Does Urban immediately turn this recruiting class into a top 7 class?
Man, an Urban Meyer question straight out of the chute, huh?
In a purely hypothetical world, if Meyer was hired, I think getting this class into the top 7 nationally might be a bit tough. In that scenario, I’m assuming a coaching change wouldn’t be finalized until December at the earliest, which would mean many of the top prospects would be close to signing in the December window. And with no chances for on-campus visits until January 1, at the earliest, getting the class into that type of range might be asking a bit too much. Then again, Urban Meyer carries a pretty damn big stick so I wouldn’t rule anything out.
Any idea what we do with the remainder of 2021 spots? At one point do you just not take guys because you struck out on everyone else? Do you just take anyone that is willing at some point?
The fact that you’re even asking that question is a pretty sad indicator of where UT’s recruiting is right now.
You can’t just wrap this class up with 17 commitments (or close to that number) in my opinion, but you also can’t afford to reach on a bunch of guys just to fill out the class. It’s a tough situation Texas finds itself in. If the team can find a way to stack up some wins over the next couple months, that’ll certainly help with some of the guys currently on the board. If not, Texas is probably going to have to really dig deep and rely on its evaluations to get anywhere close to a full class.
If UM does come to Texas, can we flip any in state kids (Brockermyers, etc) or land any of the uncommitted 4-5 stars (Foster, Byrd, Johnson)?
I get it with the Urban Meyer questions, but I also have to point out that these types of scenarios are basically 10 steps down the road, and any one of those steps could change the storyline. But IF the scenario you mentioned was to come to fruition, the answer is yes, I would expect Texas to land at least one of the players you mentioned. I’m not sure who it would be, but a hire the magnitude of Urban Meyer would definitely give recruiting a shot in the arm. Again though … those questions feel like we’re putting the cart in front of the horse.
Is there any recruiting to ask you about?
Honestly, it’s pretty uneventful right now. You have a guy like Terrence Cooks committing next month and some new 2022 offers, but there really hasn’t been any earth-shattering news of late.
If we crap the bed in recruiting this year (say we lose Sanders and 1-2 more 4 stars), and finish up ranking with a class about mid 20s, would that factor in strongly to getting rid of CTH? Or is it all Eyes and Win-Loss?
That’s a good question. My guess is that recruiting wouldn’t play a big part in any decision on Tom Herman’s future, for a couple reasons. First, I’m not sure how much the influential people in those decisions, including Chris Del Conte, pay attention to recruiting. Secondly, a decision on Herman’s future will probably be made, one way or the other, before the final touches are put on this year’s recruiting class. Based on those two factors, I would think the issue is predominantly about wins and losses, and to a much lesser degree the situation with the Eyes of Texas.
Would you rather have a bunch of UT "fanatic" kids playing for us (think the QB we signed in this class and Peter Mpagi (I think he was a big UT fan) and we go 7-5 to 9-3 every year or have a bunch of "individualistic" kids and we have the potential to compete for more post season accolades? I know we are getting the worst of both worlds right now and I know it's possible to get something like the best of both ... but if you had to choose?
Another good question.
From my perspective in terms of enjoying my job, give me the UT “fanatic” kids you mentioned. Guys like Peter Mpagi and current quarterback commitment Charles Wright are always a pleasure to cover. They’re always positive, talkative and generally those kids are just mature, quality young men.
All that being said, winning cures all ills so I’d probably take the “individualistic” kids and championships because that’s what makes you all happy, which makes this board (and my job) a hell of a lot more enjoyable.
Let's talk about anything other than this season.
1. What's been your favorite recruiting class to cover at UT?
2. Which coach at UT has been your favorite to cover?
3. Who have been the top 5 recruiters at UT that you've covered?
4. Do your kids think it's cool that you have access to elite athletes their age?
5. Which family member gives you the most crap for cold-calling teenage boys?
1. I’m old school, and my answer would definitely be before the invention of social media. Off the top of my head, I really liked covering that 2003 group, that included guys like Tarrell Brown, Tim Crowder, Erick Jackson, Limas Sweed and Dallas Griffin … all guys I had a pretty good relationship with back in the day. Runner up would be 2005 because the Colt McCoy/Ryan Perrilloux story was a hell of a lot of fun, and I had good relationships with guys like Jamal Charles and Jermichael Finley who went on to do big things.
