Texas Recruiting: 8 Recruits to Watch out for in 2012

The Texas Longhorns have done it again, pulling off yet another top-five recruiting class in 2012. National Signing Day has to be Mack Brown's favorite day of the year.  

As usual, the Longhorns have recruited players who can come in and instantly contribute to the team.  Here is some of the talented players who may be on the field for the 'Horns this fall.  

Johnathan Gray, Running Back

Gray had a historical career at Aledo High School (Aledo, Texas), setting the national record for touchdowns in a career with 186. The Longhorns have gone with the running back-by-committee approach for the past few years, so if Gray steps in and shines he could be the go-to guy as a true freshman.  

If last years' 5-star 'Horns running back Malcolm Brown continues to develop, him and Gray could form one of the best running back duos in the country.  

Gray could have the biggest impact of a Longhorns running back since Ricky Williams or Cedric Benson were on the field.  

Malcom Brown, Defensive Lineman

Brown is a space eater on the defensive line.  The 5-star recruit from Brenham, Texas is the number two DT prospect in the state, and the 'Horns have been his top choice since April 2011.  

His 6'2" 280 pound frame is surprisingly agile, giving him a good pass rushing ability. If Brown gets to play early, he and fellow 'Horns D-linemen Alex Okafor and Jackson Jeffcoat could give the Longhorns the best pass rush in the Big 12.  

Cayleb Jones, Wide Receiver

Jones is a home grown receiver out of Austin High School in Austin, Texas.  The fifth-ranked wide receiver prospect in the country should get playing time this fall alongside Jaxon Shipley and Mike Davis.

At 6'3" 198 pounds, Jones is capable of making big plays down field, something the Longhorns had far too little of last year.  He most likely would remind Longhorn fans of a Roy Williams or Limas Sweed.  

Connor Brewer, Quarterback

A 6'2" 195 pound quarterback out of Scottsdale, Ariz., Brewer is one of the rare Longhorns recruits not from the state of Texas.  It was a huge victory over multiple Pac-12 schools vying for his commitment, as he was one of the top pro-style quarterback prospects in the country.  

If last season was an indication of anything, the Longhorns quarterback situation was definitely a confusing one.  Mack Brown went back and forth between Case McCoy and David Ash, neither of whom showed very consistent play.  

If Brewer is more Colt McCoy than Garrett Gilbert, he should be able to contribute immediately.  

Curtis Riser, Offensive Lineman

One of the best offensive guard prospects in the country out of DeSoto (Texas) High School, Riser played most of his games at Tackle instead of guard, so he can play most positions on the offensive line.  

Texas is always at an advantage when it comes to size on the offensive line, and Riser is no exception.  He could step in and compete for the spot left open by the departing Tray Allen.  

Kendall Sanders, Athlete

One of the best athlete prospects in the country, Sanders played wide receiver, running back and cornerback at Athens (Texas) High School.  

Sanders originally committed to Oklahoma State, but decided to stay closer to home and signed a letter of intent with the Longhorns, where he will most likely play cornerback. At 6"1' Sanders has great size at cornerback, and could find time in the defensive backfield early.  

Torshiro Davis, Linebacker

The Longhorns nabbed Davis from LSU at the last minute, creating some signing day drama. The Davis commitment was another scary sign that Texas can now flex its recruiting muscles outside of its own state.  

The 6'3" 220 pound Davis played defensive end at Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, La., but will probably switch to the Buck position in Manny Diaz's defensive scheme.  

Hassan Ridgeway, Defensive Lineman

Like Malcom Brown, Ridgeway has the size and strength to contribute immediately on the defensive line. The 6'4" 250 pounder from Mansfield (Texas) High School was an Army All-American  

The 'Horns are pretty deep at the strong-side end postion, with Alex Okafor being the incumbent starter.  But that doesn't mean that Ridgeway won't get some snaps in during his freshman season.