Part I of the HornSports Recruiting Primer detailed the offensive prospects that Charlie Strong and Shawn Watson are pursuing. Part II examines the blue chippers that Vance Bedford and Charlie Strong are hoping to add to the roster.
DEFENSIVE END
Projected Numbers: 1-2
On Campus: Shiro Davis (Sr), Naashon Hughes (So), Caleb Bluiett (Jr), Derick Roberson (Rs-Fr), Bryce Cottrell (Jr), Quincy Vasser (Jr)
Incoming: Charles Omenihu
Committed: None
Recruits on the radar: Mark Jackson, Brandon Bowen, McTelvin Agim, Erick Fowler
Summary: Texas would like to find an edge rusher or two in this class after loading up on strongside ends in the 2015 class. Erick Fowler is technically a linebacker, but can play on the edge in an aggressive front to get after the quarterback. Bowen and Jackson are high upside guys with great frames, and Agim is a polished player ready to contribute early.
Predicted finish: Mark Jackson, Erick Fowler
Texas will push for Agim, but it doesn’t appear they will be able to pull him away from the in-state Razorbacks. Fowler is a prototypical edge prospect, while Jackson shows great pass rush ability and has a comfort with the program.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Projected Numbers: 2-3
On Campus: Jake McMillon (Rs-Fr), Paul Boyette (Jr), Alex Norman (Jr), Poona Ford (So), Chris Nelson (Rs-Fr), Hassan Ridgeway (Jr), Desmond Jackson (Sr)
Incoming: Du’Vonta Lampkin
Committed: None
Recruits on the radar: Ed Oliver, Michael Williams, Jordan Elliott, Kendell Jones, Justin Madubuike, Chris Daniels, Darius Anderson
Summary: While the Longhorns need bodies for depth at d-tackle, they can still afford to be selective. Oliver is the big fish in the group, while Williams and Elliott are more realistic options. Madubuike has had almost nothing to say in his recruitment to indicate where he is leaning, and Kendell Jones could be destined for the offensive side of the ball. Chris Daniels and Darius Anderson remain prospects who really like Texas but do not hold offers.
Predicted finish: Kendell Jones, Michael Williams, Jordan Elliott
Kendell Jones is a take, no matter which side of the ball coaches use him. Williams is perfect as a nose with pass rushing ability, while Elliott is developing into a monster three technique. The Longhorns have the numbers already on campus, but really need some high-end talent.
LINEBACKER
Projected numbers: 2-3
On Campus: Peter Jinkens (Sr), Tim Cole (Jr), Edwin Freeman (Rs-Fr), Malik Jefferson (Fr), Dalton Santos (Sr)
Incoming: Cecil Cherry, Anthony Wheeler, Cameron Townsend, Breckyn Hager
Committed: Demarco Boyd
Recruits on the radar: Jordan Carmouche, Dontavious Jackson, Jeffrey McCulloch
Summary: This one seems simple: With Boyd already on board, there are three top in-state linebackers who are all very high on Texas. If there is a position where numbers could be sacrificed it is at linebacker considering the large 2015 class. Dontavious Jackson and Jeffrey McCulloch are two of the highest rated linebackers in the nation, but Jordan Carmouche is the type of versatile player that Charlie Strong loves at the position. If Strong and Bedford can make the numbers work, I believe they will get their targeted guys at ‘backer.
Predicted finish: Jordan Carmouche, Dontavious Jackson, Jeffrey McCulloch, Demarco Boyd
A clean sweep at the position – Jackson is the perfect MIKE linebacker to play in the middle, while McCulloch could shine at the FOX. Carmouche offers a great deal of versatility to play on either side, while Boyd could stick in the middle or spin down to defensive end.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Projected Numbers: 3-4
On Campus: Bryson Echols (JR), Duke Thomas (SR), Antwuan Davis (Soph), Sheroid Evans (SR), Dylan Haines (JR), Jermaine Roberts (RS-FR), John Bonney (RS-FR), Jason Hall (Soph)
Incoming: Kris Boyd, DaVante Davis, DeShon Elliott, Holton Hill, PJ Locke
Committed: None
Recruits on the radar: Parrish Cobb, Christian Wallace, Eric Cuffee, Deontay Anderson, Brandon Jones, Eric Monroe
Summary: With tight numbers and a big 2015 class coming to Austin, it appears the Longhorns will have to sacrifice at DB. Even though the 2016 class is loaded at safety, Texas might be able to only take two each at corner and safety. Monroe represents a player with the ability to play at either position, while Wallace and Anderson are high on the Horns. Brandon Jones is the top player overall in the state and certainly would not be turned away.
Predicted finish: Eric Cuffee, Christian Wallace, Parrish Cobb, Brandon Jones
Cuffee and Cobb are more than enough to hold down the cornerback position. Wallace is rumored to be leaning to Texas at this point, and I think Charlie Strong pulls one out of his hat down the stretch with Brandon Jones. If the Horns don’t land Jones, I think they will be happy to sit at three for this position unless Anderson or Monroe want on board.
Predicted Class: 24
QB – Shane Buechele
RB – Darius Anderson, Kameron Martin
WR – Reggie Hemphill, Collin Johnson, Devin Duvernay
TE – Peyton Aucoin, Jack Stoll
OL – Tope Imade, Chris Owens, Denzel Okafor
DE – Erick Fowler, Mark Jackson
DT – Michael Williams, Jordan Elliott, Kendell Jones
LB – Jordan Carmouche, Demarco Boyd, Dontavious Jackson, Jeffrey McCulloch
DB – Eric Cuffee, Brandon Jones, Parrish Cobb, Christian Wallace
Breaking down the numbers:
Obviously by predicting a class of 24, Texas would be over the scholarship limit by quite a bit. Texas will have 85 scholarships once Merrick enrolls, and with 14 seniors on the roster, ten players would have to leave the program in order to make a class of 24 possible.
The average for attrition is somewhere around five or six. Texas could cut numbers by dropping players from that projection, but the coaching staff showed last season they are willing to juggle numbers.
One additional thing to consider is the number of academic casualty rumors for prospects from the 2015 class. There could be as many as four or five players that do not earn academic clearance to enroll if each rumored instance comes to fruition.
The only certainty at this point is that there are going to be some tough decisions made if the Longhorns succeed with the majority of the players they are after.