2. I’m assuming you’re talking head coach. If so, I’ve got to go with Mack Brown because he was so successful. I didn’t always agree with everything
3. Off the top of my head, Tim Brewster would definitely be in there. I thought Bobby Kennedy was damn good. Believe it or not, Tim Beck would be in that conversation. Jay Valai has a chance to be in there. Major Applewhite, Brian Jean-Marie, Duane Akina and Darrell Wyatt would also be in the mix.
4. My oldest daughter is the sports fan of our group, so she thinks it’s pretty cool. I don’t think the others think much of it, honestly. Sadly, they’re more impressed that I have a Twitter account that a handful of people actually pay attention to.
5. Hmm. I wouldn’t say any of them really give me crap to be honest with you. They’re all used to it at this point. My wife has been a saint for close to 19 years … working on her birthday, anniversaries, Christmas morning, cancelling dinner plans while en route to the restaurant because of some stupid rumor that pops up, etc.
How are the “Eyes” affecting recruiting? Is it coming up with the recruits?
It’s really not, at least from the conversations I’ve had. I did have an out-of-state recruit ask me today what the Texas fan base was like, which I thought was interesting. Obviously, that’s not really my job to get into those types of conversations that could shape a kid’s impression, so I just downplayed it and said they’re like any ravenous fan base with high expectations.
—Odds that TH is head coach at Texas next year?
I honestly have no clue. I’ve heard rumors – including speculation that a decision has already been made – but I’m not sure I believe that just yet. I think there was a lot of emotional talking coming out of the OU game (the loss, The Eyes issue) but in the end I think cooler heads will prevail and everyone will take a big-picture viewpoint. These next few weeks could be huge.
How many current recruits stay with us under three possible scenarios:
1.) We hire Urban before second NSD?
2.) Herman stays through second NSD?
3.) We fire Herman and we do not hire Urban, but literally anyone else?
Any notion as to who might stay and who is most likely to go elsewhere?
1. All of them, if Urban wants them.
2. Total guess, but maybe one more defection.
3. Probably about the same as number two. Obviously it would largely depend on who is brought in but you have to figure Texas would hire a good coach, so most guys would stay.
As for your last question, the players I’ve communicated with have indicated they’re all watching things but are solid for now. I don’t want to speculate on who might decommit because nobody has indicated that to me. But as I always say, out-of-state commitments are always worth watching until their LOI comes in, even when things are going well.
Are the present players actively helping with recruiting or actively talking down the program?
To the second part of that question, I have not heard at all that any player is talking down the program. As for actively helping, their hands are kind of tied right now since recruits aren’t able to get to campuses to interact with the current guys. I do know that a handful of recruits who have friends on the team have told me their buddies have given them positive reports and encouraged them to join them in Ausitn.
Do you think or know TH or CDC has a membership on OB?
I don’t know anything, but if they don’t, they’d probably be the first coaches/admin I can think of that don’t have memberships or access in some capacity. Hell, even some former assistant coaches still read the board … they enjoy the madness as much as you all I guess.
Who are your favorite top 3 recruits to cover since joining OBs?
Fun question. There have been so many that I’ve enjoyed covering that it’s going to be hard to pick just three, but let me give it a go.
1. Josh Cochran – Just a great kid overall, and doing well in his coaching career. He’s currently on Mack Brown’s staff.
2. Darius Terrell – Just a cool cat, was always available for an update and he and I would just shoot the crap on non-football stuff sometimes. Something just clicked there.
3. Colt McCoy – Everyone on this board knows Colt is just a class individual. Once he got to campus it somehow got misconstrued by someone close to him that I was “pulling for” Jevan Snead to win the job over Colt, which was completely inaccurate. Not sure where that came from, but all I know is Colt was a class act, even as a teenager.
Honorable mention – Ryan Perrilloux and Darrell Scott. Perrilloux was a sub-selling machine, he was always willing to talk (he even picked up once when he was on an official visit to another school and having dinner with the coaches … awkward). The Darrell Scott story didn’t end up well, but I got to meet some cool people, had good sourcing and got to go out to Cali twice to cover him. Can’t hate that.
What beer is in your fridge?
I cleaned out the Coors Light last night watching SNF and baseball, so the only thing in our fridge right now is some Corona Premier the wife bought a few days ago.
