RB
Eno Benjamin (Wylie East)
#1 Juco RB
Krysten Hammon (ASA College)
http://247sports.com/player/krysten-hammon-36657
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2182341/krysten-hammon
The staff will be seeing aggy commit OL
Grayson Reed of Cypress Creek today, according to 24/7.
24/7 reporting UT coaches were in College Station yesterday to see Houston commitment, CB
Timarcus Davis. No offer or in-home visit, but he thinks it may happen later on. 46-inch vertical.
Per
24/7, the following Houston commitments are receiving visits from the staff today:
OL
Samuel Cosmi (Humble Atascocita)
http://247sports.com/Player/Samuel-Cosmi-93212/
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/6008571/samuel-cosmi
DE
Chidi Ogbonnaya (Houston Langham Creek)
http://247sports.com/Player/Chidi-Ogbonnaya-86265
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3901060/chidi-ogbonnaya
Inside Texas reporting QB
Sam Ehlinger has broken his wrist and won't be playing against Lake Travis this weekend. His high school career is over.
Burton Thursday recruiting update:
Horns247 has learned that Tom Herman has not retained
Mike Giglio. Giglio was Charlie Strong's director of player personnel and headed up the staff's recruiting efforts.
Brought to Texas from Louisville by Strong, Giglio was a great addition to the Texas staff and brought with him a level of detailed evaluation that allowed Texas to sign some lower-ranked recruits that other premier programs passed on, including Zach Shackelford, Malcolm Roach and Gerald Wilbon from last season alone.
Giglio also showed a keen eye for strategy, one that probably slipped by even the most astute observers.
Last year, we all witnessed Texas going heavy into Louisiana for defensive linemen. The Horns came away with the mother lode (Roach, Wilbon and D'Andre Christmas).
But that didn't just happen by coincidence. It was a year's worth of preparation and analysis put into action.
Giglio told me that he and his personnel staff felt after looking at all in-state prospects that there simply weren't enough big d-linemen in the state of Texas last year, and they knew Louisiana was loaded. They also knew LSU couldn't take them all. So the Horns went hard into Louisiana last year.
If It were a one-time thing, I think Giglio may have been trying to take credit for something that happened naturally and not by design.
And as we all know, the Horns weren't doing nearly as much in Louisiana this year. That too was by design.
Instead, the Horns had targeted the state of Alabama for a few key DL prospects. The thinking there goes that the state of Alabama has several top-notch players and Alabama simply wouldn't take them all. Texas was actively recruiting three Alabama DLs and was likely to get visits from at least two of them prior to Strong's dismissal.
It remains to be seen if Texas continues recruiting those players from Alabama this campaign.
But with the coaching change, Giglio is out.
His replacement
Derek Chang, a 2004 UT grad, seems similarly detailed and appears to carry a similar approach to Giglio. Those commonalities aren't happenstance.
Chang and Giglio both worked under Ohio State personnel director Mark Pantoni. Giglio did so while he and Pantoni were at Florida together, Chang at Ohio State before going to Houston to lead his own group there.
I've asked others who have worked with Chang in the past to describe him and the words "really bright" came up more than once. So did the phrase "hard worker".
It appears Chang is already off and running at Texas because the new Texas coaches appear to be off and running as well. And that's his job. Chang's responsibility is to get the coaches in front of the right players and make sure their schedules follow what the head coach wants.
It's working so far IMO. Incredibly well.
It's been less than a week since Herman even took the job, yet Texas seems to be engaging with nearly every recruit the old staff was, while also spreading their wings to include players Houston had been recruiting, too.
It's clear that the new Horns coaching staff was prepared to hit the ground running. Hats off to Herman, Chang, and whoever else put in the work to make that happen.
**
I want to add this.
I have the utmost respect for the recruiting work Giglio and the former Texas coaching staff did. The Texas roster looks like it's way better off now than when they arrived in Austin, of that I think we can all agree.
So I wish Giglio nothing but the best in the future. I'm sure he has a bright one ahead of him.
And we wish Derek Chang the best as he moves into the same role and puts his own stamp on it.
**
So far, the Longhorns have made three offers for the class of 2017 that the previous staff had not.
- WR
Charleston Rambo, Cedar Hill (committed to OU)
- OL
Grant Polley, Denton (committed to Colorado)
- CB
Kendall Sheffield, Blinn JC/Fort Bend Marshall
Houston had already received a visit from Sheffield earlier in the recruiting process. Rambo and Polley were prospects the Cougars always liked but just couldn't land.
The new Texas coaches are also reaching out to some players who committed to Houston. As yet, none of those players have received a scholarship offer. But I think we can expect some of those to come in due time, especially if neither Major Applewhite or Todd Orlando get the head coaching position in Houston.
**
With the departure of
D'Onta Foreman to the NFL and
Tristian Houston transferring, the Horns are in pursuit of
at least one RB in this recruiting class. La Grange RB
J.K. Dobbins was a priority for the previous staff but stopped communicating with them more than a month ago.
