Texas Recruiting Notes 2021

[Fud 9725]

4 minutes ago, golfclap said:

Pretty sure he's a PWO. I don't know a ton about him honestly. 

Yep, per Hank South 

[texifornia 59080]

1 minute ago, crash_davis said:

Maybe but this would still be an odd offer. I'm sure Saban/bama can get a shitton of PWOs whose best offer is someone better than Kansas.

A PWO with any P5 offers is good for any program

[crash_davis 23470]

2 minutes ago, texifornia said:

A PWO with any P5 offers is good for any program

kansas...

[golfclap 6903]

1 minute ago, crash_davis said:

Maybe but this would still be an odd offer. I'm sure Saban/bama can get a shitton of PWOs whose best offer is someone better than Kansas.

Perhaps but getting a guy with a great frame and good athletic upside who also has a self-reported GPA of 3.6 is important. Those PWO guys need to help elevate the APR as well as being scout team warriors. Saban is a details guy and Alabama has the 2nd highest APR in the SEC for exactly that reason. 

 

[Katfid54 9005]

2 minutes ago, texifornia said:

A PWO with any P5 offers is good for any program

Agree.  Turning up your nose at that is outrageously dumb.  E.g., if you can fill your free roster spots that would otherwise have scholarships at another P5 program, then all of your practice reps are now against guys who are P5-level athletes.  It raises the floor of your program and elevates your other players' development based on who they're going against.

[Fud 9725]

The only reason to not want a PWO with real offers is if you're at a school that has finite amount of room for walk ons. I doubt that Bama has any restrictions there. 

[texifornia 59080]

1 minute ago, golfclap said:

Perhaps but getting a guy with a great frame and good athletic upside who also has a self-reported GPA of 3.6 is important. Those PWO guys need to help elevate the APR as well as being scout team warriors. Saban is a details guy and Alabama has the 2nd highest APR in the SEC for exactly that reason. 

 

Didn't even think about that aspect. Smart.

[Machinator 32103]

IT spilling some stuff on Herman today. Some of it is not really recruiting-related, but who cares.

Spoiler

Closure

We’re going to post some things that underline why we had concerns about Tom Herman over the years. It may add some clarity to why others had issues with him, especially some former players.

We’re not going to share everything we know or attempt to confirm a salacious internet rumor you might have heard. We don’t care about that stuff beyond how it affected his performance or ability to win over the team.

*When Texas went to do its homework on Herman in 2016 it was ill-equipped for a proper undertaking. The people tasked with making the decision at the time weren’t aided by people close to Herman speaking openly and honestly about him. That is how he liked it and a reason why he kept a tight circle and embraced “alignment.” Those coaches already knew his pros, but more importantly, his cons, and they were loyal.

*Herman's first year was the first red flag. Maybe even his first meeting was his first red flag. (Maybe even before that meeting when he allegedly drove his U of H loaner car to Austin and told them to come pick it up). When he stormed in and scolded a room full of players he would need to win, things didn’t get off on the right foot. He demanded respect rather than earning it. He'd preach being focused and locked in, but turn around and do something stupid. We’re not sure he ever really had the locker room, even after the Sugar Bowl win.

*He sort of approached the player’s families in the same way in his initial meeting with them. Numerous parents told us he was treating them like children.

*Charlie Strong’s 2015 class clearly dislikes Herman to this day. Many in that class are of the belief Herman and McKnight negatively impacted draft grades with NFL scouts and GM’s. One player put it to us in very different terms, “they messed with our money.” Maybe some of the players weren’t as good as they thought, but that’s not the point. Plus, some of them were drafted lower than they should have been. Herman had a chance to create allies and instead did the opposite. This ill-will filtered into the following recruiting class. Failure to create allies was a common theme with Herman. So if you’ve wondered where the vitriol on Twitter comes from...

*The man who publicly preached “family” was notorious for passing players in the hallway without any sort of acknowledgement. A few players would even say 'hi' with nothing in return. The players just stopped talking to him. If you weren't Sam Ehlinger or Bijan Robinson he didn’t have much time for you. You can see why the trilateral commission were smitten with Sarkisian’s use of ”authentic.” When Herman was hired we said you can only be Nick Saban or Urban Meyer if you win. He didn’t win and his demeanor bit him on the backside.

