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Texas Recruiting Notes 2021


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1 hour ago, Getafix said:

From the TCU board ... on Zach Evans.  ("Very, very good shape.  Monumental in TCU recruiting history.  Very, very soon.")

Very, very understated.

TCU 247 / Jeremy Clark / What I know about a certain 5-star RB

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What I know about a certain 5-star RB

Jeremy Clark

Sorry, been away from the board today with the wife and fam but I have seen the posts about Zach Evans. Here's what I can tell you boys...

I was first told about TCU's interest a month ago and that Zach was listening. TCU has done a great job of recruiting Zach and he and Coach P have a great relationship. There have also been other coaches on the staff with a big role in recruiting him as well. From what I was told a month ago, there was a definite mutual interest from both. As I am asked in some big occasions, I was asked to keep a lid on it.

That was until last night when there started to be some smoke.

As of today, all I can say is TCU is still in very, very good shape. I'm talking about the kind of shape that could be monumental in TCU recruiting history. I'm not trying to get anyone overly excited about it, I'm just trying to give you guys some bits here and there that I know.

We could be hearing something very, very soon. Again, that's all I know for now, and please don't take this as Evans is headed to TCU. I will keep you guys in the loop as much as I can...just trust that I'm on top of it and have been since the beginning.

 

“Guys, I’m not saying he’s coming here. So dont take this to mean I’m saying Zach Evans is going to commit to tcu. But, I’m saying that unprecedented recruiting news for TCU might be on the way and it might be happening very soon, and I’m definitely in top of it and am jerking off as I type this with one hand because it’s Zach Evens and he’s committing to TCU and I’ve said it every possible way except literally saying it in this post.”

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1 minute ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

Blackwell told the staff last week.  Surprised it didn't leak to any of the $9.95ers.

https://n.rivals.com/news/new-ut-commit-morice-blackwell-had-a-plan-all-along

If you're Mike Roach, you actually have to have sources and people you speak with to hear something like this...so I'm absolutely not surprised that this remained silent. 

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6 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

If you're Mike Roach, you actually have to have sources and people you speak with to hear something like this...so I'm absolutely not surprised that this remained silent. 

IT didn't know either, despite the long list of people that he reportedly told in that article. Further confirmation that 9.95ers know what the kids want them to know. 

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It’s unfortunate that we don’t have any spring combines for these guys. I’d love to know what guys like Blackwell or Brooks would run at the opening. 
 

For Brooks especially, it’s almost impossible to have an opinion on him without knowing how he tests. If he tests well, then He’s a great RB2 take that we should be locking up now. If he’s below average athletically, then it would be a horrible take even as a RB2 and a sign that Drayton’s just mailing it in because he plans to rest on his laurels and respond with “Bijan” every time someone gets on him for not recruiting. 

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Just now, Fud said:

Having Wheaton and Foster over Tommy Brockermeyer is amazingly stupid, especially since I believe Rivals rankings is supposed to take draft potential into account 

As long as UT is still one of the favorites, Tommy will be underrated by Rivals. It’s just how it goes with them.

The only reason Mike Farrell’s never pulled a Gerry Hamilton and tweeted out a porn link is because he only jacks off to underrating UT recruits. 

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25 minutes ago, Fud said:

Having Wheaton and Foster over Tommy Brockermeyer is amazingly stupid, especially since I believe Rivals rankings is supposed to take draft potential into account 

Wheaton at #7, WTF. Just for reference, Bijan finished at #18 for them in the '20 class. Perhaps I am just missing it with Camar.

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3 hours ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

Blackwell's composite is over 100 points higher this morning, I guess from the Rivals bump.  Didn't take long for BOMC to kick in.  On the cusp of composite 4*, so his upcoming 247 increase should make it happen.

 

FYI  - 

- The lowest 4* in the composite currently is Collin Oliver, composite #340, @ 0.8901

- Blackwell is at composite #364, @ 0.8865.  On 247Sports, He's an 88. Remember reading somewhere that his 247 rating could end up between 91 and 92.  (Could just have been a mod's opinion.) The 91s on 247 go from ranking #220 to ranking #190.

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(Eric Nahlin) Inside Scoop: The commits keep comin’, checking on priorities, and brief team notes

Quote

By: Justin Wells

There’s nothing like a commitment dropping at 9:56am in the middle of Brookshires on Mother’s Day. But if Morice Blackwell was going to shock the state, he did for it momma’s sake. The current-three-but-future-four-star from Arlington Martin is a fabulous fit at ILB for Chris Ash’s scheme. It also continues a trend of players’ pledging to the Longhorns; five in the last 10 days, plus possibly another by the end of the week. (more on that below)

It’s been a pleasant surprise during this quarantine life. The virus has affected recruiting to the point kids are pushing up timelines and making earlier decisions. The Texas coaches deserve some credit, they are rebuilding these relationships after 70% staff turnover. Coleman Hutzler, Jay Valai, and Jay Boulware are receiving positive reviews.

