The third annual Under the Lights camp will be held in Austin this weekend, and once again the Longhorns have a wealth of talent descending on the 40 acres. The premier Texas camp evolved in recent years to a recruiting event that sets the Texas momentum in motion. In recent years the Longhorns were able to identify under the radar prospects, and get up close with their top targets in the current class. Many familiar names are slated to be in attendance, and we’ll discuss them along with some lesser-known guys looking to put on a show Saturday night.
Quarterbacks
Sam Ehlinger – The Texas commit put on a show at this very event last season, and he cemented his offer status shortly afterwards. Ehlinger will be in a different role now, as he looks to play ambassador to the top targets on campus and bring them into the fold.
Clayton Tune – Hebron’s 2018 quarterback is an early candidate to be an offer for the Horns. Tune is a talented passer with good accuracy and arm strength looking to turn some heads and put himself in the conversation for the coaches in 2018. Tune has interest from many schools including Texas A&M and Oklahoma. He likes what he’s hearing from the Sooners so far, but his father is a Texas graduate so there are some obvious family ties there.
Tanner Mordecai – We profiled the Midway quarterback following his performance at the Prime 21 camp, and he’s really a name to watch over the next six months or so. Mordecai is high on the Texas board from what we know, and his ability as a passer is growing and developing. Mordecai previously told us he didn’t know if he would be able to make it, so him coming in is big news. Mordecai has a few offers including one from Texas Tech, while TCU is also very interested in the Centex prospect.
Grant Gunnell – It’s a little early to start thinking about 2019 prospects, but Gunnell looks like a good bet to be ranked the top passer in the state for his class. The St. Pius quarterback stands 6’5, and this tall Texan already holds offers from Florida State, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M.
Running Backs
Joshua Fleeks – Cedar Hill’s 2018 runner doesn’t have much game tape due to a crowded backfield, but he’s starting to create some buzz during the spring. Fleeks is a shifty runner with nice explosion, and he could be a candidate for the Longhorns as they evaluate a talented running back group.
Kirby Bennett – Allen’s 2018 star is one of the top players in the state for his class, and he does it in all aspects of the game. Texas seems zeroed in one running back target in 2016, so they could take multiple runners in 2017. Bennett’s all around game makes him a big time candidate for an offer.
Tycen Thompson – The 2018 Ennis star features in a number of positions for the Lions. Thompson has a jet pack, and he’s my pick to surprise a lot of people this weekend.
Craig Williams – The 2018 Crosby runner known as “Sqwirl†is already a hot target for most schools. Williams is an elusive burner with the juice to score from anywhere on the field. The thought is that Texas likes Williams a great deal, so we will see the type of attention shown to him on Saturday.
Wide Receiver
Damion Miller – The Texas commit is a lot more solid to the Longhorns than he seemed in the spring when he was looking around a bit. John Tyler’s speed merchant will have a chance to bond with fellow commits, and continue to put in the work on recruiting that we’ve heard about behind the scenes.
Omar Manning – Lancaster’s beastly receiver confirmed with us at The Opening that he would be in attendance, and Omar is indeed coming. Manning is one of the top targets on the board for the Horns, and his recruitment is trending in the right direction. TCU is still the public leader for him, but Texas is making a strong push thanks to some Texas ties on the Lancaster staff.
Sam Crawford – The Rockwall receiver isn’t a huge name on the Texas boards, but he’s talented and athletic. While Crawford isn’t a primary target for Texas yet, a strong performance could designate him as a target to explore later in the cycle.
Brennan Eagles – Alief Taylor’s massive target receiver has been putting on a show at every camp he attended this offseason. Eagles has the big frame Texas seems to like in their receivers, and he’s one of the fastest rising prospects of the 2018 class.
Kassidy Woods – We first saw Greenhill’s lanky pass catcher in action during the winter, and we were immediately intrigued by his skillset and size. Woods showed up at the Texas satellite camp, and he’s making a trip to Austin to get in front of the coaching staff again. Woods is one of my picks as a dark horse guy everyone will be talking about afterwards.
Al’Vonte Woodard – The Lamar pass catcher is one of the best in the 2018 class, and he should be able to put on a show at DKR. Woodard will be a big time prospect for the Horns going into 2018 as they try to keep tapping into the talented Lamar pipeline.
Theo Wease – An early candidate for the top receiver in 2019, Allen’s long limbed pass catcher is looking to make an early statement even though he has three seasons still to play.
Tight End
Kenny Nelson – The Frisco Centennial tweener was unstoppable at the Texas satellite camp in Dallas, and he won the MVP at the Opening regional in Dallas. Nelson blends his sturdy frame with impeccable route running and work ethic.
