While also getting a top flight education. As good as the academics are at Texas, Stanford is in a different category.
Recruiting Thread 2017
- Thread starter Scholz
- Start date
That's what I mean. When they're really good, there's not much of an answer to a Stanford offer.
Also in recruiting news Michigan unveiled their new football unis and they have the jumpman symbol on them. The only school to have them and kids love wearing jumpman stuff so it could be a recruiting advantage for them.
I'd be surprised if it ever made a difference in a single recruit's decision for them. Uniforms get several orders of magnitude more attention in recruiting conversations than they deserve. Whatever effect they might have is utterly minuscule compared to relationships, location (proximity much more than attractiveness), playing time, prospects for winning, and media exposure.
Facilities are also not nearly the difference-maker that many people think they are (though they certainly matter more than uniforms); they're not nearly as important as the aforementioned factors. Florida's facilities have been sh*t for a long time, and that didn't stop Urban Meyer from landing absolutely gaudy classes. USC's facilities were also comparatively crappy the entire time Pete Carroll was there.
You almost get the impression from CFB websites, though, that these two things are as critical as it gets in recruiting.
One would think Jordan brand will roll that out to UNC at some point.
As much as I love the brand, it is dumb to put a basketball symbol on a football jersey. Next can they throw some mma type ads covering the pants and some WNBA symbols on the helmets?
As much as I love the brand, it is dumb to put a basketball symbol on a football jersey. Next can they throw some mma type ads covering the pants and some WNBA symbols on the helmets?
You can count on Harbaugh using the jumpman symbol on their jersey as a recruiting tool since they are the only school in the nation to have it.
Everybody's different, and Kids will be kids. Some like certain color uni's, some want to play for a school with crazy hip new alts. You never know.
Per an interview posted on 247, his decommitment had to do with the women's clinic fiasco. He went on to say that his Mom likes Texas so they will definitely be a contender. If his Mom is going to be involved in the decision and they have already mentioned the women's clinic I'd say that it'll be hard to TAMU to get him back in the fold.
Kenneth Murray commits to OU. Not surprising. I think we continue to chase the big dogs at LB and turn our attention to Devodrick Johnson.
http://collegespun.com/big-12/oklahoma/video-3-star-lb-kenneth-murray-announces-oklahoma-commitment
http://collegespun.com/big-12/oklahoma/video-3-star-lb-kenneth-murray-announces-oklahoma-commitment
ATM decommit season has started early this year.
I actually want them to keep the train wreck that is Sumlin. Although firing him would be a fun financial endeavor to watch. I am afraid they might do something smart, like hiring Herman.
I actually want them to keep the train wreck that is Sumlin. Although firing him would be a fun financial endeavor to watch. I am afraid they might do something smart, like hiring Herman.
A Buckeyes247 writer put in a crystal ball pick for J.K. Dobbins a few hours ago -- to Texas.
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Apparently there is a thread on "Bucknuts247" where they were discussing this. I don't have access but it sounds like they believe if Akers commits to them, Dobbins will flip to us.A Buckeyes247 put in a crystal ball pick for J.K. Dobbins a few hours ago -- to Texas.
When center Creed Humphrey flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to Oklahoma, it seemed on the surface like that might put a nail in the coffin on the talk of Texas commitment Xavier Newman possibly flipping to Oklahoma.
OU's numbers in 2017 are very tight already and Humphrey became the Sooners' third offensive line commitment. Not to mention, the thought was kicked around that OU may have had its eye on Newman as a center.
We caught up with the DeSoto commitment, and it's a bit of good news, bad news as far as the Longhorns are concerned. The bad ... Newman said Humphrey's commitment really doesn't impact his thinking (he also said OU wanted him at guard). The good ... Newman said it really doesn't matter because he's happy with his Texas commitment.
"I've been tight with Texas," Newman said. "I might still visit (OU), but I'm still 100 percent committed. They don't need to worry."
The Longhorns, according to Newman, are recruiting the 6-4, 285-pound Newman at both center and guard. If he has his way, he'll play at guard.
"I just feel more comfortable there. I just feel I play better there," Newman said.
Newman plans to head to Austin for the Longhorns' season-opener against Notre Dame. Even if he does visit Oklahoma, he said, he doesn't plan to flip his commitment.
"I was already solid with Texas. I was just going to visit OU, just see some colleges. I just wanted to go see how it was," Newman said. "I've been committed to Texas. That's where I'm going."
My thoughts:These are by far the most definitive statements we've heard from Newman, who has talked over the past two months like a guy who may be close to flipping his commitment to the Sooners. When we talked to him this week, his tune had changed and he sounds like he has every intention to stick with his UT commitment. Things could always change if he does visit Oklahoma (if the Sooners even have room), but a source in DeSoto told us this week that the pendulum had swung back in UT's direction, and Newman certainly confirmed that when we spoke with him. (Suchomel)
******
Texas missed out on the commitment of LB Kenneth Murray on Wednesday when Murray gave his pledge to Oklahoma. Could that open the door for a UT offer to Devodrick Johnson, who visited Texas last week and decommitted from A&M this week? We'll have to wait and see, but it certainly didn't hurt Johnson's chances.
The 6-2, 215-pound Johnson requested to not do any interviews after his Aggie decommitment. We honored that request, as always, but did talk to a couple people close to him to get an update.
Johnson attended UT's satellite camp in Dallas and was in Austin last Friday for a visit. He's been in contact with UT assistant Clay Jennings for a while, and several other schools have continued to recruit Johnson of late as well, including Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State.
Key quote:"I think he might flip. When he went down there, he really liked it," one source said. "I think it might be UT. They coaches really liked him and he really liked it."
Who is Johnson?:A6-2 1/2, 215-pounder out of Dallas Kimball, Johnson is a versatile defender who can play at safety or at a linebacker spot, where he's capable of covering in space and staying on the field in third-down situations.
"He has intangibles and the size. He can play safety or linebacker," a source close to Johnson said. "He's athletic enough to pay cornerback on the hash, has the size and athleticism and the hips to come up and play linebacker in the flat. You really don't have to sub with him in the nickel situation. He's already on the field. Some like him at linebacker, some at safety. He's interchangeable.
"It's hard to find a linebacker with his ball skills. That that ability just rarifies him."
What's next?:The official word from Johnson, per those close to him, is that he wants to put football on the back burner and focus on his senior season. That could change if Texas offers ... we'll just have to wait and see on that one. (Suchomel)
******
West Mesquite cornerback Dayven Coleman (2018) was on the visit to UT with Johnson last Friday. He attended UT's Under the Lights camp last month but didn't work out, and got a better look at the UT program last week.
According to Coleman, he thinks there's a chance Texas could offer him in the near future. UCLA, USC and Cal are other schools who are heavily recruiting Coleman.
As for Texas, Coleman said it was a good visit last week and he really feels comfortable with the UT coaches.
We'll have a full report on Coleman over the weekend, but he's a player to watch as the Longhorn coaches go through their 2018 evaluations in the fall. Coleman is hoping to attend UT's season-opener against Notre Dame. (Suchomel)
******
A couple quick notes to end with ...
--- Top UT wide receiver target Omar Manning was close to announcing his decision last week, but decided to hold off. Manning remains one of the top offensive players on UT's board, and the Longhorns are right there at the top of his list, as is TCU.
--- Hearing some good news is coming for UT. More details on that when the time is right and our sources give us the green light. (Suchomel)
OU's numbers in 2017 are very tight already and Humphrey became the Sooners' third offensive line commitment. Not to mention, the thought was kicked around that OU may have had its eye on Newman as a center.
We caught up with the DeSoto commitment, and it's a bit of good news, bad news as far as the Longhorns are concerned. The bad ... Newman said Humphrey's commitment really doesn't impact his thinking (he also said OU wanted him at guard). The good ... Newman said it really doesn't matter because he's happy with his Texas commitment.
"I've been tight with Texas," Newman said. "I might still visit (OU), but I'm still 100 percent committed. They don't need to worry."
The Longhorns, according to Newman, are recruiting the 6-4, 285-pound Newman at both center and guard. If he has his way, he'll play at guard.
"I just feel more comfortable there. I just feel I play better there," Newman said.
Newman plans to head to Austin for the Longhorns' season-opener against Notre Dame. Even if he does visit Oklahoma, he said, he doesn't plan to flip his commitment.
"I was already solid with Texas. I was just going to visit OU, just see some colleges. I just wanted to go see how it was," Newman said. "I've been committed to Texas. That's where I'm going."
