The Last of the Latest Recruits?
Will Russ from Evangel Christian in Shreveport La. has been rumored to be a surprise visitor. Could Mack be up to it again? Would Hunter Lawrence anoint this one to bear his mantle?
A special team treat at 6'4" 185lbs pre-Maddog Punter and Kicker.
This is a fantastic idea. I approve. -- GoBR --
over 2 years ago
orangetower
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Interesting, OT
This makes a lot of sense.
Mack recruited Greg Johnson in ‘04 (he transferred from Vanderbilt and had to sit out a year); recruited Lawrence in ’06; recruited Tucker in ’08 . . . I’ve long thought a scholarship kicker in 2010 made a lot of sense. And the recent attrition (Davis, Buckner, Collins) likely frees up enough scholarships that UT can offer a kicker now where they could not three months ago.
It is interesting
He is listed as an Arkansas commit. Also visited Miami last week.
He's also a great baseball player.
I wonder if that could have anything to do with his interest here?
This the same school that 2011 DE Jermauria Rasco is from. Interesting bits.
Miami's been know to be pretty good at baseball.
Arkansas, too. But it is interesting that he’s evidently opened up his recruiting options.
Damn, look at the kid's offer list on Rivals already
It’s pretty amazing. Texas is on his list, but in keeping with tradition, is the only school on it that has not offered him a scholarship yet.
Haven’t there been some Texas football players from Evangel? I think the Pittman boys did, but I’m pretty sure there have been some other notable ones.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 28, 2010 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
Talking about Rasco's list, obviously.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 28, 2010 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
Haha initially I thought you meant the kicker!
"Football's so important in Texas. On the West Coast, it's a social. On the East Coast, it's a culture. Here, it's a religion."
-- Major Applewhite
checking around
ArkansasPreps.com reported this morning that Russ is making an official visit to Texas this weekend.
The Shreveport Times did a long article on Russ’ commitment to Arkansas two weeks ago: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100114/SPORTS0101/1140303/Evangel%5C-s-Russ-commits-to-Arkansas
Okay, wow, this could be a slam-dunk
AAS had this in its article on the Russ visit:
"I think he started talking to Texas on Monday," Bachman said. "He’s a steal. He’s a triple threat. He’s kicked two 49-yarders since his sophomore year and he’s been kicking off the ground since then."
Bachman said that Russ can be used in a lot of ways as he’s a good punter, too.
Bachman also expects the visit to be a formality.
"It’s my understanding that Texas has already offered Will a scholarship," Bachman said. "And I fully expect him to commit to Texas."
Why?
"Because Texas is Texas," Bachman said.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 28, 2010 3:10 PM CST reply actions
And the long and arduous recruitment of William Russ finally comes to an end.
That was a trying four days.
Other Receiving Votes: Oklahoma
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 28, 2010 4:10 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Also, does this guy have a freaking PR firm?
http://www.williamruss.info/football.html
Other Receiving Votes: Oklahoma
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 28, 2010 4:11 PM CST reply actions
Please tell me
that is not really HIS cell phone number
was wondering the same thing
I called — it goes to Belmont hall
/joke
Other Receiving Votes: Oklahoma
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 28, 2010 5:07 PM CST up reply actions
A Kicker has to do
what a kicker has to do. That is wild. I have never seen a recruit with all that information right out there, but he does show he will do just fine in our business school!!! I foresee a marketing degree in his future. Should we all email him?
From Texarkana to Shreveport
is only about an hour. I was thinking about ditching class tonight and driving over to his house for dinner.
I don't think I can. nt
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
i like the one..
….where he ran back into the endzone and accomplished what the UTEP punter could’ve only imagined doing…that was pretty cool.
Kinda rough
The rugby-style punts were very effective at times in 2008. They were a little more iffy in 2009, but it’s likely correctable. Plus Gold is there.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 28, 2010 11:13 PM CST up reply actions
Would a scholarship be worth it?
I think it would be if you can take care of 2 spots with one scholarship.
I think taking one every 2 years is about right
Seems like you can find decent punters that are walk-ons, but thinking about all of the game winning field goals in the Mack Brown era and carrying 2 scholarship kickers at all times doesn’t seem out of line.
Just off the top of my head:
-Hunter – Nebrask Big 12 Champ. game
-Mangum – Rose Bowl Part I
-Bailey – Nebraska 2007
-Mangum? – Tech 2003 (Vince pulled at end of game in favor of Mock who throws long pass to Roy to get into field goal range)
-?? – Oklahoma State 2000
Also Bailey - Oklahoma State 2008
…and maybe Stockton against OSU in 2000?
Upon further review...
Bailey @ Nebraska was 2006; Bailey @ Oklahoma State was 2007. Stockton against Oklahoma State was 1998, and the 2003 Tech game was won on a pass to BJ, not a late field goal. Just sayin..
I guess then you have to ask yourself...
was the 2009 Big 12 Championship worth it or for that matter even making it to the BCS title game. A kicker can make or break your season, wouldn’t you want the best kicker possible out there. Hunter Lawrence was one of the highly touted kickers in the country and proved his worth. I’m glad Mack is wising up and getting the best kicker out there. Kicking is not easy but it seems that the sport portrays it to be.
