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Inside the War Room (February 26)

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Suchomel

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Aug 10, 2001
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When Texas coach Charlie Strong announced the hiring of Charlie Williams as his receivers coach, the majority of Longhorn fans had never heard of Williams.

Williams has been an assistant coach throughout his 30-year career, and his last job was with the Indianapolis Colts. He was hired at Texas to replace Jay Norvell, who left Texas after one season to coach at Arizona State. Williams is going to be Strong’s third receivers coach in three years. Most Longhorns just want to know if they finally have a receivers coach who will get the most out of a talented group of pass-catchers.

According to Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, Strong knocked it out the park by hiring Williams.

Dungy is known for turning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a powerhouse franchise, and Williams coached receivers under the legendary coach from 1996 to 2001. When I contacted Dungy for his insight, he had nothing but positive things to say about Strong’s newest coaching addition.

“I’m just delighted for him,” Dungy said. “I know he’s going to do great there. He’s a high-energy coach. He works hard to have his players be the best they can be. He coached receivers for me, and made them the best they could be, but he also wanted them to be the best they can be off the field as well. He’s somebody who is going to work in all aspects of their growth. He is very challenging, very demanding. He worked with a lot of great players at the University of Miami and helped them in their development. He’s worked with college players. He’s worked on the NFL level and helped them grow to another level. I just think he’s going to be tremendous.”

Dungy gave Williams his first NFL shot because he believed the coach would become tremendous one day. Never forget, Dungy is the same guy who previously hired Mike Tomlin, Lovie Smith, Herman Edwards, Leslie Frazier and Rod Marinelli.

When Williams coached receivers at Miami from 1993 to 1995, Dungy heard about the assistant’s success. According to the UT press release, “In 1993 and 1994, Williams coached Chris T. Jones, who led the Hurricanes in receiving and was first-team All-Big East both years. The 1993 Hurricanes (9-3) played Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl, and Jones led Miami with six catches for 98 yards. Jones went on to be selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft, along with A.C. Tellison, who was drafted in the seventh round that year by the Cleveland Browns. Williams was part of the 1994 Miami staff that led the Canes to a 10-2 finish and played Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. He also coached Yatil Green, who was eventually a first-round pick in the 1997 draft by the Miami Dolphins.”

Williams’ success is why he offered the coach a chance to join his staff in Tampa Bay.

“I just saw the work ethic of the Miami receivers,” Dungy said. “That’s what we wanted to create in Tampa. We wanted to create guys who worked hard and bought into the team atmosphere. He’s a great drill instructor, in terms of getting guys to catch the ball better and running routes. Those are things you have to do to be a good player, but more anything, instilling the team spirit, work ethic, and attitude of a champion. I think that’s what he brought to us and our group, and it was tremendous.”

Dungy said he received the same results with Williams in Tampa.

During Williams’ tenure in Tampa, he coached Bert Emanuel, Rob Thomas, Karl Williams, Keyshawn Johnson, Reidel Anthony and Jacquez Green. Johnson was chosen to play in three Pro Bowls while Williams was his position coach.

“Karl was a free agent with us our first year,” Dungy said. “We didn’t know much about him, and he became a vital cog in what we were doing. A tremendous blocker, great punt returner, and he just blossomed and did some tremendous things for us. To me, that’s one of his strengths. We had veteran players, like Bert Emanuel. We had young, talented, high draft choices. We had guys who weren’t really household names. He worked with all of those guys and got them better and feeling like a part of what we did. Of course, Keyshawn came three to four years later, and this is an established All-Pro, and I think he helped him grow, and helped him expand his game, too. Working with everybody, and helping everybody to be better was the hallmark.”

More importantly, Williams made sure his group was known as the hardest workers on the team.

“I thought he was tremendous for our group, especially our young receivers,” Dungy said. “The work ethic and atmosphere in his room was we’re going to be the hardest workers on the team, we’re going to do things the right way all the time, not just on the field, and not just when the ball is coming to us. But, in all of our assignments, and all the things we do, and be team players. He set that example by his hard work, and by caring about the guys as individuals."