My thoughts:These are by far the most definitive statements we've heard from Newman, who has talked over the past two months like a guy who may be close to flipping his commitment to the Sooners. When we talked to him this week, his tune had changed and he sounds like he has every intention to stick with his UT commitment. Things could always change if he does visit Oklahoma (if the Sooners even have room), but a source in DeSoto told us this week that the pendulum had swung back in UT's direction, and Newman certainly confirmed that when we spoke with him. (Suchomel)
******
Texas missed out on the commitment of LB Kenneth Murray on Wednesday when Murray gave his pledge to Oklahoma. Could that open the door for a UT offer to Devodrick Johnson, who visited Texas last week and decommitted from A&M this week? We'll have to wait and see, but it certainly didn't hurt Johnson's chances.
The 6-2, 215-pound Johnson requested to not do any interviews after his Aggie decommitment. We honored that request, as always, but did talk to a couple people close to him to get an update.
Johnson attended UT's satellite camp in Dallas and was in Austin last Friday for a visit. He's been in contact with UT assistant Clay Jennings for a while, and several other schools have continued to recruit Johnson of late as well, including Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State.
Key quote:"I think he might flip. When he went down there, he really liked it," one source said. "I think it might be UT. They coaches really liked him and he really liked it."
Who is Johnson?:A6-2 1/2, 215-pounder out of Dallas Kimball, Johnson is a versatile defender who can play at safety or at a linebacker spot, where he's capable of covering in space and staying on the field in third-down situations.
"He has intangibles and the size. He can play safety or linebacker," a source close to Johnson said. "He's athletic enough to pay cornerback on the hash, has the size and athleticism and the hips to come up and play linebacker in the flat. You really don't have to sub with him in the nickel situation. He's already on the field. Some like him at linebacker, some at safety. He's interchangeable.
"It's hard to find a linebacker with his ball skills. That that ability just rarifies him."
What's next?:The official word from Johnson, per those close to him, is that he wants to put football on the back burner and focus on his senior season. That could change if Texas offers ... we'll just have to wait and see on that one. (Suchomel)
******
West Mesquite cornerback Dayven Coleman (2018) was on the visit to UT with Johnson last Friday. He attended UT's Under the Lights camp last month but didn't work out, and got a better look at the UT program last week.
According to Coleman, he thinks there's a chance Texas could offer him in the near future. UCLA, USC and Cal are other schools who are heavily recruiting Coleman.
As for Texas, Coleman said it was a good visit last week and he really feels comfortable with the UT coaches.
We'll have a full report on Coleman over the weekend, but he's a player to watch as the Longhorn coaches go through their 2018 evaluations in the fall. Coleman is hoping to attend UT's season-opener against Notre Dame. (Suchomel)
******
A couple quick notes to end with ...
--- Top UT wide receiver target Omar Manning was close to announcing his decision last week, but decided to hold off. Manning remains one of the top offensive players on UT's board, and the Longhorns are right there at the top of his list, as is TCU.
--- Hearing some good news is coming for UT. More details on that when the time is right and our sources give us the green light. (Suchomel)
Where is Texas headed in recruiting for February 2017? If Texas signs the eighteen below or their equivalent (1-QB; 1-RB; 2-WR; 3-OL; 1-TE; 4-DL; 3-LB; 3-DB) Texas would be at 278.90 in the 247 Class Calculator. That is about the same spot as last year with 28 signatures (280.xx). Which was good enough for seventh place in the rankings.
1 Marvin Wilson
DT (6-4/329)
0.9974 (+29.74)
2 Baron Browning
OLB (6-3/230)
0.9933 (+29.15)
3 Walker Little
OT (6-8/305)
0.9862 (+27.92)
4 J.K. Dobbins
APB (5-9.5/199)
0.9783 (+26.33)
5 Lagaryonn Carson
SDE (6-4/260)
0.9658 (+24.08)
6 K'Lavon Chaisson
WDE (6-4/211)
0.9560 (+21.94)
7 Sam Ehlinger
DUAL (6-1.5/215)
0.9444 (+19.57)
8 Damion Miller
WR (6-1/193)
0.9362 (+17.45)
9 Omar Manning
WR (6-3/203)
0.9346 (+15.81)
10 Levi Jones
OLB (6-3/215)
0.9283 (+13.85)
11 Taquon Graham
WDE (6-3/255)
0.9219 (+11.97)
12 Stephan Zabie
OT (6-5/290)
0.9168 (+10.27)
13 Montrell Estell
ATH (6-2/180)
0.9004 (+8.24)
14 Devodrick Johnson
OLB (6-1/210)
0.8980 (+6.97)
15 Major Tennison
TE (6-6/245)
0.8884 (+5.62)
16 Xavier Newman
OG (6-2.5/272)
0.8641 (+4.09)
17 Kobe Boyce
CB (6-0/163)
0.8585 (+3.26)
18 Josh Thompson
CB (6-0/182)
0.8570 (+2.64)
278.9 - TOTAL
1 Marvin Wilson
DT (6-4/329)
0.9974 (+29.74)
2 Baron Browning
OLB (6-3/230)
0.9933 (+29.15)
3 Walker Little
OT (6-8/305)
0.9862 (+27.92)
4 J.K. Dobbins
APB (5-9.5/199)
0.9783 (+26.33)
5 Lagaryonn Carson
SDE (6-4/260)
0.9658 (+24.08)
6 K'Lavon Chaisson
WDE (6-4/211)
0.9560 (+21.94)
7 Sam Ehlinger
DUAL (6-1.5/215)
0.9444 (+19.57)
8 Damion Miller
WR (6-1/193)
0.9362 (+17.45)
9 Omar Manning
WR (6-3/203)
0.9346 (+15.81)
10 Levi Jones
OLB (6-3/215)
0.9283 (+13.85)
11 Taquon Graham
WDE (6-3/255)
0.9219 (+11.97)
12 Stephan Zabie
OT (6-5/290)
0.9168 (+10.27)
13 Montrell Estell
ATH (6-2/180)
0.9004 (+8.24)
14 Devodrick Johnson
OLB (6-1/210)
0.8980 (+6.97)
15 Major Tennison
TE (6-6/245)
0.8884 (+5.62)
16 Xavier Newman
OG (6-2.5/272)
0.8641 (+4.09)
17 Kobe Boyce
CB (6-0/163)
0.8585 (+3.26)
18 Josh Thompson
CB (6-0/182)
0.8570 (+2.64)
278.9 - TOTAL
Here are Monday's notes on Texas targets (Horns247).
— The clearing of Erick Fowler could help Texas on the recruiting trail with one prospect in particular — Hutto defensive end Ondario Robinson. A Texas A&M lean, Robinson is very close to Fowler, which could play a role in his recruitment down the stretch. Robinson plans on making a decision this month.
— Madison Prep (La.) defensive end Bryan Jones is currently committed to Ole Miss, but his is still looking at other schools. Texas remains an option, but Arkansas is considered the most likely flip candidate.
— Three-star 2018 North Gwinnett (GA) quarterback Cade Fortin gave Texas A&M a verbal commitment earlier today. Fortin camped with the Longhorns at Under The Lights, but UT didn’t show strong interest.
— Fort Bend Ridge Point tight end Mustapha Muhammad will cut his list down to 10 at the end of his junior season. Texas offered early in the process, but Muhammad hasn’t shown much interest.
– Taquon Graham: Graham had hoped to make the scrimmage this past weekend but had a team event that conflicted. If Texas holds a scrimmage this upcoming weekend, as Strong indicated in the presser they might, I suspect he will make an effort to be there. I was told by someone close to Graham, “he really wants to go. He wants to see where the team is and if they’re going to be for real”. It’s pretty clear in talking to folks around Graham that some early success this fall would eliminate any reservations Graham has about Texas. The greatest threat to Texas right now remains Oklahoma. But Graham comes from a Longhorn family and if Strong wins, Texas will be tough to beat. – (Super K)
— The clearing of Erick Fowler could help Texas on the recruiting trail with one prospect in particular — Hutto defensive end Ondario Robinson. A Texas A&M lean, Robinson is very close to Fowler, which could play a role in his recruitment down the stretch. Robinson plans on making a decision this month.
— Madison Prep (La.) defensive end Bryan Jones is currently committed to Ole Miss, but his is still looking at other schools. Texas remains an option, but Arkansas is considered the most likely flip candidate.
— Three-star 2018 North Gwinnett (GA) quarterback Cade Fortin gave Texas A&M a verbal commitment earlier today. Fortin camped with the Longhorns at Under The Lights, but UT didn’t show strong interest.
