Miles Onyegbule Another Big Receiver for Texas

Instant analysis -- Much like the three players who committed on the evening of the first Junior Day, the first commitment on the Saturday morning day of the Junior Day proper, there was little suspense surrounding the talented pass-catcher's decision -- it had been crystal clear for some time that if Onyegbule received an offer, he would commit on the spot. As far back as last June, Onyegbule had the Longhorns atop his list ($) and never wavered from that stance over the following eight months until his commitment. Afterwards, Oneygbule let it be known that he has been a Texas fan his entire life ($) and often discussed playing for the Longhorns with his brothers growing up.

Clearly a personal favorite of Bobby Kennedy and Bruce Chambers, who recruit the Metroplex for the Longhorns, Oneygbule received one of what will likely only be two receiver spots in the class, along with Jaxon Shipley. Before the Junior Day, news broke that Trey Metoyer, arguably the top receiver in the state, and Texas were heading in separate directions, no major surprise because Metoyer grew up an Oklahoma fan and the Longhorns appeared to have significant ground to make up throughout the process.

What isn't clear is whether the coaching staff chose Oneygbule because it was going to be easier to recruit him or if in their evaluations they simply rated the Arlington receiver higher. After viewing the film on both, Metoyer appears to be a better playmaker than Onyegbule and may possess slightly better speed, but isn't exactly a burner himself. Since taking Onyegbule meant that the staff did not seriously pursue Metoyer, it's safe to say that the two will be linked for some time and if Metoyer turns out to be significantly more productive in college, there will be plenty of second-guessing about taking Oneygbule without a major run at Metoyer.

At this point, it's probably only worth saying that the two talented pass-catchers will write that narrative themselves in the near future.

Instant scouting report -- Texas wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy has long had an infatuation with big receivers. The value of big receivers is obvious -- they are more effective blocking downfield in the wide receiver screen game and running game, they are better vertical threats because of their size and (usually) their ability to high point the football against smaller defeners, and they can use their body to become effective possession receivers because it's simply harder for smaller defensive backs to get around them.

Onyegbule fits all of those categories and his average of 12 yards per catch indicates that he was indeed a possession receiver last season for quarterback Matt Joeckel, a 2009 A&M commit, and seemed to raise some warning signs for some, but a look at Onyegbule's film ($) gives perspective on why Oneygbule wasn't more of a big-play threat. Like the Longhorns, Arlington throws a lot of short hitches, most likely a sight adjustment between quarterback and receiver based on how far the cornerback is playing off the ball. In and off itself, the fact that opposing teams often were not willing to press Onyegbule indicates some concern for his ability to make plays down the field.

Arlington also used Onyegbule extensively on slip screens, a type of screen normally reserved for smaller, quicker players. It may have partly been out of necessity, with no better candidates for those plays, but Oneygbule consistently demonstrated one of his top attributes on those plays -- some shake in his hips and his ability to make defenders miss in space. In fact, it probably reminded Kennedy, who recruits the Dallas area and was therefore probably the first Texas coach to see Onyegbule play, of 2009 commit John Harris, another big-bodied receiver who excelled as a junior in turning short passes into longer gains.

Many of Onyegbule's touchdowns seem to have come on shorter throws in the red zone, where the big receiver could use his body on screens, fades, and other throws utilizing his height advantage -- he should continue to be a red-zone threat at the next level. Those plays indicate on willingness on his part to catch the ball in traffic and over the middle without concerns about being hit.

Overall, Oneygbule has adequate straight-line speed, good balance, above-average feet and shake in his hips, but most of all he knows how to use his big body to use advantage and how to adjust to ball in the air, as Joeckel would often intentionally underthrow the ball. Another major positive is that Onyegbule has large, sure hands. An article from the OU Rivals site last summer compared him to a young Malcolm Kelly ($).

At 6-4, 200 pounds, Onyegbule already has a big frame and could easily reach 220-230 pounds at Texas. Though he has said that the coaches see him as a split end and not a flex tight end, he could play inside if Texas keeps the twins look debuted in the national championship and has said himself that even he's not sure how much weight his frame could add. His older brother, Maxwell, played defensive end at Kansas and showed up to campus at a similar weight has his younger brother currently carries around, though it's hard to say without being able to compare pictures from the same time frame if Miles has the frame to add 40 pounds, as his older brother did at Kansas. At this point, with the Texas coaches projecting him as a split end, working on his speed will be more important than adding bulk, as Oneygbule probably runs in the low 4.6 range at this point.