights camp, seemingly as a way to steal the top headline from the Longhorns on its big day. Since he committed to Baylor, Browning has been quite vocal in his love for the green and gold, but there are still a number of people that believe his recruitment will heat up before we get to next February.
Quotable:"I caught (Art Briles) off guard,'' Browning said. "I don't think he was expecting it. I thought he was going to have a heart attack he was so excited. He said he was so excited he said he was going to run a 4.3 in the 40.''
“My favorite part of the visit was talking with Coach Strong. We talked for about 45 minutes. He’s the first coach to talk to me for that long. Most coaches will rarely speak to guys on campus or will just say hi because they are too busy. He’s the type of coach who wants to get to know his players on a personal level. He’s a really cool guy. I really like him.”
Defensive backs
Robert Barnes (SL Carroll)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.149 overall nationally), LSR (No.27)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Oklahoma
Where UT Stands:Barnes was a guy that definitely had an interest in the Texas program, but at the end of the day, he bleeds OU blood and his early commitment reflects that.
Chevin Calloway (Dallas Bishop Dunne)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.9/No.105 overall nationally), LSR (No.12)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:The Longhorns were right at the top of Calloway's list after his visit to Austin during the state track meet weekend, but a few other schools would appear to have the early poll position, including Baylor and Oklahoma. Expect this to be a hotly tested recruitment.
Quotable:”There really aren't any schools that I'm focusing on. The schools that are showing a lot of love - Baylor and TCU.They're showing me a lot of love, contacting my coaches, things like that. I'll be able to really know who wants me once the season starts, once they can call. Once fall season comes, I'll really know who wants me."
"They'd definitely be one of the top ones," Calloway said when asked where UT fits in. "I like the school, the team. They would be up there. Then again, it depends on how they approach me, how much they come to school. As far as the defense, I like what they run."
"I want a school with a good graduation rate and good alumni. I also want the football team to be hardworking and competitive, a defense I can fit in well. Players that are on the team and the players in their recruiting class, coaches that put players in the league, good environment, and a good business and engineering school are all important too."
Jeffrey Okudah (South Grand Prairie)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Five-stars/6.1/No.9 overall nationally), LSR (No.3)
Junior HighlightsandRivals Camp Series (Dallas)
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:Never say never, but this one just doesn’t look good for Texas, as the schools that represent the apple of his eye are elsewhere.
Terry Petry (Ridge Point)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.204 overall nationally), LSR (No.28)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Houston
Where UT Stands:It remains to be seen, as he hasn’t emerged as a top target yet for the Longhorns or any other true national power at this stage.
Derrick Tucker(Manvel)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.9/No.107 overall nationally), LSR (No.25)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and TCU
Where UT Stands:Tucker has admitted that he has considered committing early to the Longhorns and UT is his childhood favorite, but he seems to want to take some time in the recruiting process.
Key Quotes:"I thought about it," Tucker said of committing early. "I was thinking about it a lot one day but I decided I was going to wait. It was right after Texas offered." (Ketch)
Defensive tackles
Marvin Wilson (DT/Houston Episcopal)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Five-stars/6.1), LSR (No.1 overall)Junior HighlightsandFuture50 1-on 1's
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC
Where UT Stands:There’s no question that Wilson is a fan of the Texas coaching staff, but this has the looks of an old school WWE Royal Rumble, as every powerhouse in the nation is making its move and Wilson seems incredibly open to taking a close look at numerous options. With Junior Day visits already scheduled for A&M and Florida State in the next month, this has a chance to be a long recruiting war filled with numerous battles.
Quotable: “I like coach Bedford, like him a lot. I got to go on an unofficial visit there, got to watch them practice. I like how he coaches his players. He gets in your grill, makes you want to get better. I want a coach who is going to get on me. He makes his players think, makes them work hard. That’s the kind of coach I want. Also Charlie Strong, he’s one of the best coaches out there. Those are the kinds of guys I want to surround myself around.”
Defensive ends
LaGaryonn Carson (DE/Texarkana Liberty-Eylau)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.9/No.127 overall nationally), LSR (No.1 overall)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Texas
Where UT Stands:An early commitment in the Class of 2017 for the Longhorns, you can make a very good case that Carson is the best defensive line prospect that has ever committed/signed with Charlie Strong since he’s been a head coach. He’s an early massive get for the Texas staff.
K'Lavon Chaisson (NorthShore)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.226 overall nationally), LSR (No.48)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Texas, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, LSU, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:The Longhorns joined the offer party for one of the fastest-rising prospects in the state on January 7th when it offered Chaisson. Baylor and LSU are thought to be two of the early standouts for the North Shore star, but he’s taking Junior Day trips to Texas A&M and Houston this weekend, and it would appear that his recruitment is just starting to heat up. Expect the Longhorns to be a factor.
Taquon Graham (DE/Temple)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Three-stars/5.7/No.39 in Texas), LSR (No.17)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Texas, Baylor, Georgia, Nebraska and TCU
Where UT Stands:His recruitment is just now starting to heat up, but he’s had his eye on Texas for years and it helps that the Longhorns were among the first schools to offer. He’s mentioned staying close to home could be a factor and I’d think the early smart money would be on the Longhorns, although TCU and Baylor are definitely factors as well.
Quotable*Via OB on 11/13) Of course, I'm a Texas kid. I grew up watching them, just had a chance to go Saturday. You see how the tradition is, how they have die-hard fans, how deep the fan base is. It was pretty ridiculous.
"They were pretty hyped up from the get-go, the stadium was full. People couldn't really even find seats. Some of them were trying to sit in with the recruits and they kept having to tell them it was full. It was crazy."
Linebackers
Anthony Hines (LB/Plano East)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.202 overall nationally), LSR (No.14)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:The top-flight national prospect has visited Austin quite a bit in the last year and he clearly has a good relationship with Charlie Strong, so you can safely put the Longhorns near the top of his list.
Quotable:“I’m building a relationship with coach Norvell. And I really like coach Strong. He’s a high-energy guy and he really stays true to his principles. I like that.”
“(UT's) definitely, as a whole, the program that fits me. Not only on the field, but academically and socially.”
Baron Browning (LB/Kennedale)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/6.0/No.4 overall nationally), LSR (No.8)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Baylor
Where UT Stands:Browning visited UT back in May and it was clear the Longhorns were in the mix, but the state’s top linebacker pulled the string on the Bears on the day of UT’s Under the Lights camp, seemingly as a way to steal the top headline from the Longhorns on its big day. Since he committed to Baylor, Browning has been quite vocal in his love for the green and gold, but there are still a number of people that believe his recruitment will heat up before we get to next February.
Quotable:"I caught (Art Briles) off guard,'' Browning said. "I don't think he was expecting it. I thought he was going to have a heart attack he was so excited. He said he was so excited he said he was going to run a 4.3 in the 40.''
