The Biggest Takeaways from Texas Recruits' Performances at The Opening
BEAVERTON, Ore. — The Texas Longhorns had two commitments competing at The Opening last week, quarterback Sam Ehlinger and offensive lineman Xavier Newman.
Two commitments, and a handful of potential targets.
The Longhorns are sitting at seven commitments and could use a recruiting jolt with their 2017 class. With 5-star, in-state athletes like defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, safety Jeffrey Okudah and linebacker Baron Browning still available, Texas could do exactly what it did last year: start recruiting slowly and finish strong.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here are a few takeaways from The Opening involving Texas recruiting.
QB commit Ehlinger values experience, eyes targets
Austin, Texas, 4-star quarterback Sam Ehlinger understands that in a couple of years he has the chance to be the face of the Forty Acres.
As the nation's No. 6 dual-threat quarterback, Ehlinger is constantly looking to be challenged. He is aware that he'll win battles, but he'll also lose some. Ehlinger didn't lead his seven-on-seven team at The Opening, Fly Rush, to a championship, but he helped the team make the tournament finals and said the weeklong experience is one that will help him prepare for the regular season and next-level football.
"It's been a great experience. I've never been around this many great athletes before," Ehlinger said. "It's been good getting to know all of them and competing against the best."
In addition to getting better, Ehlinger used his time in Oregon to scout some of the elite uncommitted talent, particularly the big guys up front. He said he has his eyes on a few athletes who could help the Texas class flourish tremendously.
"All the big guys in Texas—Walker Little, Marvin Wilson—all the guys everyone thinks of," he said. "They're just so large. They're physical specimens. It's crazy watching them."
He then added, "I'm looking forward to getting a bunch of good players."
Tutelage beneficial for OL commit Newman
There's nothing that revs up Xavier Newman more than good, old-fashioned competition. Lining up against the best defensive linemen of college football recruiting was right up the 3-star offensive guard's alley.
"We were going after it, man. We were having fun and competing," said Newman, who committed to Texas on April 20. "It was a great experience. I was loving it."
Newman said he learned a lot from LeCharles Bentley, one of The Opening offensive line coaches and someone who played six years in the NFL as an interior lineman. Newman said he is looking to process the tutelage he received for use in the upcoming season.
"Learning from [Bentley] in the days I've been here, has really helped my game," he said. "We were learning, and we were going against the best in the country. There's nothing more you can really ask for."
As for being a player-recruiter, Newman said he spoke with a few guys privately about playing for the Longhorns.
"I've been trying to talk to pretty much everybody," he said, "but at the end of the day, it's their decision. I will help as much as I can."
Longhorns LB serves as The Opening counselor
Texas sophomore linebacker Malik Jefferson was one of several camp counselors at The Opening assisting athletes and sharing personal stories from his days at the prestigious event.
To Jefferson, mentoring is key. He wanted to make sure every athlete he spoke with had a similar—or better—experience in Oregon.
"There are a lot of guys out here; it's their future and their opportunity," Jefferson said. "If they ask me anything, I'll be honest and tell them how it is. I think that the biggest part is honesty; they'll respect that more than anything."
It's that attitude that makes Jefferson a likable person on and off the field. It's also draws young athletes to Jefferson. While he didn't mention any names, he's hoping to see Texas' 2017 recruiting class see a major spike before national signing day.
Jefferson's primary objective at The Opening, however, was to be a solid mentor.
"They deserve that much. It's something I wanted to do when I first came here," he said. "I think the biggest part with us being college kids is they want to relate more to what we do and know what we do at the next level that will be crucial. Getting them to prepare for it all is big, and I'm happy to be back."
5-star DT Wilson a follower since the "Colt days"
Arguably the biggest target for Texas—perhaps literally and figuratively—on defense is Houston defensive tackle Marvin Wilson. The 5-star lineman didn't disappoint at The Opening, winning defensive lineman MVP honors and, while competing against a very talented offensive line class, consistently letting the world know of his ever-growing nickname, "Real Life Goon."
Among the schools Wilson said he's considering making official visits to are USC and Florida State, but he also said Texas is one of the schools he's been high on since he was in elementary school. He has built a solid relationship not only with head coach Charlie Strong but also defensive coordinator Vance Bedford.
