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Texas recruiting notes 2019


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Mike Roach: Texas looking to close with small but impressive OL class

 

The Texas offensive line had a fairly strong performance in 2018. The play of Herb Hand’s group allowed the Longhorns to establish offensive consistency and set a physical tone on the field. With development headed in the right direction at the position, the coaching staff wants to keep filling the cupboard with talent. The state of Texas has been hit or miss on producing offensive line prospects during the last few cycles, and 2019 was one of the lean years.

The Longhorns started off by adding their top offensive line target in Tyler Johnson. The four-star prospect from Conroe Oak Ridge was a Texas lean for quite some time, and he pulled the trigger during the spring. Johnson gives the Longhorns one of the top overall prospects in-state, and he’s a true tackle with the versatility to play inside. Johnson doesn’t have the outrageous athletic ceiling of other elite linemen, but his strong skillset is aided by his high floor. Johnson is a ready-made player with a polished game and great movement ability.

Texas followed Johnson by landing Javonne Shepherd during the summer. The four-star Houston North Forest offensive tackle was a big head-to-head win over Texas A&M, but the Longhorns had to fight to keep him all the way until National Signing Day. Shepherd’s senior season was tumultuous to say the least. After gaining weight in the summer, Shepherd was able to get back to his idea size in the fall, but he missed time during the season after some off-the-field troubles. Regardless, Texas still needed to hold on to him to keep infusing talent into their system.

Shepherd is more of a lottery ticket. His size and athleticism are uncommon, but he will need work on the technical side. Like Johnson, Shepherd is a tackle body who could play guard if he needed to. If he develops the way the coaches would like him to, he has the athletic ability to be an impact blindside protector and NFL talent.

The Longhorns stayed patient in identifying offensive line targets, and they cashed in on rising prospect Isaiah Hookfin during the early signing period. The four-star offensive tackle from Fort Bend Dulles jumped onto the radar with his strong senior season. Hookfin’s length and athleticism are appetizing for coaches and strength staffs, but he will need time in the weight room to see the field.

The 2020 and 2021 classes promise to be stocked with talent along the offensive line, and Texas was able to save room for future classes while putting together a good haul in the 2019 cycle. There are also still a few graduate transfers and JUCO options on the board they could tap into if extra numbers are needed. Despite the ups and downs of Shepherd’s recruitment, holding on to him was important for the team depth as Texas goes to work trying to build a roster with elite ability.

Edited by satyanash
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3 hours ago, texifornia said:

For the masochists (ahem, @satyanash) among us

 

- Bought his rings/got his wedding outfits dry-cleaned. Going to Prague Friday for his honeymoon. His fiance won't let him get a haircut. Bla, bla, bla.

- Likes 2020 athlete Joel Williams. Raw athlete whose best fit is probably nickel. Probably LSU-bound.

- Too early to say if any young WRs will transfer in response to the incoming class. McCoy not playing immediately + Whittington at RB will prevent a backlog there.

- Anything can happen with Shepherd right now. Right now thinks he sticks with Texas and signs on NSD.

- No idea what's going on with Demond Demas. Similar sort of recruit to Shepherd. Nothing matters until he signs.

- Still work to do with Fred Davis. Washington met him recently, he has family in the state of Texas.

- Lots of Texas ties with Ringo as well, UT is a top school for him. Holland apparently knew Ringo would be a GOAT CB prospect after five minutes of watching him in 7v7. Looks like an NFL corner already.

- Justin Flowe's tape is incredible, he tore it up at the opening. Will be a tough pull, he has some interest in Texas and will make a visit.

- Michael Henderson is an 'intriguing' athlete who should probably be a four-star. Not as athletic as Ja'Quinden Jackson, doesn't project cleanly to a position. Too short for a TE, lots of work to do if he wants to be a QB.

- Most important recruit in 2020 is Ja'Quinden Jackson or Zach Evans. Thinks Jackson could help our DFW recruiting. Has the talent to be the next Cam Newton.

- Evans is a generational prospect, can do anything, built like a thoroughbred, best RB prospect he's ever seen in his career.

- Going to put in a CB to Arky for Lakia Henry once the periscope is finished.

- Jaylon Jones to A&M wasn't a massive surprise. Didn't feel great about his Texas CB. There was talk about Jones giving A&M a silent last year. He was at UT's Elite Prospect Day and had a really strong relationship with Jason Washington. A&M has done a great job keeping their guys committed, probably won't flip.