Imagine preaching family, but then when a player of yours is sick you call his house to not check up on him, but rather to see how his brother’s recruitment is going.

*Speaking of fake, some of the pregame altercations we saw over the years were staged in order to amp up the team. McKnight would ask a player who didn’t need to be asked twice — think someone like Chris Brown or Jeff McCulloch — to go peck a pregame fight.

*The inability to be genuine cost Herman on the recruiting trail. He wasn’t a terrible recruiter, but there were times he was too distant, and there were times he was too hands on. Two recruitments that stand out as Herman blunders were Noah Cain and Garrett Wilson. After putting in great work late in the Cain recruitment, Drayton and Herman, had Cain all but locked up. At the last minute, Herman got antsy, and hard-pressed when it wasn’t needed. He basically challenged Cain and in the process pushed him to Penn State.

Wilson’s recruitment was screwed up a couple of times, and Herman wasn’t aided by Drew Mehringer. Sidebar: An issue we heard about a handful of times was coaches using their current players as whipping boys. They’d show tape and talk down the current player to recruits. This was understandably off-putting, but it was consistent with Herman and McKnight talking down their players to the NFL. That upset Wilson, but there was also a time when Herman was... less than presentable around the parents. The Wilsons didn’t have a favorable impression of the head coach and a recruitment that should have been an easy layup was rejected to the rafters.

*Herman had a lot of embarrassing gaffes in his time in Austin. After he flipped off the LHN cameras the school got him an etiquette coach. It was funny a few months later when somebody in a thread here quipped that Tom looked more professional since that incident. Karen Hughes was earning her money... but she was no miracle worker.

*Meritocracy was absent for much of his time in Austin, especially on offense. Herman was notorious for playing his favorites, which should come as no surprise. It drove a wedge within the team when parents driving to Austin during game week to complain about playing time would actually influence playing time.

*There’s a feeling within the current team Herman started learning too little too late. He became more approachable this year. Mike Yurcich became the primary yeller in practice and Herman toned down some. Previously we wrote there were no good cops to offset Herman’s bad cop routine. That stemmed from Herman keeping yes-men around who were trying to act just like him. It seemed like Herman finally started to get it.
 

 

[Longhorn94 2502]

They’d show tape and talk down the current player to recruits. 

 

With Wilson, Baldwin, both sets of parents, and LT coaches in the room, Herman told everyone that Sam was garbage and the receivers were even worse. Somehow he thought that would win the day with Wilson, Baldwin and their families. They all walked out, looked at each other, and both fathers said in unison "what a dick."

 

 

[Bevo14 8470]

6 minutes ago, Longhorn94 said:

They’d show tape and talk down the current player to recruits. 

 

With Wilson, Baldwin, both sets of parents, and LT coaches in the room, Herman told everyone that Sam was garbage and the receivers were even worse. Somehow he thought that would win the day with Wilson, Baldwin and their families. They all walked out, looked at each other, and both fathers said in unison "what a dick."

 

 

[texifornia 59080]

6 minutes ago, Bevo14 said:

That one's been floating around Texas boards for years, surprised you haven't seen it

[Bevo14 8470]

16 minutes ago, texifornia said:

That one's been floating around Texas boards for years, surprised you haven't seen it

Think I missed that story or was willfully ignorant. Well if this guy was able to land 2 top 5 classes and a top 10 class then I seriously can't wait to see what Sark does this cycle.

[someguy 1567]

2 hours ago, texifornia said:

Didn't even think about that aspect. Smart.

According to the NCAA, only players on scholarship count for the APR score.  Getting a fringe P5 guy as a preferred walk on is a no brainer win, but not for APR reasons.

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/research/academic-progress-rate-explained

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/academic-progress-rate-qa#:~:text=The APR came into place,have not been a problem.

[Funk Doctor Spock 13292]

Speaking of PWO, does Sark prioritize that like Herman? That's the one good thing I liked about Herman. He actually gave a fuck about our walk-ons. 

[RGBIII 23020]

5 minutes ago, Spider2YBanana said:

Speaking of PWO, does Sark prioritize that like Herman? That's the one good thing I liked about Herman. He actually gave a fuck about our walk-ons. 

