Hits & misses from Texas’s National Signing Day efforts

On Wednesday, the Longhorns wrapped up their 2021 recruiting cycle. Overall, Texas’s recruiting class ranked 17th in college football, according to 247Sports. However, the Longhorns were still able to have the second best recruiting class in the Big 12, behind just Oklahoma. This week, I decided to highlight some of the highs and lows of Texas’s recent recruiting efforts.

Longhorns Recruiting Notes:

Hits:

Jaydon Blue:

 

Well, Blue is actually in the class of 2022 but I felt like cheating. Blue’s commitment came on the eve of Signing Day, and marked the third commitment in Texas’s 2022 recruiting class. Currently, Blue is the fourth highest-ranked running back in the entire 2022 recruiting cycle.

David Abiara:

 

On National Signing Day, the Longhorns were able to land three-star defensive end, David Abiara. Until last fall, Abiara was committed to joining the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and coach Brian Kelly. However, new Longhorns defensive line coach Bo Davis was able to work swiftly in securing pen on paper from the 6’4″, 248 pound lineman.

 

Keithron Lee & Ishmael Ibraheem:

Both athletes had been committed to joining the Longhorns, but it became official on Wednesday. Furthermore, Lee is Texas’s third wide receiver in the 2021 recruiting cycle and Ibraheem becomes Texas’s third highest-ranked prospect in the class.

Preferred Walk-On Program:

 

Recently, Texas’s walk-on program has been on fire in recruiting quality athletes. In last week’s article, I mentioned the fact that the Longhorns landed Bert Auburn, a nationally ranked class of 2021 kicker.

 

 

Afterwards, the Longhorns landed both Zane Minors and Michael Taaffe from Austin Westlake. In addition, both Minors and Taaffe have big game experience as they have helped Westlake win back-to-back state titles.

 

 

Lastly, Texas’s walk-on program also landed three-star quarterback Cole Lourd, from the Brentwood School in Los Angeles. Lourd, a 6’2″ pro-style quarterback, also had an offer from Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers.

Misses:

Unfortunately for the Longhorns, the new staff has only been in place for about a month. As a result, it will take time for the new coaching staff to build authentic relationships with recruits. So, they were also bound to miss out on some recruits who decided to commit or sign around National Signing Day.

Austin Uke:

 

The 6’4″ offensive tackle from Dallas Parish Episcopal had the Longhorns as a finalist, but ended up signing with Stanford. However, you could argue that newly minted offensive line coach, Kyle Flood, did a great job in even getting Texas into the conversation. Unfortunately for Texas, their 2021 recruiting class only consists of two offensive linemen. On the bright side, there is a ton of talent to be won in the great state’s 2022 class.

Bear Alexander:

 

Last month, the 6’3″ defensive tackle earned a state title with Denton Ryan. On National Singing Day, Alexander committed to continuing his football career with Georgia after he graduates from high school in 2022. Prior to his commitment, Alexander listed Texas in his top 16 schools list. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Alexander is the 22nd highest-rated player in the state of Texas’s 2022 recruiting cycle.

Conner Weigman:

 

After losing a commitment from Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns have been searching for a class of 2022 quarterback. One of the quarterbacks they started to recruit was Bridgeland’s Conner Weigman, however he is now off the table. As a result, the Longhorns will have added pressure to land 2022 quarterbacks such as Maalik Murphy or Cade Klubnik. Or, the long shot, flipping Quinn Ewers back from Ohio State to Texas.

Longhorns Offers:

This February, Texas continues to be active in offering and re-offering recruits in the 2022 class. However, the staff has started to also offer 2023 recruits as well. Down below, I have listed all of the offers that the Longhorns have made since my last article.

2022 Re-Offered:

Kelvin Banks – Four-star Offensive Tackle – Summer Creek

Austin Jordan – Four-star Cornerback – Denton Ryan

Jarred Kerr – Four-star Athlete – Lexington

Jamarion Miller – Four-star Running Back – Tyler Legacy

Shazz Preston – Four-star Wide Receiver – St. James

Malick Sylla – Four-star Defensive End – Katy

2023 Re-Offered:

Jalen Hale – Four-star Wide Receiver – Longview

Anthony Hill Jr. – Four-star Linebacker – Denton Ryan

Rueben Owens – Four-star Running Back – El Campo

Javien Toviano – Cornerback – Arlington Martin

Other Texas Offers:

David Hicks Jr. (2023) – Defensive End – Morton Ranch

Jason Llewellyn (2022) – Tight End – Aledo

Connor Robertson (2022) – Three-star Offensive Tackle – Austin Westlake

Kristopher Ross (2022) – Defensive Tackle – North Shore

Qae’shon Sapp (2022) – Offensive Tackle – Lee County