The 2016 recruiting class is off to an auspicious start with the commitments of Collin Johnson, Reggie Hemphill, DeMarco Boyd, and Shane Buechele. Charlie Strong and staff are building on momentum they generated in February with the 2015 recruiting class, and the surge continues with the first junior day with 2016 prospects.
At this time last year, Texas hosted a junior day that lacked a bit in star power. With a coaching staff still figuring out where The Drag is, plus recent poor performances by the Horns, the lack of fanfare was expected. This year’s event will be a far more star studded affair with the chance for the Longhorns to host a number of the state’s top prospects, as well as a few from outside Texas.
Mack Brown molded junior days into the events they are today. Brown made a name by seizing early momentum and piling up commitments to lock up the bulk of his classes.
As we’ve learned, Charlie Strong approaches recruiting differently and acknowledges that most commitments are merely placeholders. Does that mean Strong won’t accept pledges from top prospect? Of course not, however, Strong approaches these events more as an opportunity to “get in the boat†with a recruit and lay the foundation for the upcoming recruiting year. For Strong, recruiting is a marathon, and as evidenced by last season’s results, he is never out of the race. Two or three commitments may happen this weekend, but gone are the days when the Horns would rack up double digits by the end of February.
QUARTERBACK
Texas got things off to a good start this week when they received news that Arlington Lamar quarterback Shane Buechele committed to play in Austin. Buechele’s pledge hasn’t stopped the coaching staff from pursuing additional options at the position as they look to provide depth to a position that handicapped the program for half a decade.
Rowlett quarterback Logan Bonner is an intriguing option for a second quarterback in the 2016 class. A teammate of signee Charles Omenihu, Bonner has no offers, but is drawing attention from some of the bigger programs around the nation.
Texas will also host Texas Tech commit and DeSoto athlete Tristan Wallace. Wallace received an offer last week from Texas and admitted that it intrigued him. Wallace is considered a long-term project at quarterback that would take time to develop, but his high upside is evident.
The big fish on the menu at the position is Potomac, Maryland’s (Bullis School) passer Dwayne Haskins. Haskins is drawing interest from just about every program in the nation, but seems to really like Texas thanks in large part to his friendship with 2015 signee Kai Locksley. Haskins is the best pure passer the Longhorns are recruiting and, as such, the Horns will recruit him all the way to signing day 2016.
RUNNING BACK
While Texas scooped up three running backs in the last cycle, that hasn’t stopped them from throwing out offers to many of the top in-state options at the position. After taking several power backs in 2015, it will be interesting to see if Texas makes a run at some of the more electric players this year as a change of pace.
Trayveon Williams of C.E. King (Houston) received an offer earlier this month and is a prospect currently flying under the radar. Texas will battle Texas A&M and TCU for his services.
Kyle Porter (Katy) and Devwah Whaley (Beaumont Central) seem to be the do-it-all prospects that Strong covets at the position. Both players are likely to take their time with the process, but have had close contact with the staff. Whaley is close friends with 2015 signee PJ Locke which could work in favor for the Longhorns.
Rakeem Boyd will be the other runner on campus. Boyd, a Houston Stratford product, holds offers from a number of programs.
WIDE RECEIVER
The receiver position should be constrained by big hauls in the 2014 and 2015 classes, as Texas infused the program with a group of young talent. Add to that the fact that 2016 already has two committed pass catchers in Hemphill and Johnson, and the feeling persists that there may only be room for one or two more prospects. Judging from the players making their way to Austin this weekend, it looks like Texas has zeroed in on three players for those remaining spots.
Devin Duvernay of Sachse is considered the top wideout in the state. Duvernay is akin to a human jet pack, and has always held the Longhorns in high regard.
Navasota playmaker Tren’Davion Dickson picked up a Longhorn offer earlier this month following his de-commitment from Baylor. Dickson dominated the state championship game, and re-wrote the Texas high school record books last season. Texas will have to battle Baylor and Texas A&M to win the pledge of a player several consider the top playmaker in the state.
LSU commit Dee Anderson of West Mesquite has a tie to Texas program – he is the cousin of 2015 signee DeAndre McNeal. Anderson has hinted at re-opening up his commitment following the departure of his position coach at LSU.
