* Texas Card House is now open at noon every day!
* Follow @TexasCardHouse on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for all the details!
* Texas Card House just opened their new place in Houston! At I-45 and Spring Cypress Road, the new Texas Card House features a full bar and all the great poker action and team you know and love from Austin. And that's not all - 2003 WSOP Champ Chris Moneymaker will be there August 6th, 7th, and 8th for games and tournaments; there's a $2k Free Roll on Saturday afternoon at 2p, and there's catering every night at 730p including pizza, pasta, and Texas Roadhouse burgers + bbq! Check out their events calendar at tch.cards/houston, get their SMS updates by texting "TCHHTX" to 33-222, or just stop by any day of the week! Ask for General Manager Mike Major; he'll help you get set up with membership, a tour of the club, and introductions to staff and members.
*****
(From Anwar)
There has been a lot of speculation about Texas potentially redshirting grad transfer offensive lineman Parker Braun.
To be fair, Braun is the reason why this is a topic.
After Braun decided to attend Texas earlier this year, he gave many of the predictable answers we hear from a grad transfer. He talked about the great academic program at Texas. Braun believed there was an opportunity to play right away. He loved Austin, and nobody could blame him for that.
However, Braun also said he was open to the possibility of being redshirted this season, and it has been hard for the skeptical football fan to take that option seriously.
College football observers have rarely heard about a grad transfer who would consider sitting out a year. The majority of grad transfers want to play immediately, and they switch to programs that give them that opportunity. They might want to receive a graduate degree, but having the chance to start at another program and improve their NFL stock is typically the goal.
Braun has never shied away from the possibility of sitting out this season and playing in 2020.
I checked in with my sources, and there is one thing you need to know.
That is not the goal of anyone inside the building.
I asked my sources about Braun on Thursday, and each person told me there has not been one discussion about redshirting the grad transfer this season. Instead, Braun is viewed is a viable option, and the current goal is to make sure he sees playing time in 2019.
“It’s not even on the table,” a source told me.
Texas senior center Zach Shackelford recently sustained a foot injury, which moved Derek Kerstetter into his role. I was told Braun has received first-team reps since Shackelford’s injury, and everyone inside the building has been pleased with the grad transfer.
Right now, Braun is viewed as the sixth best offensive lineman for the Longhorns.
There is also reality.
Offensive linemen notoriously battle injuries throughout a season, and a source told me, “To say Texas may not need him in more than four games is probably far-fetched.”
That means Braun will continue to battle Denzel Okafor and Kerstetter in training camp.
However, there is one thing you definitely need to know.
According to my source, if Braun is not the opening day starter, Texas will not blow a potential redshirt season by inserting the grad transfer into mop-up duty. Basically, if Braun is not in the starting lineup, everyone inside the building is content to keep him off the field for as long as possible.
That being said, the goal is for Braun to play this season, and everyone I spoke with seems satisfied with his skills as an offensive lineman. I was told Braun’s season will not be wasted on mop-up duty or the field goal team.
******
Speaking of the offensive line, I inquired about this year’s depth.
As you probably expected, my sources believe the Longhorns are currently a little thin at that position.
From what I was told, there are currently six players everyone inside the building has confidence in. In order to increase that, Christian Jones and/or Tope Imade would need to step up between now and the season opener. Jones would need to step up at the tackle position, while Imade needs to show a little more at guard, according to my sources.
Again, another reason why you cannot eliminate Braun from the offensive line conversation at this moment.
******
You are not the only person concerned about the running back room at this moment.
Keaontay Ingram and Kirk Johnson recently sustained injuries. Ingram is expected to be back before the season opener, but Johnson is expected to miss at least six weeks. That currently leaves Jordan Whittington and Daniel Young as the healthy scholarship players in running backs coach Stan Drayton’s room.
As a result, the Longhorns recently made a position switch.
Texas walk-on defensive back Mason Ramirez was switched from safety to running back this week. Ramirez has been moved to running back in an effort to take some reps off Whittington and Young. However, nobody believes that is a long-term solution.
From what I was told, everyone inside the building wants to know if Ingram will be ready to start in the season opener by this weekend. If Ingram will not be at 100 percent by week one, there is a chance freshman receiver Jake Smith will learn a few plays.
