We will start this week with an update on the 2016 Baylor signees still trying to get out of their NLI’s.
Devin Duvernay – The speedster was scheduled to be in Austin today, but he pushed his visits back to next week. It appears that Duvernay is zeroing in on
Texas, TCU, and Oklahoma. All three schools have certain things in their favor to win over the Sachse star. Texas was a favorite of Duvernay’s last year, and they now run an offense that fits his skills in the best way. TCU is close to home, and they offered his brother Donovan during the recruiting cycle. Oklahoma has Duvernay’s cousin Kyler Murray, along with a fast paced attack where his speed would excel. I believe this recruitment will still come down to a packaged deal between Devin and Donovan. It was reiterated to me this weekend that Duvernay loves Texas, and
if the Longhorns were to go all in for both brothers they would have a great chance to land them. We will see what shakes out on his visits.
Patrick Hudson - Much like during the season, the big man is pretty quiet when it comes to matters of his recruitment. The sentiment behind the scenes continues to be that
Texas would be an overwhelming favorite should he choose to go elsewhere and receive his release.
Parrish Cobb – Cobb’s father has been outspoken about obtaining his son’s release, and rightly so since it was promised to him on the condition of a meeting with new Baylor coach Jim Grobe. The word last week was that Cobb would be headed to Oklahoma once he was released, but I was told yesterday that
Texas is back in play, and Cobb is starting to warm to the idea. The reason I’m told, is that some of the incoming freshmen are doing their best sales pitch to get Cobb to Austin. I was told
Brandon Jones is leading the charge to land Cobb, along with his cousin
Eric Cuffee. Combine that with Cobb’s reported love for
Clay Jennings, and Texas might be able to secure themselves the best pure cover corner from last year’s class.
JP Urquidez – Urquidez and his family have been equally as vocal about their desire to obtain a release from Baylor. The indications are still mixed on the back end, but I believe
Texas would have some interest if he’s out there.
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Texas held their first mini-camp of the summer over the weekend, and we were able to speak to several attendees. One of the big headlines on the day was the offers extended to Yoakum twins
Joshua and Jordan Moore. The 2018 brothers have been picking up big offers around the nation since the spring and it’s easy to see why. We spoke with both brothers last night to get the scoop on their day in Austin.
HornSports: Tell me about the offer, how did it feel?
Jordan: “It was a surreal feeling. I didn’t expect it, but at the same time I dominated in one on one’s so I kind of felt like I was going to get some kind of big news”.
Joshua: “The offer meant a lot to me! It was a big one. My mother actually graduated from Texas, so that will definitely play a factor in the process”.
HornSports: Is she already recruiting you to Austin?
Joshua: “A little bit. I think she was more excited than me and Jordan. She just wants what’s best for us, so whatever school we decide to commit to we know our parents will be behind us 110%”.
Jordan: “She’s been yelling ‘hook em’ all through the house today, but at the same time she tells us to do what’s best for us”.
HornSports: Most twins want to play together at the next level. Is that something you guys have agreed on?
Joshua: “Not really. As of right now, we’re just letting things happen. As it gets closer to decision time we will start to narrow things down”.
HornSports: Joshua, I heard you measured in at 6’3. Is that true?
Joshua : “Yes sir”
HornSports: I think I had you at 6’1 at the Opening in Houston.
Joshua: “Yes sir I was 6’1 a couple of months ago”.
HornSports: How did the offer go down?
Joshua: “Well actually he (Coach Strong) offered us out on the field right after camp. I went up to shake his hand and he gave us the news”
Jordan: “Yes, he offered us both at the same time”.
HornSports: Is it safe to say Texas will be one of your top options?
Joshua: “Absolutely”.
Jordan: “I can honestly say Texas is my number one”.
HornSports: Jordan, you guys have a ton of offers already. Is there one out there you don’t have but you’d love to get.
Jordan: “TCU. I’ve always wanted that one. My best friend, who is like an older brother to me plays receiver there”.
HornSports: Which one?
Jordan: “Tre’vontae Hights”.
HornSports: Have you guys thought about when you might make a decision?
Jordan: “No sir we actually haven’t”.