“My favorite part of the visit was talking with Coach Strong. We talked for about 45 minutes. He’s the first coach to talk to me for that long. Most coaches will rarely speak to guys on campus or will just say hi because they are too busy. He’s the type of coach who wants to get to know his players on a personal level. He’s a really cool guy. I really like him.”
Defensive backs
Robert Barnes (SL Carroll)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.149 overall nationally), LSR (No.27)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Oklahoma
Where UT Stands:Barnes was a guy that definitely had an interest in the Texas program, but at the end of the day, he bleeds OU blood and his early commitment reflects that.
Chevin Calloway (Dallas Bishop Dunne)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.9/No.105 overall nationally), LSR (No.12)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:The Longhorns were right at the top of Calloway's list after his visit to Austin during the state track meet weekend, but a few other schools would appear to have the early poll position, including Baylor and Oklahoma. Expect this to be a hotly tested recruitment.
Quotable:”There really aren't any schools that I'm focusing on. The schools that are showing a lot of love - Baylor and TCU.They're showing me a lot of love, contacting my coaches, things like that. I'll be able to really know who wants me once the season starts, once they can call. Once fall season comes, I'll really know who wants me."
"They'd definitely be one of the top ones," Calloway said when asked where UT fits in. "I like the school, the team. They would be up there. Then again, it depends on how they approach me, how much they come to school. As far as the defense, I like what they run."
"I want a school with a good graduation rate and good alumni. I also want the football team to be hardworking and competitive, a defense I can fit in well. Players that are on the team and the players in their recruiting class, coaches that put players in the league, good environment, and a good business and engineering school are all important too."
Jeffrey Okudah (South Grand Prairie)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Five-stars/6.1/No.9 overall nationally), LSR (No.3)
Junior HighlightsandRivals Camp Series (Dallas)
Current offers:Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands:Never say never, but this one just doesn’t look good for Texas, as the schools that represent the apple of his eye are elsewhere.
Terry Petry (Ridge Point)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.8/No.204 overall nationally), LSR (No.28)
Junior Highlights
Current status:Committed to Houston
Where UT Stands:It remains to be seen, as he hasn’t emerged as a top target yet for the Longhorns or any other true national power at this stage.
Derrick Tucker(Manvel)
Current recruiting grade:Rivals (Four-stars/5.9/No.107 overall nationally), LSR (No.25)
Junior Highlights
Current offers:Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and TCU
Where UT Stands:Tucker has admitted that he has considered committing early to the Longhorns and UT is his childhood favorite, but he seems to want to take some time in the recruiting process.
Key Quotes:"I thought about it," Tucker said of committing early. "I was thinking about it a lot one day but I decided I was going to wait. It was right after Texas offered." (Ketch)
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Heading into our 1st Jr day here in a few weeks, the 2017 class is already off to an excellent start with 4 players: QB Sam Ehlinger, WR Damion Miller, TE Major Tennison and SDE Lagaryonn Carson.
QB(1) - Got one of the best in Texas in Sam Ehlinger
RB(2) - J.K. Dobbins is probably back to being a heavy Texas lean, Eno Benjamin is probably another kid that Texas could get today with an offer.
WR(2) - Damion Miller is a great start, need to an elite WR here to complement this class. If the new offense takes off, shouldn't be too hard to get one.
TE(1) - Major Tennison could be the dual threat TE, Texas hasn't had since the days of Scaife and Thomas.
OL(4) - This should start with OTs Austin Deculus, Walker Little and Grayson Reed. Then add one more elite guy.
DL(3) - WDE Taquon Graham is a heavy lean, Lagaryonn Carson is already a commit. Leaving the 1 true difference maker along the DL. Texas MUST sign DT Marvin Wilson.
LB(3) - This where Texas can take their time between OLBs Dylan Moses, Baron Browning and Levi Jones and ILB Anthony Hines. Texas has those 4 elite options.
CB(2-3) - Need to restock the pipeline. Getting William Poole III from Georgia is going to take work, but Texas could do it.
S(1-2) - Derrick Tucker is pretty close to joining this class. He could be the lone take, but you also work on Jeffrey Okudah until Feb. 2017.
Depth-wise, we might be the best we have been in 10 years. It's really across the board. DL was a major weakness, and it was addressed heavily. Now, it's just about keeping balanced in the classes as we move forward. Think about 22 starters and 25 recruits per year, and go 1 extra at QB and 1 extra big body (OL or DL). Draft a new team every year, unless there is some year where there is a supreme advantage. So essentially, you want to address:
1-2 QB
2 RB
4 WR/TE
5 OL
3 DT
2 DE
3 LB
2 C
2 S
2017
QB - Probably set with Ehlinger http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3185948/sam-ehlinger, unless there is a transfer. Other options are Robinson (not happening), Mond (IMG - not happening), and someone off the radar like a Merrick-type.
RB - if you don't go get Eno Benjamin, you will regret it. www.hudl.com/athlete/3381839/eno-benjamin. JK Dobbins http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3378902/jk-dobbins is similar, but different, and he will be an absolute take as well. Toeneil Carter http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2893060/toneil-carter is there as well. It's a long shot, and I don't think he's better than Benjamin and Dobbins.
TE - Tennison http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3698393/major-tennison is there. Does he fit? Maybe like a better version of that Amaro kid from Tech? I don't think he will be there at the end, unless he is projected to move to tackle. I have been wrong before, but I don't see his style as being needed. However, there ain't crap in the state, and TE is hard to project. Maybe it sticks.
WR - Damion Miller http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4125599/...s/313971426/v3 is on the board, and he is good. The Singleton kid from Brother Martin http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2603770/jeremy-singleton is unreal. His speed wins you games. If you can get him, you go get him. Tylan Wallace http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3673025/...s/212492375/v3 is another in-state prospect. I know that he played against $#@!, played with $#@!, and was probably coached by $#@!. But he could move to corner, and he likes to hit. I am intrigued.
OL - You have to start thinking about replacing Conner Williams. That sounds crazy to me. Maybe Delance was the answer. Maybe he wasn't. Grayson Reed (kin to Ced Reed) http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3243526/grayson-reed, Deculus http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4331154/...s/316081419/v3 (size), and Walker Little (my favorite) http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2913981/...s/221082376/v3 are the best of the bunch at tackle. You take two, and I would go with Reed and Little. Tyrese Robinson http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4720790/...s/210210396/v3 committed to OU, but he will end up at Texas. He is the best guard in the state, and you can tell Jack Anderson's http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3067076/...s/304892390/v3 punk ass I said so. Harris from Aledo http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2596337/...s/205049379/v3 is undersized in my opinion. You could go get the Ingram kid from Desoto, but, boy, he is a project http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4809257/...s/229588376/v3. He could be very, very good, and we have the type of depth now to take a flyer or two. Which gets us to center...Deaton from Frisco High is good. He will get made fun of by the Moob contingent, but he's better than Anderson from the film I have seen. That was one game, but I was floored with how good he was, compared to what I was expecting. When I watched his film, I was even more pleased http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4824843/...s/285886402/v3 Your in-state and out-of-state options are limited here. Maybe you recruit an extra guard and convert him. And if you are thinking "easy enough", then you haven't been asked to play center. Totally different skill set is needed.
