Talked to several people today about the hiring of Bob Bowlsby as Big 12 commissioner (the official announcement will come Friday). First and foremost, the respect Bowlsby commands across the college athletics landscape is the thing schools across the league are excited about. They feel like they have a guy who can walk in a room with Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney or SEC commissioner Mike Slive and have a guy on equal footing.
Something to keep an eye on: when the new ABC/ESPN deal goes through (probably before the end of the summer), the Big 12 will extend its current agreement of a six-year granting of TV rights back to the conference to 13 years. That's huge. No school can leave the Big 12 without its TV rights. That basically cements the 10 schools in the league to the Big 12 for 13 years.
So now it's a matter of whether the Big 12 can attract some big fish to come swim in its lake. Right now, most of my best sources in the Big 12 are saying "we are good." But one of those sources said to me today, "Well, if the right two came along," when I asked about possible expansion. And that makes it a fluid situation. That's where all the smoke about Florida State and Clemson possibly joining the Big 12 could be more than just smoke.
I spent tonight on the phone with people totally connected at Clemson. And they told me, Clemson would never move on its own to join the Big 12 and has not been contacted in any way shape or form by the Big 12 about a possible future marriage. But those sources said if Florida State was first to act in a move to the Big 12 that Clemson would then probably become interested.
Here's what I was told tonight: that the ACC brass (namely commissioner John Swofford) caters to UNC hoops coach Roy Williams and Duke hoops coach Mike Krzyzewski and that basketball continues to rule the ACC. That's left schools like Florida State and Clemson feeling a little cold. I was told neither Florida State nor Clemson is excited about the additions of Pittsburgh and Syracuse to the ACC in 2013 because those schools are not football schools and don't have the passion for football like FSU and Clemson.
The school to watch as we go forward appears to be Florida State. I will soon be digging on any and all relationships between new commissioner Bob Bowlsby and both Florida State and Clemson. Clemson's athletic director - Terry Don Phillips - is a former athletic director at Oklahoma State and has very strong relationships with Boone Pickens and current Big 12 Board of Directors chair Burns Hargis (Oklahoma State's president). Right now, the only common ground I see between Bowlsby and Florida State athletic director Randy Spetman is that they both grew up in Iowa (Bowlsby in Waterloo, Iowa, and Spetman in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Bowlsby was Iowa's AD from 1991-2005).
So there is reason to keep an eye on Clemson and Florida State going forward. But the lead would likely have to be taken by Florida State in terms of any marriage between those two schools and the Big 12, sources say. (BROWN)
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I had a long conversation with BCS executive director Bill Hancock about the meetings of the BCS commissioners in Hollywood, Florida, last month and about the meetings this week in Phoenix thrown by the Fiesta Bowl. Hancock feels like there is strong consensus for a four-team playoff in college football. What format that would take remains to be seen. There are all kinds of proposals right now - some that include using the bowl games for that playoff; some that would have on-campus games; others that would have a neutral site for the semifinals as well as a neutral site for the championship game.
And while Hancock told me he didn't know what direction those talks would go (they are expected to be resolved by the fall - when ESPN will get a 30-day negotiating window to renew its $500 million BCS TV contract - another source told me the presidents and chancellors finally appear to be on board for a four-team playoff in college football beginning in 2015. Wow. I never thought I'd see that day.
There are several proposals about how those four teams would be selected, including a selection committee as opposed to the BCS rankings, etc. This will get interesting. (Brown)
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The big recruiting news this week came through on Thursday afternoon when Livingston athlete Chevoski Collins picked up a formal scholarship offer from Mack Brown.
The offer did sort of come from out of the blue, but there were actually some strong signs of UT's growing interest when I spoke with Collins on Tuesday, following the school visit by the Texas coaches.
Collins said he speaks with UT pretty regularly, mostly Bo Davis. "He tells me they want me, different things," Collins said. "He's said when I'm ready to make a decision, just give them a call."
"He (Davis) is a really good guy. He just talks about trying to get me to be a Longhorn, things like that. He asks how I'm doing, how my family is doing."
Texas sent in for Collins' transcripts earlier this spring, so he's been approved for an offer for a while. On Thursday, that approval turned into a formal offer.
