Recruiting Thread 2018

[CoachEmUp64]

Per TFB:
– Alston Orji: Super K has been in and out of town recently, but he did mention that he spoke with the father of Rockwall (TX) LB Alston Orji recently. In a down year at LB in the state of Texas, Orji is a name to know. Orji’s father said that while a decision date is up to Alston, he would like to see him shut things down in the next few weeks. We get the sense that the main schools that are in the mix are Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, and a possible dark horse in Vanderbilt.

Orji’s father said that the depth chart and playing opportunity are going to play a role in the decision and told K that another factor is that “I believe that if a player isn’t playing or the team isn’t winning the effect of that spills over into other areas of the players life like academics which is what we emphasize”. He also noted that Texas already has LB Bryon Hobbs committed, so it’s clear they are analyzing every aspect of each school.

Orji has visited Texas, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma over the last few months. Alston told me last night that he still isn’t sure on when a decison will come or if he wants to take some other visits before shutting things down, and that right now he is completely focused on helping his team this Spring. Texas went to visit Orji early during the Spring Eval period. I agree with K in the thought that Oklahoma and Texas A&M are likely the leaders for him as of today. – (Andrew/Super K)

– Fast 7on7: I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 7on7 team talked about as much in terms of recruiting as we’ve seen with the Houston based “Fast 7on7” squad. But I can also say I haven’t seen a 7on7 team in the state of Texas stacked with talent as we see with this team. For awhile we talked about them a lot over at TFB as their QB, Casey Thompson, committed to Texas and that he could really help Texas with some of his superstar teammates like WR’s Brennan Eagles and Jaylen Waddle, or DB’s D’Shawn Jamison, Leon O’Neal Jr, and Jalen Green.

It looks like Texas will have some more recruiting power on that team in recent Texas commit S Caden Sterns.

All I will say is that this can’t hurt Texas’ recruiting efforts with those guys on that team. – (Andrew)

– DeMarvion Overshown: One of the most interesting recruits in the state of Texas in Arp (TX) S/LB DeMarvion Overshown plans to cut his list down soon.

Overshown is a guy that burst onto the recruiting scene just after National Signing Day and added multiple offers just about everyday for awhile in February it seemed. Tom Herman and Texas offered Overshown less than two weeks after the new staff arrived in Austin. The fact that Overshown grew up with a lot of Texas fans in his house and that they offered him when only UTSA had offered, those things gave the Longhorns a big edge early on. They still seem to hold the lead for the 6’4 200 pound S/OLB, and I’d be shocked if they didn’t make his Top 15. – (Andrew)

– Marquez Beason: Texas extended a new 2019 offer last night to Bishop Dunne (TX) WR Marquez Beason.

Beason made a bit of a surprise commitment to Nebraska about a month ago. But that hasn’t stopped other schools from coming after him, and he is listening. He told me he is committed to Nebraska, but said “I have two years left in high school so I’ve got time” when I asked about how solid his commitment is. He told me Texas had been to his school to see him this Spring but still said he was “shocked” after the offer came in.

Beason added that he wants to visit Texas, Georgia, Illinois, and some other schools this summer. – (Andrew)

– Bonus Note: There has been some chatter of a rather large shakeup in terms of offensive recruiting based off of some things that have happened over the last week or so. I’m not going to go into detail on it right now, as it might not happen. I will just say that if it does, it would be a bold move by Texas.

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Per 247:
Things are slow on the team front with Texas players being on their own in terms of workouts until team activities resume on June 1. With that in mind, now is as good of a time as any to look at scholarship numbers, both in terms of what the Longhorns will have accounted for in 2017 and what they’ll have available to finish off the 2018 class.

Assuming everyone makes it to campus from the 2017 class who isn’t already on campus and assuming there’s no further attrition (which there will be), Texas is sitting right at 85 scholarships. Those numbers include the 15 remaining members of the 2017 class yet to enroll, along with Syracuse graduate transfer tight end Kendall Moore. The catch here is it’s not certain all members of the recruiting class will be on the Forty Acres for the first summer session. Until the legal process plays out and Reese Leitao gets some clarity about his future, there’s no telling when or if the Jenks (Okla.) tight will arrive in Austin.