Tyrick James – China Spring’s Tyrick James is a prospect Texas likes more at linebacker, but he’s a strong prospect at the tight end position. The 2018 prospect shows explosive ability and great hands. It’s unclear what the Texas recruiting strategy will be at the position, but James could be an early target for Texas.
Offensive Line
The offensive line talent is a bit thin for this camp. The notable prospects missing from this list are Xavier Newman and Walker Little. Newman seems more interested in visiting Oklahoma next week which is telling, and Little is planning to visit at another time.
Defensive End
LaGaryonn Carson – The big east Texan is doing his best to get to campus, and if he does he will be a force as a recruiter. Carson is 100% committed, and the only thing that could put that in jeopardy would be the departure of Jeff Traylor.
Taquon Graham – Temple’s defensive end has been a Texas lean for a while, and if I had to single out one player on commitment watch this weekend it would definitely be Graham.
Ondario Robinson – Hutto’s big edge player has A&M out in front for his recruitment, but he’s coming to Texas with an open heart and a willing mind. The Aggies seem to be pushing for Robinson more than Texas, but they will get a chance to evaluate him up close and personal.
Jarell Cherry – Dallas Carter’s exciting pass rusher put on a show at the Texas satellite camp, and he’s a key candidate on offer watch for the 2018 class.
Defensive Tackle
Damion Daniels – The Bishop Dunne defensive tackle holds a ton of offers, but he’s not tipping his hand just yet on where he’s headed. Daniels was thought to be an Oklahoma State lean to play with his brother, but we were told the Cowboys aren’t really a factor thus far.
Calvin Avery – Damion Daniels 2018 teammate is a huge prospect for Bishop Dunne, and Texas is definitely interested in him. Avery will be trying to prove his worth an earn an offer in front of the Texas coaches.
Linebackers
Baron Browning – The Longhorns will get their top defensive target on campus for another visit, and you can bet they will try to stick him close to Malik Jefferson and Brian Jean-Mary. Browning’s recruitment will take a lot of turns down the stretch, but we continue to hear that Texas is in a strong position.
Anthony Hines – The only target for Texas at the “Mike†position moved his schedule around to be in Austin on Saturday. Hines is a unique prospect in terms of size and skillset, and he always enjoys his time in Austin. Hines isn’t tipping his hand publicly, but we believe this will come down to a battle between Texas and Oklahoma and Texas A&M to some extent.
Bumper Pool – The best name in recruiting will make his way to Austin in hopes of earning a 2018 offer. Lucas Lovejoy’s inside backer already holds an Alabama offer, and he could land one from Texas sometime soon.
Defensive Back
Kobe Boyce – Lake Dallas corner Kobe Boyce has flirted with some other schools during the process, but he tells us he’s 100% committed and just “enjoying the processâ€. Boyce plans to become a big part of the Texas recruiting effort, and help Texas land some prospects.
Montrell Estell – We haven’t heard much from the Hooks defensive back since his commitment, but we have no reason for concern. Estell will get his first chance to interact with his fellow commitments and get more face time with his future coaches.
BJ Foster – Angleton’s safety prospect is probably the best player in the state for 2018, and he’s high on Texas from what we know. After putting on a show at The Opening in Oregon, Foster will continue his summer tour in Austin. He already holds an offer, so this will be an opportunity for the Texas coaches to interact with him.
Jalen Green – The Houston native is on offer watch as one of the top players in the state for 2018. Green shows a great blend of size and speed, and he will push Anthony Cook for the honors of top corner in the state for his class. The Texas coaches love Green from what we hear, and things could get more interesting after Saturday.
Tanner McAllister – Rockwall Heath’s strong corner plays some of the best physical game at the position. Two weeks after earning a TCU offer, McAllister will look to earn one from his dream school. McAllister is close with Texas safety Deshon Elliott, and if offered he could close the book quickly.
Jeremiah Lewis – Prestonwood 2018 DB Jeremiah Lewis is an under the radar prospect with good length and beautiful feet. I wouldn’t expect an offer to come out of this camp, but Lewis definitely has the ability to make a name for himself.
Anthony Cook – The latest big name DB from Lamar high returns to Austin after earning an offer earlier in the summer. Cook has a long way to go, but Texas is definitely in the mix here.
Caden Sterns – Another pick of mine to turn some heads, the Cibolo Steele product has great length and athletic ability for days. Sterns holds offers from multiple big time programs, but neither Texas nor A&M have offered at this point. We expect Texas to pick up pursuit if Sterns puts on the same show he did at the Prime 21 camp.