2016 Incomers – New Meat Menu

[Godz40acres]

​

Check out the new additions to the 2016 Texas Football carte du jour – healthy, appetizing entrees are complimented with some delicious desserts!

Delectable details will be included in each item, but the most thorough descriptions can be found by clicking on a player's name.

We'll begin rather quickly with the four early enrollees just to pleasure your palate. Bon appétit!

 

[Godz40acres]

Demarco Boyd ... Gilmer (Gilmer, TX)
-horn ... LB ... 5-11/240​

Per 247:

Demarco Boyd is an exceptional athlete who led Gilmer High School to a state championship as a junior. He also earned a myriad of football-related awards throughout high school.

His future position?

“Whatever position Coach (Charlie) Strong tells me is the position I’ll take and deal with. It don’t matter if it’s on offense, defense or special teams.”

Boyd played multiple positions at Gilmer ranging from running back to the defensive line, and at Texas he could play either linebacker or H-back.

Whatever spot on the field Boyd occupies, he’s just happy to be doing so at Texas. It’s the place his brother, Kris, and former high school coach, Jeff Traylor, are at, and really, it’s the school Boyd knew he wanted to attend from the first moment he stepped on campus for the first time.

A year later, Boyd is enrolled at UT – one of four early enrollees in Texas’ 2016 class – and working toward earning the education degree he’s always wanted. And Boyd is being perfectly sincere when he says he has no interest in the NFL. His post-grad undertaking will be the pursuit of a master’s degree in education.

Boyd wants to teach and coach.

“I want to make my grandma proud and my mom and dad proud,” Boyd said.

That doesn’t mean, however, he won’t be motivated to help his University... Boyd’s goal is to help establish Texas as a national contender once again.

In that way, his mind-set is the same as every other commit in this recruiting class.

“(My time at Texas) is the beginning of something great,” Boyd said. “Everybody is starting to come together and understand we have to put Texas back on the map.”

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Per 247:

A two-way standout at Gilmer, Boyd could be a fullback/H-back after rushing for 681 yards and six touchdowns while catching 37 passes for 471 yards and six scores as a senior running back for the Buckeyes.

He could also stick at linebacker, a position where he earned All-State honors in racking up 74 tackles, five sacks, 22 pressures and one interception in 15 games. Either way, in Boyd the Longhorns got a player who seems to excel as a max-effort performer wherever he’s asked to play.

 

[Godz40acres]

Shane Buechele ... Lamar (Arlington, TX)
-horn ... QB ... 6-1/191​

Per 247:

“Whatever Shane was asked to do he was right there at the forefront,” [Arlington Lamar head coach Laban] DeLay said. “The other guys saw that and followed his lead.”

Buechele, a soft-spoken leader who connects well with his teammates, really is the cliché quarterback teammates are drawn to.

“Shane is a guy who can lead with actions and lead with his voice,” said Lamar wide receiver, Kofi Boateng. “He’s always doing the right thing and expects the same of his teammates. He always pushed us to be better and helped us when he could.”

The Vikings advanced to the third round of the state playoffs this past season, in large part thanks to Buechele’s play. But it might not have been that way had it not been for Buechele’s attitude in the offseason.

DeLay did not attempt to completely overhaul the Lamar offense when he arrived, but he made a number of… modifications that could have hampered Buechele’s production or caused some friction. Instead, Buechele took to the system quickly and he ended up throwing for more yards as a senior than he did as a junior.

“It was a learning curve, but Shane picked up on it very fast,” DeLay said. “He’s a very sharp individual.”

The interaction with a new staff and system is something Buechele is doing for the second time in a year as an early enrollee at Texas.

It’s won’t be an easy process for Buechele. But with his athletic pedigree and leadership skills, DeLay said he believes Buechele will adjust rather well. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Buechele is one of the most competitive people DeLay has ever coached.

“He’s just a fierce competitor and doesn’t like to lose. I think he’s going to thrive in that environment.”

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Per 247:

I saw Shane Buechele in multiple settings, but the event I won't forget is how he flourished at Texas’ Under The Lights camp prior to his junior year. On the same field with Zach Gentry and Kai Locksley, Buechele looked like the best quarterback by far. So much so that I was told Buechele's performance convinced Shawn Watson, and in turn Charlie Strong, that he was the right guy in 2016.

A source in the program said Buechele went out and “took their hearts” with how the Arlington Lamar product embraced the head-to-head competition with other quarterbacks. That mentality should serve him well [in] Texas’ quarterback battle.

 

[Godz40acres]

Collin Johnson ... Valley Christian (San Jose, CA)
-horn ... WR ... 6-6/200​

Per 247:

Collin Johnson is a giant on the outside with great leaping ability and a catch radius as wide as a hippo’s fully extended jaws. But it’s not really the opportunity for spectacular catches that attracted him to football over basketball.

He just wanted the option to deliver a blow.

“I’m a really aggressive guy,” Johnson said. “You can’t beat [football] when it comes to the physicality.”

With his size, Johnson is often compared to someone with a similar stature and name: Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson. Collin’s junior highlights, stuffed with acrobatic catches, are dubbed “Young Megatron” playing on Calvin’s “Megatron” moniker.

Johnson need not look far if he's searching for football inspiration. His dad, Johnnie, was an All-American defensive back at Texas, and his brother, Kirk, is currently a Longhorns running back. On April 17, 2014 the Johnson brothers committed to Texas together. Both wanted to… build on their father’s legacy too much to pass up.

