Brendan Maloney – USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 season is in the books for the Texas Longhorns, and with a 6-7 record in head coach Charlie Strong’s first season, it was one to forget. But heading into the 2015 season, there is plenty of optimism around the team and the belief that Texas can return to their former glory to challenge for a Big 12 title as early as next season.
This belief comes from an extremely strong recruiting class the Longhorns are gathering this season. They currently have the No. 9 overall rated recruiting class of 2015, ahead of Big 12 teams such as the Oklahoma Sooners (20th), Baylor Bears (24th) and TCU (36th).
The highlight of Texas’ recruiting class is the early enrollment of five-star linebacker Malik Jefferson. After his commitment to the team, many began to wonder if such a highly-rated player would attract other significant commits.
Jefferson’s commitment has led to a number of four-star rated defensive and offensive players committing to the team, including four-star athlete/receiver and Jefferson’s teammate DeAndre McNeal, four-star tight end Devonaire Clarington, four-star linebacker Anthony Wheeler, four-star athlete/cornerback Tim Irvin and most recently four-star receiver Gilbert Johnson.
Jefferson has clearly made an impact on the Longhorns’ recruitment this season and such a strong class can help to build a conference contender. The Longhorns now have three potential starters at receiver with McNeal, Johnson and junior Armanti Foreman already with the team.
The offense is the area that requires a big focus, which makes the commitments from Irvin, Johnson and four-star rated quarterback Zach Gentry so important to the team. An open quarterback competition will be held this spring, as starter Tyrone Swoopes failed to cement his place. Redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard and Gentry will battle to overtake Swoopes and claim the starting job for the 2015 season.
Whoever wins that battle will have Foreman, Johnson, McNeal, Irvin and Tristian Houston, the No. 20 rated running back in the nation, at their disposal. The offense is improving and is having a quietly underrated performance in the 2015 recruiting class.
The defense, which is Strong’s focus as a coach, is having a monstrous recruiting class with multiple four-star linebackers being available for next season. With the senior losses the team is suffering on the defense, this recruiting class can go a long way to replacing them, including the early commit of DeShon Elliott, the No. 5 rated safety in the nation.
The Longhorns made a bowl appearance this season, but they will need to do one better by winning a bowl game next year. This recruiting class has all the talent the Longhorns need on both sides of the ball. Fans may see many new faces in the starting lineup come Week 1, but that will be a positive thing.
Coach Strong is beginning to make his mark on the team, having been unable to really impact the recruiting class of last season. So far he has shown he is committed to building a Big 12 contender, and it may not be so surprising to see Texas fighting alongside the Sooners, Bears and TCU for the Big 12 title next season.
If all the recruits live up to their potential, then the sky is the limit in the 40 acres and Texas will once again reach heights that have not been seen since 2009. The quarterback position is still a question mark, but Heard appears to have an abundance of talent that led to him winning back-to-back state championships.
Gentry could also be a surprise player for the Longhorns, with a 6 foot-7, 237-pound frame. He could compete for the job on a physical level, but will he be ready for the mental leap?
Only time will tell, but look for the Longhorns to be Big 12 contenders next season.
James Reeve is an NFL and NCAA Football writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter or “Like” him on Facebook.