— Fort Bend Ridge Point tight end Mustapha Muhammad will cut his list down to 10 at the end of his junior season. Texas offered early in the process, but Muhammad hasn’t shown much interest.
– Taquon Graham: Graham had hoped to make the scrimmage this past weekend but had a team event that conflicted. If Texas holds a scrimmage this upcoming weekend, as Strong indicated in the presser they might, I suspect he will make an effort to be there. I was told by someone close to Graham, “he really wants to go. He wants to see where the team is and if they’re going to be for real”. It’s pretty clear in talking to folks around Graham that some early success this fall would eliminate any reservations Graham has about Texas. The greatest threat to Texas right now remains Oklahoma. But Graham comes from a Longhorn family and if Strong wins, Texas will be tough to beat. – (Super K)
The Eyes of Texas (8.16): Recruiting notes
Texas has one verbal commit at wide receiver. Could another one be coming soon? It’s possible. Four-star Lancaster wide receiver Omar Manning plans to make a decision before the beginning of his senior season. If that’s truly the case, Manning only has two weeks to come to a conclusion. Manning has played things extremely close to the vest over the last couple of month and is keeping his top schools list under wraps. However, I’m told that the three schools really in contention are Oklahoma, TCU and Texas.
If I had to side with a school right now, it would be Texas. The Lancaster staff has a close connection with the Longhorn coaches, Manning has visited twice this summer and the opportunity to play early in an open offense is certainly there. Still, Oklahoma is pushing for Manning and has built one heck of a 2017 class that features a number of influential players from the Dallas-area. Meanwhile, TCU was the favorite for Manning early on. If UT misses on Manning or the Longhorns decide to take another wide out following the transfer of DeAndre McNeal, there are a few options out there.
Texas has continued to recruit Oklahoma commit Jalen Reagor of Waxahachie, who holds an offer and could make a visit. Another OU commit on the radar is Cedar Hill’s Charleston Rambo. I’m told that Rambo would have interest in the Longhorns if they extend a scholarship. He works with Margin Hooks, who played for UT wide receivers coach Charlie Williams in the NFL, which makes his recruitment something to monitor. Another receiver to know is TCU verbal pledge wide receiver RJ Sneed. If Texas offers, I am told there would definitely be legitimate interest; Sneed has a connection to Texas with uncle, Tony Jeffrey, having played wide receiver for the Longhorns under Mack Brown.
As mentioned, Texas has one wide receiver committed in John Tyler’s Damion Miller. Texas A&M has continued to recruit Miller and contacts him frequently, but the bigger threat is Ole Miss. With that said, Miller has grown more solid with his commitment to the Longhorns, and it would be surprising to see him flip. (Holland)
***
Texas has made it clear that Omar Manning is a top priority in the 2017 class. And it’s not hard to see why. At 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, Manning is a big, physical wideout that has the potential to be dominant on the outside. But it’s not all about his size. Lancaster wide receivers coach Thomas Harris believes pundits overlook Manning’s route running ability. “He’s a big guy that runs little guy routes,” Harris said. “He’s great at getting in and out of his breaks. He has very violent hips. Some big guys have problems sinking their hips. Omar does it really well.”
As a junior at Lancaster, Manning caught 33 passes for 671 yards and 12 touchdowns. He could easily double those numbers in his final year of high school football. Still, Harris said Manning has plenty of room to grow. “He’s trying to critique himself and learn more,” Harris said. “He needs to let go and be that force that he can be. If he continues to bring that dog attitude every single day, he’ll be good. I kind of compare him to Julio (Jones) or Dez Bryant or Michael Irvin. He has that body type. He can be very freakish with it.”
Of course, being compared to some of the NFL’s best comes with pressure. Harris, however, said Manning has the work ethic to eventually reach that level. “Omar brings a unique skillset to the table,” Harris said. “But he’s a kid that works hard. He loves football. He’s a grinder. He’s always itching to learn more and wants to get better every single day. He never stops.” Manning is ranked as the No. 21 wide receiver in the country and No. 23 overall prospect in the state, according to 247Sports Composite. (Holland)
HornSports Burnt Ends
We spoke with Anthony Hines on Saturday at Plano East media day to get the latest on the nation’s top inside linebacker as he enters the final stretch of his recruitment. After an off-season full of competition at events like The Opening, Hines had an extra spring in his step at the thought of the pads coming on. “I can’t wait,” Hines told us. “It’s always a good opportunity to come up here and try on the new jerseys, and just get a feel for the season. It’s getting close and we are just looking to dominate.” The long off-season can be torture for fans, and it can also take its toll on the players. “Now that the Opening is over, I’ve just been anxious for the season and kind of antsy.”
Hines is the most decorated high school recruit in the country with over 90 offers. He cut his list to a top 10 in July, and he’s looking to make a decision in the coming months since he plans to enroll early. His cut consisted of Texas, Texas A&M, SMU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, TCU, UCLA, Auburn, Florida, and Oklahoma State. While Hines isn’t tipping his hand much, the behind the scenes talk has Texas, A&M, and Oklahoma out in front. We talked to Hines about what each school had to offer.
Oklahoma – “I have a really good relationship with Coach Kish and Coach Stoops. I’ve just been building that relationship since freshman year. I know what they are about. I’ve been there since their old facilities, and just to see how they are growing and expanding is awesome. I’ve been there so many times, and I’ve been over academics more times than I can remember.”
Texas A&M – “The Chief (John Chavis) is really the difference maker there. He’s such an awesome coach, and he has a great track record when it comes to developing top linebackers. I’ve always had a good relationship with Coach Sumlin, and it’s always a family atmosphere every time I go. The facilities are off the charts, the academics are really good, and the Aggie network is just hard to compare to.”
Texas – “Coach Bedford, Coach Jean-Mary, and Coach Strong, I have a really good relationship with all of those guys. Every single time I go they roll out the red carpet for me and make me feel welcome. Academics wise they are the number one public school in the nation, so you really can’t beat that. They are really an up and coming program, and I believe they are going to dominate this year.”
Hines has a previous relationship with Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson, and even though it’s tough to connect with their busy schedules he told us they do still stay in contact. As expected, Malik is putting out a recruiting pitch to get Hines on board.
Hines has one official visit set up at this time (Clemson vs. Auburn), and he told us he might use officials for schools that are farther away. He doesn’t have a set decision date, but he said he’d like to take his visits in September and October and then make a commitment shortly thereafter.
Last season Hines totaled 205 tackles and 8 sacks, but he told us his biggest goal is increasing his production this season. “The best way to do it is to make that state run and get sixteen games. Last season we had eleven games, but I only got to play in ten. This season I want to go deep and feel I can increase my production in that way.” Hines will be one of the more anticipated recruits in this cycle, and we will be on top of that recruitment all the way to the end.
+++++
The good news of the day is that Erick Fowler was officially cleared to enroll in Austin. This is very positive for Texas due to the need for an impact pass rusher. Our sources were pessimistic on the chances of Fowler making it in, but things moved quickly with the clearinghouse and now Fowler will be able to get to campus. Fowler will now come in and get to work at the FOX position, but he will be at a bit of a disadvantage due to missing summer workouts. Fowler is a very talented player, so he might be able to make an impact situationally, but he does have a lot of catching up to do.
+++++
We reported a few weeks ago that Oklahoma was making up ground in the race for Temple (TX) defensive end Taquon Graham. We spoke to our sources there to see if anything changed in the last few weeks, and it seems the post visit high is starting to wear off. While Oklahoma made a strong impression, Texas had a big lead in this race from the beginning and it seems like they are starting to open back up again. Graham wants to take some visits this year, and his mother doesn’t want him to commit until he’s sure about his decision. We expect his commitment to be pushed back as a result of this, but Texas is still in the best position to win it at this point.
Texas has one verbal commit at wide receiver. Could another one be coming soon? It’s possible. Four-star Lancaster wide receiver Omar Manning plans to make a decision before the beginning of his senior season. If that’s truly the case, Manning only has two weeks to come to a conclusion. Manning has played things extremely close to the vest over the last couple of month and is keeping his top schools list under wraps. However, I’m told that the three schools really in contention are Oklahoma, TCU and Texas.
If I had to side with a school right now, it would be Texas. The Lancaster staff has a close connection with the Longhorn coaches, Manning has visited twice this summer and the opportunity to play early in an open offense is certainly there. Still, Oklahoma is pushing for Manning and has built one heck of a 2017 class that features a number of influential players from the Dallas-area. Meanwhile, TCU was the favorite for Manning early on. If UT misses on Manning or the Longhorns decide to take another wide out following the transfer of DeAndre McNeal, there are a few options out there.