- He tweeted about Damien George back when he had no offers. Has to reshape his body, Texas is a top 3 school for him.

- Never seen Major Burns in any setting, no input on him.

- Texas not looking for a kicker in 2020.

- Elias Ricks could visit Texas for the LSU game.

- Herman will have some tough battles with Jimbo on his hands, but thinks he will finish ahead of A&M again this cycle.

- By the end of spring, Texas could have Jaylen Garth committed. Chad Lindberg wants to wait a big longer.

- No expected NSD surprises. Super Bowl was very boring, worst he's seen.

- Texas is in a good spot with Mookie Cooper, but he's pushed back his decision timeline and is expanding his options.

- Fiance bought him that hat, quote (Warning: Yelp Critic) is from a South Park episode.

- LSU may bump Texas on NSD, but UT will finish in the top 5 without a doubt.

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6 hours ago, Sabalo said:

Is the kid sporting a pants tent?

This is the awkward kid on Texags who entertained Old Army with his short bus version of recruiting evals.   Things got cozy & he broke his alternative lifestyle preferences on his less than liberal audience.

This freak actually dropped anchor for his hero.  If he doesn't get popped for bestiality & hangs around long enough,  he just might end up getting a cumblastszn hummer from ol' Johnny for the price of that hoodie.

Edited by UcancallmeSurly
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1 hour ago, satyanash said:

- Bought his rings/got his wedding outfits dry-cleaned. Going to Prague Friday for his honeymoon. His fiance won't let him get a haircut. Bla, bla, bla.

- Likes 2020 athlete Joel Williams. Raw athlete whose best fit is probably nickel. Probably LSU-bound.

- Too early to say if any young WRs will transfer in response to the incoming class. McCoy not playing immediately + Whittington at RB will prevent a backlog there.

- Anything can happen with Shepherd right now. Right now thinks he sticks with Texas and signs on NSD.

- No idea what's going on with Demond Demas. Similar sort of recruit to Shepherd. Nothing matters until he signs.

- Still work to do with Fred Davis. Washington met him recently, he has family in the state of Texas.

- Lots of Texas ties with Ringo as well, UT is a top school for him. Holland apparently knew Ringo would be a GOAT CB prospect after five minutes of watching him in 7v7. Looks like an NFL corner already.

- Justin Flowe's tape is incredible, he tore it up at the opening. Will be a tough pull, he has some interest in Texas and will make a visit.

- Michael Henderson is an 'intriguing' athlete who should probably be a four-star. Not as athletic as Ja'Quinden Jackson, doesn't project cleanly to a position. Too short for a TE, lots of work to do if he wants to be a QB.

- Most important recruit in 2020 is Ja'Quinden Jackson or Zach Evans. Thinks Jackson could help our DFW recruiting. Has the talent to be the next Cam Newton.

- Evans is a generational prospect, can do anything, built like a thoroughbred, best RB prospect he's ever seen in his career.

- Going to put in a CB to Arky for Lakia Henry once the periscope is finished.

- Jaylon Jones to A&M wasn't a massive surprise. Didn't feel great about his Texas CB. There was talk about Jones giving A&M a silent last year. He was at UT's Elite Prospect Day and had a really strong relationship with Jason Washington. A&M has done a great job keeping their guys committed, probably won't flip.

- He tweeted about Damien George back when he had no offers. Has to reshape his body, Texas is a top 3 school for him.

- Never seen Major Burns in any setting, no input on him.

- Texas not looking for a kicker in 2020.

- Elias Ricks could visit Texas for the LSU game.

- Herman will have some tough battles with Jimbo on his hands, but thinks he will finish ahead of A&M again this cycle.

- By the end of spring, Texas could have Jaylen Garth committed. Chad Lindberg wants to wait a big longer.

- No expected NSD surprises. Super Bowl was very boring, worst he's seen.

- Texas is in a good spot with Mookie Cooper, but he's pushed back his decision timeline and is expanding his options.

- Fiance bought him that hat, quote (Warning: Yelp Critic) is from a South Park episode.

- LSU may bump Texas on NSD, but UT will finish in the top 5 without a doubt.

Thank you for your service. 

