Texas Football: Longhorns' Top Remaining Targets for NSD 2015

Charlie Strong's first true recruiting class at Texas has been on the upswing in the last month-and-a-half. The Longhorns appeared to be struggling in the recruiting department with just 16 verbal commitments before December.

But Christmas came early for the Longhorns and has continued to produce presents in the form of talented recruits.

Texas has landed 10 recruits since Dec. 1, jumped up to the No. 11 recruiting class in the nation, according to Rivals.com, and still has a handful of talented targets on its wish list.

The Longhorns now have 26 verbal commitments and a little less than a month to make an impression before national signing day on Feb. 4.

The positive news for Texas fans is some of the nation's elite prospects are expected to take official visits to Texas in the weeks leading up to national signing day. And as any recruiting junky knows, getting kids on campus is a good step for the football program.

The next few weeks could be huge for the Longhorns' recruiting and the future of the program. Here's a look at the top five remaining targets for the Texas Longhorns.

Cornerback Holton Hill

Credit: 247 Sports

One of the Longhorns' top remaining prospects for the 2015 recruiting class is 4-star cornerback Holton Hill. The 6'2" cornerback has offers from some of the nation's top football programs but narrowed his list to Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, LSU and Texas in November and has an official visit set for this upcoming weekend.

The Houston native has visited Texas a number of times and told Rivals.com recruiting analyst Blair Angulo he is interested in seeing how the Longhorns are set up for next year.

"I just want to see how they are set up next year," Hill told Angulo, via Orangebloods.com (subscription required). "I've been up there multiple times. I just want to make sure I have a good time."

The Longhorns need more cornerback options to fill the 2015 class, and Hill is the ideal athlete any coach would want on his team.

This weekend could make or break the Longhorns' chances of landing the talented cornerback prospect.

Wide Receiver Ryan Newsome

Credit: 247 Sports

Aledo, Texas, wide receiver Ryan Newsome has the Longhorns in his top three schools. The speedy athlete has taken in a number of visits at Texas, and the Longhorns have obviously made an impression since they are on his short list of favorites.

The 5'9", 175-pound receiver has the speed the Longhorns need on offense and the talent to be a difference-maker. With the Longhorns recently losing a verbal commitment from John Burt, getting Newsome or another wide receiver will be critical for Texas.

The 247 Crystal Ball projections list the Longhorns as an 80 percent favorite to land Newsome, but this recruitment will not end until he makes his decision Jan. 23.

Cornerback Kris Boyd

Credit: 247 Sports

Gilmer, Texas, cornerback Kris Boyd will also take an official visit to Texas this weekend, which adds even more pressure on the coaches to win over some of the state's talent.

The 4-star cornerback released his new top five last Friday, and the Longhorns are competing with Texas A&M, Baylor, Florida State and Alabama.

Boyd has been an interesting recruit to follow. The 6'0", 180-pound corner initially planned on announcing his commitment on Christmas Day, then changed his mind. He then released a top five on Twitter only to re-update it last week.

Getting Boyd on campus is a positive step for the Longhorns. Now the coaches need to close to add to a position of need in 2015.

Wide Receiver John Burt

Credit: 247 Sports

Tallahassee, Florida, wide receiver John Burt recently announced a change of heart. The 6'3", 180-pound receiver had been committed to Texas since July but officially decommitted from the Longhorns last week.

However, Burt made it a point to say Texas is still his leader two days after decommitting.

The 247 Crystal Ball has Burt as a favorite to Auburn, but the wideout has not given up on the Longhorns.

Burt announced he will take an official visit to Texas Jan. 30, which will be the coaches' final push in landing the talented receiver before national signing day. 

Quarterback Kai Locksley

Credit: 247 Sports

One of the latest recruits to give Texas a look is quarterback Kai Locksley. The 4-star quarterback is verbally committed to Florida State but will take an official visit to Texas Jan. 23.

If there is one position where the Longhorns need depth, it is at quarterback. Texas only has two scholarship quarterbacks on campus right now and will add a third when Zach Gentry arrives in Austin after his spring semester.

But getting a fourth quarterback would be huge for Texas. Getting Locksley would be even bigger.

The 6'4", 185-pound dual-threat quarterback is the No. 17 quarterback in the nation, according to Rivals.com.

It may be wishful thinking for fans to believe Locksley will sign with the Longhorns, but getting him on campus is a massive step for Texas.

Recruiting information via Rivals.com.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

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