2011 Texas Longhorn Recruiting

[TFloss32]

Lots of info to cover this morning. Thanks to Whisky and Pop for the info above. I'll just do my best to summarize everything.

*The official visits went as well (as expected). There isn't a lot of groundbreaking news to share because the majority of the guys are already committed to Texas, but the biggest storyline of this past weekend is 2011 CB Josh Turner of Oklahoma City Millwood solidifying his commitment to Texas. "I'm still going to be a Longhorn. My commitment is stronger than it ever was." He also mentioned he was very impressed by what Jerry Gray will offer as his position coach and had the opportunity to watch film with Manny Diaz. Turner said he looks forward to playing in Diaz's aggressive schemes.

*The second biggest story was the official visit of uncommitted 2011 DE Brandon Alexander of Brenham. Like the other commits, he was extremely impressed with everything Texas had to offer and mentioned that UT has "made my decision a lot harder." There is a guy that posts under the name BrenhamHorn on various Longhorn message boards and he's good for information in that part of the state. He grew up in Brenham and now has a brother that attends the high school. Anyway, he said he's heard from two local players that Alexander is going to be a Longhorn. Take it with a grain of salt because you know how Internet rumors work, but he mentioned that UT really made waves with Alexander this weekend. He's a key recruit for this class with the lack of depth at DE. This one is a UT/A&M battle.

*Like Whisky said above, Texas had a surprise visitor this weekend when a second Brenham star showed up on campus. I don't know if he came with Alexander, but 2012 LB Tim Cole was in Austin as well. Now, you wouldn't usually see a junior show up on campus when seniors are taking their official visits, so it was considered a big deal that Cole was there and it speaks volumes about his interest in Texas (especially knowing that he'll be back in Austin for Junior Days in three weeks). The only thing I don't know is if Cole came to town on his own accord or if the meeting was previously arranged by the staff. Either way, out of all the Brenham boys, Texas has the best shot with Cole and I wouldn't be surprised if he commits to UT at their first Junior Day or shortly after that.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...hy-Cole-103352

[TFloss32]

I wasn't going to give you guys a list of Junior Day invites until we approached that weekend, but I'm obsessed. Here's what I have for the first Junior Day (Feb. 11-13):

Confirmed

QB, Trevor Knight, San Antonio Reagan (6-2, 190)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Knight-104915

RB, Johnathan Gray, Aledo (5-11, 190)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...an-Gray-103880

RB, Trey Williams, Spring DeKaney (5-8, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...illiams-104073

WR, Thomas Johnson, Dallas Skyline (5-11, 180)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Johnson-110750

WR, Cayleb Jones, Austin High (6-2, 185)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...eb-Jones-98700

OL, Kennedy Estelle, Pearland Dawson (6-7, 292)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Estelle-119649

OL, Curtis Riser, DeSoto (6-4, 270)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...s-Riser-102649

DT, Malcom Brown, Brenham (6-2, 280)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...m-Brown-103353

DT, Paul Boyette, Jr., Humble (6-4, 280)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...te%20Jr.-94436

DT, Zorell Ezell, Humble (6-2, 255)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...l-Ezell-121319

DT, Javonte Magee, San Antonio Sam Houston (6-5, 262)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...e-Magee-104642

DE, Mario Edwards, Jr., Denton Ryan (6-4, 250)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Edwards-106231

DE, Kyndahl Hill, Humble (6-5, 195)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...hl-Hill-110549

LB, Tim Cole, Brenham (6-2, 210)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...hy-Cole-103352

LB, Alex De La Torre, Denton Ryan (6-1, 223)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...%20Torre-94917

LB, Peter Jinkens, Dallas Skyline (6-1, 208)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Jinkens-110751

LB/DE, Damien Neroes, Garland (6-1, 215)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Neroes-117921

CB, LaDarrell McNeil, Dallas Maceo Smith (6-1, 190)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...l-McNeil-89921

ATH, Corey Coleman, Richardson Pearce (5-11, 180)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Coleman-107077


Invited (Not Confirmed)

