Texas Football Recruiting: Meet the Longhorns' 2014 Class

After a month of mixed emotions, the Texas Longhorns have signed the first recruiting class under new head coach Charlie Strong.

The 2014 class got off to a rocky start with four decommitments in January, but Strong and his new staff held the rest of the class together, signing 23 Longhorns on national signing day.

"This has been a very intense couple of weeks," Strong said in his signing day press conference. "What we wanted to do was keep this class together. It was an outstanding class and we were able to add a few new players ourselves. 

"What's key for us as coaches was to get in the state and to develop a relationship not only with the new recruits we were signing, but also with the high school coaches."

Here's a look at the talent in the 2014 Texas Longhorns recruiting class.

Unless otherwise noted, all of the following information and quotes were obtained firsthand.

Running Back Donald Catalon

Height/Weight: 6'0", 200 pounds

Position/Ranking: 4-star running back

High School: Eisenhower

Senior Year Stats: 765 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns; 311 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns

Other Finalists: N/A 

Commit Date: Aug. 3, 2012

Donald Catalon is just one of two running backs in the 2014 class. The 6-footer ranks No. 27 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Catalon was an early verbal commit to the University of Texas and has not wavered from his commitment. Catalon adds a layer of depth to a position that may become thin following the 2014 season. The Longhorns currently have Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron, who will enter their senior season at Texas in 2014, and Johnathan Gray, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles.

Wide Receiver Armanti Foreman

Height/Weight: 6'0", 174 pounds

Position/Ranking: 4-star wide receiver

High School: Texas City

Senior Year Stats: 750 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns; 390 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: June 27, 2013

Texas City wide receiver Armanti Foreman was a surprise commit for the Longhorns, after being previously committed to rival Oklahoma since October 2012. Foreman adds depth to a position that needs it with the Longhorns losing wide receiver Mike Davis.

Foreman ranks No. 14 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014.  

Defensive Back Edwin Freeman

Height/Weight: 6'1", 215 pounds

Position/Ranking: 4-star defensive back

High School: Arlington Bowie

Other Finalists: Texas A&M, TCU

Commit Date: Jan. 16, 2014

Defensive back Edwin Freeman is one of Charlie Strong's first commits in his short time as the Longhorns head coach. Freeman played defensive back throughout his career at Arlington Bowie, but mostly played linebacker in his senior season. 

Freeman ranks No. 21 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Quarterback Jerrod Heard

Height/Weight: 6'1", 193 pounds

Position/Ranking: 4-star quarterback

High School: Denton Guyer

Senior Year Stats: 2,136 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns; 2,161 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: Aug. 14, 2012

Denton Guyer quarterback Jerrod Heard will fill a huge void for the Longhorns. Texas has been without a viable quarterback option since Colt McCoy in 2009, but Heard could be the solution to end the QB drought in Austin.

Heard ranks No. 6 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014.  

Wide Receiver Lorenzo Joe

Height/Weight: 6'2", 192 pounds

Position/Ranking: 4-star wide receiver

High School: Abilene Cooper

Other Finalists: TCU

Commit Date: Aug. 2, 2012

Abilene Cooper wide receiver Lorenzo Joe was the first verbal commit of the 2014 Texas recruiting class. Joe was also the first Longhorn to send in his letter of intent Wednesday morning. Joe, who played quarterback his senior year, brings a lot of athleticism to the 40 acres and could make an immediate impact as a wide receiver for the Longhorns.

Joe ranks No. 15 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014.  

Defensive End Derick Roberson

Height/Weight: 6'3", 225 pounds

Position/Ranking: 4-star defensive end

High School: Brennan

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: Aug. 2, 2012

Brennan defensive end Derick Roberson was a key component of the 2014 recruiting class. After losing three defensive lineman commits in January, Roberson staying true to his commitment is a sigh of relief for Texas fans. His speed and athleticism will be welcomed with open arms in Austin.

Roberson ranks No. 9 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014.  

