I thought this would interest some of you. This was the debut Top 20, a little more than 18 months from NSD yesterday.
Few thoughts...
a. Not too shabby. Other than the overvalue of Shawn Robinson at the very top of the list, most of the top guys were top guys.
b. I believe every guy in this top 20 ended up being rated at least a four-star, other than Robinson, who I had rated as a four-star in my last LSR revision.
c. Early recruiting matters. By the time Herman arrived in December, a lot of these kids had 24+ months worth of relationship investments with a lot of schools.
*****
For those that like their guarantees on a box, I give you the first look at the debut of the Top 20 in the state of Texas for 2017.
20. Hezekiah Jones (WR/Stafford)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Baylor, Florida, Miami, Michigan, Ole Miss, TCU, A&M, Texas Tech and UCLA
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns are the early favorite to land Jones.
Quotable: "It (Texas) was a childhood favorite. It's always been a favorite. This one is really important. It's really special to get an offer from them."
19. Jack Anderson (OL/Frisco)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Both of his parents are Texas Tech grads and you'd probably have to list the Red Raiders as a favorite, along with A&M, Oklahoma, SMU and Arkansas.
18. Kenneth Murray (DB/Fort Bend Elkins)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Houston and Kansas
Where UT Stands: The offers haven't started pouring in just yet for Murray, but they soon will and he's mentioned that the Longhorns are one of the schools that are showing strong interest.
17. Taquon Graham (DE/Temple)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Kansas, TCU and Tulsa
Where UT Stands: One of the top early sleepers in the state and a favorite of Dustin McComas', we'll work to get an update on Graham this week. At this point, I'm not sure if anyone in the Rivals network has spoken with the kid.
16. Chris Robison (QB/Mesquite Horn)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: TCU, SMU, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State
Where UT Stands: TCU and SMU are the early leaders, although Robison would probably love an offer from the Longhorns.
Quotable: “Those two (TCU and SMU) stand out. They’re close to home and that’s a really big part of it. And they’re nice people.”
15. Kedrick James (TE/Waco La Vega)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Arkansas, Baylor, Michigan, Miami, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns appear to be on the outside looking in for the player I believe is easily the state's top tight end, but that position could change if the Longhorns offer.
Quotable: "Right now my new top three schools are Arkansas, Baylor and Michigan.
14. Anthony Hines (LB/Plano East)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Baylor, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns are somewhere on the list, but perhaps behind the likes of USC, Oregon, A&M and TCU.
Quotable: “I’m building a relationship with coach Norvell. And I really like coach Strong. He’s a high-energy guy and he really stays true to his principles. I like that.”
“(UT's) definitely, as a whole, the program that fits me. Not only on the field, but academically and socially.”
13. J.K. Dobbins (RB/La Grange)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Arizona State, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Not only is Texas the leader, but it's easy to envision him being one of the first commitments in the 2017 class for Charlie Strong.
Quotable: "I think Texas has the edge now."
12. Chevin Calloway (CB/Dallas Bishop Dunne)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns are right at the top of Calloway's list after his visit to Austin during the state track meet weekend. This might eventually turn into a Texas vs. Texas A&M vs. Baylor battle.
Quotable: "I want a school with a good graduation rate and good alumni. I also want the football team to be hard working and competitive, a defense I can fit in well. Players that are on the team and the players in their recruiting class, coaches that put players in the league, good environment, and a good business and engineering school are all important too."
11. Montrell Estell (Ath/Hooks)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Kansas and Texas Tech
Where UT Stands: One of the most dynamic and raw prospects in the entire state, Estell's stock is just now taking off, so it's unclear where Texas stands right now, but he's my favorite hidden gem in Texas.
No.2 - The Top 10
10. Sam Ehlinger (QB/Austin Westlake)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Houston and SMU
Where UT Stands: There might not be a prospect in the 2017 class, at least not a top-level prospect, that wants to be a Longhorn more than this kid. After standing out at this week's UT quarterback camp, the possibility of an offer has increased.
9. Walker Little (OL/Houston Episcopal)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights and Rivals Camp Series 1-on-1's (Dallas)
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Tennessee
Where UT Stands: As mentioned in this week's War Room, Little is keeping his options open and his mind open early on in the recruiting process, but the Longhorns expect to be a major factor in his decision.
