I just spoke with Doug Little, father of five-star OL Walker Little, who chose Stanford over Texas in the 2017 recruiting class. He and I were talking about a variety of topics, including Stanford grad transfer Casey Tucker.
Mr. Little had nothing but really good things to say about Tucker and what kind of impact he'll make wherever he winds up. As he mentioned, Tucker's leaving Stanford was simply a matter of numbers since the Cardinal have such a deep tackle rotation. Mr. Little has heard the same things we've heard ... that TCU and Colorado are other schools being considered.
While we were talking, we got on the subject of the current Texas staff, particularly Derek Warehime, Tom Herman and Herb Hand.
First off, all these internet rumors of a bad in-home visit and Warehime screwing up UT's chances are completely false. I have no clue where those started and really don't want to even address them, but that stuff needs to die.
"I have nothing but the highest respect for those coaches. It really was a flip of the coin at the end how hard it was for Walker to make that decision, for us to make that decision," Mr. Little said.
Basically, the decision came down to timing. The Stanford coaches had built relationships with Walker and the family for close to two years, while the Texas coaches were trying to make a last-minute push to land him. According to Mr. Little, Texas did a great job, including on the in-home visit, but it was just too late.
"They held themselves in a totally professional regard. It was a great visit," Mr. Little said. "I have great admiration and respect for Tom, for Derek, for their entire organization."
Lastly, I asked if they got a chance to know Herb Hand during Walker's recruitment. The family did not since Auburn wasn't in Walker's final grouping, but Walker met him at the high school a time or two and Mr. Little said Walker really liked Hand's personality, but Walker had his sights set elsewhere.
Mr. Little had nothing but really good things to say about Tucker and what kind of impact he'll make wherever he winds up. As he mentioned, Tucker's leaving Stanford was simply a matter of numbers since the Cardinal have such a deep tackle rotation. Mr. Little has heard the same things we've heard ... that TCU and Colorado are other schools being considered.
While we were talking, we got on the subject of the current Texas staff, particularly Derek Warehime, Tom Herman and Herb Hand.
First off, all these internet rumors of a bad in-home visit and Warehime screwing up UT's chances are completely false. I have no clue where those started and really don't want to even address them, but that stuff needs to die.
"I have nothing but the highest respect for those coaches. It really was a flip of the coin at the end how hard it was for Walker to make that decision, for us to make that decision," Mr. Little said.
Basically, the decision came down to timing. The Stanford coaches had built relationships with Walker and the family for close to two years, while the Texas coaches were trying to make a last-minute push to land him. According to Mr. Little, Texas did a great job, including on the in-home visit, but it was just too late.
"They held themselves in a totally professional regard. It was a great visit," Mr. Little said. "I have great admiration and respect for Tom, for Derek, for their entire organization."
Lastly, I asked if they got a chance to know Herb Hand during Walker's recruitment. The family did not since Auburn wasn't in Walker's final grouping, but Walker met him at the high school a time or two and Mr. Little said Walker really liked Hand's personality, but Walker had his sights set elsewhere.
