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Zhorn96

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Posts posted by Zhorn96

  1. 6 minutes ago, Getafix said:

     

    Mike at Night: Notes from the road on Texas targets and rising prospects

     

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    Mike at Night: Notes from the road on Texas targets and rising prospects

    MikeRoach
     

    — Texas has been on 2022 Allen offensive lineman Neto Umeozulu since the new staff arrived in Austin. While he's definitely feeling the love from Texas, the big man is still pretty wide open with everything. In talking to him today, he said he's hearing from a few Texas commits trying to get him to join them in Austin, but he wants to take his time with the process. Visits are going to be a big component, and he wants to take those visits when he can meet with the coaches. That said, Umeozulu said he might take a self-guided trip to a few in-state schools including Baylor and Texas. The Longhorns have the right blend of athletics and academics to win out in this one, but it will be a tough battle.

    — We still hear Texas is in a good spot for elite 2022 safety Bryce Anderson, but they are starting to see some unexpected competition. While Texas A&M has been thought of as the primary competition, but Michigan seems to be lying in the weeds. A big reason for that is the presence of new defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist. Texas A&M was an early competitor for Anderson during his high school career and Linguist was a big reason why. Linguist was known as a top recruiter when he was at Texas A&M landing some stellar defensive back classes, and I'm hearing some growing optimism in Michigan establishing itself as a major contender. Linguist had a Zoom call with Anderson tonight and it sounds like the Longhorns will have to fight off another suitor.

    — While out on the road this week, I've found some underclassmen I'm a big fan of. Texas has yet to issue a 2024 offer, but one kid I've been impressed by is McKinney athlete Xavier Filsaime. He moved from Florida to Texas a few years ago and has the length and speed to be a difference-maker on offense or defense. As of now, he's the first 2024 kid I'd put a stamp of approval on, but I want to share more young names as I get around and see these programs workout.

    — I've been alluding to it a bit, but the commitment of Cade Klubnik to Clemson means the Tigers are in a great position for Spearman (Texas) athlete Brenen Thompson. Texas has been working hard on him, but he and Klubnik have been talking about playing at the next level. Before business picked up with Maalik Murphy, the two discussed playing together at Texas which gave the Longhorns some optimism. Still, Texas has an elite speed threat in the committed class with Evan Stewart and they are still chasing some dynamic athletes on offense.

     

     

    Jabba the Roach speaks

  2. 19 minutes ago, LebongJames said:

    These 9.95ers are pretty good at rankings but with no fall Cali football season, there are probably a ton of misses on the OL and DL. 
     

    Until Campbell, Banks, Dewberry commit, they need to be all over OL and DL out west.

    True but the West doesn't produce many top end DL in general, especially Tackles.  OL is different but so far, there doesn't seem to be a ton of top end OL talent in CA this year.  Going to be really tough to project some of these guys too with limited to no season.

  3. 11 minutes ago, Machinator said:

    (Scipio Tex) Longhorn Recruiting: Meanwhile, out West....

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    What news of the West? It's time for an update on Western recruiting opportunities.

    The ground is still fertile, in-state schools are still vulnerable, and Austin still represents the happiest compromise of Western cool and Southern football passion available. A generous abundance of easy direct flights to every meaningful Western satellite doesn't hurt either.

    I've detailed the opportunities before.

    For Texas, the easiest wins for elite talent are still out West. Overlay a map of competition vs athlete quality and It's not a hard decision.

    So how did the Western recruiting landscape shake out in 2021?

    2021 California Top 30 Commitments By Program

    USC - 11
    Oregon- 5
    Cal- 3
    Utah- 2
    Michigan- 2
    UCLA- 1
    Notre Dame- 1
    Clemson-1
    Georgia-1
    Texas- 1
    Arizona State-1
    San Diego St- 1

    USC recruiting rallied in a big way. They landed 11 of the Top 30 recruits in California and 5 of the Top 11. In other words, they successfully placed a shotgun in a barrel of fish and pulled the trigger. A meaningful rebound from a disastrous 2020 Trojan class which saw them land only 2 of the California Top 30.

