2011 Texas Recruiting Big Board Update: Defensive Back
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Apr 14, 2010 6:00 AM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Recruiting
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PrintNeeds: Three
| Name (School) | JD invite? | Offer? | Commitment odds | Favorites | Quick take |
| Leroy Scott (South Houston) | Feb. 13 | Offered |
Committed to Texas 2/13/10) |
|
Top pure cover corner in the class -- no question about where he will play in college. Physical in press coverage with elite recovery speed. Ball skills are his only major weakness -- has trouble finishing plays and intercepting the football. |
| Sheroid Evans (Sugarland Dulles) | Feb. 13 | Offered |
Committed to Texas (2/13/10) |
|
3/30 -- One of the fastest kids in his age group in the country. Won the 200m and 400m in March at the national meet. Solid tackler who often uncoils at the ankles of defenders. Coaches will look at him at cornerback first, but could have incredible range at safety. Will run track in college. 2/12 -- Runs track and would like to continue to do so in college -- ran a 21.37 200m. Texas A&M has a legitimate shot with him because of their indoor track facility and overall quality of their track and field program. Interested in majoring in engineering. Incredible range at safety, but he's a football player all the way. |
| Charles Jackson (Klein Collins) | Feb. 27 | Not offered/possible |
N/A |
|
4/14 -- Jackson impressed at the Nike camp at TCU over the weekend, increasing buzz. Texas coaches will likely want to see better ball skills from Jackson, but his stock is going up. Fantastic frame with upside as a physical, press corner. 3/30 -- Physical and a hard hitter at the cornerback position, but does not appear to have elite top-end speed or ability to break on the football. 2/12 -- Just recently surfaced on the Texas radar. |
| Franklin Shannon (Dallas Skyline) | Did not attend Feb. 27 |
Not offered |
N/A |
|
3/30 -- Appears to lack the pure speed and burst to play safety in college. Looks like a second-tier player on film. 2/12 --Big safety with the frame to add weight and spin down to linebacker. Could end up being the smaller, rangy linebacker the Longhorns take in the class -- played linebcker as a sophomore. Strong tackler in space -- possesses tackling range -- and takes good angles. |
| Eric Agbaroji (Midlothian) | Feb. 27 | Not offered |
N/A |
|
2/12 -- Stock took a hit this fall because of a knee injury that slowed his progress and, according to Agbaroji, dropped him on the Texas board ($). Has the potential to play nickel back because of his size at 6-1. Loves Texas. |
| Kolby Griffin (Houston St. Pius X) | Did not attend Feb. 27 | Not offered |
Committed to TCU (2/15/10) |
|
4/1 -- Perhaps did not perform as well as thought at the Texas camp paired with the 2010 commits. Lifetime Longhorn fan -- commitment to TCU without visiting seems to indicate he knew a Texas offer was not imminent. 2/12 --Good size and solid speed -- his lack of elite speed may keep him from receiving an offer. Strong competitor. Young for his age, as he won't turn 16 until the fall. Performed well at the Texas summer camp, eventually playing alongside Texas commits Bryant Jackson, Adrian Phillips, and Adrian White. Loves Texas. |
| Josh Turner (Oklahoma City, OK) |
Unable to attend |
Offered | 50% |
|
4/14 -- Finally made it down to Austin for the spring game and came away extremely impressed with the program -- exactly the expected impression. The closer proximity of Austin to Oklahoma could greatly help the Longhorns against da U and Turner's recruitment continues to look better for Texas by the day. Blessed with remarkable speed and instincts. 3/30 -- Turner onto the radar. |
| Nick Waisome (Grove City, (FL)) |
Unable to attend |
Offer if he visits |
10% | Has close to 20 offers, plans on releasing list of favorites soon. |
4/15 -- In danger of falling off the Texas radar unless he visits soon. 3/29 -- Doesn't have the elite speed of Turner, but is known as an instinctive player who has improved his strength and ability to play in press coverage. Strong in zone coverage. Will need to make it to Austin to receive an offer and demonstrate serious interest in the Longhorns. |
| Avery Walls (McDonough, GA) |
Visited Feb. 18 |
Not offered |
15% |
|
4/15 -- Off the radar at this point with the coaches targeting cornerbacks. 3/29 -- Since the Texas staff is targeting a pure cornerback for the last member of the defensive back class, an offer doesn't look likely for Walls, who projects as a pure safety in college. Thoughts on Walls. Film. |
Outstanding offers: Josh Turner
Timetable:
- Turner -- The talented corner plans on taking visits to Miami, Oklahoma, and possibly Alabama during the summer before making his decision. Call it late summer, early fall.
Moving forward: Turner continues to be the top target on the board and sounds even more high on Texas than he did before visiting Austin over Easter weekend, with the Longhorns now vaulting to the top of his list, tied with childhood favorite MIami. Since the talented Oklahoma City cornerback still plans on taking more visits this summer. Conventional wisdom holds that Texas would shut down recruiting at the defensive back position if Turner committed.