Quotable: “(UT is) my first offer, so that definitely holds some weight. I love the town, love the coaching staff. I have built up a pretty good relationship with coach Wickline so far, and I hope to continue building on it. And it’s just the culture of it. Texas has been a football powerhouse for most of my life.”
8. Baron Browning (LB/Kennedale)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Browning visited UT back in May and it's clear the Longhorns are in the mix, but after visiting Alabama this month and potentially Ohio State in the coming weeks, it's going to be a true national battle royale for his services.
Quotable: “My favorite part of the visit was talking with Coach Strong. We talked for about 45 minutes. He’s the first coach to talk to me for that long. Most coaches will rarely speak to guys on campus or will just say hi because they are too busy. He’s the type of coach who wants to get to know his players on a personal level. He’s a really cool guy. I really like him.”
7. Toneil Carter (RB/Langham Creek)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The first 2017 in-state back to receive a Texas offer this spring, Carter is a Louisiana native and that might prove to be a tough safe to break into.
Quotable: "Well I am from New Orleans, Louisiana so I grew up liking LSU. An offer would mean the world to me, that's my No. 1 school."
6. LaGaryonn Carson (DE/Texarkana Liberty-Eylau)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Recently attended an Arkansas camp and lists the Razorbacks, Texas A&M, Baylor and Texas as schools that stand out early.
Quotable: "I really like (Arkansas) and I came up here to visit them," Carson told Rivals this week. "They were like, 'We've offered,' and I'm very happy and excited about it. It's very nice up here. I like it up here."
5. Tyrese Robinson (OL/McKinney Boyd)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas
Where UT Stands: Visited Alabama earlier this month, but hasn't really listed a top group of schools as of yet.
Quotable: "I want to go to a program where we are all a family. I want to be surrounded by great coaches that can help me get better at my technique and help me get to the next level."
4. Tylan Wallace (WR/Fort Worth South Hills)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Oklahoma State, Houston, SMU, Tulsa and Vanderbilt
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns scouted Wallace this spring, but have yet to offer, but some of that might have to do with the fact that Wallace's brother Tracin is a four-star level
quarterback prospect and the pair figure to be a packaged deal. If you offer one, be prepared to offer both.
Quotable: "Yeah, we plan on staying together," Tylan's brother told VandySports.com last month.
3. Jeffrey Okudah (DB/South Grand Prairie)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights and Rivals Camp Series (Dallas)
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Hasn't officially announced a top group of schools, but he recently visited Georgia and plans to take in USC, UCLA, Tennessee and Ohio State this summer. Before moving to the state of Texas, Okudah lived in New Jersey and grew up rooting for Ohio State.
Quotable: “The Texas defense is always going to be good. I know they are still working on the offense and need to get a quarterback in place. The defense speaks for itself. Having a defensive-minded head coach is big time because he can relate to you. He’s going to let the defense do what it has to do.”
2. Shawn Robinson (QB/Denton Guyer)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas
A&M
Where UT Stands: As previously mentioned in this week's War Room, TCU and Baylor likely rank as the top two at this point, with Texas falling in right behind. Getting him on campus this summer is crucial.
Quotable: "Coach Strong is a great coach. He needs time to make changes but I have seen how much it has worked in just one year. Last year’s product was not on him. He didn’t have a year of recruiting so I expect it to be different this year and moving forward.”
1. Marvin Wilson (DT/Houston Episcopal)
Current LSR grade: 5.0 (Five-stars)
Sophomore Highlights and Rivals Five-Star 1-on 1's
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: LSU and Texas A&M are his current leaders, although Wilson told OB a few weeks ago in Baltimore that the Longhorns are most likely in his current top-five.
Quotable: “I like coach Bedford, like him a lot. I got to go on an unofficial visit there, got to watch them practice. I like how he coaches his players. He gets in your grill, makes you want to get better. I want a coach who is going to get on me. He makes his players think, makes them work hard. That’s the kind of coach I want. Also Charlie Strong, he’s one of the best coaches out there. Those are the kinds of guys I want to surround myself around.”
