2012 Texas Longhorns Recruiting Thread (+ related news)

[TFloss32]

thanks man

Love that Chizik isn't afraid to mosey into Texas. I highly doubt he'll be able to pull any blue-chippers from the state if UT/OU are also after em', though.

You're welcome. I think Auburn's biggest task this year will be maintaining that shine that's on their star right now. There's no doubting they're the "it" program and were able to cherry-pick whichever recruits they wanted before National Signing Day. Things can change quickly and they'll have to do their best to avoid that championship hangover that lots of teams go through. It will be interesting to see how they perform next season with the loss of several significant players. As of right now, I think they're sitting pretty with guys like Matt Davis.

No kidding, that came completely out of left field as there was no talk of any progress at all being made. After the Brewer commitment yesterday and this today I wonder what that 3rd piece of good news will be?

I think multiple sites saying that Jerry Gray will remain at Texas can count as that third piece of good news. I just don't see him going to Nashville (especially with a lockout looming).

[TFloss32]

Here are some cool quotes from QB Connor Brewer after committing to Texas last night. Bryan Harsin officially offered him over the phone on Sunday prior to the Super Bowl and Brewer called the UT staff the next day to commit. He will hopefully be a catalyst in putting together another great class in 2012. It's always a plus for recruits to see the foundation of a class start off with a blue-chip QB.

"Those are all great programs. But then you get that gut feeling that this is the right place for me, this is the place that I want to spend the next four or five years of my life," Brewer said. "It's good quality people, we really like the integrity and character that coach Brown instills in his players. It was just a great opportunity."

"He really hit it off with coach Brown and coach Harsin," Mr. Brewer said. "He'll really fit in with coach Harsin's offense. I think a lot of things that are Connor's strengths will fit in there. The type of offense Harsin runs was a big factor."

"My mind was pretty much made up. I had a meeting with my head coach and my parents today," Brewer said. "We pretty much came to consensus that this is the place for me. I don't want to be anywhere else. Playing for coach Brown and coach Harsin is going to be an honor."

"It was definitely the atmosphere that the coaches brought to me and showed me. That made it an easy decision for me," Brewer said. "I couldn't think of one bad thing, one place I'd rather go than Texas. I love the coaches and academic and sports wise, I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather go."

"It is absolutely an honor (to be the first commitment). Like coach Brown kind of told Connor, 'We want you to be the leader of this recruiting class. We think you're a great way to start the recruiting class out. We'd like you to be the first one and be very active in helping recruit other people.'"

"I'm a Texan now and I'm a Longhorn," Brewer said. "That's the only school I'm looking at. I'm done with recruiting. I'm going on to try to win my third straight le and continue to do the things that helped me get to this point. I'll try to be the best quarterback I can be.

"It's a big honor to come play for Texas, especially being an out of state kid. I'm just going to be focusing now on my season, try to get some people to play with me over at Texas and try to make this the best recruiting class I can."

[DesignatedT]

He sounds like a good one.

[symple19]

You're welcome. I think Auburn's biggest task this year will be maintaining that shine that's on their star right now. There's no doubting they're the "it" program and were able to cherry-pick whichever recruits they wanted before National Signing Day. Things can change quickly and they'll have to do their best to avoid that championship hangover that lots of teams go through. It will be interesting to see how they perform next season with the loss of several significant players. As of right now, I think they're sitting pretty with guys like Matt Davis.

Agreed, that is indeed the challenge. But people already forget that Auburn had a top 5 class (including the top OL class) prior to last year, before the crystal trophy and after a terrible final season under Tubbs. Chizik and his staff had already proven they can recruit. I think the last question that has to be answered is can Auburn become the kind of program that can recruit anywhere and everywhere? Only sustained success can bring that about, and next year is going to be rough, at least on paper.

[DesignatedT]

Over next 2 weeks, Texas gets:
Paul Boyette
Thomas Johnson
Curtis Riser (could be LSU, but think he will commit to Texas)
Alex De La Torre
Kendall Sanders
LaDarrell Mcneil

Probable but not for sure :
Cayleb Jones (Texas or SEC, feels slighted by Texas, but think he still will commit once he gets that offer)
Javonte Mcgee
Jonathan Gray (may wait, but eventually think he will end up at Texas)
Dominique Wheeler (think he commits if he get a Texas offer, likes TCU though too)

Would be surprised to see much more than that, I think we will still be in good shape after these two weekend of Texas commits.

[TFloss32]

@ Designated T-

I'd say that's a pretty good breakdown of UT's expectations. I think this year's class will differ simply based on timing. Not only is UT behind in evaluations because of the high turnover on the staff, but I also believe Mack Brown wants to tweek his philosophy a little bit. You keep offering the "no-brainers" early but hold off on other recruits at least until you can evaluate them in the spring. There's basically no need to offer a prospect unless you're entirely sure what he brings to the table (especially if you know he wants to go to Texas and you can slow-play him while evaluating other players).