We spoke with Livingston head coach Randy Rowe shortly after Collins talked to Mack Brown for a little more information. Coach Rowe said most schools were initially looking at Collins as an offensive player, but lately there's been more talk of him playing on the defensive side of the ball. Oklahoma offered this week and while OU didn't rule out Collins as a receiver, the staff is leaning more towards defense. Same with TCU, according to coach Rowe's recent conversations with the Horned Frog coaches.
So what has made Collins such a hot prospect this spring?
"Obviously, he has great skills. But I think his leadership ability is really big. He's a natural leader," Rowe said. "He's a fierce competitor, he's just a winner. To kind of borrow a phrase from coach (Mack) Brown, 'he's just got it.'
"When he walks into the room, he has great charisma. He's looked up to, has a great personality. He gives , great effort and leads by example whit his effort and attitude. He has great burst, great quickness."
Texas has talked to Collins about playing either safety or cornerback. Collins told us on Thursday that he's going to continue to sort through his options, and he and Rowe had a similar discussion shortly after Collins hung up with Mack Brown.
"He's a level headed kid. That's one of the things I respect about him so much. He's going to sit back, think about it, pray about it, talk to the ones closes to him - his family and loved ones. But it's ultimately his decision," Rowe said. "I just finished talking to him. He's very respectful of the offers, but I don't think he'll rush into it. He'll probably make a decision before next season and I've advised him to do that."
My take: When I talked to Collins this week, I asked whether proximity would be a factor. He said he'd love to stay close to home and have his family around if he needs something, but it wasn't going to be a determining factor. I talked to a person close to Collins on Thursday, shortly after Collins was offered, and he wasn't buying the idea of Collins waiting too long before making a decision. "I'm calling his bluff. He will commit before the summer. UT is all he talks about recruiting wise," we were told.
Note: We'll have more on the Collins developments over the weekend. (Suchomel)
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Let’s dive into the Longhorns' wide receiver recruiting situation. There's been a lot of chatter recently about what Texas might or might not do with Fort Worth Southwest standout Ra'Shaad Samples.
At the risk of oversimplifying things, there really are no concrete answers as to how UT's wide receiver recruiting efforts will play out. The Longhorn coaches continue to evaluate prospects, with the three mentioned above taking top billing, but it's too early to make any definitive statements on what will happen with anyone.
We've heard that Texas really likes Rhodes, one of the state's most dynamic athletes and a guy who probably hasn't received the media or fan recognition that his talents warrant. UT also is high on Massington, who continues to collect offers, and both players are under consideration for scholarship offers. As for Samples, he's held a Texas offer since attending UT's first junior day in early February, but as each day turns on the calendar, it's looking less and less likely that that one will happen.
There are some moving parts in this one that make it extremely tough to predict how things will play out.
- First and foremost, it's not a foregone conclusion that the Longhorns will even take another receiver. Texas has some good young talent coming into the program in June, combined with the trio of 2013 commits in Jake Oliver, Jacorey Warrick and Ricky Seals-Jones (if he stays at receiver).
- With Samples, Texas is looking at a player who is very similar to current commitment Warrick, so the coaches have to consider their numbers carefully at the inside receiver position.
- With Massington, he's a guy whose stock is climbing due to some strong track times and an influx of offers, but there is some talk among college coaches (including one staff that offered this week) that he's a great athlete but not yet a great receiver. Could he turn into a star at the next level? Absolutely. But Texas is trying to be extremely thorough with its evaluations and eliminate as much risk as possible, thus the desire to see as much of Massington as possible and get to know him before a scholarship is extended.
- With Rhodes, he's a young man who has a ton of upside but hasn't invested a ton of time in the recruiting process, so it's hard for coaching staffs to gauge where they stand on his list. His physical ability has impressed the people who count, but again, Texas has to measure its needs carefully.
It's a phrase you all hate to hear, but this one is fluid. Things could continue to change in the coming weeks, especially with Massington and Rhodes expected to visit UT during the state track meet. If Texas decides to take another receiver - and that's still undecided at this point - things could possibly begin to come into focus in the next two weeks after those unofficial visits. (Suchomel)
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Checked in with Alief Taylor DE Torrodney Prevot on Thursday night for a quick update.
The speed-rushing end said he plans to visit Oregon in early October, but he said he's unsure of when he'll make his commitment. He still wants to see other campuses.
