Texas Football: 3 hidden gems to pursue for 2021 class

There’s not much better that it’s going to get for the Longhorns than if they get another stacked class at the running back position. Texas was dry on recruiting at the running back position for a number of cycles, but their last few made a big impact right out of the gates. In the 2018 signing class, Texas landed four-star Carthage product Keaontay Ingram. And in 2019, Texas brought in converted four-star dual-threat quarterback Roschon Johnson to be a stud at running back.

In the 2020 signing class, Texas has the nation’s top ranked running back recruit coming to the Forty Acres. Five-star Salpointe Catholic product Bijan Robinson is going to be something special for the Longhorns. The trio that Texas already built up in the backfield gives the skill positions a bright future under recently hired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich.

But in the 2020 class thus far, all the Texas has landed is underrated three-star Hallettsville running back Jonathon Brooks. Herman and Yurcich have to still be heavy after five-star Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex native Camar Wheaton, but there’s not guarantee he’ll land in Austin. This is where having a backup plan will come into play.

Texas should be going after someone that has the unheralded talent of three-star Pearland running back Darius Hale. This 5-foot-11 and 220 pound bowling ball of a rusher only holds offers from six schools as of July 14. Those schools he holds offers from includes Baylor, FCS Central Arkansas and Illinois State, Houston, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Kansas Jayhawks, and Utah State Aggies.

Hale ranks as the nation’s No. 994 2021 high school prospect, No. 66 running back, and No. 149 prospect out of Texas (247Sports Composite). He has yet to get a Texas offer or reported scout look, but he should be someone that is considered by the coaching staff.