Overall, Whittington and Young have looked good in training camp.
******
Saturday is the final scrimmage of training.
When I asked about the evaluation process this week, my sources said the cornerbacks need to play throughout the entire scrimmage. Jalen Green and D’Shawn Jamison are currently the starters, but everyone needs to see reps because there is a chance the cornerback depth chart is not settled by Saturday.
In addition, I learned Okafor, Braun and Kerstetter need several reps to determine the offensive line depth chart.
Those are the major remaining battles.
(From Dunlap)
With half of fall camp now under our belts, I went ahead and updated the depth charts based on what we have seen so far in practices open to the media and what seems likely to happen thanks to various injuries. While some movement continues to occur, we're starting to get a decent idea of how things are starting to shake out -- at least among the two-deep. The charts, as always, are subject to change through camp. I'll make a list below of the changes that I've made on the chart tonight from what I had projected in the War Room last week.
DEFENSE
Click Image to Enlarge
Changes:
- S Caden Sterns removed (injured)
- Sterns replaced by EITHER BJ Foster (previously starting nickel) or Josh Thompson (previously Sterns’ backup).
- Josh Thompson added as possible starter at nickel.
- In short, Josh Thompson should be a lot more busy through the rest of camp. The staff can use both Thompson and Foster at either nickel or safety in Sterns' absence.
OFFENSE
Click Image to Enlarge
Changes:
- Zach Shackelford removed at center (injured).
- Derek Kerstetter moved from RG to starting C.
- Junior Angilau moved from potential starter at LG to outright starter at RG.
- Parker Braun moved from potential starter at LG to outright starter.
- Brennan Eagles removed at Z WR (injured).
- John Burt moved to starting Z, Marcus Washington moved to primary backup.
- Keaontay Ingram and Kirk Johnson removed at RB (injured).
- Jordan Whittington moved to outright starter, Daniel Young moved to primary backup.
******
(From Suchomel)
My goal was to work on a much-needed update to the 2020 recruiting board for late this week, but with so much recruiting action continuing to pour in, those plans got put on the shelf until next week (hopefully). Instead, I figured we’d use this space to take an overall look at where things stand for Texas after what has been an incredible recruiting run for the Longhorns.
QUARTERBACK
Commitments – 2; Needs – 0
Hudson Card – Lake Travis (UT commitment) – Nothing to worry about here. Card was the first commitment in the class, he’s one of the top overall players in the class and he has never blinked, even when Texas landed a guy like Ja’Quinden Jackson. Card should put up huge numbers yet again this fall before enrolling at Texas in January.
Ja'Quinden Jackson – Duncanville (UT commitment) – It seems like forever ago that Jackson gave Texas his verbal commitment. One of the pound-for-pound best players in the state (maybe even country), Jackson gives Texas an incredible one-two punch at the quarterback position in this class. The work that Tim Beck and the UT staff has done at quarterback recruiting (especially when you factor in 2021 commit Jalen Milroe) is extremely impressive.
RUNNING BACK
Commitments – 1; Needs – 1
Bijan Robinson – Tucson (AZ) Salpointe (UT commitment) – Arguably the biggest commitment for Texas this cycle, Robinson deservedly got his bump to five-star status this week. Texas landing him was huge from a pure talent perspective, but when you factor in the need to land an elite running back, Robinson’s character and the fact that Texas was able to close this one down the stretch, it’s hard to find a commitment bigger than Robinson’s.
Ty Jordan – West Mesquite – Very early in the process, this one felt like it was going to be all Texas. But Jordan has taken things at a slow pace and other schools have hung around. He visited Tennessee in June and enjoyed it. He took an official visit to USC in late June and there was some buzz coming out of that visit that the Trojans had taken the lead. Jordan mostly stays to himself (especially of late) and while he’s said all along he’d take his time with the process, there’s talk of late (not from Jordan himself) that he could be nearing a decision. Jordan would be the perfect complement to Robinson’s commitment and some family issues make Texas the smart play right now.
Zachary Evans – North Shore – I’ll believe it when I see it.
Jase McClellan – Aledo – McClellan has already taken his Texas official visit and has said he’ll be back for a game this fall. He’s been committed to Oklahoma forever and with Texas landing Robinson, one would think that McClellan will likely stick with his OU pledge.