"I don't know about committing right after that," Prevot said. "It all depends on if I take my other visits the weeks before."
Prevot said he's not sure of other schools that he'll for sure visit, but he listed LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma State as possible destinations. In case you missed our report earlier this week, Prevot is hoping to make it to Austin next week for the state track meet and check out UT while in town. (Suchomel)
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It may be early for San Antonio Brennan defensive end Derick Roberson, but college coaches are already hot on his trail. On Wednesday, Texas defensive backs coach Duane Akina made his way to check him out and on Thursday, coaches from Oklahoma and Baylor dropped by practice.
When Akina was there, he received a little treat. Roberson, who was a terror for opposing offenses as a sophomore, has been equally tough for the Brennan offense in spring ball. On Wednesday he broke through the line and picked up the ball carrier and slammed him down. It was a sight to see, so I’m told. For Brennan coaches it was exciting, but they also didn’t want to see their own guys getting beat up.
Roberson seemed to be in a similar mood on Thursday while we were at practice. He was hard for anyone on offense to handle and the offense tried to run away from him. I saw a disciplined D-end who was quick to contain but constantly put pressure on the backfield. He has a great wingspan that helps him cover ground and take away passing lanes. He is a bit of a spinner in that he likes the spin move. He’s good at it so why not?
There is no doubt he is a high end, top recruit, and the crazy thing is he is fairly new to the weight room. Yep, that’s just craziness.
So after the practice today I caught up with him. Roberson was all smiles and in a good mood.
"I feel like things are going good," he said. "I’m glad to be back in spring ball, to get pads on and hit people.”
Last year Roberson wanted to make a name for himself and he certainly did that with triple digit tackle numbers and a big-time burst into offensive backfields.
He is excited about all the interest. He plans to go to a lot of camps this summer including Baylor, TCU and Texas.
Roberson is from Texas, but has moved around quite a bit since he is in a military family. Growing up, Texas was a school he always liked.
“My family being here in Texas, I just always liked the Longhorns.”
He is getting used to the spotlight, but admitted it is a little overwhelming. (Howell)
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While at Lancaster on Tuesday I caught up with 2014 standout Nick Harvey. There is no doubt he will be one of the most highly sought prospects of the class and he has talents that jump off the film and slap you in the face. He’s good, no question.
Harvey visited Baylor, Texas and Texas A&M this spring and had nice things to say about all three.
“I liked all three of them,” Harvey said. “A&M was probably my favorite because they made me feel at home. They took me in as a family. Baylor kind of did the same thing. I liked it down there. Texas, they have nice facilities so I liked that too.”
Harvey has not made plans for camps this summer but does plan to attend some. Baylor, Texas Tech and Texas A&M have each offered and has noticed quite a few schools watching him closely from the sidelines.
“It’s been alright but it’s starting to get a little crazy because a lot of schools are coming up here,” Harvey said. “I’m trying not to worry about it at practice because then I’ll start trying to do extra stuff. I just go out there and show them what I can do.”
When asked what schools he was really paying attention to right now, he listed LSU, Florida, Texas A&M, Texas, OU, Oklahoma St., West Virginia, Texas Tech and Baylor. (Howell)
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Since we are talking 2014, let’s talk quarterback and Denton Guyer’s Jerrod Heard. While I was in Dallas I was able to catch up with the junior-to-be signal caller.
This spring he is seeing more and more interest head his way. Rice, Boise St., Wake Forest and Mississippi St. come through the school. Nebraska, Alabama and Oklahoma have let the Guyer coaches know they are very interested. Then there is Texas, which has also shown quite a bit of interest.
It’s early, but Heard is soaking it up.
“It feels great,” Heard said. “I know at least I’m doing something right.”
Heard has noticed the coaches on the sidelines and feels good about how he has performed so far this spring.
“It’s real cool, it’s so exciting. It really makes the guys nervous out there but I just tell them to keep on going,” Heard said. “I just have to keep doing what I do. I can’t really look at them but know that they are there which is cool.”
Texas has not been in yet this spring, but that will likely change. In the meantime, Heard has been keeping in touch with Texas co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin.
“It’s cool knowing that I have that communication,” he said. “That I can text them and tell them I’m doing alright and have a good conversation. It’s cool, real cool.”
