It's one of the quietest recruiting weeks of the year due to the schedules of the UT coaches and the H.S. players, so let's start this War Room with some in-depth team news as the Horns get ready to close out pre-season camp (we'll ramp up the recruiting coverage next week).
After talking to numerous sources over the past few weeks to get practice info, here's how things look for the Longhorns heading into game week, which officially kicks off on Monday.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
David Ash
Tyrone Swoopes
Jerrod Heard
ASH: Has been the far-and-away leader all camp. He looks best throwing the ball, has the best release, the best timing with the receivers and the easiest time diagnosing a defense and going through his reads from everything we have been told through three weeks of daily conversations with multiple sources. Ash also looks the most comfortable on the rollout, and is the only QB on the Texas roster that can consistently throw accurately while on the move at this point. In fact, one source said he felt like the new offense was "tailor-made" for a player like Ash because it forces him to be decisive and not lock up. We're told Ash has not transformed into a Vince Young or Colt McCoy-type leader overnight but that he has the absolute respect of the team as the offense's bus driver. The team respects Ash for the person and player he is. The fall-off from Ash to Tyrone Swoopes at this moment appears to be substantial, but perhaps not as substantial as some might have thought prior to fall camp.
SWOOPES: We're told the light has finally come on for Swoopes, and for the first time since coming to Texas outside of brief flashes, he is actually looking like a future QB instead of an athlete floundering in a role that doesn't suit him. We're told that if they had to play today, there would be another fall-off in play moving from Swoopes to Heard. Swoopes has a big arm. Surprisingly, some sources have told us that from a pure arm strength perspective, Swoopes is the leader in the clubhouse. His arms are very long and one source says "sometimes it looks like a ball coming out of a catapult" when Swoopes goes downfield. We're told that no quarterbacks on the Texas roster spin the ball with the same "catchable" style that Ash tends to, but that Swoopes is really digging in on trying to add some touch to his throws. We're told that Swoopes is clearly a player who many on the team look up to and more of a vocal presence than the others, in fact, we're told that at Thursday's practice, Swoopes was in the middle of the pack before a pre-practice "bull in the ring" drill jumping around and slapping teammates in the helmets.
HEARD: Heard has shown signs of great progress through camp, and we're told that if the progression continues, "he's going to be a great one," by one source, who also mentioned at the time that Heard "is much faster than people think." With this said, the constant feedback we've gotten through camp is that Heard has been basically a work in progress. We've heard at times that the freshman locks on to his first read and diagrams where the ball is going which has led to interceptions and broken passes. We're told Watson has been working with Heard on his delivery and motion to alleviate issues that have apparently cropped up with wobbly passes. It seems Watson wants Heard to get his elbow up higher over his shoulder and stay stiffer with getting his wrist over the top of the ball at release. While Heard is catching on quickly (to his credit, probably quicker than most true freshman ever do given his extensive training with QB guru George Whitfield), there are simply some balls currently that are "getting away from him," especially when throwing deep balls into contested situations.
Offensive Line
LT - Kennedy Estelle, Marcus Hutchins
LG - Sedrick Flowers, Taylor Doyle
C - Dom Espinosa, Jake Raulerson
RG - Kent Perkins, Alex Anderson/Elijah Rodriguez/Curtis Riser
RT - Desmond Harrison, Darius James
- Scholarship players participating on the third team are C Terell Cuney and LT Camhron Hughes. Cuney has struggled through camp with a minor hamstring injury while Hughes has apparently had something of a fall-off since starting camp looking relatively impressive. We're told that Hughes has been the frequent subject of ire from OL coach Joe Wickline for his play, but to Hughes' credit, we're told he keeps putting his head down and coming to work despite apparently being buried on the depth chart. Another scholarship player who was buried on the depth chart was RS FR Rami Hammad who OB first reported last week was considering transfer, and who has not been at practice for the last three days according to sources we've spoken to. Charlie Strong confirmed on Thursday that Texas will move into the future without Hammad.
- Desmond Harrison has performed well at right tackle but will miss the first game, and it's not yet set in stone that Harrison will only have to sit the season opener. We expect it will just be a one-game suspension, but Harrison will need to continue to toe the line over the next two weeks. For that matter, a couple other linemen, including Kennedy Estelle, need to avoid any other missteps as well.
- The starting offensive line has been the same since the open practice and we have been told that Kennedy Estelle is still receiving "basically all" first-team reps, and that the very occasional insertion of Hutchins into the first-unit is likely a motivational ploy for Estelle or a little bit of insurance making sure "(Wickline) knows what kind of unit he has on his hands" in case Estelle again fails to uphold his scholastic responsibilities.
- The smart money at this point appears to be on Darius James to man the RT position against UNT while Desmond Harrison serves his suspension, but this is a point we'll have much greater clarity on next week as pre-game practices start for UNT.
- Kent Perkins has probably been the offensive lineman who has been most raved about by the sources we've communicated with. Outside of Desmond Harrison's progression, Perkins asserting himself as a true future run force for Texas has been one of the recurring themes of camp when discussing the OL.
Receivers and Tight Ends
- It's hard to project a depth chart with the WR group, as we're told the offense mixes and matches so much with formations and personnel involving tight ends and slot receivers. Clearly, Jaxon Shipley (when healthy) and Marcus Johnson are the Longhorns' top two options on the outside and the slot position looks to be filled by a mix of walk-on Ty Templin and the explosive Daje Johnson.
- Shipley has suited up for practice for the last three days and gone through warm-ups, but is still being held out of 7-on-7, team and positional drills, from what we're told. Charlie Strong said on Thursday Shipley's availability for the season opener is still up in the air.
- In recent days, John Harris has started picking up a lot more first-team reps taking away from Marcus Johnson, one source told us. Harris supplanting Johnson on top of the depth chart would be a huge shock … most likely, the coaches are simply trying to get Harris as much work as possible since they'll need him as part of the rotation.
Jacorey Warrick - Continues to draw great reviews and looks to be significant factor. As OB mentioned over the summer, the one issue that Warrick struggles with is consistently catching the ball.
Armanti Foreman - The talk of camp as a newcomer, Foreman has surely cemented at least some sort of role in which he'll contribute immediately. He's smooth with great acceleration out of his cuts.
Jake Oliver - Oliver should have his chance to step into the spotlight this year as part of the rotation, and based on our conversations with some sources in the last few weeks, he's taken advantage of the opportunities when the ball has come his way, including a couple catches downfield.
Roderick Bernard - One source actually told us he gets Bernard "mixed up with Daje." Quite a compliment given Johnson's pure athletic ability.
Lorenzo Joe - Has flashed numerous times out of the slot and is a player with a great understanding of the route tree, good length and dependable hands. He's another player who could be an early contributor.
Dorian Leonard - We're told of all the freshman candidates to step up in 2014, Leonard might not be quite there with the others right off, but has the most potential of any of them as a big, foreboding future X WR.
Garrett Gray - While he has flashed some nice things, we're told Gray looks like a prospect who will redshirt based on what they have seen thus far.
Ty Templin - With Daje Johnson's suspension for the first game, Templin has taken advantage and has picked up first-team reps for the majority of fall camp. From our conversations, it sounds like he does have the confidence of the UT coaches and David Ash, who we've heard targets Templin frequently.
- As for the tight ends, the "starting two" are clearly M.J. McFarland and Geoff Swaim, with Swaim being the player overwhelming most noted as having a terrific camp. The TE position at Texas has been a wasteland for half a decade, and while fans should not expect an explosion from the position statistically in 2014, Swaim will be one of the true key pieces to the 2014 offense. Sources have said, and we saw it last year, that Swaim is a devastating and gifted open field blocker with exceptional understanding of leverage and play design. Even if the ball doesn't get into his hands as often as it might in some other systems, we're told that losing Swaim at any point during the 2014 season would be a disaster.