For any defensive backs in the state of Texas hoping for that coveted Longhorn offer, the April evaluation period and the Texas summer camps will be the first opportunities to impress the coaching staff. Klein Collins cornerback Charles Jackson appears to be the second-ranked cornerback on the board at the moment and impressed at the Fort Worth Nike camp over the weekend with his athleticism, body structure, and backpedal.
Defensive back is also a position where prospects can make a major impact on the camp circuit. Keep on eye on a teammate of Sheroid Evans, Dulles cornerback Zoey Williams, a former running back with good size now making the transition to the defensive secondary. Another sleeper could be Mansfield Legacy corner Tevin Mitchel, who has the physical makeup of a top-flight defensive back. Neither is currently on the Texas radar, but strong camp performances could land them a look from Duane Akina and company.
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Are you going off the recent ESPN article or private information to which we Sooner fans do not have access?
You got my boy's trophy; he want it back. - Torrance Marshall
Comments to OB and IT, the Texas subscription services
This one directly after his visit ($) over Easter weekend:
They were no. 2. Texas moved up. It’s really a tie at No. 1 with Miami.
Then this one several days ago ($):
They’re at the top. They’re tied at No. 1 with Miami.
The ESPN article mentions Oklahoma as being in the top three with Miami and Texas, but doesn’t provide a direct quote from Turner on the matter.
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Apr 14, 2010 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions
GOBR great write up as always. How secure do you feel in a Turner commitment?
Additionally, is Charles Jackson the de facto back up plan if Turner goes to da U? Could Jackson distinguish himself through summer camps and his play during his senior year that Texas would offer Jackson after a Turner commitment?
by billfromlaketravis on Apr 14, 2010 7:50 AM CDT reply actions
I put the odds on Turner at 50% right now
He’s said that he wants his parents to be able to see his games and it’s much easier to get to Austin from OKC than it is to get to Coral Gables, so I think he needs to make it to Miami this summer and come away extremely impressed. Otherwise, I think they start to fade. I think distance will probably hurt with Alabama as well.
If Turner ends up deciding that he wants to go out of state, but not have to sacrifice convenience of travel for his parents, Texas is the clear choice. Akina’s ability to put DB’s in the league and the real potential of early playing time are major factors that could put the Longhorns over the top in my opinion.
Here’s the deal with Jackson — if the rumors about his grades needing to come up are true, the coaching staff is going to wait to see how his spring semester grades look and summer school if he’s going. By the time that Turner makes a decision before the start of the school year in the fall, the coaching staff will have his grades and his performance at the Texas summer camp to evaluate. If Turner goes elsewhere and Jackson is in a good spot academically, everything seems to be pointing towards an offer for him.
As to your question, I think recruiting in the secondary is done if Turner commits. I think Jackson would have to look pretty can’t-miss at the end of summer for him to get what would basically be an extra spot. I think there are really four spots left in the class right now and I don’t think the coaches go to 24 commitments for Jackson unless he completely blows them away late in the process. If Jackson plays well enough to basically demand a spot in the class, there’s a good chance another major program will have had his attention longer and already snagged a commitment before a Texas offer.
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Apr 14, 2010 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Not sure..
where I read this, but it said that the longer it takes for Turner to make a decision, the better it is for the sooners to land him. Have you heard anything like that GOBR?
thanks, gobr. you guys are great.
at 400 miles, i’m not sure the proximity of austin for his family is that much of an advantage. once you reach flying distance, the miles aren’t that important. it is probably easier, however, to make connection with austin and less congested than miami. and certainly if for any reason the turner family prefers not to fly, then austin is at a huge advantage.
biggest advantage i see for josh in austin is akina and his established ability to develop first-rate secondary talent. no question marks in austin. you can win a thorpe there.
glenn was taken, that's why
by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 14, 2010 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
400 miles is driving distance, and becomes much more drivable with increasing number of people that would be going. You leave Friday night and get in to town around 1 or 2. It is only a 7 hour drive. Hell, if it is a late game in Austin, you leave before lunch Saturday and make it in time for the game. There is also the added bonus of having a very short trip to away games against OSU and OU. You also end up with about the same drive to get to Tech, A&M, and both games in Kansas.
I don’t know if money is a concern or how many family members would be coming to watch him, but it is MUCH cheaper for 2 or 3 people to hop in a car and drive 400 miles than to buy 3 plane tickets and rent a car when you get to Austin.
good point, bkc. i hadn’t considered the expense for multiple travelers or proximity of away games to okc. i agree. big advantage for us.
personally, i hate to fly. i’m not the least afraid of it. i just don’t like it. the airports, parking, baggage claim, etc. i have many times driven back for xmas from ny, ct, etc because i love to drive and hate to be flown.
glenn was taken, that's why
by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 14, 2010 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions
I prefer the idea of public transportation
Particularly the part where I kick back and relax, rather than facing a bunch of morons in traffic. But it seems like airports are doing a good job of making the tension and hassle of flying worse than for driving.