A good example of Texas not doing that was offering OL Taylor Doyle of Lake Travis on the Friday night before the first Junior Day last year. Don't get me wrong...although not highly ranked, he's a solid prospect. The only problem was he rolled into Coach Brown's office in a wheelchair because he had a broken leg. Why offer a guy in that situation unless he's a complete badass? Doyle's dream school is Texas and the staff could've afforded to hold back a scholarship offer until they at least saw how he recovered from his injury. Turns out Doyle committed on the spot and it ended up costing UT blue-chip OL Matt Hegarty of Aztec, New Mexico because there wasn't a spot for him.

[TFloss32]

Here are two guys to add to the list of first Junior Day attendees. I added them to previous list:

ATH, Hassan Ridgeway, Mansfield (6-3, 236)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...idgeway-110962

DT, Anthony Smith, Spring Westfield (6-0, 285)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...y-Smith-108807

[TFloss32]

Here's an additional out-of-state prospect that Stacy Searels will be recruiting for UT. He'll probably end up committing to Georgia (his older brother plays there), but it's encouraging that UT is attempting to get in the mix. Like D.J. Humphries, Theus will be one of the top OTs in the nation.

OT, John Theus, Bolles (Jacksonville, FL) (6-6, 292)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...hn-Theus-99173

[Kermit]

You're welcome. I think Auburn's biggest task this year will be maintaining that shine that's on their star right now. There's no doubting they're the "it" program and were able to cherry-pick whichever recruits they wanted before National Signing Day. Things can change quickly and they'll have to do their best to avoid that championship hangover that lots of teams go through. It will be interesting to see how they perform next season with the loss of several significant players. As of right now, I think they're sitting pretty with guys like Matt Davis.



I think multiple sites saying that Jerry Gray will remain at Texas can count as that third piece of good news. I just don't see him going to Nashville (especially with a lockout looming).

I love Jerry Gray, but he should take the job. I know he wants to be the DC at Texas one day, but it. Probably the only thing holding him back is the fact that his son transferred to UT just to be coached by his dad.

[TFloss32]

Here's another guy that's a bit "off the radar" that will be coming to Austin this weekend with his entire family. Sounds like he could be one of the first DT commitments for the 2012 class. This reminds me of when Mykkele Thompson committed last year and nobody knew who he was. That worked out pretty well.

DT, Alex Norman, Dallas Bishop Dunne (6-4, 280)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...-Norman-123256

[Whisky Dog]

This Jerry Gray thing is coming at a bad time with junior day coming up. Right now I'd guess at odds are 60% he leaves based on the fact he hasn't said one word in a few days since this came into the open. He's seriously considering it, and the longer you consider the more enticing those dollar signs and prestige become.

[TFloss32]

This Jerry Gray thing is coming at a bad time with junior day coming up. Right now I'd guess at odds are 60% he leaves based on the fact he hasn't said one word in a few days since this came into the open. He's seriously considering it, and the longer you consider the more enticing those dollar signs and prestige become.

Here's the way I've interpreted what's going on. Mack Brown apparently has been out of town since the beginning of the week and was scheduled to be back in Austin today. The lack of denial from Bellmont could be due to a couple of different scenarios:

a.) Brown hasn't been in town to address the issue...not a lot is said or done without his permission
b.) Brown and Gray are now discussing what it will take to keep Gray in Austin...Gray probably wants assurances of future promotions
c.) Brown has asked Gray to not accept the position until he finds his replacement

The fact that Gray is being offered triple his current salary to be the DC for the Tennessee ans surely has him heavily considering the opportunity. He'd be stupid not to. However, he's already proven that money isn't a top priority (even though it wasn't as much as his current offer) by turning down a significant raise to stay on with the Seattle Seahawks. He's mentioned over and over that his heart is at UT and he's been trying to get back to Austin for years. Would he risk burning a bridge at UT by leaving less than a month after he was hired? One would think that would make it awfully tough for him to seek out another position with UT in the future. This appears to be a situation where his heart is telling him something completely different than his head. I'll admit that I'm not as comfortable with my prediction of Gray staying because this issue has continued to linger longer than I figured it would, but I still believe he'll remain in Austin. He and his wife just purchased a home in Austin so she may say enough is enough when it comes to moving. I do know for sure that this issue will be resolved before the first Junior day arrives.

[ThePop]

Just give him a decent raise. Obviously Mack won't match the DC offer but give him a little more money so he is satisfied.

