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    Bobby Burton
    Continuing the earlier discussion that focuses on whether or not - or just how well - Texas has refilled the roster pipeline this recruiting campaign, here's a look at the defensive side of the ball.
    Edge
    Colin Simmons, Zina Umeozulu
    Player Grade: A
    Simmons is a true blue chip. His explosiveness is rare. So too is his ability to bend the edge. He has long arms and good motor and a willingness to play through contact. There's a reason he's the two-time defensive MVP of the state championship game and a five star prospect. Umeozulu is situated differently. Texas passed on a couple of higher ranked prospects to further pursue Umeozulu, who is just starting to grow into his body. He's a long, lanky defender with good acceleration and outright speed. If he can properly hone his craft and body with years of development, he has as much upside as anyone in the class.
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position?
    Texas needed two legit prospects in this recruiting class, ones who can get the QB to the ground. Sure, both of them may need a year or two of development, but they have the skill sets of elite pass rushers. I really like that Texas didn't over-sign at the position.
    Pipeline Grade: A+
     
    Defensive Tackle
    Alex January, Melvin Hills
    Player Grade: B-
    Neither January nor Hills entered their senior seasons as "elite" prospects. Yet both performed exceedingly well in 2023. January, no longer playing baseball, continued his physical development, and showed tremendous strength at the point of attack and perhaps a better motor than analysts had thought. Hills put up some staggering numbers in a lower classification.
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position?
    I don't think so. Not to the level needed. If D'Antre Robinson had stayed, then maybe I see things differently. But the interior of the DL needs at least three prospects in every recruiting class, hopefully two of which are highly regarded and the third who has a high floor. Simply not enough interior DLs in this class to warrant a higher grade.
    Pipeline Grade: D
     
    Linebacker
    TyAnythony Smith
    Player Grade: B+
    Smith is a do-everything linebacker. He can play in coverage, he can play off the ball, and he really likes contact. He's actually probably at his best competing in space against fleet-footed players. His long arms, quickness and outright speed all really help him compress space.
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position?
    Given they signed four LBs the previous year, Texas could have forgone the position altogether this year. So Texas really only wanted to sign one linebacker in this recruiting class. And they only entertained two of them - Smith and Justin Williams of Conroe Oak Ridge.
    Pipeline Grade: A
     
    Cornerback
    Kobe Black, Wardell Mack, Santan Wilson
    Player Grade: A-
    Black is the highest ranked of the group but may actually have farther to go to get on the field because he's a multi-sport athlete who also played multiple positions in high school. Black is a gifted athlete, however. Mack and Wilson are somewhat similar. Mack routinely shows good quickness and smarts on the field, plus he has long arms. Wilson is the son of former all-pro safety Adrian Wilson, and clearly already understands the finer points of playing corner.
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position:
    Yes. Did they do it with a true lockdown corner that would push this grade to a high A? I'm not so sure. Of the group, I like Mack's long-term prospects the best. But there's also a lot to like with both Black and his athleticism as well as Wilson's pedigree and know-how.
    Pipeline Grade: B+
     