Few thoughts...
a. Not too shabby. Other than the overvalue of Shawn Robinson at the very top of the list, most of the top guys were top guys.
b. I believe every guy in this top 20 ended up being rated at least a four-star, other than Robinson, who I had rated as a four-star in my last LSR revision.
c. Early recruiting matters. By the time Herman arrived in December, a lot of these kids had 24+ months worth of relationship investments with a lot of schools.
*****
For those that like their guarantees on a box, I give you the first look at the debut of the Top 20 in the state of Texas for 2017.
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Baylor, Florida, Miami, Michigan, Ole Miss, TCU, A&M, Texas Tech and UCLA
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns are the early favorite to land Jones.
Quotable: "It (Texas) was a childhood favorite. It's always been a favorite. This one is really important. It's really special to get an offer from them."
19. Jack Anderson (OL/Frisco)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Both of his parents are Texas Tech grads and you'd probably have to list the Red Raiders as a favorite, along with A&M, Oklahoma, SMU and Arkansas.
18. Kenneth Murray (DB/Fort Bend Elkins)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Houston and Kansas
Where UT Stands: The offers haven't started pouring in just yet for Murray, but they soon will and he's mentioned that the Longhorns are one of the schools that are showing strong interest.
17. Taquon Graham (DE/Temple)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Kansas, TCU and Tulsa
Where UT Stands: One of the top early sleepers in the state and a favorite of Dustin McComas', we'll work to get an update on Graham this week. At this point, I'm not sure if anyone in the Rivals network has spoken with the kid.
16. Chris Robison (QB/Mesquite Horn)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: TCU, SMU, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State
Where UT Stands: TCU and SMU are the early leaders, although Robison would probably love an offer from the Longhorns.
Quotable: “Those two (TCU and SMU) stand out. They’re close to home and that’s a really big part of it. And they’re nice people.”
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Arkansas, Baylor, Michigan, Miami, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns appear to be on the outside looking in for the player I believe is easily the state's top tight end, but that position could change if the Longhorns offer.
Quotable: "Right now my new top three schools are Arkansas, Baylor and Michigan.
14. Anthony Hines (LB/Plano East)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Baylor, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns are somewhere on the list, but perhaps behind the likes of USC, Oregon, A&M and TCU.
Quotable: “I’m building a relationship with coach Norvell. And I really like coach Strong. He’s a high-energy guy and he really stays true to his principles. I like that.”
“(UT's) definitely, as a whole, the program that fits me. Not only on the field, but academically and socially.”
13. J.K. Dobbins (RB/La Grange)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Arizona State, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Not only is Texas the leader, but it's easy to envision him being one of the first commitments in the 2017 class for Charlie Strong.
Quotable: "I think Texas has the edge now."
12. Chevin Calloway (CB/Dallas Bishop Dunne)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns are right at the top of Calloway's list after his visit to Austin during the state track meet weekend. This might eventually turn into a Texas vs. Texas A&M vs. Baylor battle.
Quotable: "I want a school with a good graduation rate and good alumni. I also want the football team to be hard working and competitive, a defense I can fit in well. Players that are on the team and the players in their recruiting class, coaches that put players in the league, good environment, and a good business and engineering school are all important too."
11. Montrell Estell (Ath/Hooks)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Kansas and Texas Tech
Where UT Stands: One of the most dynamic and raw prospects in the entire state, Estell's stock is just now taking off, so it's unclear where Texas stands right now, but he's my favorite hidden gem in Texas.
No.2 - The Top 10
10. Sam Ehlinger (QB/Austin Westlake)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Houston and SMU
Where UT Stands: There might not be a prospect in the 2017 class, at least not a top-level prospect, that wants to be a Longhorn more than this kid. After standing out at this week's UT quarterback camp, the possibility of an offer has increased.
9. Walker Little (OL/Houston Episcopal)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights and Rivals Camp Series 1-on-1's (Dallas)
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and Tennessee
Where UT Stands: As mentioned in this week's War Room, Little is keeping his options open and his mind open early on in the recruiting process, but the Longhorns expect to be a major factor in his decision.
