Football

The Dotted Line: Nine future Longhorns set to play in pair of All-Star games

Posted December 30th, 2019

Mike Craven Hookem.com staff

mcraven@hookem.com

Nine future Longhorns were selected to play in high school All-American games. Five will play at the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, and four more are set to participate in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio. The Longhorns hold 17 national letters of intent after the early period in December. The class currently ranks ninth in the nation.

 

Under Armour All-America Game 

5 p.m. Thursday, Camping World Stadium (Orlando)

Hudson Card, quarterback, Lake Travis

FYI: 6-2.5/179; 4 stars; No. 12 on the 2020 Fabulous 55

Card is one of Texas’ planned early enrollees. The Lake Travis star suffered a foot injury during his senior season, but he passed on surgery and returned for a playoff run that ended in the state semifinals against eventual state champion Galena Park North Shore. Card should get to redshirt as a freshman behind Sam Ehlinger and Casey Thompson. 

Ja’Quinden Jackson, quarterback

FYI: 6-2/219; 4 stars; No. 5 on the Fab 55

The Duncanille star won’t play in the all-star game following knee surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered in the Class 6A Division I semifinals. It was a horrible way for an outstanding prep career to end. Jackson lost only two games in three years as a varsity starter, both in the playoffs. He’s a true dual-threat who continues to improve as a passer and should compete with Card for the starting spot in 2021. He accounted for more than 7,000 yards of total offense at Duncanville. 

Jake Majors, offensive line

FYI: 6-3.5/283; 4 stars; No. 34 on the Fab 55

Majors is a mauler who should find comfort in the transition from playing left tackle at Prosper to interior lineman at Texas. He’s listed as a center by recruiting services, but expect the four-star to cross-train at center and guard early in his career. Texas wants to redshirt every offensive linemen it signs and Majors should get a year to mold his body and work on the scout team before competing for a two-deep spot in 2021. 

Kitan Crawford, cornerback

FYI: 5-11/200; 4 stars; No. 38 on the Fab 55

Crawford is a pure athlete who should infuse talent and aggressiveness into the cornerbacks room once he gets to Austin in the summer. Crawford started at cornerback and running back for Tyler John Tyler as a senior. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns as a senior, including an interception return for a score. He could fight his way onto the field as a freshman on special teams. 

Vernon Broughton, defensive tackle

FYI: 6-5/286; 4 stars; No. 9 on the Fab 55

Broughton will be an early enrollee. He’ll be a welcomed addition to the defensive line unit for new coordinator Chris Ash. The Longhorns need more bodies up front if they transition to a four-man front. Broughton is still new to football and only scratched the surface of his potential at Houston Cypress Ridge. He could contribute as a freshman with a solid offseason. 

 

All-American Bowl (San Antonio) 

Noon Saturday, Alamodome (San Antonio)

Bijan Robinson, running back

FYI: 6-0/200; 5 stars; No. 2-ranked running back in country 

Texas fans get a preview of the Arizona five-star talent when he plays inside the state for the first time. Expectations are high for the nation’s No. 2-rated rated running back prospect. He’s the only five-star in UT’s class and is the highest-rated running back signed by Texas since Johnathan Gray. Robinson rushed for 7,036 yards and 103 touchdowns in a four-year varsity career at Tucson Salpointe Catholic. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in each of his final three seasons. 

Prince Dorbah, outside linebacker

FYI: 6-2.5/208; 4 stars; No. 17 on the Fab 55

Dorbah was the best pass rusher in high school football over the past two seasons. He recorded over 40 sacks in his three-year varsity career, including 20 as a junior when he helped Highland Park to a Class 5A Division I state championship. He was the defensive MVP of that game. Dorbah was pegged for a move to outside linebacker in Texas’ old system, but it’s unknown whether he’ll be a defensive end or outside linebacker under Ash. 

Xavion Alford, safety

FYI: 6-0/182; 4 stars; No. 19 on the Fab 55

Alford suffered a knee injury as a senior and missed most of the year for Alvin Shadow Creek, including a state title game before Christmas. Alford will enroll early and is expected to be cleared for contact by spring ball. It’s unlikely that he suits up and plays in San Antonio. 

Andrej Karic, offensive tackle

FYI: 6-5/270; 4 stars; No. 36 on the Fab 55

Karic rose up the rankings with an impressive senior season at Southlake Carroll. He’s gained 40 pounds since his junior year and possesses the frame to reach 300 pounds by his redshirt freshman season. Karic is a former defensive lineman with excellent feet. He’ll get tested this week in San Antonio throughout practices and that should only help him prepare for the transition to college football. He’ll likely redshirt in 2020.