Texas Football: Ranking the Top 10 Recruiting Classes Under Mack Brown

The state of Texas produces a countless number of Division I football players every recruiting year, and who knows how many trickle down to Division I-AA and below?

As the premier program in the Lone Star State, the Texas Longhorns more often than not get the first crack at the top talent coming out of high school, as juniors and seniors virtually line up to secure enrollment at their dream school.

Since Mack Brown took over as head coach in 1998, the Longhorns have risen into a national powerhouse. Even with the down seasons in 2010 and 2011, Texas is on its way back to the top and will always be a recruiting giant in college football.

In the past decade, the Longhorns have consistently placed amongst the nation's best recruiting classes.

Here is a look at the best recruiting classes at Texas under Brown.

2002: Vince Young, Justin Blalock, Rod Wright

In 2002, Mack Brown landed the dual-threat quarterback of dual-threat quarterbacks in Vince Young, a promising superstar out of Madison High School in Houston, Texas.

Young would go on to be the catalyst for the Longhorns' 2005 BCS National Championship run as the ultra-talented quarterback racked up 467 yards of total offense against the USC Trojans.

Justin Blalock developed into one of the most effective offensive linemen ever to play in a Texas uniform, and Rod Wright was a highly recruited defensive lineman who recorded an All-American campaign in 2005.

Other Notable Recruits: Bryan Pickryl, Aaron Harris, Lyle Sendlein, David Thomas, Selvin Young, Kasey Studdard, Brian Robison

2001: Cedric Benson, Aaron Ross, Michael Huff

A fair share of the recruits that Mack Brown brought in for his 2001 class became the foundation to the 2005 team that earned a spot in the Rose Bowl for the national title.

Cedric Benson is still one of the best running backs to ever come through the Texas program. Aaron Ross was a Thorpe Award winner, and Michael Huff was a part of a Longhorns secondary that easily was the best in the nation during their championship run.

Other Notable Recruits: Quan Cosby, Jonathan Scott, Will Allen, Derrick Johnson, Cedric Griffin, Brian Carter

2005: Colt McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Jermichael Finley

The headliner in Mack Brown's 2005 class was a no-name quarterback out of Tuscola, Texas in Colt McCoy, an undersized signal-caller who went on to break the NCAA record for most wins with 45.

McCoy became the engine to a Texas offense that produced national champion-caliber numbers for two seasons in a row, but after suffering an injury against Alabama in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game, the Longhorns came up short in an attempt to claim their second national title in four years.

Jamaal Charles is still the most explosive back to come out of Texas in some time, and Jermichael Finley redefined the tight end position with his size and athleticism as a pass catcher.

Other Notable Recruits: Roy Miller, Quan Cosby (re-signed), Charlie Tanner, Henry Melton, Charlie Tanner

2004: Jordan Shipley, Frank Okam, Brian Orakpo

As part of the 2004 recruiting class, Jordan Shipley would suffer numerous injuries that had him leave the program after the 2009 season.

Though he lacked prototypical size, Shipley's route running and hands allowed him to become Texas' all-time leader in receptions (248), and second in yards (3,191) and touchdowns (33).

Brian Orakpo developed into an absolute monster as a bull-rushing defensive end who turned into a 3-4 linebacker at the next level, and Frank Okam was a plug in the middle of the defensive line.

Other Notable Recruits: Cedric Dockery, Romance Taylor, Chris Ogbonnaya, Adam Ulatoski, Derek Lokey, Andrew Kelson, Nate Jones

2011: Malcolm Brown, Jaxon Shipley, Quandre Diggs

Mack Brown's most recent recruiting class could very well turn into one of his best, but we will not know for sure until many years down the road.

Nevertheless, due to the circumstances of previous seasons and recruitments, a fair share of 2011 commitments played large parts in what the Longhorns were able to accomplish.

Malcolm Brown stepped in to become the starting running back for a team that has lacked a strong ground presence since Jamaal Charles. Jaxon Shipley may already be the best wide receiver on the roster, and Quandre Diggs has already cemented himself as a premier cornerback in the Big 12.

Other Notable Recruits: Steve Edmond, Josh Cochran, Joe Bergeron, David Ash, Miles Onyegbule, Sedrick Flowers, Desmond Jackson

2010: Jackson Jeffcoat, Carrington Byndom, Jordan Hicks

Although the jury is still out on this class, there is no doubt that Mack Brown and his long-gone staff put together a group of talented players that have developed nicely.

Jackson Jeffcoat has held down his defensive end position opposite to Alex Okafor and has really progressed into one of the Longhorns' defensive leaders.

Under Duane Akina, Carrington Byndom has turned into an all-conference performer and should only improve.

Jordan Hicks, a former 5-star recruit from Ohio, will start in 2012 and flashed his playmaking ability in Texas' Holiday Bowl win.

Other Notable Recruits: Reggie Wilson, Darius White, Mike Davis, Ashton Dorsey, Adrian Phillips, Case McCoy, John Harris, DeMarco Cobbs, Trey Hopkins

2007: Curtis Brown, Fozzy Whittaker, Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas and Curtis Brown were pieces to a pretty young Texas secondary that came one play short of a national championship game bid.

Both developed into formidable assets in the Longhorns defensive backfield, further cementing Duane Akina's reputation as the grand master at "DBU."

Fozzy Whittaker battled injuries in every season he was at Texas, but became an offensive figure in 2011 as one of the Longhorns most productive ball carriers.

Other Notable Recruits: Keenan Robinson, Tray Allen, John Chiles, Cody Johnson, Christian Scott, Malcolm Williams, Blaine Irby, Sam Acho, G.J. Kinne, Kyle Hix, Michael Huey

2008: Aaron Williams, Emmanuel Acho, Blake Gideon

Aaron Williams may be the top player in this class looking back. The current Buffalo Bills cornerback was one of Texas' flashiest playmakers during his tenure in Austin as Williams' athleticism hardly was matched by anyone in burnt orange.

Emmanuel Acho, as straightforward as his play has been, became a critical component to Texas' stifling defense in 2011. 

Blake Gideon was a four-year starter for the Longhorns and was a symbol of durability and perseverance.

Other Notable Recruits: David Snow, D.J. Monroe, Kheeston Randall, Jarvis Humphrey, DeSean Hales, Dan Buckner, Tre Newton

2006: Sergio Kindle, Eddie Jones, Lamarr Houston

Mack Brown's 2006 class featured a bevy of defensive players who developed into solid to great Big 12 performers.

The most celebrated of the group were Sergio Kindle, Eddie Jones and Lamarr Houston, all defensive linemen who slowly progressed into playmakers up front.

But the problem here is that only a couple out of a 25-man class turned into superstar caliber players for the Longhorns: Kindle, Houston and Hunter Lawrence.

Other Notable Recruits: Jevan Snead, Sherrod Harris, Hunter Lawrence, Vondrell McGee, Jared Norton, Chykie Brown, J'Marcus Webb

2009: Alex Okafor, Kenny Vaccaro, Mason Walters

Mack Brown's 2009 class has been a huge disappointment in the grand scheme of things. A couple of great hits have made up for the huge number of misses, but the Longhorns took a couple of steps back with poor development in this class.

Alex Okafor and Kenny Vaccaro are fixtures for the Texas defense going into their senior years, and Mason Walters is the undeniable leader on the offensive line.

Six of Texas' 19 commitments are no longer in the program, and only three members of the class are starters on either side of the ball. The brightest stars have shined the brightest, but there are a wealth of players that have yet to flip the switch.

Other Notable Recruits: Garrett Gilbert, Calvin Howell, Chris Whaley