- Converted FR Andrew Beck has had some nice moments at TE, but from all reports we're getting, he still has work to do as both a blocker and a receiver. Blake Whiteley looks like the second-team TE with the most upside, and one person told us he is actually the largest tight end on the Texas roster. The source said, "he doesn't seem like it with the way he moves, but when you stand next to him, he's like a mountain."
Running Backs
Malcolm Brown/Johnathan Gray
D'onta Foreman/Duke Catalon
- Not much needs to be said about Brown as the Longhorn fan base knows full-well what he should be capable of if remaining healthy for a season. Speaking of health, Gray is "fine" and "ready" based on everything we're told coming off of 2013 Achilles surgery. Gray is taking hits in practice and looking as if he has not lost a step. If the original plan was to "ease Gray back in" to action for the 2014 season, or sources have given us no indication that this will still be the case.
- Catalon was injured very early in camp after showing some good things to start, but the addition of D'onta Foreman to the fold was a real shot in the arm to a unit that is in desperate need of depth. Thursday was Foreman's first day in full pads and one person in attendance at camp told us he was watching the running backs doing pass block drills, and saw No. 33 clobber someone.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
SDE Cedric Reed, DT Desmond Jackson, DT Malcom Brown, WDE Shiro Davis
SDE Bryce Cottrell, DT Alex Norman, DT Hassan Ridgeway, WDE Caleb Bluiett
SDE Jake McMillon, DT Poona Ford, DT Chris Nelson, WDE Derrick Roberson
- That's some solid depth along a salty defensive line.
- The WDE position is the only one that remains in question regarding how snaps will be split up as we've heard after only a few practices through camp that Bluiett was receiving first-team run, with Shiro Davis getting the overwhelming majority of the starter's snaps. Coming into the UNT game, Davis should still be considered the starter barring major changes to the personnel next week which one source said he did not see coming. Charlie Strong himself said at his Thursday PC that the defensive side of the ball is pretty well sewn up.
- Hassan Ridgeway has drawn rave reviews through camp as a player who is simply bullish when he gets a little bit of fire in him. One source said that if he "keeps his head on straight, he sometimes has the look of a guy with first-round talent."
- Kind of flying under the radar has been freshman Derick Roberson, but in looking back through notes from conversations, his name keeps popping up as a guy doing some nice things. Though he's extremely thin, Roberson certainly passed the eyeball test as a physical specimen with tremendous upside at practices open to the media, and has extremely long arms and good range out on the edge. He appears to be fitting in quite nicely.
- The biggest couple of presents Texas fans have under the tree that they seemingly can't wait to open come in the form of FR DTs Chris Nelson and Poona Ford. Ford is the smaller of the two players, but has longer arms than Nelson and is more explosive off the ball while Nelson is stronger, meaner and a little dirtier with his hands at this point in their development, based on our conversations. It would not be a surprise to see one or both of these players receive some sort of game-action as freshmen, although, clearly it would be optimal to not have to do so, preserving an extra year of eligibility. The old saying is, the closer you get to the line of scrimmage, the harder it is for a freshman to start.
Linebackers
WLB Jordan Hicks, MLB Steve Edmond, SLB Peter Jinkens
WLB DeMarco Cobbs/Timothy Cole, MLB Dalton Santos, SLB Naashon Hughes
The two names we've heard consistently mentioned from this group are Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond, and they've received pretty equal mention in our conversations.
Hicks has been said to have had a very good camp by those close to the program, and the feeling from people inside the team is that he's finally ready to take the next step into becoming a plus player. Of course, the same was said last year, only to see Hicks' season derailed due to injury. One person said Hicks' may be Texas' best combination of athleticism and ability to take on blockers, and he's probably the guy that has the best instincts and ability to track the ball over the entire field. "We need Hicks this year. If he's healthy, it gives our defense a lot more options. If he's not, I'm not sure how the line-up will look," one source said.
Edmond has been a fixture on the field based on everyone we've talked to and a couple people feel he too is ready to take the next step forward, and he's feeling a level of comfort in the new defense that has carried over from the second half of last year before suffering a late injury. It's always hard to get a true indicator from practices on a guy like Edmond because he's not allowed to be as physical as he'd probably like, but it sounds like the coaches are expecting him to be very involved in the game planning and execution.
Beyond those two players, in all honesty, it's been pretty quiet from day to day. Cobbs seemed to be having the better camp of the back-ups early on, but his name hasn't been mentioned as much and there's been talk that he could be getting a push from Cole.
Defensive backs
CB Quandre Diggs, S Mykkele Thompson, S Jason Hall, CB Duke Thomas
CB John Bonney/Jermaine Roberts, S Josh Turner/Adrian Colbert, S Dylan Haines, CB Bryson Echols
After what looked like it would be a major youth movement for this group early in camp (there was a time in the open practice where the entire backfield consisted of true freshmen), it sounds like things are beginning to settle into place.
Diggs is an obvious fixture. When you talk to people privately about workouts, you sometimes get the true highlights (interceptions, PBUs, etc) and no player has been mentioned nearly as much as Diggs has in our conversations.
The biggest surprise, as we first reported a couple weeks ago, is Jason Hall's slotting with the first team. The true freshman was a bit of an under the radar recruit but he has impressed with his physical play and his confidence, per our conversations. One team source said Hall's speed and ability to cover on his 6-2 frame has been the biggest surprise of the true freshmen.
Mykkele Thompson spent some of the early part of camp working out at cornerback but it sounds like he's been mostly at safety of late. Thompson has been one of the players singled out as having had a terrific camp, including by Charlie Strong.
Before camp began, some people inside the team expected Adrian Colbert to be a solid bet to start due to the suspension of Josh Turner. After a bit of a slow start, Colbert has begun to come on of late and has seen a lot of first-team run when the defense goes to its nickel package, per our sources.
Diggs and Thomas are the staples at corner, and it sounds like Bryson Echols has begun to cement his spot as the third CB in the rotation (unless a player like Thompson was to slide over there). The young guys, including Bonney, Roberts and Antwuan Davis, have had their moments, but it sounds like Echols has earned more confidence from the coaches. (OB Staff)
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Wide receiver John Harris' journey as a Longhorn has not played out the way he may have imagined. After redshirting his freshman year in 2010, Harris was poised to make an impact for the Longhorns. But he suffered a foot injury in 2011, which caused him to lose his starting role and has since been buried in the depth chart behind younger players.
"I had some setbacks in the past," Harris said. "Learning from my experiences has helped me push forward and get on with things, and it kind of helped me grow up a little bit more than how I was when I first got here. Having some of those freshmen come in and be in front of me helped me out a lot. It taught me to grow up and realize that this is my opportunity to play as a senior and to leave out of here the right way."
Harris feels that he was given a second chance when the new coaching staff arrived in Austin, and made it a point to not waste this opportunity.
"I do feel like I have gotten another chance. A new coaching staff has come in, and it's a new system, so it's up in the air with everybody. It's a new chance to show what you can do and a new chance to move forward and move on from the past."
Harris, who has dropped his weight from 230-lbs to 215-lbs, said he has been working at inside and outside receiver. The weight loss has significantly helped him with his speed and route running ability.
"It has made a significant difference. It's easier for me to run, easier for me to move around with those guys and easier for me to compete with some of the younger guys who have fresher legs than I have. It has made a huge difference for me, mentally and physically.
Charlie Strong commended Harris at Thursday's media availability and said he has had an "unbelievable camp." With Jaxon Shipley's timetable for return currently up in the air, Harris is looking forward to the opportunity ahead of him.