Multiple sources have told Horns247 that if Leitao, who was arrested on drug-related charges in February, winds up being charged with a misdemeanor he’ll have a chance to get into school. But there’s been no clarity on how or when his situation will be resolved, and his scholarship status could become a huge factor in how Herman and Co. manage the roster going forward. The 13 high school signees yet to enroll are expected to be on campus for the first summer session. The only two members of the class Horns247 had heard might have work to do had been Lake Dallas cornerback Kobe Boyce and John Tyler wide receiver Damion Miller, but both are said to be good to go.

We haven’t heard much lately on the two junior college transfers, defensive lineman Jamari Chisholm and linebacker Gary Johnson. At last check, a source close to Johnson told Horns247 they believed Johnson would be good to enroll for Summer I, and we haven’t heard anything that’s contradicting that line of thinking. We haven’t heard anything on Chisholm; that’s not to say something is wrong, only that we haven’t been able to confirm whether or not Chisholm will indeed be on campus with the rest of the class.

With as many as two (assuming Leitao isn’t allowed to enroll and something happens with Chisholm) or possibly no (assuming Leitao and Chisholm both arrive by August) scholarships coming open, Texas needs attrition to happen to have a bigger 2018 signing class. As of right now, there are only 12 available spots for the 2018 signees, those coming from the 12 seniors set to depart following the 2017 season.

Among the seniors, there are two who are somewhat unknowns at this point: Roderick Bernard and Brandon Hodges. When Bernard’s knee injury occurred last summer Horns247 was told it was doubtful Bernard would ever see the field again, and the fact that he’s listed as a senior on the current roster despite missing each of the last two seasons suggests that he’s probably not going to be someone who contributes. Hodges missed a large portion of spring practice, but a team source told Horns247 at the time that Hodges would likely be fine as far as his status for the 2017 season.

One of those two scholarships coming open, however, would only impact something like the Longhorns adding a graduate transfer quarterback. Where Texas needs attrition to occur is in the junior and sophomore classes, something that’s going to happen sooner or later. The one position group Horns247 has heard is expected to experience attrition is the offensive line. Without putting names out there of players we’ve heard who are likely to not be in Austin much longer, it doesn’t take much time to scan the depth chart and see which players are likely buried with little to no chance of moving up and being in a position to contribute.

While the attrition appears to be slow to come (Peyton Aucoin has been the only announced transfer to date), it’s important to remember that there’s no reason to panic about numbers right now. As long as the Longhorns aren’t over 85 scholarships at any time things will be fine and there will be time for things to work out. What that means for the 2018 class is a couple of things.

For one, depending on what happens with Leitao and the two junior college transfers (again, we’ve been told Johnson should be good to go), Texas can currently take on up to seven midterm enrollees before getting into the number of initial counters for the 2018 calendar year. Second, and why the number of midterm enrollees is important, is that as long as the deck is cleared by this time next year then Herman and Co. can have a class size in the 20-22 range (which is where initial indications are that the class will likely be) and know that the numbers will be there.

Following the 2017 season, the Longhorns will have a number of players on the roster entering their fourth or fifth year in the program. That’s when there could be players who simply choose to finish the process of getting their degrees and decide football at Texas is no longer a part of the plan. So, the bottom line here is that while there hasn’t been a massive run of attrition to date, it’s going to come in some way, shape or form sooner or later. (Howe)

***

There were times when Charlie Strong appeared to be on the cusp of turning the Texas program around. Then there were other times when the Longhorns looked completely befuddled and the program appeared to be in a state of disarray. After an embarrassing loss to Kansas last season, the Strong era officially came to an end in Austin. So what exactly happened? “I don’t know,” said a former Texas assistant. “[Expletive] just happens. We weren’t on the same page. We were never able to get it together. [Expletive] just happens.”

Strong was a great closer on the recruiting trail. But as good as he was in that arena, being inept in other areas eventually led to his downfall on the Forty Acres. From terrible in-game decisions to terrible hires, moving away from Strong is something that had to be done. And so far, the decision by the Texas brass looks like the right one. Tom Herman has taken over in Austin and is moving 100 miles per hour. The Longhorns had a great spring on the field and already have eight commits in their 2018 class, which ranks in the Top 15 nationally (No. 12 overall and No. 1 in the Big 12, according to 247Sports).

