What the heck is going on with Missouri? I get that question a few times a day, and from what I'm told Missouri has not even talked exit fees with the Big 12 at this point.
Some believe Missouri is dragging its feet on announcing its departure for the SEC because it wants to gather as much intel as it can on West Virginia's deal with the Big 12 to soften its exit fees. (If Missouri can show the Big 12 won't be damaged by its departure, the maximum exit fee of $28 million could be reduced significantly. Nonetheless, Mizzou is indeed dragging its feet.)
Texas A&M, meanwhile, faces a maximum exit fee of roughly $31 million, and there is a committee appointed by the Big 12 to handle this issue, and it includes Baylor.
And from what I'm told, that committee intends to make A&M pay a minimum of $22 million, which would be substantially more than the $9 million Nebraska paid and the $6 million Colorado paid.
The most interesting news of the day, however, is that Texas Tech may be emerging as the likely candidate to face Texas on Thanksgiving in 2012.
Tech may be the Thanksgiving opponent of UT until the Big 12 gets an answer on Notre Dame - most likely in January.
My sources in the Big 12 are very optimistic the Fighting Irish will announce they are moving their non-football sports to the Big 12 after the first of the year. If that happens, the Big 12 will push for up to six football games between ND and Big 12 schools. My sources also think ND could become a full member in the Big 12 - meaning football, too, in the near future.
The Big 12 will not look to expand beyond 10 schools until it hears from Notre Dame, my sources said. If Notre Dame agrees to move its non-football sports into the Big 12, Texas will push for a 10-year to 13-year granting of Tier 1 and 2 television rights back to the conference. Currently, there is agreement for 6 years. If Notre Dame ever decided to move its football into the Big 12, then and only then, would the Big 12 consider adding a 12th school to reach a championship game. And I'm not sure it would get approved.
There is much to play out still in realignment.
Stay tuned. (BROWN)
******
Richardson (Texas) Pearce athlete Corey Coleman has had the attention of the Texas coaching staff for quite some time now. Texas wide receiver coach Darrell Wyatt has taken the lead in Coleman’s recruitment and the two have gotten to know each other well over the course of the recruiting process.
Coleman has been committed to Baylor since May, but has continued to keep in touch with Cal, Oklahoma and Texas. The Longhorns have not extended an offer, but it looks like that could change soon.
“Coach Wyatt said they were going to offer me,” Coleman said. "He said he might wind up taking me as a receiver but he would have to see.”
The Dallas-area standout has not had a chance to talk with Texas head coach Mack Brown about potentially getting an offer, but he has talked to coach Wyatt about it as well as possibly taking a visit. At this time he said he does not have anything set up and dates have not been discussed.
If Texas does offer, Coleman is not sure how that will affect things.
“I really like Baylor, we’ll have to see,” he said.
This weekend, Coleman plans to attend Baylor's home game against Missouri. Baylor is also in line to get an official visit, but as is the case with the others, he has yet to set a date.
“I’ve already been down there a couple of times already,” he said. “We haven’t really talked about my official. I’ve been down there so much we’ll do it after the season I guess.”
In addition to coaches at Texas and Oklahoma, Coleman is also hearing from friends at both schools. He mentioned both Oklahoma commitment Thomas Johnson of Dallas Skyline as friends who have been putting in a good word for their future football homes. (Howell)
******
Shreveport Woodlawn DE/LB Torshiro Davis will take his first official visit on Saturday when he heads to Tuscaloosa.
Davis was in Austin for the Texas-Oklahoma State game and will return for his official visit on banquet weekend. He'll likely take his LSU visit after the Army All-American game, according to Woodlawn head coach DeCarlos Holmes.
On the surface, the Longhorns appear to be longshots but we continue to hear from people close to this one that UT's chances are much better than people realize. Will it be enough to pull him Davis out of Louisiana? Time will tell, and the in-state pressure will only increase in the coming months but Texas has a puncher's chance.