DT - Marvin Wilson http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2914209/...s/327996390/v3. I might personally consider this class a failure if we didn't get him. Wilson and Carson are the best two players in the state. If Charlie has to get his mom pregnant to secure the commitment, you reverse that vasectomy and you flip into breeding mode ASAP. You pair him up with Deiontae Wattshttp://www.hudl.com/athlete/3109716/...s/301945381/v3 from Plano East (especially if it helps with Hines), and you rest easy knowing that you will be trotting them (with the class of 2016 kids that are still around) out to play against LSU when they come to Austin in 2019. They could have Fournette 2.0 in 2019, and we will still pack their $#@! tight.
DE - Carson http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5095116/...s/247059375/v3. My favorite player in the state. I watched him on film as a sophomore against Argyle, and I was floored. I had to do a search to find out who the kid was. If JMad learned to play better and was a little quicker, he would be Carson. All of the rankings need to figure out that he is the best player in Texas. Pair him up with Taquon Graham from Temple http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4634607/...s/315676378/v3 on the other side, and tee tee runs down the leg of Shawn Robinson and whichever Baylor QB wants their neck broke.
S - Okudah http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3197943/...s/313513467/v3 and Tucker http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1337318/...s/319414385/v3. Very similar in how they play. Both good. Okudah is a long shot, but I've learned to stop doubting Charlie. Tucker could happen soon, and that would be a good thing. Don't tell OU, but I like Robert Barnes. I think our chances would be better if we had gotten Eboh. But we didn't.
C - Calloway? Yeah, he kinda gets my $#@! hard. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2791187/...s/293123433/v3 That's the best in-state option of a bad class. In my opinion, you go to Brother Martin and get Tre Swilling (son of Pat Swilling), especially if it will help with Singleton. His change of direction is smooth. Very smooth. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3489783/...s/211385375/v3
LB - ah yes...LB. Dylan Moses has been getting headlines for years. They love Charlie. Love him. He likes Texas. He won't be coming here. I'm not even going to get your hopes up and post his Hudl. Instead...focus on two kids that will make you forget about DJax. Anthony Hines from Plano East http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3917043/...s/289105383/v3 is so good. He likes Texas. He will be a Longhorn if Charlie is here (not trying to draw in the fire Charlie crowd). Baron Browning is so, so good. I'm putting up the link to his powerlifting totals...http://www.thspa.us/athleteresults.a...hleteID=279400. 630 lb deadlift at 220lbs is very impressive. His 1485 powerlifting total is pretty good, but he has an outside chance to break the 242lb deadlift record this year or next, and he is giving up 18lbs in the weight class. He is a Baylor commit, but that won't last. It just won't. When a LB has a chance to play with the meat we have in front of him, he will get to make plays. Plays get you to the NFL. The NFL gets you paid. Period. Here is the Hudl...proceed to Level 6. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2510669/...s/323346404/v3
QB(1) - Got one of the best in Texas in Sam Ehlinger
RB(2) - J.K. Dobbins is probably back to being a heavy Texas lean, Eno Benjamin is probably another kid that Texas could get today with an offer.
WR(2) - Damion Miller is a great start, need to an elite WR here to complement this class. If the new offense takes off, shouldn't be too hard to get one.
TE(1) - Major Tennison could be the dual threat TE, Texas hasn't had since the days of Scaife and Thomas.
OL(4) - This should start with OTs Austin Deculus, Walker Little and Grayson Reed. Then add one more elite guy.
DL(3) - WDE Taquon Graham is a heavy lean, Lagaryonn Carson is already a commit. Leaving the 1 true difference maker along the DL. Texas MUST sign DT Marvin Wilson.
LB(3) - This where Texas can take their time between OLBs Dylan Moses, Baron Browning and Levi Jones and ILB Anthony Hines. Texas has those 4 elite options.
CB(2-3) - Need to restock the pipeline. Getting William Poole III from Georgia is going to take work, but Texas could do it.
S(1-2) - Derrick Tucker is pretty close to joining this class. He could be the lone take, but you also work on Jeffrey Okudah until Feb. 2017.
Depth-wise, we might be the best we have been in 10 years. It's really across the board. DL was a major weakness, and it was addressed heavily. Now, it's just about keeping balanced in the classes as we move forward. Think about 22 starters and 25 recruits per year, and go 1 extra at QB and 1 extra big body (OL or DL). Draft a new team every year, unless there is some year where there is a supreme advantage. So essentially, you want to address:
1-2 QB
2 RB
4 WR/TE
5 OL
3 DT
2 DE
3 LB
2 C
2 S
2017
QB - Probably set with Ehlinger http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3185948/sam-ehlinger, unless there is a transfer. Other options are Robinson (not happening), Mond (IMG - not happening), and someone off the radar like a Merrick-type.
RB - if you don't go get Eno Benjamin, you will regret it. www.hudl.com/athlete/3381839/eno-benjamin. JK Dobbins http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3378902/jk-dobbins is similar, but different, and he will be an absolute take as well. Toeneil Carter http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2893060/toneil-carter is there as well. It's a long shot, and I don't think he's better than Benjamin and Dobbins.
TE - Tennison http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3698393/major-tennison is there. Does he fit? Maybe like a better version of that Amaro kid from Tech? I don't think he will be there at the end, unless he is projected to move to tackle. I have been wrong before, but I don't see his style as being needed. However, there ain't crap in the state, and TE is hard to project. Maybe it sticks.
WR - Damion Miller http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4125599/...s/313971426/v3 is on the board, and he is good. The Singleton kid from Brother Martin http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2603770/jeremy-singleton is unreal. His speed wins you games. If you can get him, you go get him. Tylan Wallace http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3673025/...s/212492375/v3 is another in-state prospect. I know that he played against $#@!, played with $#@!, and was probably coached by $#@!. But he could move to corner, and he likes to hit. I am intrigued.
OL - You have to start thinking about replacing Conner Williams. That sounds crazy to me. Maybe Delance was the answer. Maybe he wasn't. Grayson Reed (kin to Ced Reed) http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3243526/grayson-reed, Deculus http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4331154/...s/316081419/v3 (size), and Walker Little (my favorite) http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2913981/...s/221082376/v3 are the best of the bunch at tackle. You take two, and I would go with Reed and Little. Tyrese Robinson http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4720790/...s/210210396/v3 committed to OU, but he will end up at Texas. He is the best guard in the state, and you can tell Jack Anderson's http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3067076/...s/304892390/v3 punk ass I said so. Harris from Aledo http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2596337/...s/205049379/v3 is undersized in my opinion. You could go get the Ingram kid from Desoto, but, boy, he is a project http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4809257/...s/229588376/v3. He could be very, very good, and we have the type of depth now to take a flyer or two. Which gets us to center...Deaton from Frisco High is good. He will get made fun of by the Moob contingent, but he's better than Anderson from the film I have seen. That was one game, but I was floored with how good he was, compared to what I was expecting. When I watched his film, I was even more pleased http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4824843/...s/285886402/v3 Your in-state and out-of-state options are limited here. Maybe you recruit an extra guard and convert him. And if you are thinking "easy enough", then you haven't been asked to play center. Totally different skill set is needed.
