Signing Day Preview: Texas Longhorns Football

SI All-American looks at top storylines with Tom Herman and Texas ahead of the Early Signing Period.

Texas is a college football program that always seems to move the needle, so why should we expect any different come the Early Signing Period?

The thing is, moving the needle is possible in multiple directions. It means the Longhorns aren't exactly poised for a major splash when it comes to the new National Signing Day despite a respectable class ranking heading into the event. Plenty of factors roll into this expectation, from the uneven 2019 football season results on the field, Herman's overhaul of the coordinators on staff to the consistent elephant in the room -- Oklahoma. 

Maybe the Big 12 is closer to parity than other leagues. 

Maybe Texas doesn't have the juice it once did on the recruiting trail. 

While the chase for the top recruiting class will again be discussed without the Horns in the mix, there is plenty of light at the end of the tunnel. As Longhorn Maven's Chris Dukes points out with SI All-American, there is a positive development with arguably the most important recruit in UT's class in Bijan Robinson. USC, among others, have made a run at changing his mind despite a longstanding pledge to Herman and company and it looks like it won't be enough. 

Holding onto verbal commitments like Robinson, who averaged more than 17 yards per carry as a senior running back, is of course important. Pairing him with potential cornerstones like quarterback Hudson Card to create the backfield of the future is more like the Texas we're used to. 

The next step, however, is depth. In the case of the 2020 UT class, it means the race is a marathon and not a sprint. Herman's staff and how it evaluates will be put to the test come the traditional Signing Day in February.