How Good Will The 2007 Class Be?

By John Swofford, Recruiting Writer

Sure, it's early.  No, we're not finished yet.  And yes, I know: these are high school kids.  But can we talk a little about the magic that Mack Brown is brewing right now?

It's hard to imagine a recruiting class much better than the one Mack Brown is pulling together right now.  To most of you, the names in the 2007 class may not mean a whole lot right now... but trust me, they will.  

Looking back just four years ago, Mack pulled in what many considered to be the #1 ranked class in the nation, a feat which culminated in an undisputed National Championship.  And then, as now, a lot of those names didn't mean too much.  Names like Justin Blalock, Aaron Harris, Brian Robison, Aaron Ross, Kasey Studdard, David Thomas, Rodrique Wright, Selvin Young, and that other guy, Vince Young.

This year, Coach Brown is pulling in top-flight talent from in state as well as out of state.  We'll get into the player profiles later in the year, but as a whole, this is a special class.  

The offensive line is widely considered the best line signed by any class in the nation over the last decade.  Although Tray Allen is the most notable name on the list, performance is what matters, and at the June 4th mini camp in Austin, all six commits drew high praise from some of the best defensive line talents in the nation.  

Tray Allen anchors what may be the best
recruiting class of offensive linemen in history.
Photo via Rivals.com

One question that has lingered for a couple of years now is, "What happens when Vince leaves?"  Well, we're about to find out.  Jevan Snead, Colt McCoy, and Sherrod Harris are embarking on a journey I would wish on no man.  Following in those giant footprints is no small task.  And it goes beyond just following Vince Young, as it's not just each other that they must compete against.  The young guns that are right behind them are just as formidable.  2007 commit John Chiles may be the most gifted athlete in the country.  He runs a 4.4 40 and throws a bullet.  While he is open to moving to WR or DB, his main focus is improving his QB skills so he can compete for that position.  And then there's John Brantley, widely regarded as one of the best QB's in the nation, and the star of a recent national QB camp.

Comparing this class to the 2002 class might be hard because of the quality that developed from that class, and we certainly won't be able to for another four years.  One thing is for sure, though: we are seeing the beginnings of another stellar class that will keep Texas at or near the top of the rankings at least through the end of the decade.

Hook `Em

--JS--