DT - Marvin Wilson http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2914209/...s/327996390/v3. I might personally consider this class a failure if we didn't get him. Wilson and Carson are the best two players in the state. If Charlie has to get his mom pregnant to secure the commitment, you reverse that vasectomy and you flip into breeding mode ASAP. You pair him up with Deiontae Wattshttp://www.hudl.com/athlete/3109716/...s/301945381/v3 from Plano East (especially if it helps with Hines), and you rest easy knowing that you will be trotting them (with the class of 2016 kids that are still around) out to play against LSU when they come to Austin in 2019. They could have Fournette 2.0 in 2019, and we will still pack their $#@! tight.
DE - Carson http://www.hudl.com/athlete/5095116/...s/247059375/v3. My favorite player in the state. I watched him on film as a sophomore against Argyle, and I was floored. I had to do a search to find out who the kid was. If JMad learned to play better and was a little quicker, he would be Carson. All of the rankings need to figure out that he is the best player in Texas. Pair him up with Taquon Graham from Temple http://www.hudl.com/athlete/4634607/...s/315676378/v3 on the other side, and tee tee runs down the leg of Shawn Robinson and whichever Baylor QB wants their neck broke.
S - Okudah http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3197943/...s/313513467/v3 and Tucker http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1337318/...s/319414385/v3. Very similar in how they play. Both good. Okudah is a long shot, but I've learned to stop doubting Charlie. Tucker could happen soon, and that would be a good thing. Don't tell OU, but I like Robert Barnes. I think our chances would be better if we had gotten Eboh. But we didn't.
C - Calloway? Yeah, he kinda gets my $#@! hard. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2791187/...s/293123433/v3 That's the best in-state option of a bad class. In my opinion, you go to Brother Martin and get Tre Swilling (son of Pat Swilling), especially if it will help with Singleton. His change of direction is smooth. Very smooth. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3489783/...s/211385375/v3
LB - ah yes...LB. Dylan Moses has been getting headlines for years. They love Charlie. Love him. He likes Texas. He won't be coming here. I'm not even going to get your hopes up and post his Hudl. Instead...focus on two kids that will make you forget about DJax. Anthony Hines from Plano East http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3917043/...s/289105383/v3 is so good. He likes Texas. He will be a Longhorn if Charlie is here (not trying to draw in the fire Charlie crowd). Baron Browning is so, so good. I'm putting up the link to his powerlifting totals...http://www.thspa.us/athleteresults.a...hleteID=279400. 630 lb deadlift at 220lbs is very impressive. His 1485 powerlifting total is pretty good, but he has an outside chance to break the 242lb deadlift record this year or next, and he is giving up 18lbs in the weight class. He is a Baylor commit, but that won't last. It just won't. When a LB has a chance to play with the meat we have in front of him, he will get to make plays. Plays get you to the NFL. The NFL gets you paid. Period. Here is the Hudl...proceed to Level 6. http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2510669/...s/323346404/v3
Still think Marvin Wilson ends up at $EC school somewhere. We would really have to have a great year to pull him in.
dang Scholz...that's a possible top 5 class if not higher.
Combine the 2015 class, 2016 class then the 2017 class -- amazing.
Combine the 2015 class, 2016 class then the 2017 class -- amazing.
You also have way too much time on your hands, but hey, the extensive analysis is always appreciated.
Hmm, I think he balances his time quite well between a full time job, all this recruiting info, and his salamander crusades.
Agreed. This 2017 class should put the finishing touches on the rebuild. We're about to freaking roll.
Hey Scholz, could you say who the authors of these two takes are?
God damn, I love the way Charlie evaluates and recruits. I love not wasting a third of our scholarship on Mack Brown Specials and other low-hanging fruit that will never help Texas be elite. Every player his staff targets just makes sense. If we can just show real progress on the field this year, Texas recruiting is going to get f***ing frightening -- like top-five-rated classes annually, assembled with Charlie's outstanding evaluation abilities.
Sure. Two guys over on the shag: utgrad97 and coachkiss. All I ever do is take info on other sites and share it over here for discussion.
Thanks. Was on my cell and shag wasn't opening for me, and I didn't recognize the writing styles. Is utgrad97 considered knowledgeable? Do you know his background?
Tate Martell™ @TheTateMartell
If any college coaches can't get ahold of me you can always contact my quarterback coach, @steveclarkson! Most reliable source there is!
9:03 PM - 3 Feb 2016
If any college coaches can't get ahold of me you can always contact my quarterback coach, @steveclarkson! Most reliable source there is!
9:03 PM - 3 Feb 2016
aggy offered another QB for next year, evidently without first communicating with Martell. His now-deleted tweets said "Loyalty is key" and "And now it's a little suspect."
Looks like Stumblin's trying a new approach with QBs after the fiasco with Allen and Murray: run them off before they even get to campus.
Goodbye, 2016 recruiting. Help me welcome 2017 recruiting to the forefront of your conscious.
While I think everyone knows that the Texas staff might do most of its damage in recruiting in another 11-12 months when National Signing Day in 2017 approaches, it doesn’t mean that a number of the staff’s top targets haven’t already been determined, which means a guide to the 2017 class, along with UT’s biggest needs, is perfect for this week’s War Room.
The goal is to go through each position, establish the needs and goals of the class, while also establishing the early key targets based on offers through this stage of the recruiting process.
Quarterbacks
Current scholarship players (5): Tyrone Swoopes (Sr.), Jerrod Heard (So.), Kai Locksley (RS Fr.), Matthew Merrick (RS Fr.) and Shane Buechele (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One
Current commitments: Sam Ehlinger (Austin Westlake)
Current in-state offers: Shawn Robinson (Denton Guyer)
Breakdown: Although Robinson was the first Texas offer, make no mistake about it, Charlie Strong and Co. are 100-percent in love with Ehlinger and can’t wait to get the kid on campus. People have asked whether the Longhorns would go back in on Robinson if he had a strong interest in the Longhorns, but I don’t get the sense that there’s any turning back from the current plan. This appears to be a perfect match made in heaven.
Running backs
Current scholarship players (5): D’Onte Foreman (Jr.), Chris Warren (So.), Kirk Johnson (So.), Tristian Houston (RS Fr.) and Kyle Porter (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers: Toneil Carter (Langham Creel) and J.K. Dobbins (LaGrange)
Breakdown: Carter was the first running back offered, but the Longhorns are not among his favorite teams and I’m not sure how much that’s going to change. Dobbins likely remains the most-needed in-state target because his skillset represents exactly what the Longhorns need at the position. Meanwhile, of the in-state kids without offers, keep an eye on Wylie East’s Eno Benjamin, who is set to visit UT for its first Junior Day at the end of the month.