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 14, 2010 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Don't forget paying for first class seats for your luggage.
"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton
That's for chumps!
I travel Southwest every time. I loved ’em when I was poor, and I love ’em now.
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 14, 2010 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
yes, boh, that’s what i mean. i have had some really miserable experiences flying and, while what you are saying about traffic these days is true, somehow it doesn’t infuriate me anything like as much as the airlines do.
mind you, i made a career off the aerospace industry and in my youth jumped out of ‘perfectly good airplanes’ in the texas nasty guard, so you would think i would be predisposed to preferring air travel. actually that is true. i love to fly. i just don’t like all the hassles with commercial flying. and i don’t like not having my car wherever i go.
not long ago i had occasion to fly back from connecticut for something, and i really needed to get back up there soon, so i paid extra to get the early flight out of midland/odessa. i was due back in windsor locks by early afternoon. there was a glitch and they caused me to miss my connecting flight at dfw, so i spent the entire day at dfw, trying desperately to catch a flight. after paying extra, mind you. i can’t count how many times i have paced for hours on end in airports, wondering where i would be by then had i driven.
glenn was taken, that's why
by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 14, 2010 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know how to administrate this
But I will pay for the gas for the Turner family (1 car) to drive to Austin (game day weekends) during his entire 4 year career.
Loophole:
Fund a high-speed maglev train to Austin.
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 15, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
make anonymous gas can donations, 5 gal drums a week delivered to their doorstep.
by Displaced Longhorn on Apr 15, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Along with gift certificates for decent restaurants along I-35 southbound
There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.
by burntorangehorn on Apr 16, 2010 7:24 AM CDT up reply actions
The flight to Miami from Dallas
is about 3 hours. When you throw in the time change that goes up to 4 on the way there. I’d say Austin’s location is a huge advantage as far as travel goes, regardless of the mode.
"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton
actual flying time to austin would be ~1 hour?
glenn was taken, that's why
by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 14, 2010 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I've never flown it but that sounds about right.
Going OKC to Austin
"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton
me either, but it is about a half hour flight from dfw, so that sounds about right.
glenn was taken, that's why
by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 14, 2010 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
GoBR, Sheroid ran a 20.76 2 weeks ago. Not really a correction on your post, I’m sure it was an accurate time for 2/12, but he’s much quicker than a 23.xx which is… eh.
by Displaced Longhorn on Apr 14, 2010 8:31 AM CDT reply actions
What about Quandre Diggs or Mykkeke Thompson?
Are you not considering them as DB? I think one of them, if not both, will end up playing DB.
I believe GoBR has that covered in the ATH portion of the big board
Although it sounds like both are destined to be defensive backs.
Football news
Excites me.
:) Great post
by struglin2thetop on Apr 14, 2010 9:11 AM CDT reply actions
Another Dulles recruit?
Allsome!
Found an article on Zoey Williams, but it’s Scout ($), if anyone is interested.
Sigh! Another Big Board
Another gardening project that will have to wait. Darn.
Thanks, Ghost of Big Roy
Curse you, GBR
I never really followed recruiting, but articles like this have got me hooked. So there’s a few more hours I will spend reading BON when I ought to be doing something useful. I hope you are satisfied.
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.
You missed all the UT championships in the early '00's
I always followed it casually, but the ’02 recruiting class, specifically the recruitment of VY got me hooked. I thought the internet was going to shut down when the flashed the horns at a basketbally game during his official visit.
#of Scholarships
I understand there are only like 2 or 3 sholarships remaining that are available….With the running back positoin being of great importance and a good number of talented backs from Texas this year, I don’t know why Mack just did not offer all of the big 4 (Brown/Simms/Williams/ and Green) and then fill in from there. Get all 4 if you can. Although UT has loaded up on some talented players, it seems they could have waited for better players in some positions. It seems like with all these scholarships that have been given out and what is now available, we are going to be luck to get just one good running back now.
Not realistic to offer all 4.
You offer all four, No. 3 or No. 4 may commit and No. 1 might opt to go elsewhere. Mack always seeks No. 1 and wants to leave that door open as long as possible.
Also, taking 4 RBs is not the best allocation of resources. Absolutely HAD TO bring in multiple DBs and offensive linemen in 2011, and you’d like to at least get 1 and ideally 2 for every positional area every year.
In a perfect world, that is.
Agree with edsp.
Although I think Williams should have been a first Junior Day invite, I can’t argue with not offering Sims at this point — as much as I like him as a player, he’s just stuck in too small a frame to be an every-down back at Texas and if he’s just going to be situational, there are other more important needs in the class and almost all of those needs have been filled.
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Apr 14, 2010 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions
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