“I want to be a leader,” Johnson said. “Recruiting classes need a leader... When Coach Strong first got hired a lot of people didn’t know what he was about, but I had full trust in him. I still do. I just wanted to get started and help him out.”

After quite a long wait, Johnson is very close to contributing to Strong’s vision in earnest. Johnson provides a big-bodied target on the outside and in the redzone the Longhorns haven’t had in a long time.

With his height and natural athleticism, Johnson seems a lock to make an impact during his time on the Forty Acres. Yet, as Johnson readily admits, it’s not the most naturally gifted player that always finds success. Instead, it’s the aggressor that usually wins one-on-one battles.

“It’s really not about the size of the dog in a fight; it’s about the size of the fight in a dog,” Johnson said. “But I got both, because I have fight in me and heart, I’m just fortunate. … I feel like I’m a special weapon.”

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Per 247:

Blessed with a prototype body, a tremendous catch radius, and an NFL pedigree, there might not be a recruit in the class with more upside than Collin Johnson. The only time I had a chance to see him was at the Under The Lights camp going into his junior year. That night he was stunningly fluid and explosive for a big receiver.

Furthermore, Johnnie Johnson told me early on during the recruitment of his son, Kirk Johnson, that schools were already actively pursuing Collin after his freshman year. One of those schools was Texas, a place where Johnson might have the best chance in the class to outperform his 247Sports ranking (No. 173 in the Top247) if everything clicks.

 

[meadowlark]

 

[Godz40acres]

Zach Shackelford ... Belton (Belton, TX)
-horn ... OG ... 6-3/296​

Per 247:

Shackelford grew up watching the Longhorns and played for a Longhorn in Bob Shipley at Belton High School. It’s the school he wanted an offer from throughout the recruiting process. But despite hints in the spring, it never came. That led to Shackelford committing to Kansas State in July.

Texas eventually swooped in with an offer in November, prompting Shackelford to reevaluate things. He was no lock for the Longhorns at that point, but a change in position coaches to Matt Mattox and a view of campus was enough to sway him to stay home.

“(Maddox) played a big part,” Shackelford [said]. “That’s who I’ll be working with the most. Great guy, great coach. I like the scheme his offense runs and I just felt like it felt right.”

Center is the positon Shackelford expects to play, and it’s a need area for the Longhorns.

“I feel good about it,” Shackelford said. “I just have to get used to snapping and I’ll be good. I snapped a little my freshman year.”

As a Texas kid, he said there’s no better place to go academically or for football.

“You can’t beat the academic side of things, especially if you’re going to live in Texas,” Shackelford said. “The connections are just crazy. Football, they’re going to get there. There are some pieces that are probably going to need to be put in there. But once it gets there I just want to be a part of that team. It’s why I chose this team. I believe it’s a championship caliber team.”

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Per 247:

Texas hasn’t had a nasty, violent presence on the interior over a multi-year stretch since Kasey Studdard’s days on the Forty Acres. That’s starting to change and will continue trending in that direction with Zach Shackelford in the program.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 296-pound Belton product was forced to move around a lot as a child, the son of an college football player turned Army Chaplain. Now Austin is home, and from there he could emerge as the starting center for the Longhorns in 2016 with some of the best upside of any of the line prospects Texas signed on either side of the ball to boot.

 

[LonghornCatholic]

 

[Godz40acres]

Which Incomer Has The Brightest Future?​

The Horns247 writers give their opinions on who they think stands to shine the most from the 2016 class (no EEs included):

Jeff Howe, Senior Reporter

There were about four or five guys I thought of going with, but my decision came down to two: Brandon Jones and Jeffrey McCulloch. Jones brings the tools to upgrade the safety position in every way the staff wants. But... McCulloch is my take. Texas hasn’t had an issue under Vance Bedford manufacturing pressure, however the Longhorns are in need of a pass rusher who can be counted on in every situation. [W]hile he’s probably not the freaky athlete that Malik Jefferson is, his natural feel for getting to the quarterback and impacting the play is comparable.

EJ Holland, Lead Recruiting Reporter

I think McCulloch is a safe pick. Texas head coach Charlie Strong is known for developing talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. And I really do believe ‘The Shark’ can be a special player down the line. Texas has depth at the position, so while he might not make an impact from the start, McCulloch will have the benefit of growing in the weight room, learning from a guy like Jefferson and getting accustomed to the speed of the college game. [H]e’s also a great student in the classroom and has a good head on his shoulders.

Chris Hummer, Managing Editor

I would pick Jordan Elliott. [W]hen he’s at peak condition and motivated, [he's] simply a force along the defensive line. Elliott is the ideal size for a penetrating tackle, the type of player who can both hold blockers and collapse a line from the middle. He displays a rare burst for someone his size, an attribute that cannot be taught. Elliott will have the opportunity to play right away and that will give him the ability to maximize his impact during his tenure on the Forty Acers.

[Full 247 article]

 

[Godz40acres]

Peyton Aucoin ... Brother Martin (New Orleans, LA)
-horn ... TE ... 6-5/240​

Unranked when he received his Texas offer, Peyton Aucoin (pronounced OH-quinn) quickly rose to 3-star status when others took notice. He's a blocking machine who could become an all-star at I-Hop serving pancakes.