Dominic Richardson – Oklahoma City Bishop McGuinness – He’s been committed to TCU for a while but when Texas offered, Richardson told me he’d visit at Texas at some point. I would put the odds on that happening pretty low right now but it’s a situation we’ll monitor in case anything changes.
WIDE RECEIVER
Commitments – 0; Needs – 2 or 3
Quentin Johnston – Temple – One of the best pure athletes in the country, Johnston should have a decision very, very soon. He’s official down to four – Texas, TCU, Oklahoma and Baylor – but this one is realistically a Texas and TCU battle. The guess here is that UT fans should feel good about their team’s chances.
Javian Hester – Tulsa (OK) Booker T. Washington – Hester’s been telling OB for months that the Longhorns are his top team, and nothing had changed when we talked to him a couple weeks ago. When he visited for the Stars at Night in late July, Hester mentioned that he might be deciding soon. If Texas pushes and he does want to commit, the Longhorns would be the obvious pick, but I’m not sure this one will wrap up that early.
LV Bunkley-Shelton – Gardena (CA) Serra – A new addition to the Rivals100, Bunkley-Shelton took an unofficial visit to Texas after the dead period ended and told OB shortly after he left that he and his family were all extremely impressed. Fans were hoping for a quick commitment, but he’s said all along that he wants to take other visits and West Coast schools will still be a big factor in this one. If Texas stays on him and gets him back for an official visit, that’ll speak volumes.
Loic Fouonji – Midland Lee – He was planning to take a UT unofficial visit in late July but wasn’t able to make it in. Tough kid to project because he’s not yet super involved with the recruiting process but he’s a name to file away, especially if he makes it in for a visit.
Devon Achane – Fort Bend Marhsall – Another guy who isn’t overly invested in the recruiting process, there’s really been no buzz that would seem to indicate this one is trending UT’s way. Most feel A&M is the team to beat because the Aggies are telling him they’ll give him a shot at running back, which he likes.
TIGHT END
Commitments – 0; Needs – 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
Commitments – 4; Needs – 0 or 1
Logan Parr – San Antonio Helotes (UT commitment) – One of the Longhorns’ first commitments of the class, Parr is completely locked in. Nothing to see here.
Jake Majors – Prosper (UT commitment) – Same as Parr. Majors has been rock-solid since the day he committed back in January.
Jaylen Garth - Port Neches-Groves (UT commitment) – Another very early commitment who is locked into his pledge.
Andrej Karic - Southlake Carroll (UT commitment) – One of the Horns’ more recent commitments, Karic kind of flew under the radar before his commitment because he stays so quiet. But he’s a player Texas has liked for a while and the Longhorns were in a good spot once they offered this summer.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Commitments – 3; Needs – 1
Vernon Broughton – Cypress Ridge (UT commitment) – One of the more interesting recruitments of the cycle (I still need to get in touch with Vernon to pick his brain on those final weeks), and one of the biggest commitments for the Longhorns. This was a huge get for Texas at a major position of need, and it was a smackdown of A&M, who thought they were going to get him coming out of his College Station official visit. Broughton’s talent, his position (and versatility along the d-line) and the fact that he chose Texas over A&M and seemed to kick off a wave of head-to-head wins for the Longhorns make him one of the most important wins of this cycle for Texas.
Van Fillinger – Draper (UT) Corner Canyon (UT commitment) – In a July 12 War Room, I wrote that Fillinger’s recruitment felt “like it’s not drawing the attention it deserves” after he took two unofficial visits to Texas in June. I knew he liked UT, but had no clue he’d be committing less than a week later. He’s an intriguing prospect due to his size (6-4, 255), the fact that he’s young for his class and he had a really impressive offer list when he committed to Texas (plus, he gives me an excuse to try to get out to Utah this fall to watch him in person). Even with his commitment, Fillinger doesn’t get as much pub as some of the other players Texas is recruiting but this is a guy with a high upside.
Princely Umanmielen – Manor (UT commitment) – Umanmielen picking Texas wasn’t necessarily a huge shock since the Longhorns have always been at or near the top of his list, but him doing it somewhat out-of-the-blue on Monday was surprising. He loved Texas early, then fell for some of the recruiting pitches A&M was using, then came full circle and listened to his heart by giving the Longhorns a pledge. Umanmielen did tell us shortly after he committed that he’d probably still take official visits to A&M and LSU just to cover his bases, but I’m sure the UT staff will work on tightening things up there.