Offensive Lineman Alex Anderson

Height/Weight: 6'5", 305 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star offensive guard

High School: Landry-Walker

Other Finalists: Arizona State, Oklahoma State

Commit Date: Jan. 20, 2014 (Enrolled)

Alex Anderson was a late surprise for the Longhorns, but it was a much-needed surprise. It looked as if Texas would only add one offensive lineman in the 2014 class, but Anderson changed that. The 6'5", 305-pound talent had offers all over the South Eastern Conference, but followed Wickline's guidance and enrolled at Texas.

Linebacker Andrew Beck

Height/Weight: 6'3", 230 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star linebacker

High School: Plant

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: April 9, 2013 (Enrolled)

Tampa, Fla. linebacker Andrew Beck is one of two linebackers in the 2014 recruiting class. Beck, who is already enrolled in classes at the University of Texas, expressed some concerns about Texas changing defensive coordinator Manny Diaz in September, but got the answers he needed to stick to his pledge, even with a new head coach.

Wide Receiver Roderick Bernard

Height/Weight: 5'10", 175 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star wide receiver

High School: Sharpstown

Senior Year Stats: 594 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns; 364 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: Jan. 30, 2013

Sharpstown wide receiver Roderick Bernard was a highly sought-after recruit. Bernard had offers from Alabama, Houston and Oklahoma, but was 100 percent Texas from the day he committed. 

Bernard ranks No. 62 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Defensive Back John Bonney

Height/Weight: 6'1", 183 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star safety

High School: Lamar

Other Finalists: Auburn, Baylor

Commit Date: Sep. 5, 2013

Longhorn fans breathed a sigh of relief Wednesday morning when Lamar safety John Bonney officially sent in his letter of intent. Bonney recently made headlines when he told KTRK that former head coach Mack Brown told recruits to visit other schools following his resignation. Bonney had since taken visits to Baylor and Auburn, but in the end, Texas was the winner.

Bonney ranks No. 42 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Offensive Lineman Terrell Cuney

Height/Weight: 6'3", 260 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star center

High School: Jasper

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: March 30, 2013

Jasper offensive lineman Terrell Cuney adds a layer of depth to the Longhorns O-line. Cuney was an Army All-American and did not waiver from his commitment to the Longhorns following the coaching changes in Austin.

Cuney ranks No. 81 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Defensive Tackle Poona Ford

Height/Weight: 6'1", 288 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star defensive tackle

High School: Hilton Head

Other Finalists: Missouri, Purdue

Commit Date: Feb. 5, 2014

Hilton Head, S.C. defensive tackle Poona Ford was the final signee in the 2014 Texas recruiting class. Ford was previously committed to Strong at Louisville, but opened his commitment when Strong came to Austin. Since then, Ford took visits to Texas, Missouri and Purdue, but in the end, the Longhorns were victorious. Ford is a huge addition to the Longhorns recruiting class, which suffered three defensive tackle decommitments in January.

Wide Receiver Garrett Gray

Height/Weight: 6'5", 205 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star wide receiver

High School: Marble Falls

Senior Year Stats: 75 receptions, 1,191 yards, 16 receiving touchdowns

Other Finalists: Cal

Commit Date: June 10, 2013

Marble Falls wide receiver Garrett Gray took a visit to Cal in late January, but eventually signed with Texas. Gray first committed to Texas following the Longhorns summer camp in June 2013. Gray's size will be welcomed in Austin as a wide receiver. 

Gray ranks No. 69 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Defensive Back Jason Hall

Height/Weight: 6'2", 190 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star safety

High School: South Grand Prairie

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: July 27, 2013

South Grand Prairie safety Jason Hall stayed true to his commitment even after the Longhorns replaced long-time defensive backs coach Duane Akina. In December, Hall told Jason Suchomel of Orangebloods.com (subscription required) that if Akina was replaced, he would have to think about what to do at that point. But even without Akina, Hall signed with the Longhorns. 

Hall ranks No. 44 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Linebacker Cameron Hampton

Height/Weight: 6'0", 201 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star linebacker

High School: Dallas Carter

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: Feb. 10, 2013

Dallas Carter linebacker Cameron Hampton is one of two linebackers to sign with the Longhorns. Texas has suffered a lot of injuries at the linebacker position, so having added depth is absolutely needed for the Longhorns defense.