Both of the brothers are extremely friendly and great to talk with, so we should have a lot of great material from them over the course of their recruitment. It’s still early, but Texas should be considered the early favorite at this point.
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One of the prospects that generated the most buzz at the Texas mini-camp this past weekend was Trinity Valley Community College DB
Curtis Jones. Jones is a bit of a late bloomer, and a product of South Grand Prairie in the class of 2015 where he teamed with Texas safety Jason Hall. Jones has developed since he left high school, and the 6’1, 180 lbs. junior was a freshman qualifier so he would be eligible to enroll in whatever school he chooses in the fall. Jones told us that the Texas staff had no idea who he was, but that changed when he showed up on Sunday. “Coach Bedford wants me to come to the next camp. He said he loved my physical play and 4.43 speed. He told me he was coming to watch me play at Trinity Valley”. Jones told us he does plan to come back to Austin next week to compete again at the Texas mini-camp. Jones will attend the Abilene Christian camp this week as well in an effort to get as many eyes on him as possible. Now that
Jones is on the Texas radar, a strong performance next week could make him a serious contender for an offer.
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The name Metcalf is near royalty in Austin. When 2018 Seattle (WA) Garfield High School receiver
Mekhi Metcalf attended camp this past weekend, he got a taste of it. The son of former Longhorn Eric Metcalf had a great time in Austin, and he told us all about it. “It was great. As soon as we started I got to see the many trophies won by Longhorn legends, including the two Heisman trophies won by Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams. I also got to see all of the different facilities and spaces used by the football program. I was just amazed”. Metcalf measured in at 6’2, 168 lbs., and he ran a 4.83 40 on what he told us was a bum hip. Metcalf also got to interact with the Texas coaches, and he really enjoyed their feedback. “Coach Charlie Williams told me to keep up the good work so he can get a trip to Seattle to see me play”. It came as no surprise when Metcalf told us that he grew up a huge fan of Texas. If the Longhorns were to recruit him, he told us that they would most definitely be at the top of his list. Currently Metcalf is hearing from Washington State, Oregon State, Northern Colorado, Wyoming, and Hawaii. As he enters his junior season in high school, look for more schools to notice his ability and for his profile to rise.
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We caught up briefly with Hutto defensive end
Ondario Robinson who was recently offered by Texas. Robinson has been pretty quiet since the offer, but he did tell us about what it meant to him. “It was good to get because Texas has a rich history in athletics. It’s a great school”. Robinson has been in contact with Texas since the offer, and he actually visited today. We will try to catch up with him again to get a recap on how it went. Robinson is being recruited by Vance Bedford, and at this point Texas faces its biggest competition from Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
Inside Access for June 7th, 2016- Higdon
I was out of pocket most of the weekend with baseball. So, I wanted to have Inside Access up a day early for you all.
Ondario Robinson spent a LOT of time with Charlie Strong today by the way.
What influence has negative recruiting had since Charlie Strong has been here? Do coaches truly believe Texas will not be any good or are they afraid of how good Texas could be in the next few years?
Teams that play Texas are doing everything in their power to persuade kids not to attend Texas. They are very concerned about how good Texas is going to be over the next couple of years. Texas is a sleeping giant about to wake, so people are in panic mode. They will say and do anything to keep top tier kids from committing and attending Texas, but it’s too late. Recruits/families see what Charlie Strong is about to do in Austin, and there is nothing they can do to stop it in my mind.
With Summer workouts starting, any Updates on height and weight for the newcomers? Any updates on
Buechele putting 10lbs of muscle on?
Added weight for all the kids in the class of 2016 at the end.
Who has the ultimate say, both realistically as well as legally, in the hiring of:
1) head coach --- AD I believe
2) asst. Coaches? – Head Coach
For example, does the AD get to choose, make the final decision on who "the guy" is, subject to the salary being approved by (whom, the BOR?)? And if the named "guy" agrees to a salary below the "need to be approved level," then the AD can and should make this selection?
Yes, I believe that is accurate
2) what about Asst Coaches? Does the HC get to choose "their guy", again subject to salary approvals, or does UTS AD have: 1) veto power, 2) can tell the HC who will be his Asst Coaches (aka Steve Patterson)?
