One thing Longhorn fans have learned in the Charlie Strong’s first year is that recruiting is a different game to him than it was to the previous regime. After a very slow start (that indicated a prolonged evaluation period for the new Texas staff), things really started to heat up as the New Year ended.
When Malik Jefferson and Deandre McNeal committed to Strong, it lit the fuse on the Longhorn recruiting powder keg. A flurry of commitments arrived soon after including a clean sweep of the “Florida 5â€, which is subject to change due to the crazy nature of recruiting. As the staff looks to close out their first official class in Austin, the start of three big recruiting weekends kicked off this week and is of vital importance – not only could it fill key needs, it also could serve as a stamp on this recruiting cycle.
The story of this weekend is the three uncommitted prospects coming to Austin, including the state’s top two defensive backs Kris Boyd (Gilmer) and Holton Hill (Houston Lamar). Both players have been on the recruiting radar for quite some time and both have held Texas near the top of their lists. Whispers earlier in the year indicated Hill was close to pledging to the Horns, while Boyd has been all over the map a bit more. Insiders to these recruitments have both players favoring the Horns at this point, but a top notch official visit could close the door on both recruitments.
Hill spent time with Texas commits Charles Omenihu, Cameron Townsend, and Jamile Johnson at the Semper Fidelis All Star game in California, and it sounds like that experience worked favorably for Texas. Boyd represented the West team in the US Army All-American Game, and while there were no current Texas commitments on his roster, at the game Boyd released a top four that included Texas. Boyd is scheduled to visit Texas A&M next week, and the Aggies are thought to be the main competition for the signature of the Gilmer corner.
Cornerback has to be near the top of the list of remaining needs for the Longhorns, and these two players show elite ability on film that could allow either to make an early impact at Texas. Texas is set to experience a good amount of turnover in the secondary, and with the news of Tim Irvin’s possible flip (to Auburn) along with concerns about Davante Davis not sticking to his pledge, the Longhorns need to leave no loose ends in the secondary.
The lone out of state prospect visiting this weekend is actually a committed prospect. Running back Nick Brosette (Baton Rouge University Lab) has been committed to LSU since August, but a lingering flirtation with Texas coupled with a stacked backfield at LSU has him questioning his commitment to the Bayou Bengals.
Brosette has shown some favor to the Longhorns on his twitter account and has maintained a serious interest in the program throughout his recruitment. Another reason for Longhorn fans to feel good about this recruitment is the relationship Brosette formed with current Texas commit DeShon Elliott (Rockwall Heath) at the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando, FL. Elliott will also be taking his official visit this weekend, and lately he’s become one of the biggest recruiters for Texas. Having Elliott in Brosette’s ear all weekend along with the arrival of the state’s top prospect, Malik Jefferson, as an early enrollee should boost the Longhorn’s chances with the Louisiana standout.
Current Longhorn running back pledge Kirk Johnson (San Jose Valley Christian) joins Brosette as an official visitor this weekend. Johnson, the son of the former Longhorn legend Johnnie Johnson and brother of 2016 blue chip receiver prospect Collin Johnson, could find himself in a crowded backfield class, if Brosette decides to commit to Strong.
Theorizing on Brosette’s recruitment needs to include the possibility of Chris Warren or Soso Jamabo choosing Texas (although Jamabo fits in the “athlete†category). It will be interesting to see what the coaching staff can do to manipulate scholarship numbers since the offense is in serious need of every playmaker they can get.
Two of the more quiet prospects in the Longhorn recruiting class are also taking their official visits this weekend, and they also happen to be two of the largest bodies in the class. Massive offensive lineman Patrick Vahe (Euless Trinity) and six foot six athlete Louis Brown (Burton) haven’t done many interviews with recruiting outlets, but both are solidly locked into their commitments and have been vocal on twitter about their excitement for the program.
Vahe has been committed to Texas for a year and a half, and though rumors about him wavering surfaced regularly, Vahe has maintained his commitment to Texas. Vahe is certainly a key recruit for Joe Wickline considering he has the size and strength necessary to contribute the moment he steps on campus. Vahe will most likely play inside at center or guard, but could also get a shot at right tackle.
Brown might need some seasoning before Texas fans see him take the field. He comes from a very small school in Burton,TX and dominated the competition at several positions with his size and athleticism. Brown could contribute on offense at tight end, but the best bet would be on Brown ending up as a project defensive end with a massive ceiling. Brown was formerly committed to Baylor but changed his mind and picked Texas shortly after the “Under the Lights†camp the Horns held last summer.
With signing day approaching, the staff is about to endure a whirlwind schedule of official visits, travel to meet with recruits, and trying to prepare for the 2016 evaluation period. Texas currently sits at twenty six commitments including one grayshirt prospect in Matthew Merrick that will be charged to next year’s class.
With a number of early enrollee’s counting against last year’s class, Texas is expected to finish this recruiting cycle with around 30 signees. Limited space is filling up quickly, so other prospects (such as Chris Warren and Ryan Newsome) might find themselves in a first-come first-serve situation.
Charlie Strong has a great opportunity to put a big stamp on what could be a top ten class and generate positive momentum as he enters the 2016 recruiting cycle, and the next three weekends could make or break Texas in the recruiting game of inches.
Current Texas commitments scheduled to take official visits this weekend:
Louis Brown (Burton High School, Burton, TX)
The 6-5, 215 lb. Burton High School athlete attended Charlie Strong’s Under the Lights Camp in July and committed to the Longhorns just 3 days later. Brown, a former Baylor commit, played both sides of the ball in high school and similarly offers the Longhorns versatility in positions. In the end it will most likely be defense for Brown, in particular look for him to play at the defensive end position. He possesses great size and speed off the edge.
Kirk Johnson (Valley Christian High School, San Jose, CA)
Johnson committed to Charlie Strong and the Longhorns back in April. He played running back and safety for the Warriors which, like Brown, offers the Longhorns several options relative to positions. His father Jimmie was a cornerback for the Longhorns in the late 70’s, but don’t expect Kirk to play defensive back at Texas. The coaches are expected to try Johnson at running back, even though the Longhorns have Tristian Houston (and other uncommitted prospects) already pledged in the current class. Johnson’s younger brother Collin (2016 wide receiver) will arrive in Austin in 2016, as he pledged to the Longhorns at the same time as Kirk.
Patrick Vahe (Trinity High School, Euless, TX)
Vahe, who played high school football at Trinity Euless, committed to Joe Wickline early in the process. The offensive line woes for Texas have been noticeable and Vahe’s commitment mans a lot to the future of the program. A physical player with great footwork for a big man, Vahe can play center, guard or just about anywhere on the offensive line. Vahe has been a solid commit since July – when HornSports talked to him in November he told Longhorn fans “I’ll be home soon.â€
DeShon Elliott (Heath High School, Rockwall, TX)
Deshon Elliott, a consensus 3-star safety, has been committed to Texas since March. When HornSports talked to Elliot after Heath beat Newman Smith 48-0 in the first round of the 5A D1 playoffs, he expressed his optimism for playing in a defense that was much improved under first-year coach Charlie Strong. Notably, Elliott referenced the play of true freshman Jason Hall and how he was encouraged by the potential to play early. Elliott is a hard-hitter who will have the opportunity to showcase his talents in the secondary.
