Football

The Dotted Line: Texas’ recruiting offensive wish list for the 2021 cycle

Posted February 24th, 2020

Mike Craven Hookem.com staff

mcraven@hookem.com

Texas’ 2021 recruiting class rests at six commitments, ranking seventh in the nation and first in the Big 12 as the spring evaluation period creeps toward college coaches and high school prospects. The Longhorns held eight commitments at one time, but decommitments from wide receiver Quay Davis and tight end Lake McRee were recruiting blows Texas hopes to recoup by the early signing period in January.

The recruiting calendar moves faster than ever since the inception of the early signing period and because juniors can take official visits in the spring. Here is Texas’ offensive wish list for the 2021 cycle. Five of Texas’ six commitments project to the offensive side of the football.

 

1. Tommy and James Brockermeyer, offensive linemen, Fort Worth All Saints

The Brockermeyers are Texas legacies, and the Longhorns must sign them for the 2021 cycle to be considered a success offensively. Tommy is the country’s top-rated offensive tackle and James is a four-star center. Texas has lost elite tackles to out-of-state programs in recent years, and Houston Bellaire Episcopal’s Donovan Jackson — the No. 1-ranked guard in the country and the top-ranked state recruit on the Fabulous 55 — is already pledged to Ohio State. Losing the Brockermeyers, especially considering that their father and older brother were Longhorns, would be a bad look nationally for Tom Herman.

2. LJ Johnson, running back, Houston Cypress Fairbanks

Johnson is the best running back in the state and the Longhorns want to be the destination of top-flight running backs. Herman’s program was forced to go out of state in 2020 to sign five-star Bijan Robinson out of Tucson, Ariz. Texas wants to stay closer to home  to land Johnson, the top-rated running back on the Fab 55 who recently visited UT. Johnson is a four-star talent with track speed and all-state production.

3. Bryce Foster, guard, Katy Taylor

Katy Taylor boasts two elite offensive line targets. Texas landed one when four-star tackle Hayden Conner committed last year. Now Foster is next on UT’s wishlist. He’s a big, strong interior lineman who also excels as a thrower on Taylor’s track and field team. Foster is the No. 2-ranked guard in the country and is a potential four-year starter in college. Texas will battle Texas A&M to get him.

4. Quay Davis, wide receiver, Dallas Skyline

Davis decommitted from Texas in November, but the Longhorns remain the leader to eventually sign him. But there is stern competition for the 6-foot playmaker. Davis can play slot or outside receiver, and has been dominating early on the camp circuit with circus catches. Davis has 65 catches for 1,217 yards and 12 touchdowns in two varsity years despite Skyline’s offense not built around the passing game.

5. Lake McRee, tight end, Lake Travis 

McRee is another former UT commit that the Longhorns hope to pull back into the fold. Decommitments are no longer rare as younger players continue to commit as juniors. McRee is a local talent who grew up loving Texas, but he wants the chance to study other schools and take visits. Texas will allow him that chance with the hopes of adding him back to the class by the end of his senior season.