Head coach makes those hires, but in some cases, the OC or DC is allowed to bring in the guys he wants. This is not always the case, though. Just depends on the situation. The OC or DC will bring candidates to the HC, and he will sign off on them or he won't. The HC will bring OC/DC candidates to the AD and either the AD will sign off on them or he won’t. Some people believe they are aware of the power struggle within the university, but they couldn’t be further from the truth about what takes place and what took place during the last hire of Texas football coaches.
Real current example: UT HC for men's baseball – AD will come up with a list of candidates, but I believe he isn’t the final say on the subject. He will need to get the names/salaries approved from above. Some schools will seek the council of outside companies for the coaching search which I find odd, but it does happen often.
What's your gut feeling on
Patrick Hudson landing at Texas at this time?
Right now it’s a no-go in my book. Patrick Hudson has not been released at this time. When or if he does, then I will have something to talk about in more depth. Nothing for me to talk about regarding Hudson at this time as he has not been released.
How many hours do the players typically take during the summer??
Depends on the player, what year they are etc. It’s different from true freshmen and incoming seniors. I really can’t answer this question without talking to everyone on the team. Last year I believe some only had to take three hours of classes. This summer I think you will see the incoming kids take three and the rising sophomore kids take six or something like that. Again, just depends on the player.
Any hints on number of additional NRA folks this summer??
Things are going to happen moving forward. I certainly am not going to divulge any names of players that will not be on the team in the fall. That would just about be professional suicide on my part. I tell everyone each year to expect NRA or Natural Recruiting Attrition to make way for the incoming players, the players of tomorrow. It happens at every single program across the country, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. It’s the way of college football today.
Will we offer
Donovon Duvernay a schollie?
Texas has the room. This deal could go either way. We will see what Devin has to say when he visit this weekend.
With you knowing all that you know in this recruiting world, what is the level of concern with Texas getting back to the point where they are getting the recruits that they want? The concern in the Big12 I'm sure is high, but what about on a national level? There seems to be more and more interest coming from the top talent on the board. I'm sure all the blue bloods know that Texas is a sleeping giant in the recruiting world.
Coaches go into every recruiting cycle with a certain level of concern. If you do not take this approach, you are foolish. Texas has had great success the last several seasons on the recruiting trail going head to head with Oklahoma and Texas A&M and many other schools. They have done so without winning many games. It shows the kind of recruiter/closer that Charlie is. People love him; they pull for him as well as gravitate to him. When they win this year, they will be on cruise control on the recruiting trail. It will be different vs. the last two years and the way they have recruited.
And since you have been on the other side with Florida..how is it from an SEC stance on how things would be if Texas things got rolling. I ask this because I do believe Texas can be greater than Alabama at their highest and tOSU.
That is a bold statement. Alabama is where they are (Winning 4 of 7 National Titles) because they have stockpiled five-star talent at every single position. I can make the case that the 2nd stringers at Bama in most years would all be starters at other major programs, that’s disgusting and why they win. They simply have more than the other guy. After Texas inks this 2017 class, they will be the single most talented teams in the Big 12 by far in my mind.
If Texas beats Notre Dame and OU do you think we make the college football playoff basically could you see us running the table?
No. Texas is still thin in some very key spots and young. Youth will catch up to them at some point in the season in some game they are supposed to win but do not. 2017 they will win the Big 12 and be in the final four.
How long will Texas wait to hear back either way from elite recruits before moving on to secondary targets? I guess the example I'm thinking of is at LB with the big guys expected to take it close to NSD would they turn away a Murray or Levi Jones to wait for Hines, Browning, Moses, etc.?
A lot of these questions will be answered during the summer months when these guys get back on campus for a visit. These guys can make the call and pull the trigger now. Kenneth Murray is very underrated in the media but not for the Texas coaching staff. They will balance some of these situations over the next several months. Remember, once the season starts the focus is on football. Most kids are going to either pop before September, or they wait for All-Star games or NSD. Texas is in no rush right now.
Kendall Jones is going to Juco. If he makes the switch to OG will we make another run at him?
No, they will not. Texas dodged a bullet with this kid and are LUCKY things went down the way they went down. There was a time when I thought he was a great player. As I did more research on the kid, I found out he was nowhere near the player I thought he once was. He should not have been a five-star kid, and he will never make any significance regardless of where he ends up down the road.
