Texas Recruiting 2014-15: Latest News, Rumors and Commit Updates
After a debut season filled with ups and downs, Texas head coach Charlie Strong is busy preparing for a big-time run over the final weeks leading up to national signing day.
The Longhorns currently have 19 commitments in their 2015 class, per 247Sports.
Here's a look at the latest news, top targets and commits for the Longhorns.
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Latest News
Sunday, Jan. 25
Texas lost a commitment when 4-star quarterback Zach Gentry flipped to Michigan, according to Steve Lorenz of Wolverine247.
The loss leaves Texas with 23 commitments, including only one from a quarterback—3-star passer Matthew Merrick.
Losing Gentry puts pressure on Charlie Strong and his staff to land another top quarterback prospect to replace him. The biggest name out there is 5-star in-state standout Kyler Murray, who is currently committed to Texas A&M.
Top Targets and Commitments
| Name | Position | Ranking | High School | Status |
| Chris Clark | TE | 4-Star (78) | Avon Old Farms HS (Avon, CT) | Uncommitted |
| Chris Warren | RB | 4-Star (83) | Rockwall HS (Rockwall, TX) | Uncommitted |
| Kris Boyd | CB | 4-Star (101) | Gilmer HS (Gilmer, TX) | Uncommitted |
| Holton Hill | CB | 4-Star (110) | Lamar HS (Houston, TX) | Uncommitted |
| Ryan Newsome | WR | 4-Star (229) | Aledo HS (Aledo, TX) | Uncommitted |
| Malik Jefferson | OLB | 5-Star (13) | Poteet HS (Mesquite, TX) | Committed |
| Patrick Vahe | OC | 4-Star (138) | Trinity HS (Euless, TX) | Committed |
| Anthony Wheeler | LB | 4-Star (168) | Skyline HS (Dallas, TX) | Committed |
| Devonaire Clarington | TE | 4-Star (169) | Booker T. Washington HS (Miami, FL) | Committed |
| Deshon Elliott | S | 4-Star (217) | Rockwall-Heath HS (Rockwall, TX) | Committed |
| Cameron Townsend | LB | 4-Star (266) | Ridge Point HS (Missouri City, TX) | Committed |
| DeAndre McNeal | ATH | 4-Star (290) | Poteet HS (Mesquite, TX) | Committed |
| Davante Davis | CB | 4-Star (295) | Booker T. Washington HS (Miami, FL) | Committed |
| Du'Vonta Lampkin | DT | 3-Star (332) | Cypress Falls HS (Houston, TX) | Committed |
| Kirk Johnson | ATH | 3-Star (337) | Valley Christian HS (San Jose, CA) | Committed |
| Ronnie Major | OT | 3-Star (398) | Huntsville HS (Huntsville, TX) | Committed |
| Gilbert Johnson | WR | 3-Star (8 - JUCO) | Georgia Prep Sports Academy (Atlanta, GA) | Committed |
| Cecil Cherry | LB | 3-Star (402) | Victory Christian Academy (Lakeland, FL) | Committed |
| Charles Omenihu | DE | 3-Star (463) | Rowlett HS (Rowlett, TX) | Committed |
| Connor Williams | OT | 3-Star (467) | Coppell HS (Coppell, TX) | Committed |
| Jamile Johnson | S | 3-Star (477) | South Oak Cliff HS (Dallas, TX) | Committed |
| Tristian Houston | RB | 3-Star (541) | North Shore HS (Houston, TX) | Committed |
| Garrett Thomas | OG | 3-Star (570) | Many HS (Many, LA) | Committed |
| Quincy Vasser | DE | 3-Star (53 - JUCO) | Navarro College (Corsicana, TX) | Committed |
| Matthew Merrick | QB | 3-Star (N/A) | Cistercian Prep HS (Irving, TX) | Committed |
| Breckyn Hager | DE | 3-Star (N/A) | Westlake HS (Austin, TX) | Committed |
| Brandon Hodges | OT | 3-Star (153 - JUCO) | East Mississippi CC (Scooba, MS) | Committed |
| Tristan Nickelson | OT | 2-Star (195 - JUCO) | Navarro College (Corsicana, TX) | Committed |
Sunday, Jan. 18
One of the biggest, and perhaps most surprising commitments the Longhorns received in the 2015 class was from 4-star athlete Tim Irvin.
However, the Florida native took a visit to Auburn this weekend, and according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports, Irvin has flipped his pledge to the Tigers.
Losing Irvin, who could play receiver or running back in college, is a huge blow to the 'Horns class, which now sits with 24 members.
Sunday, Jan. 18
According to Chris Hummer of Horns247, Texas suffered a decomittment when 3-star athlete Louis Brown dropped his pledge while on a visit to Austin.
