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Texas Recruiting Notes 2020


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16 minutes ago, Newy25 said:

Even if Princely signs with Texas, how confident are any of you that he will still be on the roster in 18-24 months? 

TBH, I don't care too much. He's a take today, and not really preventing them from taking anyone else. 

 

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Take as many talented linemen as possible every cycle.  Those positions performing at a high level make the rest of the players look better than they actually may be.  There are a ton of highly skilled WR's in this state.  Baylor proved that under Briles.  Hell, I'd even be for getting lower rated athletic jumbo backs and converting them to linemen.  Whaley and Melton both performed at a high level on the line and Jerry Hughes is still playing in the NFL at DE.

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3 minutes ago, irishtexan said:

He's this year's Javonne Shephard. 

This is irresponsible bullshit. 

Princely is a good prospect and could be a meaningful contributor in year 3 or 4. For me, that's probably his ceiling. Off the field, he's being judged by his twitter interactions and decommitment, neither of which warrant being called "this years Javonne Shephard" for fucks sake. 

Is Princely a portal risk? Maybe. Is he a risk to drop a 0.0 and negative recruit prospects? I would ask you to show me that evidence, because I haven't seen it. 

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I don't give one fuck if somebody is a perceived transfer risk. They're all a transfer risk. Do you think a player could be a cancer? If so, I care about that. Shepherd can happily go fuck himself and wind up hanging out on his momma's front porch in North Forest sipping lean and eating cheetos for the next 40 years in obscurity. I say that not because he transferred, but because he proved himself to be an unworthy piece of shit while on campus. So fuck off.

Is that what people think Umanlymannishman is as a comp? I don't. That's lazy thinking. I don't see a ton of similarities. Umanly doesn't seem to have a handler, he isn't constantly sending mixed signals, and he doesn't seem like a complete turd. Maybe he does have character issues, as referenced earlier, but his current behavior isn't an example of that. He looks like a guy trying to convince himself to actually come to Texas versus the opposite of that. Makes sense to me. 

Anyone flatly worrying about him as a take should take up a new hobby, like becoming a Brony or something, because maybe this whole recruiting thing isn't for you. Umanlymannishmahanistaman has a higher likelihood of being a productive player at a key position than flaming out. 

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Just now, Ricky's one-hitter said:

Princely is a good prospect and could be a meaningful contributor in year 3 or 4. For me, that's probably his ceiling. Off the field, he's being judged by his twitter interactions and decommitment, neither of which warrant being called "this years Javonne Shephard" for fucks sake. 

Right.  More of a Jordan Elliot scenario, and that actually worked out well for us in the long run.

[Holds two fingers to ear]

Actually, breaking news, but I'm just now receiving word that Jordan Elliot never contributed shit to Texas during his time on campus.

Back to you, Roger.

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2 minutes ago, Ricky's one-hitter said:

This is irresponsible bullshit. 

Princely is a good prospect and could be a meaningful contributor in year 3 or 4. For me, that's probably his ceiling. Off the field, he's being judged by his twitter interactions and decommitment, neither of which warrant being called "this years Javonne Shephard" for fucks sake. 

Is Princely a portal risk? Maybe. Is he a risk to drop a 0.0 and negative recruit prospects? I would ask you to show me that evidence, because I haven't seen it. 

I heard Princely described as "the Joseph Kony of Manor, Texas"

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2 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

I don't give one fuck if somebody is a perceived transfer risk. They're all a transfer risk. Do you think a player could be a cancer? If so, I care about that. Shepherd can happily go fuck himself and wind up hanging out on his momma's front porch in North Forest sipping lean and eating cheetos for the next 40 years in obscurity. I say that not because he transferred, but because he proved himself to be an unworthy piece of shit while on campus. So fuck off.

Is that what people think Umanlymannishman is as a comp? I don't. That's lazy thinking. I don't see a ton of similarities. Umanly doesn't seem to have a handler, he isn't constantly sending mixed signals, and he doesn't seem like a complete turd. Maybe he does have character issues, as referenced earlier, but his current behavior isn't an example of that. He looks like a guy trying to convince himself to actually come to Texas versus the opposite of that. Makes sense to me. 

Anyone flatly worrying about him as a take should take up a new hobby, like becoming a Brony or something, because maybe this whole recruiting thing isn't for you. Umanlymannishmahanistaman has a higher likelihood of being a productive player at a key position than flaming out. 

The comparisons to Shepherd are unwarranted for sure. He has not shown any kind of trait that would suggest he would punch a coach or simply not go to class.  But this guy has a certain flakiness to him that makes his transfer risk high. 

