Jump to content

Texas recruiting notes 2019

bigup2dahorns

By bigup2dahorns
in 🤫$9.95🤫

 Share

Recommended Posts

satyanash

satyanash 14,478

Posted
Posted

Jeff Howe: Naivar, Washington continue to prove themselves on the trail

It would be unfair to expect Craig Naivar and Jason Washington to repeat the success the Texas secondary coaches enjoyed in the 2018 recruiting cycle when assembling the 2019 class. The Longhorns safeties and cornerbacks coaches, respectively, combined to bring in a six-man haul of defensive backs to not only spearhead the nation’s No. 3-ranked class, according to the 247Sports, but go down as one of the greatest defensive back classes ever assembled in the online era of recruiting.

Texas stayed within the border of the Lone State State to snag two 247Sports Composite five-star prospects (B.J. Foster and Caden Sterns), two other recruits who were five-star prospects based on the rankings compiled by the 247Sports staff (Jalen Green and DeMarvion Overshown), arguably the nation’s top nickelback and one of the country’s best prep return specialists (D’shawn Jamison) and a cornerback who worked his way into the starting lineup by the conclusion of spring practice as a January enrollee (Anthony Cook).

Recruits pay attention to how schools recruit at their position, so Naivar and Washington had their work cut out for them when the cycle began with the challenge being to bring even more talent into an already loaded position group on the Forty Acres. Yet here are the Longhorns on July 1 with four-star safety Chris Adimora (Lakewood, Calif./Mayfair) joining Kenyatta Watson II (Loganville, Ga./Grayson) are the two members of the secondary class thus far. Adimora, the No. 200 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings, giving his commitment to the Longhorns on Sunday shows Naivar and Washington are going to leave no stone unturned and will search from the Southeast to the West Coast and all points in between to find quality defensive backs who can help the Longhorns win football games.

A lot has been made about the Longhorns facing difficult challenges recruiting within the state in the current cycle. A 7-6 finish to the first season of the Tom Herman era isn’t the kind of record that would have recruits beating down the door to join the program, but the Jimbo Fisher taking over at Texas A&M and putting a fresh coat of paint over the tenure of Kevin Sumlin, along with Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma coming off another Big 12 title, a trip to the College Football Playoff and a spring where the Sooners produced the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft (Baker Mayfield) has changed the landscape significantly even from what it was when Herman and Co. began their first full cycle recruiting for the Longhorns.

Despite seeing the Aggies pick up a couple of safety recruits the Longhorns liked in five-star prospect Brian Williams of Dallas Bishop Dunne and Waxahachie’s Demani Richardson, the Longhorns stayed the course and now have two out-of-state defensive backs the staff is surely happy to have. Adimora and Watson (No. 174 overall in the Composite) are both national top-200 recruits, showing that the Longhorns didn’t head outside the state just claim someone else’s leftovers.

Even though Boise State was the only competition Texas faced for Adimora at the end of his recruitment, he reported offers throughout the process from the likes of Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, UCLA and USC. Along with the offers that came his, 247Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons mentioned Adimora specifically when discussing what the 2018 NFL Draft taught the recruiting industry about safety evaluations and why Adimora is a prospect to watch at the next level because of his all-around game on the field and the fact that he’s a multi-sport athlete. “(Adimora) doesn’t get discussed much among the best at the position nationally,” Simmons wrote. “His profile certainly presents him in a light as positive as any. He had 906 all-purpose yards last fall as well as 71 tackles and seven interceptions. He’s a three-sport athlete, adding basketball and an 11.1 100 meter time in track to his resume.”

While the Longhorns continue to actively recruit in-state standouts like Cedar Hill Trinity Christian’s Lewis Cine, Mansfield Legacy’s Jalen Catalon and Alvin’s Marques Caldwell, the commitments of Watson and now Adimora give Texas two top-notch defensive backs in the fold with plenty of time to evaluated the board and prepare for the contact window that opens at the end of the month.

