New 4-Star CB Commits Holton Hill, Kris Boyd Immediately Boost Texas' Secondary

When it comes to Charlie Strong, the old adage remains true: Defense wins championships.

The defensive side of the ball was a consistent issue with the Texas Longhorns during the 2014 season, but Strong, preparing for his second season as head coach, is making defense a priority in the 2015 class. He already has 5-star linebacker Malik Jefferson on campus as an early enrollee, and Friday afternoon, Strong received two 4-star cornerback commitments from Holton Hill and Kris Boyd.

The two made their commitments public on a local Time Warner Cable show in Austin.

The in-state prospects, commits Nos. 25 and 26, give the Longhorns an impressive secondary class. Hill, No. 80 in the 247Sports Composite ratings, and Boyd, No. 98, join 4-star cornerback Davante Davis, 4-star safety DeShon Elliott and 3-star safety Jamile Johnson Jr.

Both athletes had long lists of schools to choose from. Boyd chose the Longhorns over offers from Texas A&M, Baylor, Florida State and Alabama. Hill chose the Longhorns over offers from Texas A&M, Alabama, LSU, Florida State and Baylor.

Hill and Boyd are similar in that they are cover cornerbacks. Both are physical off the ball and make it difficult for receivers to get off the line. Boyd, at 6'0" and 185 pounds, plays with a mean streak at times, and Hill, at 6'2" and 184 pounds, has the size and versatility to play either cornerback or safety.

Texas' 2014 depth chart, courtesy of OurLads, included two seniors in the secondary in Quandre Diggs and Mykkele Thompson. Hill and Boyd are talented enough—as are Davis, Elliott and Johnson—to see playing time early in their college careers.

Both Hill and Boyd showed their talents at The Opening, an invite-only camp for the nation's top recruits, last summer in Oregon.

Strong has high expectations for his defense in 2015. This past season, the Longhorns allowed an average of 23.8 points (2.4 points more than their offense) and 348.5 yards per game (11.2 yards more than their offense). Part of the lack of success involved fourth-quarter play. Texas allowed nearly 40 percent of its cumulative points in the final quarter.

Hill and Boyd are sure to not only add depth to the secondary but also help the defense keep those numbers low with solid play. Both are talented enough to compete for a starting spot next season.

Texas currently has a solid balance with its class—13 defensive commits and 13 offensive commits. Of the Longhorns' defensive pledges, seven are classified as at least 4-star prospects.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst with Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' Composite ratings. Follow Damon on Twitter: @Damon Sayles