Texas Football: Position-by-position grades for Horns 2021 signing class

Texas Football Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Football Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas football 2021 position-by-position class grades

Defensive Line

Another one of the early commits in the Longhorns 2021 class was the talented four-star New Caney 6-foot-3 and 215 pound weak-side defensive end/edge rusher Derrick Harris Jr. This Texas native is the highest rated defensive line commit/signee in the Longhorns 2021 class, and did so on the first day of the Early Signing Period.

Harris Jr. committed to Texas over offers from just nine other schools. The other highlighting schools on his offer sheet included Baylor, Miami, the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Ole Miss Rebels, SMU, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech Hokies.

Moreover, Harris Jr. ranks as the nation’s No. 272 2021 high school prospect, No. 19 weak-side defensive end, and No. 41 prospect out of Texas (247Sports Composite).

One of just two positions on either side of the ball for the Longhorns that holds two four-star commits/signees is at weak-side defensive end. And the four-star Memorial 6-foot-3 and 240 pound weak-side defensive end Jordon Thomas was a nice snag for the Longhorns over the rival Aggies back during the offseason.

Thomas committed to Texas over offers from Texas A&M and six other schools. A few of the other highlighting schools on his offer sheet included Baylor, Houston, SMU, LSU, and the TCU Horned Frogs.

Moreover, Thomas ranks as the nation’s No. 295 2021 high school prospect, No. 21 weak-side defensive end, and No. 45 prospect out of Texas (247Sports Composite).

A nice flip of a commitment for Herman and first-year defensive coordinator Chris Ash of late for their 2021 class came with the four-star DeSoto defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. The former Baylor Bears commit ranks as the nation’s No. 402 2021 high school prospect, No. 25 defensive tackle, and No. 55 prospect out of Texas (247Sports Composite).

And the Top247 ranks Murphy II as the No. 22 defensive tackle and No. 46 prospect out of Texas.

We should also note that the latest commit to the party is the unheralded three-star Holy Cross strong-side defensive end Barryn Sorrell, but he has not signed his letter of intent yet.

Grade: B