Burton/247 seems to have woken up to this possibility
Which we have been discussing in here for weeks
Save your money, just read this thread
Texas' defensive class could be best in decadeBobby Burton - 2 hours ago
http://texas.247sports.com/Article/Longhorns-football-UTs-defensive-class-could-be-best-in-decade-35253267
The Texas defense was good this year -- very good.
(Photo: Sonny Shipp, 247Sports)
But the defense's best players are all headed to the NFL, and the talent left on campus is far from overflowing.
In fact, the defensive talent level on the existing roster, particularly the depth of it, is so poor that it likely kept Texas head coach Charlie Strong up at night.
No matter what, the 2015 recruiting class had to address the overwhelming need for talent on defense.
The Longhorns needed immediate depth at every defensive position, from defensive end to defensive tackle and linebacker to every spot in the secondary.
How have the Longhorns fared so far?
Like champs.
With just five days left unit National Signing Day, the Longhorns have commitments from 12 defensive players. With a couple of other key recruits still left to decide, the 2015 class has a chance to be the best group of defensive players on the 40 Acres in at least a decade.
Here's an overview:
Defensive tackleCommitments
Du'Vonta Lampkin, Cy Falls
Still recruiting
Daylon Mack, Gladewater
The Longhorns wanted to take two defensive tackles this year, and they have a chance to. Lampkin came alive as a senior; he was the defensive MVP of his district after being only 2nd team all-district as a junior. His pledge is a big one for the Longhorns. Of all the players left on the board, Mack is the one who would put the cherry on top of this class. He’s one of the best defensive players in the 2015 class and would make an instant impact on the field. A combo of Mack and Lampkin would be as good as anyone will sign anywhere.
Defensive endCommitments
Quincy Vasser, Navarro Junior College
Charles Omenihu, Rowlett
Breckyn Hager, Austin Westlake
Vasser should play immediately, competing for minutes with
Shiro Davis,
Caleb Bluiett and
Derick Roberson, and his help can't come soon enough. Bluiett and Roberson are both recovering from injuries this spring. Omenihu has as much raw upside as any prospect in the entire class. Hager, whose dad Britt still holds the records for most tackles in a season, played linebacker in high school but projects as a defensive end.
LinebackerCommitments
Malik Jefferson, Mesquite Poteet
Anthony Wheeler, Dallas Skyline
Cecil Cherry, Lakeland (Fla.) Victory Christian
Cameron Townsend, Fort Bend Ridge Point
The existing depth chart is almost completely barren behind the two seniors who have been hit-or-miss their entire careers (
Peter Jinkens and
Dalton Santos). It's possible that one, possibly even two, of these signees will end up starting at some point as true freshmen. Jefferson is widely considered the top linebacker in the state and the country by 247Sports, but Wheeler had a phenomenal senior season, too. Cherry and Townsend may not be ranked as highly, but the Longhorns’ coaching staff identified both as must-haves.
CornerbackCommitments
Holton Hill, Houston Lamar
Kris Boyd, Gilmer
Davante Davis, Miami Booker T. Washington
Still recruiting
Deandre Baker, Miami Northwestern
Outside of the expected starters in 2015 (
Sheroid Evans and
Duke Thomas), the Longhorns had no players in the pipeline who was destined to start. Texas absolutely had to have three cornerbacks in this recruiting class, and they couldn't have asked for any better results. All three players haven't different skill sets. Hill is a long-armed match-up corner, Boyd is a plus-athlete with superb return skills and Davis is the rare corner whose size can be overwhelming for offensive players. Baker is just 17 years old yet his combination of speed and long arms are something the Longhorns really like. As for versatility, all of these guys are physical enough to play safety if called upon.
SafetyCommitments
DeShon Elliott, Rockwall Heath
Like cornerback, the depth chart at safety behind and beside former walk-on
Dylan Haines and
Jason Hall is wide open. There's just no plausible depth. Elliott is a thumper who will cover the seam with authority and could compete for playing time right away.
The Grade?If Texas inks Mack, it's an A+.
I don't really see how Texas could have fared much better at any spot. Without Mack, I'd have to still give it an A.
During their time at Texas, I'd expect to see at least three eventual starters emerge from the DL. At least two at linebacker and at least three in the secondary.