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The Longhorns held their first ever Texas Stampede this weekend in Austin. And the feedback from the event, which drew in only the top high school prospects from around the state, was a smashing success.
Gladewater’s Daylon Mack, Whitehouse’s Justin Dunning, and Malik Jefferson of Mesquite Poteet were some of the biggest names to attend. When it was all said and done, Texas garnered two new commits, offered five more, and came away with a sense that Mack Brown and company still got it.
South Grand Prairie’s Jason Hall committed to Texas on Saturday to nobody’s surprise. The former Nebraska pledge had been high on UT for awhile and it was only a matter of time for the 3-star safety. There were overtures from Oklahoma and Baylor here of late, but Hall had wanted to be a Longhorn from Day 1, and an offer from the staff during one of Texas’ Sunday mini-camps in June was enough to convince the hard-hitting defensive back.
The second verbal from the event was a big one. In the literal sense. Trinity High school in Euless, Tx produces massive size kids and junior Top 150 guard, Patrick Vahe is the next in line. The 6-foot-4, 295-lb offensive lineman committed to Texas Saturday night, and later confirmed by ESPN’s Max Olson around lunch on Sunday. Vahe can play multiple positions along the front, but center may be the player’s future spot. He joins a offensive line class at Texas that is quickly becoming downright scary. Offensive tackles Aaron Garza (Sherman) , Maea Teuhema (Keller) and Connor Lanfear (Buda) add to a formidable 2015 group.
Texas also extended offers to a handful of the 2015 class, starting with running back / super-athlete  Ja’Mycal Hasty of Longview. Hasty ran an electronic 4.39 40-yard dash at the ETSN Combine in Tyler back in May and has long been an Texas A&M lean, but Hasty came away impressed by the event and thankful for the offer. The other ’15 RB offered was Davin Crookshank of Fort Bend Marshall. The Horns handed out their first 2016 offer of the year, and Manvel’s Reggie Hemphill was the receipent. The ultra-smooth wide receiver has been turning heads all summer and will likely be a national recruit after his sophomore season in 2013.
After attending the Big12 Media Days in Dallas last week, I gathered every piece of information from Media guides, to DVD’s, to Baylor’s version of a media guide, xeroxed papers. Among the slather of information I started studying the Texas edition. And the stats jumped off the board.
** Since 1999, Texas is 3rd in the nation with 515 sacks. Leads NCAA since 2008. Also 3rd in Tackles For Loss (535.5).
** Texas has blocked the most kicks in the nation (70) since 2001.
** Texas has ranked among the Top 25 defenses in total defense in 11 of the last 15 seasons.
** Since 1990, Mack Brown has recorded more wins (217) than any other coach in NCAA.
** Texas is one of only two teams (Florida State the other) in the history of college football to win at least 10 games in nine straight seasons.
** Texas is the only team in the nation to be ranked in 13 of the last 14 BCS Final polls.
** Texas currently has 44 players on NFL rosters, fifth most in NCAA. UT also has eight Top 10 NFL Draft picks since 2001 and trail only USC (by two) and Alabama (by one).
** In the last 15 years, Texas has the most Top 5 NFL Draft picks in the nation (6). Â Second are LSU, OU, and USC tied with four.
** Since 2001, DB coach Duane Akina has put 11 of his 12 starting cornerbacks in the NFL. That’s remarkable.
In other news, Texas suspended sophomore wide receiver Cayleb Jones has elected to transfer. Jones has had a myriad of problems, culminating in a assault of former UT tennis player last Spring. Jones was granted a full release and may sign with any college. The next player that wears the No. 4 jersey needs to be a good one. I’m thinking 2014 stud Lorenzo Joe.
The Texas game versus Kansas game on November 2nd will be a 2:30pm kickoff and will air on the Longhorn Network, joining New Mexico State and Ole Miss.
In baseball news, Texas received a commitment from Kody Clemens, son of former UT legend, Roger Clemens. The junior infielder from Memorial high school will be the third Clemens to attend the UT.
Quote of the Week – “ I gave my two sons to this program.” Mack Brown quoting the new Director of High School Player Relations, Bob Shipley, and father of former UT WR Jordan Shipley and current WR Jaxson Shipley
Tweet of the Week – “
The last time I picked Texas to win the Big12 was 2009 and that year they went 13-0 and played Alabama for the national title.
— Phil Steele (@philsteele042) July 28, 2013