OL, Greg Brantley, Carthage (6-7, 305)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...rantley-120175

S, Edward Pope, Carthage (6-3, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...rd-Pope-109373


Names of Interest

OL, Boone Feldt, Pilot Point Selz (6-3, 276)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...e-Feldt-115017

OL, Camrhon Hughes, Harker Heights (6-6, 269)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Hughes-118772

OL, Trey Keenan, Argyle (6-5, 270)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Keenan-114491

OL, John Michael McGee, Texarkana Texas (6-4, 255)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...l-McGee-104801

OL/DE, Michael Starts, Waco La Vega (6-4, 275)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Starts-116604

LB, Alexander Lyons, DeSoto (6-0, 204)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...er-Lyons-95722

DE, Eric Davis, Tyler John Tyler (6-3, 227)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...c-Davis-114451

DE, Devonte Fields, Arlington Martin (6-4, 220)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Fields-119099

CB, Bryson Echols, DeSoto (5-10, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Echols-118357

S, Will Hines, Waco High (6-1, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...l-Hines-122202

ATH, Bralon Addison, Fort Bend Hightower (5-10, 182)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...-Addison-81314

ATH, Troy Green, Brenham (6-1, 192)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...oy-Green-99673

ATH, Kendall Sanders, Athens (6-1, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...Sanders-100333

ATH, Corey Thompson, Fort Bend Elkins (6-2, 193)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Thompson-94381


*Look for guys like Trey Williams, Cayleb Jones, Curtis Riser, Paul Boyette, Jr., Tim Cole, Alex De La Torre and LaDarrell McNeil to commit on the spot when (or if) they're offered. I expect Jones to come to campus on Friday night and get one of the first offers like 2011 WR Jaxon Shipley did last year. He's a priority for this class.

*Notice that QB Trevor Knight of San Antonio Reagan will also be in town for the first Junior Day. QB will be a position to watch for 2012 because Connnor Brewer of Scottsdale, Arizona will have already visited Austin by that time (he's coming in this weekend). I still think Brewer is the choice for QB, but I also think this race is more like 1A (Brewer) and 1B (Knight) rather than #1 and #2. It'll be interesting to see how the staff handles this one because I know Knight would commit on the spot whereas Brewer might want a bit more time. I'd be happy with either one.

*I also wanted to add that Texas A&M had their first Junior Day this past weekend and will have the second one this upcoming weekend. I don't know which prospects were in attendance, but luckily no recruits that Texas is going after gave a pledge to the Aggies. They did pick up stud 2012 WR Jaevon Richardson of Baytown Lee, though. 2012 DT Malcom Brown of Brenham was not in attendance because he was taking the SAT. I'll try to get a list for the next one.

[DesignatedT]

Really hope Alexander goes with A&M. We need him a lot more then you guys do.

[TFloss32]

Really hope Alexander goes with A&M. We need him a lot more then you guys do.

I'm interested to see what the Aggie D looks like under DeRuyter next year without Von Miller. When Texas lost Sergio Kindle (a guy like Miller that can come off the edge or put his hand on the ground), their pass rush declined significantly. Texas has really been hurt by attrition on the defensive line so Alexander is key. He'd be a nice pick-up for either team and could possibly give that school an advantage over the other with 2012 LB Tim Cole and 2012 DT Malcom Brown coming down the pipe.

[Whisky Dog]

Johnathan Gray has announced he'll be doing two junior days - TCU this weekend and UT on 2/13.

[Kermit]

Gray is a big TCU fan, right?

[TFloss32]

Johnathan Gray has announced he'll be doing two junior days - TCU this weekend and UT on 2/13.

Thanks, Whisky. I'll update the list.

Gray is a big TCU fan, right?

I think Gray is around a heavy influence of TCU since his hometown is so close to Forth Worth. I know he is a fan and seriously considering them, but he's also always been a fan of Texas. TCU/UT compe ion, IMO. I hope UT offers and locks up both Johnathan Gray and Trey Williams and calls it a day at the RB position.

[Kermit]

So, how does having Brown affect Gray? Because, if he's the man right off the bat at TCU....

