Texas Longhorns' Aggressive 2016 Recruiting Approach Key to Landing a Top QB

In the search for a quarterback commit, the Texas Longhorns' 2015 class ended with last-minute dramatics. Head coach Charlie Strong and his staff are making sure that doesn't happen in 2016.

In the past week, the Longhorns offered a scholarship to seven quarterbacks—in-state prospects Tristen Wallace, Zach Smith and Bowman Sells; Minnesota's top-ranked player Seth Green; and the Florida trio of Feleipe Franks, Xavier Gaines and, most recently, Ervin Barrett.

All but Sells are 4-star prospects; Sells is a 3-star talent with a strong arm.

Texas now has offered 11 quarterbacks in the class.

The Longhorns previously offered 5-stars Malik Henry and Shea Patterson, who have committed to Florida State and Ole Miss, respectively. They also offered 4-star, in-state talent Shane Buechele and 4-star Dwayne Haskins, the No. 2 overall player from the state of Maryland.

The aggressive approach is warranted after the team watched Zach Gentry flip his commitment from Texas to Michigan and then missed out on flipping Texas A&M signee Kyler Murray.

Entering the final week of recruiting, the Longhorns only had a pledge from Matthew Merrick, who agreed to a grayshirt offer.

It was two days before signing day when Strong was able to flip Kai Locksley from Florida State. The 11th-hour scenario worked out in Texas' favor. This time.

Strong and his staff want to make sure last year doesn't happen again.

It'll be tough to flip Franks (LSU commit), Smith (Baylor), Green (Oregon) and Wallace (Texas Tech), but the coaching staff is confident it can land one of the players on its board. Additionally, Barrett, Gaines and Buechele all are uncommitted, and the Longhorns are working hard to get their pledges.

Of these names, Haskins and Buechele are two who can be intriguing as recruiting continues.

Both have great arms and solid footwork. Haskins is a great athlete who focuses on being technically sound. He also throws well on the run. Buechele loves to extend plays by running out of the pocket and giving extra effort. He is the son of former pro baseball infielder Steve Buechele, so he understands poise and letting the game come to him.

The Longhorns under Strong seem to have everything going at every position except for quarterback. Tyrone Swoopes threw for only 57 yards in a Texas Bowl loss to Arkansas in December. He threw for more than 2,400 yards and 13 touchdowns last season but also had 11 interceptions.

Will Texas fans see Swoopes again as the starter? Or does 2015 begin with the era of redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard, who, according to Chris Hummer of 247Sports, is ready to accept the responsibilities of being a starter?

Whatever the case, look for the team to build depth at the position. The 2016 class will need a reliable quarterback, and there are plenty of names out there. The good news for Texas fans: The Longhorns coaches are on the prowl.

It's just a matter of Texas landing one. Or flipping one.

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.