Inside Texas 2015 Recruiting Review

INSIDETEXAS.COM

2015 RECRUITING REVIEW

LET’S RIDE! Chris Warren III is ready to bring his physical style to the Forty Acres

1

2

inside texas

insidetexas.com

February/March 2015

in this issue A Foundational Class |

by

Eric Nahlin

6

IT Staff

8

Eric sizes up Charlie Strong’s first full recruiting class at Texas.

Class of 2015 - Offense |

by

Meet Chris Warren III and the signees on offense.

Class of 2015 - Defense |

by

18

IT Staff

Meet Malik Jefferson and the rest of the defensive signees.

Inside the Texas Gameplan |

by Ian

28

Boyd

Ian breaks down the Mongo formation and how to use new weapons.

Inside Texas Top 100 |

34

By Eric Nahlin

The final rankings of the 2015 class.

Reviewing the 2015 Signees | Pat Culpepper gives his take on the 2015 class.

Inside The Gameplan |

by Ian

by

Pat Culpepper

Boyd

Ian looks at the 2014 class and what to expect from them in 2015.

38 41

2015 Roster Table 2016 Junior Day |

36

by

Justin Wells and Eric Nahlin

Takeaways from UT’s first Junior Day of the 2016 cycle.

42

Publishers -- Michael Pearle, Clendon Ross | Managing Editor--Clendon Ross | Editor-- Mike Blackwell InsideTexas.com Editor -- Justin Wells | Lead Writer -- Bill Frisbie | Contributor -- Ian Boyd Designer/Photographer -- Will Gallagher | Recruiting Analyst -- Eric Nahlin To Subscribe/Customer Service -- Phone: 512-249-8916 | Email: help@insidetexas.com February/March - 2015

3

W H AT ’ S YO U R P U R P L E

O-FACE?

Three Olives®. Grape Flavored Vodka. 35% Alc./Vol. (70 proof). ©2010 Proximo Spirits, Manhasset, NY. Please drink Three Olives® Vodka responsibly.

TM

INTRODUCING THREE-O® PURPLE From the seriously fun, super-premium Three Olives® Vodka comes the hottest new flavor of the year: Introducing Three-O® Purple, a wild fusion of Imported English vodka and the juicy taste of frozen crushed grapes.

SEE MORE O-FACES AT THREEOLIVES.COM

4

inside texas

insidetexas.com

Join us on

GAMEDAys Free food

:: : : : : : : : : ::::::::::::::::::: : : : : : :

B:10.75 in

T:10.5 in

72

DURING ALL

UT GAMES

beers on draft

:: : : : : : : : : ::::::::::::::::::: : : : : : :

16:: : : : TV’s & BIG sCREENs : : : : : ::::::::::::::::::: : : : : : : 3:: : : : SOUNDBOOTHS : : : : : ::::::::::::::::::: : : : : : : BOOK YOUR EVENT OR GAME WATCHING PARTY @

EVENTS@BREWExCHANGEAUSTIN.COM

CALL * 5 1 2 - 7 5 1 - 8 0 0 2

706 W. 6th StREEt

F ull

BAR

Austin’s only bAr feAturing stock mArket pricing

STRONG’S FOUNDATIONAL

T

he 2015 cycle was unconventional, not just for Texas fans, but also Texas HC Charlie Strong. Maybe especially Strong.

Sure, it had some elements of his process at Louisville, but he got a whole lot more than he bargained for and ended up in some all out street fights with regional and national schools. He landed his share of body blows, and put WRTS at a standing eight count.

You can actually say the fight with Aggie is now a draw, though I much prefer UT’s trend line. Aside from the on field production expected of this class, reversing the Texas trend line was the most significant thing Strong accomplished this cycle, even if the trend isn’t as steep as some would like.

Two things helped assemble this class; Malik Jefferson and out-of-state recruiting. The Malik Effect was not undersold. Nor was it oversold. It was real, we all saw it. You can say it wasn’t capitalized enough, but I think it ended up being maxed out considering the context of each recruitment it affected.

In business, retainment is just as important as generating new customers. As a partial business owner who took a tremendous

6

hit last week, I can assure you retainment is first and foremost. When Strong landed Jefferson, the class solidified. When he went out-of-state, it grew. There was a great deal of fortune in these two circumstances. The type of fortune you can’t count on year in and year out.

I’ll address these two instances further.

Charlie Strong, an evaluation.

QUICKNESS Strong did not hit the ground running as quickly as I thought he would. The wind was not at his back like it has been for other new coaches entering harsh waters. I underestimated A&M’s draw at the time, as well as Strong’s ability to barnstorm. Truth be told, knowing his recruiting process now, he’s not overly concerned with making early, decisive moves. We saw the tortoise versus the hare this year – Strong vs. Sumlin – and how Strong overtook the hare down the stretch. If you don’t spot Sumlin a boatload of recruits before Strong’s arrival, the complexion of each class would very likely look different.

Hell, Strong almost landed Kyler Murray and

inside texas

insidetexas.com

Daylon Mack after being behind 20 lengths.

There was significant ground to make up and the tide was very hard to reverse. Save a Harbaugh or Saban hire, I’m not sure who could have reversed it. Delude yourself with other names at your leisure, but it wasn’t going to happen.

That said, there could have been better early management on Strong’s part. It was senseless to pull Ed Oliver and Reggie Hemphill’s offers early. It never made sense to wait so long to offer Carlos Strickland. I questioned the quarterback selection when he and Shawn Watson decided to go with Zach Gentry and I question it now. With the poor recruiting staff Strong assembled, players can be your biggest ally. A hermit quarterback from New Mexico yields no recruiting value. And, yes, the staff was not assembled in any form or fashion to return Texas to recruiting prominence, especially in-state.

If you think that last paragraph is harsh, stick with me. Much like the cycle, it gets much better.

CLASS OF 2015 POINT OF ATTACK I think Strong shines in person. He does well in-home, whether it’s the single parent home absent a father or the family with a strong father. His strongest parental relationship of the cycle was with Chris Warren’s mom, K’tara Lopez. Lopez is father and mother – stern as any dad, loving as any mother. Strong and her hit it off immediately and forged a sibling type relationship.

Strong’s core values – though overblown in my estimation – have also helped build relationships. Strong taking class APR seriously adds credibility to him professing he’s trying to help build wellrounded individuals. He makes no bones about work ethic. People with strong work ethic simply end up on the right side of life and he demands that. What better sell to a parent who loves their child?

Players love him. In his National Signing Day LHN interview, he mentioned Cecil Cherry shows him video of his workouts. How many brick walls do you think Cherry will run through for Strong, and I don’t mean in a Sergio Kindle kind of way? One of Strong’s strengths is identifying these players. Once he does, they’re his.

Cherry was perfectly content with being a Tennessee commit until one weekend in Austin with Strong.

Devonaire Clarington is another example. His tweet directly to Strong telling him he believes he’ll right the Texas ship spoke volumes. These guys believe in Strong because of their interactions with him. They believe in him as a leader, not just as a football coach. If Charlie Strong decided to go manage a Best Buy tomorrow, I’m convinced Cherry and Clarington would immediately go buy blue polo shirts.

Malik Jefferson confided in me days after his commitment that he couldn’t believe he took so long to see the light. Charlie did all he needed to for so long and Jefferson was just a little bit late to recognize it. But not too late.

How you plan to deploy talent is a huge part of personal interaction. Nobody takes a job without understanding what’s expected of them and getting that ironed during the interview process. At times Charlie was a bit ambiguous with how he’d use players, but I don’t believe he ever told a lie. The end result was a class with every single fit he could need other than a quarterback with early starting capability – a true rarity.

CHANGE OF DIRECTION This is where Strong impressed me the most. I’d be lying if I didn’t privately wonder, “Does this guy get it?” I’d also be lying if I didn’t wonder, “Is this guy an evil genius?” Often within hours of each other.

by

Eric Nahlin

OU leans. He flipped a commitment from the defending national champions at a need position. He stole a linebacker from Butch Jones, a man compiling fantastic classes at Tennessee. He pulled the table cloth out from under Oregon at the 11th hour and didn’t disturb any dinnerware.

Easily the most impressive action of the cycle was Strong’s recognition he was faltering in Texas and the decision to go full bore into Florida. The yield was bountiful; a high upside tight end, an outside receiving threat, a plugger at linebacker, and an untapped cornerback with length. These ended up being foundational pieces in a foundation class. It also served notice to the country, Texas will go wherever it wants and pull players. With FSU being nearly full and Florida and Miami on the mend, Texas received some good fortune, but the point remains.

CLOSING SPEED It was elite. 12 players committed from December on. It may not have been the flourish some dreamed about (including Strong), but any complaints about the finish should fall on deaf ears. He landed fits. He landed needs. He landed elite talent. He landed ‘Strong’ types. He came, he saw, and he conquered new regions for the University. He shored up the indecisive. He reversed A&M’s momentum and put them on the defensive. Compare how each class closed if you’re feeling down and out.

SUMMARY I’d rate Strong a B+ in this cycle. I’m grading on a curve a bit. He made some mistakes and underestimated the quagmire that is recruiting in this state, but tell me, recruiting wise, which school in the state would you trade positions with? Yeah, me either.

Room for improvement: Offer elite players earlier. There are plenty of kids in this state who should hold offers. Build relationships earlier. There are a lot of kids who haven’t heard much from Texas despite holding offers.

Please continue: Closing strong. Recruiting out-of-state with aplomb. Finding fits that even the most novice viewer of film can understand how you’d use players.

Originally, I was a believer of Charlie Strong. There were some tense moments in December where I was wondering if this class was going to crater. I still have some minor questions about his recruiting process, but damn, I just can’t see this guy failing at Texas, especially with 29 new loyal subjects.

This was his program the day he took the reins. With his first class in the books, the program is now becoming him.

Strong’s ability to alter course or reverse recruiting momentum was at times awe inspiring. He pulled guys who were once heavy

February/March - 2015

7

8

inside texas

insidetexas.com

CLASS OF 2015 THE OFFENSE

C

harlie Strong’s year long pursuit of Chris Warren paid off when the bruising running back with burst selected Texas over Washington, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Long thought to be a Longhorn lock, there were some tense moments down the stretch as Washington pushed hard for a kid with a very familiar name to Seattleites, but in the end the opportunity to help Texas return to prominence was too much to turn down.

Months ago, after a tough Texas loss, I asked Warren what he thought about UT’s struggling offense. He replied, “They’ll be fine. They just need more primetime playmakers.”

He wasn’t talking about himself, but if you’ve seen him play, he was talking about himself. Warren’s a rare blend of power and fluidity, size, and speed. At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Warren will help Strong assert the team-wide identity of toughness and power running.

Though he’s big, Warren has enough speed to dial up runs from long distance, making him a rare running back. The depth chart sets up well for Warren with the departure of Malcolm Brown. Warren should see the field very early and split carries with Johnathan Gray and Duke Catalon.

