Originally posted by Ketchum:
Quarterback (2): Zach Gentry (Albuquerque, NM) and Kai Locksley (Baltimore, MD)
Current rankings: Gentry (4 stars/5.8/No.9 pro-style QB) and Locksley (4 stars/5.8/No.12 dual-threat QB)
Quickie thoughts: The quarterback recruiting could get very interesting in the next couple of weeks. In addition to having the commitment from Gentry, the Longhorns are in the top three with FSU and Maryland for the signature of Locksley, whose father is the offensive coordinator for the Terps. Here are a few reasons why I think the Longhorns eventually land Locksley
1. His father has worked for four schools and in four conferences over the course of the last decade, which means that as the offensive coordinator for the Terps it becomes impossible to project his father still being with the school at the end of the decade. I mean
it could happen, but it seems unlikely and I have a hard time believing his father is going to let him get caught up on the middle of his career trajectory.
2. Florida State appears to view Locksley as more of an athlete than quarterback and has Deondre Francois high on its recruiting board.
3. Committing to Florida State (ACC) in a year when Maryland is making its debut in the Big 10 would be a political two-step I'm guessing his father would like to not have to deal with.
4. The Longhorns appear to recruiting Locksley as a quarterback and represent the Switzerland in this discussion, as it's not the ACC or the Big 10 or anything that could leave his father in any kind of a weird spot.
5. The kid really likes Texas.
Hey, maybe the kid is going to sign with Maryland and follow his dad to all ends of the earth if need-be, but Texas seems like a really good situation for him and the question for the Longhorns if he commits is whether it impacts Gentry. My guess is they are telling Gentry they view Locksley as an athlete-first and that he shouldn't have anything to worry about, that he's just a quarterback insurance policy, while they tell Locksley that he's a quarterback-first and will get every shot to prove it. Right now, I'll go ahead and project the Longhorns to land both
for now.
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Ketch,
You make a solid case for us getting both Gentry and Locksley, but don't see Strong & Co. blowing any smoke at Gentry regarding competition for the position. That doesn't seem to be Charlie's MO, and these kids are close enough to compare notes & expose that kind of double-talk, which neither would appreciate. Gentry knows (or should) that he'll have to earn it every day, & seems confident enough to buy in on that basis.
Originally posted by Ketchum:
Arsenal
... Fans are known as Gooners. Which would seem to have great t-shirt potential. Colin Firth's favorite team. Located in London. Like the Green Bay Packers, the team is owned by its fan-base, which can buy shares of the team.
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Congrats on "The Decision", man; but if you're going to be a fan of British soccer, you've got to learn the language.