We mentioned a couple notes we picked up from Tom Herman's talk at the Lone Star Coaches Clinic in our 3-2-1 Column earlier in the week, but here are a few more notes of interest ..
- Those of you who have paid attention to the UT coaches on Twitter have probably noticed they "#1-0" quite a bit, which basically means win at every step you take, every single day. he opponent in front of you is easy to attack since he's right there, Herman said at the event. The difficult opponent is the voice in your head, telling you to not be there early, to not stay late and do extra, to cut reps, not run hard, etc..
- Herman said you can motivate people in one of two ways: love or fear. Love wins every time over fear, he said.
- Herman emphasized the roles the back-up players take in practice, saying they take mental reps every single snap. The 2s line up 15 yards behind the starters. They make the same reads, make the same calls and walk through the rep. There's no grab-ass going on just because players aren't in the actual "play" and no wasted time.
"Practice sucks. It's supposed to," one person remembered Herman saying. "There wont be a damn DJ or an ice cream truck coming up. We don't break practice early to go to the damn movies."
- Herman said he subscribes to the theory of there being five Cs of accountability.
1. Character
2. Competency
3. Consistency
4. Commitment
5. Cohesion
Those traits apply to everyone on the team, including the assistant coach/coordinators. Never a negative word about the program should but uttered to anyone in, around, or outside the program. No complaints about facilities, schedule, etc ...
- Texas prefers to run the QB counter rather than the QB draw. The coaches don't like the change you have to make in blocking schemes to run the draw. They want everything to look the same.
- In case you missed it from our column on Tuesday, Herman also reiterated at the Clinic that he's going to develop the most mentally and physically tough team in the nation. Texas players will have to earn every little thing they get, even something as simple as a helmet visor.
He spoke about the plan the they're putting in place being infallible, saying the only thing that can derail the plan are people and the decisions they make. If the players, coaches and staff stick to the fundamentals of Herman's plan, he fully expects it to work, as it did in Houston. Football is a zero sum business. Every decision you make has consequences, either positive or negative. Make good choices and good things happen. Make poor choices and suffer the consequences.
Lastly, the coaches break the team down into three categories. The top 10 percent are considered "The Elite." The Bottom 10 percent is called "The Defiant and Disinterested," and those types take care of themselves and will make decisions to remove themselves from the program. The middle 80 percent is key. That's the group you're trying to shrink. If you can broaden your Elite group to about 30 percent and shrink that middle group, you'll win games and win them quickly.
Safeties coach/Special Teams Coordinator Craig Naivar also spoke and had some interesting insights ...
- We've heard how the off-season conditioning program is a lot of competition. As in damn near every single element is put into a competitive environment. Naivar said the coaches believe there should always be a tangible reward for winning and losing in every situation (drills, scrimmage, games).
- Naivar isn't a fan of 6-man pressures. He prefers to use 5-man pressures to set up 4-man pressures. In fact, he said at the clinic that they only used 6-man pressures six times in their two years at Houston. In the Louisville game (a 36-10 Houston victory), they sacked Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson 11 times. Seven were on 4-man pressures and they never sent six in that game.
- Naivar said their schemes allow them to send any of the back 7 or 8 guys and not change the look of the defense or give away coverages.
- He reiterated what Herman said about every player taking a rep. If you're not taking a physical rep, you better be getting a mental one. The 2s are 15 yards behind the 1s taking mental reps.
- "You will not run the ball on us," was what one person relayed to me. You may beat the defense over the top once in a while, but Texas will stop the run first and take its chances in 1-on-1 situations. The Seattle Seahawks' tackling system is employed (near shoulder to near target ... video here). (Suchomel)
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Before I get into what occurred during the media session with Texas’ offensive coaches on Thursday, let me share with you a few tidbits before those interviews.
I arrived at the Moncrief Complex about an hour before Thursday’s media session to put the finishing touches on our Alex vs. Anwar column. I sat down on a floor in the hallway near an outlet (my laptop is barely surviving) and was buried in work. I noticed somebody walking toward me, but was so focused, I barely paid attention. When the person was only a few feet away from me, I finally looked up.
It was Texas football coach Tom Herman.
“Hey, coach,” I said.
“How’s it going, Anwar?” he responded.
Suddenly, Herman flashed the Hook 'Em sign to me and smiled. Obviously, I did not flash the sign back, but it was one of those memorable moments. Herman loves Texas. He clearly loves his job. Heck, this is his dream job. All I could do was smile and tell him to have a good day.
As a buried myself back into the laptop, I heard some catchy music down the hall. Once I finally posted the column, I decided to see what was going on. There was a TV on the wall of Moncrief, which has always been there, but it was playing highlights from last season with modern rap music playing. There were different coaches speaking about Texas and the program. In addition, there were banner signs with pictures of former Longhorn players currently in the NFL within that area, which is definitely new.
Herman is trying to make his program more modern and appealing to recruits. These are small changes, but if it caught my attention, Herman is clearly achieving his goal of making his complex more modern.
Okay, now time for football.
Every offensive assistant coach spoke to the media on Thursday. Overall, I was impressed with every coach with whom I spoke during the availability. It was clear to me they are on the same page. They are bright, articulate, and echo many of Herman’s thoughts. Like I said in a post earlier on Thursday, if this team wins, Longhorn fans are going to love these coaches.
Here are the highlights from the assistants with whom I spoke:
Tim Beck, offensive coordinator
- Beck on Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger
“Both those guys are great young men, first of all. I think that’s really important in your program because you have to be able to coach them. You don’t want to chase them around. You don’t want to worry about academics. You don’t want to worry about if they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, are they doing the extra things, or do they love the game of football. Those two guys love the game of football. So, I’m really pleased that we have two young guys that are soaking things up right now like sponges. I’m proud of that. I’m pleased with what they’ve done so far to be honest with you. I like it."
- Beck said he did not intend to play Jerrod Heard at quarterback on a trial basis. He appears to be optimistic that Matthew Merrick can emerge into a solid number three quarterback: “Well, I mean to some degree you always have to look at your depth. Obviously, Matt Merrick is here. If Matt can do what we need him to do, we’re good. We just have to go through it. It’s so early to tell all those answers, depth chart, and where guys are going to be. I’ll save you the time. I don’t know. I have a hard time knowing what day it is.”
- In addition, Beck said Texas will need to address it depth at quarterback in the future. Beck did not mean this season, but if you are reading between the lines do not be surprised if the Longhorns sign two quarterbacks in next year's recruiting class.
- Beck on his quarterbacks needing to run the football:
“One thing is we’re going to do what our guy can do, and what he’s really good at, and build from there. If that’s what he can do, that’s what he’ll do. He has to be athletic, has to be able to extend plays, he’s going to have to be able to get us some tough yards in some tough situations. That part is true. Other than that, how much and when? It all depends on who that guy is.”
