It seems to me like UT has always had success with in-state OL, DL, LB, and DB but skill position players like QB, WR, RB not as much. I personally think it's because the skill position players like the spotlight, so they head for places like USC, FSU, OSU, etc. Clemson now has a spotlight on it, so it's no surprise that our in-state skill players want to jump on the bandwagon.
We didn't rely on in-state WR, RB, and QB talent in the elite years of our program during the 90's and early 2000's, so I have no reason to believe missing on prospects like Higgins, Richardson, and Rogers will affect us at all. Sure it would be great to have those guys on board, but we'll still get our high level skill guys on board from out of state.