Wide receivers
Current scholarship players (14): Jacorey Warrick (Sr.), Roderick Bernard (Jr.), Armanti Foreman (Jr.), Lorenzo Joe (Jr.), Dorian Leonard (Jr.), Jake Oliver (Jr.), Deandre McNeil (So.), Garrett Gray (So.), John Burt (So.), Ryan Newsome (So.), Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Collin Johnson (Fr.), Reggie Hemphill-Mapps (Fr.) and Davion Curtis (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments (1): Damion Miller (John Tyler)
Current in-state offers (2): Camron Buckley (Cedar Hill) and Hezekiah Jones (Stafford)
Breakdown: Honestly, something has to give at the wide receiver position in terms of numbers because this position is pretty loaded with players and only one is set to graduate this season as a member of the senior class. Miller is one of the best players in East Texas, so his commitment is an early coup if this class and you can make a case that unless a number of players depart, the program only needs a war daddy to fill out the class.
Tight ends
Current scholarship players (4): Caleb Bluiett (Sr.), Andrew Beck (Jr.), Blake Whiteley (Jr.) and Peyton Aucoin (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One or two
Current commitments (1): Major Tennison (Bullard)
Current in-state offers (1): Brock Wright (Cy-Fair)
Breakdown: Depending on what the staff thinks of Tennison and whether they view Deandre McNeal/Lil’Jordan Humphrey as players that can fill some of the needs required from this position, you can make a case that the Longhorns don’t need to take another tight end in the 2017 class because the position isn’t one that has been a dominant presence in snap allocation based on the history of Sterlin Gilbert’s offense. Some view Wright as a five-star prospect, so if the Longhorns could shake him from his Notre Dame commitment, he’d be an instant take.
Offensive tackles
Current scholarship players (5): Tristan Nickelson (Jr.), Connor Williams (So.), Garrett Thomas (RS FR.), Buck Major (RS Fr.) and Jean Delance (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (2): Walker LIttle (Houston Episcopal) and Grayson Reed (Houston Cy Creek)
Breakdown: You just can’t have enough quality tackles on your roster, so the need from a numbers standpoint will probably come down to what the Longhorns believe they have in Nickelson, Thomas and Major. If the coaches feel like Williams, Major and Delance are the team’s true building blocks at tackle, you’d probably aim for two top-flight tackles in this class. Walker and Reed would certainly do the trick, and you can expect that they’ll be the main focus for the next few months and beyond.
Offensive guards/centers
Current scholarship players (9): Kent Perkins (Sr.), Brandon Hodges (Jr.), Elijah Rodriguez (So.), Patrick Vahe (So.), Alex Anderson (So), Terrell Cuney (So.), Tope Imade (Fr.), Zach Shackelford (Fr.) and Denzel Okafor (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One or two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (1): Jack Anderson (Frisco)
Breakdown: The Longhorns really bolstered its depth at the position yesterday, so numbers aren’t the need as much as adding a special talent or two to the puzzle. Although the Longhorns have offered Anderson, his commitment to Texas Tech appears to be rock solid, so there’s no reason to expect the Longhorns to rush in filling its needs in this class, which would only be one or two ass-kicking, no-doubt-about-it commitments.
Defensive ends
Current scholarship players (7): Bryce Cottrell (Sr.), Quincy Vasser (Sr.), Naashon Hughes (Jr.), Derrick Roberson (So.), Charles Omenihu (So), Andrew Fitzgerald (Fr.) and Malcolm Roach (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two or three
Current commitments (1): LaGaryonn Carson (Texarkana Liberty-Eylau)
Current in-state offers (1): Taquan Graham (Temple)
Breakdown: You can make a case that Carson is the best defensive line commit that Strong has ever landed as a head-coach and he’ll almost certainly play right away as a true freshman at strong-side end. With his commitment secure, the Longhorns need to find some guys that can get to the quarterback to fill out the class.
Defensive tackles
Current scholarship players (10): Paul Boyette (Sr.), Alex Norman (Sr.), Poona Ford (Jr.), Jake McMillon (So.), Chris Nelson (So.), D’andre Christmas-Giles (Fr.), Chris Daniels (Fr.), Jordan Elliott (Fr.), Marcel Southall (Fr.) and Gerald Wilbon (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (1): Marvin Wilson (Houston Episcopal)
Breakdown: Numbers are no longer an issue, as this group is set to have eight players returning in 2017, barring attrition or a guy or two moving out to strong-side defensive end. Like so many other areas on the team, getting elite talent matters more than getting a collection of parts. Marvin Wilson might be the most important prospect in the entire class..
Linebackers
Current scholarship players (10): Tim Cole (Sr.), Dalton Santos (Sr.), Edwin Freeman (So.), Malik Jefferson (So.), Anthony Wheeler (So.), Breckyn Hager (So.), Cameron Townsend (RS Fr.), DeMarco Boyd (Fr.), Erick Fowler (Fr.) and Jeffrey McCulloch (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One or two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (3): Baron Browning (Kennedale), Anthony Hines (Plano East) and Levi Jones (Austin Westlake)
Breakdown: Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but numbers aren’t an issue, as many as eight players have at least three seasons of eligibility remaining, so the Longhorns only need to target big-time players at this point, which both Hines and Jones qualify as.
Defensive backs
Current scholarship players (15): Bryson Echols (Sr.), Adrian Colbert (Sr.), Dylan Haines (Sr.), Kevin Vaccaro (Sr.), Antwuan Davis (Jr.), Jason Hall (Jr.), John Bonney (So.), Holton Hill (So.), DaVante Davis (So.), Kris Boyd (So.), DeShon Elliott (So.), P.J. Locke (So.), Brandon Jones (Fr.), Eric Cuffee (Fr.)and Chris Brown (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two or three
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (3): Jeffrey Okudah (South Grand Prairie), Derrick Tucker (Manvel), Chevin Calloway (Dallas Bishop Dunne) and Robert Barnes (Southlake Carroll)
Breakdown: See defensive tackle and linebackers. Just go get a few bad mamma jammas because numbers are not an issue after the last two recruiting classes.
Kickers/Punters
Current scholarship players (2): Nick Jordan (Sr.) and Michael Dickson (So.)
Needs in 2017: One
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers: None
Breakdown: I’m not the biggest fan of offering kickers, but the Longhorns won’t have a scholarship place-kicker after Jordan departs this season, so if the coaches can find a guy they love, they probably need to find him.and take him.
Overall
The current scholarship breakdown by class currently looks like this before attrition in the off-season.
Seniors (18)
Juniors (13)
Sophomores (27)
Redshirt Freshmen (6)
Freshmen (24)
Total: 88
The numbers don’t look much different than they did a year ago, as the Longhorns need to have three names come off the books in order to get under the 85-man limit for this season (which will be very easy to do) and every name that follows that isn’t a senior will add to the numbers available for next season.
