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Story by Mike Roach, HornSports Senior Recruiting Analyst
An eventful National Signing Day wrapped up on the 40 Acres following the conclusion of Charlie Strong’s press conference. It’s fair to say Texas won the day from the way they dominated the national headlines along with Alabama and Florida State. While Charlie Strong and his staff endured doubts and barbs regarding their slow start, Strong and his crew had the last laugh as they closed quickly and decisively on a majority of their top targets.
Coming off of a 5-7 season, Texas had a tough job to do in selling a struggling program to recruits. The Texas staff rose to the challenge, and as Charlie Strong has shown in the past, he is never out of the fight. One thing he’s also had a knack for is coming up big when his back is against the wall. The Longhorns filled almost all of their needs, and in a majority of cases they did it with their primary targets. The other important mission was winning back the state of Texas from their primary recruiting rivals. The Longhorns landed decisive blows against Texas A&M in this class, but Baylor and TCU put together very good classes and are right on their heels. For this cycle though, it appears Texas did enough to establish themselves as the big winners in the Lone Star state.
How did they do it? Texas put together a coordinated effort which included a heavy dose of social media and support from the program's current commits and players. It cannot be emphasized enough how important the players already on campus were to this effort. The trio of Charles Omenihu, Malik Jefferson, and DeShon Elliott were out in front as the faces of this effort. If Texas can put this type of effort forward each season, there’s no telling what they can accomplish.
Let's not fail to mention the effort put forth by the Texas coaching staff. While many have been knocked as recruiters, the staff really got after it. The ace in the hole was Jeff Traylor. In his first year as a Texas coach, Traylor came up huge in several recruitments, including the race for top safety Brandon Jones.
With all that said, let’s take a look at how the 2016 Texas signing class breaks down.
The Crown Jewels
Each class has their headliners, and the Longhorns had many to choose from.
Shane Buechele – Quarterback
There was no question about it, quarterback was a paramount need in this class. Texas closed down early on with the top passer in the state. Buechele was a leader throughout the cycle doing massive work to bring this class together. Buechele enrolled early, and might have a chance to win the starting position this spring.
Brandon Jones – Safety
For the second season in a row, Texas landed the top player in the state. Jones is an elite playmaker that can step in and play immediately on the Texas defense. This was a big head to head win over A&M, as Jones was thought to be an Aggie lean for some time.
Jeffrey McCulloch – Linebacker
Texas was a favorite to land “the shark†for most of the year, and after some shaky moments in the fall, they were able to close the deal. McCulloch was one of the top defenders in the state and another head to head win against A&M. McCulloch joins a crowded young linebacker group, but his talent and versatility can get him on the field early.
Erick Fowler – Linebacker
Fowler’s talent is immense, and flipping a recruit from LSU is always a big victory, but the Manor product could fill a big hole at the fox position. Texas did not land a dynamic pass rushing defensive end, but Fowler could fill that need. Like McCulloch, he’s also a candidate to play early because of his talent and versatility.
Big Numbers For Big Needs
Charlie Strong targeted a heavy run along both front lines, and Texas cleaned up with the big guys in 2016.
Jean Delance – Offensive line
Delance was the top offensive lineman Texas signed, and the North Mesquite product became a vocal recruiter after making his pledge. Delance could probably use a redshirt year to add weight, but his athletic profile is one to be excited about.
Tope Imade – Offensive line
Texas got some serious beef, and Imade isn’t dwarfed by any of them. The Arlington Bowie prospect has good size and great strength. He’s a raw player who will benefit from college level development, but his size and strength is already exciting.
Denzel Okafor – Offensive line
Okafor is a mix between Imade and Delance. He’s a big strong player with good athleticism and high upside. Okafor rose in the rankings during the recruiting year, and he’s probably the incoming lineman most likely to play early.
Zach Shackelford – Offensive line
Shackelford was a late edition, but he was a big need with holes in the interior line. Shack is already on campus, and could compete for the starting center job during the spring.
Andrew Fitzgerald – Defensive end
Fitz was a guy the staff evaluated and offered late, and that appears to have paid off. He has a prototype build for a strong side defensive end, and his size could make him an early contributor.
Malcolm Roach – Defensive end
Roach is a jack-of-all-trades that could figure in at multiple positions. Forecasts would put Roach on the strong end as well, but he also shows some ability to feature in the fox position. Roach also has good size and athletic ability, so he might be one to watch next season.
Jordan Elliott – Defensive tackle
Elliott drove fans and coaches crazy this season with an eventful recruitment, but the Houston defensive tackle has some bona fide ability. Elliott is one of the only true three techniques in the state, and he will be called upon to provide depth immediately.
Gerald Wilbon – Defensive tackle
Wilbon stayed committed throughout the season, enduring the roughest of times for a recruit to go through. His film greatly improved from his junior to senior season, and Wilbon could play quickly at the nose position.
D’Andre Christmas-Giles – Defensive tackle
“DCG†burst on the scene pretty late, but he shows some pretty freaky ability for a guy his size. His first step is pretty incredible, and he should be able to make an impact early on.
Chris Daniels – Defensive tackle
Daniels was a late pull for Charlie Strong and company, but he brings some serious size and speed to the defensive tackle position. He might need to do a bit of re-shaping for his body, but he has the size to figure in at the nose right away.
Marcel Southall – Defensive tackle
Southall has some position versatility, but he may also need some re-shaping before he’s really ready to go. He could ideally be deployed all along the line and used in multiple ways.
Nasty by nature
Physicality is always a a priority for Charlie Strong, and Texas made sure to get some players who love doing the dirty work signed.
Demarco Boyd – Linebacker/Fullback
Gilmer’s most versatile athlete was a leader in this class and is already on campus. Boyd could play on either side of the ball, but he’s a very intriguing option as a fullback/h-back.
Peyton Aucoin – Tight end
Aucoin is a tight end by name, but he’s here to get his hands dirty. Possibly the best blocking tight end in the nation, Aucoin is a carbon copy of former Texas tight end Geoff Swaim. Aucoin might be headed for the offensive line, but wherever he ends up, he will be an absolute steamroller.
Eric Cuffee – Defensive back
Cuffee is an aggressive, physical player that loves to bully the opposition. He can fit in at corner, safety, or nickel, and should be an immediate special teams player.
Chris Brown – Defensive back
Brown is a sledgehammer who loves to headhunt. Like Cuffee, Brown has position versatility to play anywhere in the secondary. \
Skill in all shapes and sizes
With a new offense headed to Austin, Texas needed to land a talented group of skill players with different tools.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey – Athlete
Humphrey is a human mismatch at 6’4 210 lbs. He’s being recruited to play receiver, but he can also line up as a flex tight end or running back.
Davion Curtis – Wide receiver
Curtis doesn’t have the size that Humphrey does, but he does possess speed that no one else in the class has. He also has a familiarity with this offense, which gives him a leg up on early playing time.
Reggie Hemphill-Mapps – Wide receiver
Reggie was the key recruiter within the commitment group. His quickness and fluidity will help him find soft spots in defenses to exploit for big gains.
Collin Johnson – Wide receiver
“Young Megatron†brings an incredible package of size and athleticism to the position. He has star qualities, and if he rehabs from his injury successfully, he could play right away.
Kyle Porter – Running Back
While many thought Texas would pass on a runner this year, Kyle Porter adds a nice package of well-rounded skill. He won’t beat out the incumbent performers for the job, but he does have a very good chance to win the third string job.