Hutzler is seemingly becoming a good recruiter. We’ve heard positives from team sources about his interactions with players, and he’s also doing yeoman’s work on Shadow Creek’s Terrence Cooks. With Blackwell, he had to not only overcome Baylor, but also Arkansas. There’s a bit of momentum on the trail. The 2021 class deserves some of the credit, especially Derrick Harris Jr. Not only is Jalen Milroe slowly but surely taking more and more of a leadership role, Humble Atascocita’s Landen King is also actively recruiting for the cycle.

LATEST ON TWO PRIORITIES

Texas High OLB/DE Clayton Smith and Hallettsville RB Jonathon Brooks both delivered personal recruiting updates on Sunday. Smith dropped his Top 6, like we discussed in the Humidor, while Brooks posted on Twitter his decision date for a commitment is Friday, May 15th at 1pm (CT). Smith, 6-foot-4, 215-200 pounds, is down to six schools - Texas, OU, LSU, Oregon, Florida State, and Kentucky. I caught up with Smith over the weekend to get a sense where his preferences may appear, and my guess is that this is a three-horse race with two pulling ahead.

I think this is turning into a Red River Shootout. Texas and Oklahoma seem to be the top schools, with LSU in a very close 3rd place. Smith’s decision will almost assuredly come from one of those three schools. Smith gushes over Oscar Giles, Tom Herman, and Chris Ash. UT was as early on him as any school in the nation. His family might favor UT. But OU is lurking.

As for Brooks, this decision was, at least, a few months in the making, but accelerated in the last two weeks. UT’s flurry of commitments might’ve convinced a Texas lean to go ahead and jump in. At 6-foot-0, 185, Brooks’ film shows a versatile athlete who smells the end zone. His offer list - Texas Tech, Colorado State - doesn’t reflect his potential in this staff’s eyes. The District 14-3A D-I Overall MVP as a junior helped Hallettsville to an 11-3 record and Texas 3A D-I state quarterfinal berth in 2019.

It’s likely a two-RB class for 2021. Get Brooks and Camar Wheaton/LJ Johnson and call it a day. There’s some serious blue-chip tailbacks in 2022 that need to be prioritized down the road.

KETRON JACKSON

With 20+ offers already, the Royse City (TX) product remains open and optimistic during the recruiting process. At 6-foot-2, 190, the 247 four-star (.93) receiver’s prowess on the field matches his ability on the track (24’ + long jumper). That’s something Texas head coach Tom Herman has been vocal about as part of player evaluation. “It’s been great getting to build relationships with some great coaches and staff,” said Jackson. “I love it. There’s plenty of schools that I like, not too many just standing out from one another.“

He wants to see some campuses when possible. “I want to visit Baylor and Arkansas again, and I plan on visiting Texas, LSU, Oregon State, TCU, and Nebraska. I may not make it to the ones I want because of the pandemic but I will try a few.” Jackson has an idea of what he wants in his future destination. “In a college program I’m looking for somewhere that I will be comfortable first and where they have great people/staff on and off the field,” Jackson said. ”Not only develop me physically but help me grow as a young man, to help me be successful in my future.”

As UT continues to pursue Jackson, they’ve made an impression on the former Lancaster athlete. “Texas is in a good spot,” Jackson said. “That has been my dream school for as long as I could remember so definitely would like to visit and see the staff.” I still believe Mansfield Summit’s Hal Presley is the better prospect, but there’s no denying Jackson’s potential and ceiling. Wide receiver recruiting has been a chore in the 2021 cycle, but Jackson is a guy that UT has moved the needle with.

JACOB SEXTON

At 6-foot-5, 285, this Edmond, Oklahoma native (Deer Creek HS) is an intriguing prospect who Texas seems very fond of from the 2022 class. The 247 four-star and three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) is an impressive offensive tackle, with athleticism that Herb Hand covets. He’s enjoyed the recruiting process to this point. “So far, it has gone very smooth,” said Sexton. “There are times when nothing happens for a while and there are times when it is non-stop.”