Naivar and Washington showed during the most recent recruiting cycle that they can recruit at an elite level. Long known as good talent evaluators during their stops at Texas State, Rice and Houston, the coaching tandem on the back is proving they can cast a wide even when the chips appear to be down and still come away with catches worth bragging about.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 50.5k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Machinator

    3301

  • texifornia

    2178

  • Katfid54

    1408

  • satyanash

    1292

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Popular Posts

closetojumping
closetojumping

There's more than just 2019 stuff in this update, but I'm not being paid to post, so I'm dumping it all here and you guys can do with it/disseminate it/ignore it as you like. Regarding the UA guy

Carl Winslow
Carl Winslow

word 😂 brooks not being a take clemson starting rb pistol whipped & robbed his own teammate he lead clemson to a national championship & 3 playoff appearances recruit to wi

RadiologyHorn
RadiologyHorn

Now Mpagi is better than Leal???!???    Guys tell me you’re trolling. Please tell me this isn’t real. I feel like I’m in a Seinfeld bizarro world episode. I can’t take this shit anymore. Whe

Posted Images

Bevo

Bevo 13,570

Posted
Posted
Just now, Constant said:

Brazil!!

I get it. This a reference to the corpse values of that Brazilian soccer fan who slipped and fell on her wine glass. Otherwise, I haz the confuz because they don't even play football in Brazil.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Machinator

Machinator 32,099

Posted
Posted

IT

From: Justin Wells

DE’GABRIEL FLOYD

The elite linebacker from the west coast is doing more than competing at The Opening this week. He's recruiting and building relationships with potential future Longhorns.

"It's amazing," Floyd said, about his Opening experience. "I've been dreaming about this day for a long time and it finally came true. I feel like I'm getting better with every single rep. If I lose, they tell me how to get better, if I win, they tell me what I need to sharpen up on."

When his buddy, Chris Adimora joined the 2019 class yesterday, Floyd was pleased.

"I'm not going to lie, I've known he was going to commit for months now," said Floyd. "When he took his trip (to Austin), he told me he was coming. I wasn't surprised and sent him a congratulations text. We're just ready to get things rolling."

Floyd and Rian Davis were joined at the hip for most of Sunday. DeGabriel has been very vocal to Texas targets about the Horns and what's in store.

"You see the Cali movement," Floyd says to his fellow west coast prospects. "Me, Adimora coming. I got some more dudes I'm talking to, like Bru McCoy. Davis and I are building a tight bond. I'm in his ear a lot. In these drills, we're just killing these dudes together. So me and him in the box are just bad for everybody."

Since he verbally pledged to Texas, Floyd has been the most vocal recruiter in the class. This week in Frisco is only increasing his interactions and that’s a good thing for the class.

NOAH CAIN

The saga and pursuit of the 4-star tailback from IMG will continue far into the fall. And no matter the school du jour, Texas will always have a legitimate shot. LSU, Georgia, and Penn State are schools that have caught Cain's attention recently, but his relationship with RB coach Stan Drayton continues to build and give the Horns a fighting chance. You can also add Clemson, Miami, and Ohio State to that list of suitors.

"It's hard for me to narrow down my top schools list," Cain noted. "A lot pf schools are telling me I have an opportunity to come in and play early. But Texas stills stands where they've always been. They're definitely one of my top schools. Coach Drayton, coach Herman, and Brian (Carrington) text and talk to me all the time. Coach Herman let me know how much they want me to come in and play early."

Cain has a teammate on UT's radar as well, 5-star tailback Trey Sanders. Both have discussed the possibility of playing together.

"Texas is one of the schools we've actually talked about playing together at," Cain said. "We see the need at running back in Austin. Me and Trey are both unselfish. We want to see each other succeed. We feed off of each other. We always talk about playing together at the next level."

Cain says he'll drop his Top 5 or 6 over the next few weeks, and those schools will get official visits. Is Texas one of them?

"Most definitely," Cain said with a smile.

The slow and steady approach is the way to go here with Cain, and despite the fact I believe Georgia leads, UT will be there until the end.

MARCUS WASHINGTON

This guy simply doesn't get mentioned enough. Ohio State is the favorite, I get it. But for the longest, I've been told Texas is a real player here. And Washington, who was humbled to be interviewed, seemed to confirm as much.

"The experience here is crazy, leaving your state and being around all the top guys in the nation and competing against the best," said Washington. "Then all the free gear, of course everybody likes that."

Washington is viewing this opportunity to become a better player and see how he compares with the best in the country.

"I'm real competitive so it gives me a chance to see where I rank, and where I stand against all these other receivers and defensive backs," Washington said. "It lets me know what I have to work on."

After his recent visit to Ohio State, it looks like the Buckeyes have the early advantage, but Texas, who was in his Top 5, is a school he's watching very carefully.

"I'm definitely visiting Texas," Washington said with a smile. "There's no question I have to get down there. (UT) messes with me heavy and I mess with them heavy. I have to get down there and see for myself, in person, not just over the phone. Mookie Cooper (teammate, who recently tripped to the ATX) told me it was amazing and that I have to get down there."