- Here was Beck’s answer when asked about his team’s offensive identity: “We have to be a physical group. Ideally, what you’d like to be able to do is recruit really, really well. Have some great skill athletic guys, have some big tough lineman, and really impose your will. Be able to do what you do when you want to do it. I know that’s a perfect world, but (that) is a perfect world. You ask me what did I want? From there, we just have to be a tough group. We got to play really smart, learn the game and play really hard. If we can do those type of things, schematically, it will all come. A lot of times it won’t even matter what you call because you’re playing really hard, really good, and they get it, and they lay it on the line for each other. That element is one of the things we’re working on really hard right now, along with football knowledge and doing things right. There’s a process for success. There’s a plan that’s laid out, not only as a program, but even offensively by position, and even by skill. It’s not just, 'Hey, I caught the ball' or 'Hey coach, I threw it, it was complete.' I know. What was the process you went through to do that? That’s more important right now than the completion. It’s the process because eventually down the road, if he’s doing it right over and over and over again, it becomes second nature. He’s going to have a great chance or having more success at a consistent level."
- Beck on Buechele
“I talked to coach Herman about this the other day. You've got to remember he’s just a true sophomore. I know he started 12 games, but he’s not Tom Brady. He hasn’t played many years. We have to make sure we’re doing right by him, not giving him too much, because this is a new system. It’s a new system for the fourth year in a row for a lot of these guys. We’re taking that into consideration. I like the way he competes right now. He’s doing a good job."
- However, Beck said Buechele is currently the No. 1 quarterback. When Beck was asked about Ehlinger, he said, “I’m really pleased and impressed with Sam, especially since he should be worried about prom right now.”
- Here was Beck’s answer when asked if a true freshman quarterback can run his offense: “Yes, he can … There’s volume in the offense, but there’s ease within that. It looks like a lot, but when you break it down individually by position, each position’s not a lot, but it looks like it by volume, if that makes sense.”
- Beck said Ehlinger had great high school coaches and does not have to teach the freshman basics this offseason: “He gets it. He has a lot of football smarts, football IQ, so to speak. You’re not spending much time teaching him what Cover 2 is. You’re teaching him this play, and he’s pretty sharp."
- It is important to note that Beck is not a fan of playing two quarterbacks during the season. He had a previous experience with that and did not enjoy it. Beck said if both quarterbacks are similar, it could work. However, he appears he prefers to play one quarterback: “Sam is here for spring, offseason workouts and spring practice. We’ll evaluate more in spring. Game is really fast, and conference is fast. Got to see if he can handle it."
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New Texas assistant coaches were made available Thursday for media breakout-availability, which means the interviews occur in a simultaneous breakout setting as opposed to a podium setting. I spent the majority of my time at the availability with new OL Coach Derek Warehime and was able to ask a lot of questions.
First, my initial instinct on Warehime is that he is young and sharp; almost seeming too laid back and cordial to be an offensive line coach. OL coaches are usually the saltiest/crustiest on the staff. Warehime knows his stuff and probably gets his players to like him based on how he interacts with people. Warehime said, unlike Tom Herman, that he's watched a ton of film on these guys -- not only all the games from last year, but even practice footage from last season to get longer looks at players like Jean Delance, Denzel Okafor, JP Urquidez, etc. who either did not play or played sparingly during the 2016 season. He's also now had the opportunity to work with his group, begin teaching them, and see how they move outside of a true football setting.
Here were a few of his answers to some of my questions as well as a few from other reporters. Warehime, like the other Texas coaches, will not give out specific information about exact plans and depth-chart stuff, but there's plenty to read between the lines regarding:
On whether the makings of a depth chart are underway:
"We need five guys you can trust to go out there and execute and play the game the way it's supposed to be played and that's the goal ... you typically need to find about eight total people; three guys, four more guys to make nine that you can truly jog in that football game and go win with. Not just to get you through a game or out of a game."
On Jake McMillon, his fit on the OL, etc.:
"I think Jake is definitely going to be in the mix for somewhere in the middle three (LG, C, RG). I don't know exactly where he's going to end up at the end of the day. Jake's done a good job so far this offseason, football is really important to Jake and Jake only knows one speed and that's 100 mph. And he's a pleasure to be around every day, so I feel as though he's going to find his way into one of those middle three spots."
On Patrick Vahe, where his head is at right now, etc.:
"Vahe is in a great spot mentally right now. He's doing unbelievably well in our offseason. I get a tap on the shoulder or a whisper in my ear from a coach on our staff every day about how he works and how much effort he gives and he's an emotional kid; not in a negative way -- he loves ball, he loves people, he loves to compete and he sets the temperature. Instead of gauging the temperature. He's in a really, really good spot right now ... we're working through some of the things he and I have had closed-door conversations about in the previous seasons but so much of that had to do with youth. The guy played as a true freshman, the guy played as a true sophomore and in my experience, those guys at times are exceptions."
On Patrick Hudson, is he back to health, how are his feet coming along, etc.:
"Pat's doing a good job, a really good job. Great in the weight room, he's a really good person. Cares, loving guy and worker when it comes to the mental side of that. He's learning because he is still in transition mode and he didn't get that experience last year as a freshman, so he's learning that part of the game but if you tell him to do something, he does it and he does it at 100 miles an hour. He's moving around well, we haven't had any issues with him after the break."
On if he sees Hudson more as a tackle or a right guard:
"Physically he fits more at the guard position, but again, go back to finding the best five guys ... but ideally, he is the ideal type guy you bring in to play offensive guard at this place."
On if Denzel Okafor will get a look at the starting RT, etc.:
"Denzel's been good so far, Denzel's another guy who's still young and kind of still learning what's going on ... doesn't have a ton of experience under his belt at the college level, but he is a guy who should push for a job somewhere, and if not within the first unit, push for a spot, where you can jump up and take somebody's job. What's unique about Denzel is that he's got the body type to play guard but the athleticism to play tackle. 6-3 1/2" kid. And he's intelligent. I'm excited about Denzel, I think we'll be able to do some different things with him ... you can match him up with inside guys because he's not 6'6", but you can also put him out on the edge because he has the wingspan of a 6'6" guy and the feet of a dude who can move."
On if he could see a push from Jean Delance this spring at any position:
"I think he and Denzel (Okafor) are very similar. Not in terms of ability, but just in terms of where they are. Both those guys have big-time ability and are good people and want to be good but they're still so early in their process here and kind of learned the system a year ago, right? And now we're installing new things so they're having to change the things they already learned at a fast pace. They're swimming right now in some of that stuff. And they all are; some adapt a little bit quicker than others."