"I am just looking forward to this season. Last season was a bit of a setback and a stepping-stone for me. But I am looking forward to this season and helping contribute." (Gaspar)
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One of the things we knew about Charlie Strong when he arrived in Austin is that he would lean on out of state prospects in recruiting in a way that Mack Brown never really did and you can see the fruit of the staff's labor in commitments from four different states in the last few months.
As we head into the home-stretch, there will be two kinds of out-of-state prospects that the Longhorns will be targeting:
a. The nationally elite prospects that the Longhorns have been recruiting all year.
b. The late-bloomer prospects that might help the Longhorns address needs in the event that they can't land prospects from the first section.
While we won't likely know some of the names of the late-bloomers for a few more months, I wanted to take some time in this week's War Room to profile the recruitments of those big-time prospects that the Longhorns are still making a run at. While most of these guys might be considered long-shots at best, the Texas coaches are working to get that puncher's chance that an official visit would likely give them.
Here's a position-by-positon look at what is still currently on the table from the out of state ranks:
Running Backs
Nicholas Brossette / Baton Rouge (Louisiana) University Lab School
Rankings: Ranked as the No.24 RB and No. 235 overall prospect by Rivals.
Breakdown: Brossette is currently committed to LSU, but his overtures with the Longhorns is something to watch closely and he's already indicated that he will visit Austin on an official visit. This isn't nearly the long-shot that some of the other prospects listed below register as and I'm not sure that the word long-shot should be used at all in this case because the Longhorns have a real chance here.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 7/25) "As of right now I'm going to take my official visits to LSU and Texas right now. All of my officials will be after the season."
"(LSU's) close to home and I can stay by my family and stuff. And I think it's good opportunity to come in and play."
"(Texas has) been recruiting me real hard. They want me to come in and play. They've been straight up with me. They're not going to sugarcoat anything. That whole coaching staff is a great group.
"I have a good relationship with coach Strong and coach Robinson and coach Vaughn. They're really cool. We talk a lot."
(Via OB on 7/18) "They're (UT) sitting pretty good right now."
"I know (Joe) Bergeron, Malcolm Brown and maybe (Johnathan) Gray will be gone. So they said if I do go there, it will be wide open to play."
Tight Ends
Devonaire Clarington/ Miami (Florida) Booker T. Washington
Rankings: The No.5 TE and No. 148 overall prospect by Rivals.
Breakdown: The Longhorns currently rank among his top seven schools and are fighting for one of his coveted five official visits.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 8/13) Tennessee: "I like the environment there and they're in the SEC. That's competition because it's one of the hardest conferences in college football."
Miami: "They have more resources than any other colleges and they're right there at home. My whole family can go there (to see me play)."
Florida: "I like the environment and the vibe from the coaching staff. Coach Muschamp has been visiting me at all my schools."
Alabama: "They've been recruiting me since ninth grade, so I've gotta give them respect for that. They've been there since Day 1."
Texas: "They're one of the top schools in the country and they don't offer everyone from Miami."
Florida State: "They also offered me in ninth grade and have been there since Day 1. Plus, they're the national champions."
LSU: "I don't really know too much about them but I like them. And I'd like to get to know them, talk to the coaches and see how the environment is around there."
(Via USCfootball.com on 4/9) "I haven't thought about which schools I want to see yet. I need some time before I make a smaller list of schools. That will happen either mid-way through or after my senior season. Then I'm going to commit at an All-American game."
"I want to compete for a starting spot my freshman year and at least get reps in each game. But I also want to go to a school where the guy in front of me is very good. I want to learn from somebody and have some support. The experience will help me. I want to be prepared for that third year when the NFL is really looking at you. But if it comes down to it and I have to learn on my own, I'll do that."
"I'm also looking for a school with good academics. I'm really open to going anywhere as long as they have what I'm looking for. I don't mind going to school away from home. I don't need to always be at home, college is just four years out of my life."
Will Gragg/Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Ranking: Nation's No.7 tight end by Rivals.
Breakdown: The Longhorns are in Gragg's top six and are expected to get an official visit in September. While Texas might not be in the pole position, the depth chart is in its favor and they've got more than a puncher's chance.
Key quotes: (Via Hawgsports.com on 8/7)
On Alabama: "We went down there last weekend, me and K.J. did. We stayed down there for about three days. Their tradition and the way they work is just outstanding. They were going non-contact and they were still sounding off. Coach (Nick) Saban likes a physical team and I can see how he gets them that way.
Coach (Bobby) Williams, the tight ends coach down there, the man does a tremendous job with the tight ends from a technique standpoint to going through the motions himself. I like the way he engages with the players. The tradition and the way they work is really what stands out about Alabama."
On Ole Miss: "Coach (Hugh) Freeze is the man. I like talking to Coach Freeze and I like his production. Each year he's been at Ole Miss their win percentage has increased. The last year and the year before, they went to a bowl game and won. Those are good things. Their tight ends coach, Coach (Maurice) Harris, he's been on me just about as tough as Coach (Barry) Lunney. Things down there are looking up. They're seeing tremendous production from their tight ends. You've got Evan Engram down there. He was an all-freshman player, and it's just a fun time in Oxford."
On Texas: "Coach (Charlie) Strong is putting his foot down. He said he wants to put the T back in Texas. He's doing it. He's dismissing players left and RIGHT, but like he told me, he's got five Code of Conduct rules and if you can't abide by those rules, he'll get rid of you and it's next man up. They're young at tight end and I'd have a chance to play immediately. That's a positive about them, and I just like Coach Strong's personna. He's from Batesville, he went to UCA, things like that. He's got Arkansas ties."
On LSU: I like what they're doing down there. Coach (Steve) Ensminger is the tight ends coach and he's working well with guys like Jacory Washington. They've got a good young team and they're looking up. Coach Cam Cameron is wanting to pass the ball, especially to the tight ends. Now that they're finally getting the guys they want at tight end, he wants them to produce."
On Arkansas: "They're the home state school. Everyone loves Arkansas. I love the Razorbacks. I want to wait and make sure that the decision is right, but Coach Lunney and Coach (Bret) Bielema are definitely on me. I think their relationship is as good as it can get with me. They're doing everything they can. Their tight end production has been great. You had Hunter (Henry) up there, a Freshman All-American. "
I just want to see them produce more. That Auburn game is going to tell me a lot. Not a lot of people are expecting them to win, I know, but the way that they go out there and fight and go about their business, that will tell me a lot about how they've prepared in the offseason.
(Via OB on 5/23) "They're definitely in the mix. I like the things that are coming along, the way coach Strong used tight ends at Louisville and is going to use them there. I feel good about it."
(Via Rivals on 4/7) "I want to get down to Texas again before my official visit. I want to get down to LSU and Florida State. I go back up to Arkansas on (April) 26 and I plan to get to Ole Miss (April) 18 but I don't know about that yet."
"It changes every day. Like Georgia they're definitely in the mix now that I have the offer, but I'm going to wait until the end of the summer to release it just when I'm sure and I've had a chance to visit the campuses."
(Via OB on 3/31) "The visit was great. I had never been there before to Austin. To see it for the first time was great. I toured everything, the weight room, the players' lounge, the locker room. It exceeded my expectations for sure."
"I met with just about all the coaches. Most of my time was with coach (Bruce) Chambers and with (Ken) Rucker and coach (Charlie) Strong. Those three guys, they really sold me the program. They were telling me about their needs at tight end, what the plan to do the tight ends in the future. In the past, Texas didn't use the tight ends very much but they used them a lot at Louisville. I liked it.
"They said I was about the perfect fit. They said I have the versatility of being a blocker on the line and the ability to catch and run routes. That's something that caught my eye."
"It definitely elevates them for me. They're a big player."
Defensive Tackles
Daron Payne/Birmingham (Alabama) Shades Valley
Rankings: Nation's No.3 DT and No.20 overall prospect by Rivals.com.