"Texas is still making n a strong push," coach Holmes said. "He likes coach Brown. Coach Brown seems like a genuine guy. He'd have the opportunity to play early, help get the program back where it used to be. And Texas gets a lot of exposure. If you do well in Texas football, that's a good spot to go to school and get a lot of coverage."
Oklahoma is still in line for a possible visit, but coach Holmes said the contact with the Sooners has cooled a bit.
"They haven't been calling as much. I think they think it's a done deal or something, I don't know. It might be just those other three visits (Bama, UT, LSU)," Holmes said.
The ace up Texas' sleeve, of course, is Bo Davis. Davis began recruiting Torshiro for Alabama during Torshiro's freshman season. Coach Davis, Torshiro and coach Holmes have built a strong relationship over the past few yeas.
"Bo has been recruiting him since he was going to be in the 10th grade. Without Bo, Texas would probably be down the list. Bo is my friend and I know Bo is going to coach him up,going to take care of him, make sure he goes to class, get his diploma," coach Holmes said. (Suchomel)
******
Mario Edwards Jr.'s recruitment has take more twists and turns than most anticipated. The early FSU commitment, and son of former FSU standout Mario Edwards Sr., committed the Noles early. However, there has been a lot of talk lately about him possibly opening up his recruitment. Even though visits to other schools are still a possibility, a FSU source indicated that Edwards' unofficial visit to Tallahassee for the N.C. State game last week went extremely well. FSU felt like it was an opportunity to answer any questions Edwards had, and it sounds like Edwards' father wanted to clear up a lot of the uncertainty surrounding his son's recruitment. When Edwards, who is rated as the No. 2 overall player in the country, left Florida State the impression given was that he was 100 percent committed to FSU.
Since the Seminoles played tonight, two FSU assistants, most likely Lawrence Dawsey and D.J. Eliot, are expected to be at Denton Ryan's game this Friday. (McComas)
******
A couple weeks ago, we mentioned that Rivals100 WR Bryce Treggs was hoping to hear from the Texas coaches. If UT invited him in, Treggs said, he'd take an official visit.
As of the middle of this week, Treggs said there had been no contact. The Bellflower, Calif. product remains committed to Cal, but is taking other visits. With UT's WR numbers in flux, Texas is still looking at some options, but it looks like the coaches are focusing a little closer to home. Which leads us too ....
Texas has been in contact with Clear Springs WR Marcus Johnson. Johnson's father told us earlier this week that the Longhorn coaches have been in touch of late and have talked about possibly bringing Johnson up for a home game.
Mr. Johnson did say that his son is still a solid commitment to Texas Tech and things with Texas were in the preliminary stages, but there is an interest. (Suchomel)
******
Still nothing definitive to report on Arik Armstead's visit plans.
The Rivals100 OT/DE out of Elk Grove, Calif. is debating visiting either Texas or Oregon the weekend of December 19. Armstead's father told us on Thursday night that they're still working on the details of the Texas visit and a date has not been decided yet. (Suchomel)
******
Mesquite Horn TE Vincent Hobbs really enjoyed his visit for the Texas-Kansas game and UT assistant Bruce Chambers told Hobbs he'll stay in touch with weekly phone calls and will attend Horns' playoff opener next week.
Of the schools showing interest, Hobbs lists Texas, Baylor and Arkansas as the three that are standing out the most. Texas has invited him back to every remaining home game (he won't be able to make it this week, may try to hit the K-State game).
If Texas were to eventually offer, Hobbs said he'd likely accept it on the spot. (Suchomel)
******
Earlier this week we caught up with San Antonio (Texas) Sam Houston head coach Gary Green for a quick update on his players. Long story short, the Longhorns continue to show interest in Ralphael Green, but no visits have been scheduled and they are focused on the season.
