The 2013 Texas QB Targets

Those that follow the recruiting efforts of  The University Texas know the team notched an extremely successful recruiting class on National Signing Day last week.  Just about every position in need was covered, including two promising quarterbacks in early signee Connor Brewer and Jalen Overstreet.   With that being said the football staff over on the 40 acres is right back on the recruiting trail for 2013.  The first Junior Day for 2013 recruits is this weekend in Austin and brings with it high school players that will commit to play football for a particular school a year from now.

Jake Raulerson became the first junior commitment for Texas, and Mack Brown and company will more than likely receive more commitments this weekend during the visit.   All the guys visiting this weekend have potential, but one guy is drawing comparisons to a Longhorn legend.  Tyrone Swoopes (Whitewright, Texas) is a 5-star quarterback recruit that is receiving praise for his athleticism, ability to gobble turf and on-field presence.  He is the nephew of former Texas Tech and Houston Comets women’s basketball star Sheryl Swoopes, who is a four time WNBA Champion.   Scouts and recruiters alike think he resembles former Longhorn quarterback Vince Young, as he possesses a 6’5” 225 lb. frame and an incredible ability to run the football.

Swoopes has received offers from schools like Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, Texas A&M, and the list goes on and on.  The upside on this kid is downright sick, but there is an active and live debate amongst fans as to whether Texas is best suited with a dual-threat or drop-back passer at the quarterback position.  Enter JT Barrett and Kenny Hill, the other 2013 quarterback recruits who will make the second Junior Day visit to Austin later this month.

JT Barrett (Wichita Falls, 6’1” 210 lbs.) is a dual threat quarterback with excellent passing skills. He has offers from Nebraska and Texas Tech and has a strong interest in playing at many other Big XII schools.  Kenny Hill, Southlake Carroll quarterback (6’2”, 205 lbs.) has great passing skills but can also beat you with his legs if he needs to.  He has received offers from Baylor, A&M and Texas Tech but has also expressed interest in playing for Stanford.

So who’s the better prospect of the three?  From a rankings perspective Swoopes is.  Texas seems to be in hot pursuit and it is possible Swoopes commits this weekend.  Even so, a commodity like Swoopes will be pursued relentlessly by other schools in hopes of a de-commitment.   Barrett is no slouch either.  Same for Hill.  Assuming Swoopes commits this weekend, which is possible, Texas will have David Ash, Case McCoy, Connor Brewer and Jalen Overstreet ahead of him.  While this may seem like overkill, it really isn’t.  The unknown when it comes to college quarterbacks is alive and well.  Texas had two qb’s transfer to other schools last season, one of which was the starting quarterback in Garret Gilbert.

Recruiting is basically a one-sided science that boils down to trust.  If Swoopes commits to the Horns this weekend will Mack Brown go easy on Barrett and Hill?  Probably.  Should he?  Probably not.  We saw Gunner Kiel’s flop from Indiana to LSU to Notre Dame and how it left LSU in a pickle.  Texas needs a future quarterback and Tyrone Swoopes, JT Barrett and Kenny Hill are all worthy candidates.  Who will ultimately sign with Texas?  We’ll find out a year from now.