[TFloss32]

So, how does having Brown affect Gray? Because, if he's the man right off the bat at TCU....

I'd be dishonest if I told you I knew for sure. I have read that Gray is fine with sharing a backfield with Brown. Most RBs are now realizing that a two-back system is becoming the norm and helps teams keep guys fresh. Alabama and USC are good examples of that. As far as TCU goes, I don't know what their RB depth chart looks like even though I'm sure he'll get playing time right away. He'll have to share carries wherever he goes (especially at a young age). It may be as simple as who he likes best. Let's revisit this one after he visits TCU and Texas in a few weeks.

[TFloss32]

I remembered I wanted to touch on who could possibly fill the scholarship that 2011 OL Christian Westerman has left vacant. I'd imagine UT will go after another OL, DB or simply leave it open for the 2012 class. Anyway, UT has a policy of not pursuing prospects committed to other schools, but they obviously don't have that luxury being that it's so late in the recruiting year. Anyway, Stacy Searels has made a road trip to see 2011 Under Armour All-American OL Le'Raven Clark of Rockdale. There's not much to report from the trip except Clark was adamant about his commitment to Texas Tech and sort of gave UT the cold shoulder. Searels will visit Rockdale again this week for another opportunity to speak with Clark.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...n-Clark-107063

*Mack Brown and Jerry Gray were also on the road and made their way up to Oklahoma City to check in with 2011 CB Josh Turner.

*Darrell Wyatt also made a road trip to visit 2012 LB Jeremiah Tshimanga of North Richland Hills. He is rumored to be the cousin of Texas DE Reggie Wilson, but I've never seen confirmation of that. Tshimanga's coach made it a point to mention that he was very, very impressed with Wyatt's recruiting prowess. Look for Tshimanga to get a Junior Day invite (maybe the second one on Feb. 25-27).

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...himanga-116424

*Another pair of names to watch for that open scholarship are 2011 DB Charles Jackson of Klein Collins (currently committed to Nebraska) and 2011 OL Shayvion Hatten of Daingerfield (currently committed to Texas A&M).

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...Jackson-104768

http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...n-Hatten-96591

[Whisky Dog]

So, how does having Brown affect Gray? Because, if he's the man right off the bat at TCU....

Probably doesn't effect him as much as you'd think as Brown's the only big prospect running back that UT has and is more of a power runner to Gray's speed and shiftiness. I'm sure they're selling Richardson/Ingram and McFadden/Jones type of roles. Plus, with Gray's high workload in HS taking a toll on his shoulders and overall health he may welcome those roles and see how they can help him preserve himself going into the NFL.

[TFloss32]

Quick little update on 2011 DE Brandon Alexander of Brenham...looks like Arkansas has their in-home visit today, A&M will have one tomorrow and Mack Brown will have the last shot on Wednesday. If he doesn't commit this weekend, I think he'll do so next Wednesday, February 2nd (National Signing Day).

[DesignatedT]

I'm interested to see what the Aggie D looks like under DeRuyter next year without Von Miller. When Texas lost Sergio Kindle (a guy like Miller that can come off the edge or put his hand on the ground), their pass rush declined significantly. Texas has really been hurt by attrition on the defensive line so Alexander is key. He'd be a nice pick-up for either team and could possibly give that school an advantage over the other with 2012 LB Tim Cole and 2012 DT Malcom Brown coming down the pipe.

He definitely might have to change some things up, but the Aggies are very strong in that OLB/Joker position. Freshman Demontre Moore played the position when Von was out of the game this season and Sean /Jonathan Stewart also have great speed to get around the edge. Also, LB Shaun Ward is supposed to be a Von Miller clone and the exact same type of player. IMO, the part that will hurt the most is that ILB position and losing Michael Hodges is going to be huge for this defense since we have nobody to step in and play that MLB position like he did (see the LSU game).

[DesignatedT]

Just heard reports that A&M got a commit from Floyd Raven who recently decommitted from Ole Miss. This would be huge and probably are best recruit so far if it's true.