[TFloss32]

I read a report tonight that DT Paul Boyette, Jr. of Humble has been re-scheduled for the second Junior Day on February 25th-27th. There was no mention as to why but I do find it interesting that this news came down the same day we heard reports of DT Alex Norman of Dallas Bishop Dunne being invited to the first Junior Day. There could be no significance to this change of plans at all, but it makes me wonder where Boyette, Jr. is on the list of priorities at DT. I know for sure that he's not considered to be more important than Malcom Brown or Javonte Magee, so maybe this is a good sign that UT feels good about one of those guys and that they can afford to slow-play Boyette, Jr. a little bit. These Junior Day lists seemingly change by the hour so a lot of questions won't be answered until the weekend when we see who receives offers and who doesn't.

[TFloss32]

Here's another breakdown of the first Junior Day from Recruitocosm. Jesus nailed QB Connor Brewer committing before the end of February, so we'll see what else he gets right after this weekend ends.

http://recruitocosm.fantake.com/2011...ommits-part-i/

[ThePop]

Screw Gray. If he really does interview tomorrow then he is gone.

[Whisky Dog]

Here's the way I've interpreted what's going on. Mack Brown apparently has been out of town since the beginning of the week and was scheduled to be back in Austin today. The lack of denial from Bellmont could be due to a couple of different scenarios:

a.) Brown hasn't been in town to address the issue...not a lot is said or done without his permission
b.) Brown and Gray are now discussing what it will take to keep Gray in Austin...Gray probably wants assurances of future promotions
c.) Brown has asked Gray to not accept the position until he finds his replacement

The fact that Gray is being offered triple his current salary to be the DC for the Tennessee ans surely has him heavily considering the opportunity. He'd be stupid not to. However, he's already proven that money isn't a top priority (even though it wasn't as much as his current offer) by turning down a significant raise to stay on with the Seattle Seahawks. He's mentioned over and over that his heart is at UT and he's been trying to get back to Austin for years. Would he risk burning a bridge at UT by leaving less than a month after he was hired? One would think that would make it awfully tough for him to seek out another position with UT in the future. This appears to be a situation where his heart is telling him something completely different than his head. I'll admit that I'm not as comfortable with my prediction of Gray staying because this issue has continued to linger longer than I figured it would, but I still believe he'll remain in Austin. He and his wife just purchased a home in Austin so she may say enough is enough when it comes to moving. I do know for sure that this issue will be resolved before the first Junior day arrives.

Yep, that's pretty much exactly how I see it. With this thing lingering past today I'm inclined to think he's probably leaving and I really couldn't fault him. I don't think I could turn down an offer of a promotion to work with a guy I've known, worked with, and liked before for almost triple the salary no matter how much I liked my current job.

FWIW, TennInsider is reporting Gray might interview tomorrow:

http://ten.247sports.com/Article/Ano...Thursday-14706

[TFloss32]

Yep, that's pretty much exactly how I see it. With this thing lingering past today I'm inclined to think he's probably leaving and I really couldn't fault him. I don't think I could turn down an offer of a promotion to work with a guy I've known, worked with, and liked before for almost triple the salary no matter how much I liked my current job.

FWIW, TennInsider is reporting Gray might interview tomorrow:

http://ten.247sports.com/Article/Ano...Thursday-14706

I saw that report as well. I may be hanging on to false hope, but the encouraging thing is no Longhorn news sources have confirmed that Gray will actually be in Nashville tomorrow. With that said, the chances of him staying with UT after interviewing with the ans can't be good (especially with the type of money that's at stake). I can't fault Gray for taking an opportunity to be an NFL DC if he chooses to do so, but don't piss on my leg and tell me how happy you are to "come home" and then take off less than a month later. That's a shady move and where I have a problem with this situation. It's not fair to your alma mater, current players and recruits to pull something like that. You know you're a proven commodity in the NFL and will be sought out for future job openings, so don't come back to the college ranks unless you're absolutely sure that's where you want to be. In addition to that, Gray knows about the off-season turmoil UT has had and he'll only contribute to that with his departure. Chances are extremely high that I'll never know what a seven figure salary looks like so I really have no room to talk, but I also think loyalty has it's place. That's my rant.

[TFloss32]

FWIW, Roger Wallace of KXAN in Austin (NBC affiliate) reported on the evening news tonight that "Jerry Gray is committed to Texas." He covers the Longhorns for that station. It just goes to show that sources out of Nashville and Austin are saying completely different things at this point.

[Whisky Dog]

Yeah at this point it could be anything. Normally I'd be pissed as if a coach pulled what Gray would do if he leaves, but in this situation I could understand. Gray has been kicking ass as a DB coach for a while and never got another sniff as a DC. Then when he came home all of a sudden the most tenured NFL coach gets fired and Gray's former teammate, coaching friend from his Tenn days gets the HC job and wants Gray as his DC. No way Gray could forsee that when he took the UT job. I'm a UT alum too, and if I was coaching or working for UT and got an offer for 3x the salary and a promotion elsewhere I'd be gone too. It would feel bad to leave, but you have to take that chance if you have any aspiration of being a HC.

