Texas Longhorns: Andrew Billings
Texas class poised to end with whimper 
February, 5, 2013
Feb 5
3:14
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- When the Longhorns began to recruit ESPN 300 lineman Andrew Billings (Waco, Texas/Waco) as a defensive lineman, his preferred position, rather than at offensive lineman, where they originally sought him, they seemed to have put themselves in position to garner his commitment, which he announced today.
“Oh, they probably went to third in the bunch to ... they went up from third, I’ll tell you that much,” Waco High coach Marty Herbst said a few weeks ago.
“Oh, they probably went to third in the bunch to ... they went up from third, I’ll tell you that much,” Waco High coach Marty Herbst said a few weeks ago.
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A’Shawn Robinson will not be a Longhorn. The crater that loss leaves in Texas’ already small 2013 recruiting class is an unmistakeable one.
The ESPN 150 defensive tackle’s decision to back out of his pledge during an in-home visit on Saturday ensures this Texas class will be noted not for who is in it, but for who isn’t.
The ESPN 150 defensive tackle’s decision to back out of his pledge during an in-home visit on Saturday ensures this Texas class will be noted not for who is in it, but for who isn’t.
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Texas kicked off on Monday what could be a fruitful final few weeks of 2013 recruiting by picking up its first verbal commit since October.
The Longhorns have landed pledge No. 14 from Contra Costa (Calif.) College offensive lineman Desmond Harrison.
The three-star prospect chose Texas over Arizona State, USC, Oklahoma and offers from more than 20 schools.
“This feels real good,” Harrison said. “I feel like I just made the best decision. It was a tight decision. It really boiled down to Arizona State and Texas, and they really made it difficult. It just felt like Texas was the best for me.”
Harrison had been leaning toward choosing Texas for a while, but the final decision was tougher than he’d expected.
“It was a last-minute decision,” he said. “Everything came down to the end. I was still thinking about it today."
A 6-foot-8, 310-pound lineman who is being recruited to play left tackle, Harrison took an official visit to Texas on Dec. 7 and is the program’s second junior college pledge, joining Butte (Calif.) College tight end signee Geoff Swaim.
The Longhorns have landed pledge No. 14 from Contra Costa (Calif.) College offensive lineman Desmond Harrison.
- Desmond Harrison
- Offensive tackle (JC)
- 2013
- Committed: Texas
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| | 77 | San Pablo, CA |
“This feels real good,” Harrison said. “I feel like I just made the best decision. It was a tight decision. It really boiled down to Arizona State and Texas, and they really made it difficult. It just felt like Texas was the best for me.”
Harrison had been leaning toward choosing Texas for a while, but the final decision was tougher than he’d expected.
“It was a last-minute decision,” he said. “Everything came down to the end. I was still thinking about it today."
A 6-foot-8, 310-pound lineman who is being recruited to play left tackle, Harrison took an official visit to Texas on Dec. 7 and is the program’s second junior college pledge, joining Butte (Calif.) College tight end signee Geoff Swaim.
Is Texas leader for ESPN 300 prospect?
January, 17, 2013
Jan 17
4:04
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
When Texas switched up its recruitment of one ESPN 300 prospect, everything changed in the way he looked at the Longhorns.
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Roundtable: Top remaining target for 2013
January, 11, 2013
Jan 11
8:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Every Friday, HornsNation recruiting writers William Wilkerson and Max Olson will answer a question about the Longhorns.
This week's question: Of the uncommitted recruits Texas is still targeting for its 2013 class, which one is the biggest must-get?
This week's question: Of the uncommitted recruits Texas is still targeting for its 2013 class, which one is the biggest must-get?
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The Heard: UT recruiting news and notes
January, 10, 2013
Jan 10
10:00
AM CT
By
William Wilkerson and
Max Olson | 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’ll release this every Thursday.
Talk about it in our forum and, if there’s a recruit out there you’d like to hear more from, let us know.
A few of the notes in today's The Heard:
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.
A few of the notes in today's The Heard:
- Robinson ready to end process
- In-home visit key for Harrison
- Oliver values time at Army Bowl
- The latest on Campbell
- Would Hammad commit?
- Perkins focused on one sport
- 2014 DB gets junior day invite
- Davis wouldn’t mind moving around
- TCU commit will visit Texas
- 2014 DB unsure of UT
Read The Heard after the jump.
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Valero Alamo Bowl
No. 13 Oregon State (9-3, 6-3) vs. No. 23 Texas (8-4, 5-4)
Where: San Antonio
When: Saturday, Dec. 29, 6:45 ET
TV: ESPN
No. 13 Oregon State (9-3, 6-3) vs. No. 23 Texas (8-4, 5-4)
Where: San Antonio
When: Saturday, Dec. 29, 6:45 ET
TV: ESPN
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ESPN 300 G Billings talks officials, top 3
December, 26, 2012
12/26/12
6:12
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
HOUSTON -- ESPN 300 offensive guard Andrew Billings is happy to be playing football again.
The 6-foot-2, 308-pound four-star prospect, who played both offensive and defensive line for Waco (Texas) High School, helped the Lions make it to the Class 4A state quarterfinals before they were knocked out by Wolfforth (Texas) Frenship on Dec. 1.
Now Billings is getting ready for a week of practice and competition at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which will be held Sunday at Reliant Stadium. He's also thinking about his college future, which is still to be determined as he chooses from a top three that includes Baylor, Texas and TCU.