"I've always loved Texas, especially in the Colt days," Wilson said, referring to former Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy (2005-09). "They've always had a special place in my heart. Coach Bedford has been recruiting me really hard."
At 6'4" and 329 pounds, Wilson can be a reliable interior lineman in Texas' scheme. He's a powerful athlete who plays with a mean streak. And despite being the nation's top-ranked lineman and the No.3 overall player in the 2017 class, he lines up every play as if he's the lowest on the totem pole.
Texas is a school to watch, but so are Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, USC, Florida State and others. He said on Saturday that he plans on taking official visits to USC and Florida State in an effort to see two out-of-state schools.
"I just want to go and see where I can be comfortable," Wilson said. "In my mind, if you can't be comfortable wherever you go...you want be able to develop. If it's far away and I feel comfortable, that's where I'll go. If it's in-state, with either Texas or Texas A&M, then that's where I'll go."
2018 5-star Foster to visit Texas' campus soon
Angleton, Texas, has been a hotbed for Texas recruiting in the past. Former Longhorns include Quentin Jammer, Ahmard Hall and Quandre Diggs, among others.
Could 2018 5-star safety B.J. Foster be the next in line?
While it may be still too early to say, Foster is well-aware of the connection—and success rate—when discussing the Longhorns and Angleton alumni.
"We've had a few Angelton players there, and I like their facilities and the coaches," Foster said. "I'll be there July 23 to visit and to go to a camp."
The Longhorns are hoping to land Foster's commitment, as he's the nation's No. 13 player overall and No. 2 safety in the 2018 class. He has 22 reported offers and showed exceptional ball-hawking skills during the week for Vapor Speed, the team that won the 7On Championship at The Opening.
Foster had an interception in overtime that sent Vapor Speed to the tournament semifinals. Later, in the finals, he had a pick in the end zone that put a halt to a possible scoring drive.
Texas fans wouldn't mind seeing him use those skills for their team—particularly if he can be a similar playmaker as Jammer and Diggs were as defensive backs for the Longhorns.
4-star OT Little: Texas "a school on the rise"
Bellaire, Texas, 4-star offensive tackle Walker Little made the Final Five of The Opening's Lineman Challenge and held his own at the right tackle position.
With 33 reported offers, Little has his options with recruiting, but according to his 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions, the Longhorns are in a solid position to add him to their 2017 class.
"Texas has been a top school for me throughout the process," Little said. "I've grown close with [offensive line] Coach [Matt] Mattox and Coach Strong. They are a school on the rise, and a lot of recruits are looking at them."
Stanford, Ole Miss, Alabama and other programs will be battling Texas for Little, who was impressive throughout his time at The Opening. At 6'7" and 305 pounds, Little used his size and length to frustrate defensive linemen in one-on-one challenges.
Lining up against Duke defensive end commit Drew Jordan, Little made possibly the most impressive plays of the lineman challenge finals. Little threw Jordan to the ground, bringing quite the roar out of his offensive lineman teammates, as well as the crowd watching.
Fox end attractive to 4-star DE Chaisson
The one thing Houston 4-star K'Lavon Chaisson loves doing is keeping offenses guessing as to what he's going to do next. As a top-five nationally ranked weak-side defensive end, Chaisson is looking for a place where he can be that type of athlete frequently.
This is where the "Fox" end comes into play for the Longhorns.
The Fox is Texas' specialty position for hybrid defensive ends/outside linebackers who can not only be rush ends but also drop into pass coverage when necessary.
"They have the Fox end, which I'm very interested in," Chaisson said. "I think it really fits my skill set."
Texas is in the race for Chaisson, but the Longhorns will have to battle schools like Oklahoma, Houston, Florida State, LSU and Colorado, according to him. He did mention that Texas "is really high on my list" and is hoping to take a visit to the Forty Acres soon.
As the nation's No. 5 weak-side defensive end and the No. 88 player overall, Chaisson said Texas would give him the perfect balance of proximity, a nice campus atmosphere and overall scheme fit. He added that he's a fan of the academics, specifically the business program.
"I was told their business program is ranked 16th in the nation," he said. "Texas isn't too far, but it's not too close to home. It's kind of like a getaway, but when you feel like going home, it's just a two-hour trip from where I stay."
Chaisson said he is still open in his recruiting process and said he will start looking into setting up official visits soon.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
