Texas Longhorns: Kent Perkins
Each week Sean Adams looks at a few topics around the Texas Longhorns and college football.
First down: Getting recruits on campus is only part of the deal
While I absolutely believe in recruiting rankings and believe they paint an accurate picture, we have seen schools such as Boise State, TCU, Utah and Hawaii over the last 10 years have a ton of success without rating high in the mainstream recruiting rankings.
First down: Getting recruits on campus is only part of the deal
While I absolutely believe in recruiting rankings and believe they paint an accurate picture, we have seen schools such as Boise State, TCU, Utah and Hawaii over the last 10 years have a ton of success without rating high in the mainstream recruiting rankings.
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When Texas brought in Stacy Searels after the 2010 season to overhaul its offensive line, it did so with an ideal in mind.
Searels had been coaching SEC offensive lines -- first at LSU, then Georgia -- since 2003. The assumption, fair or not, was that he’d whip the Longhorns line into shape and up to the standards of college football’s most dominant conference.
Principles are important. Personnel matters more.
Searels had been coaching SEC offensive lines -- first at LSU, then Georgia -- since 2003. The assumption, fair or not, was that he’d whip the Longhorns line into shape and up to the standards of college football’s most dominant conference.
Principles are important. Personnel matters more.
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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.
To gear up for 2013 national signing day, HornsNation’s William Wilkerson is breaking down every commitment in the Longhorns' 2013 recruiting class.
Vitals: Offensive lineman Kent Perkins, Lake Highlands, Texas/Lake Highlands | 6-foot-5, 300 pounds
Vitals: Offensive lineman Kent Perkins, Lake Highlands, Texas/Lake Highlands | 6-foot-5, 300 pounds
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Roundtable: Offensive line class' legacy 
January, 25, 2013
Jan 25
11:00
AM CT
By
Max Olson | ESPN.com
Every Friday, HornsNation recruiting writers William Wilkerson and Max Olson answer a question about the Longhorns.
This week’s question: In four years, Texas fans will look back on the Horns' 2013 offensive line class as _______.
This week’s question: In four years, Texas fans will look back on the Horns' 2013 offensive line class as _______.
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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.
Harrison adds to questions on O-line
January, 21, 2013
Jan 21
2:31
PM CT
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
Go ahead and pencil Texas’ newest commitment Desmond Harrison (Contra Costa College) in at left tackle.
Then what?
Then what?
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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.
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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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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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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The Heard: UT recruiting news and notes
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
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.
In this week’s addition of 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.
In this week’s addition of The Heard:
- New safety offer talks Texas
- Benenoch mulls offers
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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.