On whether he'd look at Vahe at the center position:
"We'll always train about five or six centers, just to have guys who can snap. Then when we get new guys on campus -- very few of these kids have ever played center in high school. Not many come to college who played center in high school." (Dunlap)
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I was able to grab new RBs coach Stan Drayton for a quick second to ask these three questions:
Q: What are you going to do with Chris Warren in this offense?
A: "Hand him the ball!"
I thought it was a pretty damn funny answer. I also asked about Kirk Johnson's health and was told he'll be ready to go and fine for spring football for all Drayton knows. Drayton said Johnson is out there working with everyone else free of restrictions. Finally, I asked if Lil'Jordan Humphrey had moved back out to WR after having to take on some RB duties last year and Humphrey has indeed moved back. "I've never coached a six-four back," Drayton said. (Dunlap)
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I mentioned in my report on Ocala (FL) Vanguard ATH Justin Watkins that the Longhorns are big-time players for the Florida State commitment. Here's why I feel that way ...
A source indicated to OB a few weeks ago, out of the blue, that the Longhorns were legitimate threats to land Watkins and the Rivals100 member may want to get out of Florida. I connected with Watkins on Wednesday night to talk about his visit for UT's junior day on February 25. We only talked for a couple minutes and I could hear some voices in the background, but didn't think much of it. When I asked Watkins about the possibility of him wanting to leave the state, he offered up the following quote.
"Most likely I'm going to wind up going to Texas," Watkins said.
Wasn't expecting that. Unfortunately, immediately after telling me that, Watkins informed me he was in study hall and asked if we could talk another time. I of course obliged, but that's definitely a comment I'll have to circle back to the next time we talk.
Officially, Watkins is still committed to Florida State and he did list Texas at No. 2 of his top five, but he obviously has a very strong interest in the Longhorns. Next week's junior day could be huge for him. (Suchomel)
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Houston Lamar DB D'Shawn Jamison won't be able to make UT's junior day because he's taking an SAT/ACT prep class, so he'll head to Austin this Sunday with his father and girlfriend.
Jamison has been on campus before for Texas Relays, but he's ready to get a good look at the football program.
"What I'm hoping for, is to talk to the defensive coaches, see how I better fit their defensive scheme," Jamison said. "See how they like my game."
Texas has already offered Jamison. If you're hoping he might be the first player to put his name on the UT commitment list, you're probably going to have to wait.
"I'm still going to wait things out. I'll release my top five next Wednesday."
Will Texas be in that mix?
"Oh yeah. They're in my top three for sure," Jamison said.
The 5-10, 174-pound Jamison already holds a UT offer and he's part of an extremely talented 2018 group from Lamar that includes guys like Anthony Cook and Al'Vonte Woodard. While there's a chance the Lamar contingency could stick together at the next level (it's been discussed), Jamison said the players mostly want to find the best fit for their respective futures.
Jamison's thoughts on Texas ...
"I like their defensive traditions. I really like how their defensive schemes are, the DBs are," Jamison said. "I really like them a lot. When I went and visited them at U of H, they showed a lot of love. With them still showing love at Texas, that says a lot." (Suchomel)
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Since taking over, the Texas coaching staff hasn’t been afraid to travel out of state to recruit elite players across the country, something Charlie Strong and his staff drifted away from after his first year.
One non-Texan on the Longhorns’ radar in the 2018 class is Braden River (FL) defensive end Taylor Upshaw.
Upshaw recently finalized his plans to make the trip to Austin for Junior Day on February 25 and is curious to see where the Longhorns belong among the many schools recruiting him.
“I want to see if [Texas] is a family environment and if it’s somewhere I could be for the next four years,” Upshaw said. “I know [Tom Herman’s] production at defensive line is outstanding, so I just got to see how I fit.”
Texas has not yet offered the Florida prospect, but Upshaw regularly communicates with Texas defensive line coach Oscar Giles and thinks an offer could be on the table soon.
“I’ve been talking to Coach Giles, and he said they like lanky guys,” Upshaw said. “He said that we need to see in you person before we hand out offers or anything like that, so I think it’s about going to see the coaches and seeing how what I look like in person [at Junior Day].
The son of former NFL defensive lineman Reagan Upshaw, Taylor only began playing football last season. Despite that, he’s collected offers from the likes of Northwestern, South Florida, California and Navy and is receiving interest from Florida, Oklahoma and Texas.
Upshaw’s first-year production combined with his high potential make him an intriguing prospect for several programs, including Texas. (Larkin)
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Another out-of-state prospect receiving interest from the Longhorns is Tulsa Union (OK) safety Patrick Fields.
Texas offered Fields at the end of last month and have since jumped into major contention to land the Oklahoma product. Fields is planning to visit Austin for Junior Day and is excited to meet the Texas coaches and see what the school has to offer.
“I just want to check everything out and see everything,” Fields said. “I’m really just excited about getting down there around all the coaches, especially Coach [Michael] Huff.”
Fields says the Texas coaching staff is one of several schools pushing for him the hardest and UT is selling him on coming to Texas as a nickel back for the 2018 class.
“Their defense plays with a lot of DBs, which you know helps with getting on the field, but I think they like me as a nickel,” Fields said. “After P.J. [Locke] graduates, they don’t really have any definite guys I think,” Fields said.
As for when he plans on making a decision in the future, Fields says he plans to make a commitment before the beginning of his senior season.
“I want to be committed before I start my senior year because I think I’m going to graduate early, but I’m not 100 percent sure yet,” Fields said. “But my goal is to be committed by my senior year.”
In addition to his visit to Texas for Junior Day, Fields says he also intends to visit Oklahoma and Memphis this weekend. (Larkin)
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Defensive line coach Oscar Giles is very familiar with recruiting the state of Louisiana, and he will likely continue that trend with the class of 2018.
In fact, Giles has already communicated with one Louisiana prospect in Donaldsonville linebacker Tahj Brown, who also informed Orangebloods earlier this week that he would be making his way to Austin for Texas Junior Day.
Brown told OB that Giles has communicated with him several times, and he loves what he sees from him so far.
“[Coach Giles] has been telling me how much he loves me and he really wants me for their junior day next weekend,” Brown said. “He checks up on me weekly to see how I’m doing and stuff."
The Louisiana standout said he has never met Tom Herman before, but he likes what he sees from the new Texas head coach.
“I have never met Coach Herman, but from the looks of it, he seems really cool,” Brown said. “I can’t wait to meet him and really get to know him. He turned that program around at Houston, and I believe he’s going to do the same at Texas.”
When he arrives in Austin for Junior Day, Brown said he has several things in mind that he wants to see on his visit.
“I am coming to build a relationship with the coaches, get the feeling of just being on campus,” Brown said. “I want to learn more about the education part and will they fit my major.”
