ESPN article by Gerry Hamilton, this is part of the article the rest is by pay. This is for the Charlie should be fired now crowd.
Texas has path to top-10 recruiting class
Texas s could sign a top-10 class come national signing day. With the Longhorns currently sitting at No. 36 in the RecruitingNation class rankings, it might sound crazy. Last year, Charlie Strong and staff put together one of the most-impressive closing bursts in the 2015 cycle reeling in seven ESPN 300 prospects kick started with Malik Jefferson.
The 2016 class is setting up to be more of the same with Texas in position to make a run on ESPN 300 prospects in the next 31 days.
No. 27 Brandon Jones or No. 42 Deontay Anderson
Charlie Strong would take both of the nation’s top safeties, but walking away with one is the likely scenario. Jones and Anderson visit Texas Jan. 15 with the Longhorns currently sitting at No. 1 for Jones over Texas A&M and Baylor, while Anderson is an Ole Miss lean with Texas and LSU in the hunt.
No. 95 Jeffrey McCulloch
The Under Armour All-America Game linebacker has three remaining in contention with Notre Dame holding a slight edge over Texas and Stanford heading into McCulloch’s official visit to Texas Jan. 15.
No. 126 Eric Cuffee
The Longhorns are considered the heavy favorite for the versatile defensive back, and Under Armour All-America Game standout. A commitment could come this week.
No. 49 Devwah Whaley or No. 263 Kyle Porter
Texas doesn’t have to ink a running back in the class, but would take one of Whaley or Porter. Whaley committed to Arkansas during the Under Armour All-America Game, but an official visit to Texas remains a possibility Jan. 15. Porter, on the other hand, is open with TCU, Texas, Oregon, Arkansas and Wisconsin in play.
No. 121 Chris Daniels or No. 219 Mike Williams
Texas is searching for an in-state flip at defensive tackle. Oklahoma commit Daniels has become a top target of Strong and staff with an official visit likely Jan. 15, while Williams has continued to keep Texas warm despite being committed to Stanford. Williams is scheduled to visit Texas Jan. 23.
No. 229 Stephon Taylor or D’Andre Christmas-Giles
The Longhorns would very likely take both with defensive tackle being a huge need, but the numbers game could keep that from happening. Texas arguably leads for senior riser Christmas-Giles over LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina and TCU. While Taylor is expected to visit Austin this month, LSU, Oklahoma and Auburn are the Longhorns’ competition for Taylor.
No. 141 Erick Fowler or No. 185 Mark Jackson
The Longhorns covet a pair of edge rushers committed to other schools. LSU commitment Fowler will visit Texas Jan. 15 before going to Baton Rouge the following weekend, while Texas A&M soft verbal Jackson is scheduled to be in Austin Jan. 15.
Irvin Smith
The Longhorns have a real shot to flip the four-star tight end and Texas A&M verbal. Alabama, where Smith will likely visit Jan. 15, stands in the way.
No. 159 Dontavious Jackson or Giovanni LaFrance
Jackson is a Florida State lean with Texas still in the mix along with a number of others. The Longhorns have taken a liking to former Tulane three-star commit LaFrance after an impressive senior season, and could make a January push.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey
The three-star versatile athlete will choose between Texas and California Jan. 30 with the Longhorns considered the favorite headed into his Jan. 15 official visit to Austin.
Zach Shackelford
The Kansas State verbal was offered by Texas after a terrific senior season, and now seems destined for a flip to the Longhorns following a Jan. 15 official visit.
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/insider/post?id=124177