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Machinator

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Posts posted by Machinator

  1. Raiders release P Marquette King. Usually I don't pay attention to the movement of specialists in the NFL (unless it's Tucker, Dawson, or soon, Michael Dickson), but this one's a bit of a head-scratcher given he was pretty good and a fan favorite.

  2. 38 minutes ago, DougO said:

    Gotta draft a guard by round 4, but first round is too high. THey already have so much of their cap tied up in O-line with more to come. Do like the really good drafting teams do and find an outstanding guard in the third or fourth round.

    This is a very good draft for interior OL. There will be guards to be had.

  3. IT

    GRAD TRANSFERS

    A clear indication of how much UT prides itself on academics is how hard it is for graduate transfer football players to gain admission.

    Now, Calvin Anderson was not going to have issues getting in — the dude is brilliant after all — but he still had to go through the same exact process as every other graduate school applicant right down to waiting to hear he was admitted with the rest of the students.

    We reported he wanted to enjoy the process, and that played out with his visits, but he had to wait to find out he was for sure in before announcing his intentions.

    Going forward will this be an issue? That’s an important question given UT’s extraordinary luck in landing Anderson.

    To answer this, I’m not saying players will get preferential treatment, but I don’t foresee admissions being a spike strip going forward. That isn’t to say Dodos will be admitted, it's to say Texas is serious about competing with other schools in this ultra competitive market.

    STATE OF RECRUITING

    Texas continues the slow and steady approach to the Class of 2019. Bring in a few prospects during weekly practices, then a few elites for weekend visits, you know, as you do.

    UT is hosting another handful on Saturday for its spring practice/scrimmage. Of note, Spring official visits begin on April 1st. So you should expect juniors to make their way to the 40 Acres starting next weekend. We'll go into more detail in the Scoop.

    Let's take a look on who'll be on campus this weekend, and who might be too.

    Elijah Higgins, WR - Austin Bowie (2019): The 6-foot-3, 225-pound pass-catcher will be in attendance for UT's spring practice tomorrow. I keep getting the sense this recruitment is close to conclusion. Texas looks great while Stanford is nipping his heels. The potential future UT instrument isn’t in the Texas Instrument just yet but it’s close.

    NaNa Osafo-Mensah, LB/DE - FW Nolan Catholic (2019): Unable to attend last weekend's practice due to his sister's track meet, NaNa is set to arrive in the AM. Texas is looking at Osafo-Mensah as a linebacker that would spin down to defensive end after a season or two with Yancy McKnight. Notre Dame is supposed to be the leader here, but the more intel we get, the more we believe he's relatively open and Texas is in it. Concerns of motor are lurking.

    Branson Bragg, OL - Crandall (2019): One of UT's top offensive line targets will be competing at the Texas Relays this weekend. Afterwards, he'll trek over to Moncrief to hang out with Herb Hand and the Horns staff. Big weekend here. Hand had previously killed it with Kenyon Green, Stacey Wilkins, and Javonne Shepherd.

    Roschon Johnson, QB - Port Neches-Groves (2019) (TEXAS): After running in the Texas Relays this weekend, Johnson will likely make it over to Moncrief to visit with the UT staff and see Higgins, one of his top recruiting targets.

    Dwight McGlothern, CB - New Caney (2020): The long-legged corner is one of the top prospects in-state for 2020. He's a 'maybe' to stop by Moncrief after his Texas Relays events. I love his upside and demeanor. He'll be a must-get in next year's class.

    Khristion Little, RB - Tyler Chapel Hill (2019): At 5-foot-10, 180, he packs a big punch in a small package. Under-the-radar (Prairie View A&M offer) and looking for more.

    Bryce Foster, OL - Katy Taylor (2021): The promising offensive line prospect will be in attendance for spring practice tomorrow. His teammate, Hayden Conner, will visit next weekend. 

