We just got finished watching day one of the West team’s practice at the Army All-American Bowl. McComas and I were able to talk to the guys who are on the Longhorns’ radar to get the latest on their recruitments. Some highlights …
--- As we reported about a month ago, Manor LB/DE Erick Fowler will visit Texas on January 15. He plans to visit LSU on January 22 and is looking at an Oklahoma visit on January 29.
Fowler is playing some linebacker out here at the Army Bowl. He said he’s fine with it and he actually wanted to play some LB to show people he can do more than just rush the passer.
Fowler talks to the UT coaches about every other day, and it sounds like he is genuinely torn between Texas and LSU. He still considers himself a solid LSU commitment, but he said this one could go either way.
Not a lot new to report in this one, if we’re being honest. Fowler admitted as much. He’s committed but is really giving Texas a hard look. The official visits will be key.
People close to Fowler are really pushing Texas, but they’re also going to be very supportive if he does stick with LSU.
The plan is to take his visits, make out a list of pros and cons for each school and then make his official decision. I asked him to rank LSU and Texas on a 1-10 scale right now and he said he basically couldn’t, that they’re basically even.
Tough one to call right now but Texas is right there in the mix.
--- Cibolo Steele Mark Jackson had a terrific day. He was an absolute terror off the edge all day and was one of the West’s top defensive linemen. Jackson’s not the biggest guy and he can get hung up in traffic but when he was able to pin his ears back he was able to use his speed off the edge to make a lot of plays in the backfield.
On the recruiting front, Jackson told me he’s a “strong” Texas A&M commitment. When asked about other schools that are recruiting him hard, he said mostly Baylor and Oklahoma. Texas had to be mentioned to him, which was bizarre, considering he’s going to visit Texas the weekend of January 15. He’ll visit A&M January 22 and Oklahoma on January 29.
Lot of buzz about Jackson’s strong feelings for Oklahoma. He mentioned OU’s scheme and coaches as something he really likes.
As for UT, he said he loves the educational opportunity it provides and UT’s prestige.
Bottom line … Jackson really, really likes OU but he’s very close to his family and his family would like him to stay closer to home. That obviously helps UT’s and A&M’s chances, but we’ll have to wait to see if it’s enough to beat Jackson’s feelings for Oklahoma.
This one will probably come down to the official visits and Jackson said he won’t know a final decision until after his OU game and close to National Signing Day.
--- Don’t look for Texas to involved with defensive end Justin Madubuike.
He said repeatedly that he’s solid with his A&M commitment and isn’t planning to take any other visits besides an official visit to A&M sometime in January.
Jay Norvell communicated with Madubuike about a week ago on twitter. Charlie Strong has tried calling but Madubuike hasn’t answered and hasn’t called back. That’s pretty telling in itself is that he’s not exactly going out of his way to have contact with the UT coaches.
Oklahoma is also trying, but Madubuike said he really doesn’t want to make the process too hectic and he’s looking forward to taking his one visit to A&M and signing with the Aggies.
--- Houston Westside DT Jordan Elliott says he’s 100 percent committed to Michigan.
When asked on a scale of 0-10 how likely it is he’d take a Texas visit, Elliott said it’s a 0. He also told Jason Howell in a video interview that he’s locked into Michigan and isn’t entertaining any other offers.
We’ll continue to monitor this one because Texas isn’t giving up and Elliott has been known to change his mind, but he and those close to him are very happy with his Michigan commitment. I just don’t see this one working out for Texas.
--- Texas isn’t in it for Elkins DT Ross Blacklock.
Blacklock said he’s down to TCU, Houston, Texas A&M and Alabama. He’ll visit Bama on January 15th and TCU on the 22nd. He said he pretty much knows where he’s going to wind up but wants to make sure he’s making the right decision.
He does still here from Texas a bit (and several other schools) but he said UT is not in the mix.
--- As we reported about a month ago, Manor LB/DE Erick Fowler will visit Texas on January 15. He plans to visit LSU on January 22 and is looking at an Oklahoma visit on January 29.
Fowler is playing some linebacker out here at the Army Bowl. He said he’s fine with it and he actually wanted to play some LB to show people he can do more than just rush the passer.
Fowler talks to the UT coaches about every other day, and it sounds like he is genuinely torn between Texas and LSU. He still considers himself a solid LSU commitment, but he said this one could go either way.
Not a lot new to report in this one, if we’re being honest. Fowler admitted as much. He’s committed but is really giving Texas a hard look. The official visits will be key.
People close to Fowler are really pushing Texas, but they’re also going to be very supportive if he does stick with LSU.
The plan is to take his visits, make out a list of pros and cons for each school and then make his official decision. I asked him to rank LSU and Texas on a 1-10 scale right now and he said he basically couldn’t, that they’re basically even.
Tough one to call right now but Texas is right there in the mix.
--- Cibolo Steele Mark Jackson had a terrific day. He was an absolute terror off the edge all day and was one of the West’s top defensive linemen. Jackson’s not the biggest guy and he can get hung up in traffic but when he was able to pin his ears back he was able to use his speed off the edge to make a lot of plays in the backfield.
On the recruiting front, Jackson told me he’s a “strong” Texas A&M commitment. When asked about other schools that are recruiting him hard, he said mostly Baylor and Oklahoma. Texas had to be mentioned to him, which was bizarre, considering he’s going to visit Texas the weekend of January 15. He’ll visit A&M January 22 and Oklahoma on January 29.
Lot of buzz about Jackson’s strong feelings for Oklahoma. He mentioned OU’s scheme and coaches as something he really likes.
As for UT, he said he loves the educational opportunity it provides and UT’s prestige.
Bottom line … Jackson really, really likes OU but he’s very close to his family and his family would like him to stay closer to home. That obviously helps UT’s and A&M’s chances, but we’ll have to wait to see if it’s enough to beat Jackson’s feelings for Oklahoma.
This one will probably come down to the official visits and Jackson said he won’t know a final decision until after his OU game and close to National Signing Day.
--- Don’t look for Texas to involved with defensive end Justin Madubuike.
He said repeatedly that he’s solid with his A&M commitment and isn’t planning to take any other visits besides an official visit to A&M sometime in January.
Jay Norvell communicated with Madubuike about a week ago on twitter. Charlie Strong has tried calling but Madubuike hasn’t answered and hasn’t called back. That’s pretty telling in itself is that he’s not exactly going out of his way to have contact with the UT coaches.
Oklahoma is also trying, but Madubuike said he really doesn’t want to make the process too hectic and he’s looking forward to taking his one visit to A&M and signing with the Aggies.
--- Houston Westside DT Jordan Elliott says he’s 100 percent committed to Michigan.
When asked on a scale of 0-10 how likely it is he’d take a Texas visit, Elliott said it’s a 0. He also told Jason Howell in a video interview that he’s locked into Michigan and isn’t entertaining any other offers.
We’ll continue to monitor this one because Texas isn’t giving up and Elliott has been known to change his mind, but he and those close to him are very happy with his Michigan commitment. I just don’t see this one working out for Texas.
--- Texas isn’t in it for Elkins DT Ross Blacklock.
Blacklock said he’s down to TCU, Houston, Texas A&M and Alabama. He’ll visit Bama on January 15th and TCU on the 22nd. He said he pretty much knows where he’s going to wind up but wants to make sure he’s making the right decision.
He does still here from Texas a bit (and several other schools) but he said UT is not in the mix.
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