Per 247:

Physicality is usually a positive attribute. Though, as Aucion found out the first game of the 2015 season, it is possible to be too physical on a football field.

After about his 20th pancake block of the game, a referee told Aucion he was in danger of an ejection because of his rough play.

Aucoin admits he might have crossed a bit of a line. He cautions, however, he did so with only the purest football intentions.

“I was pancaking guys before the whistle is blown,” Aucoin said. “I was kind of body slamming them.”

Aucoin was recruited by Texas for a specific purpose – provide blocking around the line of scrimmage.

Most college signees at tight end were critical pieces of their high school offense. Not Aucoin. He had two career catches at Brother Martin High School. Those numbers might give someone pause, but Aucoin only played his role.

“I was comfortable with the blocking stuff,” Aucoin said. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to win.”

He’ll have a similar role at Texas.

The New Orleans native knows he needs to work on his route running and speed, however. He’s spending much of the offseason trying to increase his quickness in space...

If those skills continue to improve, Aucoin will likely surpass the two-career catch mark he set in high school at Texas. But really, Aucoin knows his best attribute – he’s a mean blocker.

“It’s football. You can’t be too physical,” Aucoin said.

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Per 247:

Other than giving me advice on where to get a good po boy in New Orleans, the most impressive thing about Peyton Aucoin is he loves doing the dirty work on the field. Aucoin seemed to relish pushing people around.

Brother Martin used Aucoin almost exclusively as a blocker, putting Alabama signee Irvin Smith in the game on passing downs. But in this offense where the true tight end can be used more like a sixth offensive lineman, Aucoin should be a nice fit as a successor to Caleb Bluiett.

 

[Dionysus]

“I was comfortable with the blocking stuff,” Aucoin said. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to win.”

“It’s football. You can’t be too physical,”

Man crush

 

[Godz40acres]

Chris Brown ... Alief Elsik (Houston, TX)
-horn ... DB ... 5-11/199​

Per 247:

[D]uring his National Signing Day press conference, when [Coach Strong] arrived at Chris Brown, he didn’t give the usual answer of an anecdote from the recruitment or talk about the player's physical attributes.

Instead, Strong focused on Brown’s motivation.

“I told him, ‘You know, the thing that I like about you (is that) you have a chip on your shoulder. You are going to prove to everybody just how good you are.'”

“That’s the type of player I am,” Brown said. “I definitely feel like I’m underrated.”

Brown is a national recruit and one of the better known players in the Houston area – now he needs to prove it.

“That’s just what kind of competitor I am,” Brown said. “The media makes a certain hype for me, and they do that for a lot of athletes, and I feel like I need to live up to and surpass that hype.”

But really, Brown’s demeanor on the football field – a classic blend of toughness, hard work and any other similar cliché that comes to mind – is the result of his passion for the game.

“If you’re not playing with something to prove, you’re not really in the game. You’re just going through the motions.”

It’s that perspective that allows Brown to excel in a variety of roles on the field, ranging from safety to cornerback. At Texas, Brown will be asked to play the hybrid of the two at the nickel position, which spends equal time in coverage and working near the line of scrimmage.

“Coach Strong made it pretty clear I was going to play there, and I feel like I have all the characteristics of a good nickel.”

Brown will arrive at Texas and instantly become a member of DBU. It’s an placement Brown calls a “blessing.”

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Per 247:

Strong described Chris Brown as a recruit with a chip on his shoulder, a description that couldn’t be more accurate. Brown doesn’t do anything that will blow you away from an athletic standpoint, but he plays the game angry and will give Texas everything he’s got.

He’s a classic talent maximizer, the type of guys programs like Texas need to have on the roster in order to win. Brown is a guy who is going to help Texas win football games as long as he’s got an opportunity to buckle his chin strap and go to work.

 

[MudHorn]

Good stuff Mr G

 

[Joe Fan]

 

[Detective Shilala]

This is like X-Mas all over again. I have been focused on Spring battles and the early enrollees, that I forgot just how deep and badass this class is.
Summer practices should be fun to follow.

 

[Godz40acres]

This is like X-Mas all over again.

Speaking of CHRISTmas....

D'Andre Christmas-Giles ... New Orleans, LA (St. Augustine)
-horn ... DT ... 6-3/290​

DCG shucked his Tennessee commitment in favor of the 'Horns. The 4-star defensive tackle was/is a big get for a Texas line in need of big bodies.

Per 247:

D’Andre Christmas-Giles did not have any college offers [as a high school junior], nor could he play. Christmas-Giles had transferred from Salmen High School to St. Augustine, and the state ruled he would need to sit out a year before he could play for the Purple Knights.

“It made me feel like I wasn’t going to get recruited by anyone,” Christmas-Giles said.

But [in September, 2015] the major offers started to roll in. When Christmas-Giles [visited] Texas, “I loved it,” he said.

The defensive tackle also really appreciated the way Texas head coach Charlie Strong interacted with him.

“When I talked to Charlie Strong the first time he wasn’t even talking about football, he was talking about my grades and all that,” Christmas-Giles said. “He already knew I played football, and that wasn’t really important to him. He was just trying to get to know me.”

Now, Christmas-Giles didn’t commit to Texas until Feb. 3 [sic] – the night before National Signing Day. [He] made sure he asked every question to Strong and defensive line coach Brick Haley that was possible before committing.