    What explains the turnaround? What changed on their staff? It can only be one thing...

    ORRR-LAAAANNNNN-DOOOOO! I was told by experts like @Eric Nahlin and @Gerry Hamilton that Todd Orlando wasn’t a difference making recruiter! You may apologize here, gentlemen. In honor of Todd, send that apology on a telegraphed delay from the parking lot.

    Oregon continues to harvest California, landing 5 of the Top 30 in ’21 after landing 4 of the Top 30 in ’20. Oregon also did a very good job of poaching the elites in Western satellites like Phoenix, Vegas, and Denver.

    Cal did a really respectable job recruiting given their considerable constraints. Constraints like a Cal administration and town actively at war with their football program, not allowing them to work out, meet, or practice. Justin Wilcox out there squeezing a dollar from two dimes in Berkeley.

    San Diego State landed a guy because they walked him by the Chi Omega house on Bikini Friday.

    Those absent from this list is as telling as those present.

    2021 National Recruiting Rankings (PAC relevant)

    Oregon- #6
    USC- #8
    Cal- #28
    UCLA- #30
    Utah- #31
    Washington- #35
    Stanford- #50
    Arizona State - #53

    Arizona State suffered badly from USC’s SoCal resurgence and the work habits of their staff. Herm Edwards signed a 13 man class, was nearly shut out of California after feasting there in ’20 (the Sun Devils signed 6 of the Top 30 in Cali last year), and will be relying heavily on the portal to make up for their failure. You reeeeee-cruit….to win…the game.

    David Shaw is on the recruiting ropes at Stanford. A one year blip or a real decline mirroring on-field results? Cal, USC, Michigan, and Notre Dame are beating them for Their Kinda Guys and when Stanford's already narrow recruiting list gets winnowed down, they end up with a 2021 national recruiting class ranked behind Vanderbilt, Memphis, Rutgers, and Cincinnati. Stanford hasn't been the thorn in the Longhorn side that Ohio State, LSU, or Alabama have been, but they've dealt Texas some real blows over the last few years in the Longhorn's backyard. As the athlete portion of the Stanford student-athlete sell diminishes, Texas should eat Stanford's organic, sustainably harvested lunch in both Texas and California.

    Washington signed 4 of the California Top 25 last year. In 2021? Blanked. And now their best "I'll develop you to the league" guy is in Austin.

    Side note: Big 12 apologists (some of you odd birds still exist) should note that the PAC 12 still out recruited our league despite their half-assed football season, horrific leadership, frequently hostile local governments, and half of their schools having a commitment to football as tenuous as my pledge to eliminate tortilla chips from my diet. Demographics, television sets, and potential still trump ineptitude.

    Raising Arizona

    Arizona is the best proxy for the other Western satellite states and it continues to steadily churn out real talent.

    I explained the newly realized importance of Arizona couple of years ago.

    In fact, I wrote that post long before Texas inked superstar freshman Bijan Robinson. There’s a powerful rumor going around that my post is what inspired Stan Drayton to recruit and land Bijan Robinson.

    Now, I started that rumor, but let's now dwell on that. The important takeaway is that I'm probably responsible for Bijan.

    Here’s all you need to know about the state of Arizona and in-state "competition."

    In 2019, Arizona and Arizona State signed zero of the Top 10 players in Arizona.

    In 2020, Arizona and Arizona State signed zero of the Top 10 players in Arizona.

    In 2021, Arizona and Arizona State signed zero of the Top 10 players in Arizona.

    In 2022, early returns show zero of the Top 10 players in Arizona committing in-state.

    If anyone can identify the trend, help me out.

    These players are going to Oregon, USC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas. Arizona HS talent is more mercenary than a 18th century Hessian. And they're all a two hour direct flight away from Austin. You'll note very similar top talent trends in Colorado and Nevada.

    Bottom line:

    Western recruiting conditions remain extremely favorable. It’s all there for the taking.

