Texas Recruiting 2013: Second Junior Day Invites

[Update]: Some new names on the list and some notable recruits have been moved to the "Will Not Attend" list. --Wescott--

In the past, the second Texas Junior Day was a small affair, generally hosting only a handful of prospects who either couldn't make the first Junior Day, had fallen through the cracks for whatever reason, or had been placed on the backburner by the Longhorn coaching staff.

Typically, the list of attendees was much more fluid as well, with players who didn't expect to receive an offer -- or had been told they wouldn't by coaches -- opting to stay home or attend other events instead of coming to Austin and leaving without an invitation to play football on scholarship for Texas.

Perhaps as a result of the new emphasis on building relationships with players throughout the process to allow the staff to circle back later in the process if other scholarships become available, or just an overall change in philosophy, the number of players invited and expected to attend is much higher than it has been in previous years.

It seems like a smart decision by the staff, both in terms of putting Texas in a position to extend offers and receive commitments during or after the senior seasons for these players, and also because the second Junior Day provides an opportunity for all of those in attendance to watch the 'Horns go through a spring practice, the type of viewing that helped convince Austin High WR Cayleb Jones to pledge to Texas a year ago.

As always, this is a fluid list that will be updated throughout the week if any new names emerge or if prospects opt not to attend.

Attendees

• Cody Thomas, Colleyville Heritage QB -- There hasn't been an update from Thomas since Swoopes committed and he could miss the event due to baseball obligations anyway. It would be a surprise to see him make it into Austin this weekend.
• Eldridge Massington, West Mesquite WR -- With reported 10.6 100m speed and standing at 6-3, Massington may have the best size/speed combination at wide receiver in the state in a deep class. If Dallas Skyline WR Ra'Shaad Samples fails to make a move on his Texas offer this week, the 'Horns could end up offering Massington.
• Ellis Jefferson, Denton Guyer WR -- One of a hoard of tall receivers in the state this year, Jefferson is highly unlikely to receive an offer on his visit.
• Jeremiah Gaines, Red Oak H-back -- Perhaps the top H-back on the Texas board, the Longhorns need to add two prospects at TE/H-back in this class, but may still be evaluating the position.
• Trent Gow, Mansfield TE/H-back -- See above, though the later invite for Gow could be a sign that the Texas staff prefers Gaines.
• Patrick Morris, Denton Guyer OL -- The squatty interior line prospect has a nasty attitude in the running game and may be the second-best interior lineman in the state after Harker Heights OL Darius James. Texas will likely slowplay this one in case something happens with James, which seems unlikely, or decides that the class needs two interior linemen.
• Austin Davis, Mansfield OL -- Another member of the significant Mansfield contingent expected for JD2, Davis is a virtual unkown at this point.
• Kent Perkins, Lake Highland OT -- After missing JD1 due to a family emergency, Perkins only needs to show up to campus to receive his offer and a commitment at that time is a strong possibility, though he did tell Orangebloods that A&M was his leader a couple weeks ago. At the least, it would be surprising if the visit to Austin doesn't vault the 'Horns to the top of his list.
• Josh Thomas, Shreveport Evangel OT -- The massive offensive tackle could be behind several other players at this time for an offer along the offensive line.
• Maurice Porter, Fort Bend Marshall OT -- A move in prior to his junior season, Porter is starting to receive some serious interest and just looking at his measurables -- 6-6, 280 -- it's easy to understand why. A player to watch.
• Vincent Taylor, SA Madison DL -- After missing JD1 due to car troubles, Taylor is expected to be in attendance for JD2 and could be near the top of the board along the defensive line for the Longhorns. Still, he had a junior season that failed to build on the promise he showed as a sophomore and there are some concerns that he won't be able to put on the weight to play DT, so he may fit best in a 3-4 defense as an end.
• Christopher Robinson, Shreveport Woodlawn DT -- The high school teammate of 2012 signee Torshiro Davis, Robinson is unlikely to receive an offer this weekend as the 'Horns continue to evaluate the defensive tackle position and pursue Dallas Kimball DT Justin Manning.