Alfred Collins – Bastrop Cedar Creek – One of the top remaining targets on UT’s board, Collins has been a priority for a while, and even with three D-line commitments Texas will almost certainly still recruit him as aggressively as possible. A lot of people have predicted for the past few months that Collins would pull the trigger in favor of Texas, but he’s never given any indication to me that he would act early. On the contrary … he’s never really hinted at any leader (aside from a public top five) and he’s always said he’ll take his five official visits. I do like UT’s position here after three visits to the Forty Acres this summer, but Collins is a tough kid to read and it feels like this one is anything but a slam dunk.
Octavious Oxendine – Radcliff (KY) North Hardin – Texas offered him when he visited over the summer and Oxendine told OB he’d take an official visit, but with numbers suddenly tight, this will likely be one that the staff monitors to see what happens with other guys on the board.
Jalen Logan-Redding – Columbia (MO) Rock Ridge – This is a guy who has visited UT multiple times and really likes everything about the program. If Texas feels it needs a fourth defensive lineman and things don’t work out for Collins at some point, Logan-Redding could be a name to file away.
LINEBACKER
Commitments – 1; Needs – 1
Prince Dorbah – Highland Park (UT commitment) – Texas snagged this commitment in early July, giving the Longhorns a versatile defender and a top national prospect.
Len'Neth Whitehead – Athens (GA) Academy – Whitehead really likes Texas and the Longhorns have been a school he’s wanted to visit ever since UT offered. He told OB this summer that he’d make it to Austin sometime in the fall for an official visit. If that visit happens, this one could get interesting.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Commitments – 3; Needs – 1 or 2
Kitan Crawford – John Tyler (UT commitment) – One of the more dynamic athletes in the state, Crawford was a UT lean for a long while before giving Texas a commitment during his official visit in June. Nothing to worry about with this one.
Ethan Pouncey – Winter Park (FL) (UT commitment) – One of the bigger surprise commitments of the cycle, Pouncey gave Texas a bit of an unexpected pledge a couple weeks ago, shutting his recruitment down earlier than most expected. The younger brother of Texas wide receiver Jordan Pouncey, he’s been on the UT campus several times and Texas has always been high on his list, but he was a guy that was expected to take some time. Instead, Pouncey told us it just “hit him” and he made the call early to get it out of the way.
Jerrin Thompson – Lufkin (UT commitment) – This one went down pretty quickly after Texas offered, which is a pretty strong indication that Thompson is completely locked-in with his commitment. In talking to him before he announced to get a pre-commitment story, Thompson was pretty clear that choosing Texas was an easy decision.
Joshua Eaton – Aldine MacArthur – This one’s been an on-again, off-again affair between Eaton and Texas, but things once again look good for the Longhorns and I wouldn’t be at all shocked to see a resolution to Eaton’s recruitment in the near future. A choice of anywhere other than Texas would be a surprise as things stand now.
Xavion Alford – Pearland Shadow Creek – Talk about a back-and-forth recruitment. It was going to be Bama at one point. Then all signs pointed to A&M. Then Texas was trending midweek, and now it’s anyone’s guess (Thursday night update on Alford here with more details). I’m sticking with my Texas pick because I’m hearing there’s still very cautious optimism on the UT side, but this one’s tough to pin down. Look for a decision on Friday midday.
Kelee Ringo – Scottsdale (AZ) Saguaro – One of the better DB prospects I’ve seen in several years, Ringo will have his choice of schools whenever he decides to make it. Georgia is the team to beat after he’s made several visits there over the past few months without visiting anywhere else, but Ringo did tell us pretty recently that Texas will get an official visit and possibly another unofficial visit. There’s ground to be made up here and while it doesn’t seem likely, Texas feels like it’s the only school that could potentially challenge Georgia and Ringo’s the type of talent you recruit until the end no matter what.
ATHLETE
Commitments – 1; Needs – 0
Jaden Hullaby – Mansfield Timberview (UT commitment) – A do-it-all athlete, Hullaby committed to Texas back in March and he’s been so pro-UT since then, I have a hard time seeing him seriously looking at anyone else.