    Safety
    Xavier Filsaime, Jordon Johnson-Rubell
    Player Grade: A
    Filsaime could end up being one of the key recruits of the class. He has elite speed (10.5 100 meters) and plays the game with a physical nature. The only question is whether or not he sees the game fast. That's the opposite of Johnson-Rubell, who already sees the game extremely well. Well enough, in fact, to be a real possibility at the nickel position.
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position:
    I like Filsaime as a long-term starter for the Horns. I like Johnson-Rubell as a starter in year two or three with the potential to contribute overall even sooner. This is a good class and sets the Horns up for the next go-round of safeties. Texas didn't over-sign yet laid the groundwork necessary at the position.
    Pipeline Grade: A+
    CJ Vogel
    Steve Sarkisian graciously spoke for 50 minutes this morning, covering topics from the 2024 class, transfer portal additions, coaching changes, recruiting department promotions and the mindset heading into the spring. I wanted to share some quick thoughts on the press conference as well as the key points that will carry us into the remainder of winter conditioning.
    1. Brandon Harris' Promotion to GM
    Sarkisian spoke very highly of new General Manager Brandon Harris. Off the bat, you can tell there is a lot of trust between Sarkisian and Harris. Several times during the presser, Sarkisian mentioned being able to rely on Harris to sit in meetings or accomplish an important role without him being present.
    “His ability to communicate, I thought was incredible," Sarkisian said. "It was a guy that we’ve just grown our relationship over three years. So I felt like the time was right for him to assume this role.”
    2.    Staff Additions
    Interestingly, Sarkisian said that every coach on the Texas staff was offered a new job this offseason from a program looking to poach. Of course, Jeff Choate went west to Nevada and Bo Davis ended up back home at LSU, however Sarkisian was thrilled to return all three coordinators on his staff and spoke positively about the new additions, Kenny Baker and Johnny Nansen. Sarkisian mentioned the national perception of Texas football has changed since he arrived. In his opinion, national players are now more willing to give Texas a chance. He believes staff continuity has played a role. Adding Nansen and Baker will allow Texas to dive even deeper into the west coast and deep south, respectively. As Texas heads into the SEC, Sarkisian mentioned how important it would be for his staff to have in-roads to the backyard of where they will be playing a majority of their games.
    3.    Wide Receiver Additions
    It was clear that Sarkisian was thrilled with the pieces Texas added out of the portal. Oregon State WR Silas Bolden will join the program in the summer, but the two mid-year transfer wide receivers are already making solid strides. Sarkisian mentioned it would have been "malpractice" to not utilize the portal, to have entered a season with only three returning scholarship receivers – of which they group has only eight career receptions. “That room is going to be solid," he said. "We have just got to find that right group of guys once September rolls around.”
    4.    Desire to Get Back to CFP
    My biggest takeaway was the desire in which Sarkisian spoke about returning to contending for a National Title. Texas got a small taste with the semi-final game against Washington, however, the way in which Sarkisian spoke about getting back to that level and eventually winning a National Title left a strong impression on me. He is driven and wanting to do whatever it takes to bring a title back to Austin.
    “I didn’t come here to just be a head coach again," he said. "I didn’t come here to say I am the head coach at UT. I came here to win a championship. I am borderline obsessed with it.”
    5.    Important Dates
    Sarkisian did mentioned more changes to the recruiting department were in store but did not provide finite details on when that might occur and what it might exactly look like. One thing he did give us a schedule for was spring football. Texas will undergo four more weeks of winter conditioning starting on Monday – so 4.5 weeks left for those pulling out the calculator. March 19 will mark the first day of spring practice. For NFL Draft hopefuls, the Texas Pro Day will take place March 20 in Austin. The Texas coaching staff will also host the coaching clinic on March 22, the weekend we are also expecting a pretty busy recruiting weekend.
     
     
    Bobby Burton
    In my years following recruiting, I’ve seen top five classes not actually “fit” the needs of the program, either immediately or over the long haul. Texas has done that a few times in my career. The Horns would need more guys on offensive line yet come up short. Or perhaps they needed more guys in the secondary and it just didn’t get addressed as well as it could have.
    It’s typical, even for the very best classes, to have one or two positions that perhaps could have been better filled, or, worse, went completely unaddressed.
    Additionally, with the proliferation of the transfer portal, I no longer think simply grading a recruiting class for its overall composition of players does the topic complete justice. Instead, I think we need to look more at whether or not a recruiting class successfully addresses the long-term needs of the program -- the pipeline of talent entering the program.
    With all of that in mind, here’s my take on the 2024 Texas recruiting class, starting with the offense first, and whether or not the Horns adequately addressed their talent needs, both in term of quality and team needs.
    Quarterback
    Trey Owens
    I'm a big believer in Owens'. I'm not sure whether he will ever be a top-line starter because of potential mobility issues. But his arm strength and accuracy are high-level - his arm is every bit as talented as both Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. He will not look out of place in the Texas QB room. Despite his relatively lower national rating by others, I'm not giving a QB who I think will play pro ball lower than a grade in the A range.
    Player Grade: A-
    Did Texas fill pipeline at the position?
    Unquestionably, yes. This is the exact type of developmental quarterback Sark needed to follow Manning. Owens possesses the skills that are hardest to coach - the arm talent - but now he will need to work on his understanding of the offense and learning how to improve his maneuverability in the pocket, and he has ample time to do so.
    Pipeline Grade: A+
     