“It was eight questions every night,” Strong said with a laugh about Christmas-Giles on signing day. “Every day it was the same ones. I said, ‘I can’t wait to get you to Texas.’

[M]uch like his last big football move, he’s just focused on getting adjusted first.

“I just have to adapt to the environment,” Christmas-Giles said. “I have to go in and put in the work. I’m not just going to walk in there and play.”

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Per BON:

In playing half a man and shooting gaps, Christmas-Giles shows high-level first-step quickness to penetrate into opposing backfields. There are questions about his athleticism when he has to change directions, but getting the penetration is often the most important factor since there are so few players who can do that consistently and effectively. There's the upside for him.

Christmas-Giles is the second-lightest signee for the Longhorns among the five at his position in 2016, so his best projection is as a four-technique defensive end or three-technique defensive tackle. Since he is a little bit high cut and missed a year of development, his pad level will need some refinement, as well as his hand usage.

Both of those factors could contribute to a redshirt season or limited contributions as a freshmen due to the prevalence of in-class competition for him. Once it all comes together, though,....

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Per 247:

Sticking with high upside guys, D’Andre Christmas-Giles has an impressive first step at 292 pounds. He’s strong at the point of attack, but that initial quickness is something needed in the Big 12, a league where a premium is placed on getting to the quarterback.

He flew under the radar because he didn’t play football as a junior, forced to sit out after transferring schools. Like Collin Johnson, Denzel Okafor and Zack Shackelford, Christmas-Giles is another signee who has a chance to outplay his ranking.

 

[BevoJoe]

Can't wait to have all this talent on the 40 acres. There will be some growing pains this season, but the outlook is very promising.

 

[Godz40acres]

Eric Cuffee ... Waco (Waco, TX)
-horn ... CB ... 6/187​

Cuffee was a silent commit to aggy for quite some time before the Force became Strong with him for the Burnt-Orange side. He utilized that Force at the Under Armour All-American Game making the #2 play of the top 10 according to Rivals.com:



Per 247:

Marty Herbst is in his 24th year of coaching at Waco High School, and he couldn’t think of a stronger defensive back than Eric Cuffee that he's coached.

Cuffee, a four-star Texas signee, proved “elite” in every weight room challenge, and Herbst said Cuffee brought that strength to the field. Once, in ninth grade, Cuffee hit a wide receiver so hard he lay prone for five minutes.

Defensive backs don’t normally garner a reputation for physicality, but Cuffee thrives on it.

Cuffee’s dad, Eric Cuffee Sr. played wide receiver at North Texas and had a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints, while his cousin, Dre Bly, played 11 years in the NFL earning a Super Bowl ring and two Pro Bowl appearances. At this point, the family’s football success gets a little difficult to keep track of. There are so many names to list, Cuffee Sr. had a hard time getting the number of pros in his family correct.

“It’s a bloodline,” Cuffee Sr. said. “It’s a big family; we have them all over the place. Good athletes and great people.”

Herbst said 170 college football players have come and gone through the Waco High football program in his tenure, including Texas standouts Derrick Johnson and Kwame Cavil, but one thing separated Cuffee from all the players who came before him – he knew colligate football was in his future.

“Eric knew when he walked on campus in ninth grade he would play college football,” Herbst said. “I wouldn’t call it arrogant at all. The best part was the choices he made in high school had that in the back of his mind. He was always dependable, worked hard and improved. That’s why he’s going where he’s going.”

While a little personal bias might seep into the opinion, Cuffee Sr. said he believes his son will live up to the lineage.

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Per BON:

Cornerback? Safety? Nickel corner? Dime linebacker? The eventual position of Texas Longhorns signee Eric Cuffee is difficult to predict, but his diverse skill set and ability to play multiple roles in the secondary will add a dynamic element to the position group of new coach Clay Jennings.

He's also a guy who relishes the opportunity to play outside on an island because of his physicality and footwork, both traits that can minimize one of his biggest perceived weaknesses [4.62/40 speed] as a cornerback. Fluid hips allow him to consistently transition smoothly.

There's also evidence that Cuffee can think the game well. At the Under Armour game Cuffee ripped an interception away from an opposing wide receiver and was in position to make the play because of his pre-snap recognition, noticing a route-combination tendency when the ball placement was in the middle of the field and then adjusting his pre-snap alignment as a result to allow a quick jump on the ball when it was thrown.

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Per 247:

Eric Cuffee fits exactly what the coaches are looking for in cornerbacks. The issue is where will the talented Waco High product play with Holton Hill and Davante Davis seemingly entrenched at cornerback?

Cuffee’s best path to take to see the field will likely be at the nickel position, a spot that fits his skill set. He’ll have to fight Kris Boyd and P.J. Locke for reps, but the best thing I observed about Cuffee during the cycle was he was at his best when the stakes were high.

 

[Godz40acres]

Davion Curtis ... Temple (Temple, TX)
-horn ... WR ... 5-11/180​

Curtis will love to continue playing in the GO as he has plenty of speed to burn – perfect for burning out DBs. A geometric anomaly, there's no angle you can take to catch him.

Per 247:

Davion Curtis could not believe it.

Charlie Strong and the Texas Longhorns had offered him a scholarship – the one offer he never thought would come. A Georgia commitment at the time, Curtis wasn’t exactly short on talent.

