With the de-commitment of Sealy athlete Ricky Seals-Jones and the commitments of Sugarland Dulles defensive back Maurice Smith to Alabama and Fort Worth Southwest wide receiver Robbie Rhodes to Baylor, it was a tough week for Texas Longhorn recruitniks.
The Sunday mini-camp -- the final Texas summer camp -- didn't help things much, as several important prospects were not in attendance. The most concerning absence ($) was probably Fort Worth Arlington Heights lineman A'Shawn Robinson, who did not make either camp and has not been on campus since the first Junior Day way back in February. Rumors have circulated for some time now that he may be considering taking visits.
The other notable absences included Alief Taylor defensive end Torrodney Prevot, who had planned on attending the camp, but had to work. Like Robinson, Prevot has not been to Texas since taking in the second Junior Day. He's gone relatively quiet about his recruitment and hasn't been taking many visits recently, so it's difficult to get a read on where he stands.
Finally, Livingston athlete Chevoski Collins, who is being recruited by Texas as a safety, also did not make the trip and did not attend a summer camp in Austin. With the commitment from Erik Huhn starting limit numbers there and the ongoing evaluations of New Orleans (LA) Edna Karr cornerback Noel Ellis, who ran well at the Texas camp last week and was singled about by Jacorey Warrick on Saturday as a top performer, and Manvel cornerback Tavares Garner, the former Texas Tech pledge who camped at Texas on Monday, Collins could be running out of time in regards to Texas.
There were also some notable absences in the 2014 class. Dallas Skyline cornerback Cedric Collins never made it down to Austin for a camp and it appears that Texas has fallen completely off his radar. Other defensive backs who didn't make it include Lancaster safety Nick Harvey and Dallas Bishop Dunne cornerback Nick Watkins, though the latter prospect indicated on Twitter that he may take an unofficial visit to Texas this week. However, the Texas coaches place a great deal of emphasis on attending these camps because it's the only chance they will have to work these kids out before extending offers next February.
There was some positive news to emerge from the camp. Katy Seven Lakes offensive guard Caleb Benenoch seemingly had a great time, judging by his Twitter feed, and may well have received his offer. It's not out of the question that he could become a Longhorn in the coming days.
The rest of the positive news revolved around the 2014 class. Mount Pleasant wide receiver KD Cannon, perhaps the top player at his position in the state, made it in and Texas appears to have received a needed bump in his recruitment as a result. He was one of several prospects who were told that they were approved for an offer come February of 2013.
The other two players who were approved are Fort Worth All Saints offensive tackle Demetrius Knox, who has Texas and Alabama at the top of his list, and Beaumont Ozen cornerback Tony Brown, who also likes the Longhorns.
The top targets in the 2014 class are now staring to become known.