    Running Back
    Christian Clark, Jerrick Gibson
    I don't understand how Clark wasn't rated higher by national experts. Actually, I do have an inkling about it, I just don't agree with their reasoning. Clark's able to make people miss in the hole, is extremely tough and does not shy from contact. When Sark said in his signing day presser that Clark reminded him of Bijan Robinson, there's a reason the head coach went out on that limb. As for Gibson, he's a mix of brute size - he's truly going to be a 230-pound runner before he is finished in college - along with a strong feel for the game and workman-like attitude. Both of these guys are possible future pros. Clark actually reminds me of Tashard Choice as a running back.
    Player Grade: A-
    Did Texas fill the need at the position?
    Easily, so much so that some might think the talent in the room is almost gratuitous. But Sark looks like he's preparing to utilize backs, like they do in the NFL, with multiple ball carriers who have multiple skill sets. For example, the differences between CJ Baxter and Jaydon Blue are very evident, yet Sark seemed determined to utilize both down the stretch when Jonathon Brooks was injured. If that's Sark's vision for the future - like he did with Reggie Bush and Lendale White at USC - then maybe the number of RBs isn't as gratuitous as it might otherwise seem.
    Pipeline Grade: A+
     
    Wide Receiver
    Ryan Wingo, Aaron Butler, Parker Livingstone, Freddie Dubose Jr.
    The only other receiver prospect in the same category as Wingo in the past 10 years is Xavier Worthy. Wingo is a legit five star, with legit speed, size, athleticism and plus ball skills. He's actually a better prospect than Worthy was IMO. Outside of Wingo, I'm not sure there is a likely No. 1 receiver in this group. Livingstone would be my next pick, but his injury history is now a thing we have to watch for. Dubose remained limited this year as well, also coming off of a knee injury. Butler is a bit of a wildcard for me. Some on the West Coast preferred him as a cornerback but he wants to play WR. I could see him challenging both Ryan Niblett and Deandre Moore for playing time in the slot.
    Player Grade: B+
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position?
    I think the jury is out. Like I said, I think Wingo is a definite No. 1. I like the promise of Livingstone. The versatility of Butler is intriguing. And Dubose is a bit of a lottery ticket if he properly heals from his injury.
    Pipeline Grade: B
     
    Tight End
    Jordan Washington
    There is no player in this class that has a clearer path to success ahead of them. Washington, if he can continue to develop his body and his skills, is the dual-threat tight end that Texas and Sarkisian clearly covet. But we're also talking about someone who has been playing multiple sports most of his life, just stopping basketball a season ago. That means his body likely has farther to go in its development. But a year from now? I like Washington a lot. A whole lot. He could be the steal of the class IMO.
    Player Grade: A
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position?
    Yes. My only question, should Texas have even taken another tight end prospect? Perhaps. But the Horns opted to address the short-term need in the portal, in part because of exactly what Washington might bring to the table long-term.
    Pipeline Grade: B+
     