The new staff is also reaching out to Dobbins. But there are three other legit possibilities that have surfaced this week.
-
Toneil Carter, Langham Creek (committed to Georgia)
-
Daniel Young, Spring Westfield (committed to Houston)
-
Eno Benjamin, Wylie East
The previous Texas staff had not offered Young or Benjamin. The former staff attempted to recruit Carter but never really got anywhere with him.
Eric Nahlin
Recruiting Editor:
New
We discussed the push for NSD here, and dropped it late at night intentionally. It went over about as well as closing the bar an hour early. That post kind of had the feeling of shift change, with the B-team replacing the stalwarts. But like with beautiful women in this state, it's a deep talent pool and if you play the game right, you're going to end up faring quite well.
If you want to be exceedingly optimistic, we're going to see Nash's Equilibrium in play with some prospects. Rather than going head to head with Ohio State, LSU, Alabama, etc., we'll see Texas try and take from OU, TCU, and others like them. It's not ideal, especially to the hardcore recruiting fan who have been thirsting for a class with
Baron Browning and
Jeffrey Okudah, but UT will do just fine.
I was going to write a post with targets UT should hone in on, and then the staff started beating me to it with interest in
Eno Benjamin and an offer to
Charleston Rambo.
NUMBERS BY POSITION
This is something many have been asking about, and many predicted correctly. The intent is to go big, by going small, and not diluting class baseline talent level. The staff wisely observes it's behind for many of the truly elite players, so will take the best ballers it can while still filling class needs. I must say, they're still aiming high as you're about to read.
QB: 2
Committed:
Sam Ehlinger
Targets:
Bryson Smith, Kyle Allen
Let me first say that we continually hear Allen is not coming to Texas. He doesn't graduate until May so could that change? Of course, especially if an injury occurs in Spring. I mostly added him here because we'll be asked about him. As of now, the plan is not for him to join the team.
We've long mentioned Smith might join Herman and that certainly hasn't changed. The staff loves the duality he brings, not just to the position, but to the roster. If quarterback didn't work out, he'd be a receiver. That's a boon in what will be a small class.
RB: 2
Committed: N/A
Targets:
JK Dobbins, Toneil Carter, Eno Benjamin
As we previously wrote, JK was visited earlier in the week. That's an uphill battle but one worth entertaining. He's a huge priority for the staff and this one won't end without at least a Herman in-home. He was told before the announcement that Foreman was leaving so the staff is playing all the angles. Off-line I'll go into how bad the previous staff messed this recruitment up. It's embarrassing.
We also previously wrote that Toneil Carter wanted to hear from the staff. Things were so bad with the previous staff, Carter wasn't even sure if he had an offer. Texas will be by to see him today. Interest is genuine, but he has sent in his non-binding financial aid agreement.
My dude, your dude, our dude, Eno. A Malik personality at a position where they're rare (JK's like that too, though), Eno should be visited either today or tomorrow. We expect an offer and we expect him to give the staff good indication he'll be a Longhorn. He's slated to announce at the Army All-American game and that will be great publicity for the country to see that big smile don a Longhorn hat. Assuming it goes that way of course. Current commits are working on Eno hard, and we expect Eno to start recruiting for Texas before he actually commits.
The staff will press hard for JK and Toneil and try and take one. All three are early enrollees.
WR: 2-3
Committed:
Damion Miller
Targets:
Charleston Rambo, Jalen Reagor, Mannie Netherly, RJ Sneed
We feel very confident Rambo can be flipped with an enthusiastic push from the staff, but it's hard to expect immediate movement with no coordinator or position coach in place.
The Reagor's were contacted yesterday and that's a great sign. We posit you'll see Reagor visit at some point.
LSU commit Netherly will be visited today by Derek Warehime. We felt he was UT's to lose before the team added Devin Duvernay last Summer. If the staff really wants him Ehlinger will be a great help.
Sneed was committed to TCU, then had his offer pulled after visiting Ole Miss. He subsequently committed to Ole Miss. This is house money for Texas because they can flip him rather late if they wish.
So again, we see clearly defined targets and a good chance to make some hay. Texas is in great shape at receiver.
OL: 2
Committed: N/A
Targets:
Walker Little, Grant Polley
Some will lament two isn't enough but the last two classes should mitigate that fear.
Little will get an in-home with Derek Warehime tonight. I've heard great feedback on Warehime as a recruiter and his previous haul at Houston was very good considering where he was coaching. He was beating P5 schools on the regular. I feel decently confident the staff can win Little over, and I feel really confident he truly wants to attend Texas.
Like I always say, if you go small at a position in a class, go versatile and that's what Grant Polley brings. He can play up and down the line in spot duty before finding his true home. With his lack of height, but great feet, a Trey Hopkins comparison isn't all that far off. He's committed to Colorado and a big foundational piece of that class so this won't be a cut-and-dried flip.
Interestingly I've heard the staff prefers Polley to former Longhorn commit, and current Colorado commit, Xavier Newman.