“I didn’t think I’d ever get to that point,” Curtis said. “It was just kind of a dream school.”

Curtis committed on the spot. Strong asked him again if he was sure – he was. A few days later Curtis went public with the commitment.

“Sometimes we don’t realize the magnitude and just how important it is for some of these young men,” Strong said on National Signing Day. He was so proud of it.”

A gifted speedster at wide receiver, Curtis will take full advantage of his opportunity to play at Texas. Actually, he’ll wear a pair of Longhorn jerseys: one on the football field and one on the track.

“Track wise and football wise, getting off the ball well and getting out of my stance are similar,” Curtis said. “The speed from the track helps me be explosive on the field. A lot of stuff from track goes to the football field.”

Offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert served as the offensive coordinator at Temple High School when Curtis was in ninth grade. While Curtis never played for Gilbert, the system stayed in place, and he’s worked with it for three years now.

Curtis knows the signals, the plays and the scheme, which eliminates a huge learning curve.

“I’m pretty excited about the whole system, because I’m pretty used to it,” Curtis said. “I’ve been doing it for four years, so I could come in and make my mark on the field.”

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Per TFB:

[Sterlin] Gilbert is a huge fan of Davion Curtis. He recruited Curtis at Bowling Green and at Tulsa. It was meant to be.

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Per 247:

A one-time Georgia commit, Davion Curtis can blow the top off of a defense. He averaged 22.4 yards per catch as a senior and 22.9 per reception as a junior, hauling in 88 passes over his final two varsity seasons.

 

[WorsterMan]

Wow Mr. G, a LOT of good meat in this thread to chew on - thank you!

CS cupboard is getting re-stocked with some incredible talent... watch out Big XII !!

 

[El Sapo]

Physicality is usually a positive attribute. Though, as Aucion found out the first game of the 2015 season, it is possible to be too physical on a football field.

After about his 20th pancake block of the game, a referee told Aucion he was in danger of an ejection because of his rough play.

Double Man Crush.

 

[Godz40acres]

Chris Daniels ... Trinity (Euless, TX)
-horn ... DT ... 6-4/330​

Originally committed to ou, Chris Daniels announced for the 'Horns on National Signing Day. He later issued The Quote Heard 'Round The Recruiting World:

"All I've got to say is that if you don't want to go to Texas, don't let [Charlie Strong] get on your couch."​

It was at the Daniels' home a few days before NSD where Charlie attempted his first dab (later referred to as "The Peek-a-Dab").

Per 247:

Chris Daniels received his scholarship offer a little later than the majority of Texas’ 2016 class, but that didn’t prevent him from having one of the most notable recruiting impacts that cycle. After all, he’s the player that started a trend in Austin – he got Charlie Strong to dab.

“It was dabbing season, and he seemed like one of those chill, laid back coaches who would do it,” Daniels said. “I showed him and he just got on it.

“He was looking, but he did his own little thing by putting the Hook’ Em with it, which was cool.”

[T]he Longhorns have an immediate need at defensive tackle, and Daniels feels he can contribute right away.

“I feel like I can contribute,” Daniels said. “I feel like I’ll get playing time this year. Coach (Brick Haley) sees me as very versatile. He sees me as a defensive tackle, but he said I could play some defensive end. That was a shocking thing to me, but he said I’m very athletic.”

Patrick Vahe, another hulking Euless Trinity lineman, talks to Daniels often.

“He told me it’s all about maturity,” Daniels said. “Just go 110 percent all the time with everything you do. Just be a dog. I feel like if he can do it, I can do it.”

Daniels said he won’t back away from the competition created by the other members of his recruiting class. But, at the same time, he said he knows they’re all working toward the same goal.

“We’re all going to be young, and we’ll all have each other’s back,” Daniels said. “We can’t be selfish if we want to compete as a team. We’ll just push each other to do better.”

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Per BON:

His ability to work some on the edge could make him extremely valuable in odd fronts capable of showcasing his athleticism in 2017. The area for growth will have to come when he's playing three technique, as Texas will have to ask Daniels to play half a man and exploit gaps more often for him to fulfill the ultimate upside teased at by his athleticism.

Even if he can't add much as a pass rusher outside, his strength and ability to stack and shed could help him play the run at any position for Texas, but especially lined heads up (four technique) against an opposing offensive tackle playing there due to mobility rather than squatty strength.

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Per 247:

When I saw Chris Daniels as a junior I didn’t know if he was an FBS prospect; he was just a big kid who didn’t move very well. Credit him for working his tail off and looking like a completely different player as a senior.

One person who gets credit for Daniels picking Texas over Oklahoma is Patrick Vahe. Vahe did such a good job of recruiting him during his official visit that Daniels felt he knew Vahe better after a three-day weekend than he did over the three years they shared locker room space together at Euless Trinity.

 

[Dionysus]

 

[Godz40acres]

Jean Delance ... North Mesquite (Mesquite, TX)
-horn ... OT ... 6-5/299​

Another ou-to-Texas flip, Jean Delance will be joining fellow nasty boys, Connor Williams, Patrick Vahe, and Zack Shackelford on the line while adding his own maliciousness to the band of brothers. Though it may not happen this year, Madd Mattox should enjoy monsterizing this young man.

Per IT:

The numbers don’t lie. Texas needs talented offensive tackles. Delance fits the mold. Playing such a premium position coupled with being 6-foot-5, 291 pounds, and you’ve got yourself a potential monster. There’s a ton to like about Delance’s game, and his upside is obvious.