Breakdown: While the Longhorns don't seem to rank as a front-runner, he maintained less than a week ago that the Longhorns will receive one of what might only be two official visits he takes. If the Longhorns get him on campus on the right weekend, watch out.
Key quotes: (Via AuburnSports.com on 8/18) "I'm going to some games at Auburn, Bama and Mississippi State, but I'm not sure which ones, yet. As for official visits, I'll probably take just two. I'm thinking I'll take one to Texas, maybe Mississippi State, but I'm not planning on taking official visits to Auburn or Bama."
"With Auburn, I grew up a fan of Auburn and I love the coaching staff," he said. "Coach (Rodney) Garner is a real cool guy. I love the way he coaches and how he rotates all the defensive linemen. That means I would have an opportunity to play as a freshman.
"With Bama, they are all about winning and hard work. And Mississippi State, I've been down there twice and I love it down there. One of my teammates (running back Keith Mixon) is also committed there."
(Via OB on 7/18) "Texas is a school I want to look at. Coach Rumph, I love the way he coaches. He just tells me that they're turning it back around and they have more discipline up there."
(Via AuburnSports on 3/17) "My top group is Texas, Florida State, Alabama and Auburn. I have the most interest in them."
"For a while, Auburn was recruiting me the hardest, they would come by the school all the time. Now, I think Alabama. "It'll probably go back and forth between who recruits me the hardest.
"I'm open to leaving the state though, I'm looking for the best opportunity."
"There's pressure from everybody, but most people tell me to go where I feel comfortable. When I was growing up, I wanted to go to Auburn. That came from my grandfather. He's a big influence, but all my family was. I knew I liked Auburn when Nick Fairley was there, he was a beast."
Tim Settle/Manassas (Virginia) Stonewall Jackson
Rankings: Nation's No.12 DT and No.160 overall prospect by Rivals.com.
Breakdown: The Longhorns were in his most recent narrowing of a favorites list to 15 and he claims to want to take an official visit during the season. Still, there's a lot of work to do.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 7/7) "I released it but things change. I stopped talking to people because, like I said, I was focused on improving myself. I need to have an excellent season. I need to be a leader because I'm a captain. During the season I'll talk to some schools but right now I'm just focusing on myself." - See more at: https://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1656810#sthash.dtFsTjxU.dpuf
(Via Rivals on 5/25) "Clemson and Tennessee are recruiting me the hardest. Tennessee is my TOP SCHOOL and the visit I had out there went great. They were on spring break so I'd like to see it when more people are on campus. I'll try to get back up there sometime this summer.
"I feel like Alabama knows what they're doing and they're building something special out there. They get you ready for the NFL and it's all about football out there.
"My relationship with the staff at Clemson is really strong. I talk to them daily and keep them informed.
"I like that, if I went to Florida State I could play anything on the line. I haven't been to the campus yet so I really can't say much. I've talked to coach Haggins before.
"The thing with Texas is that coach Rumph was my coach at the Alabama camp I went to so I know how he coaches. That's why I like them. I understand everything that he goes through, he's a funny guy and he tells you what you need to do."
"One school that I think will move up the list is Oklahoma State, possibly into the top five but I don't know," he said. "They're a strong team, they have a great campus and a great football tradition. The coaches are great and I really liked the facilities."
Defensive Ends
Takkarist McKinley/San Pablo (California) Contra Costa C.C.
Breakdown: McKInley's recruitment would seem to be fairly open among the schools he plans to visit, as his enthusiasm for all of them is very strong. The Longhorns are one of the schools he is set on taking an official visit to later in the year, so the Longhorns are right where they want to be.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals 6/27) "It's going to be Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona State and UCLA. I'm going to take all five no matter what, so I'm just trying to figure out what the fifth visit is going to be. That last school will determine the dates and all that."
"That could change any time, but USC and Missouri are what I'm looking at now."
"I just got (to UCLA) and I'm already in love with it, With USC, it was different than what I'm used to. It was pretty good. I'm from the Bay Area, so it was different. I'm used to Cal and places like that."
(Via OB on 5/2) "Coach Brian Jean-Mary, the linebackers coach, hit me up on Facebook. He said he saw my film, talked to coach (Alonzo) Carter at (Contra Costa), and loved my film. I call them and he said I'm offered.
"I thought someone was playing with me. I called his number, he was on the phone, he was like "Tak." I want to let you know, you have an offer from the University of Texas. Once he said that, I just burst out smiling. Texas doesn't offer just anybody. To have an offer from the Longhorns, it's an amazing feeling."
"He (Strong) didn't want to get off the phone. I talked to him for a while. They've been sending personal mail to my house almost every day," McKinley said.
(Via OB on 5/23) "Each school that offers me, I try to do my research on them, see how it fits me. Out of high school I signed with Cal and I kind of rushed into things. I want to take it slow, see what every school has to say, take my time with it.
"Cal was close to home, 10, 15 minutes. I felt like Cal was a great fit for me. I was from a small-town school, they offered me and five minutes later I called them back to commit. Now I want to take things slower."
"Those are Big 12 schools. Texas has an amazing coaching staff with coach Strong and coach Bedford, all of them. I feel he's going to change Texas back to their national championship days. At Louisville, he had one of the best defensive ends picked in first round of the draft. If he can progress a quarterback into a first-round draft pick, he's doing something right. At Oklahoma, that's just Oklahoma. They beat Bama in their bowl game. To get offered by them is an amazing experience."
"That's kind of what I ask the coaches, what about your depth chart. Are there any seniors leaving or any upcoming freshman? I know at Texas they have Cedric Reed, by the time I go there he would be gone, so it would be a battle. I don't want anything to be given to me, I'll have to earn my spot. All I want is an opportunity and I think I'd get that at Texas.
Linebackers
Bo Wallace/ River Ridge (Louisiana) John Curtis
Rankings: No.27 OLB in the country by Rivals.com
Breakdown: Wallace has kept a very low profile during the recruiting process, but when you read this kid's comments across various sites, you'll see a kid that seems to scream "Charlie Strong kid". Keep an eye on this one moving forward… just a hunch.
Key quotes: (Via Purplemenace.com on 7/28) "Tradition matters, but I want to go where the degree is best for me. For me, it's about preparing for life after football."
"I actually don't know. I'm talking about it with my family. My dad just wants everything to be low key."
(Via OB on 4/11) "The message he's delivering to me is that I'm a great athlete, but he's also saying that academics are more important than that. He kind of touched on the university itself, about their academics."
"When I think of Texas, I think about the athletes, the speed that they have. I think about if I was to choose Texas, how would I fit in, just like I do with the rest of the schools. I imagine myself with the uniform on playing, at practice, communicating with the coaches."
Defensive Backs
Iman Marshall/ Long Beach (California) Poly
Current status: Offered
Breakdown: Marshall listed six schools today for his five visits, with the Longhorns in a tie with Oklahoma for the last spot on his list. According to Marshall, he wants the two respective fan bases to help him decide… yeah… I dunno.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 8/21) "I know I have six teams and I'm only able to go on five official visits but I'm torn between Texas and Oklahoma. I'm asking the fan base of both programs to help me decide between these two historic programs."
"I didn't choose to take my official visits to USC, UCLA or Stanford due to the fact that they're West Coast schools and I want to go out and venture to the schools on the East Coast and see what that's all about. I could visit those local schools at any point."
Most importantly with Notre Dame it's the history and the legacy and the competitive schedule. Coach (Brian) Kelly is one of the best football coaches in America."
"Florida State has a great coach with Jimbo Fisher and its track record of developing players is outstanding. I want to take an official visit out there. They're the national champs and that tells you enough and then the opportunity of having a chance to make it to the next level is very big coming out of Florida State."