* Follow @TexasCardHouse on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for all the details!
* Texas Card House just opened their new place in Houston! At I-45 and Spring Cypress Road, the new Texas Card House features a full bar and all the great poker action and team you know and love from Austin. And that's not all - 2003 WSOP Champ Chris Moneymaker will be there August 6th, 7th, and 8th for games and tournaments; there's a $2k Free Roll on Saturday afternoon at 2p, and there's catering every night at 730p including pizza, pasta, and Texas Roadhouse burgers + bbq! Check out their events calendar at tch.cards/houston, get their SMS updates by texting "TCHHTX" to 33-222, or just stop by any day of the week! Ask for General Manager Mike Major; he'll help you get set up with membership, a tour of the club, and introductions to staff and members.
*****
(From Anwar)
There has been a lot of speculation about Texas potentially redshirting grad transfer offensive lineman Parker Braun.
To be fair, Braun is the reason why this is a topic.
After Braun decided to attend Texas earlier this year, he gave many of the predictable answers we hear from a grad transfer. He talked about the great academic program at Texas. Braun believed there was an opportunity to play right away. He loved Austin, and nobody could blame him for that.
However, Braun also said he was open to the possibility of being redshirted this season, and it has been hard for the skeptical football fan to take that option seriously.
College football observers have rarely heard about a grad transfer who would consider sitting out a year. The majority of grad transfers want to play immediately, and they switch to programs that give them that opportunity. They might want to receive a graduate degree, but having the chance to start at another program and improve their NFL stock is typically the goal.
Braun has never shied away from the possibility of sitting out this season and playing in 2020.
I checked in with my sources, and there is one thing you need to know.
That is not the goal of anyone inside the building.
I asked my sources about Braun on Thursday, and each person told me there has not been one discussion about redshirting the grad transfer this season. Instead, Braun is viewed is a viable option, and the current goal is to make sure he sees playing time in 2019.
“It’s not even on the table,” a source told me.
Texas senior center Zach Shackelford recently sustained a foot injury, which moved Derek Kerstetter into his role. I was told Braun has received first-team reps since Shackelford’s injury, and everyone inside the building has been pleased with the grad transfer.
Right now, Braun is viewed as the sixth best offensive lineman for the Longhorns.
There is also reality.
Offensive linemen notoriously battle injuries throughout a season, and a source told me, “To say Texas may not need him in more than four games is probably far-fetched.”
That means Braun will continue to battle Denzel Okafor and Kerstetter in training camp.
However, there is one thing you definitely need to know.
According to my source, if Braun is not the opening day starter, Texas will not blow a potential redshirt season by inserting the grad transfer into mop-up duty. Basically, if Braun is not in the starting lineup, everyone inside the building is content to keep him off the field for as long as possible.
That being said, the goal is for Braun to play this season, and everyone I spoke with seems satisfied with his skills as an offensive lineman. I was told Braun’s season will not be wasted on mop-up duty or the field goal team.
******
Speaking of the offensive line, I inquired about this year’s depth.
As you probably expected, my sources believe the Longhorns are currently a little thin at that position.
From what I was told, there are currently six players everyone inside the building has confidence in. In order to increase that, Christian Jones and/or Tope Imade would need to step up between now and the season opener. Jones would need to step up at the tackle position, while Imade needs to show a little more at guard, according to my sources.
Again, another reason why you cannot eliminate Braun from the offensive line conversation at this moment.
******
You are not the only person concerned about the running back room at this moment.
Keaontay Ingram and Kirk Johnson recently sustained injuries. Ingram is expected to be back before the season opener, but Johnson is expected to miss at least six weeks. That currently leaves Jordan Whittington and Daniel Young as the healthy scholarship players in running backs coach Stan Drayton’s room.
As a result, the Longhorns recently made a position switch.
Texas walk-on defensive back Mason Ramirez was switched from safety to running back this week. Ramirez has been moved to running back in an effort to take some reps off Whittington and Young. However, nobody believes that is a long-term solution.
From what I was told, everyone inside the building wants to know if Ingram will be ready to start in the season opener by this weekend. If Ingram will not be at 100 percent by week one, there is a chance freshman receiver Jake Smith will learn a few plays.
Overall, Whittington and Young have looked good in training camp.
