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Here are a few immediate thoughts and reactions to Tom Herman’s post NSD press conference for the 2021 early signing period.
Herman started off by saying that he's really proud of his new staff and indicated that they'd come in under the 8-ball in regard to recruiting ... and came through with a class he really likes. So, a bit of an undercover excuse per our usual arrangement.
Regardless, today is a day to get to know and celebrate the new class, so here's what Herman had to say about them, along with some thoughts:
DT Byron Murphy - Desoto ***
- 4.5 sacks in one game in the playoffs.
- Plays with his hands, great motor, short-space quickness.
MY THOUGHTS: Much-needed depth along the interior DL with the departure of Graham. The next men up in Sweat, Coburn, Collins, etc. are exceptional, but Murphy should compete with the Myron Warrens and Sawyer Gorham-Welch types the minute he hits campus. Great first step upfield in highlights and active hands.
LB Derrick Harris - New Caney (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Missed senior season with injury.
- "Great length and athleticism off the edge".
- Goes by "DJ" and is a competitive swimmer!
MY THOUGHTS: A swimmer?!! I had thought maybe Harris could transition to an inside role, but Herman mentioning him off the edge makes me think he may start out at the JACK with Sanders. Lord knows they need bodies there.
S JD Coffey - Kennedale **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- "Phenonemal" senior year.
- Highlight-worthy hits in the secondary.
MY THOUGHTS: He's a good player who'll have a chance to crack the 2-deep early with the losses of Sterns and Chris Brown. His main competition for a role coming into 2021 will likely be who ever doesn't start between Tyler Owens and Jerrin Thompson. I'd want to start Coffey over Montrelle Estelle likely the minute he hits campus.
RB Jonathon Brooks - Hallettsville ****
- Herman said he belongs in the elite class and tier of RBs for the 2021 class.
- Over 3K yards rushing and 60 TDs IN ONE SEASON. Jeez.
MY THOUGHTS: He's one of the class's better players and a prospect that, in a down year for Texas recruiting, the staff should get credit for identifying early because he was the recipient of rotten tomatoes from almost everyone when offered. Since, he's become a 4-star and gone bananas to prove a lot of folks wrong and Herman and Co. right. Gotta give credit where it's due.
OL Hayden Conner - Katy Taylor *** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- The longest-tenured commit of 2021.
- Started off as a TE and moved to OT, natural athletic ability.
MY THOUGHTS: No reason he shouldn't be able to push for a spot on the two-deep, it's not like OL recruiting has been anything to write home about. Herman is right that Conner moves well enough, but still looks like more of an guard to me than a tackle.
OL Max Merril - Houston Strake Jesuit ***
- Captain and 3 year starter.
- Love him frame and work ethic, Herman says he's extremely consistent and the sky is the limit working with McKnight.
MY THOUGHTS: He needs to hope so because the state of the OL is concerning even if he turns out to be a difference-maker, but we haven't really seen the sky be the limit for too many of these players now after four years with McKnight. He should get credit for Cosmi and Ossai to some degree, but to continue insinuating that getting them in with Yancy is a "just add water" type of proposition like it is at Ohio State or Alabama is not well-founded. Merill needs to work on his feet and balance as well as build up his core strength.
LB Morice Blackwell - Arlington Martin ***
- One of the best players that Coach Bob Wagar says he has ever coached at Martin per Herman.
- Could probably play every position on the field except DL.
MY THOUGHTS: One of my favorites in the class, I had written this about him previously:
We've gotten an idea of what new DC Chris Ash likes for his will linebackers to look like with the move of De'Marvion Overshown to that position from safety. Blackwell is not Overshown and they are very different players, but some aspects of Blackwell's game remind you of Overshown. He's a little undersized from a weight standpoint to play a traditional off-ball LB, but packs a wallop when he brings his pads. He's a sideline-to-sideline player who shows the functional speed to track down fast ball carriers on his pursuit angles.
You can see on the highlights that he makes highlight special teams plays blocking punts, etc. but you will also notice that he is a very sure tackler in space and in the open field. He breaks down excellently into his tackles and can do so on a dime to redirect the action of his body with explosiveness into solid contact. This bodes extremely well for his future ability to contribute on kick coverage.
Blackwell is a 6A district MVP in a very dense area of the state prospect-wise, holding offers from Alabama and Georgia among others. I simply don't understand why there wasn't more celebration about this dude committing to the good guys.
ATH/TE Juan Davis - Everman *** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- "One of the best players in the country," Herman said.
- Big athlete, great movement skills.