Leo Thomas also talked with Orangebloods this week and gave us a little more insight into how things are going. Since decommitting from Arizona, he has heard from Oregon St., Colorado, North Texas, TCU, SMU, Nebraska, Missouri and Indiana in addition to the Longhorns.
Texas has requested his transcript recently and Thomas has enjoyed his time talking with Texas defensive backs coach Duane Akina.
“He said he’s going to wait until the season is over so coach Green can make me a highlight tape of my senior year because I’ve been doing real good and he wants to see that,” Thomas said. “He said he still wants me.”
Texas has let him know scholarships are very tight but they are keeping in touch in case anything opens up.
Thomas has gotten to know coach Akina well over the recruiting process. When the process began, Texas took a good long look at him, with Akina taking the lead, and then Thomas was able to get to know him in his brief stint with the Arizona Wildcats.
“When [Texas] was getting ready to offer me he left for Arizona, and that was really a big part of why I got the offer from Arizona, because coach Akina went there,” he said. “He was getting ready to offer me.”
He does not have any visits set up but he has an idea about where he would like to visit.
“I know I’m going to go out to Colorado after the season,” he said. “I’m going to take a visit to North Texas, and most likely a visit to SMU. If Texas offers me a scholarship I’ll take a visit there and probably one more out of state.”
This weekend Sam Houston travels to Yoakum for a Friday night contest, and the Hurricanes are ready to take care of business and head into the playoffs. Thomas also mentioned coaches from North Texas and Indiana have indicated they would be watching Friday’s contest. (Howell)
******
Port Arthur Memorial offensive tackle Tre-Von Armstead was linked with UT for awhile right before he committed to Baylor. Armstead has not said much since making his commitment to the Bears and when he made his commitment, Memorial head coach Kenny Harrison thought his commitment would stick. Since then, not much has changed.
We caught up with coach Harrison to get the latest on Armstead and he said he does not know of any interest Texas has shown towards Armstead recently and he has only heard Baylor.
Harrison did say the Longhorns have shown some interest in 2013 DT/DE Matthew Romar. He feels like Romar has a chance to be a big time prospect. He plays d-end for the Titans but projects as a d-tackle on the college level. (Howell)
********
Lago Vista, Texas defensive tackle Donald Hopkins has also been a prospect the Longhorns have flirted with at times for the 2012 class.
Hopkins is currently committed to Missouri, but the likes of TCU, Texas Tech and Baylor continue to show interest. Lago Vista head Coach Allen Haire says it has been a few weeks since they have communicated with Texas, but Texas defensive end coach Oscar Giles did let him know he planned to watch Hopkins before the end of the season. (Howell)
********
Another defensive tackle who has heard from Texas in the past is Round Rock, Texas standout Glen Antoine, Jr. Antoine emerged after a strong spring as well as several impressive summer camp stops. He said he has not heard much recently from Texas, but he has been keeping in touch with UTEP. Antoine is committed to the Miners and talks to the UTEP coaches just about every week. (Howell)
********
Aledo running back and Texas commitment Dylan Cantrell also plans to be in attendance at the game. (Howell)
******
A couple quick injury notes ...
We're told that Jaxon Shipley did not practice at all this week. Does that mean he's 100 percent out for Saturday? There's always a chance he could make a quick turnaround, but it looks like the Horns will be without their top WR.
Demarco Cobbs "is fine," we're told. (OB staff)
******
A lot of people have been talking about 2013 five-star hoops prospect Julius Randle. Randle, a 6-8, 235-pound power forward from Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, will be one of the most heavily recruited players in the entire county. From talking to someone dialed into recruiting in Dallas, it still sounds like this one still is shaping up to be a Kansas/UT battle. According to this individual, North Carolina will probably be the school that catches Randle's eye the most outside of the Big 12, but this one still sounds like a battle between the Longhorns and the Jayhawks. Could it change? Absolutely. This is recruiting. But the buzz around schools like Baylor seems to be false.