******
Saturday is the final scrimmage of training.
When I asked about the evaluation process this week, my sources said the cornerbacks need to play throughout the entire scrimmage. Jalen Green and D’Shawn Jamison are currently the starters, but everyone needs to see reps because there is a chance the cornerback depth chart is not settled by Saturday.
In addition, I learned Okafor, Braun and Kerstetter need several reps to determine the offensive line depth chart.
Those are the major remaining battles.
(From Dunlap)
With half of fall camp now under our belts, I went ahead and updated the depth charts based on what we have seen so far in practices open to the media and what seems likely to happen thanks to various injuries. While some movement continues to occur, we're starting to get a decent idea of how things are starting to shake out -- at least among the two-deep. The charts, as always, are subject to change through camp. I'll make a list below of the changes that I've made on the chart tonight from what I had projected in the War Room last week.
DEFENSE
Click Image to Enlarge
Changes:
- S Caden Sterns removed (injured)
- Sterns replaced by EITHER BJ Foster (previously starting nickel) or Josh Thompson (previously Sterns’ backup).
- Josh Thompson added as possible starter at nickel.
- In short, Josh Thompson should be a lot more busy through the rest of camp. The staff can use both Thompson and Foster at either nickel or safety in Sterns' absence.
OFFENSE
Click Image to Enlarge
Changes:
- Zach Shackelford removed at center (injured).
- Derek Kerstetter moved from RG to starting C.
- Junior Angilau moved from potential starter at LG to outright starter at RG.
- Parker Braun moved from potential starter at LG to outright starter.
- Brennan Eagles removed at Z WR (injured).
- John Burt moved to starting Z, Marcus Washington moved to primary backup.
- Keaontay Ingram and Kirk Johnson removed at RB (injured).
- Jordan Whittington moved to outright starter, Daniel Young moved to primary backup.
******
(From Suchomel)
My goal was to work on a much-needed update to the 2020 recruiting board for late this week, but with so much recruiting action continuing to pour in, those plans got put on the shelf until next week (hopefully). Instead, I figured we’d use this space to take an overall look at where things stand for Texas after what has been an incredible recruiting run for the Longhorns.
QUARTERBACK
Commitments – 2; Needs – 0
Hudson Card – Lake Travis (UT commitment) – Nothing to worry about here. Card was the first commitment in the class, he’s one of the top overall players in the class and he has never blinked, even when Texas landed a guy like Ja’Quinden Jackson. Card should put up huge numbers yet again this fall before enrolling at Texas in January.
Ja'Quinden Jackson – Duncanville (UT commitment) – It seems like forever ago that Jackson gave Texas his verbal commitment. One of the pound-for-pound best players in the state (maybe even country), Jackson gives Texas an incredible one-two punch at the quarterback position in this class. The work that Tim Beck and the UT staff has done at quarterback recruiting (especially when you factor in 2021 commit Jalen Milroe) is extremely impressive.
RUNNING BACK
Commitments – 1; Needs – 1
Bijan Robinson – Tucson (AZ) Salpointe (UT commitment) – Arguably the biggest commitment for Texas this cycle, Robinson deservedly got his bump to five-star status this week. Texas landing him was huge from a pure talent perspective, but when you factor in the need to land an elite running back, Robinson’s character and the fact that Texas was able to close this one down the stretch, it’s hard to find a commitment bigger than Robinson’s.
Ty Jordan – West Mesquite – Very early in the process, this one felt like it was going to be all Texas. But Jordan has taken things at a slow pace and other schools have hung around. He visited Tennessee in June and enjoyed it. He took an official visit to USC in late June and there was some buzz coming out of that visit that the Trojans had taken the lead. Jordan mostly stays to himself (especially of late) and while he’s said all along he’d take his time with the process, there’s talk of late (not from Jordan himself) that he could be nearing a decision. Jordan would be the perfect complement to Robinson’s commitment and some family issues make Texas the smart play right now.
Zachary Evans – North Shore – I’ll believe it when I see it.
Jase McClellan – Aledo – McClellan has already taken his Texas official visit and has said he’ll be back for a game this fall. He’s been committed to Oklahoma forever and with Texas landing Robinson, one would think that McClellan will likely stick with his OU pledge.
