Colleague Travis Haney ranked his list of the nation's top 10 "most talented" teams 
, and a certain burnt orange team you might have heard showed up at No. 2 on his list.
It's an interesting approach to ranking teams, and Haney looked at NFL draft lists, colleague Mark Schlabach's top 25 and the past four years of recruiting rankings to put together his list.
A lot of the ranking is thanks to those recruiting rankings, where Texas' class averaged a ranking of 6.5 among players currently suiting up for the Longhorns.
I agree that Texas is the Big 12's most talented team by a long way, but what does that really mean, besides more pressure on Mack Brown? The Longhorns beat a rebuilding Oklahoma State team in September that was a shell of the team it became late in the season, and did so narrowly with J.W. Walsh making his first career start for the Pokes. You've got to take all that into consideration, and when you look back at the last two years, Texas' best win was either its Alamo Bowl comeback against Oregon State or a road win against Texas Tech, who ended the season tied for fifth in the league.
A pair of embarrassing blowout losses to Oklahoma are the biggest reason for skepticism surrounding the Longhorns, who plenty of folks will pick to win the Big 12 in 2013. They've certainly got talent. Look no further than super recruits like DE Jackson Jeffcoat, DT Malcom Brown, and running backs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray for evidence of that, not to mention defenders like CB Quandre Diggs and linebackers Peter Jinkens and Jordan Hicks.
The Longhorns have talent all over the field, and that has been the case the past three seasons, which have featured just 22 wins. Now, though, that talent has experience and Texas is preparing for it to pay off.
On paper, it should. Texas has every reason to be one of, if not the, Big 12 favorite. Still, the Longhorns have got to prove it on the field, and it takes a lot of big wins to make that happen. Texas has been short on those wins of late.
, and a certain burnt orange team you might have heard showed up at No. 2 on his list.
It's an interesting approach to ranking teams, and Haney looked at NFL draft lists, colleague Mark Schlabach's top 25 and the past four years of recruiting rankings to put together his list.
A lot of the ranking is thanks to those recruiting rankings, where Texas' class averaged a ranking of 6.5 among players currently suiting up for the Longhorns.
I agree that Texas is the Big 12's most talented team by a long way, but what does that really mean, besides more pressure on Mack Brown? The Longhorns beat a rebuilding Oklahoma State team in September that was a shell of the team it became late in the season, and did so narrowly with J.W. Walsh making his first career start for the Pokes. You've got to take all that into consideration, and when you look back at the last two years, Texas' best win was either its Alamo Bowl comeback against Oregon State or a road win against Texas Tech, who ended the season tied for fifth in the league.
A pair of embarrassing blowout losses to Oklahoma are the biggest reason for skepticism surrounding the Longhorns, who plenty of folks will pick to win the Big 12 in 2013. They've certainly got talent. Look no further than super recruits like DE Jackson Jeffcoat, DT Malcom Brown, and running backs Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray for evidence of that, not to mention defenders like CB Quandre Diggs and linebackers Peter Jinkens and Jordan Hicks.
The Longhorns have talent all over the field, and that has been the case the past three seasons, which have featured just 22 wins. Now, though, that talent has experience and Texas is preparing for it to pay off.
On paper, it should. Texas has every reason to be one of, if not the, Big 12 favorite. Still, the Longhorns have got to prove it on the field, and it takes a lot of big wins to make that happen. Texas has been short on those wins of late.
Burnt Orange Breakdown: John Harris 
May, 17, 2013
May 17
12:00
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
During the summer, HornsNation will analyze each of the scholarship players on the Texas roster -- excluding the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class -- in our Burnt Orange Breakdown series. Starting with No. 1 Mike Davis, we will go through the roster numerically, finishing with No. 99 Desmond Jackson.
No. 9 John Harris
Junior wide receiver
No. 9 John Harris
Junior wide receiver
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The Heard: UT recruiting news and notes
May, 17, 2013
May 17
9:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Welcome to The Heard, HornsNation’s weekly in-depth look inside the never-ending world of Longhorns recruiting with news, notes and interesting tidbits on the latest happenings around the program. We release this every Friday.
Talk about it in our forum and, if there’s a recruit out there you’d like to hear more from, let us know.
Read The Heard after the jump.
Talk about it in our forum and, if there’s a recruit out there you’d like to hear more from, let us know.
- Visit changes Springs’ top 3
- Texas still high on Brown’s list
- Does offer sway ESPN 150 athlete
- 2015 DB has Texas No. 1
- UT offer would land 2015 DE
- 2015 RB on the rise; yet to hear from UT
- 2014 WR emerging as UT target
- Dallas WR hearing from Texas
Read The Heard after the jump.
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Every Friday, HornsNation's Sean Adams will answer questions from readers. Send him a question on Twitter here.
@ChickDill on Twitter: Best new recruit and where will the majority of the improvement come from?
A: The best recruit in my eyes with the most impact will be junior college offensive lineman Desmond Harrison. He is at a need position that he could start immediately.
