Texas Longhorns: Jake Oliver
AUSTIN, Texas -- Each week, I look at a few topics around the Texas Longhorns and college football.
First down: Few O-linemen in 2014 class
First down: Few O-linemen in 2014 class
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Frosh DB Davis could make instant impact 
May, 22, 2013
May 22
7:00
AM CT
By
Carter Strickland | ESPN.com
AUSTIN, Texas -- Time and again over the past two years, Texas coach Mack Brown has been true to his word: The best players, no matter the age or experience level, will play.
That has led to 34 true freshmen -- the most in FBS -- hitting the field in the past two seasons. Texas’ hand was forced in some respects. It had to bridge a talent gap created by recruiting misses, particularly those in the 2009 class. Now, the result is that the gap has been somewhat plugged. Or, at the very least, there is a prevailing thought that field is full -- 19 starters return -- leaving little room for any of the true freshmen in the 2013 class to make a significant impact.
That has led to 34 true freshmen -- the most in FBS -- hitting the field in the past two seasons. Texas’ hand was forced in some respects. It had to bridge a talent gap created by recruiting misses, particularly those in the 2009 class. Now, the result is that the gap has been somewhat plugged. Or, at the very least, there is a prevailing thought that field is full -- 19 starters return -- leaving little room for any of the true freshmen in the 2013 class to make a significant impact.
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Texas' small class is officially complete
February, 6, 2013
Feb 6
10:40
AM CT
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Texas lost five previously committed players in its 2013 recruiting class, something that never used to be a problem for the Longhorns. But they'll finish with the Big 12's top class in 2013, featuring eight ESPN 300 signees.
Each of the following players have officially sent in their letters of intent, and here's who's heading to the 40 Acres.
It's a really small class for Texas with just 15 signees after signing 28 players a year ago and 22 and 25 the previous two seasons. But the Longhorns are sitting at No. 14 in our ESPN class rankings, down a spot from where they began the day.
Each of the following players have officially sent in their letters of intent, and here's who's heading to the 40 Acres.
- No. 17: Darius James, C, Kileen, Texas
- No. 76: Kent Perkins, OT, Dallas
- No. 113: Jake Raulerson, OT, Celina, Texas (early signing, enrolled)
- No. 119: Jacorey Warrick, WR, Houston
- No. 148: Antwuan Davis, CB, Bastrop, Texas
- No. 151: Deoundrei Davis, LB, Cypress, Texas (early signing, enrolled)
- No. 215: Jake Oliver, WR, Dallas
- No. 252: Chevoski Collins, ATH, Livingston, Texas
It's a really small class for Texas with just 15 signees after signing 28 players a year ago and 22 and 25 the previous two seasons. But the Longhorns are sitting at No. 14 in our ESPN class rankings, down a spot from where they began the day.
Montrel Meander flips to Texas after visit
February, 4, 2013
Feb 4
6:26
PM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Only three days after Texas coaches first contacted a Washington State commit, he has flipped his verbal pledge and will sign with the Longhorns.
Three-star Amarillo (Texas) Palo Duro receiver Montrel Meander confirmed to HornsNation in a text message that he's committed to Texas.
Meander originally committed to playing safety at Washington State on Jan. 20, but Texas receivers coach Darrell Wyatt stunned him by showing up at Palo Duro on Friday to inqure about his interest in visiting Texas.
After initially saying he was sticking with Washington State, Meander flew to Austin on Saturday for an official visit. Now he's the 15th member of Texas' 2013 recruiting class and its third receiver pledge, joining Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit) and Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls).
As a senior at Palo Duro, Meander played safety and running back. He rushed for 572 yards and eight touchdowns this fall. Prior to committing to Washington State, Meander took official visits to San Diego State, UTSA and Colorado State.
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Meander originally committed to playing safety at Washington State on Jan. 20, but Texas receivers coach Darrell Wyatt stunned him by showing up at Palo Duro on Friday to inqure about his interest in visiting Texas.
After initially saying he was sticking with Washington State, Meander flew to Austin on Saturday for an official visit. Now he's the 15th member of Texas' 2013 recruiting class and its third receiver pledge, joining Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit) and Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls).
