Football
The Dotted Line: Texas’ recruiting wish list, one week until the early signing period
Posted December 12th, 2018
Prospects from the 2019 class can sign national letters of intent a week from today during a three-day window that starts the morning of Dec. 19. Texas currently holds 21 commitments in a class that’s ranked No. 6 nationally and first in the Big 12.
The Longhorns hope to add a handful of prospects, some joining in the next week and others by national signing day in February. Here are the five most coveted targets remaining on the recruiting board:
Bru McCoy, wide receiver, Mater Dei (Calif.)
FYI: 6-2.5/212; 5 stars; No. 7-ranked player nationally
The competition: USC
Odds: 35 percent
It’ll prove difficult for Texas to convince the nation’s best athlete to join the movement from California to Texas, though current Longhorns commit De’Gabriel Floyd and the UT staff are putting on the full-court pressure and stand a higher chance than most imagined. McCoy is likely destined to USC, especially since the Trojans retained head coach Clay Helton and hired Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator. McCoy will pick a school on Jan. 5 in San Antonio during the All-American Bowl on NBC.
Noah Cain, running back, IMG Academy (Fla.)
FYI: 5-10/212; 4 stars; No. 7-ranked running back
The competition: Auburn, Georgia, Penn State, LSU
Odds: 40 percent
Texas wants a second running back to pair with four-star commit Derrian Brown. Cain is the preferred target and the Longhorns emerged as a favorite when LSU landed five-star running back John Emery Jr. But the Longhorns face plenty of competition for the former Denton Guyer star’s commitment. Cain was wowed on an official visit to Penn State last week and is expected to be in Tennessee this weekend.
Caleb Johnson, outside linebacker, Fullerton College (Calif.)
FYI: 6-1/215; 3 stars; No. 3-ranked JUCO outside linebacker
The competition: Oregon, Arkansas, Colorado
Odds: 75 percent
*December 17th https://t.co/rmhY4GYVb4
— Caleb Johnson (@CalebJohnsun) December 11, 2018
Johnson is the common sense pick to be the next Texas commit. The three-star JUCO product will announce his decision Monday and the Longhorns are in the final four with Oregon, Arkansas and Colorado. Oregon is considered Texas’ toughest competition. Johnson was a one-time Iowa State pledge. His commitment would give Texas four instant-impact options at linebacker in the 2019 class. Texas loses Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler to graduation after the Sugar Bowl.
Jalen Catalon, safety, Mansfield Legacy
FYI: 5-9/188; 4 stars; No. 20-ranked safety
The competition: Arkansas, TCU
Odds: 40 percent
Catalon made it clear from the beginning of the recruiting process that he wanted to take as much time as possible to do all the homework he could before committing to a program. The two-sport star suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game of his senior season. He plays quarterback and safety at Legacy with his future being at deep safety or nickel back. Catalon is also a college-caliber center fielder.
Isaiah Hookfin, offensive tackle, Fort Bend Dulles
FYI: 6-5/270; 4 stars; No. 32-ranked offensive tackle
The competition: Baylor, Illinois
Odds: 80 percent
Texas’ quest for a third offensive tackle pledge led back to Houston, which is home to both four-star commitments Tyler Johnson and Javonne Shepherd. Hookfin emerged onto the recruiting scene as a senior and is quickly rising up the ranks because of his frame and raw athleticism. The Longhorns host him this weekend on an official visit and want him to commit by the end of the weekend.
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