What stands out about Delance is how well he moves around for a guy his size, and definitely think he has the athleticism and the feet to stick at tackle. He will have to get better at playing with a lower pad level and instead of catching defenders, he needs to take the fight to them.

Delance might have the best feet of any tackle in-state this year. Highlight after highlight on his senior film features him beating DL off the ball and then those DL typically giving up and either getting taken for a ride or driven to the ground. Delance’s feet also allow him to find targets in space. He [will] fit like a glove in Mattox’s run schemes, particularly on gap schemes that would release him to the 2nd level to find a LB off a double team or as a puller. He’ll probably need a year or two to find his college playing weight and then Texas could have something special.

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Per BON:

Based on Delance's skill set, [the opportunity for him to compete for the right tackle job] may very well end in his favor. At 6-5, 291 pounds with great overall length, Delance has an ideal frame to add a bit of bulk over the next few seasons, but is stout enough to effectively contribute immediately.

Delance is a high-level athlete with tremendous footwork in pass protection, and his quickness makes it difficult to beat him around the edge. In the running game, Delance has proven to be a powerful force with a bit of a nasty edge, finishing plays through the whistle and making sure defenders stay down. Often times, you'll see him still driving his assignment 8-10 yards down, and stays engaged past first blocks as a lead blocker downfield.

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Per 247:

Jean Delance is everything anybody could want in an offensive tackle. When I saw him in a game for the first time he was one of the more impressive pure tackle prospects I had seen in quite some time. It’s all there for him to be a dominant, franchise-type tackle.

Can he get there? Certainly, but while Delance’s (6-5, 299) ceiling is high, he’s not as ready out of the box as Connor Williams was last year. It will be interesting to see how Matt Mattox molds him, meaning folks might have to be patient as he transitions to the college game.

 

[Godz40acres]

Jordan Elliott ... Westside (Houston, TX)
-horn ... DT ... 6-4/305​

Per 247:

To call Jordan Elliott’s recruitment a roller coaster would be an understatement.

In fact, by the end of it, Elliott’s mom, Tamara Dean, labeled the process a “nightmare” and called it “one big saga.” Elliott, an elite defensive tackle from Houston Westside, had 40 offers for football, and by National Signing Day he’d committed to nearly half the schools. OK, not quite, but Elliott did pledge to four different programs on five different occasions.

Elliott visited [Texas again] the weekend of Jan. 22, and he said it felt like coming home.

He would flip his commitment one final time. Elliott wanted to be a Longhorn.

“It was just like coming back to your root,” Elliott said. “It was just coming back up there and seeing all that again and realizing that was the place I needed to be.”

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Per IT (1), (2), and (3):

(1) There was no more critical need than restocking the pantry at DT, and that cupboard is now loaded with fresh groceries. Jordan Elliott (6-foot-4, 290) has the upper body strength and explosion to emerge as a dominant interior tackle. His versatility, lateral-quickness and sheer athleticism indicates Elliot will play early, and often, as a true freshman.

(2) Jordan Elliott is the crown jewel of the DL class, and his SPARQ numbers do a great job of explaining why. He threw the power ball 41’ and ran a 4.35 shuttle at 6-foot-4, 300, giving you an indicator of how this kid is both absurdly strong and impossibly quick. He may end up inside at the nose because of his power and the fact that he could still develop as a pass-rusher from inside but his ideal spot would be as a 3-technique or 3-3 DE like Malcom Brown.

(3) Elliott’s big and powerful enough to anchor versus combo blocks as a nose tackle, but agile enough to be a disruptor as a 3-tech to 5-tech. I like his ability to stack and shed in a two-gap scheme, or his quickness to beat blockers and get up field when tasked to beat his man. Elliott will be ready to play immediately regardless of where he ends up. Worst case scenario he’s a pile causing nose tackle, but I believe he’ll be much more than that.

Jordan Elliott has the potential to be the sort of dominant interior tackle that gives Big 12 offenses fits when they try to spread out opponents because their OL can’t handle him. Elliott has absurd lateral quickness for his size along with sheer power in his upper body that will make him murder on stunts and twists. Elliott might fit better at 3-tech or DE where he could work in space against running backs and tight ends that aren’t accustomed to facing opponents with similar quickness but considerably more strength and power.

This is a big fella that moves extremely well for his size. He is the type of defensive lineman that you can keep on the field in various packages because he has the ability and athleticism to play up in the down the LOS in even and odd fronts. He possesses very strong hands and he does a good job at getting extension and shedding blockers so that he can go make the play. If he can better and getting off the ball on the snap, you could have a real nightmare on your hands.

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Per 247:

At the U.S. Army All-American Bowl practices he was unblockable at times, performing like a guy who can come in and make the Longhorns better at defensive tackle right away. A source within the program told me if anyone can keep Elliott focused on the task at hand and get that out of him consistently it’s Strong, which bodes well for his future and isn’t a concern for the staff.

 

[Godz40acres]

Andrew Fitzgerald ... Marcus (Flower Mound, TX)
-horn ... DE ... 6-5/255​

Fonzie is on campus! This one won't be jumping any sharks – just OLs, RBs, and QBs. Fitzgerald has beast potalent and should be alotta fun to watch!