He's certainly a take its just my reaction to his signing or not signing is going to be like, whatever dude. You do you. if he signs and becomes productive I will obviously be delighted. 

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5 minutes ago, Ricky's one-hitter said:

This is irresponsible bullshit. 

Princely is a good prospect and could be a meaningful contributor in year 3 or 4. For me, that's probably his ceiling. Off the field, he's being judged by his twitter interactions and decommitment, neither of which warrant being called "this years Javonne Shephard" for fucks sake. 

Is Princely a portal risk? Maybe. Is he a risk to drop a 0.0 and negative recruit prospects? I would ask you to show me that evidence, because I haven't seen it. 

I sincerely apologize for insulting your astute recruiting sensibilities, good sir! How foolish of me to be irresponsible on a recruiting message board!

I only meant that taking PU was similar to the risk/reward proposition last year in that he's talented, we know the risks, but if he wants to come here it's not at the expense of someone else. PU seems more confused than diva, which was what JS was. 

Regardless, maybe relax a little bit.

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Bobby Burton: Thursday

With the final 247Sports rankings released this week, it's an appropriate time to look at those rankings and kind of digest them. For the sake of the Longhorns' class, I'm going to go over the top 20 players from the state of Texas.

1. LB-ATH, Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan - Texas offered early but never really had much of a shot. He initially committed to Oklahoma before flipping his pledge to Alabama. One thing to watch here in the future is his injury history. He's had some minor knee and shoulder issues and reportedly a couple of consussions as well. That's a lot of wear and tear on a young athlete.

2. WR, Jaxon Smith-Ngigba, Rockwall - Texas was slow to the race and it cost the Horns any real shot, even later in the game after he had strted to reconsider his options. In the end, he had a standout senior season and stuck with Ohio State all the way through. I don't see him as the state's no. 2 prospect but more of a top 10 player. He reminds me of a more explosive Travis Wilson, who was from the Metroplex, played at OU and was eventually a third-round NFL pick.

3. DB, Jaylon Jones, Cibolo Steele - head-to-head loss to A&M for Texas. Hard to believe when Caden Sterns had just had a freshman All-American season and came from the same high school, that Jones would opt to sign with A&M. This recruiting loss was a big one for former corner coach Jason Washington, who just did not do a great job getting his first priorities in much of this class.

4. WR, Demond Demas, Tomball - explosive playmaker who had a somewhat tumultuous off-field career, with his transfer as a senior being denied by the UIL. But he is a tremendous athlete, certainly one of the nation's best. Texas wanted him, but the Aggies out-recruited them.

5. DL, Alfred Collins, Bastrop Cedar Creek - Texas cannot afford to let Collins go elsewhere. The previous two seasons, the Horns got beat badly by A&M for the state's top two DLs in Bobby Brown of Arlington Lamar and De'Marvin Leal of Converse Judson. Collins, a Texas legacy, is down to the Horns, Alabama and Oklahoma and will announce on signing day.

6. RB, Zach Evans, Houston North Shore - one of the best RB prospects to come through Texas this decade. He ha a combo of speed, size, vision and athleticism that is just rare. But off-field issues are clearly serious, otherwise multiple elite programs wouldn't have stopped recruiting him, namely Alabama and Georgia who have not exactly recruited choir boys traditionally.

7. QB-ATH, Ja'Quinden Jackson, Duncanville - I have not seen anyone more closely resemble VY from the state of Texas as a high school QB than Jackson. First and foremost, VY was an elite runner and leader of his team in high school. When there was a key play to be made in a crucial situation, VY made it. Jackson is/was the exact same. However, VY progressed more as a passer as a senior than Jackson, even though I think Jackson has a more lively arm than VY. Frankly, the talent surrounding Jackson was so good the past two years that he wasn't asked to produce the way VY was. Will that lack of development as a passer push him to another position in college, put him too far behind someone like Hudson Card too early in the process, or is this something he can overcome because Jackson's such an outrageously talented athlete? Make no mistake, this is a high-level alpha athlete. The knee injury could put him further behind in QB development but it's just too early to make that sort of judgement.

8. WR-ATH, Devon Achane, Fort Bend Marshall - Texas offered but never really got into the race. Headed to A&M. I love this guy as a player. Pound for pound, I think he's the best player in the state this year. I see him somewhat similar to Jaylen Waddle at Alabama, except he's a little stouter as a runner and perhaps not quite the blur Waddle is. Yet he is still NFL fast. If he can prove to be a natural pass receiver, which I am told he really could be, then the size could be less important and he could be someone in the way of Santana Moss. As one veteran Houston area high school coach told me, "he's the best offensive player from our area (of Houston) since (CeeDee) Lamb)."

