Beyond the 2010 season

Now that we’ve got 2010’s star-studded class signed and sealed (most of the delivery will come in June), let’s sit back awhile. Relax. Enjoy the good feeling.

And start eyeing the Class of 2011.

Most of the in-state blue-chippers will visit campus for one of Texas’ two Junior Day weekends this month. Expect commitments to begin within a week, immediately after this weekend’s (Feb. 12-14) visits. With an eye on that, a look at how the football roster stacks up BEYOND the 2010 season:

Needs – Cornerback and the offensive line have to be priorities for the 2011 class. Both will suffer major senior losses following the 2010 season. After signing between five and seven wide receivers (depending on positional decisions); six defensive linemen, and a pair of quarterbacks last week, those positions will be lower priorities in the next signing class. (Five-star talents are always welcome, of course. Any position accepted.)

Corners Curtis Brown and Chykie Brown are seniors; Aaron Williams is a junior who probably won’t get to senior status. One corner (Marcus Davis) left the program two months ago. Another, Eryon Barnett, had to be shut down after one game last fall. A couple of last week’s signees (A.J. White, Carrington Byndom) apparently will play corner; Bryant Jackson might be a CB. Need: Critically high.

Five offensive linemen – Michael Huey, Kyle Hix, Tray Allen, Britt Mitchell and Steve Moore – are seniors. Hix and Huey will start, Allen likely will, Mitchell could. Four signees from 2009 redshirted so there is some depth up front, but limited experience, behind the seniors. David Snow is this year’s lone junior offensive lineman; sophomores Luke Poehlmann and Mark Buchanan played briefly as redshirt freshmen in 2009. Tackle will be a major focus in the 2011 class, but all five positions could be covered. Need: High.

Other areas of the team are better fortified. Two true freshmen played at defensive end in 2009 and two of 2010’s most heralded players are ends. Tackle again will be thin this fall, but three tackles redshirted in ’09 and three more were signed last week. Linebackers Jared Norton and Dustin Earnest are seniors and two returning starters, Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho, are juniors. A pair of linebackers redshirted last fall, and three – including blue-chip talents Tevin Jackson and Jordan Hicks – just signed. At safety, four juniors and one sophomore have game experience. Needs: Two safeties, an end, at least one tackle (can never have too many of these).

The coaches may take a quarterback – if one is willing to come on the heels of three QBs joining the team in 2009-10. Running back will be a priority, and the quality and volume of talent at that position may never be better than in 2011. The best of the current backs are sophomores and freshmen – and fans are still looking for that “next big thing” running back. A least one tight end can be expected to sign, and no more than two wide receivers. Needs: Two running backs, 1 or 2 tight ends.

The 2010 senior class will be 16-18 players, so the 2011 signing class will top 20 and could run 22-23.