Team Breakdown: Five players Texas schools must keep in-state

The high level of talent of Texas recruits is no secret, and top programs from around the country are again looking to steal some of the state’s top players in 2017. Texas-based programs should be looking to close the deal with many of the high-profile names, but there are also several ascending players that the rest of the country is pursuing that Texas schools need to make a priority.

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OUT OF STATE OFFERS: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford

Okudah has been talking up Ohio State as a leader in his recruitment since January, but things have been picking up a little more between him and the Longhorns as of late. After a visit to Austin on the Longhorns last junior day, he seems to be reconsidering Texas as an option even though it wasn’t initially in his Top 10. In recent meetings he’s had with Charlie Strong, Okudah has gotten a better feel for the program and its direction.

Texas is one of the schools looking to stake a claim in the DBU argument and Okudah is as versatile as it gets when it comes to a secondary prospect. He is a safety with great coverage instincts and was as good as advertised during his appearance at the Rivals Camp Series Presented by Under Armour in Dallas a few weeks ago. Even though the Longhorns have had strong recruiting classes the last couple of seasons, they have only landed one five-star commit each of the last two recruiting classes, and none in the two before those.

TEXAS A&M MUST-GET TARGET: TONEIL CARTER

OUT-OF-STATE OFFERS: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma State, Tennessee

Texas A&M hasn’t offered many running backs -- just three to be exact -- and of the two offered in-state, one is already committed to Ohio State (J.K. Dobbins). Carter is a do-it-all running back that could become a fantastic playmaker for the Aggies. He brings the size and athleticism that matches the SEC profile at the position. A&M’s high-powered offense currently has a stable of smallish running backs, but Carter could push for that bellcow-type of role from Day 1.

This could be a marquee class for the Aggies offensively with just a couple of key commitments. A&M has had its quarterback commit in Tate Martell for some time, and a four-star wide receiver in Mannie Netherly. A highly-rated running back will give Kevin Sumlin a fine offensive trio to build the rest of the offensive class around and a cushion to focus on more defensive players. On his own, Carter is a fine running back in any class, but offensive security is a top priority after last season.

OUT OF STATE OFFERS: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Florida St., Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee

Browning was previously committed to Baylor, but he backed off ahead of his senior season. His recruitment currently could go any direction with an offer list as big as his home state and no desire to rush to another decision. Browning has said that his de-commitment is not an indication that Baylor has lost ground in his recruitment, simply that he pulled the trigger too early.

The Bears would benefit greatly from having a player like Browning lining up in their front seven. He is instinctual and disruptive behind the line of scrimmage with extraordinary cover skills for his position. Baylor finished with a strong recruiting class last year, but Browning is a truly elite player at his position that would change the complexion of this year's group. He has recently made mention of his interest in Ohio State as well, so to be able to reel a player like that back in would be a huge win for the Bears.

OUT-OF-STATE OFFERS: Arizona State, Colorado, Iowa St., Kansas, Miami, Mississippi St., Ole Miss, Washington

Buckley put on a show that the Rivals Camp event in Dallas and showed what makes him one of the state’s most sought-after receivers. Texas, SMU, Texas Tech and Texas-San Antonio have all offered him as well, and he seems to like the idea of staying close to home. Keeping him there could be another matter all together, as Miami could be the most significant threat to lure him away from the Lone Star State.

TCU has already landed a commitment from wide receiver RJ Sneed, but the two are different types of player, with Buckley being the more dynamic of the two. The Horned Frogs are still competing with all the in-state schools as well, but there are always plenty of passes to go around in a Gary Patterson offense and that will certainly be among TCU’s top selling points.

OUT-OF-STATE OFFERS: Arizona State, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Missouri

Newman was just offered by the Red Raiders this week in the wake of three-star offensive lineman Tyler Castaneda choosing to de-commit from the Red Raiders. Newman responded by tweeting out that the offer came from his “dream school,” presumably shooting Tech to the top of his offer list.

Newman’s offers come from across the country and he has been an active participant on the camp circuit this spring. The obvious initial appearance seems to make him the Red Raiders’ player to lose, but with a sizeable offer list that includes several in-state schools as well, Kliff Kingsbury and company will be sure to stay on top of his recruitment.