MORE.KAI.MONEY!!!!!!!

[NoName 17195]

2 hours ago, Machinator said:

IT spilling some stuff on Herman today. Some of it is not really recruiting-related, but who cares.

  Hide contents

Closure

We’re going to post some things that underline why we had concerns about Tom Herman over the years. It may add some clarity to why others had issues with him, especially some former players.

We’re not going to share everything we know or attempt to confirm a salacious internet rumor you might have heard. We don’t care about that stuff beyond how it affected his performance or ability to win over the team.

*When Texas went to do its homework on Herman in 2016 it was ill-equipped for a proper undertaking. The people tasked with making the decision at the time weren’t aided by people close to Herman speaking openly and honestly about him. That is how he liked it and a reason why he kept a tight circle and embraced “alignment.” Those coaches already knew his pros, but more importantly, his cons, and they were loyal.

*Herman's first year was the first red flag. Maybe even his first meeting was his first red flag. (Maybe even before that meeting when he allegedly drove his U of H loaner car to Austin and told them to come pick it up). When he stormed in and scolded a room full of players he would need to win, things didn’t get off on the right foot. He demanded respect rather than earning it. He'd preach being focused and locked in, but turn around and do something stupid. We’re not sure he ever really had the locker room, even after the Sugar Bowl win.

*He sort of approached the player’s families in the same way in his initial meeting with them. Numerous parents told us he was treating them like children.

*Charlie Strong’s 2015 class clearly dislikes Herman to this day. Many in that class are of the belief Herman and McKnight negatively impacted draft grades with NFL scouts and GM’s. One player put it to us in very different terms, “they messed with our money.” Maybe some of the players weren’t as good as they thought, but that’s not the point. Plus, some of them were drafted lower than they should have been. Herman had a chance to create allies and instead did the opposite. This ill-will filtered into the following recruiting class. Failure to create allies was a common theme with Herman. So if you’ve wondered where the vitriol on Twitter comes from...

*The man who publicly preached “family” was notorious for passing players in the hallway without any sort of acknowledgement. A few players would even say 'hi' with nothing in return. The players just stopped talking to him. If you weren't Sam Ehlinger or Bijan Robinson he didn’t have much time for you. You can see why the trilateral commission were smitten with Sarkisian’s use of ”authentic.” When Herman was hired we said you can only be Nick Saban or Urban Meyer if you win. He didn’t win and his demeanor bit him on the backside.

Imagine preaching family, but then when a player of yours is sick you call his house to not check up on him, but rather to see how his brother’s recruitment is going.

*Speaking of fake, some of the pregame altercations we saw over the years were staged in order to amp up the team. McKnight would ask a player who didn’t need to be asked twice — think someone like Chris Brown or Jeff McCulloch — to go peck a pregame fight.

*The inability to be genuine cost Herman on the recruiting trail. He wasn’t a terrible recruiter, but there were times he was too distant, and there were times he was too hands on. Two recruitments that stand out as Herman blunders were Noah Cain and Garrett Wilson. After putting in great work late in the Cain recruitment, Drayton and Herman, had Cain all but locked up. At the last minute, Herman got antsy, and hard-pressed when it wasn’t needed. He basically challenged Cain and in the process pushed him to Penn State.

Wilson’s recruitment was screwed up a couple of times, and Herman wasn’t aided by Drew Mehringer. Sidebar: An issue we heard about a handful of times was coaches using their current players as whipping boys. They’d show tape and talk down the current player to recruits. This was understandably off-putting, but it was consistent with Herman and McKnight talking down their players to the NFL. That upset Wilson, but there was also a time when Herman was... less than presentable around the parents. The Wilsons didn’t have a favorable impression of the head coach and a recruitment that should have been an easy layup was rejected to the rafters.

*Herman had a lot of embarrassing gaffes in his time in Austin. After he flipped off the LHN cameras the school got him an etiquette coach. It was funny a few months later when somebody in a thread here quipped that Tom looked more professional since that incident. Karen Hughes was earning her money... but she was no miracle worker.

*Meritocracy was absent for much of his time in Austin, especially on offense. Herman was notorious for playing his favorites, which should come as no surprise. It drove a wedge within the team when parents driving to Austin during game week to complain about playing time would actually influence playing time.