Sexton holds 11 offers, including OU, Tennessee, Arizona State, and Texas A&M. While the early prognosticators have him looking like a Sooner, he’s eager to see other places. “I would like to continue to go on visits to places I have received offers from and continue on the relationships I have,” Sexton said. Sexton shows an early maturity that isn’t often found in juniors. “I’d like a college that is more than football,” said Sexton. “So that we can talk about things like family, life, etc. I would like somewhere that the school itself is great academically.”

Despite his proximity to OU, he’s open to visiting Austin and learning more about the Longhorns. The offer was a good start.

#####

Official team meetings have been shelved while the team takes a break from football activities and focuses on wrapping up finals. But that doesn’t mean the players aren’t “meeting” on their own to ensure focus and accountability is retained. Last week the players held individual exit interviews with coaches to get an idea of where they stand. Each player was awarded a grade that correlated to championship level, playoffs, bowl, lower-tier bowl, etc.

Grades were based on doing everything asked of them, punctuality, quizzes based on scheme, working out on their own, etc. The team averaged out to “playoffs” which basically means they’re doing well in the staff’s eyes. Given the the circumstances it’s hard to know just where this Texas team sits. It’s hard to build team bonds, to truly lead by example, and to hold each other accountable. Based on what I’ve heard I think they’ve done about the best they can.

— A couple of cigars reached out to me after the Humidor on Friday. Both reiterated that Texas will be playing the season, likely in the fall. Said one, “it’s no different than a small business. You either let them earn, or the government needs to give them relief. Del Conte wants to get them back to work like anyone else running a business......with the money being spent on construction and the economy and energy sector where it is, you have to play this season to save future seasons.”

You’re probably tired of hearing “we’re all in this together.” It comes from people at ad agencies and it’s spouted by people earning paychecks front the comfort of their homes. When it comes to the Big 12, I don’t get the sense that UT feels “we’re all in this together.” From what I gather, UT would be fine being in this alone to ensure it does what’s best for itself.

The League has said some things that have irked the Texas higher-ups and I can’t help but wonder how all of this will affect realignment in the coming years. I’ll have some recruiting notes tomorrow. Texas is in a good spot for The Two in the class of 2022.

 

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I would like to believe in Nahlin but he's been off lately.. from the high on Landon Jackson sunshine to now saying the Brocks are trending to us..  I would hope the conference would piss CDC and Texas off, then I would feel better knowing we will find a better place to play

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6 minutes ago, Coach pop a bitch said:

I guess my real question is where does this staff go at WR with Jojo and Knox not looking burnt Orange?

With the lack of spring evals and summer camps, we should wait a bit IMO. This state produces quality WR's all over the place, evaluate and go get the 2-3 you need. Jackson seems like the legacy Meh/Herman offer. I'd like to see at least one elite trait if not two (Speed, agility, quickness and strong hands(this one is a must)).

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28 minutes ago, texifornia said:

Valai just started following a German kid - pretty solid offer list: https://247sports.com/Player/Maurice-Heims-46083192/

 

Proof that he's German: https://247sports.com/Article/German-DE-Maurice-Heims-USC-Washington-Penn-State-Oregon-State-Oregon-Colorado-Arizona-State-143968246/

Can we get some professors from the Germanic Studies program (https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/germanic/) to assist in his recruitment? 

I just want a token German on the team.

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Just now, Newy25 said:

That Big Cigar comment is about Bowlsby and his ridiculous comment about the fall season. From what I understand, he was put in his place quite quickly by some people at Texas and Oklahoma and his messaging quickly changed. 

...and I assume Bowlsby not allowing teams' Zoom meetings when other conferences were is part of it, too. That was fucking stupid.

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1 minute ago, Tex Pete said:

...and I assume Bowlsby not allowing teams' Zoom meetings when other conferences were is part of it, too. That was fucking stupid.

He forgot, for a moment when we were in this crisis that he was not a puppet of the collective schools. He is an overpaid mouthpiece meant to parrot the wishes and wants of the members. I have no idea why for a minute he thought he held some sort of actual power. 

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2 minutes ago, Tex Pete said:

...and I assume Bowlsby not allowing teams' Zoom meetings when other conferences were is part of it, too. That was fucking stupid.

Plus our commercials, scheduling, having a conference championship game, the ridicule Bowlsby deserves every-time he opens his mouth, pretty much everything this conference does is dumb.

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1 hour ago, Goodman said:

Plus our commercials, scheduling, having a conference championship game, the ridicule Bowlsby deserves every-time he opens his mouth, pretty much everything this conference does is dumb.

I actually think it has paid off having the championship game, not just financially but to cement a spot in the CFP.  We haven't had an undefeated team go into the CCG as of yet.  I'll understand the frustration once an undefeated team goes in there and gets upset by a 3 loss team.

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