Heard visited Texas for the spring game and plans to attend a Texas camp this summer as well as camps at Texas A&M, Texas Tech and others around the state. He is also thinking about trying to make a few unofficial visits and/or camp trips to out-of-state programs.
One of Heard’s leading receivers, Ellis Jefferson, has been out with a hamstring injury. He is bringing it back slowly but is looking forward to getting back. Jefferson said he has not heard from Texas lately, but did attend the Texas junior day on February 25. He currently holds offers from Wake Forest, Mississippi St., Purdue, Colorado, Tulsa, Houston, and North Texas.
Of his offers, Colorado has caught his attention. As for Texas, Heard liked it a lot when he went down for the junior day and would love to hear from the Longhorns in the future. (Howell)
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My final stop of the last few days was this evening at San Antonio Madison, home to defensive tackle Vincent Taylor.
Madison has seen a lot of traffic as college coaches make their way to check Taylor out. TCU, Oklahoma and a few others have made their way to the school in the last few days. He is hoping to see Texas soon and has been keeping in touch with the Texas staff.
“I talk to coach Akina if not every day, at least once a week and let them know how my spring ball is going,” Taylor said.
He has had Texas high on his list for a long time and right now has them in his top three with two other in-state programs.
“If I had to pick a top three it would probably be Baylor, TCU and hopefully Texas,” Taylor said. “They’re the schools that are showing the most interest in me and keep up with my grades and my transcripts. They’re making sure I’m on track so that’s why they’re my top three schools.”
Taylor will be making his decision shortly after spring ball and when he decides, he plans to make a final decision and focus on his senior season.
Taylor is not the only one to watch on the Madison defensive line. Keep an eye on 6-2, 250-pound 2014 defensive end/defensive tackle C.J. Reese. He was the first one off the bench last year for the Mavericks and plans to camp at Texas, Baylor, Rice, TCU, Oklahoma, and Georgia. His role models are Demarcus Ware and Justin Tuck. He is work out partners with Taylor.
Also in the 2014 class is wide receiver Byron Daniels. Daniels plans to camp at Texas this summer. (Howell)
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Texas’ scholarship numbers in hoops could be tight when it comes to the 2013 recruiting class. In-state products Julius Randle and Keith Frazier appear to be at the top of the list, but another five-star might be right there with them.
Right now, UT still hopes it somehow lands a really athletic, slashing, 6-7 small forward in Devonta Pollard. Now, the Horns are after another 6-7, athletic, slashing, small forward, but this player is in the class of 2013 ? Nick King. King, rated as the No. 15 player in the country, is still watching the offers roll in. However, he has an idea of the schools he likes the most right now.
“This isn't in order but Georgetown, Memphis, Texas, North Carolina and Florida,” said King about what schools would be on the top of his list right now. The Memphis product also stated that all of those schools have offered in addition to Vanderbilt, Auburn, Georgia, Texas A&M, Providence, and others.
Texas has already put in work with King, and its ace recruiter is already hard at work. The Longhorns appear to be heavily interested, and with good reason.
“During my high school season, one of the coaches came to my practice,” stated the five-star prospect. “Coach (Russell) Springmann and I talk a lot and we have a great relationship right now. Yeah, they (Texas) said they're going to recruit me very hard. They need a versatile guy like me and they're going to come after me. They told me they don't have positions. They have five players that can get out and play. They play up and down and that's what I like.”
King hasn’t made many trips yet ? he said he’s visited Vanderbilt and Auburn unofficially but the Auburn visit was for a camp ? but he wants to see a couple of places during summer AAU ball.
“I think I'm going to take an unofficial to Florida for the Nationals, and Texas when we go down in a couple a weeks,” stated King. “We're going to Dallas EYBL session number three, (which is May 11-13 in Dallas).”
When I asked him to describe his game, King said he’s a “mismatch nightmare” because of his versatility.
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Checked in briefly with the father of Ronald (No. 5 overall in 2014 LSR 100) and Donald Monroe of Ft. Bend Bush. Mr. Monroe said that OU and A&M recently stopped by, but recruiting hasn’t really taken off for his sons. Considering that Ft. Bend Bush really isn’t that well known at all, especially for football, it might take a while before the schools really start to take notice of those two prospects.
