In this week’s edition of the signing day forecast we give you our take on the crystal ball to track the top targets on the Texas board. Each week, as we lead up to National Signing Day, we will give you a look at how these recruitments are trending and give you our prediction and a confidence rating based on a scale of 0-5.
Running Backs
Devwah Whaley – Texas still feels like they can win this one, and if Whaley makes his visit this week all bets are off. For now we will stick with our pick but we expect to have a clear picture after the visit weekend.
Prediction: Arkansas (Last week: Arkansas)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 2)
Kyle Porter – Porter doesn’t like the attention recruiting brings, and he just wants to play football. Word around San Antonio this weekend is the Longhorns remain in good shape.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3.5 (Last week 3)
Darius Anderson – Texas has yet to re-engage with the talented speedster, but if twitter is an indication they might be mounting up for a run soon. The word on Anderson is that TCU might be the leader in the clubhouse right now.
Prediction: TCU (Last Week: Unknown)
Confidence Level: 2 (Last week: Not listed)
Wide Receiver
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Texas and California are in play here, and Humphrey is very close with a few Texas commits. Things continue to move in the right direction with the multi purpose Southlake star. He announces on January 30th.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 4)
Tight End
Irvin Smith – Smith is still committed to A&M despite Jake Spavital getting the axe. While he remains publicly committed, behind the scenes things are churning. Sources this week indicated this one is trending positively for Texas but the visit to Alabama remains a wild card.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 2)
Offensive Line
JP Urquidez – I don’t know that Texas is seriously involved here. I’d say we know more after the dead period.
Prediction: Baylor (Last week: Baylor)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 3)
Zach Shackleford – Texas is ready to put the full court press on Shack, and despite the strong ties with the Kansas State staff, the feeling is that Texas can close with one of the top interior line prospects in the state.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Kansas State)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week: 0.5)
Patrick Hudson – As has been the case from the start, there is a lot of confusion as to whom Hudson will visit in January. He’s never been one for the recruiting spotlight and it seems like the longer this goes, the better it fares for Baylor.
Prediction: Baylor (Last week: Baylor)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 3)
Ryan McCollum – Texas offered this week, but it might be too late in the game.
Prediction: Texas A&M
Confidence level: 3.5
Defensive Line
Jordan Elliott – Elliott was adamant during the Army Bowl that he was sticking with Michigan and not visiting Texas. To our knowledge the Texas staff has not been in contact but there is thought they will make a last minute run at the Houston DT.
Prediction: Michigan (Last week: Michigan)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 4)
Kelvin Lucky – The Horns need to get Lucky on campus and sell him on becoming the uber athletic edge prospect Charlie Strong has been looking for. The Texas staff could close this one if they push for it.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 2.5)
Stephon Taylor – News on Taylor continues to indicate positive things for the Longhorns. Taylor could make a return visit (unofficially) to Austin and if he does consider that a very positive sign.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 2)
D’Andre Christmas-Giles – Like Taylor, this one is trending more positive by the day. It is conceivable Texas could end up with a trio of Louisiana DT prospects. Word around San Antonio is that LSU isn’t the threat they were made out be.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: LSU)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 0.5)
Marcell Southall – All signs still point to Norman, but there is some thought a visit to Texas will take place.
Prediction: Oklahoma (Last week: Oklahoma)
Confidence level: 5 (Last week: 5)
Mark Jackson – Jackson had a good week at the Army Bowl, and some folks believe Texas is running third in the race behind A&M and Oklahoma.
Prediction: Oklahoma (Last week: Oklahoma)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week: 2)
Alton Robinson – Robinson got a Texas offer this weekend, but some things we’ve heard behind the scenes say this is extremely unlikely.
Prediction: Texas A&M
Confidence level: 4
Linebacker
Dontavious Jackson – The word on Jackson this week was negative for Texas and there was some thought the feeling could be mutual. I don’t personally believe that, but it’s looking to be more unlikely that Jackson will end up in Austin.
Prediction: Florida State (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 3)
Jeffrey McCulloch – We’ve heard some things that have us feeling bullish on the Shark. Notre Dame is a factor but Texas is in the lead right now.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 3.5)
Erick Fowler – Fowler announced he would be in for the big visit weekend in January. Texas may be looking at him as an inside linebacker at this point thus the rumored drop in interest for Jackson. Family pressure could swing him to Austin. The feeling is that Fowler is 50/50 right now, but I’ll give LSU the slightest of edges.
Prediction: LSU (Last week: LSU)
Confidence level: 0.5 (Last week: 4)
Defensive Back
Deontay Anderson – Texas trails Ole Miss, and unless Reggie Hemphill can do some work on Anderson during his visit, the standout safety looks bound for Oxford.
Prediction: Ole Miss (Last week: Ole Miss)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 4)
Brandon Jones – I would caution Texas fans not to count their chickens yet but you can start building the coop. A strong official visit this weekend could solidify their spot at the top.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3.5 (Last week: 3.5)
Eric Cuffee – Cuffee has already made a commitment video with Bleacher Report and the secret is out that it will be Texas.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 5 (Last week:5)
Chris Brown – Some of this will depend on Dontavious Jackson, but if Texas pushes for his commitment they can win it. Arizona State might be the surprise team.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 0.5 (Last week: 3)
