The Texas Longhorns went on a recruiting run that spurred a palpable change in the program at this time last year.

Texas' 2015 class finished in the Top 10 nationally and that group lived up to that billing right away. The Longhorns did finish at 5-7 overall, but the freshman class played a ton, including six freshman earning Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors. In addition, Malik Jefferson, Patrick Vahe and Connor Williams were each named Freshman All-Americans.

Struggles may have persisted on the field, but the freshman class brought hope. More importantly for the Longhorns, they provided something for head coach Charlie Strong to build on.

On such foundation piece is running back Chris Warren. The freshman exploded for 382 yards over Texas' final two games in 2014 when thrust into the starting role. Now, Warren wants recruits in the 2016 class to know things are about to change on the Forty Acres for the better.



It's quite the pitch.

Right now, seven of the state's Top 20 players, per the 247Sports Composite, are committed to an out-of-state school, and more among that group could also choose to leave when they make their pledge. Texas, for it's part, was at its best last decade when the foundation of the roster was built on players from the Lone Star State. The Longhorns' 2005 title team is all the proof anyone needs of that.

If Warren's plea works and Texas' manages another foundation class this recruiting cycle, Warren might just turn out to be right.