    Bryce Young, QB - Mater Dei (CA) (2020): One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation for his class, Young is no stranger to the Longhorns. The UT staff has been on him for over a year now, and for good reason. He holds offers from Alabama, Georgia, TCU, USC, and Washington. He's a part of Premium Sports, which is the California version of FAST 7v7. The next eight prospects listed are with Premium Sports, touring the country, hitting TCU, A&M, and Baylor as well.

    DeGabriel Floyd, LB - Westlake Village (CA) (2019): Floyd arrived in Austin on Monday night and won't go back to California until tomorrow afternoon. He's spent more time in the ATX than Mike Judge. He attended two practices, and hopes to see tomorrow's scrimmage. He's had some 1-on-1 time with Todd Orlando. It's difficult not to see the Longhorns holding the early advantage here.

    Max Williams, CB - Junipero Serra (CA) (2019): Alabama, FSU, Michigan, OU, Stanford, and LSU offers.

    Josh Delgado, WR - IMG Academy (FL) (2019): Oregon State, USC, Washington, Colorado, and Arizona State offers.

    Jordan Patterson, WR - Harbour City (CA): The 6-foot-3 target holds a USC offer, but that'll change soon.

    Josiah Hawkins, WR/CB - Orange County (CA): The 5-foot-10, 165-pound mighty-mite has some DeShawn Jamison to his game.

    Braedin Huffman-Dixon, WR - Mater Dei (CA) (2019): Colorado, Georgia, Oregon, Nebraska, and USC offers.

    Mycah Pittman, WR - Calabasas (CA) (2019): Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, and USC offers.

    Ralen Goforth, OLB - St. John Bosco (2019): USC, UCLA, Arizona State, Nebraska, and Colorado offers.

    KJ Trujillo, CB - Anaheim (CA) (2020): The 6-foot-1, 165-pound sophomore is one to watch. Elite ball skills.

    Lewis Cine, S - Trinity Christian (Cedar Hill): The daring Connecticut-to-Texas move has proven to be a failure for @Vasherized but Cine (pronounced seen) remains undeterred. The very highly-rated safety recently moved to Texas and visited UT yesterday. He gives the visit glowing marks and really enjoyed Craig Naivar. He wants to major in business so UT has his attention. He’s an early enrollee but in no hurry to make a decision. Like Vash, when pressed for favorite teams growing up he named fencers.

    Calvin Anderson, OL - Rice (grad-transfer) (TEXAS): The man-of-many-talents will be back at Texas practice on Saturday. He's in constant contact with Herb Hand, absorbing every bit of info he can so he's ready for voluntary workouts in June and 2-a-days in August. We'll have a full Q&A with Anderson in the Scoop.

    AND ANOTHER GRAD TRANSFER

    It's no secret Herman is in the gathering talent mode. Texas will exhaust all resources to find graduate transfers that can contribute immediately, or simply upgrade the roster. Last year it was Syracuse grad-transfer TE Kendall Moore, who turned out serviceable after Andrew Beck and Cade Brewer's season-ending injuries. Now it's the aforementioned Anderson for the 2018 season and Texas might not be done.

    Wake Forest WR Tabari Hines is now on the market. After notching 683 yards on 53 grabs, and seven scores in 2017, the 5-foot-10, 175-pound slot receiver is looking for a new home.

    "(Texas) expressed their need for another playmaker," said Hines. "To go in with the good group of guys they already have, I mean it’s Texas. They love football and have a lot of pride in winning and sending talent to the NFL. That’s right up my alley.”

    There are a handful of other programs pushing for Hines' services, but only Texas has a visit scheduled so far. We’re not saying that’s telling. We’re not saying it’s not telling.

    “Oregon, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Kansas State are talking to me," Hines said.

    His decision timeline looks to be a month away. He doesn't want to waste any time and prepare for his final collegiate campaign, in hopes of getting the NFL's attention.

    “End of April more than likely,” said Hines.

    QUICK NOTE: Katy Taylor 2021 OL prospect Hayden Conner will be visiting Austin next weekend. So will West Mesquite WR Dylan Wright, who will be on an UOV.

