Texas coach Charlie Strong must be getting used to the monthly criticism by reporters, fans and skeptics.
If the meltdowns are not monthly, it sure seems that way.
The latest group to put Charlie Strong’s face on a piñata is Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman, a journalist I do respect, and Stewart Mandel. Feldman recently expressed his skepticism about Strong’s chances of finishing with a top 30 recruiting class, which is a pretty bold assertion. He noted Houston’s recruiting class is currently ranked higher than Texas (Tom Herman for president). Mandel said Strong should be recruiting on a higher level. There are Longhorns fans on Orangebloods who question Strong’s ability to land another good recruiting class. Once again, the sky is falling in Austin.
It is time for the skeptics to channel their inner Aaron Rodgers and R-E-L-A-X.
Strong and Rodgers do have something in common.
Rodgers endorses State Farm. Strong loves to wear khakis like he is Jake from State Farm.
In addition, Rodgers delivered the “chill out” message to the Green Bay fan base after a 1-2 start in 2014. The same memo applies to this year’s recruiting class.
“Five letters here just for everybody out there in Packer-land: R-E-L-A-X,” Rodgers previously said. “Relax. We're going to be OK.”
Longhorn fans should stop breathing heavily into their brown paper bags. Others need to take that plastic bag off their head.
Obviously, the construction of this year’s class is going a little slower than last year. Texas currently has 14 players committed, but the four early enrollees will count toward the 2015 class. The Longhorns have room for at least 23 players this year. There have only been two commitments in January so far – Jean Delance and Zach Shackelford; both offensive lineman – and it appears many recruits are just window shopping when it comes to Texas.
Here is how Texas’ recruiting class looked last year before the dead period:
Patrick Vahe, OL; Committed: 7/28/13
Ronnie Major, OL; Committed: 2/22/14
Charles Omenihu, DE; Committed: 2/24/14
DeShon Elliott, DB; Committed: 3/18/14
Tristian Houston, RB; Committed: 4/14/14
Kirk Johnson, RB; Committed: 4/17/14
Garrett Thomas, OL; Committed: 7/9/14
Du’Vonta Lampkin, DT; Committed: 7/28/14
Connor Williams, OL; Committed: 9/4/14
Breckyn Hager, LB; Committed: 9/24/14
Cameron Townsend, LB: Committed: 10/26/14
Tristan Nickelson, OL; Committed: 11/8/14
Quincy Vasser, DE: Committed: 12/3/14
Brandon Hodges, OL; Committed: 12/11/14
Cecil Cherry, LB; Committed: 12/15/14
Malik Jefferson, LB; Committed: 12/19/14
DeAndre McNeal, ATH; Committed: 12/19/14
DaVante Davis, DB; Committed: 1/1/15
Anthony Wheeler, LB; Committed: 1/2/15
Devonaire Clarington, TE: Committed: 1/3/15
Gilbert Johnson, WR; Committed: 1/4/15
Texas eventually received commitments from John Burt (WR/recommitted), Holton Hill (DB), Kris Boyd (DB), Kai Locksley (QB), Ryan Newsome (WR), Chris Warren (RB) and P.J. Locke (DB). The moment Jefferson, a 5-star linebacker, committed to Texas, the avalanche of commitments and attention starting pouring in. Even quarterback Kyler Murray flirted with Texas last January. There was a lot of momentum at this time last year.
Now is not the time to hit the panic button.
The one area nobody needs to question about Strong is his ability to recruit. He held together a solid recruiting class after he was initially hired in 2014. He landed the top defensive prospect in the state last year, while the majority of players he signed were on the field in 2015. Most people forget – or chose to ignore – Strong’s acquisition of the top quarterback in Texas (Shane Buechele) this year.
In addition, Strong has four commitments in the 2017 class. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger (why does he have a 3-star rating?), defensive end LaGaryonn Carson, receiver Damion Miller and tight end Major Tennison are currently committed, and Strong will acquire more standouts after signing day.