(Ketch)
This post was edited on 8/21 10:29 PM by Ketchum
After talking to numerous sources over the past few weeks to get practice info, here's how things look for the Longhorns heading into game week, which officially kicks off on Monday.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
David Ash
Tyrone Swoopes
Jerrod Heard
ASH: Has been the far-and-away leader all camp. He looks best throwing the ball, has the best release, the best timing with the receivers and the easiest time diagnosing a defense and going through his reads from everything we have been told through three weeks of daily conversations with multiple sources. Ash also looks the most comfortable on the rollout, and is the only QB on the Texas roster that can consistently throw accurately while on the move at this point. In fact, one source said he felt like the new offense was "tailor-made" for a player like Ash because it forces him to be decisive and not lock up. We're told Ash has not transformed into a Vince Young or Colt McCoy-type leader overnight but that he has the absolute respect of the team as the offense's bus driver. The team respects Ash for the person and player he is. The fall-off from Ash to Tyrone Swoopes at this moment appears to be substantial, but perhaps not as substantial as some might have thought prior to fall camp.
SWOOPES: We're told the light has finally come on for Swoopes, and for the first time since coming to Texas outside of brief flashes, he is actually looking like a future QB instead of an athlete floundering in a role that doesn't suit him. We're told that if they had to play today, there would be another fall-off in play moving from Swoopes to Heard. Swoopes has a big arm. Surprisingly, some sources have told us that from a pure arm strength perspective, Swoopes is the leader in the clubhouse. His arms are very long and one source says "sometimes it looks like a ball coming out of a catapult" when Swoopes goes downfield. We're told that no quarterbacks on the Texas roster spin the ball with the same "catchable" style that Ash tends to, but that Swoopes is really digging in on trying to add some touch to his throws. We're told that Swoopes is clearly a player who many on the team look up to and more of a vocal presence than the others, in fact, we're told that at Thursday's practice, Swoopes was in the middle of the pack before a pre-practice "bull in the ring" drill jumping around and slapping teammates in the helmets.
HEARD: Heard has shown signs of great progress through camp, and we're told that if the progression continues, "he's going to be a great one," by one source, who also mentioned at the time that Heard "is much faster than people think." With this said, the constant feedback we've gotten through camp is that Heard has been basically a work in progress. We've heard at times that the freshman locks on to his first read and diagrams where the ball is going which has led to interceptions and broken passes. We're told Watson has been working with Heard on his delivery and motion to alleviate issues that have apparently cropped up with wobbly passes. It seems Watson wants Heard to get his elbow up higher over his shoulder and stay stiffer with getting his wrist over the top of the ball at release. While Heard is catching on quickly (to his credit, probably quicker than most true freshman ever do given his extensive training with QB guru George Whitfield), there are simply some balls currently that are "getting away from him," especially when throwing deep balls into contested situations.
Offensive Line
LT - Kennedy Estelle, Marcus Hutchins
LG - Sedrick Flowers, Taylor Doyle
C - Dom Espinosa, Jake Raulerson
RG - Kent Perkins, Alex Anderson/Elijah Rodriguez/Curtis Riser
RT - Desmond Harrison, Darius James
- Scholarship players participating on the third team are C Terell Cuney and LT Camhron Hughes. Cuney has struggled through camp with a minor hamstring injury while Hughes has apparently had something of a fall-off since starting camp looking relatively impressive. We're told that Hughes has been the frequent subject of ire from OL coach Joe Wickline for his play, but to Hughes' credit, we're told he keeps putting his head down and coming to work despite apparently being buried on the depth chart. Another scholarship player who was buried on the depth chart was RS FR Rami Hammad who OB first reported last week was considering transfer, and who has not been at practice for the last three days according to sources we've spoken to. Charlie Strong confirmed on Thursday that Texas will move into the future without Hammad.
- Desmond Harrison has performed well at right tackle but will miss the first game, and it's not yet set in stone that Harrison will only have to sit the season opener. We expect it will just be a one-game suspension, but Harrison will need to continue to toe the line over the next two weeks. For that matter, a couple other linemen, including Kennedy Estelle, need to avoid any other missteps as well.
- The starting offensive line has been the same since the open practice and we have been told that Kennedy Estelle is still receiving "basically all" first-team reps, and that the very occasional insertion of Hutchins into the first-unit is likely a motivational ploy for Estelle or a little bit of insurance making sure "(Wickline) knows what kind of unit he has on his hands" in case Estelle again fails to uphold his scholastic responsibilities.
- The smart money at this point appears to be on Darius James to man the RT position against UNT while Desmond Harrison serves his suspension, but this is a point we'll have much greater clarity on next week as pre-game practices start for UNT.
- Kent Perkins has probably been the offensive lineman who has been most raved about by the sources we've communicated with. Outside of Desmond Harrison's progression, Perkins asserting himself as a true future run force for Texas has been one of the recurring themes of camp when discussing the OL.
Receivers and Tight Ends
- It's hard to project a depth chart with the WR group, as we're told the offense mixes and matches so much with formations and personnel involving tight ends and slot receivers. Clearly, Jaxon Shipley (when healthy) and Marcus Johnson are the Longhorns' top two options on the outside and the slot position looks to be filled by a mix of walk-on Ty Templin and the explosive Daje Johnson.
- Shipley has suited up for practice for the last three days and gone through warm-ups, but is still being held out of 7-on-7, team and positional drills, from what we're told. Charlie Strong said on Thursday Shipley's availability for the season opener is still up in the air.
- In recent days, John Harris has started picking up a lot more first-team reps taking away from Marcus Johnson, one source told us. Harris supplanting Johnson on top of the depth chart would be a huge shock … most likely, the coaches are simply trying to get Harris as much work as possible since they'll need him as part of the rotation.
Jacorey Warrick - Continues to draw great reviews and looks to be significant factor. As OB mentioned over the summer, the one issue that Warrick struggles with is consistently catching the ball.
Armanti Foreman - The talk of camp as a newcomer, Foreman has surely cemented at least some sort of role in which he'll contribute immediately. He's smooth with great acceleration out of his cuts.
Jake Oliver - Oliver should have his chance to step into the spotlight this year as part of the rotation, and based on our conversations with some sources in the last few weeks, he's taken advantage of the opportunities when the ball has come his way, including a couple catches downfield.
Roderick Bernard - One source actually told us he gets Bernard "mixed up with Daje." Quite a compliment given Johnson's pure athletic ability.
Lorenzo Joe - Has flashed numerous times out of the slot and is a player with a great understanding of the route tree, good length and dependable hands. He's another player who could be an early contributor.
Dorian Leonard - We're told of all the freshman candidates to step up in 2014, Leonard might not be quite there with the others right off, but has the most potential of any of them as a big, foreboding future X WR.
Garrett Gray - While he has flashed some nice things, we're told Gray looks like a prospect who will redshirt based on what they have seen thus far.
Ty Templin - With Daje Johnson's suspension for the first game, Templin has taken advantage and has picked up first-team reps for the majority of fall camp. From our conversations, it sounds like he does have the confidence of the UT coaches and David Ash, who we've heard targets Templin frequently.
- As for the tight ends, the "starting two" are clearly M.J. McFarland and Geoff Swaim, with Swaim being the player overwhelming most noted as having a terrific camp. The TE position at Texas has been a wasteland for half a decade, and while fans should not expect an explosion from the position statistically in 2014, Swaim will be one of the true key pieces to the 2014 offense. Sources have said, and we saw it last year, that Swaim is a devastating and gifted open field blocker with exceptional understanding of leverage and play design. Even if the ball doesn't get into his hands as often as it might in some other systems, we're told that losing Swaim at any point during the 2014 season would be a disaster.