*There’s a feeling within the current team Herman started learning too little too late. He became more approachable this year. Mike Yurcich became the primary yeller in practice and Herman toned down some. Previously we wrote there were no good cops to offset Herman’s bad cop routine. That stemmed from Herman keeping yes-men around who were trying to act just like him. It seemed like Herman finally started to get it.
 

 

is the less than presentable comment a dig about drinking too much?

[utfan87 413]

3 hours ago, crash_davis said:

that's a fucking strange ass offer and take by Saban.

Josh Jacobs? Did they hide him

[squeegeedegg 733]

25 minutes ago, NoName said:

is the less than presentable comment a dig about drinking too much?

More than likely disheveled, unshaven and in sweaty athletic gear after a hot practice

[Viper 12221]

2 minutes ago, squeegeedegg said:

More than likely disheveled, unshaven and in sweaty athletic gear after a hot practice

[Laga4 1270]

18 minutes ago, squeegeedegg said:

is the less than presentable comment a dig about drinking too much?

 

19 minutes ago, squeegeedegg said:

More than likely disheveled, unshaven and in sweaty athletic gear after a hot practice

Why not both?

[Richter 2428]

1 hour ago, NoName said:

is the less than presentable comment a dig about drinking too much?

Shirt was too tight and puffy nipples were showing.  Love handles presented as a bit of a muffin top.  Cargo jorts.  Strap sandles.  A bit of a whale tale from the back.  Hair overly pomaded.  

[squeegeedegg 733]

36 minutes ago, Laga4 said:

 

Why not both?

With what we know from reports and just seeing him on TV and interviews he's just a guy that thinks he's too smart for social etiquettes that might feel like a waste of time or unimportant.  I relate to some degree since I was like that in my younger years but fortunately I've grown and also am not the head coach of the University of Texas FB team.  He came in without tact and learned too slowly that a position like head coach at UT requires someone in full control of their image at all times, which requires humility and a lot of maturity.  He was ultimately unsuccessful but he wasn't a total flameout.  I interpret all of this as someone untidy, liberally using "foul" language, generally acting like an ass, talking down others... Falling far short of image requirements.  I don't, however, assume he was ever showing up at recruits homes drunk, high, or with any other vice issues.  I would think he would be fired long before year 4 if that were the case

[UDontKnow 10572]

18 minutes ago, squeegeedegg said:

With what we know from reports and just seeing him on TV and interviews he's just a guy that thinks he's too smart for social etiquettes that might feel like a waste of time or unimportant.  I relate to some degree since I was like that in my younger years but fortunately I've grown and also am not the head coach of the University of Texas FB team.  He came in without tact and learned too slowly that a position like head coach at UT requires someone in full control of their image at all times, which requires humility and a lot of maturity.  He was ultimately unsuccessful but he wasn't a total flameout.  I interpret all of this as someone untidy, liberally using "foul" language, generally acting like an ass, talking down others... Falling far short of image requirements.  I don't, however, assume he was ever showing up at recruits homes drunk, high, or with any other vice issues.  I would think he would be fired long before year 4 if that were the case

His father abandoned his family and later died as a consequence of alcohol use disorder. It's a tragedy that Herman did not do more to seek to avoid his own problems with alcohol considering he referenced his father's struggles in media interviews. 

[Michael Knight 13239]

So do we all owe Wilson an apology?

[texifornia 59080]

Just now, Michael Knight said:

So do we all owe Wilson an apology?

Committing to Ohio State is one thing. Badmouthing UT to all the other recruits is another.

[Hank_Hill 20110]

9 minutes ago, Michael Knight said:

So do we all owe Wilson an apology?

Nah fuck that guy. Two dicks don't make a right. 

[BornOrange 1441]

8 hours ago, crash_davis said:

Maybe but this would still be an odd offer. I'm sure Saban/bama can get a shitton of PWOs whose best offer is someone better than Kansas.

You need to have a better understanding of Saban.

He is showing the world that a kid would rather pay to play for Saban than get paid to play for Les Miles.

 

[Sgt. Slaughter 2903]

2 hours ago, Michael Knight said:

So do we all owe Wilson an apology?

[AugieBall 237]

3 hours ago, Hank_Hill said:

Two dicks don't make a right. 

