Texas fans got an early Christmas present Wednesday as the Longhorns signed 15 Texas high school football players during the first National Signing Day.
Texas’ early signing class had all but one in state player, some of whom will enroll early and hope to get on the field and help the Longhorns rebound from a disappointing 7-5 campaign.
Here is a rundown of UT’s singing class:
Xavier Alford, defensive back, Pearland Shadow Creek
Alford earned a spot on the Texas Sports Writers Association’s All-State first team and was also an Associated Press all-state honorable mentions after finishing with 70 tackles, including 58 solo tackles and hauling in six interceptions. He helped Shadow Creek make a run to the Class 5A, Division I state championship game in 2018.
Vernon Broughton, defensive lineman, Cypress Ridge
The Longhorns could not fill the void left by Charles Omenihu in 2019, but Broughton may be able to get some playing time as a freshman next season. Broughton has the ability to play both on the outside and slide closer to the football as a three-technique lineman in the pass-happy Big 12. He finished with 36 tackles, including 10 for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2019.
Hudson Card, quarterback, Austin Lake Travis
Arguable the best athletes in the class, Card may be able to get on the field as a dual threat quarterback if he adds muscle or could also get change to wide receiver. Despite missing six games this season due to injury, Card completed 144 of 219 pass attempts for 2,288 yards and 24 touchdown while rushing for another five scores. Card was a winner in high school, helping Lake Travis to the state championship game in 2017 and back-to-back state semifinals appearances.
Kitan Crawford, defensive back, Tyler John Tyler
Crawford was named to the District 7-5A, Division I first team at both running back and defensive back. He finished with 1,065 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing while had 33 tackles, including 24 solo stops and three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. Crawford helped Tyler John Tyler to a Class 5A, Division I quarterfinals in 2018 and a return to the postseason in 2019.
Prince Dorbah, linebacker, Highland Park
Dorbah, one of the state’s best pass rushers, has been compared to Texas sophomore linebacker Joseph Ossai and may fit in nicely if new defensive coordinator Chris Ash goes with a a three-lineman look as UT’s base defense. Dorbah helped Highland Park go 42-3 the last three years and was the unanimous District 6-5A, Division I Defensive MVP and first team selection. Dorbah helped Highland Park win back-to-back state titles in 2017 and 2018 and was named the state championship game’s MVP in 2018.
Jaylen Garth, offensive lineman, Port Neches Grove
Garth missed the 2019 season, due to injury, and may redshirt based on Texas head coach Tom Herman’s history of redshirting offensive linemen. As a junior, Garth was named to the District. 12-5A, Division II first team, was a part of a PNG offense that averaged 37.4 points per game and helped PNG finish 9-4.
Sawyer Goram-Welch, defensive lineman, Longview
Gorman-Welch was a standout for a Lobo defense that allowed just 10.2 points per game. He finished with 64 tackles, including 15 for loss and eight sacked and helped Longview make it to the Class 6A, Division II state championship game as a junior.
DaJon Harrison, athlete, Hutto
Harrison, a slot receiver, may be looked upon to provide the Texas return game with a spark that was non-existent in 2019. He was named the District 11-5A, Division I Utility Player of the Year despite playing in only nine games due to an injury, hauled in 34 passes for 734 yards and eight touchdowns receiving while rushing for 11.2 yards per carry. Harrison also had 14 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in 2019.
Jaden Hullaby, athlete, Mansfield Timberview
Hullaby will most likely be asked to play H-back and add to Texas’ depth. He helped TImberview average 41.2 points per game and make it to the 2019 Class 5A, Division I playoffs. Hullaby had 864 yards rushing and 11 touchdown on 96 carries, completed 42 of 80 passes, for 836 yards and nine touchdowns and had three receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown receiving.
Ja’Quinden Jackson, quarterback, Duncanville
Jackson has a similar build to Longhorn junior quarterback. Sam Ehlinger and may redshirt after sustaining an injury in Duncanville’s Class 6A, Division I semi-final game. He led Duncanville to the Class 6A, Division I state championship game for a second consecutive season and was a TSWA all-state selection as a junior. Jackson helped Duncanville average 46.5 points per game, completed 100 of 163 passes for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 1,030 yards and 16 scores.
Andrej Karic, offensive lineman, Southlake Carroll
Karic helped pave the way for a Carroll offense that averaged 49.3 points per game and 500.1 yards per game. He helped Carroll produce a 4,000-yard passer, three 900-yard receivers and a 1,200-yard rusher and helped the Dragons make a run to the quarterfinals for three consecutive seasons.
Jake Majors, offensive lineman, Prosper
Majors was a District 9-6A unanimous first-team selection after helping the Prosper offense score 37.6 points per game and amass 429.9 yards per game. He helped lead Prosper to the state quarterfinals in 2019 and produce a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000 receiver and 1,300-yard rusher. He was also a unanimous all-district first team selection in 2018.
Troy Omeire, wide receiver, Fort Bend Austin
Omeire was the District 20-6A Offensive Most Valuable Player and first team selection after finishing with 65 catches for 906 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 364 yards and five touchdowns on 57 carries. He was also an all-district first team selection as a junio in 2018.
Logan Parr, offensive lineman, Helotes O’Connor
Parr helped O’Connor make a third consecutive playoff appearance and blocked on an offense that averaged 33.4 points and 333.9 yards per game. He blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher and was a TSWA honorable mention in 2018.
Jerrin Thompson, defensive back, Lufkin
Thompson is a ball hawk that can play many positions in Ash’s system. He was the District 8-5A Most Valuable Player and first team selection on a Lufkin team that allowed just 15.2 points per game and had two shutouts. Thompson had 59 tackles as a senior, including three for loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown and helped Lufkin make a third consecutive postseason appearance.