- Converted FR Andrew Beck has had some nice moments at TE, but from all reports we're getting, he still has work to do as both a blocker and a receiver. Blake Whiteley looks like the second-team TE with the most upside, and one person told us he is actually the largest tight end on the Texas roster. The source said, "he doesn't seem like it with the way he moves, but when you stand next to him, he's like a mountain."
Running Backs
Malcolm Brown/Johnathan Gray
D'onta Foreman/Duke Catalon
- Not much needs to be said about Brown as the Longhorn fan base knows full-well what he should be capable of if remaining healthy for a season. Speaking of health, Gray is "fine" and "ready" based on everything we're told coming off of 2013 Achilles surgery. Gray is taking hits in practice and looking as if he has not lost a step. If the original plan was to "ease Gray back in" to action for the 2014 season, or sources have given us no indication that this will still be the case.
- Catalon was injured very early in camp after showing some good things to start, but the addition of D'onta Foreman to the fold was a real shot in the arm to a unit that is in desperate need of depth. Thursday was Foreman's first day in full pads and one person in attendance at camp told us he was watching the running backs doing pass block drills, and saw No. 33 clobber someone.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
SDE Cedric Reed, DT Desmond Jackson, DT Malcom Brown, WDE Shiro Davis
SDE Bryce Cottrell, DT Alex Norman, DT Hassan Ridgeway, WDE Caleb Bluiett
SDE Jake McMillon, DT Poona Ford, DT Chris Nelson, WDE Derrick Roberson
- That's some solid depth along a salty defensive line.
- The WDE position is the only one that remains in question regarding how snaps will be split up as we've heard after only a few practices through camp that Bluiett was receiving first-team run, with Shiro Davis getting the overwhelming majority of the starter's snaps. Coming into the UNT game, Davis should still be considered the starter barring major changes to the personnel next week which one source said he did not see coming. Charlie Strong himself said at his Thursday PC that the defensive side of the ball is pretty well sewn up.
- Hassan Ridgeway has drawn rave reviews through camp as a player who is simply bullish when he gets a little bit of fire in him. One source said that if he "keeps his head on straight, he sometimes has the look of a guy with first-round talent."
- Kind of flying under the radar has been freshman Derick Roberson, but in looking back through notes from conversations, his name keeps popping up as a guy doing some nice things. Though he's extremely thin, Roberson certainly passed the eyeball test as a physical specimen with tremendous upside at practices open to the media, and has extremely long arms and good range out on the edge. He appears to be fitting in quite nicely.
- The biggest couple of presents Texas fans have under the tree that they seemingly can't wait to open come in the form of FR DTs Chris Nelson and Poona Ford. Ford is the smaller of the two players, but has longer arms than Nelson and is more explosive off the ball while Nelson is stronger, meaner and a little dirtier with his hands at this point in their development, based on our conversations. It would not be a surprise to see one or both of these players receive some sort of game-action as freshmen, although, clearly it would be optimal to not have to do so, preserving an extra year of eligibility. The old saying is, the closer you get to the line of scrimmage, the harder it is for a freshman to start.
Linebackers
WLB Jordan Hicks, MLB Steve Edmond, SLB Peter Jinkens
WLB DeMarco Cobbs/Timothy Cole, MLB Dalton Santos, SLB Naashon Hughes
The two names we've heard consistently mentioned from this group are Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond, and they've received pretty equal mention in our conversations.
Hicks has been said to have had a very good camp by those close to the program, and the feeling from people inside the team is that he's finally ready to take the next step into becoming a plus player. Of course, the same was said last year, only to see Hicks' season derailed due to injury. One person said Hicks' may be Texas' best combination of athleticism and ability to take on blockers, and he's probably the guy that has the best instincts and ability to track the ball over the entire field. "We need Hicks this year. If he's healthy, it gives our defense a lot more options. If he's not, I'm not sure how the line-up will look," one source said.
Edmond has been a fixture on the field based on everyone we've talked to and a couple people feel he too is ready to take the next step forward, and he's feeling a level of comfort in the new defense that has carried over from the second half of last year before suffering a late injury. It's always hard to get a true indicator from practices on a guy like Edmond because he's not allowed to be as physical as he'd probably like, but it sounds like the coaches are expecting him to be very involved in the game planning and execution.
Beyond those two players, in all honesty, it's been pretty quiet from day to day. Cobbs seemed to be having the better camp of the back-ups early on, but his name hasn't been mentioned as much and there's been talk that he could be getting a push from Cole.
Defensive backs
CB Quandre Diggs, S Mykkele Thompson, S Jason Hall, CB Duke Thomas
CB John Bonney/Jermaine Roberts, S Josh Turner/Adrian Colbert, S Dylan Haines, CB Bryson Echols
After what looked like it would be a major youth movement for this group early in camp (there was a time in the open practice where the entire backfield consisted of true freshmen), it sounds like things are beginning to settle into place.
Diggs is an obvious fixture. When you talk to people privately about workouts, you sometimes get the true highlights (interceptions, PBUs, etc) and no player has been mentioned nearly as much as Diggs has in our conversations.
The biggest surprise, as we first reported a couple weeks ago, is Jason Hall's slotting with the first team. The true freshman was a bit of an under the radar recruit but he has impressed with his physical play and his confidence, per our conversations. One team source said Hall's speed and ability to cover on his 6-2 frame has been the biggest surprise of the true freshmen.
Mykkele Thompson spent some of the early part of camp working out at cornerback but it sounds like he's been mostly at safety of late. Thompson has been one of the players singled out as having had a terrific camp, including by Charlie Strong.
Before camp began, some people inside the team expected Adrian Colbert to be a solid bet to start due to the suspension of Josh Turner. After a bit of a slow start, Colbert has begun to come on of late and has seen a lot of first-team run when the defense goes to its nickel package, per our sources.
Diggs and Thomas are the staples at corner, and it sounds like Bryson Echols has begun to cement his spot as the third CB in the rotation (unless a player like Thompson was to slide over there). The young guys, including Bonney, Roberts and Antwuan Davis, have had their moments, but it sounds like Echols has earned more confidence from the coaches. (OB Staff)
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Wide receiver John Harris' journey as a Longhorn has not played out the way he may have imagined. After redshirting his freshman year in 2010, Harris was poised to make an impact for the Longhorns. But he suffered a foot injury in 2011, which caused him to lose his starting role and has since been buried in the depth chart behind younger players.
"I had some setbacks in the past," Harris said. "Learning from my experiences has helped me push forward and get on with things, and it kind of helped me grow up a little bit more than how I was when I first got here. Having some of those freshmen come in and be in front of me helped me out a lot. It taught me to grow up and realize that this is my opportunity to play as a senior and to leave out of here the right way."
Harris feels that he was given a second chance when the new coaching staff arrived in Austin, and made it a point to not waste this opportunity.
"I do feel like I have gotten another chance. A new coaching staff has come in, and it's a new system, so it's up in the air with everybody. It's a new chance to show what you can do and a new chance to move forward and move on from the past."
Harris, who has dropped his weight from 230-lbs to 215-lbs, said he has been working at inside and outside receiver. The weight loss has significantly helped him with his speed and route running ability.
"It has made a significant difference. It's easier for me to run, easier for me to move around with those guys and easier for me to compete with some of the younger guys who have fresher legs than I have. It has made a huge difference for me, mentally and physically.
Charlie Strong commended Harris at Thursday's media availability and said he has had an "unbelievable camp." With Jaxon Shipley's timetable for return currently up in the air, Harris is looking forward to the opportunity ahead of him.
"I am just looking forward to this season. Last season was a bit of a setback and a stepping-stone for me. But I am looking forward to this season and helping contribute." (Gaspar)
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One of the things we knew about Charlie Strong when he arrived in Austin is that he would lean on out of state prospects in recruiting in a way that Mack Brown never really did and you can see the fruit of the staff's labor in commitments from four different states in the last few months.
