2012 Texas Longhorns Recruiting Thread (+ related news)

[billfromlaketravis]

[QUOTE=TFloss32;5290946]*DT Justin Manning of Dallas Kimball is attending J12 this weekend. There was some debate about what his plans were but both OrangeBloods and Hook 'Em 24/7 have him in Austin this weekend. With the possibility of guys like OL/DL Darius James and OL/DL A'Shawn Robinson ending up on the offensive line down the road, I think Manning is a guy the staff must get for 2013. He spent Wednesday camping at OU.

*Speaking of the OU camp, there were a lot of 2013 studs in attendance. OL Jake Raulerson of Celina performed so well that the Sooners decided to offer. I wouldn't worry about this one as I think Raulerson commits to the Longhorns in the early months of 2012. Like I said, you can pencil him in for an offer at the first Junior Day next February. Other studs in attendance yesterday were WRs Jake Oliver of Dallas Jesuit and Derrick Griffin of Rosenberg Terry (see his picture below). Oliver will be in Austin this weekend but Griffin's plans are up in the air at this point because of his summer basketball schedule.

Good to hear Justin Manning is going to make it to J12. Manning's initial quotes about attending the Texas summer camp sounded more like a kid that wasn't sure about his summer plans, than a recruit that was uncertain about Texas. I'm happy to see that somebody in the Texas program touched based with Manning, and convinced him to come to J12. Isiah Golden, Vincent Taylor, Ben Hughes and Justin Manning all at the same camp competing against each other. The post camp observations should be very interesting. Pre J12, Isiah Golden and Justin Manning should be the top 2 priorities.

So much for Derrick Griffin not attending any football camps this summer. Even though it was an OU camp, it's good to hear that Griffin is at least interested in football camps. Hopefully Griffin makes J12, but Texas should at least host him this summer.

Raulerson seems to be bedrock on which the 2013 Texas class will be be built. OU might have offered Raulerson, but I'm certain that Jake understands he holds a de facto Texas offer.

I'm personally not that excited about Jake Oliver. I have serious concerns about Oliver creating separation between defenders at the next level. 2013 is a pretty deep year for receivers. Gary Moore, Prentavious Moorehead Ra'Shaad Samples, Dannon Cavil and Chevoski Collins are all better options in my opinion. Collins just came off a stellar performance at the J5 camp.

[TFloss32]

The second installment about the current state of the UT program. Sobering QB news.

http://recruitocosm.fantake.com/2011...comment-111215

[billfromlaketravis]

Bill-

I'm still of the opinion that the staff offered Brooks because they feel he's the better overall prospect. , they might even think he could be the better DB as crazy as it sounds. I do feel Brooks can carve his niche and receive meaningful touches in Harsin's offense as a utility guy whereas Sanders would have a hard time doing that strictly playing WR and competing for playing time with studs like Shipley, Davis, White, Jones, Johnson, etc.

Even if Brooks commits to Texas down the road, I'm not sold that the recruitment is over if Sanders eventually comes around to the idea of playing DB. However, the latest rumors about Sanders de-committing from Okie Lite have him looking first and foremost at the schools offering him as a WR. It almost feels like Sanders won't end up at Texas unless he gives in at the last minute. Throw in a commitment from a guy like Geno Smith or Justin Thomas on top of Brooks and that should be the final nail in the coffin.

Geno Smith would be a very good nail in Kendall Sanders' coffin.

[TFloss32]

*ATH Daniel Brooks of Rockdale did follow through with his scheduled visit to Norman and he's on the OU campus as we speak. Probably a good thing that he's there right after visiting UT as he'll be able to compare and figure out if Norman is where he really wants to be. It's going to be difficult for him to turn down a Texas offer with his family living so close to Austin.

*2013 TE Ricky Seals-Jones will not be at J12 this weekend. Sounds like he'll be on a family trip. I consider UT a heavy favorite in this recruitment so I wouldn't read too much into his absence. There's a good chance he gets to Austin before school starts back up again in the fall.

[billfromlaketravis]

*ATH Daniel Brooks of Rockdale did follow through with his scheduled visit to Norman and he's on the OU campus as we speak. Probably a good thing that he's there right after visiting UT as he'll be able to compare and figure out if Norman is where he really wants to be. It's going to be difficult for him to turn down a Texas offer with his family living so close to Austin.

*2013 TE Ricky Seals-Jones will not be at J12 this weekend. Sounds like he'll be on a family trip. I consider UT a heavy favorite in this recruitment so I wouldn't read too much into his absence. There's a good chance he gets to Austin before school starts back up again in the fall.