Man, an Urban Meyer question straight out of the chute, huh?
In a purely hypothetical world, if Meyer was hired, I think getting this class into the top 7 nationally might be a bit tough. In that scenario, I’m assuming a coaching change wouldn’t be finalized until December at the earliest, which would mean many of the top prospects would be close to signing in the December window. And with no chances for on-campus visits until January 1, at the earliest, getting the class into that type of range might be asking a bit too much. Then again, Urban Meyer carries a pretty damn big stick so I wouldn’t rule anything out.
Any idea what we do with the remainder of 2021 spots? At one point do you just not take guys because you struck out on everyone else? Do you just take anyone that is willing at some point?
The fact that you’re even asking that question is a pretty sad indicator of where UT’s recruiting is right now.
You can’t just wrap this class up with 17 commitments (or close to that number) in my opinion, but you also can’t afford to reach on a bunch of guys just to fill out the class. It’s a tough situation Texas finds itself in. If the team can find a way to stack up some wins over the next couple months, that’ll certainly help with some of the guys currently on the board. If not, Texas is probably going to have to really dig deep and rely on its evaluations to get anywhere close to a full class.
If UM does come to Texas, can we flip any in state kids (Brockermyers, etc) or land any of the uncommitted 4-5 stars (Foster, Byrd, Johnson)?
I get it with the Urban Meyer questions, but I also have to point out that these types of scenarios are basically 10 steps down the road, and any one of those steps could change the storyline. But IF the scenario you mentioned was to come to fruition, the answer is yes, I would expect Texas to land at least one of the players you mentioned. I’m not sure who it would be, but a hire the magnitude of Urban Meyer would definitely give recruiting a shot in the arm. Again though … those questions feel like we’re putting the cart in front of the horse.
Is there any recruiting to ask you about?
Honestly, it’s pretty uneventful right now. You have a guy like Terrence Cooks committing next month and some new 2022 offers, but there really hasn’t been any earth-shattering news of late.
If we crap the bed in recruiting this year (say we lose Sanders and 1-2 more 4 stars), and finish up ranking with a class about mid 20s, would that factor in strongly to getting rid of CTH? Or is it all Eyes and Win-Loss?
That’s a good question. My guess is that recruiting wouldn’t play a big part in any decision on Tom Herman’s future, for a couple reasons. First, I’m not sure how much the influential people in those decisions, including Chris Del Conte, pay attention to recruiting. Secondly, a decision on Herman’s future will probably be made, one way or the other, before the final touches are put on this year’s recruiting class. Based on those two factors, I would think the issue is predominantly about wins and losses, and to a much lesser degree the situation with the Eyes of Texas.
Would you rather have a bunch of UT "fanatic" kids playing for us (think the QB we signed in this class and Peter Mpagi (I think he was a big UT fan) and we go 7-5 to 9-3 every year or have a bunch of "individualistic" kids and we have the potential to compete for more post season accolades? I know we are getting the worst of both worlds right now and I know it's possible to get something like the best of both ... but if you had to choose?
Another good question.
From my perspective in terms of enjoying my job, give me the UT “fanatic” kids you mentioned. Guys like Peter Mpagi and current quarterback commitment Charles Wright are always a pleasure to cover. They’re always positive, talkative and generally those kids are just mature, quality young men.
All that being said, winning cures all ills so I’d probably take the “individualistic” kids and championships because that’s what makes you all happy, which makes this board (and my job) a hell of a lot more enjoyable.
Let's talk about anything other than this season.
1. What's been your favorite recruiting class to cover at UT?
2. Which coach at UT has been your favorite to cover?
3. Who have been the top 5 recruiters at UT that you've covered?
4. Do your kids think it's cool that you have access to elite athletes their age?
5. Which family member gives you the most crap for cold-calling teenage boys?
1. I’m old school, and my answer would definitely be before the invention of social media. Off the top of my head, I really liked covering that 2003 group, that included guys like Tarrell Brown, Tim Crowder, Erick Jackson, Limas Sweed and Dallas Griffin … all guys I had a pretty good relationship with back in the day. Runner up would be 2005 because the Colt McCoy/Ryan Perrilloux story was a hell of a lot of fun, and I had good relationships with guys like Jamal Charles and Jermichael Finley who went on to do big things.
