Football
The Dotted Line: Grading Texas’ 2019 defensive recruiting class
Posted February 8th, 2019
The 2019 class is officially in the rearview mirror now that national signing day came and went with a whimper. The bulk of Texas’ class signed in December during the early period with Bru McCoy’s transfer from USC and the signing of four-star offensive lineman Javonne Shepherd taking place this year. McCoy transferred in January while Shepherd elected to not sign early and take some official visits before ultimately sticking with Texas.
Here are the defensive grades for this year’s class. We graded the offensive signees in this morning’s Dotted Line.
Defensive line: B-
Signings: Jacoby Jones, T’Vondre Sweat, Peter Mpagi, Myron Warren
Texas cleaned up at defensive end with four unique prospects all offering something different on the field. Jones is a JUCO product ready to compete right away at a position group that’s lost Charles Omenihu and Breckyn Hager. Sweat and Warren are big-bodied players who can help stop the run until they refine their pass-rushing skills while Mpagi possesses a shot to help as a pass-rushing specialist as a freshman.
Defensive tackle was the big miss. Texas doesn’t need as many of the typical three-technique tackles that other schools recruit because of its formation. The Longhorns utilize two ends, one big noseguard and speedy linebackers and edge players. Sweat and Warren are potential stars.
Linebackers: A
Signings: De’Gabriel Floyd, Marcus Tillman Jr., Caleb Johnson, David Gbenda
The Longhorns did great at linebacker with four legit prospects. Johnson is a JUCO product who’s ready to compete for starting spots at all three linebacker positions. Floyd and Tillman enrolled early. That’s great news for a position group that’s lost Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler. Gbenda is an in-state prospect with tons of upside.
Cornerbacks: B
Signings: Kenyatta Watson II, Marques Caldwell
Texas wanted a pair of long, athletic cornerbacks with the ability to play slot, safety or outside. Mission accomplished. Watson is the higher-touted of the two but Caldwell is a sneaky athlete with a great frame and tons of upside. The three-star missed his senior season with a labrum injury. Watson is a product of football factory Grayson High in Buford, Ga. He’ll immediately compete with 2018 guys like Anthony Cook and Jalen Green.
Safeties: B+
Signings: Tyler Owens, Chris Adimora
Owens is a freaky athlete with untapped potential. He impressed the coaching staff at a camp in the summer and immediately shot up recruiting ranks once his senior season began. Adimora is a blur who excelled at safety and wide receiver in California. Texas signed the top three safeties in the nation in 2018 and followed it up with a pair of strong prospects.
RELATED: The Dotted Line: Grading Texas’ 2019 offensive recruiting class
RELATED: Grading the Big 12’s signing classes: Texas, OU dominate as new coaches scrambled
2019 Texas Longhorns recruiting class
| Player | Pos. | School | Stars | Commitment date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roschon Johnson | QB | Port Neches-Groves | 4 | July 21 (2017) |
| T'Vondre Sweat | DE | Huntsville | 3 | Feb. 28 |
| Jordan Whittington | WR | Cuero | 4 | March 10 |
| De'Gabriel Floyd | OLB | Westlake Village (Calif.) | 4 | March 31 |
| Kenyatta Watson II | DB | Grayson (Ga.) | 4 | May 1 |
| Brayden Liebrock | TE | Chandler (Ariz.) | 3 | May 8 |
| Tyler Johnson | OL | Conroe Oak Ridge | 4 | May 25 |
| Jared Wiley | TE | Temple | 3 | May 26 |
| Jake Smith | WR | Notre Dame Preparatory (Ariz.) | 4 | June 3 |
| Peter Mpagi | DE | George Ranch | 3 | June 16 |
| Chris Adimora | S | Mayfair (Calif.) | 4 | July 1 |
| Marques Caldwell | CB | Alvin | 3 | July 7 |
| Marcus Tillman Jr. | OLB | Jones (Fla.) | 3 | July 28 |
| Javonne Shepherd | OT | North Forest | 4 | July 29 |
| Derrian Brown | RB | Buford (Ga.) | 4 | Sept. 16 |
| Tyler Owens | S | Plano East | 4 | Sept. 24 |
| David Gbenda | ILB | Katy Cinco Ranch | 4 | Sept. 30 |
| Marcus Washington | WR | Trinity Catholic (Mo.) | 4 | Oct. 26 |
| Myron Warren | DE | Many (La.) | 3 | Nov. 19 |
| Jacoby Jones | DE | Butler C.C. | 3 | Nov. 21 |
| Caleb Johnson | OLB | Fullerton College (Calif.) | 3 | Dec. 17 |
| Kennedy Lewis | WR | Melissa | 3 | Dec. 18 |
| Isaiah Hookfin | OT | Fort Bend Dulles | 4 | Dec. 21 |
| Bru McCoy | ATH | Mater Dei (Calif.) | 5 | Jan. 25 |
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