Brown already has offers from Kansas, Southern Mississippi and Tulsa, among others, and is starting to hear from bigger programs like Texas, TCU, and Mississippi State.
The three-star prospect also intends to visit Kansas, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Houston and Baylor this spring. (Larkin)
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One player to add to the Junior Day list from the Lone Star State is Silsbee wide receiver Kalon Barnes.
The Longhorns have not yet offered the athletic wide out, but Barnes says he still hears very often from the Texas coaching staff in addition to a couple of other schools.
“I have 11 offers, but of the ones that haven’t offered me that I’m hearing from the most are Florida and Texas,” Barnes said. “But out of the offers I have, it’s Texas A&M, Baylor and Iowa State at the moment, and my early favorites are A&M and Baylor.”
Although some Longhorns fans may not know the Silsbee product this early in his recruitment, he does have a connection to the current Texas team.
“Yeah, [Texas OL] Patrick [Hudson] and I are related,” Barnes said. “I talked to him a few weeks aback [about Texas] when he came home.”
Barnes hasn’t yet decided his visits for the entire spring, but said he plans to visit Baylor and Texas Tech along with Texas in the coming weeks. (Larkin)
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Cedar Hill defensive end Shabazz Dotson has seen his recruitment pick up in the last couple weeks. Along with offers from Houston and Kansas State, Dotson has been hearing more from the likes of Baylor and Texas.
Right now, Dotson is enjoying the process, but admits he owns a couple of early favorites.
“[The recruiting process] is fun right now. Texas and Baylor are recruiting me the hardest,” Dotson said. “But Texas is my early favorite and Michigan.”
The Cedar Hill prospect will be making his way to Austin for the Texas Junior Day and says the Longhorns have always been a favorite of his.
“I’ve always been a Longhorns fan,” Dotson said. “They’ve been a powerhouse forever.”
Dotson communicates regularly with Oscar Giles and also said the defensive line coach is eager to see him in a Longhorns uniform.
“He’s talking me how I’m good and how I should be a Longhorn right now,” Dotson said of Giles.
While he doesn’t currently carry a Texas offer, this recruitment will be one to watch if Tom Herman and his staff decide to pull the trigger on an offer. (Larkin)
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Blue Valley North (KS) defensive end Miles Emery is a prospect who is flying under most radars. However, the Kansas product’s recruitment is beginning to seriously heat up, including a visit to Texas for Junior Day, where he may be offered.
“I have talked to Oscar Giles and from what we talked about, they plan on offering me,” Emery said. "When I get down, they are going to offer me.”
Emery has already collected offers from Kansas and Oklahoma and the Longhorns may very well join the list soon.
The defensive end prospect plans on making a verbal commitment over the summer, so if the Longhorns offer, it will be a recruitment to closely watch.
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Two names to file under the Junior Day list for February 25 are Gemon Green and German Green, the twin defensive back prospects from Desoto.
We caught up with Gemon earlier this week, and he told OB that defensive backs coach Jason Washington has been in contact with the twin brothers.
“Me and my brother have been both talking to Coach Washington,” Green said. “He wants us to come visit.”
Gemon has received offers from TCU, Oregon, Colorado, and Michigan thus far, while German has received offers from Colorado and SMU.
While Texas may be prioritizing a couple other defensive back prospects right now, the Green twins will be two to keep an eye on. (Larkin)
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The Longhorns’ 2017 hoops class is made up of three signed players (Jericho Sims, Royce Hamm, and Jase Febres), and one commitment (Matt Coleman). Obviously, they’re still chasing five-star big man Mohamed Bamba (nothing new to report on him), and if everyone returns, Texas has just one scholarship remaining.
Yesterday, Texas and Shaka Smart extended an offer to 2017 combo guard Mark Smith (Edwardsville; Edwardsville, Illinois). Arguably the unsigned/uncommitted senior with the hottest stock in the country currently, Smith, a 6-4 prospect that possesses impressive strength and athleticism, has received recent offers from Illinois, Northwestern, Cal, Utah, Indiana, Butler and Kansas is showing interest.
That’s a lot different from the official visits he took in the fall to Wright State, Northern Illinois, and SIU-Edwardsville. This might explain why:
Against four-star guard Jordan Goodwin, a former Texas target that signed with St. Louis and is rated as the No. 57 overall, Smith caught the attention of everyone with a big-time performance.
“Yeah, after the first game,” said Smith when asked if the attention really started to increase after he played Goodwin. “I had a triple-double, and the second time I had another triple-double and had 36 points or something like that and 14 assists and 12 rebounds.”
Smith used to be a baseball commitment to Missouri, but once Missouri fired its coach and he strained his forearm in the summer, Smith decided he wanted to focus on basketball full-time. Both of his parents played at the division-one level in hoops.
Smart went to watch Smith workout recently, and immediately offered.
“We’ve been talking since last week. He told me he was going to come down and watch me yesterday and he told me… I had a good practice and he watched some film and offered me. He said he thinks I have a lot of tools to really play at a high level.”
Specifically, Smith said Smart noted his high hoops IQ, playmaking ability for himself and teammates, and his ability to get downhill and also knock down open shots from deep.
Texas and Smith’s relationship is still growing, but he’s followed Texas and Smart for a while.
“Yeah, I talked to them before last week. I had known Shaka since he took VCU to the Final Four… I heard of him before, knew he was his good coach. I followed Texas when they had Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin and all those guys,” he said.
What did he think of Smart after some interaction?
“He’s a real nice guy. I feel like cares about his players a lot… I can tell he cares and wants to develop them. That’s a key component to me,” he said.
Right now, Smith is trying to catch his breath, and says he’s only focused on trying to win a state title in basketball. When I asked him if he was hitting the reset button on recruiting and is going to tackle it after the season, he responded, “yeah, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
But he then added this:
“I know at the end of the season coach Smart is trying to get me down for a visit, or if I can come to a game soon. If I can get a flight down there, [we’ll see].”
Smith stated he doesn’t have an idea when he’ll make a recruiting decision.
My take? This is all new to Smith, and he’s not in a rush to figure out recruiting until his season ends. Most people think Illinois is the biggest factor right now, but there’s a very real chance that coaching staff isn’t there in two months when players like Smith can start to sign.
Does this have anything to do with Tevin Mack, Bamba or Jarrett Allen? It’s far too early in the process to know. Those types of factors are only considered if a commitment is possible, and everything we’ve heard about Allen is that a NBA decision hasn’t even entered his mind. When offers are extended, hardly ever are they done as a result of those factors; they’re done to gather more information and see if there is enough mutual interest to pursue.