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Exchanged a few texts with 2013 DeSoto SF Keith Frazier, and Frazier indicated that nothing has really changed regarding recruiting. He currently doesn’t have any visits planned. (McComas)
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It's not looking positive for Texas hoops in terms of landing Tulsa sophomore leading scorer Jordan Clarkson (16.5 ppg) in his desire to transfer. Tulsa AD Ross Parmley has refused to release Clarkson to Texas, and now Clarkson is scheduled to visit UCLA this weekend and Kentucky thereafter.
Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds probably could have called Parmley and said something like, "Look, if you ever want Tulsa to play any sport in the state of Texas again, you'll release Clarkson to all eight schools on his wish list." But that's not Dodds' style and probably won't happen. So, right now, Clarkson is looking elsewhere. (Brown)
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With the spring evaluation process underway, the LSR Top 100 for both 2013 and 2014 will look a little different when both are updated in the coming week or so, but its been a month or so since we posted an updated 2014 breakdown of the top 20. In some cases, not a lot has changed since we first posted this a month ago, but there are some important notes and quotes to be seen among the early difference makers.
Consider this an early primer for those that are still learning the names that matter in the upcoming class.
1. Hoza Scott/LB/La Porte Breakdown: The Longhorns are in a trailing position and have some work to do if they are going to be a real factor. The good news for Mack Brown and Co. is that they'll have Scott on campus in June and will get a
chance to make up some ground. The even better news for the Longhorns is that I spoke with two people this week with knowledge of Scott's recruitment and they believe that he's not in a commitment frame of mind right now and seems to have an open mind.
Confirmed summer camps: Texas, LSU and Texas A&M
Key Quotes: (Via AggieYell on 5/3) "I like it a lot at A&M and could see myself there, but I want to take a look at some other
colleges, too."
A&M, Alabama, LSU, Florida and California.
(Via Tigerbait on 4/6) "Eventually I want to go to different schools and see if I like them. When I talked to coach McGaughey he
seemed really interested. They want me to come up there and visit. The head coach (Les Miles) really wants to meet me, so I've got make the time to come down there."
(Via OB on 3/16) "I wanted to go to A&M because I knew they had a good outside linebacker coach, but since all that stuff changed I haven't been hearing from them. I'd probably go to Alabama too because they have a fast defense and everybody is fast paced and I like that kind of stuff.
"I grew up rooting for A&M because my poppa (grandpa) went there and he had family that went there. I've always watched them. He didn't play for them or anything. He just went to school out there.
"During the football season, they wanted me to come to one of their football games, but I couldn't make it," he said. "Then coach said they wanted me to come to one of their camps and he said he would take me up there for one of their day camps."
2. Nick Harvey/Ath/Lancaster
Breakdown: The offers are starting to come in for the states current No. 2, as Arkansas was the most recent school to make an offer official this week. Texas is one of three in-state schools that he's visited, but his mind seems open, but they will certainly be a major factor in his recruitment.
Key Quotes: (Via OB on 4/2) "The (Texas) coaches, a lot of them knew me. That kind of surprised me. That made it seem like they were interested in me a lot. They knew me by my face instead of having to ask me who I was.
"Everything is open. Academics will be the first factor. Then seeing if I can see myself staying there for four years. And how the team is, seeing if I can be in that family.
"Texas is probably in my top five. (On Sunday), they were talking about my film, how they liked it. They just told me to keep working, doing what I'm doing.
"It will probably be about this time next year. I just want to have it done so I don't have to worry about it during the
season."
3. Darrion Johnson/Ath/Brenham
Breakdown: Like Scott and Harvey, Johnson has an early top two, but you have to wonder about how firm his list right now because his recruitment is just getting started and he seems open to a lot of possibilities. His recruitment wont be a lay-up.
Key quotes: (Via OB on 4/16) "The top two in my mind right now are LSU and Oklahoma," Johnson said. "LSU, I like their secondary. Oklahoma's too. What I like about Texas is that they send DBs to the NFL. With Texas A&M, it's that they're in the SEC now."
4. Derick Roberson/DE/SA Brennan
Breakdown: Roberson is quick to say he's eager to take some time, but its clear the Longhorns have the pole position in the beginning stages of his recruitment.
Key quotes: (Via OB on 4/27) "I was just impressed by campus, the team and how excited the coaches were. I talked to coach Mack Brown and coach (Oscar) Giles. They said how excited they were to see me and how great of a season I had, how looking forward to seeing more of me.