Many Longhorns fans never heard of Williams before he was hired.

Considering his success under Dungy, he might become well-known name among Longhorn fans very soon.

By the way, Dungy had a lot to say about Strong, and I will share his thoughts in The Sunday Pulpit this weekend. (Richardson).

*******

Texas will host a junior day on Saturday and while the primary focus of the event will be for the UT coaching staff to begin developing relationships with potential top targets in the 2017 recruiting class, it will also afford the Texas coaches a chance to spend some important face time with some of the current Longhorn commitments.

Some key conversations could take place with tight end commitment Major Tennison.

Key comments: "It's obviously still a huge honor to be a part of the Texas Longhorns. I've looked at other schools. I'm not going to hide that from anybody. I've just looked around at how people use the tight end. I'm still committed, just feeling things out right now," Tennison said.

"I've always liked the Longhorns. It's been a dream to be a part of it. The flair of committing to he University of Texas has kind of worn off, the reality of going to college. I wouldn't say it's a super strong commit. I'm still looking at how other schools use the tight end. I'm not trying to hide that, not trying to mislead anyone."

Junior Day objectives: The four-star prospect out of Bullard said his main goals for this weekend's visit are to hang out with the other UT commitments and get some time around the new offensive coaches.

"I hope to get to talk to the new offensive coordinator, get to know him, really find out how they're going to use the tight end next year and over time," Tennison said. "I really want to get some insider information if I can.

"From what he has said (previously), it seems like they'll throw the ball to the tight end a little more so that's good news for me. ... But that's all I really know right now."

Contact with UT: Tennison said he talks to UT tight ends coach Jeff Traylor about ever week or week-and-a-half. Things have slowed down a bit of late with the coaches focused on working out the wrinkles with the new offense, but Tennison said he's looking forward to getting some extended time with the Texas coaches this weekend.

The UT junior day is the only visit Tennison has scheduled at the moment. Tennison said he has kept Traylor in the loop about his desire to look at other schools.

"He knows. I think he knows I'm committed and love Texas. I'm also looking around but still committed," Tennison said. (Suchomel)

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Texas extended an offer to Plano East defensive tackle Deiontae Watts this week and while the Longhorns are in the early mix, there is ground to make up.

Key quote: "Texas would be pretty high up on my list," Watts said. "Out of the offers I have right now, I would put them at number two. Baylor would be number one and right under (Texas) would be Texas A&M."

On the UT offer: Watts was in class this week when his position coach texted him and asked him to come to his class room. When he got there, his coach was smiling and told him he wanted Watts to talk to someone. Watts got on the phone and UT assistant Brian Jean-Mary was on the line.

"He said he watched my film over and over, was impressed with it all," Watts said. "He said they wanted to offer me a scholarship to the University of Texas. I was happy. I was excited.

"He said they like how I just got after it, how I basically got through the line on every play."

Junior day plans: Unfortunately for Texas, Watts will not be at the UT junior day on Saturday. He is planning to visit A&M on Sunday, and that's the only trip he currently has scheduled.

Thoughts on his favorites: Watts weighed in on his three early leaders.

Baylor - "I love their education. What I want to major in, they are really big on it - that's medical. I want to be a medical assistant."

Texas - "I went down there for a game once (Kansas game last year). Everybody in the stands and on the field that was associated with Texas, it was a family."

Texas A&M - "I like Texas A&M because one thing I noticed, just in life in general, everybody in Texas is basically an Aggie fan. If everyone outside of life is an Aggie fan, campus has to be wild."

No big rush, and academics are first: Watts does not want to commit early. In fact, he said he'd like to make a commitment on signing day next year (most kids say that at this early stage). He's also serious about going to a good academic institution.

"I'm taking it a slow pace. I want to take it all the way through. I like football, of course, but I'm going there to be a student athlete. I want to a school that benefits me more as a student, helps me be successful. I'm planning to take my official visits and go off those." (Suchomel)

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Baton Rouge Madison Prep defensive end Bryan Jones will be a player worth watching closely this weekend at the Junior Day. Jones is a teammate of 2016 UT signee Malcolm Roach, and he's hoping a Texas offer comes his way during Saturday's visit.