    Offensive Line
    Daniel Cruz, Brandon Baker, Nate Kibble
    Player Grade: A
    Baker is a future starter and likely a future pro. It may not be this year or even next yearn when he contributes to the Horns, but so long as he stays healthy, he is as sure a bet to play pro football as any signee in this class. Cruz is an anomaly of sorts because he's such a menace as a run blocker - his natural strength is off the charts. He's also a fairly cerebral player. The only question surrounding his play will be pass blocking. Kibble's body type and arm length are ideal and Atascocita offensive lineman have had a really good history of turning out (Sam Cosmi, Kenyon Green, Kam Dewberry). Pass blocking looks like it will come natural to him.
    Did Texas fill the pipeline at the position?
    Given the Horns signed 11 OLs in the previous two classes, we knew this would be a lower year on numbers. Overall, I think Texas did a nice job of spreading out the numbers - one true tackle, one true guard and one combo center/guard. Could Texas have used another blue chip prospect at either guard or tackle? Sure. But, with this class, Kyle Flood continues to move the OL in the right direction - with size, athleticism and talent.
    Pipeline Grade: B
    CJ Vogel
    Three full classes are in the books now for Steve Sarkisian as the head coach of the Texas Longhorns. A top six finish continues the trend of elite recruiting here for the Longhorns as well, in which Texas went out of state a bit more this season to get the core of their class.
    This is a bit of a new feature for most of the audience here, however I have done this for the past four seasons with the predictions being anywhere from spot on to couldn’t be further off. I will post the results of previous classes in the comments, dating back to 2020. 
    Without further ado, let’s dive into the categories.
    I divide my rankings into four categories. The boundaries for each category are used quite loosely, however I take into account talent, instant impact ability, the level of excitement around each player's addition to the program and how they project for the duration of their career. Historically, offensive linemen have received the short end of the stick in past rankings, with their longer path to the field than other positions.
    1. Instant impact with program changing talent. 2. Early contributor 3. Likely to be a starter in career. 4. Will take time to develop. Potential to be starter late in career. I am heavier in tiers two and three this year because of the returning contributors Texas is expecting in 2024, plus the number of big time additions out of the portal. This is not a bad thing in the slightest. This is also the heaviest group of tier four players I have had since doing these rankings, a sign of tremendous health in the depth department currently on roster.
    Tier 1
    EDGE Colin Simmons – This is a no-brainer. The highest rated prospect in the 2024 class comes at a position Texas has not had a ton of national success at in previous years. Simmons has already added weight to his 6-foot-3 frame and has proven to carry weight at any level. Texas has added to their defensive end room this offseason, but Simmons will find the rotation and be a three year contributor in the fall and beyond. 
    S Xavier Filsaime – A borderline five-star safety is joining a room that saw a lot of turnover this offseason. Filsaime has the perfect frame to compete right away at the college level. He has the track speed necessary for the SEC and it is clear Texas enjoys rolling out several safeties. Filsaime has the makings to me of a future all-conference defensive back.
    WR Ryan Wingo – Probably the prospect in this class I am most excited for during his time at Texas. At 6-feet-2-inches, it is rare to find a receiver with the level of acceleration and body control of Wingo. Texas added several pieces in the WR room this offseason, however Wingo has as high a ceiling of anyone in a Texas jersey. How soon will we see him unleashed? I'm not sure. But the 2025 and 2026 seasons alone will be enough to justify this ranking.
    Tier 2
    OT Brandon Baker – A five-star offensive lineman that doesn't need to be thrown into the fire right away? Yessir, sign me all the way up! Baker is an elite tackle prospect with superb length and solid athleticism. Above anything, I am excited Baker will get to develop for a couple a bit. Potential day two pick already without any work done by Kyle Flood.