Why would Texas want another guard? Smith could easily end up being one of the top 50 players in the country, can handle the basketball with a high IQ, and can knock down shots from three. A team can never have too many guards that can handle the ball and make good decisions. Plus, at a sturdy 6-4 and possibly still growing, Smith could play the wing too. (McComas)
- Those of you who have paid attention to the UT coaches on Twitter have probably noticed they "#1-0" quite a bit, which basically means win at every step you take, every single day. he opponent in front of you is easy to attack since he's right there, Herman said at the event. The difficult opponent is the voice in your head, telling you to not be there early, to not stay late and do extra, to cut reps, not run hard, etc..
- Herman said you can motivate people in one of two ways: love or fear. Love wins every time over fear, he said.
- Herman emphasized the roles the back-up players take in practice, saying they take mental reps every single snap. The 2s line up 15 yards behind the starters. They make the same reads, make the same calls and walk through the rep. There's no grab-ass going on just because players aren't in the actual "play" and no wasted time.
"Practice sucks. It's supposed to," one person remembered Herman saying. "There wont be a damn DJ or an ice cream truck coming up. We don't break practice early to go to the damn movies."
- Herman said he subscribes to the theory of there being five Cs of accountability.
1. Character
2. Competency
3. Consistency
4. Commitment
5. Cohesion
Those traits apply to everyone on the team, including the assistant coach/coordinators. Never a negative word about the program should but uttered to anyone in, around, or outside the program. No complaints about facilities, schedule, etc ...
- Texas prefers to run the QB counter rather than the QB draw. The coaches don't like the change you have to make in blocking schemes to run the draw. They want everything to look the same.
- In case you missed it from our column on Tuesday, Herman also reiterated at the Clinic that he's going to develop the most mentally and physically tough team in the nation. Texas players will have to earn every little thing they get, even something as simple as a helmet visor.
He spoke about the plan the they're putting in place being infallible, saying the only thing that can derail the plan are people and the decisions they make. If the players, coaches and staff stick to the fundamentals of Herman's plan, he fully expects it to work, as it did in Houston. Football is a zero sum business. Every decision you make has consequences, either positive or negative. Make good choices and good things happen. Make poor choices and suffer the consequences.
Lastly, the coaches break the team down into three categories. The top 10 percent are considered "The Elite." The Bottom 10 percent is called "The Defiant and Disinterested," and those types take care of themselves and will make decisions to remove themselves from the program. The middle 80 percent is key. That's the group you're trying to shrink. If you can broaden your Elite group to about 30 percent and shrink that middle group, you'll win games and win them quickly.
Safeties coach/Special Teams Coordinator Craig Naivar also spoke and had some interesting insights ...
- We've heard how the off-season conditioning program is a lot of competition. As in damn near every single element is put into a competitive environment. Naivar said the coaches believe there should always be a tangible reward for winning and losing in every situation (drills, scrimmage, games).
- Naivar isn't a fan of 6-man pressures. He prefers to use 5-man pressures to set up 4-man pressures. In fact, he said at the clinic that they only used 6-man pressures six times in their two years at Houston. In the Louisville game (a 36-10 Houston victory), they sacked Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson 11 times. Seven were on 4-man pressures and they never sent six in that game.
- Naivar said their schemes allow them to send any of the back 7 or 8 guys and not change the look of the defense or give away coverages.
- He reiterated what Herman said about every player taking a rep. If you're not taking a physical rep, you better be getting a mental one. The 2s are 15 yards behind the 1s taking mental reps.
- "You will not run the ball on us," was what one person relayed to me. You may beat the defense over the top once in a while, but Texas will stop the run first and take its chances in 1-on-1 situations. The Seattle Seahawks' tackling system is employed (near shoulder to near target ... video here). (Suchomel)
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Before I get into what occurred during the media session with Texas’ offensive coaches on Thursday, let me share with you a few tidbits before those interviews.
I arrived at the Moncrief Complex about an hour before Thursday’s media session to put the finishing touches on our Alex vs. Anwar column. I sat down on a floor in the hallway near an outlet (my laptop is barely surviving) and was buried in work. I noticed somebody walking toward me, but was so focused, I barely paid attention. When the person was only a few feet away from me, I finally looked up.
It was Texas football coach Tom Herman.
“Hey, coach,” I said.
“How’s it going, Anwar?” he responded.
Suddenly, Herman flashed the Hook 'Em sign to me and smiled. Obviously, I did not flash the sign back, but it was one of those memorable moments. Herman loves Texas. He clearly loves his job. Heck, this is his dream job. All I could do was smile and tell him to have a good day.
As a buried myself back into the laptop, I heard some catchy music down the hall. Once I finally posted the column, I decided to see what was going on. There was a TV on the wall of Moncrief, which has always been there, but it was playing highlights from last season with modern rap music playing. There were different coaches speaking about Texas and the program. In addition, there were banner signs with pictures of former Longhorn players currently in the NFL within that area, which is definitely new.
Herman is trying to make his program more modern and appealing to recruits. These are small changes, but if it caught my attention, Herman is clearly achieving his goal of making his complex more modern.
Okay, now time for football.
Every offensive assistant coach spoke to the media on Thursday. Overall, I was impressed with every coach with whom I spoke during the availability. It was clear to me they are on the same page. They are bright, articulate, and echo many of Herman’s thoughts. Like I said in a post earlier on Thursday, if this team wins, Longhorn fans are going to love these coaches.
Here are the highlights from the assistants with whom I spoke:
Tim Beck, offensive coordinator
- Beck on Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger
“Both those guys are great young men, first of all. I think that’s really important in your program because you have to be able to coach them. You don’t want to chase them around. You don’t want to worry about academics. You don’t want to worry about if they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, are they doing the extra things, or do they love the game of football. Those two guys love the game of football. So, I’m really pleased that we have two young guys that are soaking things up right now like sponges. I’m proud of that. I’m pleased with what they’ve done so far to be honest with you. I like it."
- Beck said he did not intend to play Jerrod Heard at quarterback on a trial basis. He appears to be optimistic that Matthew Merrick can emerge into a solid number three quarterback: “Well, I mean to some degree you always have to look at your depth. Obviously, Matt Merrick is here. If Matt can do what we need him to do, we’re good. We just have to go through it. It’s so early to tell all those answers, depth chart, and where guys are going to be. I’ll save you the time. I don’t know. I have a hard time knowing what day it is.”
- In addition, Beck said Texas will need to address it depth at quarterback in the future. Beck did not mean this season, but if you are reading between the lines do not be surprised if the Longhorns sign two quarterbacks in next year's recruiting class.
- Beck on his quarterbacks needing to run the football:
“One thing is we’re going to do what our guy can do, and what he’s really good at, and build from there. If that’s what he can do, that’s what he’ll do. He has to be athletic, has to be able to extend plays, he’s going to have to be able to get us some tough yards in some tough situations. That part is true. Other than that, how much and when? It all depends on who that guy is.”