The ex-Longhorn assistant believes Herman will right the ship. “We left the cabinet loaded with talent,” he said. “He better turn it around.” As mentioned, Strong was a heck of a closer. There’s a ton of talent for Herman and his staff to work with. A 10-win season isn’t totally out of the realm of possibilities. All the pieces appear in place. It’s just a matter of Herman putting the icing on the cake. At least it is if you ask those who were on the inside during Strong’s tenure. (Holland)

***

Tom Herman’s recruiting efforts have focused on players with great skill and good character. One of the top defensive line targets for the Longhorns is Arlington Lamar defensive tackle, Bobby Brown. Brown is a tremendous athlete, but it also sounds like he checks the boxes character-wise according to his head coach, Laban DeLay. “First of all we always talk about character here,” DeLay said. “That’s first and foremost, and then we try to develop the student and the athlete part of it. He’s a great kid.”

DeLay said Brown is pretty quiet until you get to know him. Brown also comes from a strong household in terms of character. “He’s like any other 15, 16 or 17-year-old,” DeLay said. “He’s kind of quiet, but once you get to know him and learn what he’s about it’s very impressive. He’s got a great mom and dad raising him, and he’s also a good student.” Aside from his off-the-field traits, DeLay said he’s one of the best he’s ever coached. “As a football player you can see his physical ability,” DeLay said. “He’s a freak, he’s a specimen. What we try to tell Bobby is don’t be average. We don’t want him to play to his average, we try to coach him on dominating every rep and drill.”

Brown is the type of long, athletic defensive lineman that college coaches are searching for, and DeLay says that his versatility is his best weapon. “I think he’s going to end up being a 5-technique,” DeLay said. “He’s got such a good frame that he might be able to put on weight and play more inside. We’re going to sprinkle him around. He’s going to play a little bit of everything and keep the offenses we face guessing.” (Roach)

 

[Oldmanastro]

– Bonus Note: There has been some chatter of a rather large shakeup in terms of offensive recruiting based off of some things that have happened over the last week or so. I’m not going to go into detail on it right now, as it might not happen. I will just say that if it does, it would be a bold move by Texas.

What the heck is that?

 

[oldhorn2]

^^^^^^^
This!.....what in hell is that?

 

[CoachEmUp64]

– Bonus Note: There has been some chatter of a rather large shakeup in terms of offensive recruiting based off of some things that have happened over the last week or so. I’m not going to go into detail on it right now, as it might not happen. I will just say that if it does, it would be a bold move by Texas.

What the heck is that?

I have no idea. I was thinking maybe it could about Zaire? I read somewhere UF (his top school) has some rule change they are waiting on the SEC for, but Zaire want's to get enrolled for Summer 1 wherever he goes and the deadline is approaching quickly at all of his top schools.

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Maybe Leito charges getting knocked down enough for him to still make it to school and have a spot on the team? Which would greatly impact our TE recruiting this year.

 

[Longyac]

^^^^^^^
This!.....what in hell is that?

Lotta speculation that it means a defensive recruit is being recruited for the other side of the ball.

 

[oldhorn2]

Lotta speculation that it means a defensive recruit is being recruited for the other side of the ball.

you mean Sterns is gonna be a QB?

 

[CoachEmUp64]

I've heard Sterns mention the coaches said he may get a look at WR/KR bc that's what he does for his HS team. But Seems to me the coaches are telling that to every DB. That wouldn't warrant the uproar this rumor seems to be getting.

Maybe a coach is getting let go. Who tf knows.

 

[Bwilk55]

I've heard Sterns mention the coaches said he may get a look at WR/KR bc that's what he does for his HS team. But Seems to me the coaches are telling that to every DB. That wouldn't warrant the uproar this rumor seems to be getting.

Maybe a coach is getting let go. Who tf knows.

A lot of speculation but no one knows what this is in reference too. In due time we will know, or not.

 

[CoachEmUp64]

 

[Longyac]

Slippery Rock in his top ten ?

 

[Bwilk55]

New offer out to a top 2018 tackle out of Florida. May be a long shot but we don't have much in way of options.

http://247sports.com/Player/Richard-Gouraige-81993

 

[Oldmanastro]

View embedded media

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Internet still working. Must not have been a commit announcement.

 

[Oldmanastro]

My bad, twitter, not internet.

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Internet still working. Must not have been a commit announcement.

It's was just a top 12 announcement. UT made the cut

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Per TFB:
– Casey Thompson: Most thought Texas QB commit Casey Thompson would look around after fellow QB Cam Rising flipped from OU to Texas. He has told people that he’s solid and has been recruiting for the Longhorns, but there are two schools coming after him pretty hard. The first is Oregon, who offered him the day after Rising flipped, and Oklahoma. The team the his dad and brother played at, and they offered Thompson and were recruiting him before Cam Rising took the QB spot in their class.

