Charlie Strong – 2014 recruiting class
Number of recruits: 22
In-state percentage:72.7%
Top offensive player: Quarterback Jerrod Heard, 0.9678
Top defensive player: Strong-side defensive end Derick Robinson, 0.9688
National ranking: No. 17
Big 12 ranking: No. 2
Analysis: Mack Brown produced continual top 10 recruiting class after top 10 recruiting class. Unfortunately for Charlie Strong, the same type of haul was not left for him when he was hired in 2014. It was a recruiting class that saw Texas take six wide receivers, three more than any other position group.
Armanti Foreman came in as the top wideout in the class and finished with just over 1,000 career receiving yards. Quarterback Jerrod Heard was once the starter before moving to wide receiver and Andrew Beck, who was recruited as an inside linebacker, played tight end during the beginning of the Herman era. Strong struggled to develop and get players to their full potential.
Running back D’Onta Formena was the only player drafted out of the 2014 class, while Poona Ford has become a top NFL defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks. Brown left Strong with a below average set of players for standards at Texas and it began one of the worst on-the-field stretches the program ever saw.