Texas targets North Texas 2013 recruits

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By David McNabb
Texas’ first commitment for its football class of 2013 came from Celina lineman Jake Raulerson and it seems like the Longhorns have targeted North Texas for the upcoming recruiting season. Although Texas coach Mack Brown didn’t pick up as many commitments UT’s Junior Day Sunday as he has in past recruiting years, Texas made formal offers to more than a half-dozen formal  scholarship offers to high-profile players from across North Texas.

Skyline receiver Ra’Shaad Samples, Jesuit receiver Jake Oliver, Arlington Martin athlete Kyle Hicks, Kimball defensive tackle Justin Kimball, Whitewright quarterback Tyrone Swoops  and DeSoto running back Dontre Wilson received formal scholarship offers. Lake Highlands tackle Kent Perkins was expected to receive his scholarship offer but had to postpone his trip to Austin for family reasons.

Nearly all players invited to a special unofficial tour of the athletic facilities and meeting with Texas coach Mack Brown are aware they’ll receive a formal offer but Texas’s Brown has tried in recent years to make the first Sunday Junior Day a noteworthy start to the upcoming recruiting season.

Celina’s Raulerson became the first commitment of the Class of 2013 on Feb. 3.

While Texas has reaped as many as eight commitments in recent years on a Junior Day event, the commitments likely will come slower as recruits become more aware of the early recruiting process themselves.

Texas has targeted the 6-5, 220-pound Swoopes as its top quarterback prospect for ’13. Swoopes is the very athletic nephew of former Texas Tech and WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes. He’s a terrific runner and developing passer which Texas coaches hope can develop from a Class 2A standout into another Vince Young at running the spread option.

 Oliver (6-4, 200) has offers from many major colleges.  He’s a nationally rated recruited with a short list of Texas A&M, Arkansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Texas and TCU. Oliver’s father Gary was a wicde receiver from Breckenridge who played for the Aggies during the 1980s.

At DeSoto, Texas assistant Bruce Chambers has been hot on the trail of Wilson who burst into prominence as a sophomore when he returned the opening kickoff of DeSoto’s 2010  matchup up against highly touted Miramar (Fla.).  Texas has recruited well recently at DeSoto with offensive lineman Curtis Riser and defensive back Bryson Echols signing Feb. 1 for the Class of 2012.

Hicks rushed for 1,900 yards at Martin which upset Euless Trinity in the third round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs. Hicks injured his ankle in Martin’s loss to eventual state champion Southlake Carroll. Martin has terrific running instincts but the 5-10, 185-pounder also could be used as a defensive back. Hicks had been primarily recruited by TCU until his strong December showing in the state playoffs.

At Lake Highlands, the 6-5, 300-pounder has been on national recruiting radars since he was on the Wildcats’ varsity as a freshman. National champion Alabama coach Nick Saban made a stop at Lake Highlands two weeks ago to talk with Lake Highlands coach Scott Smith and show Perkins the Tide had interest.