"When we turned the tape on, I said, 'Oh god, I don't need to see anything else. If he's going to play like that, we have to have him.'" – Charlie Strong

Per 247:

It’s not his frame that one is drawn to once the ball is snapped. Instead, it’s the ferocity with which he explodes off the line; a massive slab barreling toward the ball carrier.

That’s exactly what Charlie Strong saw when he first popped on Fitzgerald’s tape.

Fitzgerald felt like Texas was a place where his aggressiveness would not only be appreciated but channeled across the roster.

"I give 100 percent to everything I do. It’s bad to not give your full effort toward everything. If I don’t, I feel I let myself down.”

He didn’t let Flower Mound Marcus down often in his three years on varsity, each of which ended in an All-District honor.

Effort can take a person so far, but it doesn’t make a player continually highlighted during the Semper Fi All-American Bowl like Fitzgerald was in January.

Fitzgerald said Strong, Vance Bedford and Brick Haley have each told Fitzgerald the same thing about his freshman season: “Get ready to play.”

“I have the mindset of doing that,” Fitzgerald said. “I know I’m not going to be 100 percent ready going from high school to college football. But going through camp I’ll be ready by the time it gets there.”

Fitzgerald will start at strong-side defensive end at Texas, and he said that’s exactly where he prefers to play. It’s likely Fitzgerald sees the field early and often as a true freshman, and he said his team and the fans can expect one thing from him.

“Getting after it on every play,” Fitzgerald said. “I’m tenacious.”

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"I say this guy right here will be the dark horse of this class. He's a guy that goes hard all the time. He has one speed, and he's going to go hard. He's fun to watch." – Charlie Strong

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Per BON:

Explosiveness and lightness on his feet are part of the reason why Fitzgerald vaulted into the top 100 prospects nationally and the top 10 strongside defensive ends by 247Sports after impressing scouts at the Semper Fi All-American game.

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Per 247:

Being so far advanced compared to the other signees in terms of technique might make the most college-ready defensive line prospect in the class. He’s already well put together (6-5, 255), but he’s got the makeup to start a lot of games for the Longhorns.

Like Chris Daniels, I thought Fitzgerald was a much better player as a senior than he was as a junior. He’s so good technically that at his size teams had to either account for him with extra blockers, or run their offense away from him all together once he put it all together.

 

[mchammer]

I love this class. You could make a sitcom of the Fonz and LilJordan.

 

[Godz40acres]

NOTE: As discussed within pages 5-6 of the May/June Football thread, Erick Fowler is presently experiencing undisclosed qualification issues.

Erick Fowler ... Manor (Manor, TX)
-horn ... DE ... 6-2/235​

Though seemingly unflippable from LSU, Charlie found a way. Erick Fowler was a huge get for the Longhorns on NSD.

Per 247:

The four-star linebacker never dropped his Tiger pledge after committing in the summer of 2015, but the back-and-forth pull of staying or leaving home weighed heavily on Fowler.

In the end, Fowler did not make his decision until he reached the stage at Manor High School on National Signing Day.

“It really came at the last minute,” Folwer said. “My sophomore year Coach (Vance) Bedford and Coach (Charlie) Strong told me they were going to make me a Longhorn, so they believed in that. I had a little piece of me that believed as well.”

That thought stuck with Fowler, but his reasons for picking the Longhorns went beyond belief. System fit, the coaches and the depth chart played a large role in Fowler’s decision, but nothing proved more influential than the draw of home.

The allure of playing in front of his friends and family won out over his “dream school” LSU.

“I was born and raised in Austin,” Fowler said. “Whenever you hear my name you think Austin because that’s where I’m from. So if I can continue to represent for Austin, where I’ve been my whole life, why not?”

Fowler, who will play the Fox end at Texas, will start his Longhorn career in a familiar situation. Manor based its defense off Texas, and Fowler is already comfortable in the role he’ll play with the Longhorns.

A big linebacker who could easily slide down and play end if needed, Fowler is a unique athlete in that he’s equally adept at rushing the passer as he is dropping back into coverage. Those attributes will serve him well at the Fox where he can impact the game in multiple ways.

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Rivals breaks down Fowler:



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Per IT:

Fowler’s skill set is really that of a well balanced linebacker, even though he spends most of his time screaming around the edge. One thing that really stands out about him is how he’ll keep his eyes on the ball while casually demolishing the blockers trying to get in the way, a trait that suggests he could become proficient at reading keys and playing downhill as an inside linebacker. He’s got excellent lateral quickness, tackles in space well, and is one of the better pass-rushers in the class.

 

[Godz40acres]

Two of the newbies....
http://www.hornfans.com/threads/new-meat-menu-2016-incomers.102122/#post-1451921
D’Andre Christmas-Giles


Reggie Hemphill-Mapps

 

[Godz40acres]

Reggie Hemphill-Mapps ... Manvel (Manvel, TX)
-horn ... WR ... 6-1/172​

I'm not certain how much impact Reggie will have on the field (hopefully mucho), but I love the guy because he loves UT so much! If you don't know what I'm saying, keep reading and it will become clear.

Per 247:

The 6-foot-1, 172-pound wide receiver is a jokester, and on the sideline he’s an energy guy. Hemphill-Mapps’ goal, in his words, is to get his teammates “hyped.” But that demeanor shifts once he steps on the gridiron.

