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The Under Armour All-American game saw two prospects on the board make their decision. Jean Delance announced for Texas which we had pegged, but Arkansas was able to close the deal on Devwah Whaley. Whaley still plans to make a January official visit to Austin so for now we are keeping him in the forecast. The Army All-American game is this week, and Horn Sports will have live coverage from the game. Tight End Jamal Pettigrew and JUCO DT Tyrell Chavis have been removed from the board totally.
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 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 – Our sources indicated Whaley had given people inside the Texas program the idea he would announce for the Longhorns. Arkansas holds the prediction for now, but if Whaley makes his January visit his recruitment is still in play.
Prediction: Arkansas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week: 4.5)
Kyle Porter – With Whaley off the board for now, Porter becomes the primary target at running back. The Longhorns competition for Porter is Arkansas (who just picked up Whaley) and Oregon. I think Texas feels very comfortable here.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week 2)
Darius Anderson – It doesn’t seem like Texas is back in on Anderson yet, but with the dead period soon to lift and Whaley off the board this could be the perfect time. Anderson has an impressive offer streak going since he opened his recruitment up. We will know more in the next week or two.
Prediction: Unknown (Last Week: Not listed)
Confidence Level: Unknown (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. 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. Alabama is the only factor keeping me from upping my confidence.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2 (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 – I really want to see what Matt Mattox does out of the break here because I think Shack is there for the taking. I’m still going Kansas State, but the number is coming down.
Prediction: Kansas State (Last week: Kansas State)
Confidence level: 0.5 (Last week: 2)
Patrick Hudson – As has been the case from the start, there is a lot of confusion as to who Hudson will visit in January. He’s never been one for the recruiting spotlight and it seems like the longer this goes on, the better it fares for Baylor.
Prediction: Baylor (Last week: Baylor)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 3)
Defensive Line
Jordan Elliott – The story remains the same here. Win the battle for the group of Houston prospects and the battle for Elliott gets easier. Texas has to get him back on campus in January. This week he was very vocal about being committed to Michigan, but things just don’t add up totally. That said, I’m thinking he’s nearing a point of being so dug in the flip chance goes away.
Prediction: Michigan (Last week: Michigan)
Confidence level: 4 (Last week: 3)
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. We still like their position here.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 2.5 (Last week: 2.5)
Stephon Taylor – Some people we talked to last week made us change my mind just a bit on Taylor. Texas has always felt good about this recruitment but I haven’t been a believer. That is beginning to change.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: TCU)
Confidence level: 2 (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.
Prediction: LSU (Last week: LSU)
Confidence level: 0.5 (Last week: 2)
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 – A newcomer to the list, Jackson could be another casualty of the issues in College Station. Oklahoma is a big factor here as well.
Prediction: Oklahoma
Confidence level: 2
Mike Williams – Once again, it will depend on whether Williams gets his acceptance to Stanford but if he doesn’t we believe the Longhorns will benefit. Williams will visit Texas in January. I actually like the Longhorns chances if Williams does make it to Austin.
Prediction: Stanford (Last week: Stanford)
Confidence level: 2 (Last week 3)
Linebacker
Dontavious Jackson – Florida State is the threat and so is Alabama if they decide to push hard. It is so important that Jackson make it to campus even if it’s for an unofficial.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 1.5 (Last week: 3)
Jeffrey McCulloch – Just get the Shark in for his official and ease any concerns he has about stability within the program. I like where this one is going based on what I’m hearing.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3.5 (Last week: 2.5)
Erick Fowler – Fowler announced today he will be in for the big visit weekend in January. He will still be a tough flip, but the Horns will have every chance to hit him with their best shot.
Prediction: LSU (Last week: LSU)
Confidence level: 3 (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 – As we enter the home stretch, Texas finds themselves in a good position. Just keep running the race. Blow Jones away on the official visit and the top prospect in the state could be headed to Austin.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3.5 (Last week: 2)
Eric Cuffee – Cuffee wanted to announce at the Under Armour game but couldn’t. It’s the worst kept secret in recruiting, but barring something really weird Cuffee will be a Horn.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 4.5 (Last week: 3)
Chris Brown – Brown is seeing some last minute interest from schools like Florida and South Carolina. Michigan also looms large here but we are going to stick with Texas.
Prediction: Texas (Last week: Texas)
Confidence level: 3 (Last week: 2.5)
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Looking into the immediate future, the defensive tackle position is one of need for the Longhorns. Hightower High School DT Darius Anderson’s recruitment is worth keeping an eye on for that matter. Anderson, the God-brother of former Texas running back Fozzy Whitaker may not hold a Texas offer, but that doesn’t mean the staff at Texas aren’t keeping tabs on #49 on the HornSports Top 50 for 2016. We’re told Anderson and defensive line coach Brick Haley talk every week. We also know Anderson and Texas RB Coach Tommie Robinson spoke yesterday. Is there interest in bringing the 3-star Anderson into the fold with a formal offer? It’s definitely possible – especially with just a month left until NSD. Texas sees the urgency to ensure the position has viability, and with targets Deandre Christmas-Giles and Stephon Taylor both holding offers from in-state powerhouse LSU, the Longhorns could easily offer a guy like Anderson to cover their bases.
What do Anderson and Haley discuss every week? “Life, period. He’s been a great mentor for me, giving me advice,” says Anderson.
Texas isn’t the only program keeping Anderson within arms reach. Missouri, Kansas, Notre Dame and Baylor all maintain consistent communication with him.
As January materializes and National Signing Day approaches, keep an eye on Darius Anderson.