Texas has continued to recruit Oklahoma commit Jalen Reagor of Waxahachie, who holds an offer and could make a visit. Another OU commit on the radar is Cedar Hill’s Charleston Rambo. I’m told that Rambo would have interest in the Longhorns if they extend a scholarship. He works with Margin Hooks, who played for UT wide receivers coach Charlie Williams in the NFL, which makes his recruitment something to monitor. Another receiver to know is TCU verbal pledge wide receiver RJ Sneed. If Texas offers, I am told there would definitely be legitimate interest; Sneed has a connection to Texas with uncle, Tony Jeffrey, having played wide receiver for the Longhorns under Mack Brown.
As mentioned, Texas has one wide receiver committed in John Tyler’s Damion Miller. Texas A&M has continued to recruit Miller and contacts him frequently, but the bigger threat is Ole Miss. With that said, Miller has grown more solid with his commitment to the Longhorns, and it would be surprising to see him flip. (Holland)
***
Texas has made it clear that Omar Manning is a top priority in the 2017 class. And it’s not hard to see why. At 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, Manning is a big, physical wideout that has the potential to be dominant on the outside. But it’s not all about his size. Lancaster wide receivers coach Thomas Harris believes pundits overlook Manning’s route running ability. “He’s a big guy that runs little guy routes,” Harris said. “He’s great at getting in and out of his breaks. He has very violent hips. Some big guys have problems sinking their hips. Omar does it really well.”
As a junior at Lancaster, Manning caught 33 passes for 671 yards and 12 touchdowns. He could easily double those numbers in his final year of high school football. Still, Harris said Manning has plenty of room to grow. “He’s trying to critique himself and learn more,” Harris said. “He needs to let go and be that force that he can be. If he continues to bring that dog attitude every single day, he’ll be good. I kind of compare him to Julio (Jones) or Dez Bryant or Michael Irvin. He has that body type. He can be very freakish with it.”
Of course, being compared to some of the NFL’s best comes with pressure. Harris, however, said Manning has the work ethic to eventually reach that level. “Omar brings a unique skillset to the table,” Harris said. “But he’s a kid that works hard. He loves football. He’s a grinder. He’s always itching to learn more and wants to get better every single day. He never stops.” Manning is ranked as the No. 21 wide receiver in the country and No. 23 overall prospect in the state, according to 247Sports Composite. (Holland)
HornSports Burnt Ends
We spoke with Anthony Hines on Saturday at Plano East media day to get the latest on the nation’s top inside linebacker as he enters the final stretch of his recruitment. After an off-season full of competition at events like The Opening, Hines had an extra spring in his step at the thought of the pads coming on. “I can’t wait,” Hines told us. “It’s always a good opportunity to come up here and try on the new jerseys, and just get a feel for the season. It’s getting close and we are just looking to dominate.” The long off-season can be torture for fans, and it can also take its toll on the players. “Now that the Opening is over, I’ve just been anxious for the season and kind of antsy.”
Hines is the most decorated high school recruit in the country with over 90 offers. He cut his list to a top 10 in July, and he’s looking to make a decision in the coming months since he plans to enroll early. His cut consisted of Texas, Texas A&M, SMU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, TCU, UCLA, Auburn, Florida, and Oklahoma State. While Hines isn’t tipping his hand much, the behind the scenes talk has Texas, A&M, and Oklahoma out in front. We talked to Hines about what each school had to offer.
Oklahoma – “I have a really good relationship with Coach Kish and Coach Stoops. I’ve just been building that relationship since freshman year. I know what they are about. I’ve been there since their old facilities, and just to see how they are growing and expanding is awesome. I’ve been there so many times, and I’ve been over academics more times than I can remember.”
Texas A&M – “The Chief (John Chavis) is really the difference maker there. He’s such an awesome coach, and he has a great track record when it comes to developing top linebackers. I’ve always had a good relationship with Coach Sumlin, and it’s always a family atmosphere every time I go. The facilities are off the charts, the academics are really good, and the Aggie network is just hard to compare to.”
Texas – “Coach Bedford, Coach Jean-Mary, and Coach Strong, I have a really good relationship with all of those guys. Every single time I go they roll out the red carpet for me and make me feel welcome. Academics wise they are the number one public school in the nation, so you really can’t beat that. They are really an up and coming program, and I believe they are going to dominate this year.”
Hines has a previous relationship with Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson, and even though it’s tough to connect with their busy schedules he told us they do still stay in contact. As expected, Malik is putting out a recruiting pitch to get Hines on board.
Hines has one official visit set up at this time (Clemson vs. Auburn), and he told us he might use officials for schools that are farther away. He doesn’t have a set decision date, but he said he’d like to take his visits in September and October and then make a commitment shortly thereafter.
Last season Hines totaled 205 tackles and 8 sacks, but he told us his biggest goal is increasing his production this season. “The best way to do it is to make that state run and get sixteen games. Last season we had eleven games, but I only got to play in ten. This season I want to go deep and feel I can increase my production in that way.” Hines will be one of the more anticipated recruits in this cycle, and we will be on top of that recruitment all the way to the end.
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The good news of the day is that Erick Fowler was officially cleared to enroll in Austin. This is very positive for Texas due to the need for an impact pass rusher. Our sources were pessimistic on the chances of Fowler making it in, but things moved quickly with the clearinghouse and now Fowler will be able to get to campus. Fowler will now come in and get to work at the FOX position, but he will be at a bit of a disadvantage due to missing summer workouts. Fowler is a very talented player, so he might be able to make an impact situationally, but he does have a lot of catching up to do.
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We reported a few weeks ago that Oklahoma was making up ground in the race for Temple (TX) defensive end Taquon Graham. We spoke to our sources there to see if anything changed in the last few weeks, and it seems the post visit high is starting to wear off. While Oklahoma made a strong impression, Texas had a big lead in this race from the beginning and it seems like they are starting to open back up again. Graham wants to take some visits this year, and his mother doesn’t want him to commit until he’s sure about his decision. We expect his commitment to be pushed back as a result of this, but Texas is still in the best position to win it at this point.
I was looking at that list above and I agree with a majority of it, but damn I really would be surprised if we didn't get Anthony Hines. He seems to have a really good relationship with Charlie and the other defensive coaches.
I'm also hoping we can steal Robert Horry's kid away from aggsy, he looks like a guy that will be a great TE on the next level.
I'm also hoping we can steal Robert Horry's kid away from aggsy, he looks like a guy that will be a great TE on the next level.
I'm prepared for disappointment on Hines. Higdon has been saying OU leads for quite a while now.
E.J. Holland: VIP recruiting notes:
— We haven’t talked much about Aledo offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga, who holds a Texas offer. From what I’m hearing, Filiaga prefers to go back to the West Coast and is extremely high on USC. If he stays in the Lone Star State, TCU has the edge over Texas at this time.
— According to a source, the Taquon Graham to Oklahoma hype has calmed down. He added that OU is not as much of a threat to Texas but is still an option. However, Graham’s mother prefers Texas and wants her son to play for Charlie Strong.
— Lake Dallas cornerback Kobe Boyce’s commitment to Texas has grown stronger over the last month. Boyce might still make an official visit to Oklahoma in the fall, but Longhorns fans should feel comfortable about his status.
— Just a reminder that stud 2019 St. Pius X quarterback Grant Gunnell is scheduled to visit Texas this weekend. He and his father will arrive in Austin early in the morning on Saturday and meet with the UT coaching staff.
E.J. Holland: Where Texas stands with Deiontae Watts:
Deiontae Watts is gearing up to make a big decision. No, he’s not pulling the trigger on his commitment just yet. But the three-star defensive tackle out Plano East is narrowing his impressive offer list down to five schools in the near future. “Recruiting is going well,” Watts said. “I’m starting to narrow it down now, and I’m going to release a top five at the beginning of the season. And then we will go from there.”
Watts made an unofficial visit to Texas last fall and picked up an offer from the Longhorns soon after. Watts did not make a trip to UT this offseason, but he made it clear that the Longhorns are still in the mix. “Texas is still on my mind right now,” Watts said. “It’s a school I’m still considering right now. I like the tradition they have at Texas. Their team is just one big family. They stick together.” Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC are some of the schools Watts said are standing out to him the most at this time. He also holds offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Ole Miss and a slew of others.