Often taken for granted because he was long viewed to be the Longhorns to lose, you should take a minute and appreciate what Texas just landed. He’s a cornerstone piece every bit as much as Malik Jefferson.

Welcome to the 40 Acres, Mr. Warren. It’s been a pleasure to cover your drama-free recruitment and I look forward to watching your growth as a player.

Coach says: This kid will be your classic workhorse running back. He is going to wear you down over the course of a game and by the time you get to the 4th quarter defenders will hate trying to tackle him. He is a patient runner, with good vision, not a guy who is going to go east and west a lot. He is getting those shoulders square and getting north and south, seems to always to go forward and to continue fighting for yards after contact.

February/March - 2015

9

class of

2015 -

offense

Kai Locksley | Quarterback | Gilman HS (Baltimore, MD) | 6-3, 188 Playing football is a job in the Locksley family. Kai’s dad, Mike, is an offensive coordinator at Maryland. Kai treats the game with focus and confidence of a football coach. A long time Florida State pledge, Kai flipped to Texas a week before National Signing Day and is one of the highest rated passers UT has signed in five years. Kai was an Under Armour All-American and displayed athletic ability during the practices that suggests he’d excel at wide receiver too.

Kai is a special talent. Kai will compete for the QB spot in the fall of 2015 and will likely redshirt. He’s long, like VY, and he can take choppy steps and then use long strides to suddenly cover big stretches of grass and pull away from people.

Unlike VY, Locksley has a fantastic release and throwing motion. He has a great deep ball as well as the ability to throw on the run.

Coach says: I like this kid a lot, only a plus that he is a coach’s son. I think he is going to be stud wherever he goes.

Has great ball placement, puts it only where his receivers can catch it. Has good arm strength and I don’t see any glaring mechanical flaws. Very comfortable throwing the ball on the run and makes it look easy at times. He is a true dual threat, reminds me of Terrelle Pryor (refusing to make the Vince Young comparison) when he runs it, tall with long strides which eats up yards in a hurry. Displays a great burst and is very elusive in open field. This kid is going to be a star wherever he ends up; there is so much to love about his game. I can see this kid blowing up the college football world in 2-3 years. Him and Kyler Murray are 1A and 1B for me right now.

Tristian Houston | Running Back | North Shore HS | 5-11, 195 Steady, unheraled RB, Houston went unsung in 2014 but has as much ability as any of the running backs UT signed. Houston committed last April after unofficially visiting Texas at Junior Day in Feb. Houston continues a Galena Park North Shore pipeline that includes former Horns’ Cory Redding, Chykie Brown, Barrett Matthews, and current OL Sedrick Flowers.

Initially a questionable take, Houston’s senior tape reveals that the North Shore back actually excels at reading linebacker leverage and cutting up field with acceleration. This trait is the key to executing Wickline’s schemes, which often ask the RB to threaten the cutback at the hand-off and guide linebackers into the waiting arms of the Texas OL and lead blockers. His 10.88 track speed clearly translates in pads and he also adds a willingness to punish opponents at the end of runs.

If he can pick up protection duties and catch out of the backfield, he may surprise. Houston will likely redshirt in 2015.

10

inside texas

insidetexas.com

class of

2015 -

offense

Kirk Johnson | Running Back | Valley Christian HS (San Jose, CA) | 6-0, Legacy No. 2. Kirk is the oldest son of former Texas All-American Johnnie Johnson. It just so happens Kirk is one of the top running backs in the state of California. He’s a Marshall Faulk-type but could also play in the secondary, like his dad. Kirk also has a little brother, Collin, who is also committed to UT. It’s a family tradition in the Johnson household.

Although he could play running back or a safety his senior tape on offense was off the charts -- he definitely looks the part of a D1 running back. He made a splash at the US Army All-American combine two years ago and his trajectory has continued to climb since then. With the current depth at runnig back Kirk will likely redshirt in 2015.

John Burt | Wide Receiver | Lincoln HS (Tallahassee, FL) | 6-2, 180 He went with his heart early, and after an Auburn flirtation, he stayed the course.

Burt committed to Texas last August but remained on the fence about a flip to Auburn for a majority of the process. Burt is a field-stretching receiver with great strides and even better hands. He’s one of five prospects Strong grabbed from Florida. I see that trend continuing. Burt will likely redshirt in 2015.

Burt is an exceptional athlete who projects very easily to the X receiver position. He’s currently pretty light, but he already shows the needed physicality and explosiveness to eventually be a player that can beat press coverage and torch teams with vertical routes. He’s also a willing blocker on the edge and a special teams demon who could contribute to the team as a freshman before cracking the 2-deep at receiver. His route running is raw but he has the fluidity and hands to easily project him as a well-rounded player with time. – Ian Boyd Coach says: Elusive for his size. Has decent speed in the open field. Decent hands and will attack the ball in the air.

Doesn’t waste motion once he catches the ball, cuts it up and gets positive yardage quickly. He is a willing blocker, but you would like him to engage the defender better when he does. Definitely didn’t expect see so many special teams plays on tape. Shows he is willing to whatever he can to help the team, that will get you on the field early anywhere.

February/March - 2015

11

class of

2015 -

offense

Gilbert Johnson | Wide Receiver | Homestead HS (Miami, FL) | 6-2, 190 Gilbert is the only member of the Class of 2015 that actually began in the Class of 2014. Johnson committed to Georgia as a senior in high school. When he couldn’t qualify, he chose a military school and reclassified into 2015. “Coach Strong is one of the best coaches in my eyes,” Johnson told IT. “He always has his players back no matter what.” He lands at Texas with the “Florida Five” as the playmaker of the group.

Johnson can really go up and get it and has great height and length for the position. He’s pretty fluid and coordinated for a big receiver and has several absurdly acrobatic catches on his highlight reel. When he’s playing at 210, he’ll be a powerful menace similar to John Harris that could provide Texas a great possession receiver. Johnson will likely be expected to contribute in 2015.

Coach says: I like this kid. He’s a big receiver who high-points the ball and goes and gets it at its highest point. Got some Larry Fitzgerald to his game. Seems to pluck the ball out of the air at times and went up and Moss’d a few DBs on tape. I like that he is able to break a tackle after the catch and is able to get some YAC. Not just a big receiver, he can do anything with the rock after he gets it. Get this kid qualified quickly.

DeAndre McNeal | Wide Receiver | Mesquite Poteet HS | 6-2, 228 One of the class’s top athletes, McNeal exceled in the receiving department in high school. Being a superb athlete is the main reason Texas landed the talented pass-catcher from Mesquite Poteet. He’s teammates with 5-star pledge Malik Jefferson and they turned out to be a package deal.

McNeal has fantastic balance and a lot of short area quickness that make him surprisingly hard to cover or tackle for such a big guy. If he can master the routes at the H slot receiver position as well as the blocks at the H-back spot he could give Texas a match-up nightmare who moves all over the field and puts opposing defenses in personnel binds. If McNeal’s unusual size, athleticism, and skills are put to hard work in the offseason at Texas he can become a very versatile and dangerous piece on the chessboard for Texas in the coming seasons. McNeal will likely play immediately in 2015 and contribute.

Coach Says: He might be the best athlete in this class for Texas - he’s that good. DeAndre can play multiple positions and for somebody who is his size, he runs and moves like a much smaller player. I see him as H-back or wide receiver for Texas. His strong, effortless glide leads me to believe he will see the field in 2015.

12

inside texas

insidetexas.com

class of

2015 -

offense

Ryan Newsome | Wide Receiver | Aledo HS | 5-8, 170 Ryan Newsome is used to setting records and stirring excitement when he touches the ball. So when the all-purpose WR committed to UCLA, it sent shockwaves throughout the recruiting world. He was supposed to be a lock to Texas and nobody saw this coming. Come signing day morning, Newsome faxed his Letter of Intent to the Longhorns. He flipped to Texas and will be able to play close to his family now instead of Los Angeles. The 4-star from Aledo with track speed follows Longhorns’ Kyle Hix and Johnathan Gray.

His speed in and out of cuts make him very hard to cover up without a long, quick nickelback who can press him at the line. He’s pretty good at vertical routes but the best fit for him would be as a RB/WR hybrid who can get the ball out of the backfield some as well. Newsome will likely redshirt in 2015.

Coach says: Smoke through a keyhole. This kid can GO. Has track speed that translates to the football field, he is a threat to go yard from anywhere on the field. If he gets a running start coming at you, you can forget it. He can stop and go on a dime to boot, he is going to be a matchup nightmare in the slot. Kid could have a Tavon Austin like impact wherever he goes, just get him the rock and watch him go. Newsome is dynamite in a small package. Plays a lot bigger than he is and will improve any offense he joins in college.

Devonaire Clarington | Tight End | Booker T. Washington HS (Miami, FL) | 6-5, 238 Nicknamed “Devo”, close to “Bevo”, Devonaire is a highly charismatic personality and equally talented pass-catcher from South Florida. One of the original “Florida Five”, Clarington is the highest rated tight end to ink with Texas in five years. He committed to Texas at the Army All-American Bowl in January. “Texas will be getting all of my abilities,” Clarington told reporters. “My route-running, hands and athletic ability. I’m not your normal tight end. I’ll show everyone in the first game against Notre Dame.” He fills a major need position and will certainly contribute as a freshman in 2015.

Clarington has an NFL frame at 6-foot-6, 225, with fluidity and hands to match that allow him to use his size to be a terror on vertical routes. Line up him as an in-line TE after he gains weight or flex him out wide and teach him how to attack the seam and open spaces in the middle and he’ll be a dynamic threat.

Coach says: Texas finally gets the TE of its dreams. This kid is tall, long and athletic, and will be a weapon in the passing game. He has the ability to split out and become a mismatch on defensive backs and linebackers and does a good job at getting separation. For a guy his size, he does a pretty good job of making the first guy miss after the catch and he has decent open field speed. While he was split out more than anything in HS, you can tell he has a nasty disposition in the trenches when he plays defense, and that will translate over to offense when he is asked to block as an in-line tight end. You have to block to play TE for Charlie Strong.

February/March - 2015

13

class of

2015 -

offense

Brandon Hodges | Offensive Tackle | East Mississippi CC (Scooba, MS) | 6-5, 295

Hodges is a big body that can kick-step and drop step without getting put on skates, which makes him valuable to Texas’ OL depth chart. Like most college linemen, he can be confused by stunts and might have the highest ceiling at guard, but he has quick feet and represents a likely upgrade at either tackle position barring big improvement from Texas’ younger OL.

photo courtesy of UT Athletics

3-star JUCO transfer brought in to compete for a starting position. Steady JUCO star must step in early. His strength, base, and point of attack are some of the attributes he’ll bring to the Joe Wickline’s group. Needs to get stronger, and that’s what S&C coach Pat Moorer is for.

