Last week we gave you a first look at where things stand on the offensive recruiting front. While his time at Texas has been successful on both sides of the ball, the ability to stack talent on defense is an early feather in Charlie Strong’s cap. Strong put together high end linebacker and secondary classes in back to back years, and he replenished depth on the defensive line during last year’s cycle. While the Texas defense is on the brink of elite status, let’s see how the board sets up for Texas early on.
Defensive End: Projected Numbers (2 [Fox] 1-2 [strong end])
On Campus – Bryce Cottrell (RS-SR), Quincy Vasser (SR), Naashon Hughes (RS-JR), Charles Omenihu (SO), Breckyn Hager (SO)
Incoming – Andrew Fitzgerald, Malcolm Roach
Committed – LaGaryonn Carson
Recruits on the radar – Taquon Graham, Robert Beal, K’Lavon Chaisson, Earnest Brown
Summary: Texas sits with a heavy lead for Temple pass rusher Taquon Graham who will be making a decision at the end of this month. While Robert Beal named Texas his leader shortly after de-committing from Notre Dame, he has yet to visit again. In any case, pulling a recruit from SEC country will be a tall order. Chaisson likes Texas, but they aren’t in his top group at this point. LSU, Baylor, and Texas A&M are all higher on the North Shore pass rusher’s list. Earnest Brown would be a perfect strong end candidate, but his early commitment to Northwestern seems pretty firm at this time.
Prediction to finish – Lagaryonn Carson, Taquon Graham, other targets
Carson and Graham will be a great cornerstones to build on, but I think Charlie Strong would like to add another end at each position. Carson is a strong end all the way with the ability to move inside in the future, while Graham can play either side. If Strong could somehow pull off Beal and Earnest Brown, he might do cartwheels all the way up to the podium on signing day.
Defensive Tackle: Projected Numbers (1-2)
On Campus – Paul Boyette (SR), Poona Ford (JR), Chris Nelson (RS-SO)
Incoming – Jordan Elliott, Chris Daniels, Marcell Southall, D’andre Christmas-Giles, Gerald Wilbon
Committed – None
Recruits on the radar – Marvin Wilson, Deiontae Watts, Damion Daniels
Summary: All systems are go in the race for Marvin Wilson. It’s clear that he’s one of the most important recruits on the board for Texas, and the staff is pursuing him like so. At this point it looks like Texas is his top in-state option, but LSU and Florida State are the outright leaders. If Texas can win 8-9 games this season they have a great chance to land the big man. They can be choosy at the defensive tackle position after a big haul last season, but they’d really love to get an elite talent like Wilson. Watts hasn’t shown much interest in Texas since his offer, and Daniels is thought to be headed to Oklahoma State with his brother eventually. Expect some more names to emerge over the summer at the position.
Prediction to finish: Unclear
Right now I have a hard time seeing Texas overtake LSU and Florida State for Wilson, and they are still evaluating other options at the position. Look for Brick Haley to be given the green light to search for options in Louisiana.
Linebacker: Projected Numbers (2-3)
On Campus – Tim Cole (SR), Edwin Freeman (RS-SO), Malik Jefferson (SO), Anthony Wheeler (SO), Cameron Townsend (RS-FR), Demarco Boyd (FR)
Incoming – Erick Fowler, Jeff McCulloch
Committed – None
Recruits on the radar – Baron Browning, Levi Jones, Anthony Hines, Dylan Moses, Tyler Taylor, Chris Allen, Mohamed Sanogo, Kenneth Murray
Summary: After two strong linebacking classes, Texas is zeroed in on the elite talent on their board. Baron Browning is the chief target due to his freakish size and ability. Texas believes he could be another Malik Jefferson, and Browning has versatility to play every linebacker position and possibly at the Fox. Texas sits in a very strong position for the state’s top player, but as always they will have to produce this year to close that down. Finding a true “Mike†backer is one of the top priorities for the 2017 class, and Anthony Hines is the prize at that position. Texas faces stiff competition from Oklahoma, but they have to be very comfortable about where they sit for his services. If Texas were to miss they could look to Sanogo or even Murray as a secondary option. Levi Jones holds an offer, and after hearing some negative things about his recruitment in regards to Texas, the latest news has Texas turning perception around thanks to the help of his teammate Sam Ehlinger. Taylor and Chris Allen are probably longshots at this point, and so is Dylan Moses from what we know. While Moses took the internet by storm after naming Texas his leader, we are told behind the scenes that anywhere other than Florida State, Alabama, or LSU would be a big surprise.
Prediction to finish: Baron Browning, Anthony Hines, Levi Jones
If Texas can show progress this season, their recruiting potential goes through the roof. It would be highlighted by landing two of the best linebackers in the nation in Browning and Hines, and it would probably be enough to reel in Levi Jones as well. If things went very well I could see Texas landing Moses as well, but they are going to have to run a perfect race to land him.
Cornerback: Projected Numbers (3-4)
On Campus – Sheroid Evans (RS-SR), Antwuan Davis (RS-JR), John Bonney (RS-SO), Kris Boyd (SO), Holton Hill (SO), Davante Davis (SO)
Incoming – Eric Cuffee
Committed – Kobe Boyce
Recruits on the radar – Stanford Samuels, Chevin Calloway, Kary Vincent, Michael Lee, Josh Thompson, Langston Frederick, Paulson Adebo
Summary: Texas already has a commitment in Kobe Boyce, and they’ve focused their efforts in state on Chevin Calloway and Kary Vincent. Texas gained ground for both players in the past few weeks, and the momentum in Vincent’s recruitment has been picking up steam behind the scenes. Though he is an A&M legacy, Vincent told us a few months ago that he grew up watching Texas as he followed former Port Arthur Memorial running back Jamaal Charles throughout his college career. Texas finally moved on Mansfield’s Paulson Adebo, and they have a strong chance due to their proximity to home and academic excellence. If Texas misses out on their top targets they could start to look at guys like Langston Frederick and Josh Thompson.
Prediction to finish – Kobe Boyce, Kary Vincent, Paulson Adebo
If Texas can land two of these three they will be very happy, but they have a strong chance to sign both Boyce and Adebo. While Vincent is high on Texas right now, it will take a long race to finish first for him. Most of this is based on the premise that Texas wins more games this year, and if they do I can see this stellar cornerback class inking with Texas.
Safety: Projected Numbers (2-3)
On Campus – Dylan Haines (SR), Kevin Vaccaro (SR), Jason Hall (JR), PJ Locke (SO), DeShon Elliott (SO)
Incoming – Brandon Jones, Chris Brown
Committed – None
Recruits on the radar – Jeff Okudah, Robert Barnes, DeAngelo Gibbs
Summary: There will need to be more options pursued at the position, because Texas can’t feel very secure about where they stand with players currently on the board. Okudah is the prize for Texas, and while he might be the most likely in this group, they still have a long way to go in his recruitment. Okudah has a good relationship with Charlie Strong and Clay Jennings, and he’s interested in the opportunity to star in a hybrid role between corner and safety. Okudah has a rare blend of talent that had him in the thick of the race for the state’s top player. Robert Barnes is strongly committed to Oklahoma, and that isn’t likely to change. Gibbs is an out of state guy, and Texas would need to pull him away from the other Florida programs.
Prediction to finish: Unclear
Like so many other players, things could look much different with Okudah if Texas is able to fashion a strong season. The Longhorns are still in need of talented players at this position, but they really need to land another high end option. We will have a better idea of this recruitment in the fall.
