With recruiting slowing down as the April/May evaluation period continues, there isn't much going on in Texas football recruiting. However, there is a top national prospect who keeps mentioning the Longhorns...
Needs: One (possibly two)
| Name (School) | JD invite? | Offer? | Commitment/ Odds |
Favorites | Quick Take |
| MJ McFarland (El Paso El Dorado) |
Feb. 13 | Offered |
Committed to Texas (2/13/10) |
|
3/10 -- Doesn't have exceptional straight-line speed, but if he can separate from the best defensive backs in the country at the Army combine, he should have success against linebackers at the next level. Has the frame to play at 250+ pounds without losing his speed. Catches the ball well in traffic and understands how to use his body to shield defenders. Film. 2/9 -- Impressed at the Army Junior combine with his ability to create separation against defensive backs. Could eventually grow into an attached tight end role. Excellent basketball player. |
| Max Stevenson (Klein Oak) |
Unknown |
Unlikely |
Committed to Oklahoma 5/2/10 |
|
5/10 -- Committed to Oklahoma along with teammate Nathan Hughes. Numbers are limited for the Sooners, so are there concerns about a potential de-commitment from Chris Barnett? 3/3 -- Has impressed with his speed and agility at recent events and may have been the second tight end on the Texas board. With his skill set, has the potential to be an impact player at the college level. 2/9 -- Has excellent speed for his size, but is a project, as he will need several years in a college weight program to play attached tight end. Plays some outside for Klein Oak and performed well at the Army Junior combine. Minimal experience blocking inside. Not hearing much from Texas. |
| Chris Barnett (A. Maceo Smith?) |
Not invited |
Not offered |
Committed to Oklahoma (2/20/10) |
|
5/10 -- Stock has increased a bit with some strong combine performances, but strange comments from his father about his departure from Euless Trinity continue Barnett's odd saga. 3/30 -- Stock continues to drop and Barnett probably ranks as a reach for the Sooners right now. 2/10 -- Brother of Eryon Barnett. Sounded like a Miami lean early in the process and then sounded like a Texas lock. Hard to tell where exactly he stands. Plays some defense and just transferred to Euless Trinity, but his film is unimpressive -- looks like just another guy. Hasn't heard much from Texas recently. |
|
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Gig Harbor, WA) |
Did not attend | Possible | 15% |
|
2/12 -- A top national prospect who would have to make it to Austin to receive an offer. Has a unique size/speed combination and experience playing outside in high school -- an extremely versatile receiver and blocker. Often mentions that he is waiting on a Texas offer.
5/10 -- A visit from the Texas coaching staff could be in the works and AS-J says that he has been in contact with Cedric Reed ($). After a recent Eugene Nike Camp, he also said that "I could go to Texas." Offer fishing? Possible, but interest from Longhorns appears legitimate. Has visited Austin before and another visit could result in an offer. He did say that he would be willing to take an unofficial summer visit to pick up on offer. 5/11 -- AS-J's coach believes his star player can stick at tight end in college because he's kept his weight down ($) while improving his strength and speed. For those wondering about his speed, his coach said that AS-J consistently times in the 4.7s. |
Outstanding offers: None.
Moving forward: It looked like the Longhorns were done at the position after receiving the commitment from McFarland, but the recent comments from AS-J seem to indicate that the Longhorns could be showing him some interest. Despite offers from virtually every major program in the country, Jenkins had this to say about Texas:
I really like the Longhorns. I'm really interested in them, I've always been a fan. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll go to camp and compete, show that I have what it takes to play there. That's a big privilege to get an offer from them. It's a big privilege if it's from anyone, be Texas would be in my top three no matter what.
If the 'Horns really would jump into his top three, it means that he would be willing to drop one of the three top teams he is now considering -- most likely Cal or UCLA, as Florida is generally thought to lead for his services.
The most likely reason for the interest from Texas, if it is legitimate, is that the coaching staff expects some attrition at the position. Obviously, the most likely candidate for that is Blaine Irby, who is continuing to attempt a comeback as the odds of ever playing for Texas again decreases. At his size, AS-J is physically college-ready and could contribute early for the Longhorns if he could block consistently along the line and would fit perfectly into the new "multiple" Texas offense with his ability to line up as a traditional tight end or split out as a receiver. Stay tuned, folks.