As a senior at Palo Duro, Meander played safety and running back. He rushed for 572 yards and eight touchdowns this fall. Prior to committing to Washington State, Meander took official visits to San Diego State, UTSA and Colorado State.
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, HornsNation’s William Wilkerson is breaking down every commitment in the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Wide receiver Jake Oliver, Dallas/Jesuit | 6-foot-4, 203 pounds
Committed: Feb. 15, 2012
Vitals: Wide receiver Jake Oliver, Dallas/Jesuit | 6-foot-4, 203 pounds
Committed: Feb. 15, 2012
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Team needs: Texas hit the recruiting trail this year seeking improved depth on the offensive line and at linebacker. Its line got almost no production from backups in 2012, and an inexperienced linebacker group started six players last season and endured struggles throughout. With only nine seniors in 2012, the Longhorns don’t have many other holes that need to be filled by this class of recruits. The most irreplaceable cogs are safety Kenny Vaccaro and defensive end Alex Okafor. Both are potential first-round NFL draft picks whose production will be tough to match.
Help is on the way: The offensive line questions have been answered. Texas is set to sign one of the nation’s best classes up front with five commits, including No. 1 center Darius James (Killeen, Texas/Harker Heights) and No. 4 tackle Kent Perkins (Dallas/Lake Highlands). Contra Costa (Calif.) College tackle Desmond Harrison joined the class this week. Texas also landed ESPN 300 outside linebacker Deoundrei Davis (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Woods), who enrolled early and should contribute as a freshman.
Other key commits: Two more early enrollees, ESPN 150 lineman Jake Raulerson (Celina, Texas/Celina) and Butte (Calif.) College tight end Geoff Swaim, should play right away. Texas also has pledges from ESPN 150 defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington Heights), receiver Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls) and cornerback Antwuan Davis (Bastrop, Texas/Bastrop). The Longhorns will pair Warrick with Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit), who broke the Texas state record for career receptions.
Other key targets: Holding on to Robinson is crucial. He has taken official visits to USC and Alabama and could make a late-second flip on signing day. With a pledge from Harrison, the biggest remaining priorities are finding another running back and wide receiver. ESPN 150 receiver Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica) and Ole Miss running back commit Peyton Barber (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) could visit in January.
Help is on the way: The offensive line questions have been answered. Texas is set to sign one of the nation’s best classes up front with five commits, including No. 1 center Darius James (Killeen, Texas/Harker Heights) and No. 4 tackle Kent Perkins (Dallas/Lake Highlands). Contra Costa (Calif.) College tackle Desmond Harrison joined the class this week. Texas also landed ESPN 300 outside linebacker Deoundrei Davis (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Woods), who enrolled early and should contribute as a freshman.
Other key commits: Two more early enrollees, ESPN 150 lineman Jake Raulerson (Celina, Texas/Celina) and Butte (Calif.) College tight end Geoff Swaim, should play right away. Texas also has pledges from ESPN 150 defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (Fort Worth, Texas/Arlington Heights), receiver Jacorey Warrick (Houston/Cypress Falls) and cornerback Antwuan Davis (Bastrop, Texas/Bastrop). The Longhorns will pair Warrick with Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit), who broke the Texas state record for career receptions.
Other key targets: Holding on to Robinson is crucial. He has taken official visits to USC and Alabama and could make a late-second flip on signing day. With a pledge from Harrison, the biggest remaining priorities are finding another running back and wide receiver. ESPN 150 receiver Sebastian LaRue (Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica) and Ole Miss running back commit Peyton Barber (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton) could visit in January.
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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OT Perkins proves himself at Army Bowl
January, 8, 2013
Jan 8
8:00
AM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO - - Longhorns offensive tackle commitment Kent Perkins (Lake Highlands, Texas/Lake Highlands) is usually the big man on campus, figuratively and literally.
During his week in San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, however, Perkins found looking eye-level with several other high-profile recruits. That took some getting used to.
“The first day of practice I had to get used to the size of everybody,” said Perkins, who stands 6-foot-5 and has slimmed down to 295 pounds.
During his week in San Antonio for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, however, Perkins found looking eye-level with several other high-profile recruits. That took some getting used to.