Quotable: “(UT is) my first offer, so that definitely holds some weight. I love the town, love the coaching staff. I have built up a pretty good relationship with coach Wickline so far, and I hope to continue building on it. And it’s just the culture of it. Texas has been a football powerhouse for most of my life.”
8. Baron Browning (LB/Kennedale)
Current LSR grade: 4.50 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Browning visited UT back in May and it's clear the Longhorns are in the mix, but after visiting Alabama this month and potentially Ohio State in the coming weeks, it's going to be a true national battle royale for his services.
Quotable: “My favorite part of the visit was talking with Coach Strong. We talked for about 45 minutes. He’s the first coach to talk to me for that long. Most coaches will rarely speak to guys on campus or will just say hi because they are too busy. He’s the type of coach who wants to get to know his players on a personal level. He’s a really cool guy. I really like him.”
7. Toneil Carter (RB/Langham Creek)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: The first 2017 in-state back to receive a Texas offer this spring, Carter is a Louisiana native and that might prove to be a tough safe to break into.
Quotable: "Well I am from New Orleans, Louisiana so I grew up liking LSU. An offer would mean the world to me, that's my No. 1 school."
6. LaGaryonn Carson (DE/Texarkana Liberty-Eylau)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Oklahoma Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Recently attended an Arkansas camp and lists the Razorbacks, Texas A&M, Baylor and Texas as schools that stand out early.
Quotable: "I really like (Arkansas) and I came up here to visit them," Carson told Rivals this week. "They were like, 'We've offered,' and I'm very happy and excited about it. It's very nice up here. I like it up here."
5. Tyrese Robinson (OL/McKinney Boyd)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Auburn, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas
Where UT Stands: Visited Alabama earlier this month, but hasn't really listed a top group of schools as of yet.
Quotable: "I want to go to a program where we are all a family. I want to be surrounded by great coaches that can help me get better at my technique and help me get to the next level."
4. Tylan Wallace (WR/Fort Worth South Hills)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Oklahoma State, Houston, SMU, Tulsa and Vanderbilt
Where UT Stands: The Longhorns scouted Wallace this spring, but have yet to offer, but some of that might have to do with the fact that Wallace's brother Tracin is a four-star level
quarterback prospect and the pair figure to be a packaged deal. If you offer one, be prepared to offer both.
Quotable: "Yeah, we plan on staying together," Tylan's brother told VandySports.com last month.
3. Jeffrey Okudah (DB/South Grand Prairie)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights and Rivals Camp Series (Dallas)
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: Hasn't officially announced a top group of schools, but he recently visited Georgia and plans to take in USC, UCLA, Tennessee and Ohio State this summer. Before moving to the state of Texas, Okudah lived in New Jersey and grew up rooting for Ohio State.
Quotable: “The Texas defense is always going to be good. I know they are still working on the offense and need to get a quarterback in place. The defense speaks for itself. Having a defensive-minded head coach is big time because he can relate to you. He’s going to let the defense do what it has to do.”
2. Shawn Robinson (QB/Denton Guyer)
Current LSR grade: 4.75 (Four-stars)
Sophomore Highlights
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas
A&M
Where UT Stands: As previously mentioned in this week's War Room, TCU and Baylor likely rank as the top two at this point, with Texas falling in right behind. Getting him on campus this summer is crucial.
Quotable: "Coach Strong is a great coach. He needs time to make changes but I have seen how much it has worked in just one year. Last year’s product was not on him. He didn’t have a year of recruiting so I expect it to be different this year and moving forward.”
1. Marvin Wilson (DT/Houston Episcopal)
Current LSR grade: 5.0 (Five-stars)
Sophomore Highlights and Rivals Five-Star 1-on 1's
Current offers: Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas and Texas A&M
Where UT Stands: LSU and Texas A&M are his current leaders, although Wilson told OB a few weeks ago in Baltimore that the Longhorns are most likely in his current top-five.
Quotable: “I like coach Bedford, like him a lot. I got to go on an unofficial visit there, got to watch them practice. I like how he coaches his players. He gets in your grill, makes you want to get better. I want a coach who is going to get on me. He makes his players think, makes them work hard. That’s the kind of coach I want. Also Charlie Strong, he’s one of the best coaches out there. Those are the kinds of guys I want to surround myself around.”
