Just two months ago, the Texas Longhorns wrapped up one of the top classes of all time finishing No. 2 behind the Florida Gators' class for the ages. Oklahoma was right there, as usual, and Texas A&M also cracked the top 25 classes. This year's cycle has the early appearance of being more of the same with Texas and Oklahoma putting together impressive classes, but there is a change with Texas Tech experiencing some terrific success early on under head coach Tommy Tuberville.Here is a look at the top classes early on.
1. Texas LonghornsThe Longhorns are at it again with 19 commits after defensive tackle
Quincy Russell (San Antonio, Texas/
Sam Houston) pledged Monday. The class includes 13 members of the ESPNU 150 Watch List and a pair of Under Armour All-Americans in defensive tackle
Desmond Jackson (Spring, Texas/Westfield) and athlete
Quandre Diggs (Angleton, Texas/Angleton).Several of the commits in the class are from familiar schools to Texas fans. Offensive tackle
Sedrick Flowers (Houston, Texas/North Shore) is the latest prospect out of North Shore High in Houston to pick the Longhorns. Guard
Marcus Hutchins (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) was a teammate last season of Texas signees
Adrian White (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) and
Darius Terrell (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto). Offensive tackle
Taylor Doyle (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis) was a high school teammate of current Longhorns
Garrett Gilbert (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis) and Paden Kelly (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis), while linebacker
Steve Edmond (Daingerfield, Texas/Daingerfield) was a teammate of 2010 signee
Chris Jones.
2. Oklahoma SoonersThe Sooners are on the board with seven commitments, including six ESPNU 150 Watch List members. Quarterback
Kendall Thompson (Moore, Okla./Southmoore) is a 2011 Under Armour All-American. As is usually the case, six of the Sooners commitments hail from the Lone Star State led by East Texas star receiver
Trey Metoyer (Whitehouse, Texas/Whitehouse).The Sooners have enjoyed past success in the Longhorns' backyard and are hoping to do so again with commitments from defensive tackle
Jordan Wade (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point) and outside linebacker
P.L. Lindley (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point). The Dallas/Fort Worth area is the key for Oklahoma's recruiting in Texas and the Sooners have commitments from receiver
Kameel Jackson (Arlington, Texas/Sam Houston) and running back
Danzel Williams (Arlington, Texas/Martin). Jackson remains committed despite showing interest in Texas A&M.
3. Texas Tech Red RaidersThe Red Raiders are off and running under head coach Tommy Tuberville with eight commitments, including two members of the ESPNU 150 Watch List. Running back
Kenny Williams (Pflugerville, Texas) is the bell cow of the class as he has a skill set very similar to NFL running backs recruited by Tuberville at Auburn.The Red Raiders are also very active in the Sunshine State having offered a number of prospects with one commitment. Receiver
Javares McRoy (Lakeland, Fla./Lakeland High) is one of the fastest players in the country and, like Williams, is a huge get for the Red Raiders. He is the brother of 2010 signee
Benjamin McRoy (Lakeland, Fla./Lakeland High).Tight end
Jace Amaro (San Antonio, Texas/Douglas MacArthur) is the son of former Texas Tech player Rob Amaro, while quarterback
Michael Brewer (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis) is the son of former Longhorns signal caller Robert Brewer.
4. Nebraska CornhuskersThe Cornhuskers have four commitments, including two off the ESPNU 150 Watch List in athlete
Jamal Turner (Arlington, Texas/Sam Houston) and center
Ryne Reeves (Crete, Neb./Crete).Nebraska is loading up on the offensive line in the 2011 class with Reeves, tackle
Tyler Moore (Clearwater, Fla./Countryside) and guard
Dylan Admire (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley West). Moore has a number of family members that played at Nebraska, including his father
Brian Moore and uncle and former NFL quarterback Vince Ferragamo.Turner is likely to be one of the top prospects in the Lone Star state in 2011.
5. Missouri TigersThe Tigers have secured seven commitments, including junior college defensive tackle
Sheldon Richardson, who inked with Missouri in the 2009 class. The former St. Louis Gateway star is currently playing at the College of the Sequoias. Joining Richardson as a top prospect in the 2011 class is ESPNU 150 Watch List tight end
Brandon Hannah (St. Louis, Mo/Chaminade College prep). The Tigers have also secured their quarterback in
Corbin Berkstresser (Lees Summit, Mo.) as well as dipping into Texas as usual with a pledge from safety
Cortland Browning (Tyler, Texas/Lee).