Key quote: "They (Texas) would fit as a good choice because I would have a chance to reunite with one of my teammates who taught me a lot in high school, from ninth grade to where I am now," Jones said. "He's like a mentor for me."

Spring visit schedules: So far, Jones has only visited LSU in mid-February. With the UT visit on Saturday, he said he wants to get a feel for life as a college student, see the stadium, the academics and find out what you need to do well as a student at UT.

He'll be accompanied on the visit by teammate Malcolm Roach, head coach Mike Roach, his position coach and a couple teammates.

"I just want to see the school, the academic standpoint, what all I need to be a Longhorn," Jones said.

Wide open: Those were the words Jones used to describe his recruiting status ... "wide open."

Roach does try to recruit him to Texas and Jones admitted having a friend and high school teammate at Texas could have a "big impact" on his decision. But Jones also said he wants to keep things open all the way until National Signing Day.

His game: At 6-4 and 240 pounds, Jones obviously has terrific size for a defensive end. He talked about the strengths of his game and what he wants to do to get better.

"Once I get on the field, once the helmet comes on, it's just game over. When the helmet is off, I'm the nicest person in the world. Come game time, I've got to switch to a beast," Jones said. "The strengths for me as a player, I can easily trip up the quarterback when pass rushing. I can take on a fullback and get the running back at the same time. I like doing that type of stuff. The thing I need to work on is getting stronger." (Suchomel)

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Fort Worth South Hills wide receiver Tylan Wallace has a lengthy list of scholarship offers. He was invited to the Texas junior day but is unable to attend.

He has already hit junior days at Houston and Oklahoma State but doesn't have any other trips planned at this point.

"The facilities there (at Houston) were pretty nice," Wallace said of the Houston visit. "I liked the environment here. They put all the recruits in the game lounge they have over there so that was pretty nice.

"I liked (Oklahoma State) too. They showed us around a little bit. Then we went into our skill positions, talked with the coaches, showed us film on what we would do if we were an actual player."

Thoughts on Texas?

"I know with Texas, they're a good football team, outside of what they did this year. They were a young team this year," Wallace said. "They'll get better eventually. They've been a successful football team the past few years."

Wallace, like most other players, said he's "keeping it really open" and doesn't plan on narrowing his list until sometime this summer. He said Chad Morris at SMU and Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy are showing him the most interest right now. Wallace does hope to visit UT in the near future, but said he'll have to work on the details. (Suchomel)

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Lake Dallas Corinth cornerback Kobe Boyce will be in attendance on Saturday and he said he's excited to get an up-close look at the UT program.

"Mainly I'm really excited to come in and be able to be a part of this," Boyce said. "My main goal is to get to know the coaches, build a better relationship with them, especially the corner coach who just came in."

Boyce is being recruited by Arkansas, so one would think he may have a relationship with new UT DB coach Clay Jennings, but the two have yet to talk.

"Not yet," Boyce said if he has talked to Jennings. "I just recently found out that he was announced the corner coach. I'll make sure I get to talk to him at junior day."

Significant interest from Texas: Boyce doesn't know if he'll be in line for an offer on Saturday, but the UT coaches are showing quite a bit of interest.

Last week, Brian Jean-Mary reached out to Boyce to let him know he was invited. Then Brick Haley hit him up to let him know he had an invitation and wanting to make sure Boyce was all set up to attend.

"(Haley) mainly just said he wants some dogs up there, and he thinks I'm one of them," Boyce said. "Hopefully an offer will come up there at junior day. We'll have to see. I'm not sure, we'll have to see, but I'm really interested in Texas."

Possible early commitment?: Boyce said if Texas does offer, the Longhorns will be at or near the top of his list. He said he'd likely continue to evaluate his options, but thinks he would hold off on making any quick decisions.

"Texas is one of the top schools on my list, so a commitment could be in the picture. But I still want to look at my options in the future," Boyce said. "But I would be very interested."

Four schools standing out: It's early, but Boyce listed Texas, Cal, Texas Tech and Southern Cal as schools that are on top of his list.

