Texas Football: 2019 Horns class nation’s most complete?

Right in the middle of a host of recruiting powerhouses in the 2019 class rankings, Texas football looks to have another standout group of signees.

Once National Signing Day 2019 passes through after Feb. 6 for the Texas football program, the discussion surrounding the impact it will have on the program can thus begin. Talking about how each respective top recruiting class fits into the bigger picture for a program’s immediate outlook is the most important part for projecting the 2019 campaign ahead.

According to the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings, the 2019 Texas football recruiting class ranks at No. 3 in the nation just one day before National Signing Day. The only two programs ranked ahead of Texas football in the national class ranking are the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide, in that order.

However, the two teams slotted immediately behind Texas football in the national class rankings, and in the Big 12, are some familiar foes. The rival Texas A&M Aggies and Oklahoma Sooners are the next two teams ranked behind Texas football. But, there’s a few things that could transpire on Feb. 6 that could shake up the national class rankings.

Among those storylines that could actually see the Texas Longhorns and Aggies swap spots is the potential flipping and signing of four-star in-state offensive tackle commit Javonne Shepherd. A few other key targets remain uncommitted for this 2019 Texas football recruiting class that could bring some National Signing Day shake ups.

https://twitter.com/javonneshepherd/status/1090454758492647424?s=21

Also, if the Horns can haul in any other commit that helps to boost this entire 2019 class, the No. 3 spot in the national class rankings should at least be solidified. If something big happens and the 2019 Texas football recruiting class is able to get its hands on a highly touted four or five-star prospect, the door opens to possibly jump Georgia. Alabama looks to have a class too highly rated for anyone but maybe the Dawgs to move past.

However, this discussion presents an opportunity to look beyond the overscrutinized and analyzed national class rankings that are squeezed this time of year. Part of the role that each passing recruiting class plays for some of the nation’s top programs is reloading the talent lost from the previous season. For example, Texas football is set to lose a lot in the trenches and on the defensive side of the ball in general.

The skill positions on offense for Texas football return most of the key pieces from this past season, outside of a few departing seniors. At least the departing seniors can mostly be effectively replaced this coming season for head Texas football coach Tom Herman. The three most important skill position losses for the Horns are tight end Andrew Beck, running back Tre Watson, and early NFL Draft entrant wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

What Texas has incoming in the 2019 recruiting class at least has one highly touted signee at each of those aforementioned skill position voids. Four-star running back Derrian Brown, five-star wide receiver Jordan Whittington, and four-star tight end Brayden Liebrock are just a few incoming signees that can make an early impact this year.

The prospect that really solidified this 2019 Texas football recruiting class as one of the most well-rounded in the nation was the signing of former USC Trojans early enrollee Bru McCoy. That’s what brought this class for the Horns to a second consecutive top three ranking in the nation.

The big question looming with this discussion is how the Horns 2019 recruiting class stacks up with Georgia and Alabama on both sides of the ball. Alabama holds an impressive 28 commits in its 2019 class, 15 of which enrolled early. As usual, the bulk of this recruiting class for the Crimson Tide encompasses defensive talent and some highly touted offensive linemen. Texas actually has more five-star skill position signees than Alabama and Georgia.

Those two SEC recruiting powerhouses are strong in the trenches, and the front seven, but the Horns hold the edge at the skill positions and is about equal in the defensive backfield. There is an argument that holds up that this 2019 Horns class is more well-rounded and capable of contributing early than for the Tide or Dawgs.