The Longhorns will have their work cut out for them, but Kansas has struggled to land big fish recently. (McComas)
Some believe Missouri is dragging its feet on announcing its departure for the SEC because it wants to gather as much intel as it can on West Virginia's deal with the Big 12 to soften its exit fees. (If Missouri can show the Big 12 won't be damaged by its departure, the maximum exit fee of $28 million could be reduced significantly. Nonetheless, Mizzou is indeed dragging its feet.)
Texas A&M, meanwhile, faces a maximum exit fee of roughly $31 million, and there is a committee appointed by the Big 12 to handle this issue, and it includes Baylor.
And from what I'm told, that committee intends to make A&M pay a minimum of $22 million, which would be substantially more than the $9 million Nebraska paid and the $6 million Colorado paid.
The most interesting news of the day, however, is that Texas Tech may be emerging as the likely candidate to face Texas on Thanksgiving in 2012.
Tech may be the Thanksgiving opponent of UT until the Big 12 gets an answer on Notre Dame - most likely in January.
My sources in the Big 12 are very optimistic the Fighting Irish will announce they are moving their non-football sports to the Big 12 after the first of the year. If that happens, the Big 12 will push for up to six football games between ND and Big 12 schools. My sources also think ND could become a full member in the Big 12 - meaning football, too, in the near future.
The Big 12 will not look to expand beyond 10 schools until it hears from Notre Dame, my sources said. If Notre Dame agrees to move its non-football sports into the Big 12, Texas will push for a 10-year to 13-year granting of Tier 1 and 2 television rights back to the conference. Currently, there is agreement for 6 years. If Notre Dame ever decided to move its football into the Big 12, then and only then, would the Big 12 consider adding a 12th school to reach a championship game. And I'm not sure it would get approved.
There is much to play out still in realignment.
Stay tuned. (BROWN)
******
Richardson (Texas) Pearce athlete Corey Coleman has had the attention of the Texas coaching staff for quite some time now. Texas wide receiver coach Darrell Wyatt has taken the lead in Coleman’s recruitment and the two have gotten to know each other well over the course of the recruiting process.
Coleman has been committed to Baylor since May, but has continued to keep in touch with Cal, Oklahoma and Texas. The Longhorns have not extended an offer, but it looks like that could change soon.
“Coach Wyatt said they were going to offer me,” Coleman said. "He said he might wind up taking me as a receiver but he would have to see.”
The Dallas-area standout has not had a chance to talk with Texas head coach Mack Brown about potentially getting an offer, but he has talked to coach Wyatt about it as well as possibly taking a visit. At this time he said he does not have anything set up and dates have not been discussed.
If Texas does offer, Coleman is not sure how that will affect things.
“I really like Baylor, we’ll have to see,” he said.
This weekend, Coleman plans to attend Baylor's home game against Missouri. Baylor is also in line to get an official visit, but as is the case with the others, he has yet to set a date.
“I’ve already been down there a couple of times already,” he said. “We haven’t really talked about my official. I’ve been down there so much we’ll do it after the season I guess.”
In addition to coaches at Texas and Oklahoma, Coleman is also hearing from friends at both schools. He mentioned both Oklahoma commitment Thomas Johnson of Dallas Skyline as friends who have been putting in a good word for their future football homes. (Howell)
******
Shreveport Woodlawn DE/LB Torshiro Davis will take his first official visit on Saturday when he heads to Tuscaloosa.
Davis was in Austin for the Texas-Oklahoma State game and will return for his official visit on banquet weekend. He'll likely take his LSU visit after the Army All-American game, according to Woodlawn head coach DeCarlos Holmes.
On the surface, the Longhorns appear to be longshots but we continue to hear from people close to this one that UT's chances are much better than people realize. Will it be enough to pull him Davis out of Louisiana? Time will tell, and the in-state pressure will only increase in the coming months but Texas has a puncher's chance.