It’s unlikely any of these prospects would shut down their recruitment this early. It’s also important to note that current commitment Reggie Hemphill of Manvel will be in Austin this weekend to help with recruiting.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Joe Wickline continues his quest to build depth on the offensive line. The good news for Wickline is that OL is a position that could yield a few commitments this weekend.
Copperas Cove tackle JP Urquidez has been on the Horns’ radar for quite some time and was even close to pulling the trigger in favor of Texas last fall. Urquidez is also considering Baylor and Oklahoma, but the Longhorns are the clear leader. In fact, Urquidez is probably the safest bet to commit to the Horns of all the prospects in attendance.
North Mesquite tackle Jean Delance is built like a Wickline prototype. The 6’5, 270 pound Oklahoma commit has an enticing frame and plays with great technique. Delance does not hold a Texas offer at this point, but that could change this weekend, causing him to consider a switch of Red River rivals.
DEFENSIVE LINE
With roster needs on the defensive line, Texas has a chance to make up ground with Houston Westfield’s Ed Oliver. The top defensive tackle prospect in Texas has LSU as his leader, but new Texas defensive line coach Brick Haley will certainly boost the Longhorns’ chances.
Texas will also host Fort Worth All Saints Episcopal tackle Michael Williams, who boasts an impressive offer list including one from Texas. Williams is difficult to get a read on, but he is a dark horse pick for a commitment.
Another player to put on commitment-watch is Cibolo Steele defensive end Mark Jackson. Jackson has liked Texas for a while and UT’s proximity to home certainly should help land one of the state’s top pass rushers.
LINEBACKER
With DeMarco Boyd on campus to help recruit this weekend, Texas will host a group of talented linebackers. Jordan Carmouche of Manvel received an offer from Texas earlier this month which upgraded his profile. Carmouche is flying under the radar, but his versatility makes him the type of linebacker Texas prefers. With Manvel’s Hemphill along for the ride, Carmouche is another dark horse commitment possibility.
Erick Fowler will make the short trip from Manor to Austin, and the Texas staff really wants to make a good impression with the big linebacker. Fowler is a candidate to play to defensive end in college, but possesses enough athleticism to stick at linebacker.
Texas will also host a duo of big bodied inside linebacker prospects in Jeffrey McCulloch (Aldine Davis) and Dontavious Jackson (Alief Elsik). Jackson and McCulloch have both turned heads early in the process, and will both be targeted as potential “Mike†and “Sam†candidates. Neither is expected to make a decision any time soon.
DEFENSIVE BACK
The defensive back position will be headlined by Galena Park North Shore’s Eric Monroe. Part of the dynamic trio of safety prospects that all rank as Top 10 players in the state, Monroe is unlike the others in that he possesses the versatility to play corner. Monroe also likes Texas A&M and LSU, but has a relationship with Texas basketball signee Kerwin Roach. Monroe will be the top priority among defensive backs on campus this weekend.
Waco High corner Eric Cuffee is a candidate for a Texas offer this weekend which would add to an already impressive rolodex of programs recruiting him. Cuffee hasn’t been vocal about his preferences so it’s difficult to say where Texas sits on his list.
Southlake Carroll corner Obi Eboh could be a player that everyone is talking about following the junior day. The talented corner played very well in the state playoffs and has the build Charlie Strong loves in his defensive backs. Eboh currently holds offers from Washington, Ole Miss, and Arizona State. If Texas offers Eboh he becomes another candidate to shut things down early.
Perhaps the most polarizing recruit slated for this weekend is Katy Tompkins athlete Christian Wallace. Wallace, who profiles as a defensive back de-committed from TCU earlier this month. He also holds offers from Texas, Oregon State, and Texas Tech. Rumors regarding off-field trouble with Wallace are rampant, but there is no denying his ability. Strong has shown in the past he’s not afraid to take on a reclamation project, and Wallace is definitely another candidate to pledge his signature to the Longhorns.
While it is unlikely the weekend is filled with commitments, it is an important event to lay groundwork for the upcoming recruiting class. Charlie Strong upgraded his recruiting reputation by signing a Top 10 class in 2015, and needs to continue that trajectory as he rebuilds the Texas program.
* photo credits: Student Sports