Watts said he still communicates with Texas defensive line coach Brick Haley frequently. Haley is trying to get him down to the Forty Acres soon. “I went down there last year, and I might go back again,” Watts said. “I want to see them take on opponents and play hard every quarter. If they had a big season, it would mean a lot.” Watts does not plan to make a final decision until after his senior season. At 6-foot-3, 302 pounds, Watts is ranked as the No. 23 defensive tackle in the country and No. 48 overall prospect in the state, according to 247Sports Composite.
— We haven’t talked much about Aledo offensive lineman Chuck Filiaga, who holds a Texas offer. From what I’m hearing, Filiaga prefers to go back to the West Coast and is extremely high on USC. If he stays in the Lone Star State, TCU has the edge over Texas at this time.
— According to a source, the Taquon Graham to Oklahoma hype has calmed down. He added that OU is not as much of a threat to Texas but is still an option. However, Graham’s mother prefers Texas and wants her son to play for Charlie Strong.
— Lake Dallas cornerback Kobe Boyce’s commitment to Texas has grown stronger over the last month. Boyce might still make an official visit to Oklahoma in the fall, but Longhorns fans should feel comfortable about his status.
— Just a reminder that stud 2019 St. Pius X quarterback Grant Gunnell is scheduled to visit Texas this weekend. He and his father will arrive in Austin early in the morning on Saturday and meet with the UT coaching staff.
E.J. Holland: Where Texas stands with Deiontae Watts:
Deiontae Watts is gearing up to make a big decision. No, he’s not pulling the trigger on his commitment just yet. But the three-star defensive tackle out Plano East is narrowing his impressive offer list down to five schools in the near future. “Recruiting is going well,” Watts said. “I’m starting to narrow it down now, and I’m going to release a top five at the beginning of the season. And then we will go from there.”
Watts made an unofficial visit to Texas last fall and picked up an offer from the Longhorns soon after. Watts did not make a trip to UT this offseason, but he made it clear that the Longhorns are still in the mix. “Texas is still on my mind right now,” Watts said. “It’s a school I’m still considering right now. I like the tradition they have at Texas. Their team is just one big family. They stick together.” Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M, UCLA and USC are some of the schools Watts said are standing out to him the most at this time. He also holds offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Ole Miss and a slew of others.
Watts said he still communicates with Texas defensive line coach Brick Haley frequently. Haley is trying to get him down to the Forty Acres soon. “I went down there last year, and I might go back again,” Watts said. “I want to see them take on opponents and play hard every quarter. If they had a big season, it would mean a lot.” Watts does not plan to make a final decision until after his senior season. At 6-foot-3, 302 pounds, Watts is ranked as the No. 23 defensive tackle in the country and No. 48 overall prospect in the state, according to 247Sports Composite.
If he ends up at OU I doubt it was strictly PT based. It's a tall order for any true freshman to expect to start right away at a big time program. If they are, it's generally because that program is rebuilding. OU isn't rebuilding. Unless their depth chart at LB is in shambles he's not playing right away there either.
Inside Texas is hearing DE Taquon Graham of Temple is getting very close to shutting down his recruitment and UT is the favorite. They believe he'll be the next pledge in the class.
— Hutto defensive end Ondario Robinson will make an unofficial visit to Texas on September 4 when the Longhorns open the season against Notre Dame. Robinson is delaying his decision (good for UT).
— Hutto defensive end Ondario Robinson will make an unofficial visit to Texas on September 4 when the Longhorns open the season against Notre Dame. Robinson is delaying his decision (good for UT).
J.Wells Inside Scoop
JALEN GREEN
I spoke to Houston Heights cornerback Jalen Green the other day. The 6-foot-0 junior corner is probably 1B with Lamar's Anthony Cook (who I'll see Thursday) for top corner in the loaded cycle.
Because Green hasn't visited Texas or been offered by UT yet (he holds tons of elite offers), some recruiting fans are concerned but he tells me not to worry and that he's "favorable to UT" and will visit early in the season.
Green has some people close to him and his family who are also very favorable to Texas. This recruitment should heat up over the next couple of months.
The #72 player in the class, Green is Kris Boyd compared to Cook's Holton Hill. For those who like loose comparisons.
GRANT GUNNELL
Previously we've discussed the 2019 St. Pius quarterback in the Prospects Board but with him visiting this past weekend we'll take it mainstream.
This will be an interesting recruitment to follow for myriad reasons. The 6-6, 190-pound sophomore already holds offers from FSU, UH, and A&M, with A&M having the unlikely benefit of Noel Mazzone knowing the Gunnell's for years.
Now, who knows how long Mazzone will be in College Station - I'd certainly take the under on him being there when Gunnell comes out - but it's definitely a good way to introduce Grant and his family to the school.
Gunnell is already close to Tom Herman, and that's another scenario that will make this interesting to watch unfold.
For Texas to have a 2019 quarterback visiting already it would seem to align with hearing that he's a special talent; perhaps in the category of VY, Luck, and Stafford. Time will tell on that, but for now he's firmly on the radar and will return for the Notre Dame game. Justin will add quotes.
Notes from the next three recruiting classes.
1. CLASS OF 2017: Montrell Estell
If he's not on the lake, he's at the field house. There's only two loves in Estell's life; football and fishing, and not particularly in that order.
I made the 5-hour round trip trek to Pleasant Grove for his scrimmage with Maud on Friday. Since they've had so much rain, their practices and his Bill Dance impersonations have been limited. But on this day, the 4-star Hooks Hornet was the best player on the field by a mile. He was also the only player to reach the end zone, including scoring plays of 50 and 90 yards. Just another day at the office for the future Texas safety, who also tallied five tackles and a PBU.
"Overall, I thought our team did alright but we can improve and be a little more crisp," said Estell. "I've got a good connection with my QB (Air Force commit Jordyn Johnson). We setup the big plays with comebacks and quick outs. On defense, I felt good but I have to be a little quicker on my reads and read the QB a little faster."
Estell is excited about his future in Austin and ready to become a member of the DBU fraternity.
"It's really exciting," said Estell. "I'm ready to get down there now, just have a little business to finish in Hooks. Us Texas recruits talk everyday in a big group text message. Kobe, Sam, Damion... we talk everyday either in texting or on Twitter. We stay on top of each other."
Estell still hears from other schools like A&M, Arkansas, and Ole Miss, but insists he's all Longhorn.
On the field, he's usually the best athlete in the stadium. Off the field, he's usually the best fisherman at the lake. Such is the life for one of the state's best athletes.
2. CLASS OF 2018: Chance Amie
While the C/O 2017 has Sam Ehlinger in the bag, the search for UT's 2018 quarterback is under way. You've read names like Tanner Mordecai, Spencer Sanders, and Clayton Tune, but there's a new target emerging in Tyler Lee signal-caller Chance Amie.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound dual threat put on a show against Irving MacArthur in a scrimmage over the weekend (led 1st team on three consecutive scoring drives + 14-yard TD run) and is really taking to new coach, Clayton George's offense. George comes from Southlake Carroll and runs a spread offense. It fits Amie's abilities like a glove.
"As soon as I came in, (Tyler Lee coaches) said they expect me to be a leader in this offense," said Amie. "I take on that responsibility. I'm not a 'rah-rah' type guy, but my team follows my lead. When I work harder, they start to work harder. It's really great to see the team respond to me."
When you play at the biggest school in ETX, you get noticed. Colleges have started calling the soft-spoken Amie, and even though he's yet to be offered, it won't be long now.
"Florida State was the first to recruit me," Amie said. "They've really been calling a lot and want me to visit soon. Then Texas and Texas Tech started contacting me. Houston and SMU call a lot. I went to camp up in Dallas (SMU) and they loved my potential. Then I visited Cal over the summer and (coach Jake Spavital) said I'm about to blow up."
Another camp he hit this summer was in Austin at Under the Lights.
"It was a good camp, but they had so many other good QBs, it was hard to get noticed," said Amie. "I did make some nice throws, enjoyed the experience, and coach Strong, coach Gilbert, and coach Traylor hollered at me afterwards. They were telling me I've got something special and will be looking forward to seeing my junior film."
One source close to the staff told me they love Amie's size, potential, and attitude. After watching his Hudl, you can see the first two. Then seeing him throw the ball for two hours in the rain showed me why he's piqued UT's interest. I'm looking forward to following this kid's recruitment, just like Texas.
3. CLASS OF 2019: Grant Gunnell
While Texas is still trying to figure out what QB to take in 2018, probably the best sophomore in the state stopped by UT for a visit this weekend in Houston St. Pius X QB, Grant Gunnell. You could say it went well.
