1. New Texas commit T'Vondre Sweat is a perfect example of the kind of prospect that's out there in the state of Texas if you just look hard enough.
When I released the updated 2019 LSR Top 100 last month, I told people not to be surprised when a few under-the-radar (maybe even under the under-the-radar) guys start to pop up in the coming months during the spring evaluation period because there are always a handful of guys that emerge as national-level prospects once everyone has had a chance to take stock of all of the sophomore/junior seasons that have been completed across the state.
Usually, it's a guy that hasn't been active on the camp circuit a ton, plays at a school people aren't usually fighting to check out first on their visits schedule, plays multiple sports and has developed considerably in the last calendar year.
Sweat fits the profile pretty much perfectly. Other than a regional showing at The Opening in Dallas last year, I'm not sure he hit many other camps (there are no stories profiling him before 2018). Plus, he plays basketball and at a school (Huntsville) that only occasionally produces the kind of player that demands everyone's attention.
Expect everyone to do a much more extended evaluation of him in the coming weeks and months.
I wouldn't spend five seconds worrying about his recruiting ranking 11 months before signing day.
2. Sweat was a guy that I pretty much wanted to wait on when I was working on the LSR 2019 list because I wanted a little more Intel.
On one hand, of the film I've seen from last season, I didn't see a guy that dominated consistently, but at his best he seemed like a guy that certainly splashes from time to time. Physically, I wouldn't call him an elite athlete, but he's is an athletic big guy. I'm not sure the raw explosiveness is there of a nationally elite guy, but that doesn't mean that there's not some nice athletic ability there to harness.
He kind of reminded me of former San Antonio Sam Houston 2012 prospect Javonte McGee, but probably just an inch or two shorter than the former Baylor bust.
3. The thing that should excite everyone the most about Sweat is that I view him as an untapped natural resource. The frame is there, as well as enough athleticism to project as a high-level player down the road.
What this kid needs more than anything is a great strength program, coaching and some time to develop. My guess is that Sweat has never totally committed himself to football in a way that allows him to develop his body properly.
That's a good thing in kind of a weird way.
Too many kids in this state emerge as high school seniors playing the best they are ever going to play because they've done the opposite - totally dedicated every ounce of commitment they have to reach optimal performance. Often times, it means kids arrive at the college level having already bumped their heads against the ceiling of their upside.
That's not Sweat at all. I don't see a guy that has come close to playing the best brand of football that he has inside of him, even if he's not a "wow" guy at first glance in the last 12 months.
It's easy to see why so many school really like him.
4. The kid has a great smile.
5. So, it comes down to needing a win at home against West Virginia for a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament for Shaka Smart and Co.?
Talk about wrong team, wrong time.
West Virginia was already a terrible match-up for the Longhorns and that was before the team lost Eric Davis and Mo Bamba. I suppose Bamba might play, but I'm not sure it's going to matter. You have to have great guard play to deal with the Mountaineers and I'm not sure Texas has the players and experience needed to pull it off.
The remaining players have a lot of guts, but guts will only take you so far.
6. I never thought I would see the day when Tim Brewster would emerge as a national Internet meme. Consider me fascinated to see how much game as a recruiter he still has and whether all of the clowning on his name in the last couple of weeks is something that kids living on social media will ignore.
7. Finally, an update on my quest to no longer be plump. For those that don't know, I am doing the 3X Fat Loss Challenge and I'm 23 days in.
I lost another 3 pounds this week, so I'm down 16 pounds total.
However, I must make a confession ... I had a relapse on Monday night. After eating smoked turkey for lunch and grilled chicken for an early dinner, I found myself hungry at around 7 p.m. I ignored it for about an hour. Finally, I gave in and went to the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen cupboard was a box of Nilla Wafers. I grabbed a couple from inside the box. Then a few more. I might have eaten half a box when the dust settled. To use the terminology from the 3X program, I did not have a perfect day.
However, the thing I like about the program is that there is a diligent daily schedule and I jumped back on the schedule the next day, chalked up the Nilla Wafers as a battle lost and I am continuing on with the war. Even with the Nilla Wafers "L" I took, I'm still down three pounds this week and I didn't let one impulse turn into 10.