Huckleberry respectfully disagrees.

[Bam Bam Sam 303]

6 hours ago, Spider2YBanana said:

Speaking of PWO, does Sark prioritize that like Herman? That's the one good thing I liked about Herman. He actually gave a fuck about our walk-ons. 

Herman should not receive credit for that, despite him enjoying its spoils. Others in the football department led that initiative. My best guess as some form of an answer to you actual question is that Sark likely saw the benefits of having the walkons Saban does while he was at Bama, and will likely see the benefits of similar caliber walkons we currently have when they hit the field this Spring, and hopefully seek to continue that. If Shipley is retained, it probably will be.

[Dummy 344]

Roach: Not great update on LJ Johnson, but doesn't know anything

Spoiler

Nick and I both have been checking with sources for any clarity on LJ Johnson at the moment. After Texas held a lead throughout the fall and into the last week, it seemed all but done he would be a Longhorn. As of the last week we've heard that momentum is swinging back towards Texas A&M. We had heard that Johnson was going to make a quiet visit to Austin today, but we haven't been able to confirm if he actually made it to campus but we think he didn't. We've also heard rumors he could show up in College Station tomorrow. Our best intel says that the offensive line play Texas A&M showed this year, the class they recruited and the opportunity on the depth chart. might be the difference in this race. If I had to say, I think the momentum is on the Aggies.

 

[TommyGufano 6027]

9 minutes ago, Dummy said:

Roach: Not great update on LJ Johnson, but doesn't know anything

  Hide contents

Nick and I both have been checking with sources for any clarity on LJ Johnson at the moment. After Texas held a lead throughout the fall and into the last week, it seemed all but done he would be a Longhorn. As of the last week we've heard that momentum is swinging back towards Texas A&M. We had heard that Johnson was going to make a quiet visit to Austin today, but we haven't been able to confirm if he actually made it to campus but we think he didn't. We've also heard rumors he could show up in College Station tomorrow. Our best intel says that the offensive line play Texas A&M showed this year, the class they recruited and the opportunity on the depth chart. might be the difference in this race. If I had to say, I think the momentum is on the Aggies.

 

"opportunity on the depth chart" -- don't they have like 4 RS freshman RBs?

[Valmy77 13626]

9 hours ago, Machinator said:

 

  Hide contents

*Meritocracy was absent for much of his time in Austin, especially on offense. Herman was notorious for playing his favorites, which should come as no surprise. It drove a wedge within the team when parents driving to Austin during game week to complain about playing time would actually influence playing time.

 

I guess Cade Brewer was the son he never had.

[Knewk210 245]

11 minutes ago, Valmy77 said:

I guess Cade Brewer was the son he never had.

I always felt the taking marginal transfers was always a bad move regarding team morale. If I came in as a Freshman working my ass off working up the depth chart with all the promises made during recruitment and then oh BTW we forgot to tell you we will try to process you every time we have the opportunity to screw you and then we discover during the bowl game you actually were a better option just ignore the transfer mistake. 

[Machinator 32103]

 

[Mileslong 4813]

Huckleberry respectfully disagrees.

Reminds of the time I ran into an old high school buddy I played football with one night in LA.

He said “man, do you want to go to a great party?!” I said: “sure, tell me about it”. He said,”there’s going to be drinking, fighting and lots of fucking!”

I said “hell man, sign me up, where is it?” He said: “it’s at my house”. I said: “who all’s going to be there?”

He said: “ oh just me and you”

[maninblack 7975]

5 hours ago, texifornia said:

Committing to Ohio State is one thing. Badmouthing UT to all the other recruits is another.

I get it but a kid doesn't separate Texas from its douchebag head coach.

[closetojumping 65539]

19 hours ago, squeegeedegg said:

More than likely disheveled, unshaven and in sweaty athletic gear after a hot practice

No. He was buzzed. 

[closetojumping 65539]

Those pussies at IT won’t confirm the airplane rumor but they allude to it, and yes, know the rumor has been out there since the flight. 

It’s crazy reading the post mortems from the $9.95ers and having it all confirm shit we discussed here and on Shaggy contemporaneously when the events were unfolding. 