"Texas is still making n a strong push," coach Holmes said. "He likes coach Brown. Coach Brown seems like a genuine guy. He'd have the opportunity to play early, help get the program back where it used to be. And Texas gets a lot of exposure. If you do well in Texas football, that's a good spot to go to school and get a lot of coverage."
Oklahoma is still in line for a possible visit, but coach Holmes said the contact with the Sooners has cooled a bit.
"They haven't been calling as much. I think they think it's a done deal or something, I don't know. It might be just those other three visits (Bama, UT, LSU)," Holmes said.
The ace up Texas' sleeve, of course, is Bo Davis. Davis began recruiting Torshiro for Alabama during Torshiro's freshman season. Coach Davis, Torshiro and coach Holmes have built a strong relationship over the past few yeas.
"Bo has been recruiting him since he was going to be in the 10th grade. Without Bo, Texas would probably be down the list. Bo is my friend and I know Bo is going to coach him up,going to take care of him, make sure he goes to class, get his diploma," coach Holmes said. (Suchomel)
******
Mario Edwards Jr.'s recruitment has take more twists and turns than most anticipated. The early FSU commitment, and son of former FSU standout Mario Edwards Sr., committed the Noles early. However, there has been a lot of talk lately about him possibly opening up his recruitment. Even though visits to other schools are still a possibility, a FSU source indicated that Edwards' unofficial visit to Tallahassee for the N.C. State game last week went extremely well. FSU felt like it was an opportunity to answer any questions Edwards had, and it sounds like Edwards' father wanted to clear up a lot of the uncertainty surrounding his son's recruitment. When Edwards, who is rated as the No. 2 overall player in the country, left Florida State the impression given was that he was 100 percent committed to FSU.
Since the Seminoles played tonight, two FSU assistants, most likely Lawrence Dawsey and D.J. Eliot, are expected to be at Denton Ryan's game this Friday. (McComas)
******
A couple weeks ago, we mentioned that Rivals100 WR Bryce Treggs was hoping to hear from the Texas coaches. If UT invited him in, Treggs said, he'd take an official visit.
As of the middle of this week, Treggs said there had been no contact. The Bellflower, Calif. product remains committed to Cal, but is taking other visits. With UT's WR numbers in flux, Texas is still looking at some options, but it looks like the coaches are focusing a little closer to home. Which leads us too ....
Texas has been in contact with Clear Springs WR Marcus Johnson. Johnson's father told us earlier this week that the Longhorn coaches have been in touch of late and have talked about possibly bringing Johnson up for a home game.
Mr. Johnson did say that his son is still a solid commitment to Texas Tech and things with Texas were in the preliminary stages, but there is an interest. (Suchomel)
******
Still nothing definitive to report on Arik Armstead's visit plans.
The Rivals100 OT/DE out of Elk Grove, Calif. is debating visiting either Texas or Oregon the weekend of December 19. Armstead's father told us on Thursday night that they're still working on the details of the Texas visit and a date has not been decided yet. (Suchomel)
******
Mesquite Horn TE Vincent Hobbs really enjoyed his visit for the Texas-Kansas game and UT assistant Bruce Chambers told Hobbs he'll stay in touch with weekly phone calls and will attend Horns' playoff opener next week.
Of the schools showing interest, Hobbs lists Texas, Baylor and Arkansas as the three that are standing out the most. Texas has invited him back to every remaining home game (he won't be able to make it this week, may try to hit the K-State game).
If Texas were to eventually offer, Hobbs said he'd likely accept it on the spot. (Suchomel)
******
Earlier this week we caught up with San Antonio (Texas) Sam Houston head coach Gary Green for a quick update on his players. Long story short, the Longhorns continue to show interest in Ralphael Green, but no visits have been scheduled and they are focused on the season.
Leo Thomas also talked with Orangebloods this week and gave us a little more insight into how things are going. Since decommitting from Arizona, he has heard from Oregon St., Colorado, North Texas, TCU, SMU, Nebraska, Missouri and Indiana in addition to the Longhorns.