MY THOUGHTS: Well, Herman certainly seems smitten with him. I've stood next to Davis and he's a big guy for sure. His film from junior to senior year also shows a lot of improvement. Another player, like Brooks, who the staff was on way earlier than other staffs or the media, so we have to give them kudos for that at least. Davis should be a receiving weapon at TE if I had my say.
DL Jordon Thomas - Port Arthur ***
- Herman said it was important to him that Herman give him a shout on TV which is something.
- A ball of personality, Herman says.
MY THOUGHTS: Herman said he can play a lot of different positions up front, even at JACK maybe (I don't see that at all), but to me, he's about as good a fit as a pure SDE as there is in this class. With Jacoby Jones moving on, that becomes important depending on whether Vernon Broughton moves back out there or stays at 3T like he did against KSU. Herman mentioned in the Q&A portion of the PC that DE is the first position that comes to mind when he thinks about positions that Texas will need to continue pursuing for this period in either the grad transfer market or through the portal. Herman says there are 9 spots yet to be filled.
WR Casey Cain - NOLA ***
- Great natural body control.
- Superb hands and attacks the football.
- Herman said they're excited about his potential in the red zone as a target down there.
MY THOUGHTS: Sounds like Herman sees Cain as starting out at the X.
TE Gunnar Helm - Greenwood Village, CO **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Played WR and TE.
- John Elway suggested to his father he move to TE!
MY THOUGHTS: When John Elway talks you listen, (unless he's talking about drafting quarterbacks).
ATH/DE Ja'Tavion Sanders - Denton Ryan ****
- "You'll run out of superlatives talking about him."
- "He will play both sides of the ball here at Texas ..."
MY THOUGHTS: Herman went on, ".... in what capacity, we haven't figured that out yet." To me, that means, Joseph Ossai is gone, so let's tell Ja'Tavion he can play some TE until he gets to campus, install a trick play or two for him and let him come to understand he's not going to play offense. There's an Ossai-sized hole on the defense and sources on the team said in recent weeks that Prince Dorbah and Sanders were the two prime candidates to fill it.
WR Jaden Alexis - Coconut Creek, FL **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Father, Rich, played in the NFL.
- Class president.
- Herman said he would tell him about COVID training sessions where he'd wear shoulder pads and helmet to run and do conditioning like a maniac.
MY THOUGHTS: Well, I'm even more impressed with him now. A future outside receiver for Texas that could see playing time in 2021 if Brennan Eagles decides to go pro, and possibly even if he doesn't. Alexis will have Troy Omeire to contend with at the X, but he's a very nice player who could play X or Z and should be a good one for Texas.
DB Jamier Johnson - Pasadena, CA **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Length and athleticism.
- Plays with a ton of physicality.
- Will miss his senior season as Cali moved their HS ball to the spring.
MY THOUGHTS: I'd miss my senior season, too. (And I'd also leave California).
LB Terrence Cooks - Pearland Shadow Creek ***
- Herman called him "TK".
- Could either play SPUR or WILL LB.
- NFL father.
MY THOUGHTS: Actions speak louder than words and both the actions and the words of this staff indicate that they may not see Chris Adimora as the future of the SPUR position. He's going to get more competition this year than just Anthony Cook.
DL Barryn Sorrell - NOLA ***
- Tremendous motor.
- Very sharp academically.
MY THOUGHTS: I'll have some updated thoughts when I watch his film, but don't know him from Adam at this time.
CB Darion Dunn (McNeese State Transfer) (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- "Really, really excited and intrigued by him."
MY THOUGHTS: Samesies (as the kids all say). I actually don't know if they say that, tbh. The little bit of highlight film I've seen of him is outstanding. He should most definitely push to start in 2021 especially given a spring in Chris Ash's system. He'll have exactly as many springs in Ash's system as any other player on the team by summer. Herman said he could play corner on a team where the secondary has a lot of tweeners between spur and safety and CB.
QB Charles Wright - Austin High ***
- 3x captain at AHS.
- Started as a freshman and is a Texas legacy.
- "Isn't just a body. We expect him to be a starting QB one day."
- Impresssed with his quick release, his guts and his off-platform throws.
MY THOUGHTS: Betcha he wishes Yurcich would have been more into actually, ya know ... recruiting ... Jalen Milroe. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Welcome to the Newest Longhorns, may your time on the 40 be full of great experiences and winning damn football.