[TFloss32]

Just heard reports that A&M got a commit from Floyd Raven who recently decommitted from Ole Miss. This would be huge and probably are best recruit so far if it's true.

I don't know anything about the guy, but he is highly ranked. A&M needs solid DBs. Looks like he decommitted from Ole Miss last week and visited Pitt this past weekend. Rivals doesn't have him listed as committed right now but the rumors favor A&M.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...yd-Raven-98602

[scottspurs]

Soon your gonna have to start the 2012 Texas Longhorn Recruiting thread TFloss32. This is my favorite thread on Spurstalk. Hook em

[TFloss32]

Soon your gonna have to start the 2012 Texas Longhorn Recruiting thread TFloss32. This is my favorite thread on Spurstalk. Hook em

Thanks, scottspurs. I appreciate it. Let me know if I can add certain types of info to make it better. I'll be starting the 2012 thread next week after National Signing Day on February 2nd. We have to get all of these 2011 guys officially signed first. We're about to get into the thick of things and it'll be a lot of fun. The new staff is already proving what great recruiters they are.

[TFloss32]

Just read that Mack Brown is currently in Cleveland, Texas doing an in-home visit with 2011 DE Cedric Reed. A&M has tried their damndest to turn him for a long time, but Reed reiterated today that he's a solid commitment. A visit from Coach Brown should put the final touches on his recruitment.

[ThePop]

Looking forward to the 2012 topic. BTW, you can add me to the 2011 commitment list as I have already enrolled for this Fall.

[TFloss32]

Looking forward to the 2012 topic. BTW, you can add me to the 2011 commitment list as I have already enrolled for this Fall.

...I'm going to need your measurables and hometown/high school.

[TFloss32]

Here's a quick breakdown of where all of the coaches are recruiting right now:

*After visiting Cleveland last night to visit with 2011 DE Cedric Reed, Mack Brown will be in San Antonio today to visit with 2011 RB Malcolm Brown, 2011 ATH Mykkele Thompson and 2011 DT Quincy Russell. He'll head to Brenham on Wednesday for his in-home visit with 2011 DE Brandon Alexander followed by in-home visits on Thursday with 2011 LBs Steve Edmond of Daingerfield and Kendall Thompson of Carthage and then 2011 OL Josh Cochran of Hallsville. Just to let you know, Reed said his visit went pretty well and it got him excited about next year.

*In addition to making a trip to Rockdale on Monday morning to visit with 2011 OL Le'Raven Clark, Stacy Searels made calls to DeSoto HS to check on 2012 OL Curtis Riser and Waco La Vega HS to ask about 2012 OL Michael Starts. Searels is expected to be on the road all week so I'll keep you posted on where he goes and what he does.

*Jerry Gray is expected to be in the Houston area day today. He'll be visiting with 2011 S Sheroid Evans of Fort Bend Dulles and then he'll head over to Fort Bend Hightower to see 2012 ATH Bralon Addison. He'll then call on 2012 ATH Corey Thompson of Fort Bend Elkins after that. These are two ATHs that I want Texas to go after hard, but I'm not sure what they're plan of action is with those two at this point.

*In addition to visiting 2012 LB Jeremiah Tshimanga of North Richland Hills yesterday, Darrell Wyatt stopped at Dallas Skyline HS to visit with 2012 WR Thomas Johnson and 2012 LB Peter Jinkens. He also went to Argyle HS to see 2012 OL Trey Keenan as well as Garland HS to visit with 2012 DE/LB Damien Neroes.

*I also wanted to mention that 2012 CB LaDarrell McNeil of Dallas Maceo Smith has confirmed that he'll be at the first Junior Day in addition to two Humble kids: 2012 DT Zorell Ezell and 2012 DE Kyndahl Hill. I updated the list with some other guys as well.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...l-Ezell-121319

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...hl-Hill-110549

*2012 DT Malcom Brown and 2012 LB Tim Cole of Brenham have confirmed that they will be at the A&M Junior Day this weekend and they may also stop at the one for TCU on Sunday.

