It’s been ten years since the Longhorns and Mack Brown took home the national championship against USC. A lot has changed since then, but one thing remains the same: Texas’ ability to attract big name recruits. The Longhorns head into the upcoming season with a slew of youngsters and the number one ranked 2106 recruiting class in the Big 12 via 247Sports. Headlining the recruiting class for Longhorns are wide receiver Devin Duvernay, safety Brandon Jones and guard Patrick Hudson.
In total, the Longhorns recruited the seventh best class in the country. Twenty-three of the recruits signed by Strong are from the lone star state.
One of those recruits, Shane Buechele, could have something to say about the starting quarterback job. The position has been inconsistent since Colt McCoy graduated and moved onto the NFL. Buechele enrolled to Texas in January and going through spring practices could give him the upper hand in the quarterback competition with the embattled Tyrone Swoopes. Texas’ lack of identity on offense has hindered their recent record going 11-14 over the past two seasons.
So, the time is now for the Texas Longhorns and Charlie Strong. It’s time to see if the 2016 recruiting class can save Strong’s job.
In comparison with their Big 12 rivals, the Longhorns out rank TCU, Oklahoma and Baylor although the latter teams have had the more recent team success. Regardless, the Longhorns will have to depend on youth and use the past two recruiting classes to make an impact in the Big 12. After sixth and seventh place finishes under Strong, the Longhorn faithful are getting frustrated with the lack of success.
It will be up to the youngsters Beuchele, Duvernay, Jones and Hudson to anchor this Longhorn team back atop the Big 12 standings. And maybe, just maybe reach the success of ten years ago.