  4. IT:

    Quote

    THE CHRIS DEL CONTE FAN CLUB

    Del Conte's outreach has been impressive. Smart people sit back and observe before making any rash decisions and that's what CDC has been doing since the beginning of December, but we're reaching the point where we'll likely see his observations put into effect. As written in the past, we're going to see some reorganizing this summer and the magnitude will likely register on the national landscape.

    CDC also has plans to streamline the fan experience. @wethorn had a great post highlighting some of the things Del Conte is willing to state semi-publicly.

    One of CDC's priorities is addressing game day. Wet had a quote from Del Conte stating your experience at Disney begins in the parking lot. Del Conte certainly wants to improve the fan experience and part of that is lessening the corporate feel. Okay, so not exactly like Disney.

    The entire goal of game days will be to promote the school and program rather than corporate sponsors. Novel concept. That isn't to say all sponsors will be removed but an example: first downs won't be brought to you by anybody other than the Texas Longhorns. Chico’s Bail Bonds will have to find a different avenue.

    The weather might not be as big of a topic either if you're picking up what I'm putting down. Unless there's lightening, who cares besides your frizzy-haired girlfriend?

    In the past Texas had a couple of dozen people 'in charge' of the game day production. Del Conte has already done away with that and has one person calling the shots. Del Conte is apparently aware a camel is a horse drawn by a committee.

    You should see game day changes as soon as April 21st.

    From Wet's post you can tell Del Conte understands he's competing with the comforts of home. To that end he wants to improve vending which means he wants to improve food. His goal is cold beer, hot and good food, and championship football. I'd posit the beer is colder and the food better when the football is championship level, but you get the point. Del Conte is an everyman.

    He's entirely focused on the details. They're working on configuring ways to make the students a bigger thorn in the sides of opposing teams. [Insert your apathetic Texas student fan joke here]. This will also improve with championship football. Step 1 is to get them in place and that's being addressed.

    Here's another small detail that is very telling. Del Conte didn't like the fact the players had to walk by so many dumpsters on the way to the locker room on game days. He actually knew the number of how many and had them removed. While you're crafting your 'played like trash' joke, I'll mention this won't have a net effect on wins, it's just telling of how the man operates.

    Cigars I talk to are not the easiest to impress but they're in full swoon-mode over CDC. Said one, "they've had some wonderful people working to raise money in the past, but they never had people who would flat out ask you for money. You have to ask for money. They're doing that now." Del Conte makes light of asking for money but that's part of his schtick, and it works.

    Confidence is ultra high in the new Athletic Director. Said one, "he could get a cemetery moved if needed."

     

    • Like 1
  5. On 3/28/2018 at 7:00 PM, satyanash said:

    E.J. Holland: Highly touted OL Hayden Conner hoping for Texas offer

     

      Reveal hidden contents

    Hayden Conner is a member of the 2021 class, but he’s already a household name on the recruiting trail. The rising prospect out of Katy Taylor holds early offers from Kansas State, Miami, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Tulane and Wisconsin. Texas is starting to show interest in Conner and hosted him for its annual junior day weekend last month. “It was a good visit,” Conner said. “They said they want to get to know me more. They just want to build a relationship with me. They told me they want to get me back for a spring practice.” Conner added that his favorite part of the trip was spending time with new offensive line coach Herb Hand. “I got to know his backstory and kind of what he wanted to do recruiting wise,” Conner said. “He said he just wants to get to know me and build a relationship with me. He’s a good coach.”

    Conner and Hand did not talk about an offer, but the two will be keeping in close contact moving forward. So what would a scholarship from the Longhorns mean to Conner? “It would mean a lot to get a Texas offer,” Conner said. “It would be awesome to have offers from Texas and Texas A&M. I definitely love the education at Teas. That stands out the most.” Conner is looking to make a return trip to Texas at some point this spring. At 6-foot-6, 298 pounds, Conner is not ranked at this time.

     

    https://247sports.com/Player/Hayden-Conner-84649

    He's visiting next weekend.

