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Texas Football Recruiting: The Visitors

Jake Raulerson Sophomore Highlights 2010 (via Gatordaze123)

 

Don't make the Maulerson angry. You wouldn't like the Maulerson when he's angry. More after the jump.

Texas very quietly hosted several big-time 2013 recruits at the Rice game. A few more junior studs are expected at the BYU game. 

 

Rice Game Visitors 

2013 Celina OT / DE Jake Raulerson

The pride of Celina made it to the Rice game during a busy holiday weekend. Raulerson sat with 2012 commits Cayleb Jones, Johnathan Gray, and 2013 Texas target Darius James. It is believed that Gray has been actively recruiting Raulerson to Texas. 

Raulerson called the crowd electric and found DKR impressive. Raulerson spoke with Mack, Coach Giles and Coach Searels during his visit. Texas remains high on Raulerson's list, and I'm in the camp that believes Raulerson is a Texas lean. 

Just a hunch, but I wouldn't sleep on Raulerson playing DE at Texas. Oscar Giles told Raulerson at the Texas June 5th Summer Camp that he would get reps at DE for Texas this season. Expect another offensive and defensive staff skirmish if Raulerson commits to Texas. 

 

2013 Bastrop CB Antwuan Davis

Davis had glowing reports about his visit to Texas. Davis also liked the crowd's energy, a recurring theme from the Rice game. The visit went as well as it possibly could. Davis recently named Texas his leader over TAMU and TCU. 

Davis spoke with Manny Diaz, and Duane Akina during his visit.

My feeling is that Davis is likely a lock to be offered at the first Junior Day and could commit soon after. Big-time talent. Davis will be in the conversation for the best corner in the country when the rankings come out next year. 

 

2013 Bastrop LB Paul Whitmill 

Perhaps the surprise of the Rice game, other than Harsin's trick plays, was Whitmill accompanying his teammate Antwuan Davis to the Rice game. Whitmill previously wasn't high on Texas, and declined to attend either Texas summer camp. 

Whitmill spoke with Manny Diaz during his visit. Diaz has been by Bastrop to see both Davis and Whitmill. 

OU is still probably the leader for Whitmill, but Texas made an impression on him. Antwuan Davis told Hook Em 247 that Whitmill sang Texas Fight with the crowd, and also remarked that he really like the campus. Whitmill lived in Austin previously, and has said the place feels like home. Texas has some work to do with Whitmill, but the Rice visit certainly helped. 

 

2013 Dallas Jesuit WR Jake Oliver 

Oliver visited with his father and a close friend. Gary Oliver, a former TAMU player, encouraged Oliver to visit as a recruit and not just as a fan. However, Gary Oliver has close ties to Coach Wyatt and Bennie Wylie. Wyatt is an old friend of Gary Oliver's, and Oliver coached Wylie at Sam Houston State. 

Oliver spoke with Darrell Wyatt during his visit. Oliver has attended many Texas games over the years with close family friends. 

Texas and Texas A&M are believed to be the major players for Oliver's signature. The TAMU legacy factor will be difficult to overcome, but Oliver is genuinely a Texas and TAMU  fan. Coach Wyatt allegedly loves Oliver. Texas will not punt on this one. Oliver is expected to be offered in February by Texas. 

 

2013 Harker Heights OL Darius James 

James attended the Rice game with teammate Camrhon Hughes. 2013 Harker Heights LB Naashon Hughes (Camrhon's brother) is also believed to have visited during the Rice game. I'll have more on Naashon tomorrow. 

Camrhon's commitment to Texas should be a big factor in James' recruitment as the two are close. This one is probably a Texas - OU battle, but I expect Texas to prevail. James is believed to be a heavy Texas lean. James will likely attend another Texas this season. 

Texas should offer James in February, and he could be a Junior Day commit. 

 

Expected BYU Visitors 

Mack has made the BYU game one of this season's showcase for recruits. I expect more names to be added to this list before Saturday. 

2013 Whitewright QB Tyrone Swoopes 

Swoopes attended the overnight Texas Summer Camp in June, and worked extensively with Coach Harsin. I believe Swoopes is Texas' top target at quarterback for the 2013. Should be a TCU - Texas battle. My understanding is that Texas has moved slightly ahead of TCU. 

 

2012 Port Lavaca Calhoun Daniel Brooks

Brooks is an OU commit, but it planning on taking official visits this fall. Texas is likely targeting Brooks as a utility back. Brooks has moved up some list to four-star status. I now believe Brooks' offer and possible commitment to Texas won't affect Texas offering Dontre Wilson. My understanding is that the Texas coaches love both Brooks and Dontre Wilson as utility backs and will gladly take both to succeed DJ Monroe and DeSean Hales

I think Brooks is waiting on the full court press treatment from the Texas staff. If the coaches show Brooks and his family some love, this could get interesting. Mack hasn't had an opportunity to sit down with the Brooks family yet. Coach Wyatt is the lead recruiter on Brooks. 

 

2013 Livingston ATH Chevoski Collins 

Collins was one of the stars of Texas June Summer Camps. Collins allegedly made DBs "look silly" and really made an impression on the Texas coaches. If Oliver is Texas' target at wide receiver, Collins appears to Texas' target at slot wide receiver. Collins has been busy. 

It will likely be a Texas - TAMU battle for Collins' signature. 

 

A very, very impressive list of visitors and expected visitors. All are top 30 in state players, and with the exception of Brooks, expected to be top 100 national players. In my opinion, Texas still isn't being aggressive enough with the 2013 recruits, but getting them in for games is an important step. It's one thing to talk about 100,000 Texas fans cheering, it's quite another to see it in person. 

On Friday, I'll continue the Texas High School Football Under the Lights preview series. 

I will be at Lake Travis vs. Aledo game on Friday so look for an article this weekend. Yes, I'll have analysis of Johnathan Gray and 2014 Lake Travis RB Shaun Nixon. 

As always join me for Sundays with Bill at 5 pm for BYU recap, recruiting and other Texas news. 

I don't do this very often, but I would like to offer my thoughts and prayers for those effected by the wild fires in Central Texas. Remember there are more important things than football, and I would encourage everyone to help out in some way.