9. OL, Nate Anderson, Frisco Reedy - Relatively unknown prior to becoming the offensive line darling of the camp circuit this spring and summer. Athleticism is very good, size is legit, but he is a better prospect than player at this point. He'll be a high ceiling developmental prospect for OU. Like most young OL his size, he simply was not tested all season from a physical standpoint in the trenches but he looks really good pulling and on stretch plays, not as much in pass protection, at least for right now.

10. QB, Hudson Card, Lake Travis - if a QB's primary job is to read defenses and quickly distribute the ball to others, then you simply don't get much better than Card. Add to it that he's a plus-athlete, a former wide receiver even, and you've got a smooth operator. Does not have elite arm strength and has been dinged for that. But I'm not sure another QB in the country sees the field as well at times, and that includes the ones at the very top of the national lists. He has a somewhat slight build which could mean he has durability issues long-term but we shall see. I think the Horns got a good one.

11. DB, Jalen Kimber, Mansfield Timberview - Texas wanted him but he opted pretty early to head out of state, signing with Georgia. Another miss in the secondary.

12. TE-ATH, Jalin Conyers, Gruver - Signed with OU as a TE. Texas and several other major schools offered. High-level athlete for the position.

13. RB, Jase McClellan, Aledo - Originally committed to OU, then signed with Alabama. Tinkered with the idea of re-opening his recruitment and Texas was involved but the Horns' up-and-down season didn't help matters. Speed back with size and doesn't shy from contact. Not sure his vision is elite, but everything else certainly is.

14. QB, Malik Hornsby, Fort Bend Marshall - un-committed QB who looks better in camp and practice settings than he does in most games. He has athleticism, arm talent and legit quickness and size. He's a developmental QB with upside, not at all unlike the Aggies' Kellen Mond was, but I think Mond's toolset was a little more enticing overall. With Jackson and Card identified early, the Horns never offered Hornsby.

15. WR, Loic Founji, Midland Lee - headed to Texas Tech, Founji literally did everything for his team, including handling the punting chores. Texas opted not to go after him hard, instead focusing on players 247Sports actually ranks lower, like Quentin Johnston, Troy Omeire and Dajon Harrison. We'll probably see in a couple of years who got it right.

16. QB, Haynes King, Longview - Texas did not offer, focusing instead on Jackson and Card. King lit it up on the camp circuit after being stellar in a state championship run as a junior where he utilized his athleticism as much as his right arm. As a senior, he tried to throw it and stay in the pocket too much for my liking. But this is an elite three-sport athlete who is a coach's son. Let's see what Jimbo Fisher can get out of him because the God-given ability is there. As an aside, it's also interesting that LSU neglected to offer King a scholarship. King was considered a lock for the Tigers had they offered. They may come back to rue that decision.

17. WR, Quentin Johnston, Temple - long committed to Texas, Johnston bailed for TCU during the early signing period when the Horns couldn't decide on an offensive coordinator. TCU's receiver coach Malcolm Kelly did an excellent job of recruiting him while Tom Herman couldn't provide any answers. Of all the players in the state, Johnston has as high of upside as any of them. Maybe the highest of all of them. He is that physically gifted. He is explosive, athletic and I really like his progression as a route runner from last year to this one. I don't know if he'll ever max out his ability, but this is a guy I would have rated in the top five in the state without question. Still he's more prospect than player at this point.

18. DB-ATH, Jahari Rogers, Arlington - Texas offered early and was thought to be in leading contention before Rogers decided on Florida in summer. I love this guy as a player. He's a high school QB who just seems to get it. Plus athleticism, plus ball skills. Good size for a corner or nickel, could even be a safety if called upon there. I see this as anothe miss in the secondary.

19. LB, Prince Dorbah, Highland Park - Take his top five plays and put them up against any pass rusher in the country. That's what he can do. But he's not super-sized, even though he has long arms. He'll likely be asked to playoff the ball in college unless he somehow ends up strictly as a pass rush specialist. Chose Texas over virtually every other school in the country.

20. DB, Jahdae Barron, Pflugerville Connally - Texas was likely going to try to recruit Barron in the winter period but he surprisingly signed with the Bears in the early period. Despite only being 5-10, he has good length, very good speed and can be physical when called upon. Some may question him being ranked this high, but I think it's more likely there aren't enough DBs in the top 20 as it is.

**

Some notes...

- The Texas staff clearly didn't agree with the 247Sports rankings of wide receivers. The Horns did not prioritize Founji and focused heavily on Troy Omeire, taking him away from A&M.