Dominic Richardson – Oklahoma City Bishop McGuinness – He’s been committed to TCU for a while but when Texas offered, Richardson told me he’d visit at Texas at some point. I would put the odds on that happening pretty low right now but it’s a situation we’ll monitor in case anything changes.
WIDE RECEIVER
Commitments – 0; Needs – 2 or 3
Quentin Johnston – Temple – One of the best pure athletes in the country, Johnston should have a decision very, very soon. He’s official down to four – Texas, TCU, Oklahoma and Baylor – but this one is realistically a Texas and TCU battle. The guess here is that UT fans should feel good about their team’s chances.
Javian Hester – Tulsa (OK) Booker T. Washington – Hester’s been telling OB for months that the Longhorns are his top team, and nothing had changed when we talked to him a couple weeks ago. When he visited for the Stars at Night in late July, Hester mentioned that he might be deciding soon. If Texas pushes and he does want to commit, the Longhorns would be the obvious pick, but I’m not sure this one will wrap up that early.
LV Bunkley-Shelton – Gardena (CA) Serra – A new addition to the Rivals100, Bunkley-Shelton took an unofficial visit to Texas after the dead period ended and told OB shortly after he left that he and his family were all extremely impressed. Fans were hoping for a quick commitment, but he’s said all along that he wants to take other visits and West Coast schools will still be a big factor in this one. If Texas stays on him and gets him back for an official visit, that’ll speak volumes.
Loic Fouonji – Midland Lee – He was planning to take a UT unofficial visit in late July but wasn’t able to make it in. Tough kid to project because he’s not yet super involved with the recruiting process but he’s a name to file away, especially if he makes it in for a visit.
Devon Achane – Fort Bend Marhsall – Another guy who isn’t overly invested in the recruiting process, there’s really been no buzz that would seem to indicate this one is trending UT’s way. Most feel A&M is the team to beat because the Aggies are telling him they’ll give him a shot at running back, which he likes.
TIGHT END
Commitments – 0; Needs – 0
OFFENSIVE LINE
Commitments – 4; Needs – 0 or 1
Logan Parr – San Antonio Helotes (UT commitment) – One of the Longhorns’ first commitments of the class, Parr is completely locked in. Nothing to see here.
Jake Majors – Prosper (UT commitment) – Same as Parr. Majors has been rock-solid since the day he committed back in January.
Jaylen Garth - Port Neches-Groves (UT commitment) – Another very early commitment who is locked into his pledge.
Andrej Karic - Southlake Carroll (UT commitment) – One of the Horns’ more recent commitments, Karic kind of flew under the radar before his commitment because he stays so quiet. But he’s a player Texas has liked for a while and the Longhorns were in a good spot once they offered this summer.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Commitments – 3; Needs – 1
Vernon Broughton – Cypress Ridge (UT commitment) – One of the more interesting recruitments of the cycle (I still need to get in touch with Vernon to pick his brain on those final weeks), and one of the biggest commitments for the Longhorns. This was a huge get for Texas at a major position of need, and it was a smackdown of A&M, who thought they were going to get him coming out of his College Station official visit. Broughton’s talent, his position (and versatility along the d-line) and the fact that he chose Texas over A&M and seemed to kick off a wave of head-to-head wins for the Longhorns make him one of the most important wins of this cycle for Texas.
Van Fillinger – Draper (UT) Corner Canyon (UT commitment) – In a July 12 War Room, I wrote that Fillinger’s recruitment felt “like it’s not drawing the attention it deserves” after he took two unofficial visits to Texas in June. I knew he liked UT, but had no clue he’d be committing less than a week later. He’s an intriguing prospect due to his size (6-4, 255), the fact that he’s young for his class and he had a really impressive offer list when he committed to Texas (plus, he gives me an excuse to try to get out to Utah this fall to watch him in person). Even with his commitment, Fillinger doesn’t get as much pub as some of the other players Texas is recruiting but this is a guy with a high upside.
Princely Umanmielen – Manor (UT commitment) – Umanmielen picking Texas wasn’t necessarily a huge shock since the Longhorns have always been at or near the top of his list, but him doing it somewhat out-of-the-blue on Monday was surprising. He loved Texas early, then fell for some of the recruiting pitches A&M was using, then came full circle and listened to his heart by giving the Longhorns a pledge. Umanmielen did tell us shortly after he committed that he’d probably still take official visits to A&M and LSU just to cover his bases, but I’m sure the UT staff will work on tightening things up there.