- Here was Beck’s answer when asked about his team’s offensive identity: “We have to be a physical group. Ideally, what you’d like to be able to do is recruit really, really well. Have some great skill athletic guys, have some big tough lineman, and really impose your will. Be able to do what you do when you want to do it. I know that’s a perfect world, but (that) is a perfect world. You ask me what did I want? From there, we just have to be a tough group. We got to play really smart, learn the game and play really hard. If we can do those type of things, schematically, it will all come. A lot of times it won’t even matter what you call because you’re playing really hard, really good, and they get it, and they lay it on the line for each other. That element is one of the things we’re working on really hard right now, along with football knowledge and doing things right. There’s a process for success. There’s a plan that’s laid out, not only as a program, but even offensively by position, and even by skill. It’s not just, 'Hey, I caught the ball' or 'Hey coach, I threw it, it was complete.' I know. What was the process you went through to do that? That’s more important right now than the completion. It’s the process because eventually down the road, if he’s doing it right over and over and over again, it becomes second nature. He’s going to have a great chance or having more success at a consistent level."
- Beck on Buechele
“I talked to coach Herman about this the other day. You've got to remember he’s just a true sophomore. I know he started 12 games, but he’s not Tom Brady. He hasn’t played many years. We have to make sure we’re doing right by him, not giving him too much, because this is a new system. It’s a new system for the fourth year in a row for a lot of these guys. We’re taking that into consideration. I like the way he competes right now. He’s doing a good job."
- However, Beck said Buechele is currently the No. 1 quarterback. When Beck was asked about Ehlinger, he said, “I’m really pleased and impressed with Sam, especially since he should be worried about prom right now.”
- Here was Beck’s answer when asked if a true freshman quarterback can run his offense: “Yes, he can … There’s volume in the offense, but there’s ease within that. It looks like a lot, but when you break it down individually by position, each position’s not a lot, but it looks like it by volume, if that makes sense.”
- Beck said Ehlinger had great high school coaches and does not have to teach the freshman basics this offseason: “He gets it. He has a lot of football smarts, football IQ, so to speak. You’re not spending much time teaching him what Cover 2 is. You’re teaching him this play, and he’s pretty sharp."
- It is important to note that Beck is not a fan of playing two quarterbacks during the season. He had a previous experience with that and did not enjoy it. Beck said if both quarterbacks are similar, it could work. However, he appears he prefers to play one quarterback: “Sam is here for spring, offseason workouts and spring practice. We’ll evaluate more in spring. Game is really fast, and conference is fast. Got to see if he can handle it."
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New Texas assistant coaches were made available Thursday for media breakout-availability, which means the interviews occur in a simultaneous breakout setting as opposed to a podium setting. I spent the majority of my time at the availability with new OL Coach Derek Warehime and was able to ask a lot of questions.
First, my initial instinct on Warehime is that he is young and sharp; almost seeming too laid back and cordial to be an offensive line coach. OL coaches are usually the saltiest/crustiest on the staff. Warehime knows his stuff and probably gets his players to like him based on how he interacts with people. Warehime said, unlike Tom Herman, that he's watched a ton of film on these guys -- not only all the games from last year, but even practice footage from last season to get longer looks at players like Jean Delance, Denzel Okafor, JP Urquidez, etc. who either did not play or played sparingly during the 2016 season. He's also now had the opportunity to work with his group, begin teaching them, and see how they move outside of a true football setting.
Here were a few of his answers to some of my questions as well as a few from other reporters. Warehime, like the other Texas coaches, will not give out specific information about exact plans and depth-chart stuff, but there's plenty to read between the lines regarding:
On whether the makings of a depth chart are underway:
"We need five guys you can trust to go out there and execute and play the game the way it's supposed to be played and that's the goal ... you typically need to find about eight total people; three guys, four more guys to make nine that you can truly jog in that football game and go win with. Not just to get you through a game or out of a game."
On Jake McMillon, his fit on the OL, etc.:
"I think Jake is definitely going to be in the mix for somewhere in the middle three (LG, C, RG). I don't know exactly where he's going to end up at the end of the day. Jake's done a good job so far this offseason, football is really important to Jake and Jake only knows one speed and that's 100 mph. And he's a pleasure to be around every day, so I feel as though he's going to find his way into one of those middle three spots."
On Patrick Vahe, where his head is at right now, etc.:
"Vahe is in a great spot mentally right now. He's doing unbelievably well in our offseason. I get a tap on the shoulder or a whisper in my ear from a coach on our staff every day about how he works and how much effort he gives and he's an emotional kid; not in a negative way -- he loves ball, he loves people, he loves to compete and he sets the temperature. Instead of gauging the temperature. He's in a really, really good spot right now ... we're working through some of the things he and I have had closed-door conversations about in the previous seasons but so much of that had to do with youth. The guy played as a true freshman, the guy played as a true sophomore and in my experience, those guys at times are exceptions."
On Patrick Hudson, is he back to health, how are his feet coming along, etc.:
"Pat's doing a good job, a really good job. Great in the weight room, he's a really good person. Cares, loving guy and worker when it comes to the mental side of that. He's learning because he is still in transition mode and he didn't get that experience last year as a freshman, so he's learning that part of the game but if you tell him to do something, he does it and he does it at 100 miles an hour. He's moving around well, we haven't had any issues with him after the break."
On if he sees Hudson more as a tackle or a right guard:
"Physically he fits more at the guard position, but again, go back to finding the best five guys ... but ideally, he is the ideal type guy you bring in to play offensive guard at this place."
On if Denzel Okafor will get a look at the starting RT, etc.:
"Denzel's been good so far, Denzel's another guy who's still young and kind of still learning what's going on ... doesn't have a ton of experience under his belt at the college level, but he is a guy who should push for a job somewhere, and if not within the first unit, push for a spot, where you can jump up and take somebody's job. What's unique about Denzel is that he's got the body type to play guard but the athleticism to play tackle. 6-3 1/2" kid. And he's intelligent. I'm excited about Denzel, I think we'll be able to do some different things with him ... you can match him up with inside guys because he's not 6'6", but you can also put him out on the edge because he has the wingspan of a 6'6" guy and the feet of a dude who can move."
On if he could see a push from Jean Delance this spring at any position:
"I think he and Denzel (Okafor) are very similar. Not in terms of ability, but just in terms of where they are. Both those guys have big-time ability and are good people and want to be good but they're still so early in their process here and kind of learned the system a year ago, right? And now we're installing new things so they're having to change the things they already learned at a fast pace. They're swimming right now in some of that stuff. And they all are; some adapt a little bit quicker than others."