- On the other hand, the Texas staff seemed to be in complete agreement with the rating of the top two QBs, even if the order of them is uncertain. Texas offered just Card and Jackson and got them both.

- Of the players outside the top 20 with Texas interest, I think Princely Umamielen and Kitan Crawford should have been among that group. I think Xavian Alford would have too, had he not missed his opportunity to prove his value because of injury as a senior.

- I also think Seth McGowan and Marvin Mims, a RB and WR, respectively, probably belong in that top 20 somewhere. Both are headed to OU. I also love Josh White, the Cy Creek linebacker who is a tackling machine and headed to LSU. But I get why he wasn't ranked highly. He's a 6-foot, 200-pound middle linebacker so his upside may not be what they were looking for.

- I felt like Texas missed out on some key DBs this year, especially the corners. Perhaps they put too much emphasis into Kelee Ringo and that put them behind on other options in state, or maybe they just didn't connect with the in-state guys. Rogers, Jones and Kimber were all players the Horns wanted and would likely slot as eventual starters.

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Just now, HtownHorn said:

Princely also had a valid concern with the direction of the defense when he was a commit. Decommitting because your concerns are being played out on a weekly basis doesn't mean he's a portal risk 18-24 months into his college career.

This is also a big thing for me. Not just with UT, but Baylor etc..., you see his decisions to back off being rooted in at least some sort of logic.

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2 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Princely also had a valid concern with the direction of the defense when he was a commit. Decommitting because your concerns are being played out on a weekly basis doesn't mean he's a portal risk 18-24 months into his college career.

That's hardly the only data point that suggests the transfer risk is higher than a normal prospect. 

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1 minute ago, irishtexan said:

I sincerely apologize for insulting your astute recruiting sensibilities, good sir! How foolish of me to be irresponsible on a recruiting message board!

I only meant that taking PU was similar to the risk/reward proposition last year in that he's talented, we know the risks, but if he wants to come here it's not at the expense of someone else. PU seems more confused than diva, which was what JS was. 

Regardless, maybe relax a little bit.

Javonne Shepherd = Princely Umanmielen is a lazy take not rooted in reality and I'm tired of seeing it parroted everywhere. That is all.

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5 minutes ago, satyanash said:

Bobby Burton: Thursday

 

  Hide contents

With the final 247Sports rankings released this week, it's an appropriate time to look at those rankings and kind of digest them. For the sake of the Longhorns' class, I'm going to go over the top 20 players from the state of Texas.

1. LB-ATH, Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan - Texas offered early but never really had much of a shot. He initially committed to Oklahoma before flipping his pledge to Alabama. One thing to watch here in the future is his injury history. He's had some minor knee and shoulder issues and reportedly a couple of consussions as well. That's a lot of wear and tear on a young athlete.

2. WR, Jaxon Smith-Ngigba, Rockwall - Texas was slow to the race and it cost the Horns any real shot, even later in the game after he had strted to reconsider his options. In the end, he had a standout senior season and stuck with Ohio State all the way through. I don't see him as the state's no. 2 prospect but more of a top 10 player. He reminds me of a more explosive Travis Wilson, who was from the Metroplex, played at OU and was eventually a third-round NFL pick.

3. DB, Jaylon Jones, Cibolo Steele - head-to-head loss to A&M for Texas. Hard to believe when Caden Sterns had just had a freshman All-American season and came from the same high school, that Jones would opt to sign with A&M. This recruiting loss was a big one for former corner coach Jason Washington, who just did not do a great job getting his first priorities in much of this class.

4. WR, Demond Demas, Tomball - explosive playmaker who had a somewhat tumultuous off-field career, with his transfer as a senior being denied by the UIL. But he is a tremendous athlete, certainly one of the nation's best. Texas wanted him, but the Aggies out-recruited them.

5. DL, Alfred Collins, Bastrop Cedar Creek - Texas cannot afford to let Collins go elsewhere. The previous two seasons, the Horns got beat badly by A&M for the state's top two DLs in Bobby Brown of Arlington Lamar and De'Marvin Leal of Converse Judson. Collins, a Texas legacy, is down to the Horns, Alabama and Oklahoma and will announce on signing day.

6. RB, Zach Evans, Houston North Shore - one of the best RB prospects to come through Texas this decade. He ha a combo of speed, size, vision and athleticism that is just rare. But off-field issues are clearly serious, otherwise multiple elite programs wouldn't have stopped recruiting him, namely Alabama and Georgia who have not exactly recruited choir boys traditionally.