Yes, Nilla Wafers are a favorite of mine. Don't judge.
When I released the updated 2019 LSR Top 100 last month, I told people not to be surprised when a few under-the-radar (maybe even under the under-the-radar) guys start to pop up in the coming months during the spring evaluation period because there are always a handful of guys that emerge as national-level prospects once everyone has had a chance to take stock of all of the sophomore/junior seasons that have been completed across the state.
Usually, it's a guy that hasn't been active on the camp circuit a ton, plays at a school people aren't usually fighting to check out first on their visits schedule, plays multiple sports and has developed considerably in the last calendar year.
Sweat fits the profile pretty much perfectly. Other than a regional showing at The Opening in Dallas last year, I'm not sure he hit many other camps (there are no stories profiling him before 2018). Plus, he plays basketball and at a school (Huntsville) that only occasionally produces the kind of player that demands everyone's attention.
Expect everyone to do a much more extended evaluation of him in the coming weeks and months.
I wouldn't spend five seconds worrying about his recruiting ranking 11 months before signing day.
2. Sweat was a guy that I pretty much wanted to wait on when I was working on the LSR 2019 list because I wanted a little more Intel.
On one hand, of the film I've seen from last season, I didn't see a guy that dominated consistently, but at his best he seemed like a guy that certainly splashes from time to time. Physically, I wouldn't call him an elite athlete, but he's is an athletic big guy. I'm not sure the raw explosiveness is there of a nationally elite guy, but that doesn't mean that there's not some nice athletic ability there to harness.
He kind of reminded me of former San Antonio Sam Houston 2012 prospect Javonte McGee, but probably just an inch or two shorter than the former Baylor bust.
3. The thing that should excite everyone the most about Sweat is that I view him as an untapped natural resource. The frame is there, as well as enough athleticism to project as a high-level player down the road.
What this kid needs more than anything is a great strength program, coaching and some time to develop. My guess is that Sweat has never totally committed himself to football in a way that allows him to develop his body properly.
That's a good thing in kind of a weird way.
Too many kids in this state emerge as high school seniors playing the best they are ever going to play because they've done the opposite - totally dedicated every ounce of commitment they have to reach optimal performance. Often times, it means kids arrive at the college level having already bumped their heads against the ceiling of their upside.
That's not Sweat at all. I don't see a guy that has come close to playing the best brand of football that he has inside of him, even if he's not a "wow" guy at first glance in the last 12 months.
It's easy to see why so many school really like him.
4. The kid has a great smile.
5. So, it comes down to needing a win at home against West Virginia for a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament for Shaka Smart and Co.?
Talk about wrong team, wrong time.
West Virginia was already a terrible match-up for the Longhorns and that was before the team lost Eric Davis and Mo Bamba. I suppose Bamba might play, but I'm not sure it's going to matter. You have to have great guard play to deal with the Mountaineers and I'm not sure Texas has the players and experience needed to pull it off.
The remaining players have a lot of guts, but guts will only take you so far.
6. I never thought I would see the day when Tim Brewster would emerge as a national Internet meme. Consider me fascinated to see how much game as a recruiter he still has and whether all of the clowning on his name in the last couple of weeks is something that kids living on social media will ignore.
7. Finally, an update on my quest to no longer be plump. For those that don't know, I am doing the 3X Fat Loss Challenge and I'm 23 days in.
I lost another 3 pounds this week, so I'm down 16 pounds total.
However, I must make a confession ... I had a relapse on Monday night. After eating smoked turkey for lunch and grilled chicken for an early dinner, I found myself hungry at around 7 p.m. I ignored it for about an hour. Finally, I gave in and went to the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen cupboard was a box of Nilla Wafers. I grabbed a couple from inside the box. Then a few more. I might have eaten half a box when the dust settled. To use the terminology from the 3X program, I did not have a perfect day.
However, the thing I like about the program is that there is a diligent daily schedule and I jumped back on the schedule the next day, chalked up the Nilla Wafers as a battle lost and I am continuing on with the war. Even with the Nilla Wafers "L" I took, I'm still down three pounds this week and I didn't let one impulse turn into 10.
Yes, Nilla Wafers are a favorite of mine. Don't judge.
Last edited:
