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(From Suchomel)
I’m not going to spend a lot of time writing about Zachary Evans’ situation because it feels a bit like beating a dead horse, but a couple things worth mentioning …
A lot of fans on the message boards have been wondering how Texas could have essentially screwed this one up to fall out of Evans’ top five this week (in case you missed it, his top five consists of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma). I don’t see it that way.
Case in point … what I heard this week is that Ohio State basically went four months without any contact with Evans, only to have Evans reach out recently and inform the OSU staff he wants to take a visit. There’s also talk that Oklahoma went about a month without communication of its own. Again, it’s not what Texas didn’t do compared to what others did do. Right or wrong, it’s more about Evans’ perception that the programs on his top five are closer to competing for national championships than Texas is.
As I’ve said repeatedly, Evans changes his mind pretty regularly (and often times pretty dramatically) so I wouldn’t put a nail in UT’s chances just yet. If the Longhorns go out this fall and perform at a very high level – beat LSU and Oklahoma – Texas could very well work its way back into this one. If the staff continues to push, that is, which leads me to my next note …
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I had a very reliable source tell me this week that the Longhorns are the team to beat for Tucson (AZ) Salpointe running back Bijan Robinson. The Rivals100 member took an unofficial visit to UT during the weekend of the Orange-White game, and he’ll be back the weekend of June 21 for an official visit.
Where this one could get interesting is with Robinson’s visit to Ohio State on June 14. The Buckeyes, right now, are believed to be Texas’ biggest threat, and Robinson has yet to visit Columbus. Needless to say, those two visits will be key, and other schools like UCLA and USC could also factor in here as well.
Also, it’s worth repeating what I’ve said previously … if Texas misses on Evans, that might sting a bit, but in no way is Robinson a consolation prize. This guy is a tremendous talent (see for yourself here), he’s ultra-productive and he’s a high-character guy as well. If Texas can land Robinson, that's a development that should be celebrated.
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It’s been a while since I checked around to get the pulse of some sources on the Longhorns’ top in-state targets, so I did that this week ...
QB Ja’Quinden Jackson – Duncanville - “In talking to people close to him, I feel like it’s Texas’ race to lose if he’s flirting with the idea of committing. I think maybe the three players would be Texas, OU and LSU. Those are the schools he’s visited. I feel like Bama is in touch with him but can’t say that with a lot of certainty. I know he’s very sensitive about the quarterback issue and LSU will not take him as a quarterback. As we try to syphon through the options, that has to be taken into an account. Texas has Hudson (Card). OU doesn’t have one so that could be worth watching. But my understanding is that Texas will take him as a quarterback, and then switch him if he doesn’t win the quarterback battle against Hudson.”
RB Zachary Evans – North Shore - “I was definitely surprised (with his top five). Earlier this year, people felt they had a read on what he was thinking. He really liked Texas. I almost think something behind the scenes has gone awry. I don’t think it’s that they can’t compete for a national championship, because he’s laid out before how they can compete for national championships. Then the fact that Damieon George likes Texas, something isn’t lining up. I would not be surprised if Texas goes full throttle to try to redeem things closer to the end. But I really do think Ohio State and Oklahoma are just names on the list. I think Georgia, LSU and Bama are all threats. I think Clemson really botched the whole thing by not offering him because they could have been at the top.”
RB EJ Smith – Dallas Jesuit – “I don’t even think Texas is really in the mix. I think they were just too late to join the party. It seems like it’s Stanford or Florida’s race to lose, with Ohio State, Georgia and A&M kicking the tires in his lead group. But with the Zach Evans thing going on, I could see Texas changing its approach since he’s not in a rush to commit. But at the moment, I like Stanford’s chances with the way they’ve used McCaffrey and Bryce Love in the past.”
RB Jase McClellan – Aledo (Oklahoma commitment) – “I would not expect him to really re-open things. I think he’s very comfortable at OU. The only outlier here is does Oklahoma get a commit from someone like Seth McGowan, or do they start getting visits from Zach Evans. Adding an all-purpose back like Chris Tyree, compared to another workhorse player, could be the thing that ruffles some feathers. They’re recruiting other guys for a reason and are in a good spot with them, but other than that happening I think he feels good about OU.”
RB Ty Jordan – West Mesquite – “I think Texas is right up there for him. I know he really likes USC and some other teams. But Texas and USC are the two that come to mind when I think about Ty. He’s a niche player, not an all-purpose back. A small back. I don’t think he’s the next option behind Zach Evans for Texas, if they take two running backs, Ty would make sense. Texas is coming pretty hard after him.”
WR Demond Demas – Tomball – “I don’t think Texas is even on his list but I do think he will take visits. He may look at a school like Alabama, Clemson or Ohio State for visits.”
WR Troy Omeire – Fort Bend Austin – “Even though he did a top four with LSU and Alabama, I don’t think either are legitimate contenders. I’m sure there’s an open line of communication with those schools, but I still think it’s an in-state battle. Honestly, I think it’s neck and neck with Texas and Texas A&M. I think he likes the offense A&M runs in terms of a pro-style and in the SEC, and they have a selling point with him and Demas. But A&M has started to explore some other wide receivers too. Texas, I think, has gained the most momentum this spring with him going to the spring game, a couple unofficial visits. Before the Bru McCoy stuff erupted, he loved that Bru was getting reps in the spring game. He liked that he could make it onto the field as a freshman.”
WR Quentin Johsnton – Temple – “I fully believe he’s going to play for Texas. Him and Omeire are similar types of receivers - big playmakers who can make plays downfield. It’s a little difficult to see them getting both but not impossible. But you can say the same thing about A&M with Demas. I do think A&M is only taking two wide receivers though, have heard that. OU is making a push but with proximity and everything else - he loves that Texas staff – I think he goes to Texas.”
WR Devon Achane – Fort Bend Marshall – “I think it’s way too early to get a feeling for Devon. He hasn’t even dipped a toe in the water in terms of recruiting. He talks to coaches, but hasn’t visited any of the campuses yet. Texas is on his honey-do list, along with a bunch of SEC schools and Florida State, Oklahoma State. Anything could really happen with Devon. He’s kind of a niche player, a jack-of-all-trades. He could be part of a new-look backfield as you look past Zach Evans, can be a moveable piece at receiver, or he can just be your special teams return man. In the Big 12, he could be the fastest player in the conference. I think he’s best suited for that, but it’s too early to gauge if Texas is really in it until he visits.”
WR Kelvontay Dixon – Carthage – “I’ve heard Texas and Arkansas are battling right now. I feel like it could be Texas because of his brother, but it might come down to spots being available in Texas’ class more than anything.”
OL Chad Lindberg – League City Clear Creek – “I think that’s natural that he wanted to use his first official visit to Texas. I think he has genuine interest in all schools in his top group – Texas, A&M, Stanford, Northwestern, Georgia. The one thing people are worrying about is why he visited Texas first, but they decided at the spring game and they were able to talk to them and get them (Lindberg and the OL commitments) all in at the same time. I think it’s almost a formality. He’s going to get into Stanford, but I think he’s going to stay close to home. I just think he feels comfortable with coach Hand and the guys they have committed there. I see him committing at the end of August. I think it’s Texas one, Georgia two, A&M three. A&M is making a big push but may be getting that fifth visit more because he was unsure who was going to get that last one.”
OL Damieon George – North Shore – “He’s tough to read. I know LSU has asked about him but he hasn’t mentioned them much at all. I think with Texas, the relationship with coach Hand looms large. They’ve done a good job with Damieon and it’s a close-to-home school. I think Bama, competing for championships is one thing, developing o-line and first-round picks, and his mom really liked it when they visited there. But if him and Zach (Evans) are resolute in playing together, then this one’s done right? It’s Alabama. But one of those has to give. Damieon’s momentum might switch away from Bama but then him and Zach might not be playing together.”
DL Vernon Broughton – Cy Ridge – “I think he’s as big of a Texas lean as there is. When it comes to relationships, he feels very comfortable with Texas. He’s kind of had a revolving door with the other schools in that lead group. At one time it was Texas, Texas A&M, OU - which I believe is his top three. Then others are spending time in the top group. I think Texas has a distant lead, but he wants to enjoy he process a little bit. He’s supposed to visit Arkansas this weekend, Ohio State in June. I just don’t see him leaving home. I think when Texas offered, they jumped to the front and I don’t think that has changed.”
DE Princely Umanmielen – Manor – “I think Texas has lost some momentum there. At the same time, I think LSU has gained some momentum with him. Princely is coming back to camp at LSU in June. He’s still mentioning A&M and OU too, I think maybe Oregon is still in his top group. I know he grew up a fan of LSU. I don’t think Texas is out of it by any means. I think those two are in a close race. I’d expect it’ll get sorted out early June, maybe the beginning part of the season. I think LSU is in it after jumping into the race. I think A&M is in it too.”
DE Alfred Collins – Bastrop Cedar Creek – “I feel like he’s going to play at Texas. Vernon, Princely, Alfred – they’re probably not all going to the same school. I just think if Texas was to bring all three in, that would be a fantastic d-line haul. But the odds are probably against that. I think they get two out of three. I lean more towards Princely going out of state at the moment, Alfred and Vernon staying in state. I lean Texas (for Collins). I know he likes Bama, but he’s never been to Bama. He’s been to Texas quite a few times. He talks about OU but hasn’t been there in a while. He’s been to Austin over and over, which speaks volumes.”
LB Prince Dorbah – Highland Park – “I still feel good about Dorbah to Texas. It’s been kind of interesting to see how his recruitment has played out. When LSU offered, they were able to get him on campus for their spring game. I’d be surprised if he didn’t make his way back there this summer. But Texas been able to go neck and neck, had him in on campus for junior days, back for spring game. I think he’s been really open and honest about everything. LSU’s push has been good lately, but Texas has been doing the same thing on a longer basis. I think if he makes a decision in July like he says he is, can’t see LSU making up that ground that quickly. I think it’s Texas.”
LB Brennon Scott – Dallas Bishop Dunne – “I think Texas is on his top there. It seems like others have cooled a bit and aren’t pushing as hard. I think he’s Texas’ to lose but I’d watch out for an Arkansas, Oregon, Florida, maybe even OU. I think he’d love to work out with Texas, but those are some other schools to watch if this thing goes on and Texas doesn’t push.”
LB Josh White – Cypress Creek (LSU commitment) – “Just the way he was with LSU, I think he feels pretty good with his commitment. He’s visited quite a few times. I think he’ll entertain Texas, but I feel like he sticks with LSU. It seems like LSU has able to get him back on campus every time there’s a question. But he’s the top linebacker in there state, so Texas is not going to just throw in the towel there.”
DB Josh Eaton – Aldine MacArthur – “I think he wants to be at Texas, but if he wants to wait, will they have room? It’s kind of the same thing with d-line - who is willing to pull the trigger first? Given a lot of DBs in the state are high on Texas, I just don’t know. I have heard he’s high on their board for tall corners, but I’m not sure on that. Kids sometimes say things like wanting to wait until February, but I could see him deciding and signing in December. At the same time, other schools he talks about, Alabama, Florida, LSU - I think Florida might be the number two school there. I don’t see him at LSU, Bama, A&M or Florida really. I only see him at Texas so I wonder if his attention on others wanes in the coming months.”
DB Chris Thompson Jr. – Duncanville – “I think Texas has established themselves as the team to beat. I think there’s a pretty big Duncanville to Texas vibe right now in talking to people at the school. Other schools are still kicking the tires. I know Auburn, he has interest in Georgia and Notre Dame, but I feel like the visitors who came to Texas the first weekend of May, I feel all those guys are going to wind up in this class. I think that’s kind of the foundation of the Texas class and Thompson wants to be a part of that. Based on his skill set, has things to work on to play in the Big 12, but he’s been a priority for Texas and he appreciates that.”
DB Bryson Washington – Houston C.E. King – “He’s definitely been keeping his distance from talking ever since announcing his top two. It feels like Texas was genuinely the team to beat for the bulk of his recruitment. Then that OU visit for their spring game, the something flipped and I think he saw a unique opportunity at OU. He’s not closing the door on Texas, wants to visit Texas before he decides. I’m not sure that video has been shot, or if it has two endings, but it was filmed close to his OU official visit. The fact that he’s going back to Texas keeps Texas in the race, but I feel like OU is leading the race right now.”
DB Xavion Alford – Pearland Shadow Creek – “I’ve always felt it’s kind of been a Texas-LSU race based on the frequency of visits to each of those campuses. I think Florida, Georgia and Michigan are other teams to watch. A&M to an extent, but not as much. Especially if we start talking about Bryson (Washington) to OU and Chris (Thompson) to Texas, I think Xavion is a nice complement to the Texas class. I know he likes LSU a lot but they’re after the kid from Lufkin (Jerrin Thompson), so they might have to pick. It might all depend on where Thompson commits in July. If it’s LSU, I don’t expect Alford to follow. I think the one sleeper team here is definitely Michigan. They’ve developed a good rapport. Obviously they’re the furthest from home, but he has good things to say about them, so think they have to be factored in.”
DB Jahari Rogers – Arlington – “Texas has definitely has emerged as the team to beat. Of course, he’s open about the relationship with coach (Jason) Washington being the best he has. They don’t have any DBs in the class, which has kind of opened his eyes. Right now I kind of view it as an Texas-Florida race. But he’s going to head to Texas for a visit in June so they’ll have their crack at it. I’d keep tabs on Notre Dame, but it feels like a Texas-Florida race and I’d lean towards it being Texas’ race to lose.”
DB Kitan Crawford – John Tyler – “Texas is part of his final group (with Baylor and Tennessee). I don’t know where he is on Texas’ board for sure but if you like fast corners, he fits the bill. I feel like it’s another that could be Texas’ race to lose, mainly just because Baylor and Tennessee don’t have the same allure Texas does. I wouldn’t be surprised if his top three changes as more offers come in but Texas looks good here.”
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(From McComas)
Greg Brown has been to the Texas campus so much he’s probably lost count.
“It’s a great relationship. I go up there a lot to watch film with coach, play with the players. It’s a real good relationship,” he said.
A reason why it’s a real good relationship is Brown’s bond with current Texas players. In a conversation with Brown’s father a few months back, he specifically mentioned the importance of his son bonding with the players on campus.
“We talk a lot, to be honest,” Brown said about him and the Texas players. “Courtney Ramey just hit me up yesterday talking about we need the final piece to the team. We talk a lot. I just got off the phone talking to Jaxson because it was his birthday a couple days ago. I have a real good relationship with all of them.”
Who is the better dunker: Jaxson Hayes or Brown?
“Me. You can tell him I said that too. He’ll agree,” said Brown with a big smile.
The nation’s No. 6 overall prospect will soon take an unofficial visit to Auburn. That’s the only visit he has planned currently, and should make another cut to his list at the end of the summer.
“Probably at the end of the summer because I still need to take visits to other schools. Until that happens, we’ll still be in touch with those other schools,” he said about a list.
Brown listed Texas, Memphis, and Auburn as the schools recruiting him the most.
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Last weekend, 2020 five-star, do-it-all top prospect Cade Cunningham returned home, and put in a show in Dallas for the Texas Titans.
“I think it’s a blessing because I went to Montverde away from home. I haven’t really played in Dallas,” he said. “I played one little showcase earlier like a month ago. But just being here … I had family fly in to come. It’s just a blessing. I feel like there is no better place to play than home. Just being here around all my supporters is a blessing.”
Some players say they’d like to stay home for college, but it rings hollow. Cunningham seems genuinely interested in the state pride aspect of his college career.
“You see like Trae Young, Lonzo Ball going back home and putting on for their state. It definitely is appealing for me, especially being away from home now, wanting to come back home,” he said. “But I think for me it’s all about fits. What coach fits the best, surrounding staff; it’s just about fit. I feel like that was the main thing in my decision to go to Montverde. I feel like it would be the same thing on the next level.”
Cunningham, the nation’s No. 5 overall prospect, said his recruitment went “crazy” after the first evaluation period. He released a top 10 today:
When I spoke with Cunningham, he didn’t want to dive into specific schools, but did say this about Texas:
“They’ve been super hard on me. I talk to them a lot. Frequently texting; calling every once in a while; they’ve been on me for such a long time I feel like that’s no surprise to anybody. Everybody has seen it,” he said. “They have a steady message for me. They stay consistent, which I like. They’re not blowing my horn and saying I’m the best player ever. They’re really letting me know where I can get better, what I’m doing well, which I really like. They’re giving me pointers. That’s always a good thing. I really like coach Smart. Coach Lucas, that’s my man. So, we’ll see how it goes. I really like Texas, though.”
Brown and Cunningham have discussed playing together in college at length, and genuinely like playing with each other. However, anyone that follows hoops recruiting knows the “package deal” idea rarely comes to fruition. But Texas would love for it to happen.
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Since the Longhorns extended 2020 forward Micah Peavy an offer, he’s heard from them more than any other school. Interestingly, Peavy also hears often from a soon-to-be former Michigan assistant coach, Luke Yaklich.
“Since I got the Texas offer, they’ve been on me, texting probably every other say. Arkansas calls me every other day. Tech, Michigan I talk to coach Yaklich still. Those three schools are on me the most right now. TCU calls me every other day as well,” he said.
Peavy will take a close look at player development, and how players at his position are utilized. He plans to cut his list at the end of the summer.
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Another player that is hearing from the Longhorns more than anyone else since they offered is 2020 prospect Jabri Abdur-Rahim.
“They’ve probably reached out to me the most of anybody right now,” said the four-star prospect about Texas. “They tell me they need a person that plays my position and can do multiple things on the floor. They’ve been in constant contact and showed a lot of love.”
As for visits, Abdur-Rahim has a few in mind already, and will plan a few others based on who recruits him the most.
“I would like to get to Virginia, Villanova, Georgia right now. Those are the schools I plan on visiting even though I haven’t set anything up. I definitely am going to take some more visits once I get familiar with more people. Going to visit the people who recruit me the hardest,” he said.
Like most prospects, Abdur-Rahim plans to release a list at the end of the summer.
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While a prospect like Abdur-Rahim sounds like a tougher recruiting challenge for Texas, D.J. Steward is definitely a guy to follow closely.
“It’s been a really good relationship, me and coach Shaka. We talk a lot. Coach Berry contacts me a lot. We talk about potentially a visit. I don’t know when it’s going to be, but planning for an official visit pretty soon,” said the No. 60 overall prospect.
Steward, who can get buckets at the guard spot as well as anyone in his class, listed Texas, Louisville, Illinois and Indiana as the programs recruiting him the hardest. While he maintains location won’t be a factor, a visit to Texas would be a big step in the right direction. I’ve heard his mother has never been on a plane, so leaving the Midwest might be tougher than Steward makes it seem. But there’s no doubt Texas is in a good standing right now.
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The Brad Beal elite duo of Moses Moody and Caleb Love are both hearing often from the Longhorns. Texas visited both during their high school seasons, and recruited them as consistently as anyone.
Love listed Kansas and North Carolina as places he wants to visit this summer, and Missouri, Texas, Louisville, North Carolina, and Indiana as programs recruiting him the hardest. He said he didn’t have a list of favorites currently, but couldn’t hide a big grin on his face when he said it. Seems like Kansas and UNC are ahead, although Kansas hasn’t offered yet.
As for Moody, he had an intriguing response when asked about if he was seriously interested in Texas:
“Definitely. I’m roommates with Cade (Cunningham). He tells me a lot about the atmosphere around there,” he said.
That can’t be a bad thing. Moody is high school teammates with Cunningham.
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Texas has one remaining scholarship to use, if it chooses, for the upcoming 2019-20 season. Of course, this assumes the remaining 12 players on scholarship won’t use Bru McCoy’s travel agent and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. In all seriousness, I haven’t heard whispers of anyone else leaving as of today. Will Texas fill the open spot? If it is someone like Jalen Wilson or an elite transfer, yes. But Texas isn’t going to take someone to fill a spot. As for Quentin Grimes, the former five-star prospect that Kansas announced is entering the transfer portal, I’ve heard – still searching for a clear, concise definition – Big 12 rules for intraconference transfers would make it unlikely for Grimes to go to Texas, but I wouldn’t rule it completely out. Texas finished second to Kansas for Grimes, and it was much closer than most think.
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The Luke Yaklich addition to the Texas coaching staff is expected to become official soon, and likely tomorrow.