    Given Sarkisian's California roots, high profile success, and local-boy-done-good credentials, as well as some of his staff's familiarity with the region, it's a good bet that Texas will renew its recruiting efforts out West.

     

    The difference this year in CA though is that outside of the top 10 or 12, there isn't anyone Texas would want IMO that they couldn't pull an equivalent or better from Texas.  And look at the positions represented there.  Domani Jackson is locked in at SC.  Texas doesn't need RBs or DBs from CA, probably doesn't need OL from there,  so its down to WR (maybe? Seems like we're locked in for a monster haul from Texas this year) or LBs.  They got Murphy and that might be it unless they can pull Williams.  I'll believe MacMillan in burnt orange when I see it.  He's got Notre Dame, 'furd or SC written all over him.  I dont think we'll pull Tuihalamaka and who knows what is going on with David Bailey.

    So I just don't see Texas getting much more from California this year.  He's right about AZ though.  I don't know what ASU or Zona is doing in that state but they don't get ANY of the best players from there.  Like EVER.  And the talent base and quality of football is exploding there.

  4. 12 minutes ago, ztejas said:

    San Marcos isn't the issue. San Marcos is a great college town. Texas State's football program and history is the issue. 

    My daughter just graduated from there.  Its an ok college town but the campus has almost zero engagement with the football team.  There's no juice there...that's all I meant

  5. 52 minutes ago, 956 Worldwide said:

    I could see it if he is aiming to win a couple years right now and do not care what tire fire you’re leaving behind, but it’s really not going to be helpful for that roster. Especially because, let’s face it— the cream of the transfer crop is not going there.  It’s kicking problems down the road. I’d be having a hard talk with Spav if I were that AD. 

    Fair take... it’s a strategy and maybe he thinks it was the best tasting shit sandwich this year.  It’s not like he’s a bad recruiter though and if Peeler is still there, that guy can pull dudes but San Marcos isn’t exactly compelling for most recruits

  6. 6 hours ago, 956 Worldwide said:

    Lulz, that’s not a strategy, that’s rank desperation and trying to keep the heat off of you. The line that matters:

     

    The “evaluations” justification farther down is absurd. Every other staff in the country figured out how to do this but not you? Or you’re just playing 4D chess, Spav, and that much smarter? 
     

    He may be a fine person but nothing in Spavital’s coordination or HC record indicates that he is a next level brain genius.

    Eh, I think it makes some sense for this year.  It’s not long term sustainable but if his roster is really 70% underclassmen and he has a chance to get some older players who don’t have to sit, it could balance his classes better.  Sounds like they went ofer on the guys they offered so rather than reach on fringe guys, take the more known guys and see what happens

  7. 7 hours ago, UDontKnow said:

    Spavital's JC/GT strategy is not sustainable. JC/GTs are looking for immediate playing time. Sure he could theoretically get all GTs that are 1 year revolving doors. But how does he build any sort of depth? I hope for Texas State's sake, his next recruiting class is more balanced. 

    He isn’t planning on doing it long term.  70% of his roster is underclassmen, so taking older transfers potentially balances it out a bit.  It actually makes sense for them this year.  No chance to do deeper dive evals  plus free transfers for everyone, already young roster... makes sense to me

  8. 9 hours ago, texifornia said:

    He got benched for a grad transfer from BC, Anthony Brown. Guess he didn't think he'd unseat Brown, and didn't want to wait through the year Brown has left to try again.

    He got recruited over.  Ty Thompson is going to be a monster and so looking at 3rd string, he graduated in 3 years and has 3 years to play elsewhere.  He’s a low P5/ high G5 starting QB IMO.  Solid but nothing special 

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  9. Sour grapes coming from a UCLA fan is the least surprising thing ever.  Their fan base is the biggest bunch of whiny bitches on the west coast.  Somehow think their Wooden era basketball cheating glory makes them relevant in football.

    And Chuck Muncie should’ve curb stomped Archie Griffin in Griffins 2nd win.  Muncie was an absolute fuck beast that year.  Totally dominant.

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