Alfred Collins – Bastrop Cedar Creek – One of the top remaining targets on UT’s board, Collins has been a priority for a while, and even with three D-line commitments Texas will almost certainly still recruit him as aggressively as possible. A lot of people have predicted for the past few months that Collins would pull the trigger in favor of Texas, but he’s never given any indication to me that he would act early. On the contrary … he’s never really hinted at any leader (aside from a public top five) and he’s always said he’ll take his five official visits. I do like UT’s position here after three visits to the Forty Acres this summer, but Collins is a tough kid to read and it feels like this one is anything but a slam dunk.
Octavious Oxendine – Radcliff (KY) North Hardin – Texas offered him when he visited over the summer and Oxendine told OB he’d take an official visit, but with numbers suddenly tight, this will likely be one that the staff monitors to see what happens with other guys on the board.
Jalen Logan-Redding – Columbia (MO) Rock Ridge – This is a guy who has visited UT multiple times and really likes everything about the program. If Texas feels it needs a fourth defensive lineman and things don’t work out for Collins at some point, Logan-Redding could be a name to file away.
LINEBACKER
Commitments – 1; Needs – 1
Prince Dorbah – Highland Park (UT commitment) – Texas snagged this commitment in early July, giving the Longhorns a versatile defender and a top national prospect.
Len'Neth Whitehead – Athens (GA) Academy – Whitehead really likes Texas and the Longhorns have been a school he’s wanted to visit ever since UT offered. He told OB this summer that he’d make it to Austin sometime in the fall for an official visit. If that visit happens, this one could get interesting.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Commitments – 3; Needs – 1 or 2
Kitan Crawford – John Tyler (UT commitment) – One of the more dynamic athletes in the state, Crawford was a UT lean for a long while before giving Texas a commitment during his official visit in June. Nothing to worry about with this one.
Ethan Pouncey – Winter Park (FL) (UT commitment) – One of the bigger surprise commitments of the cycle, Pouncey gave Texas a bit of an unexpected pledge a couple weeks ago, shutting his recruitment down earlier than most expected. The younger brother of Texas wide receiver Jordan Pouncey, he’s been on the UT campus several times and Texas has always been high on his list, but he was a guy that was expected to take some time. Instead, Pouncey told us it just “hit him” and he made the call early to get it out of the way.
Jerrin Thompson – Lufkin (UT commitment) – This one went down pretty quickly after Texas offered, which is a pretty strong indication that Thompson is completely locked-in with his commitment. In talking to him before he announced to get a pre-commitment story, Thompson was pretty clear that choosing Texas was an easy decision.
Joshua Eaton – Aldine MacArthur – This one’s been an on-again, off-again affair between Eaton and Texas, but things once again look good for the Longhorns and I wouldn’t be at all shocked to see a resolution to Eaton’s recruitment in the near future. A choice of anywhere other than Texas would be a surprise as things stand now.
Xavion Alford – Pearland Shadow Creek – Talk about a back-and-forth recruitment. It was going to be Bama at one point. Then all signs pointed to A&M. Then Texas was trending midweek, and now it’s anyone’s guess (Thursday night update on Alford here with more details). I’m sticking with my Texas pick because I’m hearing there’s still very cautious optimism on the UT side, but this one’s tough to pin down. Look for a decision on Friday midday.
Kelee Ringo – Scottsdale (AZ) Saguaro – One of the better DB prospects I’ve seen in several years, Ringo will have his choice of schools whenever he decides to make it. Georgia is the team to beat after he’s made several visits there over the past few months without visiting anywhere else, but Ringo did tell us pretty recently that Texas will get an official visit and possibly another unofficial visit. There’s ground to be made up here and while it doesn’t seem likely, Texas feels like it’s the only school that could potentially challenge Georgia and Ringo’s the type of talent you recruit until the end no matter what.
ATHLETE
Commitments – 1; Needs – 0
Jaden Hullaby – Mansfield Timberview (UT commitment) – A do-it-all athlete, Hullaby committed to Texas back in March and he’s been so pro-UT since then, I have a hard time seeing him seriously looking at anyone else.