Ronnie Major is the project you take a chance on. Large, strong, surprisingly good feet, and height. The prototype offensive tackle with a mean streak. He was actually Strong’s first commit, flipping from Baylor after a Junior Day visit.

He’s fairly raw as a prospect but has the knee-bend and athleticism to be a great tackle along with the will to dominate on the edge. Major has the quickness and length to handle the athletic demands of Wickline’s zone schemes and could be a downright menace climbing up to linebackers on power.

Major will likely redshirt in 2015.

14

inside texas

insidetexas.com

photo courtesy of The Huntsville Item

Ronnie Major | Offensive Line | Huntsville HS | 6-6, 280

class of

2015 -

offense

The JUCO transfer from Navarro Junior College is a lifelong Longhorns fan and fulfilling a dream to play at the University of Texas. As for the field, he’ll likely be the largest, in terms of height, on the field every Saturday. He stands 6-foot-9, 290 pounds.

Nickelson already has the ability to hook or ride defensive ends in zone schemes thanks to improving footwork combined with impossible length and mass. He’s solid climbing to the next level or playing pass protection as well but is best when he can get his big mitts on one defender and then bully them. There’s no getting through him with his size and going around can be tricky because of the range of his punches, opponents will have try and get inside of him. He’ll be needed immediately for help along the offensive line and contribute in 2015.

photo courtesy of UT Athletics

Tristan Nickelson| Offensive Tackle | Navarro JC (Corsicana, TX) | 6-9, 320

Garrett Thomas | Offensive Line | Many HS (Many, LA) | 6-6, 306 Thomas became enamored with Texas when Joe Wickline, UT’s OL coach and known nationally as one of the best in the business, extended him an offer.

Thomas bypassed the in-state Tigers and committed to Texas last July.

Thomas plays with a mean streak but he also plays a bit high and relies on his quickness and massive frame do all the work. He has the length, size, and power that Wickline covets and that allows an OL to cover up and control the DL. Thomas could see immediate playing time in 2015 to help along the offensive line Coach says: This dude looks massive on tape. When you envision a D1 offensive tackle, this is what they look like. Has a good punch, saw him jolt a few lineman on film. Has decent functional strength, not sure I would label him a mauler, but he can definitely move you off the ball. Has decent pass set, would like to see a little more bend in the knees. Like a lot of guys his size he plays a little high and comes off the ball a little high, that can be ironed out over time. One thing I love about this kid is that he is always looking for work, and he plays to the whistle. I can see him getting under the skin of defensive lineman because he will get after you and always try to get the last shove.

February/March - 2015

15

class of

2015 -

offense

Patrick Vahe| Offensive Line | Euless Trinity HS | 6-2, 300 Vahe is the lone Mack Brown holdover. When Strong took the job, Vahe visited the new staff soon after during a Junior Day. He wanted to know the direction of the staff. He left assured he’d remain a Longhorn. Vahe is a special prospect with great athletic ability at center and even better hair.

The only thing preventing Vahe from being an exceptional tackle prospect is his lack of height and length. As it is, he’ll be a devastating guard in mold of a Chance Warmack in the Wickline offense. He has the quickness and foot speed to make plays as a pulling guard in power schemes or to find and destroy linebackers at the 2nd level on zone schemes. Vahe is a high level prospect for this scheme. Vahe will compete for playing time and add depth along the offensive line in 2015.

Coach says: You can consider me a member of this kid’s fan club. Even though he plays tackle for Trinity, he is definitely a natural fit on the interior OL. Has the ability to play guard and center so he won’t necessarily be pigeon holed into one spot. Good athlete, has good footwork and never seems to get off balance. Always looks to finish once he gets latched onto a defender, also flashes a strong punch that can put a defender on his heels. Again, 5-star level balance. Plays pissed off.

Connor garnered many offers from major schools, but ultimately picked Texas early in the process and remained solid throughout. Connor might be the most versatile of the athletes in the Class of 2015 for the Horns. He was recruited at center, guard, tackle, and even tight end.

Williams has great knee bend and mobility. When he’s a veteran at 300 pounds, he’ll be tough to get past and likely a terror in the run game. The multi-talented prospect from Coppell will be expected to contribute early to add depth along the offensive front in 2015.

16

inside texas

insidetexas.com

photo courtesy of UT Athletics

Connor Williams | Offensive Line | Coppell HS | 6-5, 275

Kraken_Texas_mechanical.indd 1

5/19/11 2:17:09 PM

18 inside texas Photo courtesy of Mesquite Poteet High School

insidetexas.com

CLASS OF 2015 THE DEFENSE

I

t didn’t take long to realize Malik Jefferson had a bright future in football. I was tipped off to his prowess by a shared friend. I immediately took a look at Malik’s highlights and started muttering things to myself that loosely resembled, “Derrick Johnson.” There was probably a disbelieving expletive in there as well.

Range and closing speed are prime commodities in a football player. You don’t need a stopwatch when you truly see those traits. The film should appear to be sped up as a defender reaches his prey.

Malik’s film had the look of a cheetah stalking its injured meal. This was in January 2013.

Fast forward to now, and we see the cheetah wasn’t the proper big cat comparison, though his finishing speed is still there. With a dreadlocked mane that’s flourished over the past two years and his ‘king of the jungle’ reputation, Malik truly became the apex predator on Friday night savannas.

Did you know the mane of a lion is believed to have intimidating powers when battling other lions for supremacy? Did you also know the fuller and darker the mane is, the healthier the lion? Genetic favoritism is indeed another way to describe Jefferson.

While Malik’s ability, build and appearance may be intimidating, he’s anything but, off the field. His natural disposition, hard-wired to be genuine and thoughtful, fueled his reputation as a must-get for universities across the country, but most notably local programs Texas and Texas A&M. The recruitment, at first predictable in UT’s favor, then in A&M’s, became the most watched recruitment in the state of Texas in years. Wanted for not only his own ability but also the supposed pride he’d lead to his school of choice, Malik’s recruitment took on a life of its own. Compound those unique characteristics with Kevin Sumlin’s brief recruiting dominance in the state and Longhorn fan’s angst over Charlie Strong’s ability to recruit and we had a real page turner. Or page clicker, as it were.

The term ‘brief’ is important, because if Malik picked the Aggies the proper substitute would have been ‘prolonged’. He meant that much to the state’s recruiting dynamic and we saw his impact immediately. Malik went a long way towards Texas helping Strong retain “committed” talent that was on the fence. He helped immensely with Holton Hill and Kris Boyd. He illustrated to a fan base that Strong just might have an idea of what he’s doing.

But it was close. Very close. Malik nearly committed to A&M in the spring of 2014 and then again after his official visit to College Station in November. Rather than knee-jerk, buy into the artificial hype of #WRTS, and commit before he was ready, Malik the Leader decided to wait and make sure that’s what he truly wanted. As I said, he’s thoughtful and introspective. He thought long and hard about his important decision and truly believed he couldn’t make a bad decision, rather he wanted to make the best decision. That decision was made on December 19th, 2014, a day Texas fans won’t soon forget.

The recruiting victory for Strong became as symbolic as it was functional, and, if capitalized upon, Malik’s impact should reverberate well into the 2016 cycle.

In a class laden with sheep, one truly stood out as a lion, now it’s time to stand out as a Longhorn.

February/March - 2015

19

class of

2015 -

defense

Kris Boyd | Defensive Back | Gilmer HS | 6-0, 185 No one player used the recruiting process to his advantage like Kris Boyd. He ultimately chose Texas over Texas A&M and Florida State. Boyd is a lockdown dog. He’s scrappy, aggressive, strong at the point-of-attack, and athletic. That all equals potential greatness. Kris is an exciting athlete who dominated at the HS level at multiple positions - RB, WR, CB, S, KR. He’s from the Gilmer pipeline that produced Horns’ Curtis Brown (his cousin) and David Snow. His little brother, DeMarco, is also committed to Texas in the Class of 2016. Boyd will be expected to contribute early in the secondary for UT at CB, safety, and nickel in 2015. Boyd is the best athlete on the board for Texas and would be the best CB landed since Williams. His ability to accelerate in and out of cuts and then change gears on the run will make him a nightmare for Big 12 WR’s. Find four others of comparable physicality and athleticism and Texas will be erasing Big 12 O’s like it’s 2009. – Ian Boyd Coach says: Explosive athlete, with elite, playmaking abilities. Boyd is right up there with Hill when it comes to laying a claim for being the best defensive back in the state. I remember watching Curtis Brown star on both sides of the ball for Gilmer and the apple didn’t fall far from the family tree with his cousin Kris. This kid could a freaking athlete, could probably make a living on either side of the ball at the next level, but his potential is at its highest on defense. I could see him playing either corner or safety in college, he has versatility for days. That versatility will get him on the field very early at whichever school he signs with, whether that’s in the nickel or it is running down on special teams.

Devante Davis | Defensive Back | Booker T. Washington HS (Homestead, FL) | 6-3, 200 He’s known as “the Silencer,” in the Sunshine State. Davis joined Texas in January, slightly flirted with a few schools, then ultimately decided to sign with Texas.

Another of the “Florida Five”, Davis plays with a swagger. He has tremendous length and is just shy of 6-foot-3, while also possessing rare quickness for that size that allows him to change directions and deliver fearsome strikes in the open field.

It’s hard to tell if he has the acceleration to hang with real burners as a lockdown corner but it’s hard to get behind him due to his length and quickness. He’s long at 6-foot-2, and versatile, he can play at multiple positions and will be counted on to contribute in 2015.

Coach says: Are we sure this kid doesn’t end up at safety? His body type seems like one who will end up at safety rather than corner. If he does stick at corner, he will be a nightmare for receivers with his size and length. Corners with this kind of size, that can cover are at a premium, just look at some of the corners in the NFL now. I like that the kid isn’t afraid to come down and get a little physical, I can’t stand guys who want to be pretty and not hit anyone.

20

inside texas

insidetexas.com

class of

2015 -

defense

DeShon Elliott | Safety | Rockwall-Heath HS | 6-1, 200 A Strong/Bedford hybrid safety. He’s the mold of what a Texas safety should look like. Big, fast, and can cover. Elliott is a classic, hard-hitting safety with the range to dominate in the modern era. On tape, he plays a lot of cover 2 schemes and demonstrates the range to defend vertical routes and fill the alley in run support.

At the high school level, he looks like a Haha Clinton-Dix or Landon Collins. He can also play in the box and blitz the edge or be an extra man in the front. His overall range suggests he belongs in space but Texas will be sure to get him into the action in the middle Elliott is the sure-tackler every secondary needs and will be counted on early to play.

