Longhorns cleaning up in Texas
With just one glance at the Rivals.com Texas top 100, it's pretty obvious to see that the Texas Longhorns are having a big year on the recruiting trail. That doesn't mean that other in-state and out-of-state programs haven't reeled in some solid prospects with many more possibilities still on the table.
The Horns have landed not only the state's top prospect, South Grand Prairie offensive guard Tray Allen, but 15 of the top 25 prospects in the state. Allen, the nation's top guard prospect, has uncanny ability to play any number of spots along the offensive line. He's part of a stellar class of offensive linemen for the Horns.
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Other top 25 pickups for UT include five-star athlete John Chiles, checking in at the No. 3 spot, along with four-stars Michael Huey, Curtis Brown, Andre Jones, and Ben Wells who all come in as top 10 players in the state. Brown is one prospect who has excelled in summer workouts and could see his ranking move up in a big way as the year goes along.
If that weren't enough, Texas added the state's No. 13 ranked prospect Aundre McGaskey, the No. 14 rated player Keenan Robinson, and No. 15 and No. 16 with Russell Carter and Cody Johnson.
With all the success the Horns have had, there are definitely still some very highly rated players still left on the board for other teams to battle over.
Five-star wide receiver Terrance Toliver has been debated about more than any other prospect, but checks in as the state's No. 2 rated prospect. Tolliver is part of a big year in Texas for pass-catchers, with four-stars Dez Bryant and James Kirkendoll coming in at No. 21 and No. 29.
Texas A&M and Baylor both check in with several top 100 players on the commitment list as well. The Aggies have a solid running back class with two four-star prospects in the No. 26 rated player Bradley Stephens and the No. 31 rated runner Joseph Reese coming in as top 40 prospects. However, the Aggies highest rated player is the state's No. 12 rated prospect, linebacker Derrick Stephens who has a big-hitting mentality and is a very efficient linebacker.
Baylor has been having a bigger year than many expected. The Bears have picked up three players already listed in the state top 100, offensive lineman Lonnie Edwards and Anthony Morgan along with defensive tackle Rex McDougald.
Texas Tech may only have three commitments, but rising wide receiver Rashad Hawk and sleeper offensive tackle Blake Emert both make the group at No. 89 and No. 66 respectively.
Out-of-state programs like LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Kansas State, and Michigan have also been busy recruiting top talent in the Lone Star state. Michigan picked up the state's top quarterback, five-star Ryan Mallett rated as the state's No. 4 player.
LSU picked up four-star quarterback Jarrett Lee who comes in with the first release of the state rankings as the No. 25 rated prospect, but his work at the Elite 11 could push his stock even higher before his senior year comes to a close.
Nebraska, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State all have at least one prospect in the top 100 on their commitment list with many more possibilities looming. All three programs are involved with five or more top 100 prospects going into the fall months and very likely will be adding several more from this group.