As we head into the home-stretch, there will be two kinds of out-of-state prospects that the Longhorns will be targeting:
a. The nationally elite prospects that the Longhorns have been recruiting all year.
b. The late-bloomer prospects that might help the Longhorns address needs in the event that they can't land prospects from the first section.
While we won't likely know some of the names of the late-bloomers for a few more months, I wanted to take some time in this week's War Room to profile the recruitments of those big-time prospects that the Longhorns are still making a run at. While most of these guys might be considered long-shots at best, the Texas coaches are working to get that puncher's chance that an official visit would likely give them.
Here's a position-by-positon look at what is still currently on the table from the out of state ranks:
Running Backs
Nicholas Brossette / Baton Rouge (Louisiana) University Lab School
Rankings: Ranked as the No.24 RB and No. 235 overall prospect by Rivals.
Breakdown: Brossette is currently committed to LSU, but his overtures with the Longhorns is something to watch closely and he's already indicated that he will visit Austin on an official visit. This isn't nearly the long-shot that some of the other prospects listed below register as and I'm not sure that the word long-shot should be used at all in this case because the Longhorns have a real chance here.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 7/25) "As of right now I'm going to take my official visits to LSU and Texas right now. All of my officials will be after the season."
"(LSU's) close to home and I can stay by my family and stuff. And I think it's good opportunity to come in and play."
"(Texas has) been recruiting me real hard. They want me to come in and play. They've been straight up with me. They're not going to sugarcoat anything. That whole coaching staff is a great group.
"I have a good relationship with coach Strong and coach Robinson and coach Vaughn. They're really cool. We talk a lot."
(Via OB on 7/18) "They're (UT) sitting pretty good right now."
"I know (Joe) Bergeron, Malcolm Brown and maybe (Johnathan) Gray will be gone. So they said if I do go there, it will be wide open to play."
Tight Ends
Devonaire Clarington/ Miami (Florida) Booker T. Washington
Rankings: The No.5 TE and No. 148 overall prospect by Rivals.
Breakdown: The Longhorns currently rank among his top seven schools and are fighting for one of his coveted five official visits.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 8/13) Tennessee: "I like the environment there and they're in the SEC. That's competition because it's one of the hardest conferences in college football."
Miami: "They have more resources than any other colleges and they're right there at home. My whole family can go there (to see me play)."
Florida: "I like the environment and the vibe from the coaching staff. Coach Muschamp has been visiting me at all my schools."
Alabama: "They've been recruiting me since ninth grade, so I've gotta give them respect for that. They've been there since Day 1."
Texas: "They're one of the top schools in the country and they don't offer everyone from Miami."
Florida State: "They also offered me in ninth grade and have been there since Day 1. Plus, they're the national champions."
LSU: "I don't really know too much about them but I like them. And I'd like to get to know them, talk to the coaches and see how the environment is around there."
(Via USCfootball.com on 4/9) "I haven't thought about which schools I want to see yet. I need some time before I make a smaller list of schools. That will happen either mid-way through or after my senior season. Then I'm going to commit at an All-American game."
"I want to compete for a starting spot my freshman year and at least get reps in each game. But I also want to go to a school where the guy in front of me is very good. I want to learn from somebody and have some support. The experience will help me. I want to be prepared for that third year when the NFL is really looking at you. But if it comes down to it and I have to learn on my own, I'll do that."
"I'm also looking for a school with good academics. I'm really open to going anywhere as long as they have what I'm looking for. I don't mind going to school away from home. I don't need to always be at home, college is just four years out of my life."
Will Gragg/Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Ranking: Nation's No.7 tight end by Rivals.
Breakdown: The Longhorns are in Gragg's top six and are expected to get an official visit in September. While Texas might not be in the pole position, the depth chart is in its favor and they've got more than a puncher's chance.
Key quotes: (Via Hawgsports.com on 8/7)
On Alabama: "We went down there last weekend, me and K.J. did. We stayed down there for about three days. Their tradition and the way they work is just outstanding. They were going non-contact and they were still sounding off. Coach (Nick) Saban likes a physical team and I can see how he gets them that way.
Coach (Bobby) Williams, the tight ends coach down there, the man does a tremendous job with the tight ends from a technique standpoint to going through the motions himself. I like the way he engages with the players. The tradition and the way they work is really what stands out about Alabama."
On Ole Miss: "Coach (Hugh) Freeze is the man. I like talking to Coach Freeze and I like his production. Each year he's been at Ole Miss their win percentage has increased. The last year and the year before, they went to a bowl game and won. Those are good things. Their tight ends coach, Coach (Maurice) Harris, he's been on me just about as tough as Coach (Barry) Lunney. Things down there are looking up. They're seeing tremendous production from their tight ends. You've got Evan Engram down there. He was an all-freshman player, and it's just a fun time in Oxford."
On Texas: "Coach (Charlie) Strong is putting his foot down. He said he wants to put the T back in Texas. He's doing it. He's dismissing players left and RIGHT, but like he told me, he's got five Code of Conduct rules and if you can't abide by those rules, he'll get rid of you and it's next man up. They're young at tight end and I'd have a chance to play immediately. That's a positive about them, and I just like Coach Strong's personna. He's from Batesville, he went to UCA, things like that. He's got Arkansas ties."
On LSU: I like what they're doing down there. Coach (Steve) Ensminger is the tight ends coach and he's working well with guys like Jacory Washington. They've got a good young team and they're looking up. Coach Cam Cameron is wanting to pass the ball, especially to the tight ends. Now that they're finally getting the guys they want at tight end, he wants them to produce."
On Arkansas: "They're the home state school. Everyone loves Arkansas. I love the Razorbacks. I want to wait and make sure that the decision is right, but Coach Lunney and Coach (Bret) Bielema are definitely on me. I think their relationship is as good as it can get with me. They're doing everything they can. Their tight end production has been great. You had Hunter (Henry) up there, a Freshman All-American. "
I just want to see them produce more. That Auburn game is going to tell me a lot. Not a lot of people are expecting them to win, I know, but the way that they go out there and fight and go about their business, that will tell me a lot about how they've prepared in the offseason.
(Via OB on 5/23) "They're definitely in the mix. I like the things that are coming along, the way coach Strong used tight ends at Louisville and is going to use them there. I feel good about it."
(Via Rivals on 4/7) "I want to get down to Texas again before my official visit. I want to get down to LSU and Florida State. I go back up to Arkansas on (April) 26 and I plan to get to Ole Miss (April) 18 but I don't know about that yet."
"It changes every day. Like Georgia they're definitely in the mix now that I have the offer, but I'm going to wait until the end of the summer to release it just when I'm sure and I've had a chance to visit the campuses."
(Via OB on 3/31) "The visit was great. I had never been there before to Austin. To see it for the first time was great. I toured everything, the weight room, the players' lounge, the locker room. It exceeded my expectations for sure."
"I met with just about all the coaches. Most of my time was with coach (Bruce) Chambers and with (Ken) Rucker and coach (Charlie) Strong. Those three guys, they really sold me the program. They were telling me about their needs at tight end, what the plan to do the tight ends in the future. In the past, Texas didn't use the tight ends very much but they used them a lot at Louisville. I liked it.
"They said I was about the perfect fit. They said I have the versatility of being a blocker on the line and the ability to catch and run routes. That's something that caught my eye."
"It definitely elevates them for me. They're a big player."
Defensive Tackles
Daron Payne/Birmingham (Alabama) Shades Valley
Rankings: Nation's No.3 DT and No.20 overall prospect by Rivals.com.
