Gilbert Heads Longhorn Recruiting Class [National Signing Day]

Lake Travis quarterback Garrett Gilbert headed up another strong recruiting class for Texas Coach Mack Brown, who signed 20 players today to play for the Longhorns.

National Signing Day didn't hold a lot of drama for the Longhorns. Most of the players who signed Wednesday gave verbal commitments months ago. Texas was in the running for a couple of late signees, but Columbus, Ga., defensive end Jarvis Jones signed with USC and Gadsden, Ala., defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick signed with Alabama.

Gilbert, who led the Cavaliers to two straight state championships and was named the Parade High School Player of the Year, takes his place as the successor to Colt McCoy. McCoy will return for his senior season this fall, and Gilbert is expected to sit out his first year as a redshirt and be ready to take the reins in 2010.

Texas also boosted its offensive line corps by signing top recruits Mason Walters (6-7, 285) of Wolfforth Frenship and Gilbert's high-school teammate, 6-6, 280-pound tackle Paden Kelley. Thirteen of Texas' 20 signees won prep All-America honors

One interesting addition to the team is Marquise Goodwin of Garland Rowlett, who signed a letter of intent to run track with the Longhorn. Goodwin is a two-time junior world champion (long jump, 400-meter relay) and Brown announced Wednesday that Goodwin plans to play as a walk-on player this fall.

• Meet Texas' signing class of 2009