7. QB-ATH, Ja'Quinden Jackson, Duncanville - I have not seen anyone more closely resemble VY from the state of Texas as a high school QB than Jackson. First and foremost, VY was an elite runner and leader of his team in high school. When there was a key play to be made in a crucial situation, VY made it. Jackson is/was the exact same. However, VY progressed more as a passer as a senior than Jackson, even though I think Jackson has a more lively arm than VY. Frankly, the talent surrounding Jackson was so good the past two years that he wasn't asked to produce the way VY was. Will that lack of development as a passer push him to another position in college, put him too far behind someone like Hudson Card too early in the process, or is this something he can overcome because Jackson's such an outrageously talented athlete? Make no mistake, this is a high-level alpha athlete. The knee injury could put him further behind in QB development but it's just too early to make that sort of judgement.

8. WR-ATH, Devon Achane, Fort Bend Marshall - Texas offered but never really got into the race. Headed to A&M. I love this guy as a player. Pound for pound, I think he's the best player in the state this year. I see him somewhat similar to Jaylen Waddle at Alabama, except he's a little stouter as a runner and perhaps not quite the blur Waddle is. Yet he is still NFL fast. If he can prove to be a natural pass receiver, which I am told he really could be, then the size could be less important and he could be someone in the way of Santana Moss. As one veteran Houston area high school coach told me, "he's the best offensive player from our area (of Houston) since (CeeDee) Lamb)."

9. OL, Nate Anderson, Frisco Reedy - Relatively unknown prior to becoming the offensive line darling of the camp circuit this spring and summer. Athleticism is very good, size is legit, but he is a better prospect than player at this point. He'll be a high ceiling developmental prospect for OU. Like most young OL his size, he simply was not tested all season from a physical standpoint in the trenches but he looks really good pulling and on stretch plays, not as much in pass protection, at least for right now.

10. QB, Hudson Card, Lake Travis - if a QB's primary job is to read defenses and quickly distribute the ball to others, then you simply don't get much better than Card. Add to it that he's a plus-athlete, a former wide receiver even, and you've got a smooth operator. Does not have elite arm strength and has been dinged for that. But I'm not sure another QB in the country sees the field as well at times, and that includes the ones at the very top of the national lists. He has a somewhat slight build which could mean he has durability issues long-term but we shall see. I think the Horns got a good one.

11. DB, Jalen Kimber, Mansfield Timberview - Texas wanted him but he opted pretty early to head out of state, signing with Georgia. Another miss in the secondary.

12. TE-ATH, Jalin Conyers, Gruver - Signed with OU as a TE. Texas and several other major schools offered. High-level athlete for the position.

13. RB, Jase McClellan, Aledo - Originally committed to OU, then signed with Alabama. Tinkered with the idea of re-opening his recruitment and Texas was involved but the Horns' up-and-down season didn't help matters. Speed back with size and doesn't shy from contact. Not sure his vision is elite, but everything else certainly is.

14. QB, Malik Hornsby, Fort Bend Marshall - un-committed QB who looks better in camp and practice settings than he does in most games. He has athleticism, arm talent and legit quickness and size. He's a developmental QB with upside, not at all unlike the Aggies' Kellen Mond was, but I think Mond's toolset was a little more enticing overall. With Jackson and Card identified early, the Horns never offered Hornsby.

15. WR, Loic Founji, Midland Lee - headed to Texas Tech, Founji literally did everything for his team, including handling the punting chores. Texas opted not to go after him hard, instead focusing on players 247Sports actually ranks lower, like Quentin Johnston, Troy Omeire and Dajon Harrison. We'll probably see in a couple of years who got it right.

16. QB, Haynes King, Longview - Texas did not offer, focusing instead on Jackson and Card. King lit it up on the camp circuit after being stellar in a state championship run as a junior where he utilized his athleticism as much as his right arm. As a senior, he tried to throw it and stay in the pocket too much for my liking. But this is an elite three-sport athlete who is a coach's son. Let's see what Jimbo Fisher can get out of him because the God-given ability is there. As an aside, it's also interesting that LSU neglected to offer King a scholarship. King was considered a lock for the Tigers had they offered. They may come back to rue that decision.

17. WR, Quentin Johnston, Temple - long committed to Texas, Johnston bailed for TCU during the early signing period when the Horns couldn't decide on an offensive coordinator. TCU's receiver coach Malcolm Kelly did an excellent job of recruiting him while Tom Herman couldn't provide any answers. Of all the players in the state, Johnston has as high of upside as any of them. Maybe the highest of all of them. He is that physically gifted. He is explosive, athletic and I really like his progression as a route runner from last year to this one. I don't know if he'll ever max out his ability, but this is a guy I would have rated in the top five in the state without question. Still he's more prospect than player at this point.