"The visit was awesome," said Gunnell. "I loved it. The whole coaching staff was wonderful. I really liked the vibe of the team during the scrimmage also."
One thing the 6-foot-6 giant Drew Bledsoe clone liked was the new offense, but what gun-slinging QB wouldn't. Another was the honesty of Charlie Strong.
"He was awesome just while I was talking with him," Gunnell remarked. "I can tell he is definitely doing something special with Texas."
Gunnell holds a few early offers, notably Florida State, A&M, and Houston. There will be more. Many more.
He hopes to continue to build relationships with Strong and Sterlin Gilbert. Gunnell might be the top quarterback prospect in the state for his class, and could be among the top few in the nation as well. Only time will tell. Like Eric said, A&M has the Mazzone factor in its favor.
But with his size, arm, and overall demeanor, this is a kid to watch. Thankfully, Texas already started.
4. TAQUON GRAHAM
If I had to go to Vegas and throw down a bet, I'd say Temple 4-star Taquon Graham is the next UT pledge. I'm hearing he's about ready to shut it down and make his commitment. As we've reported, it's been Texas since around April/May, and after taking some more time and a few visits to make sure, it looks like it should be Texas after all. He's talked to his mom and coaches numerous times lately, and he feels he's around 90% sure. Unlike most prospects, Graham isn't a fan of college recruiting. He's quiet, low key, and would rather it happen sooner than later.
The 6-foot-3, 262-pound SDE is probably visiting Texas for the Notre Dame game. I'm not sure of when he pulls the trigger, but I can see it happening sooner rather than later.
JALEN GREEN
I spoke to Houston Heights cornerback Jalen Green the other day. The 6-foot-0 junior corner is probably 1B with Lamar's Anthony Cook (who I'll see Thursday) for top corner in the loaded cycle.
Because Green hasn't visited Texas or been offered by UT yet (he holds tons of elite offers), some recruiting fans are concerned but he tells me not to worry and that he's "favorable to UT" and will visit early in the season.
Green has some people close to him and his family who are also very favorable to Texas. This recruitment should heat up over the next couple of months.
The #72 player in the class, Green is Kris Boyd compared to Cook's Holton Hill. For those who like loose comparisons.
GRANT GUNNELL
Previously we've discussed the 2019 St. Pius quarterback in the Prospects Board but with him visiting this past weekend we'll take it mainstream.
This will be an interesting recruitment to follow for myriad reasons. The 6-6, 190-pound sophomore already holds offers from FSU, UH, and A&M, with A&M having the unlikely benefit of Noel Mazzone knowing the Gunnell's for years.
Now, who knows how long Mazzone will be in College Station - I'd certainly take the under on him being there when Gunnell comes out - but it's definitely a good way to introduce Grant and his family to the school.
Gunnell is already close to Tom Herman, and that's another scenario that will make this interesting to watch unfold.
For Texas to have a 2019 quarterback visiting already it would seem to align with hearing that he's a special talent; perhaps in the category of VY, Luck, and Stafford. Time will tell on that, but for now he's firmly on the radar and will return for the Notre Dame game. Justin will add quotes.
Notes from the next three recruiting classes.
1. CLASS OF 2017: Montrell Estell
If he's not on the lake, he's at the field house. There's only two loves in Estell's life; football and fishing, and not particularly in that order.
I made the 5-hour round trip trek to Pleasant Grove for his scrimmage with Maud on Friday. Since they've had so much rain, their practices and his Bill Dance impersonations have been limited. But on this day, the 4-star Hooks Hornet was the best player on the field by a mile. He was also the only player to reach the end zone, including scoring plays of 50 and 90 yards. Just another day at the office for the future Texas safety, who also tallied five tackles and a PBU.
"Overall, I thought our team did alright but we can improve and be a little more crisp," said Estell. "I've got a good connection with my QB (Air Force commit Jordyn Johnson). We setup the big plays with comebacks and quick outs. On defense, I felt good but I have to be a little quicker on my reads and read the QB a little faster."
Estell is excited about his future in Austin and ready to become a member of the DBU fraternity.
"It's really exciting," said Estell. "I'm ready to get down there now, just have a little business to finish in Hooks. Us Texas recruits talk everyday in a big group text message. Kobe, Sam, Damion... we talk everyday either in texting or on Twitter. We stay on top of each other."
Estell still hears from other schools like A&M, Arkansas, and Ole Miss, but insists he's all Longhorn.
On the field, he's usually the best athlete in the stadium. Off the field, he's usually the best fisherman at the lake. Such is the life for one of the state's best athletes.
2. CLASS OF 2018: Chance Amie
While the C/O 2017 has Sam Ehlinger in the bag, the search for UT's 2018 quarterback is under way. You've read names like Tanner Mordecai, Spencer Sanders, and Clayton Tune, but there's a new target emerging in Tyler Lee signal-caller Chance Amie.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound dual threat put on a show against Irving MacArthur in a scrimmage over the weekend (led 1st team on three consecutive scoring drives + 14-yard TD run) and is really taking to new coach, Clayton George's offense. George comes from Southlake Carroll and runs a spread offense. It fits Amie's abilities like a glove.
"As soon as I came in, (Tyler Lee coaches) said they expect me to be a leader in this offense," said Amie. "I take on that responsibility. I'm not a 'rah-rah' type guy, but my team follows my lead. When I work harder, they start to work harder. It's really great to see the team respond to me."
When you play at the biggest school in ETX, you get noticed. Colleges have started calling the soft-spoken Amie, and even though he's yet to be offered, it won't be long now.
"Florida State was the first to recruit me," Amie said. "They've really been calling a lot and want me to visit soon. Then Texas and Texas Tech started contacting me. Houston and SMU call a lot. I went to camp up in Dallas (SMU) and they loved my potential. Then I visited Cal over the summer and (coach Jake Spavital) said I'm about to blow up."
Another camp he hit this summer was in Austin at Under the Lights.
"It was a good camp, but they had so many other good QBs, it was hard to get noticed," said Amie. "I did make some nice throws, enjoyed the experience, and coach Strong, coach Gilbert, and coach Traylor hollered at me afterwards. They were telling me I've got something special and will be looking forward to seeing my junior film."
One source close to the staff told me they love Amie's size, potential, and attitude. After watching his Hudl, you can see the first two. Then seeing him throw the ball for two hours in the rain showed me why he's piqued UT's interest. I'm looking forward to following this kid's recruitment, just like Texas.
3. CLASS OF 2019: Grant Gunnell
While Texas is still trying to figure out what QB to take in 2018, probably the best sophomore in the state stopped by UT for a visit this weekend in Houston St. Pius X QB, Grant Gunnell. You could say it went well.
"The visit was awesome," said Gunnell. "I loved it. The whole coaching staff was wonderful. I really liked the vibe of the team during the scrimmage also."
One thing the 6-foot-6 giant Drew Bledsoe clone liked was the new offense, but what gun-slinging QB wouldn't. Another was the honesty of Charlie Strong.
"He was awesome just while I was talking with him," Gunnell remarked. "I can tell he is definitely doing something special with Texas."
Gunnell holds a few early offers, notably Florida State, A&M, and Houston. There will be more. Many more.
He hopes to continue to build relationships with Strong and Sterlin Gilbert. Gunnell might be the top quarterback prospect in the state for his class, and could be among the top few in the nation as well. Only time will tell. Like Eric said, A&M has the Mazzone factor in its favor.
But with his size, arm, and overall demeanor, this is a kid to watch. Thankfully, Texas already started.
4. TAQUON GRAHAM
If I had to go to Vegas and throw down a bet, I'd say Temple 4-star Taquon Graham is the next UT pledge. I'm hearing he's about ready to shut it down and make his commitment. As we've reported, it's been Texas since around April/May, and after taking some more time and a few visits to make sure, it looks like it should be Texas after all. He's talked to his mom and coaches numerous times lately, and he feels he's around 90% sure. Unlike most prospects, Graham isn't a fan of college recruiting. He's quiet, low key, and would rather it happen sooner than later.
The 6-foot-3, 262-pound SDE is probably visiting Texas for the Notre Dame game. I'm not sure of when he pulls the trigger, but I can see it happening sooner rather than later.