Tom Herman is a despicable piece of shit. I hope he goes to Tennessee and gets a train run on his ass for 3 years before begging Urban Meyer to rehabilitate him with an analyst job in Jacksonville, only to get denied and winding up as a receivers coach at Weber State working for Drew Mehringer. 

[Bevo14 8470]

6 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

Those pussies at IT won’t confirm the airplane rumor but they allude to it, and yes, know the rumor has been out there since the flight. 

It’s crazy reading the post mortems from the $9.95ers and having it all confirm shit we discussed here and on Shaggy contemporaneously when the events were unfolding. 

Tom Herman is a despicable piece of shit. I hope he goes to Tennessee and gets a train run on his ass for 3 years before begging Urban Meyer to rehabilitate him with an analyst job in Jacksonville, only to get denied and winding up as a receivers coach at Weber State working for Drew Mehringer and sharing a bathroom with Warehime.

Fify

Edited January 16, 2021 by Bevo14

[Bigbend1812 13063]

19 hours ago, squeegeedegg said:

More than likely disheveled, unshaven and in sweaty athletic gear after a hot practice

[LTtxfan 50038]

12 hours ago, Machinator said:

 

Can't wait to see Ja'Tavion in Burnt Orange next season... 🤘

[Elmer_Fudd 23035]

OU offered Austin Uke.

[Machinator 32103]

LJ Johnson visiting A&M today ("student visit").

[Vertigo 20502]

15 minutes ago, Machinator said:

LJ Johnson visiting A&M today ("student visit").

[Reynolds Woodcock 5101]

2 hours ago, closetojumping said:

Those pussies at IT won’t confirm the airplane rumor but they allude to it, and yes, know the rumor has been out there since the flight. 

It’s crazy reading the post mortems from the $9.95ers and having it all confirm shit we discussed here and on Shaggy contemporaneously when the events were unfolding. 

Tom Herman is a despicable piece of shit. I hope he goes to Tennessee and gets a train run on his ass for 3 years before begging Urban Meyer to rehabilitate him with an analyst job in Jacksonville, only to get denied and winding up as a receivers coach at Weber State working for Drew Mehringer. 

Well, yesterday they did dispute your famous Warhime story. I choose not to believe them in that respect.  

[closetojumping 65539]

11 minutes ago, Reynolds Woodcock said:

Well, yesterday they did dispute your famous Warhime story. I choose not to believe them in that respect.  

I’ve seen so many iterations on the original story I posted that even I’ve had to dispute versions of it, so that’s understandable. We had the discussion about it recently with the original post being linked by @Machinator or @RGBIII or someone of their ilk. Can’t remember which thread. A guy that works with Little’s father ended up confirming much of it on the thread after running it by his dad. 

One of the keys to that one when it is legend versus reality is it usually involves the toilet being clogged or the plumbing being damaged. Never said that, although that certainly is my preferred version. 

If they’re disputing that Warehime showed up, sweating, acting weird, and then taking a grumpy and disappearing in their bathroom for 15 minutes+ and then coming out and handling the visit as though nothing had happened, well, they’re wrong, and they’re also dorks for feeling the need to dispute that in the first place. 

[Reynolds Woodcock 5101]

9 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

I’ve seen so many iterations on the original story I posted that even I’ve had to dispute versions of it, so that’s understandable. We had the discussion about it recently with the original post being linked by @Machinator or @RGBIII or someone of their ilk. Can’t remember which thread. A guy that works with Little’s father ended up confirming much of it on the thread after running it by his dad. 

One of the keys to that one when it is legend versus reality is it usually involves the toilet being clogged or the plumbing being damaged. Never said that, although that certainly is my preferred version. 

If they’re disputing that Warehime showed up, sweating, acting weird, and then taking a grumpy and disappearing in their bathroom for 15 minutes+ and then coming out and handling the visit as though nothing had happened, well, they’re wrong, and they’re also dorks for feeling the need to dispute that in the first place. 

Turns out, it's the bolded. 

[closetojumping 65539]

6 minutes ago, Reynolds Woodcock said:

Turns out, it's the bolded. 

Ha. Nahlin is such a petty baby. 

[Elmer_Fudd 23035]

Wiltfong, Roach, and Harris all changed crystal ball picks on LJ back to aggy.