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Bobby Burton: Monday

 

The Texas basketball program is mired in mediocrity. The Horns are 12-10 this season and 2-6 over their last eight games. Through his fourth season, Shaka Smart is just 62-60 as Texas coach. He has yet to win an NCAA game with the Horns and he likely won't qualify for the tourney for the second time in the last three years. All of this despite what looks like it will be a third consecutive one-and-done big man (Jaxson Hayes, preceded by Mo Bamba and Jarrett Allen).

I don't know exactly what the answer is for the Texas basketball program. But I get the feeling Shaka Smart isn't it. If anyone knows of a basketball coach that was .500 through their first four years at a program and then eventually became a national power, please let me know.

**

Tom Brady > Jared Goff

Bill Belichick > Sean McVay

Congrats to Brenham native and Texas alum Malcom Brown on his winning his second Super Bowl ring!

**

With the news that Derrian Brown's medical issues are serious, we should fully expect the Horns to make a run at another grad transfer at running back akin to Trey Watson. It was likely going to be the case without Brown's issues, but it's almost guaranteed now. After all, the Horns return just three scholarship RBs on scholarship - Keaontay Ingram, Kirk Johnson and Daniel Young. Texas is also expected to give Jordan Whittington a trial at RB this spring, too. But I just can't see the Horns entering the 2019 season with only three true RBs. The risk and likelihood of injury at that position is simply too great.

**

Something to think about... If Whittington somehow ends up earning real time at RB, it gives Tom Herman's offense an interesting opportunity. With Whittington, we're talking about a guy who could truly make it a five-wide set without the Horns having to substitute. A lot of teams switch up their linebackers to cover running backs out wide. But if Whittington motions out of the backfield or lines up near the boundary, it's tough to see a defense making that switch, which in turn could give more favorable match-ups to other receivers inside.

**

It sounds like Houston North Forest offensive line recruit Javonne Shepherd is all but set on signing with the Horns on Wednesday. Shepherd is a really high upside prospect, and I mean as high as any OL in the state or country. He has immense size at 6-foot-6, 300-plus pounds and he's also very athletic. He even played some goal-line running back and scored on his highlight film. Here's the link to that:

http://www.hudl.com/profile/7660667/Javonne-Shepherd

However, the knock on Shepherd, according to 247Sports analyst Barton Simmons, has been off the field concerns, some of which caused him to miss some playing time as a senior. Yet if Shepherd bears down and commits himself to being a great player over the next few years, he can be as good as he wants to be.

Shepherd will join two other athletic offensive linemen in this class. Both Tyler Johnson and Isaiah Hookfin are very good athletes for their respective size. A position group (the OL) that was once a real albatross around the neck of the program is looking better and better with each passing year.

Edited by satyanash
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9 minutes ago, satyanash said:

Bobby Burton: Monday

  Reveal hidden contents

The Texas basketball program is mired in mediocrity. The Horns are 12-10 this season and 2-6 over their last eight games. Through his fourth season, Shaka Smart is just 62-60 as Texas coach. He has yet to win an NCAA game with the Horns and he likely won't qualify for the tourney for the second time in the last three years. All of this despite what looks like it will be a third consecutive one-and-done big man (Jaxson Hayes, preceded by Mo Bamba and Jarrett Allen).

I don't know exactly what the answer is for the Texas basketball program. But I get the feeling Shaka Smart isn't it. If anyone knows of a basketball coach that was .500 through their first four years at a program and then eventually became a national power, please let me know.

**

Tom Brady > Jared Goff

Bill Belichick > Sean McVay

Congrats to Brenham native and Texas alum Malcom Brown on his winning his second Super Bowl ring!

**

With the news that Derrian Brown's medical issues are serious, we should fully expect the Horns to make a run at another grad transfer at running back akin to Trey Watson. It was likely going to be the case without Brown's issues, but it's almost guaranteed now. After all, the Horns return just three scholarship RBs on scholarship - Keaontay Ingram, Kirk Johnson and Daniel Young. Texas is also expected to give Jordan Whittington a trial at RB this spring, too. But I just can't see the Horns entering the 2019 season with only three true RBs. The risk and likelihood of injury at that position is simply too great.

**

Something to think about... If Whittington somehow ends up earning real time at RB, it gives Tom Herman's offense an interesting opportunity. With Whittington, we're talking about a guy who could truly make it a five-wide set without the Horns having to substitute. A lot of teams switch up their linebackers to cover running backs out wide. But if Whittington motions out of the backfield or lines up near the boundary, it's tough to see a defense making that switch, which in turn could give more favorable match-ups to other receivers inside.