Both schools have visited Thompson this Spring, and Oregon did yesterday.

Thompson is an early enrollee, so there is over 7 months until he signs so Texas will have continue to work to keep him in the fold. – (Andrew)

– Gary Johnson: Texas recruits from the 2017 class are going to start arriving in Austin over the next few weeks. One guy I spoke to was LB Gary Johnson, who told me he’ll be in Austin for good on May 27th. Right after signing day there was some chatter that Johnson may not make it to Austin for the first summer session due to an academic holdup he’d need to finish. Getting him on campus ASAP is big if he plans to make an impact in 2017. – (Andrew)

– Amari Gainer: Texas was in Florida again yesterday to see LB Amari Gainer.

Texas has been recruiting Gained very hard since they offered back in February, and they made his Top 6 in April. Though most I talk to feel it will be tough for schools like Alabama, Texas, Auburn, and others to pull Gainer ( from Tallahassee ) away from the hometown Florida State Seminoles. – (Andrew)

– Kalon Gervin: Everyone is talking about the in-state DB’s, but one out of state DB that is receiving some interest from Texas is Cass Technical (MI) CB Kalon Gervin. He recently decommitted from Notre Dame, and Texas CB coach Jason Washington went by to see him after he decommitted. Gervin told me he wants to visit Texas this summer. In addition he wants to go see Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Pitt, and Oregon.

He doesn’t currently hold a Texas offer, but this is one of those situations where one will likely come if he makes a visit to Austin. – (Andrew)

– Houston Griffith: Another out of state CB that Texas has been interested in is IMG Academy (FL) CB Houston Griffith. Texas offered Griffith in April, and when I spoke with him recently he told me CB coach Jason Washington visited him last Wednesday. He told me he plans to visit Texas this summer but nothing is set as of today.

Griffith is in Florida right now, but is originally from the Chicago area. Which is why schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State are the leaders for him right now. – (Andrew)

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Could the controversy TFB was alluding to be this?

https://www.si.com/college-football...gan-texas-blocked?xid=socialflow_twitter_sicr

hmmm maybe UT is going to kick out all the OOS schools who want to do satellite camps in TX. Partner with A&M and you could pressure all those small schools to do it easily.

 

[bubba2023]

Could the controversy TFB was alluding to be this?

https://www.si.com/college-football...gan-texas-blocked?xid=socialflow_twitter_sicr

hmmm maybe UT is going to kick out all the OOS schools who want to do satellite camps in TX. Partner with A&M and you could pressure all those small schools to do it easily.

Wish we could but unlike Louisiana with LSU, UT is not the only major program in the state and most are rivals. The other programs aren't going to go along it just so UT/Aggy can better secure the top talent in the state. What kind of pressure can Texas/Aggy put on the other big 12 Texas programs or even other programs like SMU or Houston? Don't say political because that's not happening.

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Wish we could but unlike Louisiana with LSU, UT is not the only major program in the state and most are rivals. The other programs aren't going to go along it just so UT/Aggy can better secure the top talent in the state. What kind of pressure can Texas/Aggy put on the other big 12 Texas programs or even other programs like SMU or Houston? Don't say political because that's not happening.

Sounded better in my head lol. I'm really just driving myself crazy trying to figure out what TFB was talking about. Could be nothing, could be something big. Who knows...

 

[CoachEmUp64]

Per 247:

— Cibolo Steele safety Caden Sterns recently made a verbal commitment to Texas. So how solid is? Very. Sterns said he doesn’t plan on making any other visits and will be back at UT next month. Sterns plans to graduate in December and enroll early.

— Cibolo Steele cornerback JayVeon Cardwell is on the rise and now holds 20 offers. He will camp at Texas on May 28 and has been in contact with cornerbacks coach Jason Washington. He is a name to file away for later in the process.

— Rockdale athlete Jaquayln Crawford plans to make a decision early this summer. It appears Oklahoma has taken the lead there. But Texas is very much in the mix. Crawford is a take for UT, but the Sooners have been making the stronger push.

— As mentioned over the weekend, Yoakum safety Jordan Moore will camp with Texas on May 28. Right now, Moore is not a priority, but the Longhorns are doing their due diligence and are keeping in contact.