Find Your Perfect Franchise at MyPerfectFranchise.Net
Orangebloods Owned! Contact Andy Luedecke (aka @widespread panic) anytime at:
aluedecke@myperfectfranchise.net
(404) 973-9901
www.myperfectfranchise.net
Here are a few immediate thoughts and reactions to Tom Herman’s post NSD press conference for the 2021 early signing period.
Herman started off by saying that he's really proud of his new staff and indicated that they'd come in under the 8-ball in regard to recruiting ... and came through with a class he really likes. So, a bit of an undercover excuse per our usual arrangement.
Regardless, today is a day to get to know and celebrate the new class, so here's what Herman had to say about them, along with some thoughts:
DT Byron Murphy - Desoto ***
- 4.5 sacks in one game in the playoffs.
- Plays with his hands, great motor, short-space quickness.
MY THOUGHTS: Much-needed depth along the interior DL with the departure of Graham. The next men up in Sweat, Coburn, Collins, etc. are exceptional, but Murphy should compete with the Myron Warrens and Sawyer Gorham-Welch types the minute he hits campus. Great first step upfield in highlights and active hands.
LB Derrick Harris - New Caney (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Missed senior season with injury.
- "Great length and athleticism off the edge".
- Goes by "DJ" and is a competitive swimmer!
MY THOUGHTS: A swimmer?!! I had thought maybe Harris could transition to an inside role, but Herman mentioning him off the edge makes me think he may start out at the JACK with Sanders. Lord knows they need bodies there.
S JD Coffey - Kennedale **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- "Phenonemal" senior year.
- Highlight-worthy hits in the secondary.
MY THOUGHTS: He's a good player who'll have a chance to crack the 2-deep early with the losses of Sterns and Chris Brown. His main competition for a role coming into 2021 will likely be who ever doesn't start between Tyler Owens and Jerrin Thompson. I'd want to start Coffey over Montrelle Estelle likely the minute he hits campus.
RB Jonathon Brooks - Hallettsville ****
- Herman said he belongs in the elite class and tier of RBs for the 2021 class.
- Over 3K yards rushing and 60 TDs IN ONE SEASON. Jeez.
MY THOUGHTS: He's one of the class's better players and a prospect that, in a down year for Texas recruiting, the staff should get credit for identifying early because he was the recipient of rotten tomatoes from almost everyone when offered. Since, he's become a 4-star and gone bananas to prove a lot of folks wrong and Herman and Co. right. Gotta give credit where it's due.
OL Hayden Conner - Katy Taylor *** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- The longest-tenured commit of 2021.
- Started off as a TE and moved to OT, natural athletic ability.
MY THOUGHTS: No reason he shouldn't be able to push for a spot on the two-deep, it's not like OL recruiting has been anything to write home about. Herman is right that Conner moves well enough, but still looks like more of an guard to me than a tackle.
OL Max Merril - Houston Strake Jesuit ***
- Captain and 3 year starter.
- Love him frame and work ethic, Herman says he's extremely consistent and the sky is the limit working with McKnight.
MY THOUGHTS: He needs to hope so because the state of the OL is concerning even if he turns out to be a difference-maker, but we haven't really seen the sky be the limit for too many of these players now after four years with McKnight. He should get credit for Cosmi and Ossai to some degree, but to continue insinuating that getting them in with Yancy is a "just add water" type of proposition like it is at Ohio State or Alabama is not well-founded. Merill needs to work on his feet and balance as well as build up his core strength.
LB Morice Blackwell - Arlington Martin ***
- One of the best players that Coach Bob Wagar says he has ever coached at Martin per Herman.
- Could probably play every position on the field except DL.
MY THOUGHTS: One of my favorites in the class, I had written this about him previously:
We've gotten an idea of what new DC Chris Ash likes for his will linebackers to look like with the move of De'Marvion Overshown to that position from safety. Blackwell is not Overshown and they are very different players, but some aspects of Blackwell's game remind you of Overshown. He's a little undersized from a weight standpoint to play a traditional off-ball LB, but packs a wallop when he brings his pads. He's a sideline-to-sideline player who shows the functional speed to track down fast ball carriers on his pursuit angles.
You can see on the highlights that he makes highlight special teams plays blocking punts, etc. but you will also notice that he is a very sure tackler in space and in the open field. He breaks down excellently into his tackles and can do so on a dime to redirect the action of his body with explosiveness into solid contact. This bodes extremely well for his future ability to contribute on kick coverage.
Blackwell is a 6A district MVP in a very dense area of the state prospect-wise, holding offers from Alabama and Georgia among others. I simply don't understand why there wasn't more celebration about this dude committing to the good guys.