Brooks first conversation with Stoops should be interesting. I don't think we'll know much until Brooks leaves Norman. If Brooks leaves Norman with an OU offer still on the table, I think most people will be surprised.

Good news on Seals - Jones being a heavy Texas favorite. I guess Eric erson's hatred of Texas has cooled some in older age. I think Derrick Griffin is more than likely to choose basketball, but if Seals - Jones does what's best for him he'll choose football over basketball.

I sympathize with Seals - Jones going on a family trip. I was forced to go on one every summer with my family until I was 18.

[symple19]

Geno Smith would be a very good nail in Kendall Sanders' coffin.

check out the picture Geno has up on his twitter account

(yeah, i know not to read too much into it, but still. Guy on the right is Trooper Taylor, AU WR's coach and his primary recruiter)

http://twitter.com/#!/SmithGeno4

[billfromlaketravis]

check out the picture Geno has up on his twitter account

(yeah, i know not to read too much into it, but still. Guy on the right is Trooper Taylor, AU WR's coach and his primary recruiter)

http://twitter.com/#!/SmithGeno4

Interesting photograph. Trying very hard not to make a Trooper Taylor crack here in the interest of thread civility.

[symple19]

Interesting photograph. Trying very hard not to make a Trooper Taylor crack here in the interest of thread civility.

go ahead if it makes you feel better, I've heard them all.

My favorite: "Trooper is just an interpreter for the rest of the coaching staff to be able to talk to the dumber players"

Whatever, he's effective and has coached guys into the NFL. WR play has been a lot better since his arrival. And, his enthusiasm is always a welcome sight on the sidelines.

But yeah, a lot of people don't like the way he talks/acts, which isn't a far cry from a dude in the projects

[billfromlaketravis]

go ahead if it makes you feel better, I've heard them all.

My favorite: "Trooper is just an interpreter for the rest of the coaching staff to be able to talk to the dumber players"

Whatever, he's effective and has coached guys into the NFL. WR play has been a lot better since his arrival. And, his enthusiasm is always a welcome sight on the sidelines.

But yeah, a lot of people don't like the way he talks/acts, which isn't a far cry from a dude in the projects

Taylor is a good recruiter. I'll leave it at that.

[TFloss32]

Some disappointing news coming out this evening. It looks like DE Torshiro Davis of Shreveport, LA will not be making a trip to Austin after all because the UT staff is apparently moving on from this recruitment. I'll post more once additional details are released, but it's also interesting to note that DE Noah Spence of Harrisburg, PA has not heard from the staff in a few weeks.

[billfromlaketravis]

Some disappointing news coming out this evening. It looks like DE Torshiro Davis of Shreveport, LA will not be making a trip to Austin after all because the UT staff is apparently moving on from this recruitment. I'll post more once additional details are released, but it's also interesting to note that DE Noah Spence of Harrisburg, PA has not heard from the staff in a few weeks.

What the ? What's the plan at DE? Moving on from Torshiro Davis for no apparent reason, no contact with Noah Spence, Jamal Palmer and Danielle Hunter failing to make Texas camps. Has the coaching staff shut down DE for 2012?

[shyne]

What the ? What's the plan at DE? Moving on from Torshiro Davis for no apparent reason, no contact with Noah Spence, Jamal Palmer and Danielle Hunter failing to make Texas camps. Has the coaching staff shut down DE for 2012?

Maybe they think they need for Db's instead.

[billfromlaketravis]

Maybe they think they need for Db's instead.

You're not the only one thinking Davis' spot goes to a DB shyne. I wonder if Danielle Hunter is in line for an offer? DL could be full for 2012.

[shyne]

Bill, you think the staff might try Tevin Jackson at defensive end?

[billfromlaketravis]

Bill, you think the staff might try Tevin Jackson at defensive end?

I think Kendall Thompson is more likely because of speed. Thompson runs in the 4.6s and Jackson runs in the 4.5s. At the very least Thompson should develop into a Buck before he graduates. I could see Thompson starting at OLB while he adds weight to spin down to Buck / DE.

I do agree that Tevin Jackson is pretty big for a freshman linebacker. Nobody really knows where Jackson's height and weight are after waiting a year to enroll at Texas. Jackson allegedly worked out at Garland High while waiting to be cleared to play. Jackson is said to be in shape and ready to go. I'm very happy that Tevin is enrolled in school and on the team. It might be a blessing in disguise as Tevin basically had an additional redshirt year. Tevin deserves all the credit in the world for being patient and staying committed to Texas. Seems like a great kid.

