To say this is a big weekend for Tom Herman and his staff would be a huge understatement. The Texas staff is set to play host to some of the best players in not only the state of Texas, but in the entire country this weekend and they are coming by the bus load. In years past we have seen recruits make their way to Austin for Texas’ Junior Day, but the list of players set to make it in this weekend is something I haven’t seen probably since the peak Mack Brown years when Texas was cherry picking talent throughout the state.
The names have been coming in fast and furiously, so we are going to break down the names we have penciled in to be in attendance this weekend and give you an idea of the amount of talent that will be on campus this weekend. Also be mindful that guys like Jaylen Waddle made their way to campus earlier today, and some on the list won’t make it down until Sunday. It’s been reported that there will be two separate events this weekend, and that seems to make sense so that the staff isn’t stretched so thin.
(We may be missing a few names, but with so many recruits coming in we did our best to verify as many as we could.)
2018
Quarterbacks
Tanner Mordecai, Waco Midway
One of the top signal callers in the state of Texas even though it’s a down year across the board. Mordecai has been on Texas’ radar for a while, but despite not holding an offer he will make his way up the road to Austin. Baylor seems to be trending currently for his services.
Casey Thompson, Southmoore (OK)
Quarterback offers have been scarce so far because the coaches want to see them throw, but Thompson has received an offer and is one to keep an eye going forward. He has expressed wanting to make an early decision and with Oklahoma already having their quarterback for this class, Texas could be in prime position to land him despite being a Sooner legacy.
Justin Rogers, Parkway (LA)
Rogers is raw as a passer, but he has tons of athleticism and upside, and he could be the key to landing his five star wide receiver teammate Terrace Marshall. Rogers doesn’t hold an offer just yet, but with him and Marshall making their way into town I could see one coming once he sits down with the coaches.
Chance Amie, Tyler Lee
Amie is similar to Rogers as far as being raw with upside, but is probably further off in regards to getting offered. The East Texas gun slinger has recently received offers from Syracuse, ULL, and Virginia.
Running Backs
Keaontay Ingram, Carthage
Ingram is the top running back in the state and is the only back we know of that will be in attendance this weekend. He should get plenty of love from Stan Drayton this weekend, and he is priority for the staff, as he was offered earlier this month.
Wide Receivers
Jalen Preston, Manvel
One of the top wide outs in the state and in the country made a name for himself on the hardwood, and is now doing the same on the gridiron. Another stud out of the pipeline down in Manvel.
Al’vonte Woodard, Houston Lamar
Woodard is part of the Lamar Trio and that makes him one of the top priorities on the board for the Texas staff. Recently received offers from Ohio State and TCU, but Texas is in good shape early on here.
Brennan Eagles, Alief Taylor
The star of the Opening Regional down in Houston after posting some freaky numbers for his size. Like Woodard he is also a priority for the staff and likes Texas, but program far and wide have come calling for his services.
Tommy Bush, Schertz Clemens
You are going to find a hard time finding a hotter prospect in the country than Tommy Bush. Like Eagles, he tested really well for his size down in Houston and that has his stock going thru the roof. Alabama recently put an offer on the table, and Texas might be next.
Erik Ezukanma, Timber Creek
Ezukanma had an impressive junior year and has the film that backs it up, but where does he stand on the staff’s big board? In my opinion he’s worthy of an offer, but will have to wait in line due to the depth of the position.
Terrace Marshall, Parkway (LA)
Not much needs to be said here. Marshall is arguably the top receiver in the country and getting him on campus with Rogers is a good start to trying to land him. Him and Rogers both seem open to leaving Louisiana, but lets see how long that holds up when LSU starts dialing up the heat.
Jonathan Shepherd, Kilgore
Sleeper wide receiver out of East Texas that is still looking to get that first offer. Not expecting him to factor into Texas’ plans at this time.
Michael Woods, Magnolia
SMU commit that reeled in 21 touchdowns this past season for Magnolia. Solid player that is probably a long shot for an offer right now.
Kalon Barnes, Silsbee
Speedy wide receiver from the Golden Triangle that already has 11 offers to his name. Another nice player, but I don’t think he is in Texas’ plans as things sit currently.
Ja’Kori Morgan, Clear Lake
Army, Houston, and Oregon State have already offered this month, but I don’t expect there to be much going on between Morgan and Texas at this time.
Tight Ends
Mustapha Muhammad, Fort Bend Ridge Point
The top priority at the position for the Texas staff, but the competition is going to be stiff. Has spoken highly of Tom Herman since his arrival in Austin and getting him on campus for some face time with the staff is a good start.
