UT signing class takes another hit with receiver jumping to Frogs

AUSTIN — In 2019, recruiting news can happen anywhere, anytime.

Professionally produced commitment videos have become the norm for many top recruits and others who just want to add some flair to the biggest decision of their young lives. Social media is, of course, also a popular platform for sharing bad news.

In the case of Texas, one former verbal commit dropped a bomb via Snapchat. Late Monday night Temple receiver Quentin Johnston announced he would be signing with TCU over Texas today when the early signing period begins.

Losing the four-star receiver was a blow and continued a disturbing trend, as Johnston became the seventh player to decommit from UT’s 2020 class and the third since coach Tom Herman fired defensive coordinator Todd Orlando and reassigned offensive coordinator Tim Beck.

The uncertainty surrounding Texas (7-5, 5-4 Big 12) after a tumultuous and disappointing season has dropped its class to No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 10 in the nation. Still, Herman is poised to bring in a third straight top-10 class, and the hiring of Chris Ash to replace Orlando should help lend an air of stability to the program.

“Successful staffs in recruiting are now structured to protect themselves (from staff turnover),” ESPN national recruiting director Tom Luginbill said Monday. “Most importantly for Texas, this is about player development and maximizing what you’re getting

out of these players. This is the second class in a row for Texas that has been very strong — 13 of the 17 verbal commitments that are expected to sign on Wednesday are in the ESPN 300, including two quarterbacks, which is very, very important.

“I don’t think you’ll see a significant issue with the coordinators being up in the air right now, because I think the other remaining coaches on the staff will be able to hold that together with other established relationships that have already been set.”

The 2020 class will be headlined by five-star tailback Bijan Robinson (Salpointe Catholic, Ariz.), an All-American and the only two-time winner of Arizona’s Ed Doherty (top high school player) award. The additions of Austin

Lake Travis quarterback Hudson Card and Duncanville quarterback/athlete Ja’Quinden Jackson also give Texas two talented players to develop behind junior Sam Ehlinger and redshirt freshman Casey Thompson.

Other notable players expected to fax in their national letter of intent this morning include defensive tackle Vernon Broughton (Houston Cypress Ridge), safety Xavion Alford (Alvin Shadow Creek) and cornerback Kitan Crawford ( John Tyler).

Texas also added on a late commitment in Longview defensive tackle Sawyer Goram-Welch. The three-star recruit announced his decision on Twitter, naturally.

Demond Demas

Fadil Diggs

Donell Harris,

Deondre Jackson

Jordan Jefferson

Antonio Johnson

Jaylon Jones

Haynes King

Chris Morris

Joshuah Moten

Muhsin Muhammad III

Akinola Ogunbiyi

Kenneth Phillips III

Devin Price

Isaiah Raikes

Blake Smith

Dallas Walker

WR

LB

6-0/185

5-11/205