• Torrodney Prevot, Alief Taylor DE -- Productive on the field and strong in the classroom, Prevot's stock has been exploding in recent days with offers from LSU and Oklahoma. Probably the top defensive end in the state at this time, Prevot doesn't have much in the way of pass-rushing moves, but still managed to get to the quarterback consistently and also terrorized opposing running games crashing down from the backside.
• Daeshon Hall, Lancaster DE -- A recent addition to the list, Hall is a former basketball player from Seattle who looks like a basketball player at 6-6 and 210 pounds. He has a significant amount of physical upside, but it remains to be seen whether the staff is willing to take a risk on such a raw prospect with Prevot emerging as a guy who a higher floor.
• Mike Mitchell, Plano Prestonwood Christian DE/OLB -- Mitchell has the top-end speed of a skill position player, but he takes a while to get going, which may not serve him nearly as well at his likely college position of DE. However, Mitchell is still one of the better athletes on defense in the state, which puts him very much in the mix for an offer.
• Deon Hollins, Jr., Fort Bend Marshall DE/OLB -- The emergence of prospects like Mitchell have reduced the odds of an offer for Hollins, who could well commit on the spot if he does receive one. Hollins may have the best first step off the ball in the state, but he's undersized at 6-1 to play DE in college and would have to play an unconventional role that would take advantage of his strengths.
• Deoundrei Davis, Cy Woods OLB -- A fast-rising prospect, Davis is fast and physical from his outside linebacker position and could now be the top player in the state there. An offer could well be forthcoming for him and his emergence could be a death blow to the recruitment of Harker Heights OLB Naashon Hughes, assuming that the Texas coaches don't see the latter growing into a DE.
• Brett Wade, Kennedale LB -- A likely middle linebacker prospect, Wade received some early interest from Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz last fall, but could be fading on the radar with the talent at outside linebacker int his class and the signing of Van LB Dalton Santos late in the 2012 class. A physical banger who is willing to take on and beat blockers, Wade is well behind guys like Hughes and Davis in size and athleticism.
• Maurice Smith, Fort Bend Dulles DB -- Now in consideration as the best defensive back in the state, Smith is being recruited on both sides of the ball in college, though he probably projects best as a safety. At cornerback, Smith doesn't quite have the pure speed most college coaches prefer, but he's a proven playmaker who always seems to find himself around the ball and does show the ability to find the football and make a play on it, no easy task for many cornerbacks. In most years, Smith would be an easy take, but Texas may continue to evaluate other options in the secondary.
• Colin Janice, West Orange-Stark DB (new) -- On the small side for a defensive back at 5-9, Janice is an all-purpose weapon for WO-S, as he played some safety, linebacker, and even defensive end as a junior.
• Antwuan Davis, Bastrop CB (new) -- A back injury as a junior set him back after being considered the top cornerback prospect in the state, but interest is finally starting to increase with his return to health.
• George Baltimore, Mansfield S -- An Adrian Phillips clone who has earned the playmaker tag as well, the story is much the same for Baltimore as it is for Smith, though Baltimore has the added disadvantage of not projecting as a cornerback in college.
• Kameron Miles, West Mesquite S -- A couple weeks ago, Miles looked like a virtual lock for an offer with his ability to play fast in pads and strike viciously when he gets there. With other options emerging, Texas may opt to hold off on an offer, but Miles is still probably the best safety prospect in the state with his combination of size and speed.
• Chevoski Collins, Livingston ATH (new) -- A standout at the Army Junior Combine back in January, Collins is being recruited as both a wide receiver and a defensive back, but is likely being looked at as a defensive back for Texas.
• Robbie Rhodes, Fort Worth Southwest ATH -- Rhodes may not make it to Austin because of a basketball tournament and he's far from a lock for an offer. The explosive high school wide receiver set a national record last October when he scored eight touchdowns and racked up 394 yards on only 10 catches.
• Jacorey Warrick, Cy Falls ATH -- A strong performance at cornerback last summer put the high school wide receiver on the radar of the Texas coaching staff and he's now very much in the mix for an offer as a cornerback.

No longer attending