The Eyes of Texas (8/23): Recruiting notes
With the high school football regular season in Texas getting underway this weekend it’s worth taking a look at where the Longhorns stand in recruiting in 2017. The class is currently ranked No. 54 overall nationally, but the seven-member class is going to grow and the Longhorns are still chasing some elite targets at multiple positions. We’ll start with a look on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback
Texas is done here. The Longhorns picked up a commitment from four-star Austin Westlake quarterback Sam Ehlinger last year and haven’t actively recruited anybody else. Ehlinger is completely solid to Texas, his dream school, and is doing his best to lure more top talent to Austin. Though Shane Buechele could start under center this year, Ehlinger is great fit for Sterlin Gilbert’s offensive system and could challenge for the starting gig as soon as he arrives on the Forty Acres. Texas has nothing to worry about here. Ehlinger just needs to sign, seal and deliver his paperwork in December in order to get on campus for spring practice in January.
Running Back
This one is pretty simple. Texas is all in on four-star La Grange product J.K. Dobbins. If the Longhorns miss on him, don’t expect them to take a running back this cycle. Charlie Strong personally likes Lakeland (Fla.) ball carrier A.J. Davis, but he doesn’t really have the Longhorns in the picture at this time. Texas has also given up on its pursuit of five-star prospect Najee Harris. So to reiterate, it’s Dobbins or bust for Texas. Right now, Dobbins is firmly committed to Ohio State. However, I still believe Texas is in a good spot to flip him if it has a good season.
Wide Receiver
Texas would be content taking four-star Lancaster wide receiver Omar Manning and being done with the process at the position. Manning is slated to make his decision soon and has UT high on his list along with Oklahoma and TCU. If Texas misses on Manning, it could ramp up its efforts with Oklahoma commit Jalen Reagor — the Longhorns are still recruiting him. Other potential offers include Cedar Hill’s Charleston Rambo and Houston Cy Ranch’s R.J. Sneed. The Longhorns could also give Texas A&M pledge Camron Buckley of Cedar Hill another look. UT has one commit at the position in John Tyler’s Damion Miller, who’s growing more solid with his commitment. Ole Miss and Texas A&M, however, are still in the mix.
Tight End
This position simply isn’t a top priority for Texas. The Longhorns could add 0-1 prospects here. Even though Bullard’s Major Tennison recently backed out of his pledge to Texas, he remains an option for the Longhorns. Tennison still likes Texas, wants to see how the new offense looks this year and has yet to commit to Alabama as most expected. There are a few others on the radar, including Victoria East’s Chance McLeod and TCA’s Kenny Nelson, but Tennison appears to be the only take at this time.
Offensive Line
With Oklahoma no longer a viable option for Xavier Newman, we fully expect the DeSoto product to remain committed to the Longhorns throughout the duration of the recruiting process. That means Texas will likely take around two more big boys up front. The top priority is obviously Houston Bellaire Episcopal offensive tackle Walker Little. The nation’s No. 2 prospect is high on Texas and Stanford, but schools like Alabama, Ole Miss and Florida State are hanging around. Texas is also pushing for Aledo tackle Chuck Filiaga and Gonzales (La.) East Ascension tackle Adrian Ealy. I expect them to visit in the fall, but UT is behind in both races. Oklahoma pledge Tyrese Robinson of McKinney Boyd is solid to the Sooners, but Texas hasn’t given up there. (Holland)
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Now for a look at what the Longhorns are doing on defense in the current recruiting cycle.
Defensive Tackle
You can expect Texas to take 1-2 recruits here. Obviously, the top target at the position is Houston Episcopal five-star prospect Marvin Wilson. Right now, a couple of out of state programs seem to have the advantage. However, Wilson’s mother loves Charlie Strong and wants her son to stay closer to home. If Texas has a great year on the field, there is no reason to doubt Strong’s ability to close with Wilson and his mother. Wilson will not be making a decision until National Signing Day. Texas is also extremely fond of Montgomery (Ala.) Jefferson Davis product Alec Jackson, who visited for Under The Lights. Jackson named Texas in his Top 5, and assistant coach Brick Haley is making a push for him. Other options include Dallas Bishop Dunne’s Damion Daniels, Plano East’s Deiontae Watts and Houston Christian’s Joshua Rogers.
Defensive End
Texas already has one strong-side defensive end commit in Texarkana Liberty-Eylau’s Lagaryonn Carson, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slide inside. That means Texas could take two prospects at the position. Temple’s Taquon Graham is at the top of the wish list. The Longhorns are still in the lead here with Oklahoma still in the mix. Graham is expected to make a decision soon. Hutto’s Ondario Robinson is the other option. Robinson has Texas in his Top 4 and will make an unofficial visit in a couple of weeks. Texas A&M is still his leader. Another name to watch is four-star prospect Ryan Johnson (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal), the No. 187 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Although Alabama and Auburn are considered the favorites, Texas recently offered and could be a contender. Texas’ top option at the Fox end is Galena Park North Shore’s K’Lavon Chaisson — Baron Browning and Levi Jones could also end up there, but we’ll talk about them in the next section. Chaisson recently made a visit to Texas and has the Longhorns in his Top 4. Still, Oklahoma and LSU will be tough to beat.
Outside Linebacker
Two of Texas’ top overall targets are outside linebackers — Kennedale’s Baron Browning and Dylan Moses (Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy). Texas is still in very good standing with Browning, and I stand by my prediction that he will land in Austin when it’s all said and done, especially if UT can have a successful season. Ohio State and UCLA remain threats, but I’m told the former is starting to slip in his recruitment. Moses has backed off of his stance that Texas is his leader, but the Longhorns are still in his Top 5 and will receive an official visit this fall. Texas is a legitimate contender here, but it’s hard for me to see Moses not siding with LSU. Austin Westlake’s Levi Jones remains an option for Texas, but he is leaning out of state at this time. With that said, Jones doesn’t plan on making a decision anytime soon, which means the Longhorns have plenty of time to push. UT missed out on Kenneth Murray a few weeks ago, so don’t be surprised if they offer former Texas A&M commit Devodrick Johnson of Dallas Kimball, who is also a safety/outside linebacker hybrid.
Inside Linebacker
The only inside linebacker Texas is truly pursuing if Plano East’s Anthony Hines. The four-star prospect made an unofficial visit to Texas for Under The Lights, has UT in his Top 10 and made it clear that his parents are big fans of Strong. Still, Oklahoma seems to have the advantage here. Texas really needs to make an impression on Hines, an early enrollee, this season. If Texas misses out on Hines, Plano West’s Mohammed Sanogo, Miami (Fla.) Central’s Waynmon Steed and Sachse’s Riko Jeffers are names to keep an eye on.
Cornerback
Texas has two commits here but might not be done at the position. The Longhorns like Nacogdoches’ Josh Thompson as more of a nickel back and would still like to add a true corner to the arsenal. Texas is still pursuing Iowa commit Chevin Calloway of Dallas Bishop Dunne, who did not rule out making an official visit to Texas in the winter. Texas still likes Manfield’s Paulson Adebo and Deangelo Gibbs (Loganville, Ga./Grayson), but both are long shots. A wildcard is New Orleans (La.) McDonogh 35 product Brad Stewart, but he wants to stay in the SEC region. Two names to watch are League City Clear Springs’ Langston Frederick and College Station High’s Timarcus Davis. Thompson and Lake Dallas’ Kobe Boyce seem to be solid with their commitments.
Safety
Texas has one commit here in Hooks’ Montrell Estell. Right now, Estell is fully committed to the Longhorns and will be on campus for an unofficial visit in a couple of weeks. The only school still in the mix for Estell is Alabama, but UT will likely keep him on board. So the question is: will Texas take another safety? The answer is murky. It all depends on how much Texas likes a certain prospect. The Longhorns would definitely take Oklahoma pledge Robert Barnes, but flipping him from the Sooners will prove to be extremely difficult. Texas still likes Texas A&M pledge Derrick Tucker but wants to see him progress in the classroom this fall. Texas could extend an offer to Houston Bellaire’s Donovan Stiner if he has great senior season, but that’s not a guarantee. (Holland)
With the high school football regular season in Texas getting underway this weekend it’s worth taking a look at where the Longhorns stand in recruiting in 2017. The class is currently ranked No. 54 overall nationally, but the seven-member class is going to grow and the Longhorns are still chasing some elite targets at multiple positions. We’ll start with a look on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback
Texas is done here. The Longhorns picked up a commitment from four-star Austin Westlake quarterback Sam Ehlinger last year and haven’t actively recruited anybody else. Ehlinger is completely solid to Texas, his dream school, and is doing his best to lure more top talent to Austin. Though Shane Buechele could start under center this year, Ehlinger is great fit for Sterlin Gilbert’s offensive system and could challenge for the starting gig as soon as he arrives on the Forty Acres. Texas has nothing to worry about here. Ehlinger just needs to sign, seal and deliver his paperwork in December in order to get on campus for spring practice in January.
