Question of the Week: As of right now, where do you think Texas' 2016 class will finish in the final rankings?

Bobby Burton, Publisher

It could be as high as Top 10 but more likely Top 15 at this point. For that trajectory to change, the Horns will have to sign some guys that I think they're currently not in line for as well as signing the big-name guys I think they lead for. Not an easy task but not impossible either. From the get-go, I think the OL and DL needed to be a major priority, and I think those are going to be addressed with quality players. Then you add some other pieces to the puzzle and you've got another class that will help put Texas back in the saddle when it comes to high-caliber talent.

Jeff Howe, Senior Writer

I can certainly see Texas having a Top 20 class by signing day. If you consider the Longhorns jumped into the Top 40 based on the commitment of Jean Delance alone, things should only continue to get better for the Longhorns if things fall correctly. It might not be ranked as highly as some of the other classes we've seen Texas compile as a program throughout the years. But don't underestimate the value of Charlie Strong and his staff getting guys high on their target board at virtually every position available. Quarterback is done with Shane Buechele. One of the defensive end spots is complete with Malcolm Roach and Andrew Fitzgerald. Thanks to Collin Johnson, Reggie Hemphill and Davion Curtis, wide receiver wrapped. The offensive line is pretty much complete with the second consecutive good haul on paper. Whether it's Kyle Porter committing or Devwah Whaley flipping from Arkansas, running back should be taken care of some point. Cornerback, linebacker and safety are all trending in a positive direction. Delance, Fitzgerald, Johnson, Brandon Jones, Jeffrey McCulloch, Dontavious Jackson, Stephon Taylor and D'Andre Christmas-Giles all represent potential impact players at their respective positions. If Strong and his staff land all of the recruits they lead for, the 2016 class could be a second in a row where many of the signees help right away. Regardless of where the class finishes, getting those players will be a good indicator of a roster that will be much better in 2016 and 2017 than what the Longhorns put on the field this past season.

EJ Holland, Lead Recruiting Reporter

If you haven’t used the nifty class calculator feature on our site, I suggest you do so: 1. It’s a lot of fun to speculate 2. It will help you formulate your own answer to this question. Obviously, Texas sits in the mid-30s right now, but that’s understandable considering the Longhorns have just 13 commitments and Charlie Strong is known as a closer. I’m not saying UT is preparing to replicate last year’s final stretch, but I am optimistic the Longhorns can make a similar run. Using the class calculator, I added 12 named to the class for a total of 25, highlighted by Jeffrey McCulloch, Eric Cuffee, Irvin Smith, Dontavious Jackson and Brandon Jones — yes, I’m still sticking with the pick I made all the way back in the spring — and came up with a score of 259.67. Based off last year’s 247Sports Composite rankings, that would give Texas a Top 15 class overall. And I’m comfortable predicting that. Based on what I heard at Under Armour, keeping in frequent contact with kids and Strong’s track record, there is no reason to pick against that. Sure, things were looking a little bleak at this time last month, but with the issues going on in College Station and the heat turned on by the staff and current players; Texas is in prime position to make another big run to close out the 2016 cycle.

Chris Hummer, Managing Editor

Is it realistic for Texas to jump from No. 34 overall in the 247Sports Recruiting Rankings into the Top 10? Yes, yes it is. It seems like a ridiculous suggestion when one considers Texas would need to vault 24 spots to do so, but the Longhorns still will likely add an additional 11 players or more in this class, many of whom are of the highest quality – four and potentially five-star players – that will bolster Texas’ already impressive 88.2 player rating average. The Longhorns have a really good chance to land players such as Jeffrey McCulloch, Brandon Jones and Dontavious Jackson. In addition to that, the Horns are very much in line to flip players such as Erick Fowler and Zach Shackelford to bolster need positions. If Texas can land a pair of quality defensive tackles – Stephon Taylor, D'andre Christmas-Giles, Michael Williams or Chris Daniels – it would give the class pluses at every need position: offensive line, defensive tackle and quarterback. Now, it’s no guarantee the class falls exactly the way Texas wants it to, right now it looks good, but either way, I feel safe saying it will finish in the Top 15. If everything falls right, and it’s looking like it might, a Top 10 class will happen. Also, as EJ suggested, check out the class calculator.