Texas Football Recruiting 2012: How Does Longhorns Class Stack Up to Last Year?

Mack Brown has once again put together an outstanding recruiting class in Texas, somehow topping an incredible group from a year ago.

According to Scout.com, the Longhorns have put together the No. 1 class in the entire country.

After finishing with the No. 3 class in 2011, Texas should be ready to get back to the top of the Big 12 after a poor on-field showing this past season.

Here is how the two great back-to-back classes stack up by position.

Offensive Backfield

Texas got a lot of production out of its freshman class this season between quarterback David Ash and running back Malcolm Brown. 

Ash was forced into action due to injuries, but Brown was a highly touted running back that was ready right away and showed it with 742 rushing yards on the year.

Next season can be even better, as Johnathan Gray could be the best running back in the country. Rivals.com ranks him as the top running back and fifth-overall player, regardless of position.

The Longhorns will also get a boost at quarterback with Connor Brewer. The Arizona native is a good pocket passer with impressive accuracy with the football.

There will be a lot of great positional battles in the upcoming years at these marquee spots.

Advantage: 2012

Receivers

This season's class brought in two outstanding receivers in Cayleb Jones and Marcus Johnson. 

Not only do each of these players have solid size and good speed, but the two have some of the best hands in the country. They are very reliable when the ball is thrown their way, something that is sometimes overlooked when scouting athletes.

As good as the two receivers are, they do not compare as well to the depth from last year.

Jaxon Shipley was able to contribute right away for the Longhorns and should be a fixture with the team for the next few seasons.

After Shipley, Texas also signed talented athletes Mykkele Thompson and Miles Onyegbule in addition to big tight end M.J. McFarland. 

Advantage: 2011

Offensive Line

Mack Brown signed a few talented players on the offensive line last season, including Garrett Greenlea and Sedrick Flowers, but it is nothing compared to the men coming in next year.

Kennedy Estelle is a huge left tackle that is physically ready to play from Day 1. Also coming in is Curtis Riser, who is considered by Scout.com to be the second-best offensive guard in the nation.

Each of these men are skilled at run-blocking and will spend the next few seasons making paths for running backs Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown.

Advantage: 2012

Defensive Front

The strength of Texas last season was the defense, especially the front seven.

Defensive tackle Desmond Jackson and middle linebacker Steve Edmond had solid years as freshmen, but they each have enough talent to break out towards great careers.

This class did not have as much top talent, but there is a whole lot of depth. The team signed seven defensive linemen and five linebackers.

The group is headlined by Malcolm Brown (sound familiar?), a defensive tackle that could end up being the most dominant player in the country at his position. He has the strength to take on blockers and the speed to get into the backfield and disrupt the offense.

Mack Brown filled the roster with the incoming class, but the past one is more likely to have more impact in the next few years.

Advantage: 2011

Secondary

Similar to the rest of the defense, Texas was successful at getting a large amount of commitments.

A total of seven defensive backs signed their letters of intent for the Longhorns, and a few of them are sure to make an impact with the team.

Four of the cornerbacks are blue-chips, including speedsters Daje Johnson and Kendall Sanders. Bryson Echols is also known as a being very good in coverage.

It might take some time for this unit to get on the field, but these players will be a big part of this team by the end of their careers.

Advantage: 2012

Conclusion

Texas is too good of a program to accept an 8-5 season.

It takes a few years for good recruiting to start to change the culture on the field, but Mack Brown has the team going back in the right direction.

The 2011 class was one of the best in the nation, but the current group has more depth and elite talent that will help the Longhorns.

Advantage: 2012