“On the field I like to lead by example, but on the sideline I like to keep us going,” Hemphill-Mapps said. “My personality is different, so I don’t know how that works.”

As a wide receiver, things work rather simply for Hemphill-Mapps. A member of an explosive Manvel High School offense, Hemphill-Mapps finished his four-year career with 2,256 receiving yards and 35 total touchdowns – though he posted just 562 yards and 5 touchdowns as a senior.

A slot receiver, Hemphill-Mapps’ strength is his consistency and large hands. Those are traits that will serve him well in Sterlin Gilbert’s spread offense.

“I think I’m going to be comfortable,” Hemphill-Mapps said. “It’s a fast tempo, and I come from fast-tempo offense. I just need to learn the plays and get them down. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Hemphill-Mapps blossomed as a recruit very early on, and he actually committed to Texas as a sophomore. But when Charlie Strong arrived, he asked Hemphill-Mapps to step back and consider his options again. But after Houston native pondered the process for nine months, he felt Austin remained the best place for him.

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Per IT:

Reggie Hemphill-Mapps is great at breaking out of his route stem and getting separation but whether he sees the field often at Texas will depend on whether he take the top off of defenses going vertical better than the rest of the skill talent being stockpiled in Austin. His tape shows a player with good situational awareness and willingness to block, which are essential in a bubble screen-heavy offense, so you can’t bet against him.

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Per 247:

Reggie Hemphill-Mapps holds the distinction of having committed to Texas on two different occasions. He was technically Texas’ first 2016 commitment having given his pledge when Mack Brown was in charge. He earned the offer following a camp performance where he and Deontay Anderson stole the show as rising sophomores.

Strong decided to pull Hemphill-Mapps’ offer after he took the job, but the pass catcher did enough to earn it back. He did so by doing things like averaging a touchdown catch every 3.3 receptions during his three varsity seasons.

 

[Godz40acres]

Lil’Jordan Humphrey ... Southlake Carroll (Southlake, TX)
-horn ... ATH ... 6-5/220​

Per 247:

It’s hard to miss Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

At 6-foot-5 Humphrey was often the tallest player for Southlake Carroll, yet he played running back his entire career.

“I was just born with the ability to be a running back,” Humphrey said. “My brother played it, my dad played it. It’s just an instinct. The height is advantage because I can see more holes opening.”

But before Humphrey’s senior year his coaches approached him and asked if he’d move to a hybrid offensive role. Part running back, part wide receiver and part tight end, the Carroll coaches wanted to move Humphrey around to make the Dragons harder to defend.

Humphrey didn’t hesitate to help his team. Plus, the move had an additional benefit – it’d help him prepare for his future position. Because, at his size, Humphrey knew he’d eventually have to make the switch to a pass catcher.

Humphrey’s production reflected that flexibility as he rushed for 1,292 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 57 receptions for 876 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior.

But even this position change might not be Humphrey’s last. He’s jumped from 200 to 220 pounds just from his weight-lifting regiment since football season ended. If that gain continues, Humphrey said there’s a possibility of him moving a H-back/tight end role at Texas.

A switch like that would suit him fine, too. One of his favorite parts of playing running back was hitting people, anyway.

“Being physical is one of the best parts of the game to me, I love to hit,” Humphrey said. “I know a lot of receivers don’t like to hit. I feel like it’s going to be a big part of my game that’s going to be different from everyone else.”

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Per BON:

Listed at 210 pounds by Texas on National Signing Day, Humphrey added 10 pounds of muscle by late April and could conceivably gain another 10 pounds by the time that fall camp begins. A long, lean athlete, Humphrey's focus on basketball helped keep his weight down, but now that he's had a chance to spend more time in the weight room, the results have been quick and substantial, as he's gained 20 pounds since the football season ended.

The current plan is to play him at outside receiver, but if Humphrey reaches 230 pounds or more, he'd likely have to move back closer to the football.

In watching Humphrey's highlights at running back, one thing that stands out is his willingness to lower his pads and attempt to run over defenders, so there's a certain amount of physicality to his game that could be highly beneficial if he does grow into a tight end.

Regardless, the most important thing is to ensure that any added weight doesn't negatively impact Humphrey's best quality -- the agility and elusiveness that allowed him to gain more than 3,000 yards and score 33 touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons as the primary ball carrier for state power Southlake Carroll.

Just how special is that agility? Consider that Humphrey ran a 4.16 shuttle time in 2015, a remarkable time for a player with his height.

After working in a hybrid role that split Humphrey out at wide receiver more often as a senior, the transition to a full-time pass-catching role should be easier for the consensus high three-star prospect. In 2015, he caught 57 passes for 876 yards and nine touchdowns, and while his route-running ability still needs some refinement, the experience gained as a senior help his odds of contributing early.

When he does get playing time, whether it's at wide receiver or tight end, Humphrey's agility and ability to high point the football in traffic should make him an effective target.

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Per 247:

After competing against some of the state’s top running backs at The Opening Dallas Regional last spring, Lil’Jordan Humphrey realized he probably wasn’t going to exclusively be a running back at the next level. So he sought out Margin Hooks, one of the top private coaches in the Dallas area, to train him and develop his game.

The result was a senior season at Southlake Carroll where he totaled 2,168 all-purpose yards, catching 57 passes and eight touchdowns in 12 games. Humphrey is now heading to Texas as one of the most versatile, intriguing takes in the class.