This week marks early signing day for Division I college football’s 2020 class. Among the early signees for the University of Texas are one five-star (Bijan Robinson) and 12 four-stars, per 24/7 composite. The Longhorns’ recruiting class was ranked third in the nation and first in the conference for the past two years. Texas dropped this week from seventh to tenth nationwide and to second in the Big XII. This is largely in part due to wide receiver Quentin Johnston’s last-minute flip to TCU.
Texas Signs Bijan Robinson
Texas signs Bijan Robinson, a five-star and the crown jewel of the 2020 recruiting class, is a 6’0” 200lb running back from Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona. He is the second-ranked running back in the nation and the number 15 overall recruit. He is one of only four five-star running backs in the nation this year. Robinson received 21 total offers including Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, and Oklahoma. He holds the state record in Arizona for total touchdowns at 114. Over his four years in high school, he has 7,063 rushing yards and averages 153 rushing yards per game. This year he became the first repeat Ed Doherty award winner, given to the best high school football player in Arizona. He was also named the 2019 Gatorade Arizona Football Player of the Year.
Robinson’s style has been compared to the late great Cedric Benson. Others have said he is the best running back talent at Texas since Jamaal Charles. He is described as being instinctive with the ball, especially at making quick cuts to make the defenders miss.
Running Back Position
Texas struggled early in the 2019 season with injuries at the running back position, to the point of moving true freshman quarterback Roschon Johnson to the second running back spot. Johnson has stated that he still intends to play quarterback at Texas. The arrival of Robinson on campus should give the Longhorns some needed depth at this position.
Offensive Recruits
Texas also gains two quarterbacks in this recruiting class. Four-stars Hudson Card from Lake Travis and Ja’Quinden Jackson from Duncanville will back up Casey Thompson and Sam Ehlinger. Adding to the offensive line are Jake Majors at center (Prosper, TX), Jaylen Garth at offensive tackle (Port Neches, TX), Logan Parr at offensive guard (Helotes, TX), and Andrej Karic, offensive tackle (Southlake, TX); all rated at four stars. The Longhorns wide receiver arsenal will add four-star Troy Omeire from Sugarland, TX.
Defensive Recruits
New defensive coordinator Chris Ash will see five new four-star defensive players on his roster. Defensive tackle Vernon Broughton from Cy Ridge, outside linebacker Prince Dorbah from Highland Park, safety Xavion Alford from Pearland, cornerback Kitan Crawford from Tyler, and safety Jerrin Thompson from Lufkin.