The Longhorns now have 25 commitments in their 2015 class.
As Hummer notes, Brown was projected to play either linebacker of defensive end for the 'Horns. With linebacker being one of biggest needs on defense, Charlie Strong and his staff will now head back to the recruiting trail in search of finding a potential replacement for the versatile Brown.
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Texas lost one of its top commitments when 4-star receiver John Burt announced his decommitment from the Longhorns on Tuesday evening, per Colt Barber of Horns247.
Auburn looks to be the team in the best position to land the Florida native, who is rated as the nation's No. 10 receiver in the 2015 class.
Texas will continue to recruit him, but as of now, his decommitment is a big blow to a class that was gaining momentum to a big finish.
Assuming Burt heads elsewhere, look for the Longhorns to target in-state receivers such as Ryan Newsome and Carlos Strickland.
Sunday, Jan. 4
Texas picked up its 27th commitment on Sunday when 3-star JUCO receiver Gilbert Johnson announced his commitment to the Longhorns, according to Horns247.
Johnson, who is originally from Miami, is the fifth commitment from the South Florida area to join the Longhorns 2015 class.
Saturday, Jan. 3
Texas cemented its status as the hottest team in the country on the recruiting trail by picking up commitments from 4-star tight end Devonaire Clarington and 4-star athlete Tim Irvin during Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Game.
A few days earlier, Charlie Strong landed a commitment from 4-star corner Davante Davis. Adding the trio of skill players from the South Florida area has pushed the Texas class to No. 9 in the 247Sports Team Rankings.
Strong's work in South Florida is further proof that he's winning some major battles in recruiting, which should help accelerate his rebuilding job on the field in Austin.
Thursday, Jan. 2
The Longhorns collected their 24th commitment with the addition of 4-star linebacker Anthony Wheeler.
Wheeler committed to Texas over Oklahoma and others during the Under Armour All-America Game.
He's another huge get at a position of need for Texas in the 2015 cycle.
Friday, Dec. 19
Texas received a huge boost to its 2015 class on Friday when the Longhorns received commitments from 5-star linebacker Malik Jefferson and 4-star athlete DeAndre McNeal.
The commitments from the prep teammates at Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas represent the biggest wins on the recruiting trail for Charlie Strong to date.
Perhaps more importantly, it's scores major points for the Longhorns in their home state considering the momentum that rival Texas A&M—who were considered the leaders for both Jefferson and McNeal for a good portion of the process—has gained during Kevin Sumlin's tenure in College Station.
The Longhorns now have 22 commitments in their 2015 class.
Monday, Dec. 15
While the 'Horns suffered a pair of decommits, and lost out on 4-star linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Jr. to Tennessee, the news was not all bad on the 40 acres tonight.
Charlie Strong and his staff added a pledge from 3-star Florida linebacker Cecil Cherry on Monday afternoon.
Cherry, who decommitted from an early pledge to the Vols, puts the Longhorns back at 19 commits for the 2015 class.
With linebacker being one of the top priorities for the Longhorns in this cycle, Cherry is a big-time get out of the Sunshine State.
Monday, Dec. 15
The Longhorns 2015 class took another massive hit for the second time within a week when 4-star offensive lineman Toby Weathersby announced that he is reopening his recruiting process, as noted by Mike Farrell of Rivals.
The 6'5", 295-pounder had been the Longhorns highest-rated pledge.
While losing Weathersby is a severe blow, the onus is on Charlie Strong and his staff to weather the storm and keep the rest of the class together while trying to close the deal on the rest of their remaining top targets.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
Texas lost a commitment on Wednesday, as 4-star running back Jordan Stevenson announced plans to reopen his recruitment, per his Twitter account.
The loss leaves Texas with 19 commitments in its 2015 class and only one from a running back—3-star rusher Tristian Houston.
However, the 'Horns are still in the running for 4-star running back Chris Warren, who has Texas among his four finalists.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
One of the Longhorns' top remaining needs in the 2015 cycle is at linebacker. Per Colt Barber of Horns247, Strong visited top target and 4-star linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. on Tuesday evening.
"See you folks after January 3rd! #HottyToddy #BoomerSooner ⭕️ #HookEmHorn \\m// #VFL pic.twitter.com/6JTv3nrkLO
— Darrin Kirkland Jr. (@_KIRKjunior) December 8, 2014"
Kirkland recently announced plans to commit at the U.S. Army All-American Game on Jan. 3, and the Longhorns join Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Tennessee as one of his four finalists.
Landing the 6'2", 235-pounder would be a huge coup for Strong, who also has Texas squarely in the hunt for 5-star linebacker Malik Jefferson.
Recruit ratings and information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
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