18. DB-ATH, Jahari Rogers, Arlington - Texas offered early and was thought to be in leading contention before Rogers decided on Florida in summer. I love this guy as a player. He's a high school QB who just seems to get it. Plus athleticism, plus ball skills. Good size for a corner or nickel, could even be a safety if called upon there. I see this as anothe miss in the secondary.

19. LB, Prince Dorbah, Highland Park - Take his top five plays and put them up against any pass rusher in the country. That's what he can do. But he's not super-sized, even though he has long arms. He'll likely be asked to playoff the ball in college unless he somehow ends up strictly as a pass rush specialist. Chose Texas over virtually every other school in the country.

20. DB, Jahdae Barron, Pflugerville Connally - Texas was likely going to try to recruit Barron in the winter period but he surprisingly signed with the Bears in the early period. Despite only being 5-10, he has good length, very good speed and can be physical when called upon. Some may question him being ranked this high, but I think it's more likely there aren't enough DBs in the top 20 as it is.

**

Some notes...

- The Texas staff clearly didn't agree with the 247Sports rankings of wide receivers. The Horns did not prioritize Founji and focused heavily on Troy Omeire, taking him away from A&M.

- On the other hand, the Texas staff seemed to be in complete agreement with the rating of the top two QBs, even if the order of them is uncertain. Texas offered just Card and Jackson and got them both.

- Of the players outside the top 20 with Texas interest, I think Princely Umamielen and Kitan Crawford should have been among that group. I think Xavian Alford would have too, had he not missed his opportunity to prove his value because of injury as a senior.

- I also think Seth McGowan and Marvin Mims, a RB and WR, respectively, probably belong in that top 20 somewhere. Both are headed to OU. I also love Josh White, the Cy Creek linebacker who is a tackling machine and headed to LSU. But I get why he wasn't ranked highly. He's a 6-foot, 200-pound middle linebacker so his upside may not be what they were looking for.

- I felt like Texas missed out on some key DBs this year, especially the corners. Perhaps they put too much emphasis into Kelee Ringo and that put them behind on other options in state, or maybe they just didn't connect with the in-state guys. Rogers, Jones and Kimber were all players the Horns wanted and would likely slot as eventual starters.

 

Jesus, Burton. He says we missed on Bobby Brown when he’s supposed to be an expert in the recruiting business. That’s BON-levels of cluelessness. 
 

He also says Card lacks arm strength when I believe he had the highest or second highest velocity on his throws at the elite 11. 
 

Washingtkn struck out hard at CB before the season even went south. I was extremely high on Rogers. His natural athleticism is off the charts. He’s like a more gifted version of all those DBs Patterson turns into NFL draft picks. 

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7 minutes ago, satyanash said:

Bobby Burton: Thursday

 

  Reveal hidden contents

With the final 247Sports rankings released this week, it's an appropriate time to look at those rankings and kind of digest them. For the sake of the Longhorns' class, I'm going to go over the top 20 players from the state of Texas.

1. LB-ATH, Drew Sanders, Denton Ryan - Texas offered early but never really had much of a shot. He initially committed to Oklahoma before flipping his pledge to Alabama. One thing to watch here in the future is his injury history. He's had some minor knee and shoulder issues and reportedly a couple of consussions as well. That's a lot of wear and tear on a young athlete.

2. WR, Jaxon Smith-Ngigba, Rockwall - Texas was slow to the race and it cost the Horns any real shot, even later in the game after he had strted to reconsider his options. In the end, he had a standout senior season and stuck with Ohio State all the way through. I don't see him as the state's no. 2 prospect but more of a top 10 player. He reminds me of a more explosive Travis Wilson, who was from the Metroplex, played at OU and was eventually a third-round NFL pick.

3. DB, Jaylon Jones, Cibolo Steele - head-to-head loss to A&M for Texas. Hard to believe when Caden Sterns had just had a freshman All-American season and came from the same high school, that Jones would opt to sign with A&M. This recruiting loss was a big one for former corner coach Jason Washington, who just did not do a great job getting his first priorities in much of this class.

4. WR, Demond Demas, Tomball - explosive playmaker who had a somewhat tumultuous off-field career, with his transfer as a senior being denied by the UIL. But he is a tremendous athlete, certainly one of the nation's best. Texas wanted him, but the Aggies out-recruited them.

5. DL, Alfred Collins, Bastrop Cedar Creek - Texas cannot afford to let Collins go elsewhere. The previous two seasons, the Horns got beat badly by A&M for the state's top two DLs in Bobby Brown of Arlington Lamar and De'Marvin Leal of Converse Judson. Collins, a Texas legacy, is down to the Horns, Alabama and Oklahoma and will announce on signing day.