@ChickDill on Twitter: Best new recruit and where will the majority of the improvement come from?
A: The best recruit in my eyes with the most impact will be junior college offensive lineman Desmond Harrison. He is at a need position that he could start immediately.
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David Ubben says offensive balance and a magic fix on defense are Texas' biggest hope and concern.
AUSTIN, Texas -- Deionte Thompson (Orange, Texas/West Orange-Stark) doesn’t feel any pressure when it comes to recruiting right now. And why should he?
The 2015 safety has been committed to Alabama since February. He’s perfectly content with that pledge. Recruiters aren’t backing off, but that doesn’t bother Thompson.
The 2015 safety has been committed to Alabama since February. He’s perfectly content with that pledge. Recruiters aren’t backing off, but that doesn’t bother Thompson.
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Burnt Orange Breakdown: Anthony Fera
May, 16, 2013
May 16
12:00
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
During the summer, HornsNation will analyze each of the scholarship players on the Texas roster -- excluding the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class -- in our Burnt Orange Breakdown series. Starting with No. 1 Mike Davis, we will go through the roster numerically, finishing with No. 99 Desmond Jackson.
No. 9 Anthony Fera
Senior kicker/punter
No. 9 Anthony Fera
Senior kicker/punter
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2015 CB Sheffield bonds with Texas coach
May, 16, 2013
May 16
10:00
AM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Class of 2015 defensive back Kendall Sheffield (Fort Bend, Texas/Marshall) walked with a bit of a lean forward on Saturday, but with good cause. He’d just won three silver medals at the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin.
Sheffield placed second in the 4A 110-hurdles, 300-meters and 4x100-meter relay.
Sheffield placed second in the 4A 110-hurdles, 300-meters and 4x100-meter relay.
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Question of the Week: Scariest UT games
May, 16, 2013
May 16
8:00
AM CT
By HornsNation staff | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- There was a time when Texas would strike fear in future foes rather than have its fans be stricken with it when studying the schedule.
But times, personnel, records, well, let’s just wrap it up by saying a lot, has changed at Texas. These days, instead of having all those gimme games, worry and dread often accompany games way beyond the Red River Rivalry.
Of course, Texas coach Mack Brown has done his best to assuage those fears by continually pointing to 2013 as the year when Texas gets back to being Texas. Then again, an increasingly skeptical fan base probably needs more words to help cease its cuticle chomping. But there won’t be anything but words until Aug. 31. Words and, well, fear.
It is that fear HornsNation is ready to pounce upon with this week’s question of the week: Which team on Texas’ 2013 schedule should fans worry about most and why?
But times, personnel, records, well, let’s just wrap it up by saying a lot, has changed at Texas. These days, instead of having all those gimme games, worry and dread often accompany games way beyond the Red River Rivalry.
Of course, Texas coach Mack Brown has done his best to assuage those fears by continually pointing to 2013 as the year when Texas gets back to being Texas. Then again, an increasingly skeptical fan base probably needs more words to help cease its cuticle chomping. But there won’t be anything but words until Aug. 31. Words and, well, fear.
It is that fear HornsNation is ready to pounce upon with this week’s question of the week: Which team on Texas’ 2013 schedule should fans worry about most and why?
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DALLAS -- Four-star linebacker and Texas commit Cameron Hampton (Dallas/Carter) saw the Longhorns’ 2014 recruiting class take a hit with decommitments from the Fort Worth (Texas) All Saints duo of offensive tackle Demetrius Knox and running back Daniel Gresham.
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Q&A: 4-star prospect Martin deciding soon
May, 15, 2013
May 15
1:00
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Versatility is a trait widely admired by college programs, but one that doesn’t always come in the form of someone 6-foot-6 and 247 pounds.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
Koda Martin’s size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but couple it with his ability to play on either side of the ball and it’s easy to see why the four-star recruit from Manvel, Texas, has close to 20 offers.
Martin, who is rated as the No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 43 player in the state of Texas, was in Austin on Saturday to get a better feel for one of those schools that offered him.
We caught up with Martin at the Texas State track and field meet to see how everything went with the visit with Texas, and where he stands overall.
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Burnt Orange Breakdown: Aaron Benson
May, 15, 2013
May 15
12:00
PM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
During the summer, HornsNation will analyze each of the scholarship players on the Texas roster -- excluding the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class -- in our Burnt Orange Breakdown series. Starting with No. 1 Mike Davis, we will go through the roster numerically, finishing with No. 99 Desmond Jackson.
No. 8 Aaron Benson
Junior linebacker
No. 8 Aaron Benson
Junior linebacker
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WR Foreman stress-free, piling up offers
May, 15, 2013
May 15
10:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
TEXAS CITY, Texas -- These days, it's all smiles for ESPN 150 receiver Armanti Foreman.