[symple19]

Regarding Matt Davis, these were his quotes about the AU visit:

“It was amazing. It was by far my best college visit,” Davis said. “I love everything about Auburn. The place, the people, the hosts, everything -- it’s just a big family. That’s one thing you can’t fake, is family. It was a great day.

“I got to see some fans, a reverse Tiger Walk. I could definitely see myself walking down there. Seeing the thing with Cam, just the way the fans embrace you over here. It’s amazing.”

Davis, who is from Klein Forest in Houston, Texas, projects as one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks in the class of 2012. He already has approximately 20 offers to his credit but one school stands out above the others.

“I know Auburn is my leader right now, for sure,” he said.

Thanks for that WD

The ACL thing makes me nervous, especially for a guy who relies so much on running. Will be interesting to follow his senior season.

Also interesting that Bama has offered him. They trend toward pro-style guys, usually, so Saban & Co must like him enough as a passer

[TFloss32]

Yeah at this point it could be anything. Normally I'd be pissed as if a coach pulled what Gray would do if he leaves, but in this situation I could understand. Gray has been kicking ass as a DB coach for a while and never got another sniff as a DC. Then when he came home all of a sudden the most tenured NFL coach gets fired and Gray's former teammate, coaching friend from his Tenn days gets the HC job and wants Gray as his DC. No way Gray could forsee that when he took the UT job. I'm a UT alum too, and if I was coaching or working for UT and got an offer for 3x the salary and a promotion elsewhere I'd be gone too. It would feel bad to leave, but you have to take that chance if you have any aspiration of being a HC.

I agree that there's no way he could've known that this specific situation would've arisen the way it did, but he also knows that he's a proven defensive coach in the NFL and offers would be there for him probably on an annual basis. He also knew he was taking a job at UT where he'd be working for a DC in Manny Diaz who can't hold his jock when it comes to significant experience. I think Mack Brown has always feared hiring Gray because of the very situation we're witnessing right now. He's over-qualified. It's all going to depend on what Gray wants for his career path:

a.) Is being an NFL DC my ceiling? Could I ever be a HC in the league?
b.) If so, how hard would it be to get back to UT if I wanted to do so?
c.) If I stay at UT, can I get significant promotions and a legit shot at HC once Brown steps down?

There's still no official word on what's going on. I read a report this morning that Coach Brown was interviewed on 1300 AM The Zone in Austin and he called the Gray rumors "bad reporting." He apparently said Gray was in his office during the early morning hours preparing for Junior Days. Mack's a public relations master...so take it FWIW.

[TFloss32]

Some quick notes from this morning:

*A couple of Junior Day edits. I wrote last night that DT Paul Boyette, Jr. of Humble has been re-scheduled for second Junior Day on February 25th-27th. DT Zorell Ezell of Humble will also be re-scheduled for that date (which makes sense). Oscar Giles also called DT Anthony Smith of Spring Westfield and told him they'd like him to be at the second Junior Day instead. The recent developments with DT Alex Norman of Dallas Bishop Dunne being invited to the first Junior Day has to be the reason for the change of plans for these three guys.

*DE Devonte Fields of Arlington Martin stated last night that he has received an invite to the first Junior Day and plans to be in Austin this weekend with his mother.

*LB Peter Jinkens of Dallas Skyline picked up his first national offer last night when Will Muschamp and Florida came calling.

*QB Trevor Knight of San Antonio Reagan is now undecided whether or not he'll be in town this weekend. I will take him off of the list for now.

[TFloss32]

Here's the latest and greatest attendees list for the first Junior Day:

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

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

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

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

WR, Dominique Wheeler, Crockett (6-2, 176)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...Wheeler-122216

OT, Kennedy Estelle, Pearland Dawson (6-7, 292)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...Estelle-119649

OT, Michael Starts, Waco La Vega (6-4, 275)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...-Starts-116604

OG, Curtis Riser, DeSoto (6-3, 283)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...s-Riser-102649

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

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

DT, Alex Norman, Dallas Bishop Dunne (6-4, 280)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...-Norman-123256

LB, Tim Cole, Brenham (6-2, 212)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Timothy-Cole-103352

LB, Alex De La Torre, Denton Ryan (6-0, 223)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...%20Torre-94917

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

DB, Nick Coleman, San Antonio East Central (6-1, 180)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...Coleman-101441

ATH, Hassan Ridgeway, Mansfield (6-3, 236)
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/footbal...idgeway-110962

[Whisky Dog]

Well, we have recruiticosm saying their source close to UT is saying Jerry Gray has said he's staying, OB is saying Gray told a booster group during a luncheon today that he's staying, and 247 is saying Gray was asked at the luncheon if he was moving and he answered "Yes, here from Seattle". Might be looking like he's staying, and if he does there's no doubting the man's commitment because he just turned down a load of jack if so.