"UT has been my favorite school since I was little. That's where all my family is and I've heard if you can make it at Texas, you
can make it anywhere. Plus Texas is just big in sports."
5. Ronald Monroe/QB/Fort Bend Bush
Breakdown: It's still very early in his recruitment and he's pretty wide-open heading into the spring evaluation process and summer camp circuit. Monroe has indicated that if the Longhorns begin to show more interest, they'll be a team he has a strong interest in.
Confirmed summer camps: Baylor, Houston, A&M and Texas
6. Solomon Thomas/DE/Coppell
Breakdown: The Longhorns appear to be in great shape after his spring game visit. Look for the coaches to work to cement his status during the spring and June summer camp. He's indicated that he wants to look around and he hasn't declared a true list of favorites, but you can't dispute that the Longhorns are in a prime position.
Key Quotes: (Via OB on 4/4) "Texas is definitely up there. They're probably around No. 1, but I'm so young I can't decide anything right now. But they're definitely up there.
"I live in Texas. I like Texas, I really like the coaches, they made me feel comfortable how they're all about education. They emphasize the student in student athlete. It's a great school and known to be a great program. It would be an honor to play there."
7. Varshaun Nixon/RB/Lake Travis
Breakdown: The Longhorns made a big impression on Nixon at the spring game. He's keeping his options open, but Texas is probably the smart money if they pursue with an offer.
Key Quotes: (Via RedRaiderSports on 4/6) "It was a good experience and I got to see a lot guys that are in the NFL, Ricky William's Heisman trophy, and Bevo's horns on the wall. It was a good atmosphere there. If you're going to go to Texas you better be ready to compete with all those guys there because it's going to be hard to get to number one on that depth chart."
(Via OB on 4/4) "I went out there and they all knew me. They knew my name already. I was really surprised to have Major Applewhite or Mack Brown know who I am.
"Texas is up there. They're one of the best schools in the nation, so they're going to be there. I have to look for the program that is going to fit me best though. Texas is up there. I would go to Texas, but I don't know how they really feel about me."
(Via OB on 3/23) "I really haven't heard a lot from Texas. I've been on Orangebloods before and I've seen them talking about me a little bit. I don't know. I've just heard from my coaches they've seen me and they have me on their radar.
I grew up watching a little bit of Texas football. I've been living in Texas all my life. Everyone likes Texas around me. There's nothing but Texas in Austin, so you just have to jump on the bandwagon. Those guys, they're good. They have top D1 recruits all the time. It's a great school. You have to be in the top 10-percent of your class just to get into that school."
8. Ed Paris/DB/Mansfield Timberview
Breakdown: This native of Louisiana appears headed out of state and there's a very strong chance he ends up in Baton Rouge. He's taken unofficial visits to Auburn, LSU, UCLA, USC, SMU, TCU, Texas Tech and Georgia.
Confirmed summer camps: Alabama and Florida, and possibly USC and UCLA
Key Quotes: (Via Tigerbait on 4/5) "I'm going back to LSU camp. I'll probably go to the USC and UCLA camps. I know for sure I'm going to be at the Alabama and Florida camps."
(Via OB on 3/30) "I'm just keeping things open. First I have to see things, get a feel for the school, the atmosphere. I also need to know education wise.
"I'm not really familiar with any of the Texas schools. When I come down there, I'll keep my eyes open, see if I like anything. I do know Vince Young. When I first moved down here, he was very popular."
9. Jerrod Heard/QB/Denton Guyer
Breakdown: Heard is likely the leader in the clubhouse for UT's 2014 quarterback offer and it's probably not rocket science at that point.
Confirmed summer camps: Texas
Key Quotes: (Via OB on 4/4) "It was amazing. I got to meet him and talk to him. It was something I will never forget. It was Mack Brown. It was great.
"It was amazing. It's a big city, a real big city actually. I felt at home. It was not that far. It was just a three-hour drive. It was really nice."
(Via OB on 3/9) "It was definitely Texas. That's all that was in this house. That's how I grew up. All of my family is Texas fans and I grew up and knew I liked Texas."
10. K.D. Cannon/WR/Mount Pleasant
Breakdown: Cannon currently lists Oklahoma State as his favorite school, with Miami and West Virginia ranking behind them. The Longhorns have some work to do if they are going to seriously be in the mix, so getting him on campus this summer would be big.
