but this is still a very solid class. and if you look at last year's, 2006's class, and the 2009 class which is shaping up to be the best since the 2002 VY class. It doesn't hurt that bad.  We are getting more terrific talent in the secondary (DJ Monroe and Aaron williams) and at WR (Dan Buckner and DeSean Hales)

Darell Scott doesn't hold a scholie and probably won't unless he seeks out Texas and recruits us rather than the other way around and I don't see that happening. Sad really.

If we somehow are able to get a commitment from Chancey A, I could see him, AJ Williams, DeSean Hales, and/or DJ Monroe being moved up to 5 stars.

I read a national recruiting expert say that if DJ Monroe was only a few inches taller he'd be the #1 corner in the country.

You are correct; this is a "down" year for Texas on the recruiting front, according to the ranking sites.  It's not much to worry about though, for several reasons already mentioned in the comment thread.

Here's a list of a few reasons why I am not worried, and actually quite excited for the 2008 class.

1. Take the 2006 and 2007 class.  Together they supply incredible potential at OL, LB and DB.  When you bring in players like Kindle, Eddie Jones, Curtis Brown, Beasley, Huey, Norton etc in back to back years, there is a solid foundation.  Consider 2008 a supplementary class to the two knockout classes prior.  The 06 and 07ers will help Texas bounce back after this season (and possibly during this season depending on their maturation) and the 08s will only add to that presence.

2. You can't deny quality, regardless of what the rankings say.  Check out the little highlight flicks of WR Dan Buckner, WR/Ath DeSean Hales, and the two stud CBs, Monroe and Williams.  You just can't deny how awesome these players look.

3. Consider two years down the road when Texas could possibly have a secondary comprised of Deon Beasley, Chykie Brown, Curtis Brown, DJ Monroe and Aaron Williams.  There will be no way Sam Bradford or any other QB beats them.

4. Sort of tailing off here, but one last thing.  Few programs are perennially ranked in the top 10 of any recruiting sites.  The best programs, including Texas, recruit in waves with a "weak" year once every three or four years.  Sometimes it's due to a lack of available scholarships.  The 2005 UT class suffered from this.  Sometimes there just happens to be a perfect storm like this current class.  We are "losing" a handful of top notch recruits to OU, but most of those players have longstanding ties to OU or Norman.  Perhaps Mack could have swayed one or two of those players (RJ Washington, Good, Habern) but those guys were clearly leaning OU early on.

5. Final reason: Look ahead.  The 2009, as far away as it seems right now, looks like it could rival 2002(?), the year of VY, Justin Blalock and others.

Although Texas has not secured a 5 star recruit for next year (and will not land any of the remaining talent) the class is still a solid class.  Texas typically has not landed this many 4 star players in one class.  Texas will live and die by in-state recruiting, and this year's class was not viewed as strong as previous ones in the state.  However, Texas is adding some much needed depth in this class -- outside of the glaring need to recruit a top tier QB.

I've seen Jeremy Hills - the guy is explosive and difficult to tackle.  He had a great game vs Elsik's biggest rival Hastings.

Johnson & Humphrey will at some depth at their positions which is much needed (LB and DT). While the collection of DBs will bolster the secondary.  As others have mentioned, some of these guy's may not necessarily fit the Rivals prototype for 5 stars, but many recruiting publications I've seen have suggested that some of Texas' 4 star players could likely be changed to 5 start guys after scouts evaluate their performance this year. At this point, it really doesn't matter.  All that matters is that the collection is solid (not great).

The real prize is the '09 recruiting class. Fortunately those legals woes we had in the summer could not have come before a better recruiting year.  Texas will be able to offer the Joseph, Jones, Gatewood etc scholarships to additional players in this class.  (If only they would have found a way to kick Melton off the team!)

The '09 class features some very good QBs, at least two of which are dual threat and are connected to UT.  In addition, the top running back Chris Whaley is a monster of a RB (size and speed) and from all accounts will be perhaps the top prospect in the state.  You can expect Texas will be trying to secure his commitment come February.  This year is really the year for Texas to recruit a top RB as JC is heading into his senior season next year.

The majority of the top talent in this class has participated in Texas football camps and is already very familar with the coaching staff.  If Mack is every bit the recruiter we think he is, Texas' 09 class should rivals the 2002 class in terms of amount of recruits and top tier talent.

per state?

Check out this Sophomore highlight video of Russell Shepard.  This kid is going to be a stud and he is a Texas fan.  Between him and Gilbert from Lake Travis, we should get a solid QB out of the 2009 Class.

Take it for what it's worth but, from everything I have heard about Pryor, he wants to play basketball and football.  Mack will not allow him to play more than one sport, which is why he won't seriously consider Texas.

"bleak"?

DeSean Hales WR 5-10/165 6.0
Jarvis Humphrey DT 6-2/290 6.0
D.J. Monroe DB 5-9/165 6.0
Aaron Williams DB 6-1/175 6.0
Nolan Brewster DB 6-1/195 5.9
Dan Buckner WR 6-4/209 5.9
Luke Poehlmann OL 6-6/260 5.9
Mark Buchanan OL 6-6/275 5.8
Jeremy Hills RB 5-10/181 5.8
Dravannti Johnson LB 6-2/230 5.8