Steve Sarkisian’s recruitment history points toward success for the Longhorns

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has a history of success in the recruiting world.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian kicked off his career at the University of Texas with the No. 17 overall recruiting class according to 247Sports. If history tells us anything, his recruiting classes are going to get better and his team’s records will do the same. Continue reading “Steve Sarkisian’s recruitment history points toward success for the Longhorns”

Texas Football Recruiting: Five 2021 prospects the Longhorns need to push for next

Despite the recent success, the 2021 class has still not been good enough from Herman. Here are five recruits Texas should push for next:

To some surprise, recruiting in the 2021 class has been good for Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns. Beginning with Terrence Cooks, Texas was able to secure his commitment over schools such as Baylor, LSU, and Georgia. A four-star outside linebacker, Cooks and Morice Blackwell will lock down the position for Chris Ash in the near future.

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More recently, the Longhorns were able to flip defensive tackle Byron Murphy II out of DeSoto, Texas. Originally committed to Baylor, after Texas offered the four-star prospect, the recruitment suddenly changed. Much needed help across the defensive line is on its way with Murphy.

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Despite the recent success, the 2021 class has still not been good enough from Herman. Losing out on major players such as the Brockermeyer brothers and seeing Jalen Milroe flip to Alabama, Texas has lost its top prospects throughout the entire cycle.

As Joel Klatt of FOX Sports mentioned, the Longhorns have “lost that luster in the state.” Other schools such as Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M have stolen recruits from Texas.

That “certainly wasn’t the case when Mack [Brown] was winning a lot of games” said Klatt.

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Herman still has the opportunity to flip all of that around with a couple of top in-state prospects still available. The Aggies and the Sooners are in these races as well, making them even more important for the coaching staff to win.

Here are the five 2021 recruits Texas should push for next:

Texas Football Recruiting: Three targets make USA TODAY Sports HS All-American Team

USA TODAY Sports released their high school All-American team with three Longhorn hopefuls making the team led by Ja’Tavion Sanders.

In the game of high school football it is king in the Lone Star State. We love our football in the south. USA TODAY Sports has released their high school pre-season All-American. Some of the players named are well known around Texas football recruiting analysts. In fact, two are commits to the Longhorns while one other is a target they are actively pursuing.

First Team

L.J. Johnson: Running Back, Cy-Fair (Cypress, TX)

Johnson is one of the top targets for the Texas Longhorns and he made the first team at running back. Over the last two seasons, he has put up monster production. A former USA TODAY Sports All-American in Bijan Robinson has been heavily involved in getting Johnson to the Forty Acres.

Year Att Yards Avg TDs
2019 206 1,951 9.5 37
2018 164 1,139 6.9 20

*stats courtesy of 247Sports

Ja’Tavion Sanders: Athlete, Ryan (Denton, TX)

Sanders was the first commitment to the 2021 Texas football recruiting class. While listed as an athlete, the five-star recruit is expected to play defensive end for the Longhorns. Sanders plays both ways for Denton-Ryan but most feel is best suited to play the “Jack” role when Joseph Ossai moves on to the NFL.

Year Tackles TFL Sacks
2019 39 20 11
2018 54 23 9.5

Second Team

Quinn Ewers: Quarterback, Southlake Carroll (Southlake, TX)

Ewers became the second recruit from the 2022 class to commit to Texas. The number one quarterback in the class is as close to a can’t miss prospect as they come. He could be a program changing recruit and all eyes will be on the gunslinger over the next two years of high school football.

Year Comp Att Yards TDs
2019 291 402 4,003 45