Key Quotes: (Via OB on 4/4) "Texas A&M is up there with Oklahoma St. and West Virginia."
(Via OB on 3/16) "Oklahoma St., I just like because they have a good receivers coach and they like to throw the ball."
11. Cedric Collins/CB/Dallas Kimball
Breakdown: Texas A&M has emerged as an early leader for the Skyline star and there are some questions about whether the Longhorns will really be a factor in his recruitment. For now, they are no better than fourth.
Confirmed summer camps: Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor.
Key Quotes: (Via OB on 5/1) "I'm still looking at Baylor and TCU, but A&M is at the top right now."
"It might be after spring or during the spring. I just haven't made my mind up. If you really like that school, why wait? If you really like the school and have been so many times, if you like the coaches, like the school, then why not commit?"
"I like at the end of practice, was talking to coach Sumlin. I really liked that. The coaches at Texas A&M, it just feels like home. I could feel really comfortable going there."
"Coach (Bruce) Chambers came by one day, but I wasn't there and he asked for my film but that was about it."
(Via PonyPride on 3/26) "It is never too early to commit."
(Via AggieYell on 3/23) "I like how (A&M is) going to be in the SEC. That's probably my favorite conference. I like how the coaches work the players, kind of like they do at Skyline. They have expectations for us."
On Texas: "About the same thing as A&M. I like their defensive backs coach. He has put a lot of guys into the league. I worked with him at their camp my freshman year."
(Via OB on 3/9) "(Being recruited) is just a blessing. I just try to do my best and hopefully it pays off in the end."
12. James David/LB/Rockdale
Breakdown: Davis falls into the category of 2014 kids that we still need to catch up with in the next week of two.
13. Josh Mabin/LB/Klein Oak
Breakdown: See James David. Mabin is still on the list of guys were working to get updates on.
14. Zach Whitley/LB/North Shore
Breakdown: Talked with a person with knowledge of his recruitment in April and the Longhorns are one of a number of teams that Whitley has an early interest in. I didnt get the sense that a favorite currently exists.
15. Samaje Perine/RB/Pflugerville Hendrickson
Breakdown: Perine listed Oregon and Alabama as a pair of early leaders and now has TCU in the pole position. Bottom line, his list looks very fluid at this early stage, but the Longhorns will be a factor.
Key Quotes: (via OB on 4/22) "I really liked it. I liked how the coaches were straight forward. They told you how it was, what they wanted, and that's how it's going to be if you went there. Mack Brown just told us all the stuff, how they run the business about recruiting. He said they go by the rules, the don't send letters if you're not old enough to get them. They don't do anything illegal. He told us all if he caught any coach breaking the rules even a little, they'd get fired if he ever caught them doing that.
"Major Applewhite, he told us he's not there to make friends with you. He's relying on you to put food on the table for him and his family. He's putting all his trust in you. I like that approach a lot. I like how they're straight forward. There's no BS. They tell you what they want and how they want it.
"(TCU has) sort of been on my list ever since last year when I went to their camp and had a chance to talk to coach (Gary) Patterson and see how the coaches work with their players. They've been on my list for a while.
"I doubt that I'd commit early. You never know, another team that you really wanted to go to could offer down the line. Then you have to change your point of views. I'm just going to wait it out."
(Via OB on 4/6) "I actually went to two spring games this past weekend. I went to the LSU one on Saturday and the Texas one on Sunday. They were both pretty cool but the Texas one was more I dont know the exact word for it but you got to actually meet the position coaches and all that stuff.
"I like Texas. They seem to have a lot of running backs running through there right now which doesnt intimidate me at all but they just seem to have a lot of running backs. They also send a couple of them to the NFL. They seem to do pretty good. Im just keeping my options open right now. Im not going to set my mind on one schools I want to go to.
"Going down to LSU I didnt really know many of the players but once I got down there and saw how they played and the teamwork I really liked it."
16. Cameron Hampton/LB/Dallas Carter
Breakdown: If the Longhorns offer this Dallas Carter star, there's a good chance that he becomes a Longhorn. Florida is the one state team to keep an eye on, but Oklahoma also is in the game after making a strong impression during an unofficial visit last month.