Over the last decade, the Longhorns have lost an average of five players per off-season, which means that by the time we get to August, the numbers should allow for the coaches to take around 20 kids in this class and when you consider that attrition that will take place in the 2017 off-season (before the majority of the players in that class arrive), the Texas coaches can probably take a full class if they want to.
Keep in mind that a year ago, the early projection of the class size 17-20 and I always projected a full class because of the attrition numbers that history shows us will add up.
From a pure needs standpoint, the class breakdown could look like this:
QB (1), RB (2), WR (2), TE (1), OT (2), OG/C (1), DT (2), DE (3), LB (2), DB (3) and K (1)
That’s 20. If the Longhorns go up to 25, it should probably be from a cherry-picking standpoint.
(Ketch)
While I think everyone knows that the Texas staff might do most of its damage in recruiting in another 11-12 months when National Signing Day in 2017 approaches, it doesn’t mean that a number of the staff’s top targets haven’t already been determined, which means a guide to the 2017 class, along with UT’s biggest needs, is perfect for this week’s War Room.
The goal is to go through each position, establish the needs and goals of the class, while also establishing the early key targets based on offers through this stage of the recruiting process.
Quarterbacks
Current scholarship players (5): Tyrone Swoopes (Sr.), Jerrod Heard (So.), Kai Locksley (RS Fr.), Matthew Merrick (RS Fr.) and Shane Buechele (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One
Current commitments: Sam Ehlinger (Austin Westlake)
Current in-state offers: Shawn Robinson (Denton Guyer)
Breakdown: Although Robinson was the first Texas offer, make no mistake about it, Charlie Strong and Co. are 100-percent in love with Ehlinger and can’t wait to get the kid on campus. People have asked whether the Longhorns would go back in on Robinson if he had a strong interest in the Longhorns, but I don’t get the sense that there’s any turning back from the current plan. This appears to be a perfect match made in heaven.
Running backs
Current scholarship players (5): D’Onte Foreman (Jr.), Chris Warren (So.), Kirk Johnson (So.), Tristian Houston (RS Fr.) and Kyle Porter (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers: Toneil Carter (Langham Creel) and J.K. Dobbins (LaGrange)
Breakdown: Carter was the first running back offered, but the Longhorns are not among his favorite teams and I’m not sure how much that’s going to change. Dobbins likely remains the most-needed in-state target because his skillset represents exactly what the Longhorns need at the position. Meanwhile, of the in-state kids without offers, keep an eye on Wylie East’s Eno Benjamin, who is set to visit UT for its first Junior Day at the end of the month.
Wide receivers
Current scholarship players (14): Jacorey Warrick (Sr.), Roderick Bernard (Jr.), Armanti Foreman (Jr.), Lorenzo Joe (Jr.), Dorian Leonard (Jr.), Jake Oliver (Jr.), Deandre McNeil (So.), Garrett Gray (So.), John Burt (So.), Ryan Newsome (So.), Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Collin Johnson (Fr.), Reggie Hemphill-Mapps (Fr.) and Davion Curtis (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments (1): Damion Miller (John Tyler)
Current in-state offers (2): Camron Buckley (Cedar Hill) and Hezekiah Jones (Stafford)
Breakdown: Honestly, something has to give at the wide receiver position in terms of numbers because this position is pretty loaded with players and only one is set to graduate this season as a member of the senior class. Miller is one of the best players in East Texas, so his commitment is an early coup if this class and you can make a case that unless a number of players depart, the program only needs a war daddy to fill out the class.
Tight ends
Current scholarship players (4): Caleb Bluiett (Sr.), Andrew Beck (Jr.), Blake Whiteley (Jr.) and Peyton Aucoin (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One or two
Current commitments (1): Major Tennison (Bullard)
Current in-state offers (1): Brock Wright (Cy-Fair)
Breakdown: Depending on what the staff thinks of Tennison and whether they view Deandre McNeal/Lil’Jordan Humphrey as players that can fill some of the needs required from this position, you can make a case that the Longhorns don’t need to take another tight end in the 2017 class because the position isn’t one that has been a dominant presence in snap allocation based on the history of Sterlin Gilbert’s offense. Some view Wright as a five-star prospect, so if the Longhorns could shake him from his Notre Dame commitment, he’d be an instant take.
Offensive tackles
Current scholarship players (5): Tristan Nickelson (Jr.), Connor Williams (So.), Garrett Thomas (RS FR.), Buck Major (RS Fr.) and Jean Delance (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (2): Walker LIttle (Houston Episcopal) and Grayson Reed (Houston Cy Creek)
Breakdown: You just can’t have enough quality tackles on your roster, so the need from a numbers standpoint will probably come down to what the Longhorns believe they have in Nickelson, Thomas and Major. If the coaches feel like Williams, Major and Delance are the team’s true building blocks at tackle, you’d probably aim for two top-flight tackles in this class. Walker and Reed would certainly do the trick, and you can expect that they’ll be the main focus for the next few months and beyond.
Offensive guards/centers
Current scholarship players (9): Kent Perkins (Sr.), Brandon Hodges (Jr.), Elijah Rodriguez (So.), Patrick Vahe (So.), Alex Anderson (So), Terrell Cuney (So.), Tope Imade (Fr.), Zach Shackelford (Fr.) and Denzel Okafor (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One or two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (1): Jack Anderson (Frisco)
Breakdown: The Longhorns really bolstered its depth at the position yesterday, so numbers aren’t the need as much as adding a special talent or two to the puzzle. Although the Longhorns have offered Anderson, his commitment to Texas Tech appears to be rock solid, so there’s no reason to expect the Longhorns to rush in filling its needs in this class, which would only be one or two ass-kicking, no-doubt-about-it commitments.
Defensive ends
Current scholarship players (7): Bryce Cottrell (Sr.), Quincy Vasser (Sr.), Naashon Hughes (Jr.), Derrick Roberson (So.), Charles Omenihu (So), Andrew Fitzgerald (Fr.) and Malcolm Roach (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two or three
Current commitments (1): LaGaryonn Carson (Texarkana Liberty-Eylau)
Current in-state offers (1): Taquan Graham (Temple)
Breakdown: You can make a case that Carson is the best defensive line commit that Strong has ever landed as a head-coach and he’ll almost certainly play right away as a true freshman at strong-side end. With his commitment secure, the Longhorns need to find some guys that can get to the quarterback to fill out the class.
Defensive tackles
Current scholarship players (10): Paul Boyette (Sr.), Alex Norman (Sr.), Poona Ford (Jr.), Jake McMillon (So.), Chris Nelson (So.), D’andre Christmas-Giles (Fr.), Chris Daniels (Fr.), Jordan Elliott (Fr.), Marcel Southall (Fr.) and Gerald Wilbon (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (1): Marvin Wilson (Houston Episcopal)
Breakdown: Numbers are no longer an issue, as this group is set to have eight players returning in 2017, barring attrition or a guy or two moving out to strong-side defensive end. Like so many other areas on the team, getting elite talent matters more than getting a collection of parts. Marvin Wilson might be the most important prospect in the entire class..