I think Tevin also starts at OLB. Jackson is said to be a very good pass rusher and has good burst off the edge. I think Jackson is also a Buck candidate, but with his speed it would be a mistake to move him to DE full time.

Shyne, very astute observation on Tevin Jackson. It's completely plausible that the Texas staff likes what they have in Jackson and Thompson so much that they felt that they didn't need Torshiro Davis.

[shyne]

I'm thinking the staff maybe has a silent commit somehwere, and they need that ship.

[billfromlaketravis]

I'm thinking the staff maybe has a silent commit somehwere, and they need that ship.

Another interesting thought. I had a wild idea that I'll throw out there. What if Texas is hold a spot for JUCO phenom Denico Autry? Autry allegedly has an offer contingent upon making his grades, graduating in December and being accepted at UT. Autry seems very determined to make an official visit to Texas in the fall. Additionally, Autry's coach has said he is making sure that all of Autry's course work is transferable to UT.

The problem with JUCO players is that much of their course work would not transfer to an outstanding academic ins ution like UT.

[Whisky Dog]

Strange that Texas just backed off Torshiro like that, not sure what that means about the DB and DL class.

Just saw Marcell Harris is coming to J12

[billfromlaketravis]

Possibly good news:

@GhostofBigRoy
Wescott Eberts
Chatter that WR Brock Fitzhenry hasn't been working out w team, may seek a transfer. Like Timmons, not unexpected if true. #hookem
18 minutes ago via web

Bobby Burton posted a couple days ago that Fitzhenry might graduate early and give up football. Regardless, Fitzhenry could be the next player to leave the Texas program. Texas needs one more departure to get to 85 before the season.

[billfromlaketravis]

Interview with Coach Searels, worth a listen:

http://www.longhornstation.com/cc-co...KVET-AM&TRACK=

[billfromlaketravis]

It looks like Tyrone Swoopes and Kohl Stewart will be in Austin tomorrow. Should be a of a QB compe ion. Hopefully Texas makes up some ground on Swoopes this weekend.

[billfromlaketravis]

Anybody else wondering about how Agholor’s Texas went? Very interesting tweet from 247 Sports reporter based out of Tampa (Agholor is from Tampa) :

@joshnewberg247:

WR Nelson Agholor out at Sling and Shoot. Gushing over his recent visit to #Texas. They could be a major player.

[billfromlaketravis]

Well it might be back on with Texas and Torshiro Davis. Good news:

@jsuchomel
Jason Suchomel
Big news for the #Longhorns. Top DE/LB Torshiro Davis is on his way to Austin. Details here: http://bit.ly/lt8duW
47 minutes ago via TweetDeck

Now the bad news. DT Justin Manning is having ride issues and won't make it down to Austin for J12. It's early but I still think Isiah Golden and Manning are the priorities at DT for 2013.

[billfromlaketravis]

My prayers have been answered. Tre'von Armstead is at J12.

@jsuchomel
Jason Suchomel
#Longhorns are hosting top 2012 OT Tre-Von Armstead (Port Arthur Memorial) at today's camp. Camp notes: http://bit.ly/jhfoLW #hookem #UT
5 minutes ago via TweetDeck

[TFloss32]

Good stuff, Bill. We'll do a big summary of everything tomorrow once there's more solid information and we get a feel for the how the camp went, but here are some things that stand out so far and BFLT already mentioned two of them:

-OL Tre'Von Armstead of Port Arthur Memorial did make it in and that was a smart move on his part if he wants a Texas offer. I believe there is an NCAA rule where you can't offer prospects while they're at camp and have to wait until they return home, so we'll have to wait until later tonight or tomorrow before we hear anything on that front.

-Big news on 2013 QB Tyrone Swoopes of Whitewright. Not only did he make it to Austin today, but he's also staying through Wednesday for UT's overnight camp. 2013 OL/DL A'Shawn Robinson of FW Arlington Heights is doing the same.

-Things are back on again with DE Torshiro Davis of Shreveport, LA. Even though the staff is struggling with the numbers game right now and want to make sure they have enough room for their main targets, I found it odd that they would simply cut off communication with such a stud prospect like Davis. Turns out Mack Brown changed his mind and felt Davis was too good to pass up (it also speaks to UT's chances in this recruitment). He had Bo Davis re-invite him to J12 and he's on campus as we speak.

-DB Justin Thomas of West Orange-Stark did not make it in for J12.