Holton Hill | Cornerback | Houston Lamar HS | 6-2, 184 Holton joined fellow #Lockdown teammate and 4-star DB Kris Boyd when they committed to Texas on regional TV in Feb. The future of NFL corners is the best way to describe Hill who had offers from every major school including Alabama, Florida State, and USC. Strong’s defense is all about controlling opponents’ passing games and he’s looking for corners with short area quickness, length, and physicality to keep the ball in front of the defenders and then close with violence. Holton Hill is an ideal fit. He’s a legit 6-foot-2 cornerback with Richard Sherman-level quickness (4.62 dash, 4.28 shuttle) and plenty of willingness to blow up receivers or support the run. With his combination of length and quickness he’ll be very difficult for opposing teams to beat over the top and should become a lockdown corner for Texas. Must play as a freshman and should make an immediate impact in 2015.

Coach says: Man, this kid did it all for Lamar this year. Lockdown corner, return specialist and even lined up for wide receiver for them, I can respect that. He is going to make his money in the secondary at the next level. He was arguably the best corner in the state this year and his numbers were absolutely ridiculous. Possesses the ideal size and length you want in a corner and has the ability to absolutely blanket receivers. 11 picks doesn’t happen by accident, this kid could be special.

February/March - 2015

21

class of

2015 -

defense

PJ Locke | Safety | Beaumont Central HS | 5-10, 189 The 3-star nickel cornerback was committed to the Oregon Ducks during his senior year. He was signing with UO. Two days before National Signing Day, he was offered by UT. The next day, he was a Longhorn. Locke will fulfill a lifelong dream of playing at the University of Texas.

Locke’s short area quickness, change of direction, use of his eyes, and violent play made him the ideal cover 2 safety for Oregon but for Texas his fit is a bit different. Locke’s play is very similar to that of recent Longhorn nickel/corner Quandre Diggs and it’s likely that Locke will have similar roles at Texas. He’s quick enough to play outside at corner but physical enough to play over the slot as well. Likely the coaches will cross train him and move him around based on match-ups and need. Locke could play early and contribute on special teams in 2015.

Coach says: Looks like a guy that will find a home in the nickel. Was asked to line up at multiple spots in the secondary in HS so that added versatility is a plus. High points the ball well and does a good job breaking on the ball.

Tackling won’t be an issue for him, he delivers a blow and won’t be diving at ankles and knee caps. Locke plays with a passion, which should translate easy to any Charlie Strong-led defense.

Cecil Cherry | Linebacker | Victory Christian Academy (Frostproof, FL) | 6-0, 230 One of Strong’s favorites, Cherry told Inside Texas that all of the “Florida Five” would be Texas Longhorns back in October, and UT got four - DB Tim Irvin flipped to Auburn. Cherry is a dog on defense. He’s the type of player every team needs on the field - nasty, dirty, and competitive. He participated at the The Opening in Oregon and flipped from Tennessee in December.

At his Florida high school, Cherry thrived at making the middle of the field a veritable hell for opposing players. He’s definitely quick enough to play LB in the Big 12, particularly in the middle, but he is able to snap his hips and stonewall runners in a way you don’t see often in this conference. You assume that his sudden power and quickness would translate on the blitz as well. His eye control and range in coverage is solid as well, fantastic take who’d bring an unwelcome amount of physicality to the conference.

Cherry will likely contribute in 2015 towards LB depth and special teams.

Coach says: Ol’ Cecil isn’t the biggest linebacker you will come across, but don’t tell that to the running backs he is brutalizing. When this kid hits you, you will feel it the next day, he is a violent football player and loves putting a hurtin’ on the opposition, which is the MO for South Florida kids. He is pretty athletic, is on display as he plays running back and shows his ability to navigate passing lanes for interceptions.

22

inside texas

insidetexas.com

class of

2015 -

defense

Breckyn Hager | Linebacker | Austin Westlake HS | 6-4, 220 Legacy No. 1. Hager follows in his dad’s footsteps and will wear the burnt orange. He de-committed from Baylor, a spot where his brother was an All-Big 12 LB. Hager’s skill as a downhill player with a violent disposition and large frame has less obvious application in an era of spread offenses and versatility, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable.

In an old school defense, Hager would be a middle linebacker, but players with limited lateral range can get picked apart these days so if he lacks the quickness, he may end up as a Fox-linebacker who spends most of his time blitzing. There’s also the chance his frame takes him down to DL or his hands allow him to make a fearsome H-back but most likely, when he sees the field, it’ll be as a 3rd down pass-rushing specialist that the staff fires into the backfield from different angles. Hager will likely redshirt in 2015.

Cameron Townsend | Linebacker | Ridge Point HS | 6-0, 195 Townsend is a tackling machine from Houston and one of the key components to Texas securing the top linebacker class in the nation for 2015. Townsend grew up on Austin and the familiarity of the UT staff were the reasons he chose the Longhorns essentially. Townsend will likely redshirt in 2015.

Townsend plays a DE/LB position in high school that projects pretty well to the Sam linebacker position in Strong’s 4-3 Under. Townsend’s speed suggests he could play the spot in space some against spread and run teams and hold up pretty well. To learn to play the Will backer spot in nickel packages, where the Sam comes off the field, will require Townsend to learn new angles, keys, techniques, calls, etc. But he has the knee bend and athleticism to translate to that position with time.

Coach says: Definitely one of my favorite linebackers in the class. Has a great burst off the edge, offensive lineman struggled mightily to block him when he got a good get-off. Has enough burst to chase down plays from the backside, should get his fair share of TFLs. Does a good job of using his hands and gaining leverage to disengage from blocks in the run game. Has good athleticism and looks comfortable dropping into coverage. Does a good job of setting the edge and not getting reached by tackles or tight ends. This kid is going to be a hellraiser; I can see him being a factor on all three downs at the next level.

February/March - 2015

23

class of

2015 -

defense

Anthony Wheeler | Linebacker | Dallas Skyline HS | 6-2, 225 Wheeler is the “guy that gets off the bus first” dude. Every class needs one. Every championship team has a handful. Wheeler comes from the Dallas Skyline pipeline who produced Horns’ Christian Scott and current LB Peter Jinkens.

Wheeler was named an Under Armour All-American and committed during the game. He joins a stacked LB core at UT and could contribute early in 2015.

Wheeler’s fast twitch speed and 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame project best inside at mike or will linebacker where he has enough power and short area speed to fill gaps. However, getting the ball outside of him with outside runs is a fools’ errand as he has lateral range for days as well as the length and overall speed to project as a good player in coverage someday. He’s already experienced reading the backs, as he will at Texas, and will be one more useful weapon on the blitz. Wheeler is a phenomenal linebacker prospect with the football IQ, frame, and athleticism to become an ideal Big 12 linebacker with no major shortcomings in his game Coach says: This kid is an animal. A downhill thumper who can navigate sideline to sideline and arrives at the ball carrier with bad intentions. He moves very well for his size and he does a good job navigating through the traffic between the tackles and tracking down the ball. Never see him run around blocks, he is going through you. This kid is going to be a damn good college player and he even has the potential to spin down to DE if LB doesn’t end up suiting him. Whoever gets him should be very happy and you get a kid who will find his way onto the field pretty early in his college career.

Du’Vonta Lampkin | Defensive Tackle | Cypress Falls HS | 6-4, 310 Arriving on the trip as a supposed OU lean, Lampkin committed to Texas last summer soon after an unofficial visit to Austin and meeting the Texas staff. You can’t coach size and God-given ability and he’s got both. The 4-star DT is one of the top defensive lineman in the state for 2015 and should make an impact in two years.

“I felt more love during this visit over any other,” Lampkin told IT before the Under the Lights camp at DKR on July 18th. He chose UT over Oklahoma and LSU. Lampkin also held offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, and Baylor. The 6-foot-4, 310-lb defensive tackle from Cypress Falls (Houston) is a load in the middle.

He’ll likely redshirt in 2015.

Coach says: Not a very twitchy guy on film, lacks an explosive first step. When he brings his hands to the party he is strong at the POA. Seems to always be around the ball or hustling to it, effort doesn’t seem to be an issue. Does a decent job of staying in his gap and doing his job.

24

inside texas

insidetexas.com

class of

2015 -

defense

Charles Omenihu | Defensive End | Rowlett HS | 6-3, 232 One of Strong’s early commitments, Omenihu was the program’s biggest supporter in helping bring a Nationally-ranked Top 10 recruiting class to Austin for 2015.

Omenihu needs a few years in the weight room with S&C coach Pat Moorer, but when finished, he could be a beast on the edge.

Omenihu is a fighter who has some good power to either beat blocks or else close on the ball with shocking quickness when his long legs dig down and propel him forward. He’s going to be excellent at playing contain on the edge, the question is what happens after he’s been working with Moorer for a few years? Omenihu’s frame suggests he might eventually be as large as 270 where he could be a better version of what Reed and Vasser were asked to be in this defense. Will likely redshirt in 2015.

Quincy Vasser | Defensive End | Navarro JC | 6-4, 265

photo courtesy of UT Athletics

Vasser transfers to Texas from Navarro Junior College, joining teammate Tristan Nickelson. Vasser was a Georgia commit headed to the SEC before he met the Texas staff. After buying-in to Strong’s way of developing prospects into NFL stars, Vasser flipped to Texas.

Vasser is immediate help at strongside DE in place of Cedric Reed who nobly sacrificed numbers and played through injury to help Texas control the line of scrimmage in 2014. He’s got enough size to stunt into the 3-tech role in Texas’ flex fronts along with the needed speed to control the edge like a traditional DE. He’s probably not a big time playmaker but he should be a useful cog in an efficient machine. He will play immediately in 2015 vying for a starting position.

February/March - 2015

25

February/March - 2015

27

INSIDE THE TEX

by Ian

Boyd

XAS GAMEPLAN The Future Looks Multiple

P

erhaps the most exciting aspect of Texas’ 2015 national signing day, besides the acquisition of one of the most athletically gifted overall assemblies in recent Texas history, was Strong’s success in landing top prospects at tight end and H-back with Devonaire Clarington and DeAndre McNeal.

I’ve hinted here and there how incredibly valuable it could be to pair them on the field together but now it’s time to show the incredible potential that exists with this tandem.

As football is a contact sport where you generally beat opponents with leverage generated through size and/or speed, having several players on the field who are both big and fast has obvious value. With just one of many formations Texas could employ with McNeal and Clarington, we can demonstrate just how many leverage advantages the Longhorns can find to punish Big 12 teams.

Gameplan | Multiple Future

Running the dang ball McNeal has incredible fluidity for a man of his size and Clarington is similarly gifted as a runner while also possessing a long, physical frame that makes him a huge target in the passing game.

There’s little doubt that both will be effective receivers.

First things first though, they both need to become effective blockers for the magic to happen. Clarington needs to be an effective in-line blocker who can help double defensive ends, occasionally seal a defensive end without help, climb up to linebackers, and stalk block defensive backs at the second level.

Those first two assignments may take time but his excellent film as a defensive end in high school suggests a willingness to scrap in the trenches as well as an understanding of how to win leverage battles in a broom closet.