We've mentioned subtly over the last few months and in the Scoopidor that Washington was a kid that Texas really likes and is eager to get on campus. Washington confirmed that yesterday. I'm eager to watch him perform today and tomorrow. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder holds 36 offers for a reason. He'd be a Top 5 receiver prospect in-state for this cycle. If not Top 3.

NEWS/NOTES

1. Kardell Thomas' wallet might say Bad MF on it after all. I keep looking for excuses why he'll fail - overweight, lazy, bad motor, not in shape, eat too much in college - and he just keeps proving me wrong. If that guy gets into a strict S&C program and demanding position coach, he'll be a terror.

2. Evan Neal has improved. The big offensive tackle from IMG, at 6-foot-7, 391, looks to have slimmed down. He was also dominant in 1-on-1s. He likes Herb Hand and wants to visit again. I'll get more from him today or tomorrow.

3. Trey Sanders (offense) and Zach Harrison (defense) are the two best players in Frisco after a day and a half. Sanders looks like he could start in college today, and Harrison is astonishingly agile for 6-foot-6, 260.

4. Nike always invites participants from previous Openings over the years to speak, encourage, and even coach the kids. And for the third year in a row, that man Malik Jefferson is here. He demands so much respect not only from his peers, but the young guns too. He also looks almost filled out and its specimen level.

5. Guess what? Just like in Atlanta last week, Elijah Higgins looks damn good. We'll have notes/quotes on him, Javonne Shepherd, Bru McCoy, and more as the week progresses and the competition picks up.


From: Joe Cook

STACEY WILKINS

Despite originally being from California, Camden (AR) Fairview OL Stacey Wilkins has lived in the Natural State for most of his life. With only one major in-state school, there’s some pressure to stay at home from his community.

With that in mind, Arkansas is just one of the schools in strong contention for his signature along with Oklahoma, Georgia, Miami (FL), and Texas.

Wilkins is still a long way away from making his commitment as he told Inside Texas he plans to announce his decision at the high school all-star game he chooses to participate in. Before then, he plans to trim his list down twice.

“I’ll be dropping a top eight or a top ten before football season or at the beginning of football season,” Wilkins said following the first day of The Opening Finals. “Then I’ll drop a top five most likely toward the end or in the middle.”

Texas is one of the schools Wilkins plans to officially visit. He’ll make it to Austin for the USC game in September. He also plans to see Oklahoma for the Sooners’ game against UCLA, and Georgia for an SEC game against Auburn.

The Longhorns did provide something on his previous visit to Austin that no other school has so far when he wore traditional Polynesian attire in the mid-visit uniform photoshoot.

“I haven’t really seen that on other visits,” Wilkins said. “That was one thing that stood out to me that they put my family tradition there. Saw that (Herb Hand) really cares, and that was good. I liked it.”

He continued to speak highly of Texas’ offensive line coach.

“Coach Hand is a real cool guy to be around,” Wilkins said. “When I went up there for my visit, we were watching film. He’s an energetic guy. He knows what he’s talking about. That’s one thing that I like. He’s also about family and being able to connect.”

Wilkins was asked if he planned to enroll early at the school he commits to. He mentioned he was working to overcome academic struggles from his freshman year of high school, but was working closely with his counselor to improve his transcript.

Focusing on football, Wilkins was asked if Texas was a top contender in his recruitment. His answer made it clear where the Longhorns stood.

“They’ll definitely be in my top five.”

TREY SANDERS

Texas is trying to dip back into IMG Academy after signing Ayodele Adeoye in the class of 2018.

Two of the top targets Tom Herman is trying to pull from the Florida powerhouse are running backs. Much of the talk has centered around former Denton Guyer runner Noah Cain but Trey Sanders is getting the full pitch as well.

Sanders made a mid-June visit to Texas along with current 2019 commit Jordan Whittington. When asked about the visit, several different factors about his time in Austin stood out.

“It’s a great tradition,” Sanders said. “When I went to Texas, it was totally different. I never expected anything like that. It’s a nice, beautiful place. Also, I love the city.”

Sanders is one of three elite running backs Texas is recruiting. Along with Cain there’s 2020 North Shore mustang, Zach Evans.

For a running backs coach like Stan Drayton to be in on those players, it takes a coaching ability that those players notice. Sanders saw what Drayton brings to the field on his visit, and brought some of that back with him to Bradenton saying that in ten minutes with the Longhorns RB coach Sanders learned ways to improve his game.