Running Back
This one is pretty simple. Texas is all in on four-star La Grange product J.K. Dobbins. If the Longhorns miss on him, don’t expect them to take a running back this cycle. Charlie Strong personally likes Lakeland (Fla.) ball carrier A.J. Davis, but he doesn’t really have the Longhorns in the picture at this time. Texas has also given up on its pursuit of five-star prospect Najee Harris. So to reiterate, it’s Dobbins or bust for Texas. Right now, Dobbins is firmly committed to Ohio State. However, I still believe Texas is in a good spot to flip him if it has a good season.
Wide Receiver
Texas would be content taking four-star Lancaster wide receiver Omar Manning and being done with the process at the position. Manning is slated to make his decision soon and has UT high on his list along with Oklahoma and TCU. If Texas misses on Manning, it could ramp up its efforts with Oklahoma commit Jalen Reagor — the Longhorns are still recruiting him. Other potential offers include Cedar Hill’s Charleston Rambo and Houston Cy Ranch’s R.J. Sneed. The Longhorns could also give Texas A&M pledge Camron Buckley of Cedar Hill another look. UT has one commit at the position in John Tyler’s Damion Miller, who’s growing more solid with his commitment. Ole Miss and Texas A&M, however, are still in the mix.
Tight End
This position simply isn’t a top priority for Texas. The Longhorns could add 0-1 prospects here. Even though Bullard’s Major Tennison recently backed out of his pledge to Texas, he remains an option for the Longhorns. Tennison still likes Texas, wants to see how the new offense looks this year and has yet to commit to Alabama as most expected. There are a few others on the radar, including Victoria East’s Chance McLeod and TCA’s Kenny Nelson, but Tennison appears to be the only take at this time.
Offensive Line
With Oklahoma no longer a viable option for Xavier Newman, we fully expect the DeSoto product to remain committed to the Longhorns throughout the duration of the recruiting process. That means Texas will likely take around two more big boys up front. The top priority is obviously Houston Bellaire Episcopal offensive tackle Walker Little. The nation’s No. 2 prospect is high on Texas and Stanford, but schools like Alabama, Ole Miss and Florida State are hanging around. Texas is also pushing for Aledo tackle Chuck Filiaga and Gonzales (La.) East Ascension tackle Adrian Ealy. I expect them to visit in the fall, but UT is behind in both races. Oklahoma pledge Tyrese Robinson of McKinney Boyd is solid to the Sooners, but Texas hasn’t given up there. (Holland)
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Now for a look at what the Longhorns are doing on defense in the current recruiting cycle.
Defensive Tackle
You can expect Texas to take 1-2 recruits here. Obviously, the top target at the position is Houston Episcopal five-star prospect Marvin Wilson. Right now, a couple of out of state programs seem to have the advantage. However, Wilson’s mother loves Charlie Strong and wants her son to stay closer to home. If Texas has a great year on the field, there is no reason to doubt Strong’s ability to close with Wilson and his mother. Wilson will not be making a decision until National Signing Day. Texas is also extremely fond of Montgomery (Ala.) Jefferson Davis product Alec Jackson, who visited for Under The Lights. Jackson named Texas in his Top 5, and assistant coach Brick Haley is making a push for him. Other options include Dallas Bishop Dunne’s Damion Daniels, Plano East’s Deiontae Watts and Houston Christian’s Joshua Rogers.
Defensive End
Texas already has one strong-side defensive end commit in Texarkana Liberty-Eylau’s Lagaryonn Carson, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him slide inside. That means Texas could take two prospects at the position. Temple’s Taquon Graham is at the top of the wish list. The Longhorns are still in the lead here with Oklahoma still in the mix. Graham is expected to make a decision soon. Hutto’s Ondario Robinson is the other option. Robinson has Texas in his Top 4 and will make an unofficial visit in a couple of weeks. Texas A&M is still his leader. Another name to watch is four-star prospect Ryan Johnson (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal), the No. 187 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings. Although Alabama and Auburn are considered the favorites, Texas recently offered and could be a contender. Texas’ top option at the Fox end is Galena Park North Shore’s K’Lavon Chaisson — Baron Browning and Levi Jones could also end up there, but we’ll talk about them in the next section. Chaisson recently made a visit to Texas and has the Longhorns in his Top 4. Still, Oklahoma and LSU will be tough to beat.
Outside Linebacker
Two of Texas’ top overall targets are outside linebackers — Kennedale’s Baron Browning and Dylan Moses (Bradenton, Fla./IMG Academy). Texas is still in very good standing with Browning, and I stand by my prediction that he will land in Austin when it’s all said and done, especially if UT can have a successful season. Ohio State and UCLA remain threats, but I’m told the former is starting to slip in his recruitment. Moses has backed off of his stance that Texas is his leader, but the Longhorns are still in his Top 5 and will receive an official visit this fall. Texas is a legitimate contender here, but it’s hard for me to see Moses not siding with LSU. Austin Westlake’s Levi Jones remains an option for Texas, but he is leaning out of state at this time. With that said, Jones doesn’t plan on making a decision anytime soon, which means the Longhorns have plenty of time to push. UT missed out on Kenneth Murray a few weeks ago, so don’t be surprised if they offer former Texas A&M commit Devodrick Johnson of Dallas Kimball, who is also a safety/outside linebacker hybrid.
Inside Linebacker
The only inside linebacker Texas is truly pursuing if Plano East’s Anthony Hines. The four-star prospect made an unofficial visit to Texas for Under The Lights, has UT in his Top 10 and made it clear that his parents are big fans of Strong. Still, Oklahoma seems to have the advantage here. Texas really needs to make an impression on Hines, an early enrollee, this season. If Texas misses out on Hines, Plano West’s Mohammed Sanogo, Miami (Fla.) Central’s Waynmon Steed and Sachse’s Riko Jeffers are names to keep an eye on.
Cornerback
Texas has two commits here but might not be done at the position. The Longhorns like Nacogdoches’ Josh Thompson as more of a nickel back and would still like to add a true corner to the arsenal. Texas is still pursuing Iowa commit Chevin Calloway of Dallas Bishop Dunne, who did not rule out making an official visit to Texas in the winter. Texas still likes Manfield’s Paulson Adebo and Deangelo Gibbs (Loganville, Ga./Grayson), but both are long shots. A wildcard is New Orleans (La.) McDonogh 35 product Brad Stewart, but he wants to stay in the SEC region. Two names to watch are League City Clear Springs’ Langston Frederick and College Station High’s Timarcus Davis. Thompson and Lake Dallas’ Kobe Boyce seem to be solid with their commitments.
Safety
Texas has one commit here in Hooks’ Montrell Estell. Right now, Estell is fully committed to the Longhorns and will be on campus for an unofficial visit in a couple of weeks. The only school still in the mix for Estell is Alabama, but UT will likely keep him on board. So the question is: will Texas take another safety? The answer is murky. It all depends on how much Texas likes a certain prospect. The Longhorns would definitely take Oklahoma pledge Robert Barnes, but flipping him from the Sooners will prove to be extremely difficult. Texas still likes Texas A&M pledge Derrick Tucker but wants to see him progress in the classroom this fall. Texas could extend an offer to Houston Bellaire’s Donovan Stiner if he has great senior season, but that’s not a guarantee. (Holland)
Confirmation it's Dobbins or bust at RB in this class.
24/7 says RB AJ Davis of Lakeland, FL has not heard from UT since May. He was thought to be the second option after RB JK Dobbins.
Liking this Carson kid. He was supposedly single handidly destroying Gilmer's O line this week. That's a lean 275 btw.
2017 Targets and current commits expected to be at DKR for Notre Dame.
Walker Little 5* OT
Marvin Wilson 5* DT
Lagaryonn Carson 4* DE
Anthony Cook 5* CB
Baron Browning 5* OLB
Damion Miller 4* WR
Josh Thompson 3* CB
Xavier Newman 3* OG
Joshua Moore 4* WR
Jordan Moore 4* RB
Hook 'em
Walker Little 5* OT
Marvin Wilson 5* DT
Lagaryonn Carson 4* DE
Anthony Cook 5* CB
Baron Browning 5* OLB
Damion Miller 4* WR
Josh Thompson 3* CB
Xavier Newman 3* OG
Joshua Moore 4* WR
Jordan Moore 4* RB
Hook 'em