6. RB, Zach Evans, Houston North Shore - one of the best RB prospects to come through Texas this decade. He ha a combo of speed, size, vision and athleticism that is just rare. But off-field issues are clearly serious, otherwise multiple elite programs wouldn't have stopped recruiting him, namely Alabama and Georgia who have not exactly recruited choir boys traditionally.

7. QB-ATH, Ja'Quinden Jackson, Duncanville - I have not seen anyone more closely resemble VY from the state of Texas as a high school QB than Jackson. First and foremost, VY was an elite runner and leader of his team in high school. When there was a key play to be made in a crucial situation, VY made it. Jackson is/was the exact same. However, VY progressed more as a passer as a senior than Jackson, even though I think Jackson has a more lively arm than VY. Frankly, the talent surrounding Jackson was so good the past two years that he wasn't asked to produce the way VY was. Will that lack of development as a passer push him to another position in college, put him too far behind someone like Hudson Card too early in the process, or is this something he can overcome because Jackson's such an outrageously talented athlete? Make no mistake, this is a high-level alpha athlete. The knee injury could put him further behind in QB development but it's just too early to make that sort of judgement.

8. WR-ATH, Devon Achane, Fort Bend Marshall - Texas offered but never really got into the race. Headed to A&M. I love this guy as a player. Pound for pound, I think he's the best player in the state this year. I see him somewhat similar to Jaylen Waddle at Alabama, except he's a little stouter as a runner and perhaps not quite the blur Waddle is. Yet he is still NFL fast. If he can prove to be a natural pass receiver, which I am told he really could be, then the size could be less important and he could be someone in the way of Santana Moss. As one veteran Houston area high school coach told me, "he's the best offensive player from our area (of Houston) since (CeeDee) Lamb)."

9. OL, Nate Anderson, Frisco Reedy - Relatively unknown prior to becoming the offensive line darling of the camp circuit this spring and summer. Athleticism is very good, size is legit, but he is a better prospect than player at this point. He'll be a high ceiling developmental prospect for OU. Like most young OL his size, he simply was not tested all season from a physical standpoint in the trenches but he looks really good pulling and on stretch plays, not as much in pass protection, at least for right now.

10. QB, Hudson Card, Lake Travis - if a QB's primary job is to read defenses and quickly distribute the ball to others, then you simply don't get much better than Card. Add to it that he's a plus-athlete, a former wide receiver even, and you've got a smooth operator. Does not have elite arm strength and has been dinged for that. But I'm not sure another QB in the country sees the field as well at times, and that includes the ones at the very top of the national lists. He has a somewhat slight build which could mean he has durability issues long-term but we shall see. I think the Horns got a good one.

11. DB, Jalen Kimber, Mansfield Timberview - Texas wanted him but he opted pretty early to head out of state, signing with Georgia. Another miss in the secondary.

12. TE-ATH, Jalin Conyers, Gruver - Signed with OU as a TE. Texas and several other major schools offered. High-level athlete for the position.

13. RB, Jase McClellan, Aledo - Originally committed to OU, then signed with Alabama. Tinkered with the idea of re-opening his recruitment and Texas was involved but the Horns' up-and-down season didn't help matters. Speed back with size and doesn't shy from contact. Not sure his vision is elite, but everything else certainly is.

14. QB, Malik Hornsby, Fort Bend Marshall - un-committed QB who looks better in camp and practice settings than he does in most games. He has athleticism, arm talent and legit quickness and size. He's a developmental QB with upside, not at all unlike the Aggies' Kellen Mond was, but I think Mond's toolset was a little more enticing overall. With Jackson and Card identified early, the Horns never offered Hornsby.

15. WR, Loic Founji, Midland Lee - headed to Texas Tech, Founji literally did everything for his team, including handling the punting chores. Texas opted not to go after him hard, instead focusing on players 247Sports actually ranks lower, like Quentin Johnston, Troy Omeire and Dajon Harrison. We'll probably see in a couple of years who got it right.

16. QB, Haynes King, Longview - Texas did not offer, focusing instead on Jackson and Card. King lit it up on the camp circuit after being stellar in a state championship run as a junior where he utilized his athleticism as much as his right arm. As a senior, he tried to throw it and stay in the pocket too much for my liking. But this is an elite three-sport athlete who is a coach's son. Let's see what Jimbo Fisher can get out of him because the God-given ability is there. As an aside, it's also interesting that LSU neglected to offer King a scholarship. King was considered a lock for the Tigers had they offered. They may come back to rue that decision.