— Four-star Yoakum wide receiver Joshua Moore is making a decision in a few weeks. We do not expect the pick to be Texas. The Longhorns haven’t really made him a priority, and he appears to be heading to Florida State or Nebraska.

— Cuero tight end Bralen Taylor is set to camp with Texas on May 28. This situation is pretty simple. If Texas offers, we expect Taylor to side with the Longhorns when he makes his decision next month. If Texas doesn’t offer, we expect him to pick Baylor.

— Texas recently put an offer on the table for four-star 2019 Cuero athlete Jordan Whittington. So where do the Longhorns stand early on? Whittington made it clear that he never liked Texas but has UT among his top schools thanks to head coach Tom Herman.

— Four-star 2019 Converse Judson defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal hopes to visit Texas at some point this summer. While there hasn’t been much contact between Leal and Texas, we expect an offer to come sooner rather than later.

— Rising 2020 Seguin defensive back Lejond Cavazos recently visited Texas and already holds a number of major offers. It appears Texas wants to wait to watch him play on varsity this season before extending a scholarship. But he is on the radar.

— Four-star 2019 Flower Mound Marcus outside linebacker Marcel Brooks has quickly garnered a number of Power Five offers. He will camp with Texas on May 28, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Longhorns put a scholarship on the table with a strong performance.

— Two other 2019 Flower Mound Marcus recruits to keep an eye on are offensive lineman Justin Osborne and running back Justin Dinka. Both are starting to gain major steam on the recruiting trail.

— Four-star 2019 Prestonwood Christian tight end Austin Stogner said he might visit Texas this summer but isn’t too high in the Longhorns because they have yet to offer. Right now, Texas is really falling behind in his recruitment, according to Stogner.

— Texas is keeping in contact with 2020 Southlake Carroll cornerback RJ Mickens. He plans to either camp with or visit Texas at some point this summer. Mickens holds a number of major offers and is one of the top prospects in his class.er

 

[Bwilk55]

Per 247:

— Four-star 2019 Prestonwood Christian tight end Austin Stogner said he might visit Texas this summer but isn’t too high in the Longhorns because they have yet to offer. Right now, Texas is really falling behind in his recruitment, according to Stogner.

We need to get in the game with Stogner. This kid is one of the top TEs in the nation for 2019. Hopefully we make a move before the evaluation period is over.

 

[CoachEmUp64]

We need to get in the game with Stogner. This kid is one of the top TEs in the nation for 2019. Hopefully we make a move before the evaluation period is over.

I agree with you. He's going to be legit. A little skinny but he's got plenty of time to add weight.

 

[Bwilk55]

Big news coming June 5th. This one is practically a done deal for the horns.

 

[Bwilk55]

Texas makes cut for Max Wright.

 

[TexExSpur]

Fowler is gone, another slot has opened up.

It was reported, but I'm not sure it's true. Sure would seem odd considering his Friday tweet.

 

[Oldmanastro]

Damn.....

 

[TexExSpur]

Hopefully, this was a "not so fast" moment.

 

[bubba2023]

Probably won't be the last. This one probably doesn't hurt as much as Elliot though.

 

[TexExSpur]

Elliot might seem impactful on the surface, but the guy has serious issues with commitment. He wasn't handled with kid gloves and the writing was apparently on the wall. They don't need that, regardless of assumed value.

 

[bubba2023]

I agree long term it's for the best, but short term he was still one of our better D lineman with no one to replace him. Man that DT haul of 2016 looks pathetic just 1 year later.

 

[TexExSpur]

I agree long term it's for the best, but short term he was still one of our better D lineman with no one to replace him. Man that DT haul of 2016 looks pathetic just 1 year later.

Indeed it does. Got to wonder where Roach comes into play as he feels out.

Poona and Nelson are the DT's, Elliot was quality depth. Still have Christmas and Wilbon who saw the field and Daniels who red shirted. The DT position has haunted this squad at depth for several years now.

 

[TexExSpur]

Nahlin is saying the kid was kicked off the team.

 

[Bwilk55]

The uber talented 7 on 7 team will be visiting Texas once again. This team is full of top Texas targets and a few commits as well.

 

[Bwilk55]

Committing on Friday. Likely landing spot in FSU. He never visited Texas so that would be a major surprise. If it is not us, our options our dwindling at ILB. Ayodele Adoeye would be our only remaining top option left.