Let’s assume Chris Warren is the running back (R), McNeal is the H-back (H), Clarington is the tight end (Y), Army Foreman is outside receiver “Z”, and we’ll cast Dorian Leonard as the outside “X” receiver who gets to try and body up a corner.

We’ll put one of the dual-threat QBs on campus at the helm.

Now with just three basic running schemes, Texas can set the table for a nasty passing attack that will dice up the opponent.

First, outside zone:

Mongo Outside Zone The goal is to outflank the defensive front on the perimeter with

Because he’s quicker, shorter, and more compact, McNeal is better suited as an H-back where he’ll need to be effective blocking on the edge or perimeter but also trapping and kicking out defensive ends like a fullback. If he’s willing to perform those latter tasks there’s no reason he shouldn’t become a good blocker.

The better McNeal can be as a blocker, the more Clarington can avoid the tougher parts of that task and focus on just being adequate. The reverse is not true.

When those skills are mastered, which may not come until both have been in the program for a few years, Texas will be able to unleash devastating double-TE formations that wreak havoc on the league.

Here’s today’s sample formation to demonstrate Texas’ potential scheme, we’ll call it “Mongo.” The formation can start as a 2x2 set with the H-back motioning over to form a trips set. This could have multiple effects on the defense, depending on their scheme and game plan. It could potentially result in keeping the opponent’s sam linebacker, run support safety, or even overall front structure from lining up how they prefer.

the OL beating defenders to spots and then controlling them so they cannot make the tackle while the Texas RB cuts upfield. If Texas can establish this play on the edge it forces the defense to play a linebacker at sam (S) who can hold the edge effectively and squeeze the play rather than a nickel.

Next up is inside zone with a slice/trap block by the H-back:

Mongo Inside Zone

Mongo Formation

Now you are forcing the backside safety to play the run more aggressively and possibly drop down in an eight-man front, but at the risk of leaving the strong side safety to backpedal at the snap and be unable to fill the alley aggressively on outside zone.

30

inside texas

insidetexas.com

Gameplan | Multiple Future

Finally, you can run some good ol’ fashioned counter from this look:

Mongo Levels

Mongo Counter

The counter step from the running back can be tricky, as is the arc action by the H-back whom the defensive end might expect to have to tangle with only to then find the pulling guard in his grill. If

“Bash” is the counter route if the strong safety sits on the dig route by the Y receiver. The numbers provide you with the quarterback’s progression on the play (1st read, 2nd, 3rd). He reads the deep safety and then works from the dig to the shallow cross to the flat route by the H-back, or if the free safety helps stop the dig he can read the curl-flat combo on the backside.

the end is a particularly troublesome player the H-back can give him a quick lick before advancing to find the safety. The main problem for the defense is how this scheme can account for that safety, with him blocked there’s no one left to help out if the front can’t beat blocks.

It’s possible to get McNeal involved in the vertical passing game as well from this set, with the “four-verticals” passing concept that looks to over-stress deep coverages:

Mongo 4 Verticles

The defense has little choice but to play their safeties aggressively against the run and to play traditional 4-3 base personnel with three linebackers. It’s worth remembering here that most Big 12 teams don’t recruit that many linebackers anymore and they certainly don’t recruit and develop big sam linebackers to help control the edge against TE sets.

They are now properly tenderized for the passing game.

Featuring the skill players in the passing game Watson really wanted to establish the “Levels” passing concept last year to attack cover-4 defenses that Big 12 opponents were using to beat up Texas’ run game but the concept never really threatened anyone.

As great as Geoff Swaim was, he was more of an H-back player or in-line blocker and simply wasn’t very threatening in the seam as a receiver. The alternative was to play John Harris inside in the slot, which had more success but still wasn’t consistent and came at the expense of the running game.

With Clarington at TE, Levels can come alive:

The play-action fake can buy time for McNeal to fly up the seam where he may or may not be successfully picked up. If the defense drops only three deep pass defenders then either McNeal or Clarington should be open in the middle, and with their size they don’t have to be too terribly open to throw them the ball. If the safeties can successfully pick up both of them in a two-deep coverage than the QB can either try to beat a corner outside with a receiver, throw a comeback route, or check down to the running back.

February/March - 2015

31

Gameplan | Multiple Future Having all that targetable size and strength on the inside can also help the outside receivers find some exploitable spots in the coverage. The “snag” concept, which Texas used to shred Oklahoma last year, is made extra effective when the linebackers are cleared out trying to protect the seams from the tight ends.

Mongo Snag

he chases the H-back, if he does the tight end should find open grass.

On the backside, the QB has a similar read on the flat defender, this time the corner, if he stays home to stop the running back then the slant route should be open. A strong receiver like Leonard, Burt, or Joe that can quickly win inside and then catch the ball on the run and do damage after the catch would flourish running slants in this set.

Although we’ve already talked about the running game, let’s wrap things up with an easy variation on this formation that can open things up for a dual-threat quarterback to do some real damage.

Mongo QB Slice

There are multiple ways to read this play but one variety is to read the sam linebacker, if he carries the tight end up the field then the Z receiver should be able to find an open spot underneath.

Foreman would be very effective on this play settling in that spot to catch the ball and then turning up field in space.

Now the X receiver, many of these combinations serve to get him isolated against the corner since opposing teams may either drop down that backside safety or shade him over to the other side of the field to help defend the seam against the tight ends. Here’s one potential backside combo that a strong receiver who can do damage after the catch could have fun with: It’s a favorite of the Patriots and can be run on the backside of a nice trips combo like Snag or Y-stick, it’s the slant/flat combo that some West Coast practitioners call “Dragon.”

Mongo Y-Stick

It’s our inside zone play from before but this time the running back motions out into the slot to either draw weakside linebacker out of the box or else force the safety to drop down and prevent the defense from having any run support over the top.

Ohio State used this play with JT Barrett last year to devastating effect in short-yardage situations and it’d be very effective with Heard or Locksley at the helm.

You know, assuming they master all the passing concepts illustrated above.

Summary There is a lot an offense can do when they have dual-threat players at H and Y who can serve as targets in the passing game or blockers for the run. The fact that it’s hard to find big athletes who are skilled enough to do all this means that Big 12 offenses usually eschew these tactics, therefore Big 12 defenses are not designed or practiced with double-TE sets in mind.

Undoubtedly with this in mind, Oklahoma ran double TE sets last year with a 6’1”, 260 pound former walk-on combined with a 6’6” 260 pound converted QB as the H and Y and they ran all over teams without even presenting a credible passing attack.

The Y-stick pattern involves the vertical route outside and then the quick out routes to the field from the tight end and H-back. If he likes the match-up, the QB can always toss a deep bomb outside but otherwise he’s reading the sam linebacker again to see if

32

inside texas

If McNeal and Clarington adapt well to these positions on timeline that puts them on the field together, the future could be very bright for Strong’s offense.