“He’s always talking about critiquing my game,” Sanders said. “We always go in the film room. He’s a big guy on film. We’re always in the film room trying to critique my stuff and my film.”

When the conversation shifted to Herman, Sanders noted the program Texas’ second year coach is building in Austin as compared to another national power.

“Coach Herman is a real laid back guy, a cool guy,” Sander said. “He wants to win championships. Understand that Kirby Smart wanted to win championships and he went and did it, and he finished with the No. 2 recruiting class. Texas finished with the No. 3 recruiting class. They’ve got a good chance to do it this year.”

The next step for Sanders is to release his top five. Those five schools will be where he takes his official visits. He will then make a decision in the middle of the season. Texas’ chances to make that cut?

“Pretty good. I love Texas, man. I love it.”

RIAN DAVIS

Apopka (FL) Wekiva LB Rian Davis recently moved back to the Sunshine State after playing for Clear Lake in Houston. He worked with some of the best linebackers in the country at The Opening Finals, but there was one particular linebacker constantly by his side.

Texas commit De’Gabriel Floyd basically served as Davis’ shadow for most of the day. They ran drills together and were constantly talking.

“He was DM-ing me before that,” Davis said. “He’s telling me I should come to Texas. We’ve been talking. ‘Me and you there? It’s the move.’”

Davis told reporters Georgia was his No. 1 school followed by Texas, then Alabama. He talked about a connection with Kirby Smart and Georgia ILB coach Glenn Schumann since he has been to Athens three different times.

Texas is recruiting Davis for the Mac LB spot. Several different aspects stood out to Davis from his visits to Texas.

“Facilities, the weight room, and talking with Coach Orlando,” Davis said. “He really knows what he’s talking about.”

Davis said he plans to commit in the summer to secure a spot, but will still take his five official visits during the season. He plans to make it back to Texas for a game in the fall.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
satyanash

satyanash 14,478

Posted
Posted
23 minutes ago, Machinator said:

Wilkins was asked if he planned to enroll early at the school he commits to. He mentioned he was working to overcome academic struggles from his freshman year of high school, but was working closely with his counselor to improve his transcript.

uh-oh

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lonestar88

Lonestar88 4,629

Posted
Posted
19 minutes ago, Machinator said:

Per Wells - Higgins will take 4 OVs and Texas will get one of them. Florida is his slight favorite right now.

Lol, Florida. He is looking for reasons not to come to Texas. I’m kinda done thinking about Higgins, there’s a lot of good WRs out there.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bevo14

Bevo14 8,303

Posted
Posted
14 minutes ago, Lonestar88 said:

Lol, Florida. He is looking for reasons not to come to Texas. I’m kinda done thinking about Higgins, there’s a lot of good WRs out there.

one of the few major schools that can't negatively recruit our offense

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
texifornia

texifornia 56,869

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Lonestar88 said:

Lol, Florida. He is looking for reasons not to come to Texas. I’m kinda done thinking about Higgins, there’s a lot of good WRs out there.

His family are big UF fans - I think in an interview he said it was an orange-and-blue house. It's not that random.

Edited by texifornia
Link to comment
Share on other sites
lemonandaturd

lemonandaturd 4,285

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, Newy25 said:

I think our response to missing out on some key in state guys is very encouraging. Mack would have signed the first coaches son who agreed to commit at one of our junior days and Strong would have gone after some grade risks or simply nothing at all like he did at QB. 

Herman and company are not settling even when the competition for in state guys is very high. 

So we will be losing out on guys like Chet Moss and Cecil Cherry under Herman?  

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bevo14

Bevo14 8,303

Posted
Posted
9 minutes ago, TrojanPrincess said:

Hmmmm, funny because so has USC, from day one.  He has stated his preference at WR, so he is recruited primarily at that position.  Adoree’ Jackson is an example of a player playing both O and D at USC.

Guess SC hasn't been clear about their position. I'm putting him in the calculator.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


Football ... Basketball ... Baseball ... Other Sports ... Futbol ... 🤫995🤫 ... Gambling ... Movies & TV ... Music ... Hobbies ... Lulz ... Food & Travel ... Daily Texan ... Business and Markets ... Cloak Room ... Help ... For Sale ... Board Discussion ... Subscribe!... Donate!... Advertise... COOKIE MONSTER!

×
×
  • Create New...