Texas recruiting 2015: Assessing the defensive back needs/targets

• Kendall Sheffield, Fort Bend Marshall cornerback
• Kris Boyd, Gilmer cornerback
• Larry Pryor, Sulphur Springs safety (Texas A&M commit)
• Xavier Lewis, Reserve (La.) East St. John
• Justin Dunning, Whitehouse (Texas A&M commit)

The two commits in the class are a solid if mostly unspectacular start to defensive back recruiting in 2015. Campbell hasn't timed well at events, doesn't have ideal size, and is coming off an ACL tear, but has performed well on the field and in camps. Shaw is a former TCU commit who is one of the hardest hitters in the class and may benefit from Charlie Strong's defense since he'll be able to play in a more narrowly-defined role that will play to his strengths.

Pryor and Dunning are both members of the Fab Five joined by star defensive tackle Daylon Mack as commits to Texas A&M -- Texas has already missed on two of their top targets at the position and both are more highly rated then the two current commits.

Then there's Sheffield, the state's top player in the 247Sports Composite. A standout hurdler, Sheffield looks like a can't-miss prospect with his athleticism and the type of player who could step on the field immediately at virtually any college program.

Unfortunately, he's not planning on attending a Texas Junior Day at this time, so the staff will have to work hard to get him on campus during the spring -- a practice would be an excellent time and clearly he's a guy Strong and company will want on campus for the spring game.

Oh yeah, the other unfortunate thing? His Crystal Ball predictions are unanimous to the Aggies at this time, meaning that the only real good news here with Sheffield is that he hasn't committed to Texas A&M yet.

The likelihood of losing Sheffield to the Aggies makes Boyd an even bigger priority. The long, rangy cornerback with speed to burn named Texas his leader last June after a summer camp, but there's a school trending heavily in his Crystal Ball predictions. And that would be Texas A&M, of course.

Lewis picked up his offer from Texas on Thursday and at least the Horns aren't likely to lose him to the Aggies, as he's thought likely to end up staying in Louisiana with the home-state Tigers. So there's that.

After missing on so many difference-makers in the 2014 class, landing some top prospects at defensive back would help the long-term outlook at the position. Right now, it looks like that won't happen for a second consecutive recruiting class.