Hampton ranks No. 58 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Wide Receiver Dorian Leonard

Height/Weight: 6'4", 200 lbs

Position/Ranking: 3-star wide receiver

High School: Longview

Senior Year Stats: 34 receptions, 643 yards, 10 touchdowns

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: June 13, 2013

The Longhorns wide receiver class of 2014 was the largest of all positions, and Longview's Dorian Leonard is a different talent to add to the list. Leonard is a bigger-bodied wide receiver that has the talent to come down with most jump balls, but with the agility of a smaller receiver.

Leonard ranks No. 40 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Defensive End Jake McMillon

Height/Weight: 6'3", 240 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star defensive end

High School: Abilene

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: April 1, 2013

After losing three defensive line commits in January, keeping Abilene's Jake McMillon was key for the Longhorns defense. McMillon ranks No. 90 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Defensive Tackle Chris Nelson

247sports.com

Height/Weight: 6'2", 295 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star defensive tackle

High School: Victory Christian Academy

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: Feb. 5, 2014

Lakeland, Fla. defensive tackle Chris Nelson was one of the few surprises to come on national signing day. Nelson was originally committed to Charlie Strong at Louisville, but opened up his commitment when Strong took the job with the Longhorns. Adding Nelson to a class that lost three defensive tackle commits in January was huge for the Longhorns.

Defensive Back Jermaine Roberts

Height/Weight: 5'9", 170 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star cornerback

High School: St. Augustine

Senior Year Stats: 56 tackles, six interceptions

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: April 12, 2013

New Orleans, La. cornerback Jermaine Roberts' commitment to Texas seemed to be up in the air before his visit to Austin. Roberts had previously planned to visit Ohio State and Oklahoma, but his January visit to Austin went exactly the way Longhorns fans hoped it would. Roberts cancelled his other visits and stayed firm to his commitment to Texas. 

Running Back Kevin Shorter

Height/Weight: 6'0", 188 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star running back

High School: Newton

Senior Year Stats: 61 carries, 630 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns; 11 receptions, 224 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns

Commit Date: Aug. 17, 2013

Newton running back Kevin Shorter suffered a tragic spinal injury in October and his football future is up in the air. However, the Longhorns honored their scholarship offer to the running back and Shorter signed with Texas Wednesday morning.

Tight End Blake Whiteley

Height/Weight: 6'5", 240 pounds

Position/Ranking: 3-star tight end

Junior College: Arizona Western C.C.

Stats: Eight receptions, 67 yards, two touchdowns

Other Finalists: Arkansas

Commit Date: Jan. 8, 2014 (Enrolled)

Arizona Western C.C. tight end Blake Whiteley is the only tight end signee for the 2014 recruiting class. Whiteley will fill a major void for the Longhorns, as the only two tight ends on campus, Geoff Swaim and Greg Daniels, will be seniors in 2014.

Athlete D'Onta Foreman

Height/Weight: 6'0", 198 pounds

Position/Ranking: 2-star athlete

High School: Texas City

Senior Year Stats: 186 carries, 1,893 rushing yards, 28 touchdowns

Other Finalists: N/A

Commit Date: June 28, 2013

Texas City athlete D'Onta Foreman adds a layer of athleticism to the Longhorns' 2014 class. Foreman's senior stats prove his athleticism. The big-bodied running back has the speed and agility to make an impact for the Longhorns.

Foreman ranks No. 76 in the Lone Star Recruiting Top 100 class of 2014. 

Offensive Lineman Elijah Rodriguez

247sports.com

Height/Weight: 6'6", 280 pounds

Position/Ranking: 2-star offensive tackle

High School: Cy-Creek

Other Finalists: Colorado

Commit Date: Feb. 3, 2014

Cy-Creek offensive lineman Elijah Rodriguez was a late add for the Longhorns. Rodriguez had been committed to Colorado for several months, but his visit to Austin last weekend was the final straw that broke the Buffalo's back. Rodriguez switched his commitment from the Buffs to the Longhorns Monday morning. Rodriguez is one of three offensive linemen in the 2014 class.

Star rankings via Rivals.com.

Taylor Gaspar is Bleacher Report's lead writer covering the Texas Longhorns. Follow Taylor on Twitter: @Taylor_Gaspar.