The 6-foot-2, 308-pound four-star prospect, who played both offensive and defensive line for Waco (Texas) High School, helped the Lions make it to the Class 4A state quarterfinals before they were knocked out by Wolfforth (Texas) Frenship on Dec. 1.
Now Billings is getting ready for a week of practice and competition at the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which will be held Sunday at Reliant Stadium. He's also thinking about his college future, which is still to be determined as he chooses from a top three that includes Baylor, Texas and TCU.
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Will 2013 Texas class make early impact?
December, 22, 2012
12/22/12
10:30
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Nobody has played more true freshmen than Texas over the past two years.
Eighteen hit the field in 2011. Another 16 in 2012.
In 2013, few teams will play less newcomers than the Longhorns. The simple fact is Texas, despite the record, is loaded with returning talent at every position. And those few freshmen who did not play at the start of their careers are starting to appear more and more ready to step up now.
Eighteen hit the field in 2011. Another 16 in 2012.
In 2013, few teams will play less newcomers than the Longhorns. The simple fact is Texas, despite the record, is loaded with returning talent at every position. And those few freshmen who did not play at the start of their careers are starting to appear more and more ready to step up now.
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Texas still hunting for help from jucos
December, 18, 2012
12/18/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
With nearly seven weeks left before signing day, Texas’ recruiting board is beginning to thin out a bit.
All but a few of the high school prospects who hold offers from Texas have made commitments. Beyond Waco, Texas, lineman Andrew Billings, there aren’t many big fish left for Texas to catch.
More seniors are being evaluated and will emerge, but that has also prompted Texas to up its efforts on the junior college recruiting trail. So had a need for immediate help at a few critical positions.
All but a few of the high school prospects who hold offers from Texas have made commitments. Beyond Waco, Texas, lineman Andrew Billings, there aren’t many big fish left for Texas to catch.
More seniors are being evaluated and will emerge, but that has also prompted Texas to up its efforts on the junior college recruiting trail. So had a need for immediate help at a few critical positions.
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Recruiting back in focus for OL Billings
December, 9, 2012
12/09/12
6:29
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
The Texas Longhorns only improved their standing with ESPN 300 offensive lineman Andrew Billings (Waco, Texas/Waco) during his official visit to Texas this weekend.
“He enjoyed the visit. He enjoyed it,” said Anthony Billings, Andrew’s father. “He got a chance to go to the banquet, watch practice.”
Asked if this weekend improved Texas’ chances with his son, Andrew Billings responded, “Well if I told you that, then I would be in trouble. I can’t see how that could have hurt it. If he didn’t want to go down there, he wouldn’t have gone. It’s real simple. It’s 100 miles.”
“He enjoyed the visit. He enjoyed it,” said Anthony Billings, Andrew’s father. “He got a chance to go to the banquet, watch practice.”
Asked if this weekend improved Texas’ chances with his son, Andrew Billings responded, “Well if I told you that, then I would be in trouble. I can’t see how that could have hurt it. If he didn’t want to go down there, he wouldn’t have gone. It’s real simple. It’s 100 miles.”
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Roundtable: Most important visitor?
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
10:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Every Friday, HornsNation recruiting writers William Wilkerson and Max Olson will answer a question about the Longhorns.
This week's question: Which banquet visitor this weekend is the most important and why?
William Wilkerson: The answer to this question, for me at least, isn’t really cut and dry. I think you could pick any number of recruits here.
This week's question: Which banquet visitor this weekend is the most important and why?
William Wilkerson: The answer to this question, for me at least, isn’t really cut and dry. I think you could pick any number of recruits here.
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Andrew Billings set for Texas visit
December, 7, 2012
12/07/12
7:20
AM CT
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
The father of ESPN 300 lineman Andrew Billings (Waco, Texas/Waco) said a trip to Austin, Texas, will be on deck this weekend.
Anthony Billings said his son will visit Texas and take in the Longhorns’ end-of-season banquet weekend. Texas is one of three schools Billings has on his list. Baylor and TCU are the other schools atop the list, and Mississippi State and SMU are on the outside looking in for the 6-foot-2, 308-pound offensive guard/defensive tackle.
“The schools have not changed,” Anthony Billings said, referring to reports that new schools have entered the mix for his son’s services.
Anthony Billings said his son will visit Texas and take in the Longhorns’ end-of-season banquet weekend. Texas is one of three schools Billings has on his list. Baylor and TCU are the other schools atop the list, and Mississippi State and SMU are on the outside looking in for the 6-foot-2, 308-pound offensive guard/defensive tackle.
“The schools have not changed,” Anthony Billings said, referring to reports that new schools have entered the mix for his son’s services.
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The Heard: UT recruiting news and notes
December, 6, 2012
12/06/12
2:00
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson and
Max Olson | 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’ll release this every Thursday.
Talk about it in our forum and, if there’s a recruit out there you’d like to hear more from, let us know.
A few of the notes in today's The Heard:
Talk about it in our forum and, if there’s a recruit out there you’d like to hear more from, let us know.
A few of the notes in today's The Heard:
- Texas team banquet visitors list
- UT leaders for McEvoy?
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Top HS playoff games with Longhorns ties
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
12:00
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
The third round of the Texas state high school playoffs will kickoff this weekend and several Texas commitments and targets are still playing.
Here are five games worth keeping an eye that have to do with those players:
• DeSoto (12-0) vs. Arlington Bowie (11-1) | 2 p.m. Saturday at Pennington Field
Here are five games worth keeping an eye that have to do with those players:
• DeSoto (12-0) vs. Arlington Bowie (11-1) | 2 p.m. Saturday at Pennington Field
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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.