Is the reason you left
Fowler off your list of updated weights for the DL because his chances of getting into Texas are getting smaller?
No, that is not the reason. However, I believe
Southall has a better chance of getting in before August, but we have the summer to see what happens.
Gut feeling with the
Duvernay brothers once the other brother is released?
Texas is the first choice in my opinion. If it doesn’t work with Texas, it will be TCU I believe.
Any updates on
Walker Little, AJ Davis, Tyrell Shavers, Taquon Graham, or Kary Vincent? Any additional info from Taylor after his visit... I know we heard initially both he and his mom loved it, just didn't know if you've talked to him since?
Shavers is talking about a top ten or something like that. It will be a while on him I believe. I need to see all these kids visit over the summer, in particular, Shavers and Graham again. I like the way things are going with Kary Vincent right now. Kary is going to speak with Charlie this weekend about setting up his next visit to Texas to hang with the coaches more. AJ Davis has never visited Texas, even though he is supposed to come during the summer. Walker Little is a high priority clearly, and we should see him visit soon. The Texas trip for Taylor and his mom was huge. I think this will be proven with a return trip for Tyler at some point near the end of the summer, possibly for UTL.
What can you tell us about how the
Devin Duvernay visit went today? (If it even happened...I haven't heard anything)
He did not make his trip today. He will be in town this weekend. This will work much better for Texas as he will get to spend more time with the coaching staff vs. coming in on a Monday during a camp for little kids.
I was asked the other day for a lottery number to pass the time. Took me a while to figure some out but here goes.
5-10-6-1-43-25
% chance you believe
Fowler will qualify?
I have no clue what kind of work ethic this kid has. I can’t say its overly impressive or he would not be in this situation to begin with. What I know is this, if he does what he's supposed to do he will be at Texas in the fall and if not oh well.
% chance you think when it's all said and done he wears a Longhorn uniform?
I think he sticks with Texas no matter what happens this summer, but the question is when? I honestly can't give you a percentage not knowing him well enough to know what kind of work ethic he has. I think the more likely scenario would be prep school, and he can enroll at Texas in January. I don’t think he's that worse off where he would need the JUCO route.
What's the backup plan for guys like Fowler and Southall who might not make it in? I know the juco route for them, but does Texas still try to get those guys on campus after two years?
If they went JUCO, the recruiting process starts all over again. Usually, when a kid goes the JUCO route, they get lost in the system so to speak. All you can hope for is IF they don’t make it in this summer (I think Southall will) they can worst case hopefully go prep school allowing them to enroll in January. JUCO will be bad. I will make the case Alabama will NEVER see Kendell Jones on campus if he is enrolled in a two-year juco school. The only kid I can think of that this road traveled worked out for is safety Reggie Nelson and Florida year’s ago.
Assuming we get off to a hot start next year and then beat OU again, do you think Charlie gets an extension? If he does, would our 2017 class just explode?
I believe Texas wins enough this year, and he will get his extension. Yes, it will help with recruiting as well.
Besides Swoopes (graduates) how many QB's transfer or switch positions after this season. You don't have to give names. However, I'm sure you have heard something at this point. Kids don't keep to themselves very well anymore.
Lol, you are correct but no reason for me to add fuel to the fire. Not in this situation. You will see some changes, no choice.
D'Andre Christmas-Giles DT 325
Jeffrey McCulloch LB 230
Collin Johnson WR 215
Andrew Fitzgerald DE 260
Kyle Porter RB 208
Jordan Elliott DT 315
Zach Shackelford OL 300
Shane Buechele QB 198
Jean Delance OL 309
Eric Cuffee CB 192
Lil'Jordan Humphrey WR 220
Brandon Jones S 196
Erik Fowler DE 230
Peyton Aucoin TE 246
Malcolm Roach DE 260
Denzel Okafor OL 297
Chris Daniels DT 315
Tope Imade OL 312
Davion Curtis WR 175
Demarco Boyd LB 240
Gerald Wilbon DT 320
Marcel Southall DE 310
Reggie Hemphill-Mapps WR 170
Chris Brown S 187