Thoughts on Texas: "I just like what Charlie Strong is doing up there. He's come through a lot, been through a lot in the past year. I like what they did with their recruiting class in 2016, the last three days before signing day with all the commits. I don't know what's going on up there, but I know something good is happening and it would be good to be a part of it." (Suchomel)

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San Antonio John Jay OL Matthew Huhn is another scheduled junior day attendee. Huhn has already visited Baylor, SMU, Oklahoma State and Texas State.

Contact with Texas: "I first heard from UT a while back, a few weeks before Signing Day. It was a week or two after I got my Baylor offer, things were kind of blowing up at the time. I would like to get a feel for the coaching staff (on the junior day visit). I already knew the offensive line coach from when he was at Tulsa. I would love to build a bond with him them."

Early leaders: Huhn is pretty open as he waits for new offers to come in. Of his current offers, he lists Baylor and Houston as his top two. SMU and Texas State are close behind.

Of those who haven't offered but have been in contact, Huhn said Texas "would be a good one." A&M and TCU are others who have been in touch.

Thoughts on Texas: "When I first think of Texas, the first thing that comes to mind is football. Also, it's an amazing university, well-known, a big powerhouse for football," Huhn said. "They can have a bad season like this year, but look at the recruiting class they still picked up."

Other visits: After the UT junior day, Huhn will hit UTSA and Rice.

Decision timetable: The 6-7, 270-pound Huhn would like to make a somewhat early decision. He said his choice could come anywhere between the beginning of summer to the end of the football season. (Suchomel)

******

So, the Longhorns are set to host their junior day on Saturday and I honestly can't remember an even with less buzz. That's not to say Texas won't host some very good players - there will be lots of talent on campus - but very few fireworks are expected.

As we've seen the past couple recruiting cycles, the Texas staff isn't necessarily in a rush to hand out offers to every kid in the state and the Longhorn coaches don't necessarily push for early commitments.

I would expect a couple offers could go out this weekend (guys like Eno Benjamin, Montrell Estell, Bryan Jones, Kenneth Murray and Kobe Boyce could be possibilities), but I'd caution anyone sitting around their computers on Saturday waiting for a run of offers or commitments.

The Texas staff likes to take its time with evaluations, see guys up close and often, and you can't really argue the results. OB will of course be on hand to cover Saturday's event from start to finish.

Here's the list of players who have confirmed to OB that they will be in attendance. We'll continue to update this over the next 48 hours as others are sure to show up.

Sam Ehlinger- QB - Austin Westlake (UT commitment)
Jalen Mayden- QB - Sachse (2018)
Eno Benjamin- RB - Wylie East
Camron Buckley- WR - Cedar Hill
Montrell Estell- WR - Hooks
Damion Miller- WR - John Tyler (UT commitment)
Dhailon Philips- WR - Lufkin
Drue Jackson- WR - Lufkin (2018)
Major Tennison- TE - Bullard (UT commitment)
Grayson Reed- OL - Houston Cy-Creek
Tyrese Robinson- OL - McKinney Boyd (OU commitment)
Matthew Huhn- OL - San Antonio John Jay
Brenden Jaimes- OL - Lake Travis
Walker Little- OL - Houston Episcopal (maybe at last check)
LaGaryonn Carson- DE - Liberty-Eylau (UT commitment)
Troy Porche- DE - Houston Lamar
Taquon Graham- DE - Temple
Bryan Jones- DE - Baton Rouge Madison Prep
Earnest Brown- DE - Denton Ryan
Alex Duke- DE - Bellaire (Houston commitment - said he has family plans but still plans to attend)
Anthony Hines- LB - Plano East
Baron Browning- LB - Kennedale
Kenneth Murray- LB - Missouri City Elkins
Mohamed Sanogo- LB - Plano West
Darrion Green- DB - Dallas Woodrow Wilson
Derrick Tucker- DB - Manvel
Kobe Boyce- DB - Lake Dallas
Josh Thompson- DB - Nacogdoches (invited, unsure if attending)
 
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