Texas signings: Class heavy with defensive playmakers

Offense: The Longhorns landed a dual-threat quarterback who could push for immediate playing time in Kai Locksley (6-foot-3, 188 pounds), who flipped Monday from Florida State. That plugged a glaring hole created by the January defection of QB Zach Gentry, a longtime Texas commit who opted for Michigan. An OL in need of help has plenty of candidates. Four will take part in spring drills (Brandon Hodges, Tristan Nickelson, Garrett Thomas, Connor Williams). Patrick Vahe, a Euless Trinity product, arrives in the fall. Texas’ out-of-state signees also include WR John Burt (Florida), RB Kirk Johnson (California), WR Gilbert Johnson (Georgia) and TE Devonaire Clarington (Florida).

Defense: This class is heavy with defensive playmakers and led by LB Malik Jefferson, a five-star signee (per Rivals.com) from Mesquite Poteet who enrolled in January. Texas also landed a notable LB from Florida (Cecil Cherry), two heralded CBs from Texas (Kris Boyd, Holton Hill) and a potential impact pass rusher in DE Quincy Vasser, a JC transfer who will participate in spring drills. Although shy on DTs, a position of need, Jefferson’s fellow LBs include Brecklyn Hager, son of UT’s career leader in tackles (Britt Hager), and Anthony Wheeler, a speedy playmaker from Dallas Skyline.

Immediate impact: Jefferson. The five-star signee will go through spring drills at a position of need. He received the high school Butkus Award and earned first-team All-USA honors from USA Today last season. His eye-catching career stats in high school included 283 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 30 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 16 blocked kicks.

This story was originally published February 4, 2015 at 11:22 AM with the headline "Texas signings: Class heavy with defensive playmakers."