insidetexas.com

Daily specials Locally owned & operated

Gameday drink specials Renovated patio with more TVs

Since 2005

1123 S. Congress 512-448-9181

5207 Brodie Ln.

512-892-5200

www.EatDrinkDocs.com

2015 Top 100

34

1. LB Malik Jefferson Mesquite Poteet (Mesquite, TX) – Texas

16. RB JaMycal Hasty Longview (Longview, TX) – Baylor

2. QB Kyler Murray Allen (Allen, TX) – Texas A&M

17. CB PJ Mbanasor Hendrickson (Pflugerville, TX) – Oklahoma

3. QB Jarrett Stidham Stephenville (Stephenville, TX) – Baylor

18. OT Ronnie (Buck) Major Huntsville (Huntsville, TX) – Texas

4. DT Daylon Mack Gladewater (Gladewater, TX) – Texas A&M

19. OT Keaton Sutherland Marcus (Flower Mound, TX) – Texas A&M

5. CB Kendall Sheffield Fort Bend Marshall (Missouri City, TX) – Alabama

20. WR Carlos Strickland Skyline (Dallas, TX) – California

6. CB Kris Boyd Gilmer (Gilmer, TX) – Texas

21. LB Anthony Wheeler Skyline (Dallas, TX) – Texas

7. RB Ronald Jones McKinney North (McKinney, TX) – USC

22. WR Blake Lynch Gilmer (Gilmer, TX) – Baylor

8. WR Damarkus Lodge Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, TX) – Ole Miss

23. DE Louis Brown Burton (Burton, TX) – Oklahoma State

9. S Deionte Thompson West Orange-Stark (Orange, TX) – Alabama

24. S Justin Dunning Whitehouse (Whitehouse, TX) – Texas A&M

10. OL Maea Teuhema Keller (Keller, TX) - LSU

25. DE Charles Omenihu Rowlett (Rowlett, TX) – Texas

11. RB Chris Warren Rockwall (Rockwall, TX) – Texas

26. QB Quinten Dormady Boerne (Boerne, TX) – Tennessee

12. CB Holton Hill Lamar (Houston, TX) – Texas

27. OL Trevor Elbert Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall, TX) – Texas A&M

13. S Deshon Elliott Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall, TX) – Texas

28. C Patrick Vahe Trinity (Euless, TX) – Texas

14. S Larry Pryor Sulphur Springs (Sulphur Springs, TX) – Texas A&M

29. RB Corey Dauphine Memorial (Port Arthur, TX) – Texas Tech

15. RB Soso Jamabo Plano West (Plano, TX) – UCLA

30. DL Du’Vonta Lampkin Cypress Falls (Houston, TX) – Texas

inside texas

insidetexas.com

31. OL Toby Weathersby, Westfield (Houston, TX) – LSU

66. OT Dave Bolisomi, Ryan (Denton, TX) – TCU

32. OT Connor Williams, Coppell (Coppell, TX) – Texas

67. WR Jonathan Giles, Fort Bend Elkins (Missouri City, TX) – Texas Tech

33. WR Ryan Newsome, Aledo (Aledo, TX) – Texas

68. S Jamile Johnson, South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX) – Texas Tech

34. OT Madison Akamnonu, Bowie (Arlington, TX) – Texas Tech

69. ATH Chad President, Temple (Temple, TX) – Tulsa

35. RB Rodney Anderson, Katy (Katy, TX) – Oklahoma

70. DL Kingsley Keke, George Ranch (Richmond, TX) – Texas A&M

36. RB Jordan Stevenson, South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX) – Navarro JC

71. DB Jaylon Lane, Central (San Angelo, TX)

37. WR Deandre McNeal, Poteet (Mesquite, TX) – Texas

72. RB Tristian Houston, North Shore (North Shore, TX) – Texas

38. WR Devontre Stricklin, Midway (Waco, TX) – Baylor

73. LB Nathan Fox, Clear Lake (Houston, TX) – Northwestern

39. DB Roney Elam, Newton (Newton, TX) – Texas A&M

74. OT Trace Ellison, Centennial (Frisco, TX) – Texas Tech

40. LB Semaj Thomas, Southwest (Fort Worth, TX) – TCU

75. LB Alec Dunham, Coldspring-Oakhurst (Coldspring, TX) – TCU

41. DE James Lockhart, Ennis (Ennis, TX) – Texas A&M

76. RB Devine Ozigbo, Sachse (Sachse, TX) – Nebraska

42. CB Jordan Tolbert, Fort Bend Ridge Point (Missouri City, TX) – Baylor

77. S Niko Small, Bowie (Arlington, TX) – TCU

43. WR Kemah Siverand, Cypress Ridge (Houston, TX) – Texas A&M

78. OG Zach Rogers, Hebron (Carrollton, TX) – Arkansas

44. LB Cameron Townsend, Fort Bend Ridge Point (Missouri City, TX) – Texas

79. QB Chason Virgil, West Mesquite (West Mesquite, TX) – Fresno State

45. WR JF Thomas, South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX) – Texas Tech

80. DE Breylin Mitchell, Round Rock (Round Rock, TX) – TCU

46. QB Ben Hicks, Midway (Waco, TX) – SMU

81. LB Richard Moore, Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, TX) – Texas A&M

47. OL Connor Lanfear, Hays (Buda, TX) – Texas A&M

82. LB Clay Johnston, Wylie (Abilene, TX) – Baylor

48. CB Josh Butler, West Mesquite (Mesquite, TX) – Michigan State

83. LB D’Vonta Hinton, Texas City (Texas City, TX) Texas Tech

49. ATH Jay Bradford, Splendora (Splendora, TX) – Texas A&M

84. ATH D’Anthony Hopkins, Cuero (Cuero, TX) – UTSA

50. OT Bobby Evans, Allen (Allen, TX) – Oklahoma

85. CB Darrell Miller, Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, TX) – Tennessee

51. S Khalil Haughton, Midway (Waco, TX) – Oklahoma

86. ATH Mike Freeze, Graham (Graham, TX) – TCU

52. ATH Darrell Stewart, Aldine Nimitz (Houston, TX) – Michigan State

87. DE Landis Durham, Plano East (Plano, TX) - Texas A&M

53. DT Darrion Daniels, Bishop Dunne (Dallas, TX) – Oklahoma State

88. OG Tyler Moore, North Shore (Houston, TX) - Minnesota

54. TE Jordan Davis, Clear Lake (Houston, TX) – Texas A&M

89. WR James Proche, DeSoto (DeSoto, TX) – SMU

55. ATH John Humphrey, Clear Falls (Houston, TX) – Oklahoma

90. WR Jalen Guyton, Allen (Allen, TX) - Notre Dame

56. ATH Tre’Vontae Hights, Yoakum (Yoakum, TX) – TCU

91. WR Keke Coutee, Lufkin (Lufkin, TX) – Texas Tech

57. OT Conner Dyer, Horn (Mesquite, TX) – Texas Tech

92. RB Aca’Cedric Ware, Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill, TX) – USC

58. S Prentice McKinney, South Oak Cliff (Dallas, TX) – North Carolina

93. DE Lonzell Gilmore, Spring (Spring, TX) – Texas Tech

59. RB Patrick Carr, The Woodlands (The Woodlands, TX) – Arizona State

94. S PJ Locke, Central (Beaumont, TX) – Texas

60. S Kenneth McGruder, Alief Taylor (Houston, TX) – Oklahoma State

95. WR D’Erren Wilson, Greenville (Greenville, TX) – SMU

61. ATH JW Ketchum, Lamar (Houston, TX) – Baylor

96. WR AD Miller, Bishop Dunne (Dallas, TX) – Oklahoma

62. CB Antoine Stephens, Kimball (Dallas, TX) - Oklahoma

97. TE Jess Trussell, Martin (Arlington, TX) – Purdue

63. DE Michael Scott, Nimitz (Irving, TX) – SMU

98. DB Isaac Warren, John Tyler (Tyler, TX) – Northwestern State

64. WR Darrion Flowers, Sam Houston (Arlington, TX) – TCU

99. S Montrel Wilson, Fossil Ridge (Keller, TX) – TCU

65. RB Rawleigh Williams, Bishop Lynch (Dallas, TX) – Arkansas

100. OT Greg Long, Eastwood (El Paso, TX) – UTEP February/March - 2015

35

Culpepper’s Commentary Reviewing the 2015 Signees

by Pat Culpepper

L

ets get this out of the way - without the Texas offensive

No doubt right behind Texas in high school talent is the state

staff fixing the QB position, the Longhorns are still a hit or

of Florida and Strong didn’t hesitate in heading south to

miss football team in 2015. The bowl game in Houston was the

get five prospects from that region.

worst offensive performance I have ever watched in person

as a former Longhorn player. The embarrassment of watch-

From the tapes I’ve seen and at least two coaches I talked to,

ing a college QB standing 10 yards from the huddle trying to

running back Chris Warren from Rockwall is a big back that

figure out the signals from the sidelines on the game’s second

can help with the loss of Malcolm Brown. He is a powerful run-

play is nonsense. So some of this problem is not all in Tyrone

ner with speed.

Swoopes’ hands.

PJ Locke from Beaumont Central can play next season in the

From the tapes I saw on TV of QB Kai Locksley from Baltimore,

Texas secondary. He could be another Quandre Diggs-type

I wouldn’t count him out. I’m serious. The young man can run

playmaker and hitter.

and pass and that’s more than Texas had at that position a

year ago versus Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, and Arkansas. Let

The offensive lineman that can take part in Spring Practice -

Jerrod Heard and Swoopes fight it out in the spring but don’t

Brandon Hodges, Tristan Nickelson, Garrett Thomas, and Con-

close the door on finding a starter until Locksley gets a chance.

nor Williams - are a Godsend for Coach Joe Wickline. Adding

If that sounds ridiculous then you weren’t watching the circus

some depth on the Texas O-line, there is nothing like healthy

from the sidelines to the Texas huddle during the Bowl game

competition at those positions. That unit got taken apart

in Houston.

versus TCU and Arkansas. They were outmatched and embarrassed. Give S&C coach Pat Moorer time with his new group

Enter the new crop.

and then Wickline can put them into the blocking chutes and

I believe that this unit will be the Longhorns most improved,

Coach Charlie Strong and his staff did a remarkable job to land

besides the QB position, in 2015.

this recruiting class. Malik Jefferson can become the very

best freshman in college football because he will go through

Don’t forget Breckyn Hager - it’s in his genes. His father Britt

spring drills. He can play in space; he can rush the passer or

was a terror at fullback for the Permian Panthers and then

cover the best receiver out of the backfield. Any athlete that

made huge plays at Texas as a middle linebacker. The young-

blocked 16 kicks has incredible timing and ground speed in a

ster from Austin Westlake will play special teams like a demon

football uniform.

and someday take his place backing the Longhorn defensive

line.

Believe me, getting Ryan Newsome, the receiver from Aledo

was a big hit for the Longhorns. The youngster was on our

Let’s hope on Coach Strong’s list is a sit-down with the offen-

local TV station in Fort Worth talking about the Texas pride

sive staff and let them know that the next time the Longhorns

when he committed to UCLA? It confused me. Why leave the

have a delay of game on the 1st series of a contest, there will

state you love? Thank the lord he came to his senses. Football

be more staff changes!

in Southern California isn’t the same as in our state. No comparison. The youngster can take Jaxon Shipley’s spot with

I will not be happy until Texas finds a winner at QB. Enough is

more speed. I loved his answer to why the switch, “my family

enough….

can come see me play.” This decision is a tribute to Strong and

his tireless recruiting efforts. The man is determined and real

Hook’Em

players love him.

Pat

Pat Culpepper played for The University from 1960-62 and graduated from UT with a B.A. degree with honors in history. Pat coached college football for 12 years as an assistant at Texas, Colorado, Tulane, Baylor and Memphis State and was head coach at Northern Illinois from 1976-79. He also spent 16 years as a high school coach in Texas at Midland, Lufkin, Galveston Ball, Westfield and his hometown of Cleburne. He was selected to the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1991. His commentary appears regularly in the Inside Texas magazine and at InsideTexas.com.

36

inside texas

insidetexas.com

INSIDE THE GAMEPLAN checking in on the

W

hile the 2015 class is signed, sealed, and soon to be delivered to campus to find work in Texas’ offseason program, it’s time for the 2014 class to start contributing on the field for the Longhorns.

Mack Brown’s last class, while indicating that the old man was faltering some on the recruiting trail, was still loaded with some big time athletes that Strong will have to rely heavily on as soon as the Notre Dame game if not 2016.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of each new recruiting class and what they offer, but to do so is to get caught in the same trap that took down the Mack Brown era. Without development all you’ve done is load up on some fast-moving 18 year olds.

Let’s peek in at how the 2014 class has been developing under Strong and what roles they are likely to play in the near future. The players are all ranked in accordance with their likely involvement in the 2015 season.

OFFENSE Army Foreman, WR: Foreman was one of Texas most explosive skill players in 2014 and with leading skill players John Harris, Jaxon Shipley, and Geoff Swaim moving on it stands to reason that Texas will look to feature Foreman in 2015.

His ability to house a bubble screen, demonstrated against TCU on Thanksgiving, will be the easiest component to integrate as Texas emphasizes spreadoption concepts. Foreman will likely also be utilized to run underneath routes in 2015 with Watson looking to get him the ball on the run.

Jerrod Heard, QB: Swoopes’ play in the middle of the season in conjunction with Heard’s bewilderment at the Texas

38

2014 recruiting class

playbook made it an easy call to give the athletic freshman a redshirt and finally get the program back on the right track in regards to QB recruiting and development.

We haven’t seen Heard on the field yet but reports indicate that his running ability has translated to the college game and he gave the defense some fits playing on the scout team. He’s also been working hard this offseason to push Swoopes as the starter.

Whether or not he’s a solution to the problem at QB will depend on a combination of his ability to process and utilize the Watson passing game along with how many opportunities he has in the offense to make plays with his legs.

Dorian Leonard, WR: Texas badly needs a big receiver on the outside to attack vertically and draw safeties deep so that burners Foreman and Johnson can do work underneath. If Swoopes is the man it’ll also really pay to have a big target on the outside that he can find on hitch routes, slants, and comebacks on the single-receiver side. Hitting Harris on such routes was a strength of Ty in 2014 and one of the only good components of the offense last year.

Leonard seems the most likely to fill this role, perhaps starting in 2014, with his 6’3” frame, strong work ethic, and soft hands.

by Ian

Boyd

the field to free up speedsters outside like Foreman or Johnson.

Where he is in his development as a blocker or receiver remains to be seen but at least the raw tools are there coming off a redshirt season.

Duke Catalon, RB: Catalon is one of the most explosive players on the team but he’ll probably begin 2015 as the slashing, change of pace back to complement Johnathan Gray who will surely get the heavier workload.