Linebackers
Current scholarship players (10): Tim Cole (Sr.), Dalton Santos (Sr.), Edwin Freeman (So.), Malik Jefferson (So.), Anthony Wheeler (So.), Breckyn Hager (So.), Cameron Townsend (RS Fr.), DeMarco Boyd (Fr.), Erick Fowler (Fr.) and Jeffrey McCulloch (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: One or two
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (3): Baron Browning (Kennedale), Anthony Hines (Plano East) and Levi Jones (Austin Westlake)
Breakdown: Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but numbers aren’t an issue, as many as eight players have at least three seasons of eligibility remaining, so the Longhorns only need to target big-time players at this point, which both Hines and Jones qualify as.
Defensive backs
Current scholarship players (15): Bryson Echols (Sr.), Adrian Colbert (Sr.), Dylan Haines (Sr.), Kevin Vaccaro (Sr.), Antwuan Davis (Jr.), Jason Hall (Jr.), John Bonney (So.), Holton Hill (So.), DaVante Davis (So.), Kris Boyd (So.), DeShon Elliott (So.), P.J. Locke (So.), Brandon Jones (Fr.), Eric Cuffee (Fr.)and Chris Brown (Fr.)
Needs in 2017: Two or three
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers (3): Jeffrey Okudah (South Grand Prairie), Derrick Tucker (Manvel), Chevin Calloway (Dallas Bishop Dunne) and Robert Barnes (Southlake Carroll)
Breakdown: See defensive tackle and linebackers. Just go get a few bad mamma jammas because numbers are not an issue after the last two recruiting classes.
Kickers/Punters
Current scholarship players (2): Nick Jordan (Sr.) and Michael Dickson (So.)
Needs in 2017: One
Current commitments: None
Current in-state offers: None
Breakdown: I’m not the biggest fan of offering kickers, but the Longhorns won’t have a scholarship place-kicker after Jordan departs this season, so if the coaches can find a guy they love, they probably need to find him.and take him.
Overall
The current scholarship breakdown by class currently looks like this before attrition in the off-season.
Seniors (18)
Juniors (13)
Sophomores (27)
Redshirt Freshmen (6)
Freshmen (24)
Total: 88
The numbers don’t look much different than they did a year ago, as the Longhorns need to have three names come off the books in order to get under the 85-man limit for this season (which will be very easy to do) and every name that follows that isn’t a senior will add to the numbers available for next season.
Over the last decade, the Longhorns have lost an average of five players per off-season, which means that by the time we get to August, the numbers should allow for the coaches to take around 20 kids in this class and when you consider that attrition that will take place in the 2017 off-season (before the majority of the players in that class arrive), the Texas coaches can probably take a full class if they want to.
Keep in mind that a year ago, the early projection of the class size 17-20 and I always projected a full class because of the attrition numbers that history shows us will add up.
From a pure needs standpoint, the class breakdown could look like this:
QB (1), RB (2), WR (2), TE (1), OT (2), OG/C (1), DT (2), DE (3), LB (2), DB (3) and K (1)
That’s 20. If the Longhorns go up to 25, it should probably be from a cherry-picking standpoint.
(Ketch)
Update on 'Class Finishing Touches':
2017 CYCLE COULD NOT BE LOOKING ANY BETTER
Talking to a parent right now as I write this and it feels like Strong is hitting his stride. Check that, it feels like the program is hitting its stride. Marketing is coming around, we'll see a reversion to early 2000's game atmosphere and the talent is stockpiling. Its all fun until Notre Dame hits you in the mouth, but this just doesn't feel like a 5-7 team anymore.
The 2016 class hit nearly every note but there's almost always a hole or two. Kyle Porter (again, we don't see everything) shocked us all and picked Texas and if I'm being honest, I probably let my anti-Katy bias shine when rating him. He's a better take than I gave him credit for. Charlie landed a hyphen and someone from Katy in the same cycle. What a time to be alive.
2017 is loaded with runners and two likely candidates for Texas is JK Dobbins and Eno Benjamin. Both of these young guys are studs but even better people. As my guy at TCU stated, "It's not often you get leadership from the running back position but that's what JK is." Indeed, and Eno is from the same mold.
There's a rumor that each wanted to commit on NSD but both denied it to me. Said Benjamin, "there's just one problem with that. We'll see what they're talking about on the 27th. They came by and said hello and liked how I'm adding weight." Benjamin of course doesn't hold an offer at this time but hopes to receive one at the Junior Day. Both would be on commitment watch if Texas really pushed.
Both are volume carriers who can take it to the house and I had to guess right now, they're my picks to be in this class.
Sam Ehlinger and Wayward Son will ensure this class is loaded. Strong will have something to say about that too.
I'm going to go into this more but Strong is recruiting leadership as much as he's recruiting talent.From: Justin Wells
The Class of 2016; what a ride. Now, it's junior time and Junior Day focus. Some new names/notes to know as we are less than a month from UT's first JD of 2016. Time for the new blood. 2017, here we come.
THE NEW CROP
Derrick Tucker, S, Manvel: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety is a kid we've known for awhile. Texas has too.
"Yean, Texas hollers a lot," said Tucker. "I talk to Coach Vaughn weekly, and Coach Bedford came by last week. Vaughn came by two weeks ago. I see them guys a lot."
He holds early offers from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Nebraska among a few others. He's becoming more popular by the day.
I first noticed Tucker two years ago in a 7-on-7 tournament. Those events were made for guys like Tucker. He's a nightmare in the secondary, in addition to also playing wideout. And if you look at that Manvel squad last fall (w/ 4-star Deontay Anderson), how the hell did anyone throw on them last year? Now Tucker is the new leader of that defense and despite the small break before 7-on-7, he isn't taking any days off.
"The workouts make it seem like it never stooped," Tucker said. "I'm a select 7-on-7 team, and we've already started practicing. I'll be going to Las Vegas in March and April for tournaments."
On the field, Tucker projects to that rangy safety that'll come up and hit. He can cover a lot of ground with his length and long strides, and is also skilled at reading QBs/WRs eyes. He's a turnover-creating machine. Between 6-foot-2, and 6-foot-3, he really doesn't need to get any taller. He's still trying add muscle weight. Look for Tucker to attend UT's Junior Day on the 27th. I could also see him jumping into this class as soon as Strong lets him. And I'd be ok with it.
JK Dobbins, RB, LaGrange: Of the state's best ball-carriers in 2017, Dobbins could be the best. He's another prospect I feel becomes Orange House if UT pushes. Recently offered by LSU and Notre Dame, this kid will have 40+ offers. Of note, Ehlinger is making JK a priority in this class. That's pretty cool.