  6. TFB Weekend Open Post - http://texas.thefootballbrainiacs.com/2018/03/open-post-weekend-march-30th-april-1st/

    – This past weekend, LongHorns 2019 RB target, Marcus Major visited Texas. Majors plan has been to make a decision this summer. His father mentioned early in the process that they would take some time and take some visits.

    The story line that has been intriguing to me on this front is that Major’s teammate, WR Demariyon Houston mentioned in a conversation with me that he had Marcus would like to play together. That is something that a lot of folks talk about, but it rarely materializes.

    I’m still working on speaking with Houston and Major following their Texas visit but I did speak with the head coach, Coach Franklin, over at Millwood.

    “I haven’t talked with them in detail about it (the trip to Texas) but they definitely enjoyed it”. I asked if, as players from Oklahoma a school like Texas is a bit off limits, “no, we’ve had kids from here go to Texas. In the end we tell these guys to choose the school that when it’s all said and done and football is over you can take care of your family. Where can you go and put yourself in a position to be able to take care of your family? Football doesn’t last forever”.

    I asked coach Franklin the idea of Major and Houston playing together and just how real of a possibility that is and how close the two are, “It’s definitely something they’d like to do. They’re like family. It’s not a best friend situations. It’s a brotherhood. They do everything together and they hold each other accountable in school and in football. They make each other better”.

    Again, we’ll work to get some notes from Marcus and Demariyon on where things go from here with their recruitment.

    -Brandon Drumm, from the OU side, was able to talk to Marcus Majors father who shared with him some of his sons thoughts after returning home from the visit.

    He said, “I didn’t get to go with him. but according to him, it was a nice campus and a competitive practice. Good visit”. Marcus also stopped by TCU.

    His father expects UT to be one of his five official visits, which they will be setting up soon. Marcus is looking to make a decsion in late July – early August. Definitely prior to his senior season. – (Super K)

    – Many of you will recall that one of the top 2019 DBs in the country, Lewis Cine, is a recent move in to the state of TX (via MA via FL).

    Cine had planned to visit Texas last month but a last minute conflict arose and the visit didn’t materialize.

    Lewis let me know that he was on his way on to Texas for an unofficial visit earlier today.

    I’ve spoken to Lewis at length and he openly admitted that Penn State is the team to beat, noting that his relationship with that staff is very strong. He also told me that for a team to really unseat Penn State they’ll need to build a solid relationship.

    Texas is the first regional unofficial visit he will be taking. Cine let me know that the reason for that is Texas has been recruiting him the hardest since he moved down here.

    Obviously to compete with Penn State, Texas is going to need to get Cine on campus as many times as possible. This is a good first step. – (Super K)

    A reminder that the LongHorns will be hosting a couple key visitors this weekend for unofficial visits:

     Branson Bragg will be on campus for Texas Relays. He told me he and his family will be making the trip over to visit Texas and their staff later this weekend. While his parents have already been to Texas with him before, this will be the first time for some other members of Bragg’s family to visit UT. – (Andrew)

     

    – Top 2019 DE/OLB, NaNa Osaf0-Mensah (Nolan Catholic) was originally planning to take an unofficial visit to Texas this past weekend but that did not materialize.

    He let me know that he has rescheduled and plans to visit Texas this upcoming weekend. – (Super K)

     

    – We also are hearing that Texas expects at least one or two visitiors who we are not able to discusss at this time,  due to the fact that they are currently committed elsewhere, and do not want that news floating around. – (Super K)

  7. 1 minute ago, HtownHorn said:

    Bunting would definitely allow Epps to RS and allow Brewer to potentially RS as he recovers from knee surgery. At least Brewer could work back at a slower pace to make sure he's 100% before playing. It would also give Texas cover in case Beck gets injured again, would also mean Cummins could take the year to learn the position without worrying about him being needed unless catastrophe hits the position.

    Hines would be a huge get as well, as luck would have it, Texas currently has 2 open scholarships to give out.

    I bet we have several more than 2 when it's all said and done.

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