    CB Kobe Black – For Kobe Black to be receiving as high of praise already even without any true offseason weight training, his ceiling will only continue to raise for me. Black has the potential to play anywhere in the secondary, though I see his best fit at cornerback. Really like what he brings to the table.
    RB Christian Clark – Probably a ranking that I am a bit too high on right now and I will be interested to see how this one ages. But Christian Clark to me is the full package at the running back position. He can run, he can catch, he can cut, he can juke. Basically, anything that you ask him to do with the ball in his hands, Clark will be able to do. After 2024, I envision Clark being in the RB2 conversation with his junior year seeing a jump to the true bell cow for Texas.
    C Daniel Cruz – I love offensive linemen with mean streaks and Cruz has exactly that. He can flip a switch and absolutely abuse defensive linemen in front of him. I love that Cruz made the jump inside to the interior to play center for his senior season and believe he will put up a very large fight for the center spot with Connor Robertson and perhaps Cole Hutson in 2025.
    WR Aaron Butler – I thought about punching him in under tier three, but I re-watched the tape again this morning and just couldn't get myself to justify it. Butler fits exactly what Sarkisian targeted out of the portal and has been attempting to add to this lineup. The biggest question for Butler is the path to the field, but the close-space acceleration and burst with the ball are too impressive to ignore.
    EDGE Zina Umeozulu – In August, this ranking would have been a bit lower. But credit to Zina for putting the pieces together while continuing to add to his frame. Umeozulu will step onto campus at 6-foot-5 and a hair over 240 pounds. He has the length and the athleticism to be a special player. Question is will he be able to unlock that early and maintain consistency throughout.
    Tier 3
    RB Jerrick Gibson – The first name in this tier is the former IMG Academy running back. Gibson is built like a truck and is going to hold 220 pounds easily during his time on campus. My question with Gibson is whether or not he can differentiate himself enough to get on the field early. Eventually, Gibson will be more than a fine player, but early on I expect the road to the field to be a tough one with the backs Texas has on campus.
    DL Alex January – I juggled with January being up in tier two, but I still expect the Longhorn staff to add a piece to the defensive line room in the spring. January, physically, is a massive prospect and Texas needs just that on the interior. The multi-sport background will help with the athleticism, I like the upside long term.
    WR Parker Livingstone – Perhaps no writer on the Texas beat is as high on Parker Livingstone as I am. In a year where Texas does not add four pass catchers from the portal, he is absolutely a tier two prospect. It is also extremely unfortunate that Texas fans were unable to watch Livingstone during his senior season. This kid can ball amongst the best in the state and has enough speed to get on the field with that 6-foot-4 frame of his.
    CB Santana Wilson – Anytime you can add a four-star prospect with the NFL pedigree of that of a former NFL All-Pro, you do it, Wilson is a top notch prospect with versatility and production all across the field while in high school. My question is how quickly he can crack the rotation, but Wilson has great length and ball skills. Wilson played a ton of boundary corner in HS and I would not be surprised to see him there to start the college days.
    DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell – Going on a little run of defensive backs here. JJR undoubtedly will come to campus with as high a football IQ of anyone in the class. Talking with Johnson-Rubell in Orlando gave me a different outlook on his career outlook. 
    DB Wardell Mack – Listen, in a class this stacked with defensive backs, someone has to come in the final spot amongst the bunch. I am more than anticipating to be wrong here, especially when you consider the push made by Corey Raymond at Florida to get Mack into the class specifically. Mack is a stud. He plays the ball very well and is incredibly quick to coming down field to make a play. If there is one pick I am expecting to be wrong on, it is Mack.
    LB Ty'Anthony Smith – One of the hardest working prospects you will find in this class. Smith will have a ways to go with his body to add the necessary weight for the middle of a defense in the SEC, however I suspect he gets there by year three. The Longhorns have a talented LB group at the moment, though being the only linebacker in the class is going to help in the long run.