**

It sounds like Houston North Forest offensive line recruit Javonne Shepherd is all but set on signing with the Horns on Wednesday. Shepherd is a really high upside prospect, and I mean as high as any OL in the state or country. He has immense size at 6-foot-6, 300-plus pounds and he's also very athletic. He even played some goal-line running back and scored on his highlight film. Here's the link to that:

http://www.hudl.com/profile/7660667/Javonne-Shepherd

However, the knock on Shepherd, according to 247Sports analyst Barton Simmons, has been off the field concerns, some of which caused him to miss some playing time as a senior. Yet if Shepherd bears down and commits himself to being a great player over the next few years, he can be as good as he wants to be.

Shepherd will join two other athletic offensive linemen in this class. Both Tyler Johnson and Isaiah Hookfin are very good athletes for their respective size. A position group (the OL) that was once a real albatross around the neck of the program is looking better and better with each passing year.

Wrong board but John Beilein was 0.500 his first four years at Michigan.  It’s a terrible comp but just pointing out that Bobby’s research on these articles does not interfere with his nap time. 

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It's worth firing off here that not an incredible amount has actually changed in the recruitment of Javonne Shepherd. The aggies still feel like they're getting him. So does Texas. It's not going full sarvanash to think that no one should be counting that egg before it hatches around 1pm on Wednesday. Ink dry and shit.

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Just now, closetojumping said:

It's worth firing off here that not an incredible amount has actually changed in the recruitment of Javonne Shepherd. The aggies still feel like they're getting him. So does Texas. It's not going full sarvanash to think that no one should be counting that egg before it hatches around 1pm on Wednesday. Ink dry and shit.

Honestly I’m fine with either outcome. I’d rather he sign with A&M given they are tight on numbers already and he can tie up a scholarship but the perception issue of losing a recruiting battle I guess is a thing. 

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13 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

Wrong board but John Beilein was 0.500 his first four years at Michigan.  It’s a terrible comp but just pointing out that Bobby’s research on these articles does not interfere with his nap time. 

Coach K and Jay Wright, too. I'm no Shaka Smart defender but Bobby Burton does himself a disservice by being so fucking lazy.

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1 minute ago, Newy25 said:

Honestly I’m fine with either outcome. I’d rather he sign with A&M given they are tight on numbers already and he can tie up a scholarship but the perception issue of losing a recruiting battle I guess is a thing. 

I've been there. I believe Drew Richmond has two years of eligibility left. If Texas is going to take a high risk/reward project, might as well go with the option that only ties a scholarship for two years. 

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13 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

It's worth firing off here that not an incredible amount has actually changed in the recruitment of Javonne Shepherd. The aggies still feel like they're getting him. So does Texas. It's not going full sarvanash to think that no one should be counting that egg before it hatches around 1pm on Wednesday. Ink dry and shit.

Thanks for your take on this. I will admit that when I read all the predictions on Shep regarding "if he takes the OV to UT then he signs with Texas" vs. him going to the aggy super bowl party, I totally bought in that he is coming to Austin.

Hope he signs with the Horns. He has issues but a high ceiling. But who knows what will happen with that guy.

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45 minutes ago, Machinator said:

Coach K and Jay Wright, too. I'm no Shaka Smart defender but Bobby Burton does himself a disservice by being so fucking lazy.

Quote
59 minutes ago, ClubWhatever said:

Wrong board but John Beilein was 0.500 his first four years at Michigan.  It’s a terrible comp but just pointing out that Bobby’s research on these articles does not interfere with his nap time. 

 

Burton was referencing overall W/L record, but he's still not wrong.

As ClubWhatever pointed out, John Beilein compiled an even 67-67 record in his first four years at Michigan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beilein

Coach K was 62-57 through four, finally getting Duke going in year four.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Krzyzewski

Jay Wright was not sub .500 at Villanova, either. He was during his time at Hofstra, but Wright was 76-54 through four seasons at Nova.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Wright_(basketball)

 

Pending a miracle, Shaka will not last to have an astonishing turnaround at Texas.

 

Edited by MuellerHorn
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2 minutes ago, MuellerHorn said:

Burton was referencing overall W/L record, but he's still not wrong.