[TFloss32]

Here's the updated Junior Day info with some additional names:

Confirmed

QB, Trevor Knight, San Antonio Reagan (6-2, 190)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Knight-104915

RB, Johnathan Gray, Aledo (5-11, 190)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...an-Gray-103880

RB, Trey Williams, Spring DeKaney (5-8, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...illiams-104073

WR, Thomas Johnson, Dallas Skyline (5-11, 180)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Johnson-110750

WR, Cayleb Jones, Austin High (6-2, 185)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...eb-Jones-98700

OL, Kennedy Estelle, Pearland Dawson (6-7, 292)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Estelle-119649

OL, Curtis Riser, DeSoto (6-4, 270)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...s-Riser-102649

DT, Malcom Brown, Brenham (6-2, 280)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...m-Brown-103353

DT, Paul Boyette, Jr., Humble (6-4, 280)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...te%20Jr.-94436

DT, Zorell Ezell, Humble (6-2, 255)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...l-Ezell-121319

DT, Javonte Magee, San Antonio Sam Houston (6-5, 262)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...e-Magee-104642

DE, Kyndahl Hill, Humble (6-5, 195)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...hl-Hill-110549

LB, Tim Cole, Brenham (6-2, 210)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...hy-Cole-103352

LB, Alex De La Torre, Denton Ryan (6-1, 223)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...%20Torre-94917

LB, Peter Jinkens, Dallas Skyline (6-1, 208)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Jinkens-110751

LB/DE, Damien Neroes, Garland (6-1, 215)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Neroes-117921

CB, LaDarrell McNeil, Dallas Maceo Smith (6-1, 190)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...l-McNeil-89921

ATH, Corey Coleman, Richardson Pearce (5-11, 180)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Coleman-107077


Invited (Not Confirmed)

OL, Greg Brantley, Carthage (6-7, 305)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...rantley-120175

S, Edward Pope, Carthage (6-3, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...rd-Pope-109373


Names of Interest

OL, Boone Feldt, Pilot Point Selz (6-3, 276)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...e-Feldt-115017

OL, Camrhon Hughes, Harker Heights (6-6, 269)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Hughes-118772

OL, Trey Keenan, Argyle (6-5, 270)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Keenan-114491

OL, John Michael McGee, Texarkana Texas (6-4, 255)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...l-McGee-104801

OL/DE, Michael Starts, Waco La Vega (6-4, 275)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Starts-116604

LB, Alexander Lyons, DeSoto (6-0, 204)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...er-Lyons-95722

DE, Eric Davis, Tyler John Tyler (6-3, 227)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...c-Davis-114451

DE, Devonte Fields, Arlington Martin (6-4, 220)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Fields-119099

CB, Bryson Echols, DeSoto (5-10, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...-Echols-118357

S, Will Hines, Waco High (6-1, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...l-Hines-122202

ATH, Bralon Addison, Fort Bend Hightower (5-10, 182)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...-Addison-81314

ATH, Troy Green, Brenham (6-1, 192)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...oy-Green-99673

ATH, Kendall Sanders, Athens (6-1, 175)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...Sanders-100333

ATH, Corey Thompson, Fort Bend Elkins (6-2, 193)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecr...Thompson-94381

[TFloss32]

I wanted to mention that 2012 ATH Kendall Sanders of Athens is another one that will commit on the spot when/if he's offered. He's been very open about it. He's a guy that's been talked about on and off for a long time and it will be fun to see which ATHs Texas decides to go with. QB, LB and ATH are the positions that I'm most looking forward to seeing what happens for 2012.

[TFloss32]

Change of plans with Mack Brown. He's changed his San Antonio tour to Friday. Also, Stacy Searels is at Pearland Dawson HS today to visit 2012 OL Kennedy Estelle. It's looking like he, Curtis Riser and Michael Starts might be three of the OL offers at Junior Days (Riser without a doubt will get an offer).

[TFloss32]

Good news on 2011 DT Quincy Russell. His knee surgery went well on Friday and there is no structural damage to report. He simply had scar tissue removed and plans on shedding his knee brace tomorrow.

EDIT: Russell will be coming to Austin this weekend for his official visit.