Breakdown: While the Longhorns don't seem to rank as a front-runner, he maintained less than a week ago that the Longhorns will receive one of what might only be two official visits he takes. If the Longhorns get him on campus on the right weekend, watch out.
Key quotes: (Via AuburnSports.com on 8/18) "I'm going to some games at Auburn, Bama and Mississippi State, but I'm not sure which ones, yet. As for official visits, I'll probably take just two. I'm thinking I'll take one to Texas, maybe Mississippi State, but I'm not planning on taking official visits to Auburn or Bama."
"With Auburn, I grew up a fan of Auburn and I love the coaching staff," he said. "Coach (Rodney) Garner is a real cool guy. I love the way he coaches and how he rotates all the defensive linemen. That means I would have an opportunity to play as a freshman.
"With Bama, they are all about winning and hard work. And Mississippi State, I've been down there twice and I love it down there. One of my teammates (running back Keith Mixon) is also committed there."
(Via OB on 7/18) "Texas is a school I want to look at. Coach Rumph, I love the way he coaches. He just tells me that they're turning it back around and they have more discipline up there."
(Via AuburnSports on 3/17) "My top group is Texas, Florida State, Alabama and Auburn. I have the most interest in them."
"For a while, Auburn was recruiting me the hardest, they would come by the school all the time. Now, I think Alabama. "It'll probably go back and forth between who recruits me the hardest.
"I'm open to leaving the state though, I'm looking for the best opportunity."
"There's pressure from everybody, but most people tell me to go where I feel comfortable. When I was growing up, I wanted to go to Auburn. That came from my grandfather. He's a big influence, but all my family was. I knew I liked Auburn when Nick Fairley was there, he was a beast."
Tim Settle/Manassas (Virginia) Stonewall Jackson
Rankings: Nation's No.12 DT and No.160 overall prospect by Rivals.com.
Breakdown: The Longhorns were in his most recent narrowing of a favorites list to 15 and he claims to want to take an official visit during the season. Still, there's a lot of work to do.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 7/7) "I released it but things change. I stopped talking to people because, like I said, I was focused on improving myself. I need to have an excellent season. I need to be a leader because I'm a captain. During the season I'll talk to some schools but right now I'm just focusing on myself." - See more at: https://texas.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1656810#sthash.dtFsTjxU.dpuf
(Via Rivals on 5/25) "Clemson and Tennessee are recruiting me the hardest. Tennessee is my TOP SCHOOL and the visit I had out there went great. They were on spring break so I'd like to see it when more people are on campus. I'll try to get back up there sometime this summer.
"I feel like Alabama knows what they're doing and they're building something special out there. They get you ready for the NFL and it's all about football out there.
"My relationship with the staff at Clemson is really strong. I talk to them daily and keep them informed.
"I like that, if I went to Florida State I could play anything on the line. I haven't been to the campus yet so I really can't say much. I've talked to coach Haggins before.
"The thing with Texas is that coach Rumph was my coach at the Alabama camp I went to so I know how he coaches. That's why I like them. I understand everything that he goes through, he's a funny guy and he tells you what you need to do."
"One school that I think will move up the list is Oklahoma State, possibly into the top five but I don't know," he said. "They're a strong team, they have a great campus and a great football tradition. The coaches are great and I really liked the facilities."
Defensive Ends
Takkarist McKinley/San Pablo (California) Contra Costa C.C.
Breakdown: McKInley's recruitment would seem to be fairly open among the schools he plans to visit, as his enthusiasm for all of them is very strong. The Longhorns are one of the schools he is set on taking an official visit to later in the year, so the Longhorns are right where they want to be.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals 6/27) "It's going to be Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona State and UCLA. I'm going to take all five no matter what, so I'm just trying to figure out what the fifth visit is going to be. That last school will determine the dates and all that."
"That could change any time, but USC and Missouri are what I'm looking at now."
"I just got (to UCLA) and I'm already in love with it, With USC, it was different than what I'm used to. It was pretty good. I'm from the Bay Area, so it was different. I'm used to Cal and places like that."
(Via OB on 5/2) "Coach Brian Jean-Mary, the linebackers coach, hit me up on Facebook. He said he saw my film, talked to coach (Alonzo) Carter at (Contra Costa), and loved my film. I call them and he said I'm offered.
"I thought someone was playing with me. I called his number, he was on the phone, he was like "Tak." I want to let you know, you have an offer from the University of Texas. Once he said that, I just burst out smiling. Texas doesn't offer just anybody. To have an offer from the Longhorns, it's an amazing feeling."
"He (Strong) didn't want to get off the phone. I talked to him for a while. They've been sending personal mail to my house almost every day," McKinley said.
(Via OB on 5/23) "Each school that offers me, I try to do my research on them, see how it fits me. Out of high school I signed with Cal and I kind of rushed into things. I want to take it slow, see what every school has to say, take my time with it.
"Cal was close to home, 10, 15 minutes. I felt like Cal was a great fit for me. I was from a small-town school, they offered me and five minutes later I called them back to commit. Now I want to take things slower."
"Those are Big 12 schools. Texas has an amazing coaching staff with coach Strong and coach Bedford, all of them. I feel he's going to change Texas back to their national championship days. At Louisville, he had one of the best defensive ends picked in first round of the draft. If he can progress a quarterback into a first-round draft pick, he's doing something right. At Oklahoma, that's just Oklahoma. They beat Bama in their bowl game. To get offered by them is an amazing experience."
"That's kind of what I ask the coaches, what about your depth chart. Are there any seniors leaving or any upcoming freshman? I know at Texas they have Cedric Reed, by the time I go there he would be gone, so it would be a battle. I don't want anything to be given to me, I'll have to earn my spot. All I want is an opportunity and I think I'd get that at Texas.
Linebackers
Bo Wallace/ River Ridge (Louisiana) John Curtis
Rankings: No.27 OLB in the country by Rivals.com
Breakdown: Wallace has kept a very low profile during the recruiting process, but when you read this kid's comments across various sites, you'll see a kid that seems to scream "Charlie Strong kid". Keep an eye on this one moving forward… just a hunch.
Key quotes: (Via Purplemenace.com on 7/28) "Tradition matters, but I want to go where the degree is best for me. For me, it's about preparing for life after football."
"I actually don't know. I'm talking about it with my family. My dad just wants everything to be low key."
(Via OB on 4/11) "The message he's delivering to me is that I'm a great athlete, but he's also saying that academics are more important than that. He kind of touched on the university itself, about their academics."
"When I think of Texas, I think about the athletes, the speed that they have. I think about if I was to choose Texas, how would I fit in, just like I do with the rest of the schools. I imagine myself with the uniform on playing, at practice, communicating with the coaches."
Defensive Backs
Iman Marshall/ Long Beach (California) Poly
Current status: Offered
Breakdown: Marshall listed six schools today for his five visits, with the Longhorns in a tie with Oklahoma for the last spot on his list. According to Marshall, he wants the two respective fan bases to help him decide… yeah… I dunno.
Key quotes: (Via Rivals on 8/21) "I know I have six teams and I'm only able to go on five official visits but I'm torn between Texas and Oklahoma. I'm asking the fan base of both programs to help me decide between these two historic programs."
"I didn't choose to take my official visits to USC, UCLA or Stanford due to the fact that they're West Coast schools and I want to go out and venture to the schools on the East Coast and see what that's all about. I could visit those local schools at any point."
Most importantly with Notre Dame it's the history and the legacy and the competitive schedule. Coach (Brian) Kelly is one of the best football coaches in America."
"Florida State has a great coach with Jimbo Fisher and its track record of developing players is outstanding. I want to take an official visit out there. They're the national champs and that tells you enough and then the opportunity of having a chance to make it to the next level is very big coming out of Florida State."
(Ketch)
This post was edited on 8/21 10:29 PM by Ketchum