Bralen Taylor, Cuero
Taylor’s stock has absolutely exploded this month with schools like Miami, Oregon, and TCU all offering recently. I’m plenty intrigued by his potential and it should be interesting to see what the staff has to say to him this weekend.
Malcolm Epps, Spring Dekaney
Getting the former Alabama pledge on campus is a good start with his recruitment now reopened. Like Muhammad, he already holds an offer from Texas and several of the nation’s elite.
Offensive Linemen
Rafiti Ghirmai, Frisco Wakeland
The moment I saw Ghirmai on film I knew it was only a matter of time before his stock blew up and blow up he did. He’s better than his three star ranking and is now north of 20 FBS offers and is a take all day long a tackle. Texas has already offered.
Trey Stratford, Allen
Stratford protects the blind side for Allen’s quarterbacks, but I think he kicks inside at the collegiate level at center or guard. Texas hasn’t had much luck at Allen when it comes to landing recruits, but they are very much in it for Stratford early on.
Reese Moore, Seminole (Maybe)
The jumbo athlete from Seminole is still a maybe for Junior Day due to his basketball obligations. Despite playing several positions for Seminole, Texas likes him at tackle at the next level.
Barton Clement, Thurgood Marshall
It’s been speculated that A&M leads for Clement, but he did list Texas in his top list of schools after they offered, and they are getting him onto campus this weekend.
Chasen Hines, Marshall
The dancing bear of an offensive guard hailing from East Texas is one of my personal favorites so far this cycle, and he is one to keep an eye on if things go well this weekend.
Dylan Wonnum, Tucker (GA)
Blue chip offensive guard from Georgia will make his way down to Austin for the Junior Day. I imagine he will pick up an offer during his time on campus.
Defensive Linemen
Max Wright, Katy Taylor
Wright is another favorite of mine from the in-state crop of recruits. He’s said to be an A&M lean at this point in his recruitment, and I won’t dispute that, as this one has always had a feel that trended towards the Aggies. Texas needs to roll out the red carpet and try to make up ground.
Taylor Upshaw, Braden River (FL)
An intriguing player making his way in from Bradenton, Florida, but doesn’t hail from IMG Academy believe it or not. Recently picked up offers from Indiana, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss.
Miles Emery, Blue Valley North (KS)
I don’t have much on Emery other than that Oklahoma offered January and Iowa State recently extended one as well. I am a bit curious to why Kansas State hasn’t moved in on him given they are typically all over in-state talent.
Tahj Brown, Donaldsonville (LA)
Defensive end from The Boot who holds C-USA and AAC offers early on. Likely not an offer candidate at this time.
Jarrell Cherry, Dallas Carter
This will be an interesting one to keep an eye on this weekend. Cherry was extended offer by the previous staff, but to our knowledge had not had the offer re-affirmed. This weekend should clear that up one way or the other.
Jamarcus Chatman, Rome (GA) (Maybe)
Still unsure if he makes it in, but the edge rusher from Georgia holds over 30 offers, and recently added Florida State, Iowa, and Tennessee.
Joseph Ossai, Conroe Oak Ridge
Athletic edge rusher from Conroe who notched a Texas offer recently and then another from Alabama not too long after. Been speculated that he is high on A&M, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him pump the breaks as more offers roll in.
Joshua Landry, Houston Lamar
While many are focused on Anthony Cook, D’Shawn Jamison, and Al’vonte Woodard, Landry is closing in on 20 offers himself. Lamar is absolutely loaded yet again.
Keondre Coburn, Spring Westfield
One of the top priorities at defensive tackle and hails from Corby Meekins’ old stomping ground at Westfield. Texas hasn’t had much luck there lately, but this recruitment is a big opportunity to get them back on track there.
Shabazz Dotson, Cedar Hill
Dotson is a solid player, but there hasn’t been much buzz between him and Texas to this point in the process.
Moro Ojomo, Katy
The Katy defensive tackle has seen his stock take off lately, as Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, and TCU have all offered. He’s a little light in the britches currently and I don’t think he would be in line for an offer until later down the line.
Linebackers
Joshua Reed, Houston Heights
Under the radar linebacker from Houston who had a very productive junior season. Hasn’t notched any offers to this point, but I suspect that won’t be the case for long as schools come by this spring.
DeMarvion Overshown, Arp
He’s right up there with Tommy Bush when it comes to his stock being red hot. Overshown is a giant safety, who looks like he could eventually grow into a linebacker and Texas offered in December well before the blow up. That could be meaningful when it comes time to making a decision.