Quick sidebar.
I said this last week, but as critics continue to point out where Texas ranks (48th by Rivals) after a five-win season, nobody is calling out Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops for being ranked 32nd after finishing 11-2 and advancing to the college playoffs. Clemson is ranked eighth, Michigan State is 10th and Alabama is 11th. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is the only playoff team struggling to attract recruits, but you will not find many members of the national media questioning why the Sooners have not capitalized on their recent success. That is the real recruiting story nobody is talking about.
Back to Texas.
If it helps you sleep tonight, nobody in the building is worried about where Texas stands in recruiting right now. They are very confident there will be an avalanche of UT commitments as signing day approaches. Many kids want to have a press conference, put hats on a table, and announce their commitment. Everyone within the program expects to hear good news pretty soon.
Clearly, if this recruiting class falls short of expectations, that will be the main topic of discussion during February’s meltdown. If not, everyone will find something else to complain about.
Is it fair to question Strong’s coaching ability? After two losing seasons, that is expected. Is it fair to question his loyalty to staff members? Shawn Watson’s futility is arguably the main reason why this is a must-win season for Strong. Is it fair to question Strong’s addiction to mock turtlenecks and khakis? I get the feeling Strong has never opened up the Nike catalog to see what other clothing options might be available.
When it comes to questioning Strong about recruiting, some people need to relax.
Funniest Thing You Will See This Week
Is anyone surprised this was filmed in a trailer park?
Sports On A Dime
1. Unless something dramatically changes, it looks like Texas will fill its running backs coach vacancy after signing day. Strong focused on recruiting in late January last year and hired tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Jeff Traylor after signing day in 2015. It may happen again.
2. New England coach Bill Belichick will force Denver’s Peyton Manning to beat his squad in the air. I do not believe Manning can do it. New England is on a mission to win a Super Bowl ring and give a middle finger to its critics. Manning will be another victim during their quest.
3. I believe in Cam Newton more than Carson Palmer. Besides, Carolina vs. New England is a more appealing Super Bowl match-up than Arizona in the big game.
4. If Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch does retire after this season, I can only hope he has a press conference to announce his decision. Lynch will probably post it on Twitter, but it would be great to see reporters make one last attempt to get Lynch to open up.
5. NFL arrests generate bigger headlines than community service, which is why Detroit Lions defensive end Ziggy Ansah deserves props for donating 94,000 bottles of water to people in Flint, Michigan. Access to clean water is just one aspect of the fallout of Flint's water disaster, and Ansah’s willingness to help an economically challenged community deserves praise.
6. Beating Kansas at home is a tough task for any team. Despite the loss, I like the way Texas’ men’s basketball team played against Kansas. If Shaka Smart’s squad continues to improve, the Longhorns will be a team to watch during the conference tournament.
7. No matter how much criticism Cleveland’s front office is receiving for firing David Blatt, it had to happen. The last thing Cleveland can afford is having an unhappy LeBron James going into the offseason. James has a player option for the 2016-17 season, and losing him against is not an option.
8. Whenever somebody gives a high school recruit a hard time backing out of a verbal commitment, remember what Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh did to Erik Swenson. Swenson committed to Michigan in 2013, but was recently informed his scholarship offer was pulled. Swenson (a 4-star offensive tackle) did not take any visits because of his commitment to Michigan. Now Swenson must scramble and find a landing spot before signing day on February 3.
9. Danny Garcia showed a lot of heart during his victory against Robert Guerrero on Saturday. After a slow start, Garcia began picking apart Guerrero, who could have won the fight if he decided to box. Garcia is not Floyd Mayweather, but now has the former champion’s vacated welterweight world title.
10. You guys know I am a huge Keith Thurman fan, but he definitely needs work as TV announcer. Other than that, I am counting down the days until he faces Shawn Porter on March 12. Thurman has taken too many hits in his past few fights, and he cannot do that against a powerful Porter. I still will not bet against Thurman.