On whether he'd look at Vahe at the center position:
"We'll always train about five or six centers, just to have guys who can snap. Then when we get new guys on campus -- very few of these kids have ever played center in high school. Not many come to college who played center in high school." (Dunlap)
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I was able to grab new RBs coach Stan Drayton for a quick second to ask these three questions:
Q: What are you going to do with Chris Warren in this offense?
A: "Hand him the ball!"
I thought it was a pretty damn funny answer. I also asked about Kirk Johnson's health and was told he'll be ready to go and fine for spring football for all Drayton knows. Drayton said Johnson is out there working with everyone else free of restrictions. Finally, I asked if Lil'Jordan Humphrey had moved back out to WR after having to take on some RB duties last year and Humphrey has indeed moved back. "I've never coached a six-four back," Drayton said. (Dunlap)
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I mentioned in my report on Ocala (FL) Vanguard ATH Justin Watkins that the Longhorns are big-time players for the Florida State commitment. Here's why I feel that way ...
A source indicated to OB a few weeks ago, out of the blue, that the Longhorns were legitimate threats to land Watkins and the Rivals100 member may want to get out of Florida. I connected with Watkins on Wednesday night to talk about his visit for UT's junior day on February 25. We only talked for a couple minutes and I could hear some voices in the background, but didn't think much of it. When I asked Watkins about the possibility of him wanting to leave the state, he offered up the following quote.
"Most likely I'm going to wind up going to Texas," Watkins said.
Wasn't expecting that. Unfortunately, immediately after telling me that, Watkins informed me he was in study hall and asked if we could talk another time. I of course obliged, but that's definitely a comment I'll have to circle back to the next time we talk.
Officially, Watkins is still committed to Florida State and he did list Texas at No. 2 of his top five, but he obviously has a very strong interest in the Longhorns. Next week's junior day could be huge for him. (Suchomel)
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Houston Lamar DB D'Shawn Jamison won't be able to make UT's junior day because he's taking an SAT/ACT prep class, so he'll head to Austin this Sunday with his father and girlfriend.
Jamison has been on campus before for Texas Relays, but he's ready to get a good look at the football program.
"What I'm hoping for, is to talk to the defensive coaches, see how I better fit their defensive scheme," Jamison said. "See how they like my game."
Texas has already offered Jamison. If you're hoping he might be the first player to put his name on the UT commitment list, you're probably going to have to wait.
"I'm still going to wait things out. I'll release my top five next Wednesday."
Will Texas be in that mix?
"Oh yeah. They're in my top three for sure," Jamison said.
The 5-10, 174-pound Jamison already holds a UT offer and he's part of an extremely talented 2018 group from Lamar that includes guys like Anthony Cook and Al'Vonte Woodard. While there's a chance the Lamar contingency could stick together at the next level (it's been discussed), Jamison said the players mostly want to find the best fit for their respective futures.
Jamison's thoughts on Texas ...
"I like their defensive traditions. I really like how their defensive schemes are, the DBs are," Jamison said. "I really like them a lot. When I went and visited them at U of H, they showed a lot of love. With them still showing love at Texas, that says a lot." (Suchomel)
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Since taking over, the Texas coaching staff hasn’t been afraid to travel out of state to recruit elite players across the country, something Charlie Strong and his staff drifted away from after his first year.
One non-Texan on the Longhorns’ radar in the 2018 class is Braden River (FL) defensive end Taylor Upshaw.
Upshaw recently finalized his plans to make the trip to Austin for Junior Day on February 25 and is curious to see where the Longhorns belong among the many schools recruiting him.
“I want to see if [Texas] is a family environment and if it’s somewhere I could be for the next four years,” Upshaw said. “I know [Tom Herman’s] production at defensive line is outstanding, so I just got to see how I fit.”
Texas has not yet offered the Florida prospect, but Upshaw regularly communicates with Texas defensive line coach Oscar Giles and thinks an offer could be on the table soon.
“I’ve been talking to Coach Giles, and he said they like lanky guys,” Upshaw said. “He said that we need to see in you person before we hand out offers or anything like that, so I think it’s about going to see the coaches and seeing how what I look like in person [at Junior Day].
The son of former NFL defensive lineman Reagan Upshaw, Taylor only began playing football last season. Despite that, he’s collected offers from the likes of Northwestern, South Florida, California and Navy and is receiving interest from Florida, Oklahoma and Texas.
Upshaw’s first-year production combined with his high potential make him an intriguing prospect for several programs, including Texas. (Larkin)
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Another out-of-state prospect receiving interest from the Longhorns is Tulsa Union (OK) safety Patrick Fields.
Texas offered Fields at the end of last month and have since jumped into major contention to land the Oklahoma product. Fields is planning to visit Austin for Junior Day and is excited to meet the Texas coaches and see what the school has to offer.
“I just want to check everything out and see everything,” Fields said. “I’m really just excited about getting down there around all the coaches, especially Coach [Michael] Huff.”
Fields says the Texas coaching staff is one of several schools pushing for him the hardest and UT is selling him on coming to Texas as a nickel back for the 2018 class.
“Their defense plays with a lot of DBs, which you know helps with getting on the field, but I think they like me as a nickel,” Fields said. “After P.J. [Locke] graduates, they don’t really have any definite guys I think,” Fields said.
As for when he plans on making a decision in the future, Fields says he plans to make a commitment before the beginning of his senior season.
“I want to be committed before I start my senior year because I think I’m going to graduate early, but I’m not 100 percent sure yet,” Fields said. “But my goal is to be committed by my senior year.”
In addition to his visit to Texas for Junior Day, Fields says he also intends to visit Oklahoma and Memphis this weekend. (Larkin)
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Defensive line coach Oscar Giles is very familiar with recruiting the state of Louisiana, and he will likely continue that trend with the class of 2018.
In fact, Giles has already communicated with one Louisiana prospect in Donaldsonville linebacker Tahj Brown, who also informed Orangebloods earlier this week that he would be making his way to Austin for Texas Junior Day.
Brown told OB that Giles has communicated with him several times, and he loves what he sees from him so far.
“[Coach Giles] has been telling me how much he loves me and he really wants me for their junior day next weekend,” Brown said. “He checks up on me weekly to see how I’m doing and stuff."
The Louisiana standout said he has never met Tom Herman before, but he likes what he sees from the new Texas head coach.
“I have never met Coach Herman, but from the looks of it, he seems really cool,” Brown said. “I can’t wait to meet him and really get to know him. He turned that program around at Houston, and I believe he’s going to do the same at Texas.”
When he arrives in Austin for Junior Day, Brown said he has several things in mind that he wants to see on his visit.
“I am coming to build a relationship with the coaches, get the feeling of just being on campus,” Brown said. “I want to learn more about the education part and will they fit my major.”
Brown already has offers from Kansas, Southern Mississippi and Tulsa, among others, and is starting to hear from bigger programs like Texas, TCU, and Mississippi State.