With Warren and Houston joining the team in the summer, Catalon will need to stay healthy and prove it this Spring or else the staff may prefer Warren’s power over Catalon’s speed as the complementary back to Gray.

Andrew Beck, TE: Beck’s role in 2015 will probably be marginal unless he grows enough as a blocker to displace Whiteley and DLT as the best option of the bunch to be a “mobile blocking surface” in the run game and an asset in pass protection.

Beck’s athleticism, while iffy at linebacker, is well utilized from this spot and he’s already demonstrated the ability to get loose on a wheel route or attack the seam. Even with McNeal and Clarington on their way, Beck’s hands, size, and quickness give him a future in this offense.

Blake Whiteley, TE: Whiteley is a good bet to see the field regularly in 2015 as Texas will likely rely a lot on 11 or 20 personnel sets where they deploy a TE or H-back on the field to mix up the angles in the running game.

Elijah Rodriguez, OT: The depth chart along the OL is pretty close to wide open since the 275 pound Hutchins was able to hold down the left tackle job all season while right tackle was a revolving door.

Whiteley will have to continue to grow as a blocker, as he has in his first two years as a college player, so that his 6’4” length and great hands will allow him to be utilized running option routes in the seam and sucking defenders into the middle of

By all accounts, Rodriguez has taken well to college S&C and with his quick feet and good length his weight and technique were the primary obstacles to him playing.

Rodriguez has an outside shot at starting at tackle or guard at some point in 2015

inside texas

insidetexas.com

and a very good chance of finding himself on the 2-deep.

Roderick Bernard, WR/KR: Bernard’s speed was a revelation in 2014 and he may very well be the fastest player on the team. He could become a weapon in the slot catching screens and underneath routes or potentially on the outside if he can beat press coverage and punish teams deep.

He might be 3rd in line to play in the slot behind Foreman and Daje Johnson, which would mean that he could see some work in 2015, but he’s likely first in line as a kick returner where he could have a big impact elevating Texas’ special teams play and providing field position or even scores.

Lorenzo Joe, WR: Joe’s future position at Texas is probably as a Z receiver who gets moved around to be a target in the quick passing game with a chance at becoming a big play outside threat. Currently he’s looking at a logjam of Foreman, Johnson, Johnson, and Leonard that put him lower on the depth chart at the outside positions.

Jake McMillon, OL: McMillon is similarly marginalized like Cuney by the demands of the scheme and his own limitations in size (he’s about 6’2” 290) but he’s got a little more size to him than does Cuney and perhaps a little more quickness. He’s currently serving as a back-up guard and will probably remain buried on the depth chart until there are injuries or he masters technique and assignments to such a degree as an upperclassmen that he wins a spot.

D’Onta Foreman, RB: The coaches were eager to get the other Foreman’s eligibility clock running and he served the team well as a late game option in 2014 and less well as an actor in a poorly-executed trick play against Kansas State.

With the RB depth chart filling back out in 2015 and linebacker similarly loaded with strong incoming talent, Foreman’s future is likely as either a body on the scout team or a versatile fullback. With Alex De La Torre entering his junior year the position could use depth if Foreman is keen on seeing the field more.

Jerrod Heard

Garrett Gray, WR: Gray is absurdly fast for a big white kid, his problem is that he’s all legs and is much better changing gears and directions while building up to his top speed than running curl routes or hitches like this offense asks.

Given his learning curve and what’s ahead of him on the roster it could be awhile before Texas even knows what they have in him or can put him on the field.

Alex Anderson, OL: Once a promising high school guard that Wickline was able to take late in the cycle to fill out the OL class, now reported to be Ridgeway fodder on the practice field.

However, Anderson still has a large frame and quick feet that he might find useful on the gridiron if the light ever comes on.

Terrell Cuney, OC: Cuney was an iffy take for the previous scheme with his lack of height (listed at 6’1”) and need for further growth to anchor against defensive tackles at 278. Whether his body will even grow large enough to allow him to execute Wickline’s style of zone blocking, which his higher on screening DL than double-teaming them, is very much in doubt. Additionally, center is one position where Texas is loading up with Doyle, Raulerson, and Thomas already on campus with Vahe on his way.

DEFENSE Jason Hall, FS: Hall ended up settling in as the free safety in 2014, playing over the top of everything and looking to become Strong’s next Major Wright.

He has the potential to be a versatile weapon, dropping shallow to replace a linebacker or perhaps cover tight ends, but he’ll need to get healthy and confident again first. Hall is likely the intimidator of the future that roams the middle of the field and punishes anyone daring enough to enter it.

Jermaine Roberts, CB: Roberts is a dog with insane COD and a willingness to scrap with bigger players that is essential for a player of his stature (5’9” 171).

He’s battling Bryson Echols for a starting position at corner and could factor in as a nickel if he loses that battle. At nickel a player has less time to react to quick throws underneath so the ability to stick receivers over short distances becomes a greater priority, Roberts has the kind of burst to perform in that role.

Edwin Freeman, LB: Freeman inevitably moved to linebacker after getting the start at safety he desired and is now well positioned to be a starting mike or will linebacker for Texas in 2015 and have a position on lockdown in 2016.

February/March - 2015

39

Poona Ford, DL: Ford will probably end up as a swing DL, covered as either 3-tech or strongside end, and there’s a chance he starts in that role before 2015 is over. His explosiveness and long arms make him really hard to handle when he’s attacking a gap or taking the edge, Ford will be a disruptive part of the Texas defense before long.

Derick Roberson, Fox: Roberson is one of the best athletes that Strong inherited on defense and an ideal fit for the Fox end/backer position. His timeline is blurred due to injury, but his explosive power and length are likely to make him the featured pass-rusher on the Texas D at some point in the near future.

Chris Nelson, NT: Nelson might have to emerge on the 2-deep at nose tackle in 2014 but his day will likely come after Ridgeway and Tank Jackson depart (probably 2016) and incoming freshman Du’Vonta Lampkin is still learning the ropes.

Nelson has the frame and quickness to command a double from the noseguard spot or do damage in one of Strong’s fire zone stunts.

John Bonney, SS: Bonney is a good coverage player but probably not strong enough to win a job at corner and be trusted to handle the Kevin Whites and Tyler Locketts of the world without help on the sideline. If he can play physical enough that still leaves a role for him in the nickel, or better, at strong safety where he can cover with a cushion. The challenge in that role will be providing the kind of run support that Strong wants at the position.

Currently Bonney is something of a tweener and he needs to find himself in one camp or the other to hold off the incoming freshman.

Cameron Hampton, Gone: Hampton was always a long shot to play in a scheme that puts a priority on the ability to attack the line of scrimmage on the blitz due to his lack of size or explosiveness.

That must have become apparent to him because he transferred to Lamar.

THE CUPBOARD IN AUSTIN Strong inherited/quickly built a better defensive class than offensive class in 2014 and each player that has stuck around has utility and value in the current system

YOU HYDR AT E

40

inside texas

on his preferred side of the ball. The offense is loaded with some players that Strong may never find use for but also some potential gems.

The biggest challenge left by the 2014 class was a lack of key, infrastructure pieces at OL and DB. Strong’s offense demands an OL that can control the line of scrimmage and allow the ball to be methodically driven down the field while his defense relies on DBs that can lock down receivers and allow Strong to wreak havoc with athletes in the middle.

In 2014 Strong was able to acquire some really good skill players on offense and disruptive athletes to play inside on defense but was missing the abundance of OL and DBs his plan needs to work.

Of course that was rectified with the 2015 class when Texas took six OL and maybe as many as six future DBs in addition to grabbing some more athletes that stand to benefit from that infrastructure being established.

Now to find and develop a quarterback…

WE DON ATE

insidetexas.com

2015 Texas Longhorn Roster Table

Senior - 20 QB RB FB WR TE

Junior - 13

David Ash^ Malcolm Brown

Sophomore - 17

Tyrone Swoopes^

Johnathan Gray Daje Johnson@

John Harris* Jaxon Shipley

Greg Daniels Miles Onyegbule% Geoff Swaim^

Marcus Johnson*

Jacorey Warrick

Camrhon Hughes^* Kent Perkins Curtis Riser*

Cedric Reed

Shiro Davis

Desmond Jackson%

Malcom Brown Peter Jinkens Dalton Santos

Tim Cole*

LB

Demarco Cobbs Steve Edmond Jordan Hicks Tevin Jackson

CB

Quandre Diggs^ Sheroid Evans

Duke Thomas^

DT

S K/P

Kai Locksley

Duke Catalon D’Onta Foreman Kevin Shorter

Tristian Houston Chris Warren III Kirk Johnson

Mykkele Thompson Josh Turner@

Nate Boyer Will Russ*

Jake Oliver*

Roderick Bernard Armanti Foreman Garrett Gray Lorenzo Joe Dorian Leonard

John Burt Gilbert Johnson DeAndre McNeal Ryan Newsome

Blake Whiteley Taylor Doyle* Marcus Hutchins* Sedrick Flowers*

DE

Jerrod Heard

Alex De La Torre^

Dominic Espinosa*% Desmond Harrison@

OL

RS Freshman - 6 True Freshman - 22 ‘15 Commits - 28

Ben Pruitt#* Nick Rose#

Devonaire Clarington Darius James* Jake Raulerson^*

Alex Anderson^ Terrell Cuney Elijah Rodriguez

Caleb Bluiett* Bryce Cottrell*

Brandon Hodges Ronnie Major Garrett Thomas Patrick Vahe Tristan Nickelson Connor Williams

Jake McMillon Derick Roberson

Charles Omenihu Quincy Vasser

Paul Boyette* Alex Norman* Hassan Ridgeway*

Poona Ford Chris Nelson

Du’Vonta Lampkin

Naashon Hughes*

Andrew Beck^ Edwin Freeman

Cecil Cherry Brecklyn Hager Malik Jefferson Cameron Townsend Anthony Wheeler

Bryson Echols*

Antwuan Davis*

Jermaine Roberts

Kris Boyd Devante Davis Holton Hill

Adrian Colbert* Dylan Haines Kevin Vaccaro

Erik Huhn*

John Bonney Jason Hall

DeShon Elliott P.J. Locke

Nick Jordan

BOLD indicates 2014 starter or co-starter; ^ is/was a spring enrolee as true freshman; * indicates player has already redshirted; # indicates a non-scholarship player; & initially on track scholarship

February/March - 2015

41

JUNIOR DAY KICKS OF

U

T’s Junior Day expectations have changed somewhat. Fans wants instant gratification in the form of many high-profile high school football players making a promise to sign with their favorite school. Charlie Strong expects to build foundational relationships, meet the parents, and give the prospect and their family an idea of the Texas football lifestyle.

If you were expecting a few commitments on Saturday, adjust your expectations. What you should expect actually happened. After yesterday’s tumultuous weather of freezing temperatures and rain, the players that actually did show up proved one thing; they really like Texas.

