AUSTIN -- "Speed" and "quickness" were Mack Brown's favorite words Wednesday when he evaluated the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class.
Even when the subject was Texas' new offensive linemen.In fact, the five offensive linemen the Longhorns signed have so much speed, quickness and size -- their average weight is about 302 pounds on an average frame of 6 feet, 5 1/2 inches -- that Brown offered a superlative he usually shies away from when it comes to projecting new signees."I think this is the best group of offensive linemen, from top to bottom, that we've ever signed," Texas' 16th-year head coach said.That covers a lot of territory.Through the years, the Longhorns have recruited several "Class of Beef" O-line contingents, beginning with the original in 1991 whose six members weighed an average of 257 pounds. But the current quintet of Desmond Harrison, Darius James, Kent Perkins, Rami Hammad and Jake Raulerson might develop into the classiest class yet.Brown called the unit the "highlight" of Texas' 15-member class that ranks as the 16th best nationally by 247Sports. After accumulating the No. 3-ranked classes in both 2012 and 2011, it's a precipitous drop due in part to the Longhorns failing to sign any defensive linemen or running backs because of defections.But Brown defended the class and said the Longhorns signed players who fill specific needs, especially in the offensive line, an area of concern for several years.Depth had deteriorated to the point that when offensive line coach Stacy Searels was hired as part of the housecleaning after 2010's 5-7 season, he had only eight healthy linemen for his first spring drills.But Searels has put together back-to-back strong recruiting classes. In 2012, he secured junior college tackle Donald Hawkins as well as blue-chip high school prospects Kennedy Estelle, Curtis Riser and Camrhon Hughes.Add this 2013 class, and now the Longhorns' line has the potential to be strong in quality and quantity.In fact, the newcomers are so highly touted -- 247Sports rates Harrison as the nation's top-ranked junior college offensive tackle, James as the No. 1-ranked high school guard and Perkins as the No. 5 high school offensive tackle -- that Texas' five returning starters in the interior line could be challenged for playing time.Many of the video highlights Brown showed Wednesday included plays where the linemen pulled and demonstrated surprising agility and quickness for their size in getting outside and mowing down would-be tacklers.In this offensive line class, they all have that potential to be great. And the members of the class find it exciting."We talk all the time, really, and try to motivate each other and push each other," Perkins told Hookem.com after signing. "I believe we have the best offensive line class in the nation coming in, and we're all expecting big things. We all are going to push each other to get Texas back to where they were. We're all very excited about what the future holds for us."Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