Key Quotes: (Via SoonerScoop on 4/16) "I'm not really worried about that right now. I'm just focused on my grades."
(Via OB on 3/23) "That's my second favorite school. I'm ready to go see the Longhorns. I would be happy to part of their whole program. I'm ready to go everywhere.
"Florida, I've been liking since I was a little boy. "Texas, my whole family could come see me play and they would enjoy me being close to home."
17. Dequone Shaw/DE/Dallas Roosevelt
Breakdown: Shaw hasn't started to really focus on recruiting and he hasn't been to a lot of campuses yet, but he has listed Baylor and Texas Tech as two teams of interest. His recruitment could look much different following the spring.
Confirmed summer camps: No plans as of yet.
18. Armanti Foreman/WR/Texas City
Breakdown: Foreman lists Florida as his favorite school early on, but he's pretty open at this point in the process, along with his brother, who prefers LSU. They both visited the Longhorns for the spring game and it's simply too early to draw a clear conclusion.
Key Quotes: (Via OB on 4/6) "(The Texas visit) was good. I've never been to a college. It wasn't just fully packed but the atmosphere and watching them play it was nice. They treated us well. I liked it."
19. Tony Brown/CB/Beaumont Ozen
Breakdown: Brown is receiving interest from all over the region, but the Longhorns will be tough to beat if they make him a priority.
(Via OB on 4/6) "With Texas, I grew up as a little kid, all through middle school I watched Texas. It was like a dream school. Then it's actually coming to life that I could actually have a chance to go to Texas. I'm just working hard, but that's amazing to me. There are going to be some hard decisions that I'll have to make my senior year.
"The coaches actually knew who I was. Coach Akina knew who I was right away, shook my hand and talked to me. Then the defensive coordinator shook my hand and talked to me.
"Alabama is one of them. Texas is one of them, one of those track and football schools that I could do both at. Texas A&M is another one. LSU is another where I could do both. Florida State is another. Oregon, USC, UCLA are in there and Texas Tech offered me a track scholarship."
20. Chris Hardeman/CB/Alief Taylor
Breakdown: Texas A&M has emerged as a clear front-runner and if the Longhorns are going to be a serious factor, they've got some real ground to make up based on his recent comments.
Confirmed summer camps: LSU (6/3), A&M (6/9), Texas (6/10) and FSU (7/16)
Key Quotes: (Via AggieYell.com on 4/24) "They (A&M) are number one on my board. They are sticking out. I like A&M a lot.
Afterwards, we talked to coach Sumlin. He told my dad and I that he would love to have me as an Aggie, that the program would benefit from me. I am one of the cornerbacks he wants to get in my class."
"Ced Collins, I talked to him. He's like my brother now. We were talking the whole time we were standing there. We were just talking about everything, just about how we wanted to go to the same college one day. We're the top two cornerbacks in the state. It would be crazy. I talked to Nick Harvey (Lancaster athlete from the class of 2014). I've known Maurice Smith (Sugar Land Dulles cornrback) since we were seven. Him and Reggie Chevis (Sharpstown linebacker) were both there. Maurice liked it a lot and Reggie did too.
A&M is number one and the rest in no order is LSU, Texas. Texas Tech, and Florida State."
(Via OB on 4/4) "In no order it would be LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Miami, Oregon and Florida State.
"It just all depends on the colleges that offer me and if I can get a chance to go visit the place. I went to LSU on Saturday. I've been to Texas, been to Texas A&M, been to Miami. Maybe this time next year, I may have a commitment. But if more schools that I'm interested in are from out of state, I may have to wait to take some (official) visits before I make a commitment."
(Via OB on 3/16) "My dream school is Miami. But I also like LSU. I'm a track and football guy so I like Texas A&M. They have a good track program. I went to Miami, Rice, Baylor, Texas A&M, and Texas camps last year. I'm going to LSU June 3rd, A&M June 9th, and then I'm going to Texas June 10th. I'm supposed to go to FSU July 16th.
Coach Giles and coach Diaz came to the school, and my head coach told them about me. At the time they didnt say anything. I think they were around to see Torrodney Prevot. But I'm very interested in them. I know Texas is like DBU. I really love coach Akina. I love their style of play and his coaching style. I went to their camp going into my sophomore year."
(Ketch)
This post was edited on 5/4 9:18 AM by Suchomel