Life is good for the Texas City (Texas) High School star. Offers are coming left and right. He's preparing for a banner senior season with his twin brother, 2014 running back D'Onta Foreman. He's enjoying the final weeks of his junior year of high school. On Tuesday, Armanti was sprinting past defensive backs and juking defenders out of their shorts, showing the playmaking ability that has so many colleges at his doorstep.
Life is good for the Texas City (Texas) High School star. Offers are coming left and right. He's preparing for a banner senior season with his twin brother, 2014 running back D'Onta Foreman. He's enjoying the final weeks of his junior year of high school. On Tuesday, Armanti was sprinting past defensive backs and juking defenders out of their shorts, showing the playmaking ability that has so many colleges at his doorstep.
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Every Wednesday, HornsNation will take a look at Texas' week in recruiting in Tales From The Road.
This week’s targets: The Longhorns had the luxury of having several prospects come to them over the weekend due to the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin. Some of the unofficial visitors included Baylor commitment Davion Hall (Texarkana, Texas/Liberty-Eylau), Alabama commitment Deionte Thompson (Orange, Texas/West Orange Stark), K.D. Cannon (Mount Pleasant, Texas/Mount Pleasant), Jay Bradford (Splendora, Texas/Splendora), Ishmael Zamora (Alief, Texas/Elsik), Koda Martin (Manvel, Texas/Manvel), Elton Dyer (Houston/South Houston), Arrion Springs (San Antonio/Roosevelt), Blake Blackmar (Houston/Clear Lake) and Kevin Shorter (Newton, Texas/Newton).
Area of interest: The Longhorns are using Stacy Searels’ connections as the Georgia Bulldogs' former offensive line coach to make some headway in the Peach State. In 2014 alone, Texas has offered Georgian’s Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, GA./Norcross), Andrew Williams (McDonough, GA/Eagles Landing Christian Academy) Elisha Shaw (Tucker, GA/Tucker), Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, GA/Liberty County) Orlando Brown Jr. (Duluth, GA/Peachtree Ridge), Nick Chubb (Cedartown, GA/Cedartown), Adam Choice (Thomasville, GA/Thomas County Central High) and Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, GA/Sandy Creek).
This week’s targets: The Longhorns had the luxury of having several prospects come to them over the weekend due to the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin. Some of the unofficial visitors included Baylor commitment Davion Hall (Texarkana, Texas/Liberty-Eylau), Alabama commitment Deionte Thompson (Orange, Texas/West Orange Stark), K.D. Cannon (Mount Pleasant, Texas/Mount Pleasant), Jay Bradford (Splendora, Texas/Splendora), Ishmael Zamora (Alief, Texas/Elsik), Koda Martin (Manvel, Texas/Manvel), Elton Dyer (Houston/South Houston), Arrion Springs (San Antonio/Roosevelt), Blake Blackmar (Houston/Clear Lake) and Kevin Shorter (Newton, Texas/Newton).
Area of interest: The Longhorns are using Stacy Searels’ connections as the Georgia Bulldogs' former offensive line coach to make some headway in the Peach State. In 2014 alone, Texas has offered Georgian’s Lorenzo Carter (Norcross, GA./Norcross), Andrew Williams (McDonough, GA/Eagles Landing Christian Academy) Elisha Shaw (Tucker, GA/Tucker), Raekwon McMillan (Hinesville, GA/Liberty County) Orlando Brown Jr. (Duluth, GA/Peachtree Ridge), Nick Chubb (Cedartown, GA/Cedartown), Adam Choice (Thomasville, GA/Thomas County Central High) and Demarre Kitt (Tyrone, GA/Sandy Creek).
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AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas might not be the sexiest football program in the state right now, but Longhorns coach Mack Brown is making up for that with smarts.
The Longhorns showed off their savvy once again this weekend by turning the state track meet into a sneaky-big recruiting weekend.
The Longhorns showed off their savvy once again this weekend by turning the state track meet into a sneaky-big recruiting weekend.
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ABOUT HORNSNATION
Sean Adams
Sean Adams has covered the Texas Longhorns and college football for the last 12 years as a writer and radio host. Sean co-hosts "The Big Show" with Erin Hogan each afternoon on ESPN Austin 104.9 The Horn. He lives with his family in Round Rock, Texas. Email him at thisean@gmail.com.
Max Olson
Max Olson joined ESPN in 2012 after covering the University of Nebraska for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald and high school and college sports for the World-Herald and Rivals.com. Olson is a University of Nebraska graduate and lives in Austin, Texas. Email him at maxolsonespn@gmail.com.
Carter Strickand
Carter Strickland joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the University of Oklahoma for The (Oklahoma City) Oklahoman and Washington State University for The (Spokane, Wash.) Spokesman-Review. Strickland lives with his wife and family in Austin. Email him at cstrickland70@gmail.com.
William Wilkerson
William Wilkerson joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering high school sports, college sports and the Texas Rangers over four years at the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram. William is a University of Texas graduate and lives in Austin. He can be reached at wilkerson.espn@gmail.com.