Insane Recruiting Day Has Charlie Strong's Texas Turnaround Ahead of Schedule

Texas fans dismayed when Charlie Strong's first campaign concluded in an embarrassing bowl loss, but things are already looking up for the Longhorns in 2015.

The team landed commitments from All-Americans Tim Irvin and Devonaire Clarington on Saturday, continuing Texas' rapid climb in national recruiting rankings, per Rivals.com's Josh Helmholdt:

Both prospects are composite 4-star recruits from South Florida, a region Strong has successfully tapped into during this cycle. Irvin and Clarington join fellow Sunshine State standouts Davante Davis and Cecil Cherry, who each pledged during the past three weeks. 

Those four pickups represent a major sign of the philosophical switch Strong has brought to Austin. A program once content to build its foundation with homegrown talent is now reaching into one of America's premier recruiting hotbeds for impact players.

Clarington, rated fourth nationally among tight ends in 247Sports' composite rankings, considered committing to Miami and Florida. Irvin, a scintillating two-way playmaker, could have followed in his famous Uncle Michael's footsteps to the Hurricanes locker room. 

Instead, they continue an upward trend for Texas.

Despite being outscored, 79-17, by TCU and Arkansas in its final two contests, the team is quickly gaining traction with many of the country's top uncommitted recruits. An influx of Florida athletes coincides with promising recruiting strides on home turf.

Anthony Wheeler, a 4-star Dallas linebacker, hopped on the bandwagon Friday while taking part in Under Armour All-America Game action. He adds to a defensive group that could change the identity of Texas' attack in coming years.

The Longhorns secured a commitments from two of its top in-state targets on Dec. 19, adding Poteet High School teammates DeAndre McNeal and Malik Jefferson. Both could end up in the linebacker corps, though, McNeal is also a candidate to play wide receiver.

Jefferson, rated No. 1 overall among outside linebackers in 247Sports' composite rankings, gave Texas a major boost when he chose the Longhorns over former favorite Texas A&M. The Aggies gained an upper hand in the ongoing recruiting battle between these two programs during the past two cycles, but Kevin Sumlin is suddenly looking over his shoulder.

Credit: 247Sports

The Longhorns soared to ninth in 247Sports' national class rankings Saturday and now sit just one slot below Texas A&M. The Aggies missed out on key All-American targets Kendall Sheffield (Alabama) and Ykili Ross (USC) this weekend, who announced his commitment during the game.

Strong could still send a mighty big message by signing 5-star Texan Daylon Mack. The defensive tackle decommitted from Texas A&M last month and is expected to visit campus, though, he named TCU his top in-state option.

Mack may not ultimately be in the cards for Texas, but there's plenty to be excited about in Austin at the moment.

An underwhelming season finale has swiftly given way to hope in the form of future Longhorns from near and far.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.