Grayson Reed, OT, Cy Creek: The cousin of former Longhorn DE, Cedric Reed, would probably commit to Texas right now if the mood struck him right. Truthfully, he's a Texas lean and can't see him landing anywhere else. We're a year from NSD 2017, but feel strong on this one. Orange house early on.
Eno Benjamin, RB, Wylie East: Eric brought the goods on Eno. He's already got a great relationship with the speed back from north of Ft Worth. I'll just add I think Benjamin could be a productive college running back, but Dobbins is the first take, IMO. If Texas grabs two (assuming they land JK) in 2017, here's hoping Kennedy Brooks is the other. This state is stacked with junior RBs. They can't really go wrong at this position here in this cycle.
CLASS LEADERS FOR '17
Eric and I are often asked about class leaders in regards to recruiting specific classes. Malik Jefferson really spoiled us.
And understand, Jefferson was ever so rare. Players just don't have the effect he did for the 2015 and 2016 recruiting cycles. It's not an indictment on the current 4- and 5-stars that graced Strong's 2nd full class in Austin, it's just to hit home truly how special our Predator is.
This next group (2017) already boosts two potential class leaders, QB Sam Ehlinger and DE Lagaryonn Carson. In fact, both were helpful in securing a handful from the 2016 class. Ehlinger pushes more behind the scenes than most realize, and was important in the pursuit of Erick Fowler. Then you have Carson, the 6-foot-5, 280pound monster from East Texas (Liberty-Eylau) recently creating a Twitter account mainly to recruit other prospects to Austin. Both have the capacity - one for offense, one on defense - to lead Texas recruiting in the next 12 months.
"I know it's special," said Carson about the newly inked 2016 class. "Ours is going to be even better."
2017 CYCLE COULD NOT BE LOOKING ANY BETTER
Talking to a parent right now as I write this and it feels like Strong is hitting his stride. Check that, it feels like the program is hitting its stride. Marketing is coming around, we'll see a reversion to early 2000's game atmosphere and the talent is stockpiling. Its all fun until Notre Dame hits you in the mouth, but this just doesn't feel like a 5-7 team anymore.
The 2016 class hit nearly every note but there's almost always a hole or two. Kyle Porter (again, we don't see everything) shocked us all and picked Texas and if I'm being honest, I probably let my anti-Katy bias shine when rating him. He's a better take than I gave him credit for. Charlie landed a hyphen and someone from Katy in the same cycle. What a time to be alive.
2017 is loaded with runners and two likely candidates for Texas is JK Dobbins and Eno Benjamin. Both of these young guys are studs but even better people. As my guy at TCU stated, "It's not often you get leadership from the running back position but that's what JK is." Indeed, and Eno is from the same mold.
There's a rumor that each wanted to commit on NSD but both denied it to me. Said Benjamin, "there's just one problem with that. We'll see what they're talking about on the 27th. They came by and said hello and liked how I'm adding weight." Benjamin of course doesn't hold an offer at this time but hopes to receive one at the Junior Day. Both would be on commitment watch if Texas really pushed.
Both are volume carriers who can take it to the house and I had to guess right now, they're my picks to be in this class.
Sam Ehlinger and Wayward Son will ensure this class is loaded. Strong will have something to say about that too.
I'm going to go into this more but Strong is recruiting leadership as much as he's recruiting talent.From: Justin Wells
The Class of 2016; what a ride. Now, it's junior time and Junior Day focus. Some new names/notes to know as we are less than a month from UT's first JD of 2016. Time for the new blood. 2017, here we come.
THE NEW CROP
Derrick Tucker, S, Manvel: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety is a kid we've known for awhile. Texas has too.
"Yean, Texas hollers a lot," said Tucker. "I talk to Coach Vaughn weekly, and Coach Bedford came by last week. Vaughn came by two weeks ago. I see them guys a lot."
He holds early offers from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Nebraska among a few others. He's becoming more popular by the day.
I first noticed Tucker two years ago in a 7-on-7 tournament. Those events were made for guys like Tucker. He's a nightmare in the secondary, in addition to also playing wideout. And if you look at that Manvel squad last fall (w/ 4-star Deontay Anderson), how the hell did anyone throw on them last year? Now Tucker is the new leader of that defense and despite the small break before 7-on-7, he isn't taking any days off.
"The workouts make it seem like it never stooped," Tucker said. "I'm a select 7-on-7 team, and we've already started practicing. I'll be going to Las Vegas in March and April for tournaments."
On the field, Tucker projects to that rangy safety that'll come up and hit. He can cover a lot of ground with his length and long strides, and is also skilled at reading QBs/WRs eyes. He's a turnover-creating machine. Between 6-foot-2, and 6-foot-3, he really doesn't need to get any taller. He's still trying add muscle weight. Look for Tucker to attend UT's Junior Day on the 27th. I could also see him jumping into this class as soon as Strong lets him. And I'd be ok with it.
JK Dobbins, RB, LaGrange: Of the state's best ball-carriers in 2017, Dobbins could be the best. He's another prospect I feel becomes Orange House if UT pushes. Recently offered by LSU and Notre Dame, this kid will have 40+ offers. Of note, Ehlinger is making JK a priority in this class. That's pretty cool.
Grayson Reed, OT, Cy Creek: The cousin of former Longhorn DE, Cedric Reed, would probably commit to Texas right now if the mood struck him right. Truthfully, he's a Texas lean and can't see him landing anywhere else. We're a year from NSD 2017, but feel strong on this one. Orange house early on.
Eno Benjamin, RB, Wylie East: Eric brought the goods on Eno. He's already got a great relationship with the speed back from north of Ft Worth. I'll just add I think Benjamin could be a productive college running back, but Dobbins is the first take, IMO. If Texas grabs two (assuming they land JK) in 2017, here's hoping Kennedy Brooks is the other. This state is stacked with junior RBs. They can't really go wrong at this position here in this cycle.
CLASS LEADERS FOR '17
Eric and I are often asked about class leaders in regards to recruiting specific classes. Malik Jefferson really spoiled us.
And understand, Jefferson was ever so rare. Players just don't have the effect he did for the 2015 and 2016 recruiting cycles. It's not an indictment on the current 4- and 5-stars that graced Strong's 2nd full class in Austin, it's just to hit home truly how special our Predator is.
This next group (2017) already boosts two potential class leaders, QB Sam Ehlinger and DE Lagaryonn Carson. In fact, both were helpful in securing a handful from the 2016 class. Ehlinger pushes more behind the scenes than most realize, and was important in the pursuit of Erick Fowler. Then you have Carson, the 6-foot-5, 280pound monster from East Texas (Liberty-Eylau) recently creating a Twitter account mainly to recruit other prospects to Austin. Both have the capacity - one for offense, one on defense - to lead Texas recruiting in the next 12 months.
"I know it's special," said Carson about the newly inked 2016 class. "Ours is going to be even better."
It's too early for me to wrap my head around 2017. I know if Charlie can manage to win a few games the 2017 class will be really special.
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