I come g when k (Jefn i z a li ays am to Ma m “It’s alw I got to talk ht talk to hi e g . i e r m mad , up he a while k told me he T. r o f ) n ferso . Mali rly at U onight ing ea ther why more t hoice enroll my mo tc a grea xplaining to portant. It’s se g m He wa early is so i t about doin g h n i g e s ll u l tho na enro g I’ve y my fi they say n i o j h t n e e som se nt to l becau ght lso wa but I a f high schoo . I have thou o k mester never go bac h Malik, and it n a w c e r u nship yo g he n i y ampio ns back la h p c t a u g o or ab rin t the H e can b how w exas and pu oT back t ap.” m on the lloch McCu ” k r ha Jeff “S ine Davis ld A LB -

February/March - 2015

42

FF 2016 RECRUITING

By Justin Wells and Eric Nahlin

Shane Buechele showed up. Jeff McCulloch arrived. Kendell Jones pulled up. Eric Monroe was in the house. DeMarco Boyd wouldn’t miss it. All important prospects to the health of the 2016 class. It would’ve been easy for these guys to call-in sick, change plans, or flat-out not show up. But they did. And for a recruit like CE King’s 4-star all-purpose back Trayveon Williams, “(Texas) showed me something.”

Gone are the days of the too early evaluations and netting a dozen kids on Junior Day so that you don’t have to work in January. Strong is smart, methodical, and patient. And it’s paying off, one relationship at a time.

“It was re ally nice to see their tr tions. Th ey have a real broth adihere. I no erhood ticed the coaching and playe staff rs have a great rela ship. Tex tionas moved up into m today. I’v y top list e always b een intere I had to c sted om and see w e visit to see for m but yself here they sit at. Th a jump in ey made my recru itment. I made a d haven ecis and see w ion yet. I’ll put it o ’t here he p n God uts it on m I’ll be com y heart. ing back for one o March pr f the acti to prove a ces. Texas doesn’t nything to have me (on th because I e field) know the ya ing proce ss with co re in a rebuildach Stron g.”

- Trayve on Willi ams, RB King - CE February/March - 2015

43

Eric’s Notes From a Cold Day in Austin...

COMMITMENTS QB Shane Buechele, Lamar (Arlington, TX): Listed at 6-2, 185 pounds. He’s actually 6-1 and in the neighborhood of 180-185. He’s lean, but has some muscle to him and the width to carry at least 20 more pounds. If he embraces the weight room like Colt McCoy did, he may hit 210. That’s not bad on a 6-1 frame. Shane carries himself very well. He’s confident, yet humble. He has the maturity you’d expect from the son of a former MLB player. He’s not dissimilar to Patrick Mahomes in that regard.

LB DeMarco Boyd, Gilmer (Gilmer, TX): 5-11 and around 220 or 225. He’s lost some baby fat and the muscles are starting to show. I like him at fullback long-term, where Boyd’s football nature will shine. All four of the current Texas commits can be viewed as leaders.

PREVIOUS OFFERS RB Trayveon Williams, C.E. King (Houston, TX)

looks taller on film because he’s very long limbed. He probably weighs around 220 or so.

LB Jeffrey McCulloch, Aldine Davis (Houston, TX) All of 6-2, maybe more. 220 pounds, though he’ll play in the low 240’s. You can’t rule McCulloch out at Fox, especially if that’s the best way to get he and Malik on the field at the same time. Like Dontavious Jackson, McCulloch will be an outgoing, positive influence on the rest of the class.

LB Jordan Carmouche, Manvel (Manvel, TX) Good size for Carmouche at about 6-1.5 and 215 pounds. His size and fluidity are why Texas likes him.

LB Erick Fowler, Manor (Manor, TX) Height listings of Fowler have been way off at 6-3. He’s actually 6-1. I was surprised to see him weigh in so heavy at 243 pounds, but that’s probably jacket and all. He doesn’t appear heavy but he looks like a dense kid -- the kind you don’t want to get hit by. He’s the one prospect I saw Bedford walk out.

LB Dontavious Jackson, Alief Elsik (Houston, TX)

5-9, 175-180 pounds give or take. His ideal weight will be 190.

He’ll be powerful enough at that weight and keep his twitch, something that helps define him. He was the most impressive interview I heard all day. He was handling rapid fire questions quickly and confidently and making solid eye-contact. I like this kid even more after I saw the way he carried himself.

The always smiling Jackson was 6-2 and 245 pounds but he had on tons of clothing. He carries his weight well. He looked 225 pounds. Great kid, he’ll be a class leader. More tomorrow.

I love UT’s chances here.

OL Kellen Diesch, Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, TX) I buy that he’s 6-6, 265-270. He reminded me of Josh Cochran

lean. He’s a bit narrower in the shoulders than I’d like for a high impact, physical position. He does have good length -- at least 6-0, maybe 6-1. He’ll get looks at corner.

some, though a bit bigger in his upper body. He’s still lean and doesn’t have much indication of any OL-weight. He looks athletic. We didn’t talk to him much because he wore one of those Columbia long sleeve shirts with no jacket. Those are summer shirts - he was freezing his ass off.

OL JP Urquidez, Copperas Cove (Copperas Cove, TX)

S Eric Monroe, Galena Park North Shore (Houston, TX) Monroe has tons of muscle in his upper back, though he’s

ATH Christian Wallace, Tompkins (Katy, TX) Looks like a million bucks. 6-2, 200 pounds or so.

NEW OFFERS

No offensive lineman looked more impressive than Urquidez did in person yesterday. I wish I could find some recent film on him. He looked great. The family was very excited to be back in Texas.

RB Darius Anderson, George Ranch (Richmond, TX):

DT Kendell Jones, Shoemaker (Killeen, TX)

**not in attendance** The one guy I need to see in person more so than anyone else. He’s lean in pictures but if Wick’s not worried about his size then neither am I.

He measured 6-4 and weighed 364. For those of you disputing his weight, two things to consider; he was wearing lots of clothing -- his shoes alone probably weigh as much as Daje, and he’s absolutely massive. It’s crazy standing next to that “kid”.

He’s still only 16 and easily bigger than Du’Vonta Lampkin.

DE Mark Jackson, Steele (Cibolo, TX)

I’ll buy 5-10, 180 pounds on him. Shy kid, I didn’t talk to him much.

OL Jean Delance, North Mesquite (Mesquite, TX)

CB Eric Cuffee, Waco High (Waco, TX) Impressive build for Cuffee in the 6-0, 190 range with plenty of growth potential. Looks like a guy Akina would go 4-corners with.

I’ve seen him listed as tall as 6-4 but he was 6-2 at Texas. He

44

inside texas

insidetexas.com

Catching up with Shane Buchelle...

I

f some were worried about the strength of Shane Buechele’s commitment, let his appearance at Junior Day be a leading indicator that he’s solid. Driving conditions were treacherous from Buechele’s native Arlington to his future home in Austin, but despite hours of traffic delaying his arrival he still made the trip.

The Lamar quarterback didn’t make the trip to see Texas; he’s been there and done that. He wouldn’t have committed to Texas if he still had questions about the school or program. He made the trip to lay the foundation for relationships that could end in new Longhorn commitments; future teammates.

What we’re beginning to see are the inherent positive affects of having an in-state quarterback leading the charge. It doesn’t always need to be that way, obviously, but for this cycle I deem it important. Buechele and his family seem to be taking his role seriously.

Though the visit was cut short due to traveling conditions, Buechele had a good time and started his push as class president. After three hours in Moncrief, Shane emerged to cold weather conditions. Despite being lightly covered, he stood patiently and answered all questions. I was monitoring to see if he would acknowledge the cold (wind chill had it sub 30 at one point) but he didn’t, thankfully.

On his Junior Day experience: “I got here at 11:00. Didn’t get to do much. I’ve seen it all, but I’m glad to be here after committing finally and getting it all done with. Got to hang out with coach and coaches and getting to do some stuff with the players so it went well.”

On his hero’s welcome and whether or not he got a big hug from Strong: “I did, for sure. I did.”

On his decision to shut things down now: “A couple weeks ago I started thinking about it. Just a lot of thinking on my part, but, there’s no place like it, academically and sports-wise.

I took that under consideration and there’s no other choice than the University of Texas.”

On assuming leadership: “Yes sir, I tried. There’s nothing I can really do right now, it’s kind of on the low, but I’m trying to set a statement right now. In three hours I did what I could do.”

On Watson’s offense and potential changes: “He hasn’t told me too much. It’s going to change, maybe a little more fast paced. More even running and passing, but he hasn’t told me much. We’ll get into it later on.”

On whether or not UT is recruiting his stable of talented teammates: “They are, I don’t know if they’ll extend offers to them (OG Chris Owens, WR Kofi Boateng), but they are, and every school in the nation is. They’re great players.”

On his size: “I measured in at 6-1 and weighed 185.”

On whether or not he wants to play baseball at UT (reversal of what he told me last summer): “Yes sir, I want to and I think I’m going to. I’m probably going to graduate early, in the winter time, and I’m going to try and play baseball as well. We’ll see how it works. I haven’t discussed it with him (Augie Garrido) but have with Coach Strong and he went to Augie and talked to them and kind of worked it out.”about his stats) On who he was recruiting today and who he wants in this class: “I’ll take all those guys (Junior Day attendees). I haven’t really looked right now, the last couple days I’ve just tried to take it in, but for sure the next couple of weeks I’m going to try and narrow it down to guys I’m going to try and lure in and catch them.

A golf club where you feel like a member Even if you’re only here for one round.

At Grey Rock Golf Club, we pride ourselves on providing our daily play guests and members with a welcoming community that strikes a perfect balance between a dedication to improving your game and the lifelong enjoyment of the sport. From our knowledgeable staff of experts to our impeccably maintained course, every aspect of our award-winning club is designed to exceed your expectations.

We invite you to come by for a round of daily play or to experience all that Grey Rock has to offer, call us today for membership information. Welcome to your home for golf. Welcome to Grey Rock.

5 1 2 -2 8 8 -42 9 7

45

Gr e y Ro c kGo l f CluFebruary/March b .co m B e l o n- g Here.

2015

46

inside texas

insidetexas.com

From the archives

One of the first recruiting issues we published was in 2003 and one of the first players we visited was a three-star wide receiver from Houston Strake Jesuit named Chris Ogbannaya.

During his time at Texas he swtiched positions from receiver to running back and in 2009 was drafted in the seventh round by St. Louis. He is currently on the New York Giants roster.

Follow Inside Texas twitter.com/InsideTexas

- Graduate The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas School of Law Winner of the 2014 Austin Under 40 (Au40) Award in Real Estate

Recognized as Rising Star by Texas Monthly and Super Lawyer magazines Real Estate | Construction | Business | Title Insurance John A. Hay III

Hook’em!

48

inside texas

insidetexas.com