Oscar Giles back in Austin on Saturday: Looking back at his top 10 recruits

Former Texas Longhorns defensive end and assistant coach Oscar Giles will be on the opposing sideline Saturday night at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

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Giles was a standout player at Texas from 1987-90, but it’s time spent at Texas as a coach that most Longhorns’ fans recognize him for. He was on staff from 2005-13 as the defensive ends and special teams coach under Mack Brown. During that time he was the primary recruiter for a number of the best defensive players that played for the Longhorns. His work at North Shore High in the Mack Brown era was some of his best at a time when the Mustangs were one of the state and countries most talented high school programs for a stretch. The Longhorns won some huge battles over LSU, Oklahoma and Texas A&M during that time.

He returned from 2017-20 as the defensive line coach under Tom Herman.

Giles spent the majority of his time at Texas recruiting east of I-45 and the Golden Triangle area inside the state lines. Those 13 years at Texas netted some very talented defensive lineman and prospects from his recruiting area.

Inside Texas takes a look back at the top 10 recruits the Longhorns signed during Giles time at Texas when he was the primary recruiter.

1. Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Plano (Texas) West
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 4 (5-star) – 2010 Class

Bobby Kennedy was the area recruiter on Jeffcoat. Giles, Kennedy and Mack Brown were all heavily involved in this recruitment. Jeffcoat was a huge win at the time, similar to the Colin Simmons recruitment in the 2024 class. The Florida Gators were a true threat to Texas, as was Oklahoma.

2. Malcom Brown, DL, Brenham (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 11 (5-star) – 2012 Class

Mack Brown was extremely impactful in this recruitment due to his relationship with former Brenham High head coach Glen West, obviously. At the time, this was a huge win over Texas A&M – where many thought Brown would eventually land.

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3. Eddie Jones, DE, Kilgore (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 22 (5-star) – 2006 Class

Jones came out of Kilgore High with a tough luck injury history, but an extremely productive player for a Bulldogs team that competed for State Championships, winning 4A-DI in 2004. Obviously, Mack Brown was very impactful in this recruitment as well. One of the many Texas vs. Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M battles in the state over that period of time.

4. Alex Okafor, DE, Pflugerville (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 42 (4-star) – 2009 Class

This was a Giles and Mack Brown recruitment for the most part. He picked Texas over Stanford and Oklahoma coming out of Pflugerville High.

5. Alfred Collins, DL, Bastrop (Texas) Cedar Creek
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 78 (4-star) – 2020 Class

The legacy recruit was wanted by Nick Saban, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and about every other top program in the country. Texas had to hang in there and battle, and won out due in large part to Giles strong bond with Collins.

6. Trey Hopkins, IOL, Houston (Texas) North Shore
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 78 (4-star) – 2010 Class

Giles battled LSU for years at North Shore High. He was the primary recruiter for one of the nations most coveted offensive linemen in the 2010 class.

7. Chykie Brown, CB, Houston (Texas) North Shore
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 99 (4-star) – 2006 Class

Giles was the primary recruiter in a recruitment that also included Mack Brown and Duane Akina. Oklahoma, Texas A&M and LSU were all strong competition for the Longhorns.

8. Sam Acho, DE, Dallas (Texas) St. Mark’s
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 196 (4-star) – 2007 Class

Giles was the primary recruiter. The area recruiter was Bobby Kennedy. Texas beat out Pete Carroll and USC for Acho.

9. Moro Ojomo, DL, Katy (Texas) High
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 345 (4-star) – 2018 Class

Giles was the primary recruiter with Tim Beck also chipping in here. This was a big win at the time over Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon and others.

10. Earl Thomas, DB, Orange (Texas) West Orange-Stark
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 352 (4-star) – 2007 Class

Giles was the primary recruiter in the Golden Triangle area. He got key assists from Duane Akina and Mack Brown. Texas beat out LSU at the end of the day.

Also considered:
Kheeston Randall, DL, Beaumont (Texas) Kelly – 2008 class
T’vondre Sweat, DL, Huntsville (Texas) High – 2019 class

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