National Signing Day 2012: Texas Longhorns Signing Day Recap

Despite a 13-12 record the previous two seasons, Mack Brown was able to pull in yet another stellar recruiting class in 2012.

Once known as “King February”, due to his recruiting ability but lack of on-field success, Brown has largely shed that label in recent years with multiple BCS appearances.

It is a testament to Brown’s strength as a recruiter, his coaching staff’s tenacity, and ultimately the tremendous lure that the University of Texas possesses as a national brand, that the school was able to bring in such a strong class despite the lack of on-field success the past two years. And if 2011 is any indication, many of these guys could see the field right away and make an immediate impact.

Brown said at the post-season banquet he believed the youth on the team was as good a talent as he has ever coached, and while the team experienced growing pains in 2011 if the underclassmen develop along with the array of newcomers, his expectations of contending for a national title just might come true.

As for the the Class of 2012, the following is a breakdown of the best the Longhorns got to sign on the dotted line on National Signing Day 2012.

Biggest Catch: Jonathan Gray, RB, Aledo, TX (Aledo) 

High school football’s all-time leading touchdown scorer is one of the most electrifying running back prospects in years. Possessing electrifying, track-star speed, vision, patience and ankle-breaking open-field ability, his numbers are nothing short of incredible.

His senior season he carried the ball 346 times for 3,891 yards and 65 touchdowns. Gray will be joining a Texas running back corps that already features talented, rising sophomores Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron; and he may have the best long-term upside of them all.

Fill the Need: Linebackers Timothy Cole, Torshiro Davis, Alex De La Torre, Peter Jinkens and Dalton Santos 

After losing senior leaders Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho from the nation’s No. 14 ranked defense in 2011, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz instantly has several new pieces to play with in his aggressive multiple blitzing schemes. As former blue-chipper Jordan Hicks continues to develop, any one of these players could see the field a lot in 2012.

Biggest Surprise: Torshiro Davis, LB, Shreveport, LA (Woodlawn)

Considered a lock to attend home-state LSU, Brown utilized defensive tackles coach Bo Davis’ relationship with the Louisiana blue-chipper to sway his commitment at the last minute. A 6’3” and 222 pound linebacker who could convert to defensive end, Davis is one of just two out of state high school recruits by the Longhorns in 2012.

Overall: Texas went 8-5 in 2011 due to inconsistent quarterback play and youthful mistakes. While the 2012 recruiting class doesn’t solve many immediate issues, Connor Brewer and/or Jaylen Overstreet will most likely redshirt at quarterback, this is nevertheless one of the deepest groups Brown has brought in yet.

Gray is clearly the star, but late switches from players like Dalton Santos, Kendall Sanders and Daje Johnson added versatility to a class that could see an immediate on-field impact in 2012.