TE: 1
Committed: N/A
Targets:
Brock Wright, Chase Rogers (?)
Things are a bit murky here. They've been by to see Wright but the feedback was wrong. The staff will be stubborn here and continue until it's officially over for the early enrollee. With uncertainty at Notre Dame that's not a terrible plan, but Wright would scrub the dome on the main building harness-free and with a toothbrush.
Chase Rogers is just a guess based on the UofH staff's pursuit of New Jersey's Devin Miller. I didn't like Rogers for the previous offense but he looks a good fit for this one. He's a Mississippi native who visited for the West Virginia game and I believe he could be had. Since he's similar to Miller he should at least get a call.
DL: 2-3
Committed:
Taquon Graham (they're thinking there's no way
L.Carson qualifies)
Targets:
K'Lavon Chaisson, Marvin Wilson
Like with offensive line, the huge 2016 class gives the staff some latitude here. This isn't the time to reach and the staff won't need to. Thank you, Charlie Strong (seriously).
Graham is "committed" but needs to be recruited like he's not and Oscar Giles is on the case. Texas should be good here because of Graham's in-house recruiter he refers to as 'Mom'. She has to be won over to a degree but she doesn't want him anywhere else.
Texas feels good about Chaisson but his relationship with Wilson could make things a bit interesting.
As of now we feel Wilson will pick LSU but others are still in it like Ohio State, FSU, and USC. Winning over Chaisson and Little are steps one and two to pulling the late steal for Wilson. They'll stay on him until the end and since he's deciding on NSD, Herman has a lot of time to make-up ground.
LB: 1-2
Committed: N/A
Targets:
Anthony Hines, Marqez Bimage
Hines was visited earlier in the week and gave positive feedback, though Hines is a pro at politicking that sort of thing. There are some reports that he'll pick A&M this weekend but I just don't see it. I could be wrong because Hines is a very tough read, even for the schools recruiting him. TCU source, "no clue what he's going to do, Baron to OSU, though, probably." I think if Hines wasn't a football player and was picking an in-state school it would be Texas. We'll see. I can't rule out any outcome.
Bimage has one of the most interesting recruitments going. He's still committed to UofH but he's not going there. He's staying committed to the school as a good faith gesture. They don't want the bad publicity and he'll oblige them. He was visited by Craig Naivar on Monday and Jason Washington on Wednesday. No Texas offer was extended but he's on the very short list. If Malcolm Roach and Erick Fowler were spliced you'd get something like Bimage. He could be an ILB or hybrid-end. Again, versatility in a small class. I have a strong suspicion he ends up a Longhorn. Before you piss and moan about star-ratings role tape.
DB: 4
Committed:
Montrell Estell, Josh Thompson, Kobe Boyce
Targets:
Kendall Sheffield, Chevin Calloway
Jason Washington likes to use his DB's and Houston often found itself in dime. That's a big selling point to any DB he recruits.
The Juco Sheffield was offered yesterday. Thought to be heading to A&M or OSU, Tom Herman is trying to throw a wrench into those plans. Because of the Sheffield's relationship with Herman, I think they'll at least visit, but no visit is planned at this time. Flashback: After Malik Jefferson committed to Texas, Sheffield's interest was renewed in UT. Texas did well in that DB class and Sheffield never got the call. He could have picked A&M the first time, and didn't. You may recall I was way ahead on him ending up at Alabama. I have a decent feeling UT will make considerable noise and make this a three-way race. Looks like the UT class of 2015 gets to don it's recruiting cap once more.
Sheffield is the #1 DB on the board for Texas.
Calloway was visited on Tuesday by Texas and they'll push for him but they'll only take one of he and Sheffield.
Talk is the staff is really high on the DB's currently in place.
Final tally: There's some flexibility in the numbers but the staff doesn't want to go above 18 and would prefer 17.
This isn't a comprehensive list of who they'll target, but these are the key targets as far as I know.
OTHER NOTES
- Don't expect many visitors this weekend. We actually don't know of any I just would be surprised if nobody made it to campus.
- The coaches will use this weekend to brainstorm and discuss what they learned this week on the road. It's controlled and measured when you'd think they might want half of the state to visit. I dig it.
- They'll try and generate momentum coming out of the dead period turn leading up to a big weekend on January 21st. Great plan, as that helps you get your bearings, find out where you are that weekend, and then scramble the following week and weekend if you need to.
- I'm getting great feedback on the staff in general. One DC at a Dallas talent factory states Herman's the best recruiter he's seen in his 30+ years of coaching. Coaches are happy to see that big smile of Oscar Giles' making the rounds again in his Texas gear. There are three degrees of separation from Jason Washington -- he knows everyone and is known to be a great man and good coach. And finally, Derek Warehime seems like a volume recruiter which isn't always the case with OL coaches. They often just recruit their own.
- Expect nearly the whole football staff at Texas, even coaches who aren't retained in that capacity could find themselves in a support role.
It's all hands on deck right now, and once you get beyond the Baron Browning news, things are pretty bright.