ATH/TE Juan Davis - Everman *** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- "One of the best players in the country," Herman said.
- Big athlete, great movement skills.
MY THOUGHTS: Well, Herman certainly seems smitten with him. I've stood next to Davis and he's a big guy for sure. His film from junior to senior year also shows a lot of improvement. Another player, like Brooks, who the staff was on way earlier than other staffs or the media, so we have to give them kudos for that at least. Davis should be a receiving weapon at TE if I had my say.
DL Jordon Thomas - Port Arthur ***
- Herman said it was important to him that Herman give him a shout on TV which is something.
- A ball of personality, Herman says.
MY THOUGHTS: Herman said he can play a lot of different positions up front, even at JACK maybe (I don't see that at all), but to me, he's about as good a fit as a pure SDE as there is in this class. With Jacoby Jones moving on, that becomes important depending on whether Vernon Broughton moves back out there or stays at 3T like he did against KSU. Herman mentioned in the Q&A portion of the PC that DE is the first position that comes to mind when he thinks about positions that Texas will need to continue pursuing for this period in either the grad transfer market or through the portal. Herman says there are 9 spots yet to be filled.
WR Casey Cain - NOLA ***
- Great natural body control.
- Superb hands and attacks the football.
- Herman said they're excited about his potential in the red zone as a target down there.
MY THOUGHTS: Sounds like Herman sees Cain as starting out at the X.
TE Gunnar Helm - Greenwood Village, CO **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Played WR and TE.
- John Elway suggested to his father he move to TE!
MY THOUGHTS: When John Elway talks you listen, (unless he's talking about drafting quarterbacks).
ATH/DE Ja'Tavion Sanders - Denton Ryan ****
- "You'll run out of superlatives talking about him."
- "He will play both sides of the ball here at Texas ..."
MY THOUGHTS: Herman went on, ".... in what capacity, we haven't figured that out yet." To me, that means, Joseph Ossai is gone, so let's tell Ja'Tavion he can play some TE until he gets to campus, install a trick play or two for him and let him come to understand he's not going to play offense. There's an Ossai-sized hole on the defense and sources on the team said in recent weeks that Prince Dorbah and Sanders were the two prime candidates to fill it.
WR Jaden Alexis - Coconut Creek, FL **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Father, Rich, played in the NFL.
- Class president.
- Herman said he would tell him about COVID training sessions where he'd wear shoulder pads and helmet to run and do conditioning like a maniac.
MY THOUGHTS: Well, I'm even more impressed with him now. A future outside receiver for Texas that could see playing time in 2021 if Brennan Eagles decides to go pro, and possibly even if he doesn't. Alexis will have Troy Omeire to contend with at the X, but he's a very nice player who could play X or Z and should be a good one for Texas.
DB Jamier Johnson - Pasadena, CA **** (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- Length and athleticism.
- Plays with a ton of physicality.
- Will miss his senior season as Cali moved their HS ball to the spring.
MY THOUGHTS: I'd miss my senior season, too. (And I'd also leave California).
LB Terrence Cooks - Pearland Shadow Creek ***
- Herman called him "TK".
- Could either play SPUR or WILL LB.
- NFL father.
MY THOUGHTS: Actions speak louder than words and both the actions and the words of this staff indicate that they may not see Chris Adimora as the future of the SPUR position. He's going to get more competition this year than just Anthony Cook.
DL Barryn Sorrell - NOLA ***
- Tremendous motor.
- Very sharp academically.
MY THOUGHTS: I'll have some updated thoughts when I watch his film, but don't know him from Adam at this time.
CB Darion Dunn (McNeese State Transfer) (EARLY ENROLLEE)
- "Really, really excited and intrigued by him."
MY THOUGHTS: Samesies (as the kids all say). I actually don't know if they say that, tbh. The little bit of highlight film I've seen of him is outstanding. He should most definitely push to start in 2021 especially given a spring in Chris Ash's system. He'll have exactly as many springs in Ash's system as any other player on the team by summer. Herman said he could play corner on a team where the secondary has a lot of tweeners between spur and safety and CB.
QB Charles Wright - Austin High ***
- 3x captain at AHS.
- Started as a freshman and is a Texas legacy.
- "Isn't just a body. We expect him to be a starting QB one day."
- Impresssed with his quick release, his guts and his off-platform throws.
MY THOUGHTS: Betcha he wishes Yurcich would have been more into actually, ya know ... recruiting ... Jalen Milroe. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Welcome to the Newest Longhorns, may your time on the 40 be full of great experiences and winning damn football.
