Honorable Mentions
Let the great debate begin. When it comes to making any list, there are players who could be deserving. However, we tried to narrow it to the best eight prospects to sign on the dotted line to play at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Johnathan Gray: Running Back from Aledo
There was no bigger name in the 2012 recruiting class than that of Aledo’s Johnathan Gray. He was the No. 1 back in the country and No. 6 overall prospect. He became the state’s all-time leading rusher in high school. His father, James Gray, is the all-time leading rusher in Texas Tech history. He didn’t pan out for the Longhorns, but landing him was huge for Mack Brown and company at the time.
Roy Williams: Wide Receiver from Odessa-Permian
Coming from a Texas powerhouse, Odessa-Permian High School, Roy Williams was highly sought. The No. 3 recruit in the state and No. 3 receiver in the country. He had the size and speed that made any coach salivate. He became the all-time leading receiver in Texas history. He blew by Mike Adams’ record and sits fourth all-time in combined touchdowns with 39.
Jackson Jeffcoat: Defensive End from Plano West
Jeffcoat came from NFL bloodlines. His father, Jim was part of the Super Bowl-winning defense with the Dallas Cowboys. His twin sister, Jacqueline, played center for the Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team. Jackson was the No. 1 recruit in Texas during the 2010 cycle. He chose Texas over Oklahoma, Georgia, LSU, USC and Notre Dame. He finished with 50 TFLs and 26 sacks in four seasons in Austin.
Sergio Kindle: Linebacker from Woodrow Wilson (Dallas)
Sergio Kindle is the No. 2 ranked prospect to sign with the Texas Longhorns in the 247Sports era, which dates to the year 2000. The No. 4 player in the country chose to sign with Texas over Texas A&M, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Southern California. After four years in Austin, he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 43rd pick in the 2010 NFL draft.