“The first day of practice I had to get used to the size of everybody,” said Perkins, who stands 6-foot-5 and has slimmed down to 295 pounds.
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Texas was as well represented as ever in the nation’s biggest postseason all-star games this weekend. Of the Longhorns’ 13 verbal commits, nine were selected to suit up for one last game before beginning their college careers.
Seven went to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, though linebacker Deoundrei Davis didn’t play due to his torn ACL. Top-ranked commit Darius James shined at the Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., and his high school teammate Naashon Hughes went to the Semper Fidelis All-America Game in Los Angeles.
Here’s a rundown of how the future Longhorns looked in their respective games:
Seven went to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, though linebacker Deoundrei Davis didn’t play due to his torn ACL. Top-ranked commit Darius James shined at the Under Armour All-America Game in St. Petersburg, Fla., and his high school teammate Naashon Hughes went to the Semper Fidelis All-America Game in Los Angeles.
Here’s a rundown of how the future Longhorns looked in their respective games:
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The Heard: UT recruiting news and notes
January, 3, 2013
Jan 3
10:00
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’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:
- Update on Texas' four early enrollees
- Commits impressing at all-star games
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The Texas high school football season officially came to an end on Saturday. That day proved to be a big one for 2014 quarterback commit Jerrod Heard, but he’s not the only future Longhorn who thrived in 2012.
Receiver commit Jake Oliver delivered another historic season. He finished No. 1 among Class 5A receivers in the DFW area in both receptions and receiving yards, and in doing so set the new state record for career receptions with 308. That’s good for second-best in the national record books, too.
While the season stats of Tyrone Swoopes will earn some scrutiny, there’s no questioning what Heard did in his junior year. The Denton Guyer standout finished with 4,228 total yards of offense and a combined 52 touchdowns (35 rushing).
Receiver commit Jake Oliver delivered another historic season. He finished No. 1 among Class 5A receivers in the DFW area in both receptions and receiving yards, and in doing so set the new state record for career receptions with 308. That’s good for second-best in the national record books, too.
While the season stats of Tyrone Swoopes will earn some scrutiny, there’s no questioning what Heard did in his junior year. The Denton Guyer standout finished with 4,228 total yards of offense and a combined 52 touchdowns (35 rushing).
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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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WR James Clark eyeing Texas official visit
December, 11, 2012
12/11/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
While former commit Ricky Seals-Jones ended his recruitment Monday with a commitment to Texas A&M, Texas is still searching for another receiver to take his place in its 2013 class.
He’s no Seals-Jones clone, but four-star New Smyrna Beach, Fla., speedster James Clark has emerged as one potential replacement.
Clark received a visit from Longhorns receivers coach Darrell Wyatt last week and hopes to take an official visit to Austin in the near future.
He’s no Seals-Jones clone, but four-star New Smyrna Beach, Fla., speedster James Clark has emerged as one potential replacement.
Clark received a visit from Longhorns receivers coach Darrell Wyatt last week and hopes to take an official visit to Austin in the near future.
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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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Father's A&M ties won't sway Jake Oliver
December, 6, 2012
12/06/12
8:00
AM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
ESPN 300 wide receiver Jake Oliver (Dallas/Jesuit) lives in a house divided by school loyalty but tightly woven by love and a family-first attitude.
He has been steadfastly committed to Texas since Feb. 15, choosing the Longhorns over a host of offers, which includes Texas A&M, his parents’ alma mater.
Not only did his parents meet in College Station but his father, Gary Oliver, went from walk-on to three-year starter for the Aggies, helping them win two Southwest Conference championships. He was then a graduate assistant with A&M for two seasons before embarking on a coaching career that included stops at SMU and Sam Houston State and the Texas high school ranks.
He has been steadfastly committed to Texas since Feb. 15, choosing the Longhorns over a host of offers, which includes Texas A&M, his parents’ alma mater.
Not only did his parents meet in College Station but his father, Gary Oliver, went from walk-on to three-year starter for the Aggies, helping them win two Southwest Conference championships. He was then a graduate assistant with A&M for two seasons before embarking on a coaching career that included stops at SMU and Sam Houston State and the Texas high school ranks.
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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.