As ClubWhatever pointed out, John Beilein compiled an even 67-67 record in his first four years at Michigan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Beilein

Coach K was 62-57 through four, finally getting Duke going in year four.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Krzyzewski

Jay Wright was not sub .500 at Villanova, either. He was during his time at Hofstra, but Wright was 76-54 through four seasons at Nova.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Wright_(basketball)

 

Ah, I thought he was talking about conference play.

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1 hour ago, closetojumping said:

It's worth firing off here that not an incredible amount has actually changed in the recruitment of Javonne Shepherd. The aggies still feel like they're getting him. So does Texas. It's not going full sarvanash to think that no one should be counting that egg before it hatches around 1pm on Wednesday. Ink dry and shit.

I was confident based on the Fuck A&M thing until FWK posted the horns on Twitter. 

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1 hour ago, Machinator said:

Coach K and Jay Wright, too. I'm no Shaka Smart defender but Bobby Burton does himself a disservice by being so fucking lazy.

 

1 hour ago, ClubWhatever said:

Wrong board but John Beilein was 0.500 his first four years at Michigan.  It’s a terrible comp but just pointing out that Bobby’s research on these articles does not interfere with his nap time. 

Research?  Bobby depends on being told things.

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1 hour ago, Machinator said:

Coach K and Jay Wright, too. I'm no Shaka Smart defender but Bobby Burton does himself a disservice by being so fucking lazy.

A lot of people are lazy about this. Most people use Beilein/Michigan as the example of what Texas basketball can become and they fail to realize that he was terrible in his first four years at Michigan. 

Edited by texasstrong12
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2 hours ago, satyanash said:

Bobby Burton: Monday

  Reveal hidden contents

The Texas basketball program is mired in mediocrity. The Horns are 12-10 this season and 2-6 over their last eight games. Through his fourth season, Shaka Smart is just 62-60 as Texas coach. He has yet to win an NCAA game with the Horns and he likely won't qualify for the tourney for the second time in the last three years. All of this despite what looks like it will be a third consecutive one-and-done big man (Jaxson Hayes, preceded by Mo Bamba and Jarrett Allen).

I don't know exactly what the answer is for the Texas basketball program. But I get the feeling Shaka Smart isn't it. If anyone knows of a basketball coach that was .500 through their first four years at a program and then eventually became a national power, please let me know.

**

Tom Brady > Jared Goff

Bill Belichick > Sean McVay

Congrats to Brenham native and Texas alum Malcom Brown on his winning his second Super Bowl ring!

**

With the news that Derrian Brown's medical issues are serious, we should fully expect the Horns to make a run at another grad transfer at running back akin to Trey Watson. It was likely going to be the case without Brown's issues, but it's almost guaranteed now. After all, the Horns return just three scholarship RBs on scholarship - Keaontay Ingram, Kirk Johnson and Daniel Young. Texas is also expected to give Jordan Whittington a trial at RB this spring, too. But I just can't see the Horns entering the 2019 season with only three true RBs. The risk and likelihood of injury at that position is simply too great.

**

Something to think about... If Whittington somehow ends up earning real time at RB, it gives Tom Herman's offense an interesting opportunity. With Whittington, we're talking about a guy who could truly make it a five-wide set without the Horns having to substitute. A lot of teams switch up their linebackers to cover running backs out wide. But if Whittington motions out of the backfield or lines up near the boundary, it's tough to see a defense making that switch, which in turn could give more favorable match-ups to other receivers inside.

**

It sounds like Houston North Forest offensive line recruit Javonne Shepherd is all but set on signing with the Horns on Wednesday. Shepherd is a really high upside prospect, and I mean as high as any OL in the state or country. He has immense size at 6-foot-6, 300-plus pounds and he's also very athletic. He even played some goal-line running back and scored on his highlight film. Here's the link to that:

http://www.hudl.com/profile/7660667/Javonne-Shepherd

However, the knock on Shepherd, according to 247Sports analyst Barton Simmons, has been off the field concerns, some of which caused him to miss some playing time as a senior. Yet if Shepherd bears down and commits himself to being a great player over the next few years, he can be as good as he wants to be.

Shepherd will join two other athletic offensive linemen in this class. Both Tyler Johnson and Isaiah Hookfin are very good athletes for their respective size. A position group (the OL) that was once a real albatross around the neck of the program is looking better and better with each passing year.

Isn't it kind of embarrassing for a guy who covers Texas recruiting to have to defer to a national  writer in order to get information about personal issues on a Texas recruit?

He really needs Simmons to tell him what the issues are?  Is he half retired or something?

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