Defensive Backs
Anthony Cook, Houston Lamar
Not much needs to be said here. Five star cornerback, who is fresh off of earning an invite to The Opening in Oregon. Likes Texas plenty, but don’t expect him to be shutting it down anytime soon.
Gemon Green, DeSoto
Gemon and his twin brother German will make the trip down to Texas this Sunday. Gemon is the more sought after of the duo, and boasts offers from Michigan, Oregon, and TCU.
German Green, DeSoto
Twin brother of Gemon. Has been banged up and while he has some offers to his name, he is not as sought after his brother.
Trent Gordon, Manvel
Another year, another Manvel defensive back bound for an FBS school. Gordon has racked up a slew of offers already and more on certain to be on the way. Could potentially walk away with an offer this weekend.
Starrland Baldwin, Cy-Falls
Cat quick corner that hails from Cy-Falls (threw down a 3.85 shuttle at the Opening Regional) that is just now seeing his stock start to take off.
Patrick Fields, Tulsa Union (OK)
With the amount of talent in-state at the position this cycle, some have had mixed feelings about Fields receiving an early offer, but the kid can play. It will be interesting to see how the staff plays this if he wants to shut it down early this spring.
Atanza Vongor, South Grand Prairie
Another player that received an early offer last summer from the previous staff, but there is uncertainty that new staff covets him the same way. Reportedly wants to commit soon, but if he does I’m not sure it will be Texas.
Leon O’Neal Jr., Cy Springs
Stud safety that has been “waking them up†quite often so far early in the cycle. O’Neal is highly coveted by many and for good reason. Texas will have a chance to make an impression this weekend.
BJ Foster, Angleton
The five star safety that hails from Angleton made it known that he will be in town all weekend long and that is never a bad thing. Listed Texas in his top 5 awhile back and is arguably the top priority on the board for the staff. Having Quandre Diggs on your side helps a lot here, but watch out for Ohio State.
Isaiah Humphries, Sachse
The Penn State legacy recently pledged to his father’s alma mater and will be a tough hill to climb despite the proximity to home.
Athletes
Ta’Zhawn Henry, Houston Lamar
Henry is a favorite for some, but him and Texas are likely never going to cross paths on the recruiting trail.
Justin Watkins, Vanguard (FL)
The Florida State commit has been very vocal about his feelings for Texas ever since they offered and him flying to Austin on his own dime is a strong way of backing up the talk of possibly switching his pledge. Watkins and Texas could legitimately happen in the near future, but he is already on his second commitment, and would need to be recruited intensely until he signs.
Jaquayln Crawford, Rockdale
Crawford was very excited when Texas extended an offer and even went as far to say they were his dream school. Some think he’s a candidate to shut it down early in the process, but I am taking a wait and see approach for right now. Crawford can play either side of the ball, but I think he projects to the slot on offense.
Julon Williams, Converse Judson
An intriguing prospect from just up the road near San Antonio. Probably doesn’t get an offer this weekend, but could be a name to know for later on down the line.
2019
Quarterbacks
Roschon Johnson, Port Neches Groves
The lone offer out at quarterback so far for the 2019 class, and is said to be very fond of the Longhorns.
Grant Gunnell, St. Pius X
While Johnson received the first quarterback offer, I expect Gunnell to receive one as well as he is one of the best in the state and the country. Texas A&M probably holds the advantage in this one with his brother walking on there.
Offensive Lineman
Kenyon Green, Atascocita
Green committed on the spot when offered early by LSU, but there is plenty of time to work on him. Personally I think he is a much better prospect than Samuel Cosmi, who Texas just signed.
Kardell Thomas, Southern University Lab (LA)
The monster offensive lineman who went viral after he absolutely bullied defensive linemen at the Army All-American combine. He is likely a long shot considering his proximity to LSU, but he will likely be offered.
Wide Receivers
Theo Wease Jr., Allen (maybe)
Wease recently committed to Oklahoma, so I’m not sure he will make it in, but there is still a long way to go in this recruitment.
Tight Ends
Austin Stogner, Prestonwood
Stogner has yet to play a snap of his junior season and his stock is already taking off. I wouldn’t be surprised if the staff extended an offer, as Baylor, Colorado, Duke, Houston, Oklahoma State, and TCU already have.
Defensive Linemen
Lloyd Murray, Hirschi
Big time defensive tackle from Wichita Falls that already holds reported offers from Florida State, Notre Dame, TCU, and Tennessee.
Athletes
Jordan Whittington, Cuero
This kid plays a little bit of everything for Cuero, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if an offer is extended this weekend. He is already being chased by big time national programs, and Oregon just threw their name in the hat today.