    Tier 4
    QB Trey Owens – I am a huge fan of Trey Owens. He took major strides on the field his senior season and was one of the top performers in San Antonio for the All American Bowl. Unfortunately for Owens, he has a tough path to the field with Ewers returning in 2024 and Arch Manning set to take the reigns the following years. Regardless, this is the quality of prospect Sarkisian turns into a stud in three years time.
    OL Nate Kibble – Lengthy wingspan and road grader in the run game. That's what Nate Kibble brings to the table. There will be a transition period as he heads inside to guard, but Kyle Flood liked what he saw very early on and stayed on the former Atascocita lineman. Similarly to several others, path to the field is a bit of an issue at the moment.
    TE Jordan Washington – Here is the deal: I have a soft spot for converted basketball players at the tight end position. With Washington, he can stretch the field vertically and has a willingness to put his nose in the trenches. But we saw a long journey from JT Sanders to get to the field and he was most advanced physically than Washington. I like the upside, but it will take a bit.
    WR Freddie Dubose – An ACL injury cut short his junior season, though Dubose returned to the field and helped lead Smithson Valley to a state title game appearance this past fall. I am a bit on the 'I need to see it' side for Dubose when it comes to getting fully healthy with the knee. He has the top-end speed that will compete with anyone on the roster, but again, I need to see it first.
    DL Melvin Hills – Hills won't have the luxury of a spring season with the Texas program which does make a difference for trench players. There is versatility here that will allow Hills to make a jump from inside to outside, but in the long run, he is best suited for the interior at a 3-tech spot. Let's see how Kenny Baker is able to mold the former Louisiana standout.
    Gerry Hamilton
    The Texas Longhorns will end the February signing period with a third straight top 6 ranked class in the recruiting industry. The Longhorns inked the No. 5 ranked class in 2022, No. 3 in 2023 and No. 6 in the 2024 cycle. 
    Texas fans have seen plenty of changes on the recruiting trail under Steve Sarkisian and staff ahead of the move to the SEC. There has been a concerted effort to recruit nationally, with a focus on the Southeast Region and the West Coast. 
    OnTexasFootball breaks down the trio of top 6 classes by the states, regions of Texas and positions. 
    Prospects Signed (75)
    2022 Class - 28
    2023 Class - 25
    2024 Class - 22
    Prospects from in state - 47 (62.7%) 
    Prospects from out of state - 28 (37.3%)
    In state breakdown by region 
    DFW - 26 (55.3%)
    CenTexas - 9 (19.1%)
    Greater Houston - 7 (14.9%)
    Golden Triangle/SE - 2
    East Texas - 1
    San Antonio/South Texas - 1
    West Texas/Panhandle - 1
    States Texas has signed a prospect the last three classes
    Texas - 47
    California - 6 (signed two prospects in each of last three classes)
    Louisiana - 6 (signed a prospect in all three classes)
    Florida - 5 
    Arizona - 4
    Alabama - 1
    Hawaii - 1
    Mississippi - 1 
    Missouri - 1
    New Jersey - 1
    Utah - 1
    Washington - 1
    High schools with two or more signed in last three classes
    Duncanville and Austin Westlake - 3
    Mater Dei (Calif.), IMG Academy (Fla.), South Oak Cliff, DeSoto, Denton Ryan, Waco Connally, Allen, Isadore Newman (La.) - 2
    The 75 signees have come from 63 high schools, all told. 
    DFW High Schools Texas has signed a prospect (20)
    Duncanville
    DeSoto
    South Oak Cliff
    Red Oak
    Arlington Bowie
    Arlington Martin
    Arlington Seguin
    Grand Prairie
    Mansfield Timberview
    North Crowley
    Richland High
    Aledo
    Allen
    McKinney High
    Little Elm
    Denton Ryan
    Lovejoy
    Melissa
    Frisco High
    Frisco Wakeland 
    Prospects signed by position the last three classes
    Quarterback - 3 (one each class)
    Running back - 5
    Wide receiver - 8
    Tight end - 3
    Offensive line - 15
    Defensive line - 7
    EDGE - 8
    Linebacker - 7
    Defensive back - 14
    Athlete - 2
    Kicker - 1
    Punter - 1
    Long snapper - 1  
    Number of prospects that have hit the portal
    2022 class - 8 
     
     
     
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