2. I’m assuming you’re talking head coach. If so, I’ve got to go with Mack Brown because he was so successful. I didn’t always agree with everything
3. Off the top of my head, Tim Brewster would definitely be in there. I thought Bobby Kennedy was damn good. Believe it or not, Tim Beck would be in that conversation. Jay Valai has a chance to be in there. Major Applewhite, Brian Jean-Marie, Duane Akina and Darrell Wyatt would also be in the mix.
4. My oldest daughter is the sports fan of our group, so she thinks it’s pretty cool. I don’t think the others think much of it, honestly. Sadly, they’re more impressed that I have a Twitter account that a handful of people actually pay attention to.
5. Hmm. I wouldn’t say any of them really give me crap to be honest with you. They’re all used to it at this point. My wife has been a saint for close to 19 years … working on her birthday, anniversaries, Christmas morning, cancelling dinner plans while en route to the restaurant because of some stupid rumor that pops up, etc.
How are the “Eyes” affecting recruiting? Is it coming up with the recruits?
It’s really not, at least from the conversations I’ve had. I did have an out-of-state recruit ask me today what the Texas fan base was like, which I thought was interesting. Obviously, that’s not really my job to get into those types of conversations that could shape a kid’s impression, so I just downplayed it and said they’re like any ravenous fan base with high expectations.
—Odds that TH is head coach at Texas next year?
I honestly have no clue. I’ve heard rumors – including speculation that a decision has already been made – but I’m not sure I believe that just yet. I think there was a lot of emotional talking coming out of the OU game (the loss, The Eyes issue) but in the end I think cooler heads will prevail and everyone will take a big-picture viewpoint. These next few weeks could be huge.
How many current recruits stay with us under three possible scenarios:
1.) We hire Urban before second NSD?
2.) Herman stays through second NSD?
3.) We fire Herman and we do not hire Urban, but literally anyone else?
Any notion as to who might stay and who is most likely to go elsewhere?
1. All of them, if Urban wants them.
2. Total guess, but maybe one more defection.
3. Probably about the same as number two. Obviously it would largely depend on who is brought in but you have to figure Texas would hire a good coach, so most guys would stay.
As for your last question, the players I’ve communicated with have indicated they’re all watching things but are solid for now. I don’t want to speculate on who might decommit because nobody has indicated that to me. But as I always say, out-of-state commitments are always worth watching until their LOI comes in, even when things are going well.
Are the present players actively helping with recruiting or actively talking down the program?
To the second part of that question, I have not heard at all that any player is talking down the program. As for actively helping, their hands are kind of tied right now since recruits aren’t able to get to campuses to interact with the current guys. I do know that a handful of recruits who have friends on the team have told me their buddies have given them positive reports and encouraged them to join them in Ausitn.
Do you think or know TH or CDC has a membership on OB?
I don’t know anything, but if they don’t, they’d probably be the first coaches/admin I can think of that don’t have memberships or access in some capacity. Hell, even some former assistant coaches still read the board … they enjoy the madness as much as you all I guess.
Who are your favorite top 3 recruits to cover since joining OBs?
Fun question. There have been so many that I’ve enjoyed covering that it’s going to be hard to pick just three, but let me give it a go.
1. Josh Cochran – Just a great kid overall, and doing well in his coaching career. He’s currently on Mack Brown’s staff.
2. Darius Terrell – Just a cool cat, was always available for an update and he and I would just shoot the crap on non-football stuff sometimes. Something just clicked there.
3. Colt McCoy – Everyone on this board knows Colt is just a class individual. Once he got to campus it somehow got misconstrued by someone close to him that I was “pulling for” Jevan Snead to win the job over Colt, which was completely inaccurate. Not sure where that came from, but all I know is Colt was a class act, even as a teenager.
Honorable mention – Ryan Perrilloux and Darrell Scott. Perrilloux was a sub-selling machine, he was always willing to talk (he even picked up once when he was on an official visit to another school and having dinner with the coaches … awkward). The Darrell Scott story didn’t end up well, but I got to meet some cool people, had good sourcing and got to go out to Cali twice to cover him. Can’t hate that.
What beer is in your fridge?
I cleaned out the Coors Light last night watching SNF and baseball, so the only thing in our fridge right now is some Corona Premier the wife bought a few days ago.