The three-star prospect also intends to visit Kansas, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Houston and Baylor this spring. (Larkin)
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One player to add to the Junior Day list from the Lone Star State is Silsbee wide receiver Kalon Barnes.
The Longhorns have not yet offered the athletic wide out, but Barnes says he still hears very often from the Texas coaching staff in addition to a couple of other schools.
“I have 11 offers, but of the ones that haven’t offered me that I’m hearing from the most are Florida and Texas,” Barnes said. “But out of the offers I have, it’s Texas A&M, Baylor and Iowa State at the moment, and my early favorites are A&M and Baylor.”
Although some Longhorns fans may not know the Silsbee product this early in his recruitment, he does have a connection to the current Texas team.
“Yeah, [Texas OL] Patrick [Hudson] and I are related,” Barnes said. “I talked to him a few weeks aback [about Texas] when he came home.”
Barnes hasn’t yet decided his visits for the entire spring, but said he plans to visit Baylor and Texas Tech along with Texas in the coming weeks. (Larkin)
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Cedar Hill defensive end Shabazz Dotson has seen his recruitment pick up in the last couple weeks. Along with offers from Houston and Kansas State, Dotson has been hearing more from the likes of Baylor and Texas.
Right now, Dotson is enjoying the process, but admits he owns a couple of early favorites.
“[The recruiting process] is fun right now. Texas and Baylor are recruiting me the hardest,” Dotson said. “But Texas is my early favorite and Michigan.”
The Cedar Hill prospect will be making his way to Austin for the Texas Junior Day and says the Longhorns have always been a favorite of his.
“I’ve always been a Longhorns fan,” Dotson said. “They’ve been a powerhouse forever.”
Dotson communicates regularly with Oscar Giles and also said the defensive line coach is eager to see him in a Longhorns uniform.
“He’s talking me how I’m good and how I should be a Longhorn right now,” Dotson said of Giles.
While he doesn’t currently carry a Texas offer, this recruitment will be one to watch if Tom Herman and his staff decide to pull the trigger on an offer. (Larkin)
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Blue Valley North (KS) defensive end Miles Emery is a prospect who is flying under most radars. However, the Kansas product’s recruitment is beginning to seriously heat up, including a visit to Texas for Junior Day, where he may be offered.
“I have talked to Oscar Giles and from what we talked about, they plan on offering me,” Emery said. "When I get down, they are going to offer me.”
Emery has already collected offers from Kansas and Oklahoma and the Longhorns may very well join the list soon.
The defensive end prospect plans on making a verbal commitment over the summer, so if the Longhorns offer, it will be a recruitment to closely watch.
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Two names to file under the Junior Day list for February 25 are Gemon Green and German Green, the twin defensive back prospects from Desoto.
We caught up with Gemon earlier this week, and he told OB that defensive backs coach Jason Washington has been in contact with the twin brothers.
“Me and my brother have been both talking to Coach Washington,” Green said. “He wants us to come visit.”
Gemon has received offers from TCU, Oregon, Colorado, and Michigan thus far, while German has received offers from Colorado and SMU.
While Texas may be prioritizing a couple other defensive back prospects right now, the Green twins will be two to keep an eye on. (Larkin)
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The Longhorns’ 2017 hoops class is made up of three signed players (Jericho Sims, Royce Hamm, and Jase Febres), and one commitment (Matt Coleman). Obviously, they’re still chasing five-star big man Mohamed Bamba (nothing new to report on him), and if everyone returns, Texas has just one scholarship remaining.
Yesterday, Texas and Shaka Smart extended an offer to 2017 combo guard Mark Smith (Edwardsville; Edwardsville, Illinois). Arguably the unsigned/uncommitted senior with the hottest stock in the country currently, Smith, a 6-4 prospect that possesses impressive strength and athleticism, has received recent offers from Illinois, Northwestern, Cal, Utah, Indiana, Butler and Kansas is showing interest.
That’s a lot different from the official visits he took in the fall to Wright State, Northern Illinois, and SIU-Edwardsville. This might explain why:
Against four-star guard Jordan Goodwin, a former Texas target that signed with St. Louis and is rated as the No. 57 overall, Smith caught the attention of everyone with a big-time performance.
“Yeah, after the first game,” said Smith when asked if the attention really started to increase after he played Goodwin. “I had a triple-double, and the second time I had another triple-double and had 36 points or something like that and 14 assists and 12 rebounds.”
Smith used to be a baseball commitment to Missouri, but once Missouri fired its coach and he strained his forearm in the summer, Smith decided he wanted to focus on basketball full-time. Both of his parents played at the division-one level in hoops.
Smart went to watch Smith workout recently, and immediately offered.
“We’ve been talking since last week. He told me he was going to come down and watch me yesterday and he told me… I had a good practice and he watched some film and offered me. He said he thinks I have a lot of tools to really play at a high level.”
Specifically, Smith said Smart noted his high hoops IQ, playmaking ability for himself and teammates, and his ability to get downhill and also knock down open shots from deep.
Texas and Smith’s relationship is still growing, but he’s followed Texas and Smart for a while.
“Yeah, I talked to them before last week. I had known Shaka since he took VCU to the Final Four… I heard of him before, knew he was his good coach. I followed Texas when they had Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin and all those guys,” he said.
What did he think of Smart after some interaction?
“He’s a real nice guy. I feel like cares about his players a lot… I can tell he cares and wants to develop them. That’s a key component to me,” he said.
Right now, Smith is trying to catch his breath, and says he’s only focused on trying to win a state title in basketball. When I asked him if he was hitting the reset button on recruiting and is going to tackle it after the season, he responded, “yeah, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
But he then added this:
“I know at the end of the season coach Smart is trying to get me down for a visit, or if I can come to a game soon. If I can get a flight down there, [we’ll see].”
Smith stated he doesn’t have an idea when he’ll make a recruiting decision.
My take? This is all new to Smith, and he’s not in a rush to figure out recruiting until his season ends. Most people think Illinois is the biggest factor right now, but there’s a very real chance that coaching staff isn’t there in two months when players like Smith can start to sign.
Does this have anything to do with Tevin Mack, Bamba or Jarrett Allen? It’s far too early in the process to know. Those types of factors are only considered if a commitment is possible, and everything we’ve heard about Allen is that a NBA decision hasn’t even entered his mind. When offers are extended, hardly ever are they done as a result of those factors; they’re done to gather more information and see if there is enough mutual interest to pursue.
Why would Texas want another guard? Smith could easily end up being one of the top 50 players in the country, can handle the basketball with a high IQ, and can knock down shots from three. A team can never have too many guards that can handle the ball and make good decisions. Plus, at a sturdy 6-4 and possibly still growing, Smith could play the wing too. (McComas)