17. WR, Quentin Johnston, Temple - long committed to Texas, Johnston bailed for TCU during the early signing period when the Horns couldn't decide on an offensive coordinator. TCU's receiver coach Malcolm Kelly did an excellent job of recruiting him while Tom Herman couldn't provide any answers. Of all the players in the state, Johnston has as high of upside as any of them. Maybe the highest of all of them. He is that physically gifted. He is explosive, athletic and I really like his progression as a route runner from last year to this one. I don't know if he'll ever max out his ability, but this is a guy I would have rated in the top five in the state without question. Still he's more prospect than player at this point.

18. DB-ATH, Jahari Rogers, Arlington - Texas offered early and was thought to be in leading contention before Rogers decided on Florida in summer. I love this guy as a player. He's a high school QB who just seems to get it. Plus athleticism, plus ball skills. Good size for a corner or nickel, could even be a safety if called upon there. I see this as anothe miss in the secondary.

19. LB, Prince Dorbah, Highland Park - Take his top five plays and put them up against any pass rusher in the country. That's what he can do. But he's not super-sized, even though he has long arms. He'll likely be asked to playoff the ball in college unless he somehow ends up strictly as a pass rush specialist. Chose Texas over virtually every other school in the country.

20. DB, Jahdae Barron, Pflugerville Connally - Texas was likely going to try to recruit Barron in the winter period but he surprisingly signed with the Bears in the early period. Despite only being 5-10, he has good length, very good speed and can be physical when called upon. Some may question him being ranked this high, but I think it's more likely there aren't enough DBs in the top 20 as it is.

**

Some notes...

- The Texas staff clearly didn't agree with the 247Sports rankings of wide receivers. The Horns did not prioritize Founji and focused heavily on Troy Omeire, taking him away from A&M.

- On the other hand, the Texas staff seemed to be in complete agreement with the rating of the top two QBs, even if the order of them is uncertain. Texas offered just Card and Jackson and got them both.

- Of the players outside the top 20 with Texas interest, I think Princely Umamielen and Kitan Crawford should have been among that group. I think Xavian Alford would have too, had he not missed his opportunity to prove his value because of injury as a senior.

- I also think Seth McGowan and Marvin Mims, a RB and WR, respectively, probably belong in that top 20 somewhere. Both are headed to OU. I also love Josh White, the Cy Creek linebacker who is a tackling machine and headed to LSU. But I get why he wasn't ranked highly. He's a 6-foot, 200-pound middle linebacker so his upside may not be what they were looking for.

- I felt like Texas missed out on some key DBs this year, especially the corners. Perhaps they put too much emphasis into Kelee Ringo and that put them behind on other options in state, or maybe they just didn't connect with the in-state guys. Rogers, Jones and Kimber were all players the Horns wanted and would likely slot as eventual starters.

 

This is how this reads

 

Player 1 -  Texas didn’t get him and he’s amazing 

Player 2 - Texas didn’t get him and he’s amazing

Player 3 - Texas got him, now heres 3 things we don’t like about him and end with a who knows what will happen type question 

Player 4 - Texas didn’t get him and he’s amazing. 

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23 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Princely also had a valid concern with the direction of the defense when he was a commit. Decommitting because your concerns are being played out on a weekly basis doesn't mean he's a portal risk 18-24 months into his college career.

Given the general board atmosphere toward Herman's tenure and future demise, isn't this exactly what it suggests?

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I'm for taking Princely. Aside from his flakiness and social media trolling (which are arguably red flags) I've heard that some of his coaches and teachers think he's a bit of a shithead, and that he's pretty lazy on the field, but I'm still fine with taking him as a back of the class talented best player available type. Three of the best DCs in the country, Avalos, Steele, and Grantham, are pushing for him late for a reason. 

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31 minutes ago, Fud said:

I'm for taking Princely. Aside from his flakiness and social media trolling (which are arguably red flags) I've heard that some of his coaches and teachers think he's a bit of a shithead, and that he's pretty lazy on the field, but I'm still fine with taking him as a back of the class talented best player available type. Three of the best DCs in the country, Avalos, Steele, and Grantham, are pushing for him late for a reason. 

So, a less talented Larry Dibbles.  Dibbles contributed a lot in the end.  Worth taking a flier imo.

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Card did the best on the drill where you can't step into your throw on an out-route to the other side of the field, so you have to use torque (core), show good arm strength, and have be able to spin the ball well

Others did better on the long toss, and the "cover two beater" drill where you have to throw it on a rope to where it's between the corner and safety window on a go/fade route 

His arm is very good, but not elite. Which is fine. 

 

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