ATX
Do you think Russ is the best kicker out there?
I admit I haven’t looked at kickers or punters at all. The recruiting sites and one particular site that concentrates on punters and kickers both seem to think Russ is pretty good at both punting and kicking, but none has him #1.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 29, 2010 9:12 AM CST up reply actions
He's in the top 11 in the country...
and he’s the third largest regarding size in that top 11. The ratings do not tell you much when it comes to kicking due to many kids all having similar stats. Also, I think this late in the game its hard to be choosy. I think he will be a good asset on special teams and I don’t just mean his kicking duties. I wonder how good he is at tackling.
ATX
This idea about kicker tackling came up with Sebastian Janikowski
I’m not sure I’m in favor of it. It’s been nice to have Tucker or someone out there as a last-ditch effort to prevent the huge return, but I don’t think there’s any way that Russ gets coached up for the purpose of contributing in ways other than punts and/or kicks.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 29, 2010 9:53 AM CST up reply actions
Kickers are almost always a last resort tackle due to them lagging off after the kick.
But who would you rather have as that last resort tackle a 6-1 177lbs kicker or a 6-3/6-4 185 lbs kicker. This kid is a freshman and will most likely grow in size. I do think he needs to speed the kicking process up. His punting is way too slow.
ATX
Punting is too slow
Watch his film and you will see him take a stutter step, square up and take 2 steps before punting consistently. That will not work at the next level. He will need to clean that up.
Noticed this too..
But he didn’t seem to have a problem booting one 50 yards out of his own endzone while running away from defenders, so I’m going to chalk this up to a “I don’t give a damn because I’m such a badass” syndrome than any actual inability to kick the ball quickly.
Other Receiving Votes: Oklahoma
by pleaseplaykindle on Jan 28, 2010 10:24 PM CST up reply actions
Was kinda rugby style
Boy we need more of that.
I just finished reading "The Eyes of Texas"...I'm a slow reader.
Doesn't that work better as long as the D can't get to you?
I agree about the next level part, but in HS if it lets your coverage get down field it’s a good idea right?
Plenty plenty time for that
If the leg strength and athleticism are there, the rest is easy (in theory).
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 29, 2010 1:13 AM CST up reply actions
Outstanding.
"I live in the tower with Coach Brown." -Bevo
by run Bevo run on Jan 29, 2010 1:25 AM CST up reply actions
Does this mean we may not be getting Hicks and or Jeffcoat?
I just finished reading "The Eyes of Texas"...I'm a slow reader.
If you mean scholarship crunch, ITIM
(I trust in Mack). . . . We lose 16 scholarship seniors and four recent attrition cases (Davis; Buckner; Collins; plus ET to the NFL Draft).
That would mean another five attrition losses before August to get in 25 new freshmen: 22 committed, up to 3 more possible. I’m quite sure the coaches know who those are or they wouldn’t be hoping for 2-3 more “yesses” before signing day.
Couple will go to injured players who will be giving up football, others to academic cases or to players getting bypassed in the depth chart who will leave to find a school where they can get on the field.
Thanks EDSP
Extra Depth Scolarship Perception
I just finished reading "The Eyes of Texas"...I'm a slow reader.
Evangel has sent us some starters
But not particularly good ones: Phillip Geiggar, Stevie Lee, and Cole Pittman
Bleacher Report stating Hicks to Texas
Of course I’d rather mainline Dran-o than trust anything from The Bleacher Report.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/334956-jordan-hicks-is-a-longhorn-choses-over-gatorsbucks
Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.
Also
A guy named Hale from OUespn is reporting JJ has informed OU’s coaching staff he’ll be committing to Texas in the morning….
Also
UT boards say Muschamp is heading to Ohio to watch Hicks play in his basketball game this weekend…not sure he would go do that if he was committing elsewhere…..I guess time will tell us everything.
3 different websites reported it
Including some that have had OU ppl who have memberships to OUespn.
I’d take it at face value since I have no idea how OUespn would find out what no one else has unless an OU coach let it slip to them.
Cory Nelson decommits ags and is a sooner
by realmccoy on Jan 29, 2010 9:51 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Not good.
OU is the last program I wanted him to join.
by burntorangehorn on Jan 29, 2010 9:55 AM CST up reply actions
Wow
The crown (family?) jewel of the aggie recruiting class.
"If worms carried pistols, birds wouldn't eat 'em"- Darrell Royal
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Jan 29, 2010 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
Thats tough for Aggie
I really don’t want to see him go to Norman either. Can’t really blame the dude though, if it were up to me, and my choices were OU and A&M, it would be a no-brainer.
You are correct
You probably do not have a brain if you go to OU or A&M. Or you lose it when you enter there.
We're Texas...and you're NOT
I think it is his cell number
I sent the number a text saying “Best wishes and best of luck wherever you end up Will. Hope you don the burnt orange and white!”
And the number replied saying “Thanks. Who’s this?”
Haha so I guess it is his real number
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