Texas has requested his transcript recently and Thomas has enjoyed his time talking with Texas defensive backs coach Duane Akina.
“He said he’s going to wait until the season is over so coach Green can make me a highlight tape of my senior year because I’ve been doing real good and he wants to see that,” Thomas said. “He said he still wants me.”
Texas has let him know scholarships are very tight but they are keeping in touch in case anything opens up.
Thomas has gotten to know coach Akina well over the recruiting process. When the process began, Texas took a good long look at him, with Akina taking the lead, and then Thomas was able to get to know him in his brief stint with the Arizona Wildcats.
“When [Texas] was getting ready to offer me he left for Arizona, and that was really a big part of why I got the offer from Arizona, because coach Akina went there,” he said. “He was getting ready to offer me.”
He does not have any visits set up but he has an idea about where he would like to visit.
“I know I’m going to go out to Colorado after the season,” he said. “I’m going to take a visit to North Texas, and most likely a visit to SMU. If Texas offers me a scholarship I’ll take a visit there and probably one more out of state.”
This weekend Sam Houston travels to Yoakum for a Friday night contest, and the Hurricanes are ready to take care of business and head into the playoffs. Thomas also mentioned coaches from North Texas and Indiana have indicated they would be watching Friday’s contest. (Howell)
******
Port Arthur Memorial offensive tackle Tre-Von Armstead was linked with UT for awhile right before he committed to Baylor. Armstead has not said much since making his commitment to the Bears and when he made his commitment, Memorial head coach Kenny Harrison thought his commitment would stick. Since then, not much has changed.
We caught up with coach Harrison to get the latest on Armstead and he said he does not know of any interest Texas has shown towards Armstead recently and he has only heard Baylor.
Harrison did say the Longhorns have shown some interest in 2013 DT/DE Matthew Romar. He feels like Romar has a chance to be a big time prospect. He plays d-end for the Titans but projects as a d-tackle on the college level. (Howell)
********
Lago Vista, Texas defensive tackle Donald Hopkins has also been a prospect the Longhorns have flirted with at times for the 2012 class.
Hopkins is currently committed to Missouri, but the likes of TCU, Texas Tech and Baylor continue to show interest. Lago Vista head Coach Allen Haire says it has been a few weeks since they have communicated with Texas, but Texas defensive end coach Oscar Giles did let him know he planned to watch Hopkins before the end of the season. (Howell)
********
Another defensive tackle who has heard from Texas in the past is Round Rock, Texas standout Glen Antoine, Jr. Antoine emerged after a strong spring as well as several impressive summer camp stops. He said he has not heard much recently from Texas, but he has been keeping in touch with UTEP. Antoine is committed to the Miners and talks to the UTEP coaches just about every week. (Howell)
********
Aledo running back and Texas commitment Dylan Cantrell also plans to be in attendance at the game. (Howell)
******
A couple quick injury notes ...
We're told that Jaxon Shipley did not practice at all this week. Does that mean he's 100 percent out for Saturday? There's always a chance he could make a quick turnaround, but it looks like the Horns will be without their top WR.
Demarco Cobbs "is fine," we're told. (OB staff)
******
A lot of people have been talking about 2013 five-star hoops prospect Julius Randle. Randle, a 6-8, 235-pound power forward from Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, will be one of the most heavily recruited players in the entire county. From talking to someone dialed into recruiting in Dallas, it still sounds like this one still is shaping up to be a Kansas/UT battle. According to this individual, North Carolina will probably be the school that catches Randle's eye the most outside of the Big 12, but this one still sounds like a battle between the Longhorns and the Jayhawks. Could it change? Absolutely. This is recruiting. But the buzz around schools like Baylor seems to be false.
The Longhorns will have their work cut out for them, but Kansas has struggled to land big fish recently. (McComas)
