2011 Texas Big Board Update: Running Back

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Apr 20, 2010 6:04 AM CDT in Texas Longhorns Recruiting

Now that Texas is done recruiting at their position of greatest need in the class -- offensive line -- the main storyline for the remainder of the process is what happens with recruiting at the running back position, another major need. Fueling the high-stakes nature of recruiting at the position in 2011 is the incredible depth of talent in the class this year.

Will Longhorn fans eventually end up waiting until next year again, eventually focusing on Johnathan Gray as the object of their desires, just as they did last season with Malcolm Brown and Aaron Green when things went sour with Lache Seastrunk?

Big Board after the jump...

Needs: Two or three

Name	School	JD invite?	Offer?	Commitment/ odds	Quick take
Brandon Williams	Brookshire-Royal	Feb. 27 -- did not attend	Not offered	Committed to Baylor (2/15/10) De-committed from Baylor, Committed to Oklahoma (4/19/10)	2/10 -- Wow. Gimme, gimme. It doesn't take long for Williams to blow you away on film. Closest thing to Adrian Peterson since AD himself -- runs hard, has elite speed, but is probably an even more polished receiver than AD at the same age. Has the size to be effective in blitz pick up. No questions about size or speed. 3/1 -- After his commitment, the word was that Williams was not planning on taking visits, but will visit Oklahoma -- hard to call a kid who is committed and taking visits a "solid verbal." 3/17 -- Reportedly visited Austin for a practice last week. Safe to say now that his verbal to Baylor is a soft one. 3/28 -- May visit Austin for a second time for the spring game, though it looks like that trip won't happen now. 4/19 -- Supposedly ended his recruitment for good with Oklahoma commitment. Probably a pretty expected loss for Baylor fans, but devastating nonetheless.
Malcolm Brown	Cibolo Steele	Feb. 13	Offered	70%	2/10 -- Extremely solidly built back who runs with a bulldozing mentality and has plenty of speed. Elite speed? No, but plenty of speed. The concern is that he isn't a perfect fit in the Texas scheme. 3/22 -- The change in scheme effectively eliminates any concerns about Brown as his balance, toughness, and speed become more apparent over increased film viewing. Film. Consider any and all doubt removed at this point. 4/19 -- Brown revealed this week ($) that he is looking seriously at Texas, ~~Oklahoma~~, TCU, Alabama, and Florida State. Likes the changes to the Texas offense.
Aaron Green	San Antonio Madison	Feb. 13	Offered	35%	2/10 -- A late injury and an overall subpar junior season has dropped Green's stock a bit, but his sophomore success was not a fluke -- he's an elite talent. 3/28 -- Expected to visit for the spring game. Reportedly not interested in Oklahoma at this point. Film. 4/19 -- Spoke glowingly about his trip to Nebraska for the spring game, calling it a "10." Does, however, like the new changes in the Texas offense to a downhill running scheme.
Herschel Sims	Abilene	Feb. 27 -- did not attend	Not offered	N/A	2/10 -- Excellent receiver and in the return game. Perhaps best pure burst of all the backs. At around 5-8 or 5-9, his size is a concern and he may not project to be an every-down back in college and his ability to pick up the blitz is questionable at best. 3/1 -- Watching him in the state championship left questions about his pure speed. Was basically told by the Texas coaching staff that he was not going to receive an offer at the second Junior Day and did not attend -- Mack Brown and company simply have Brown and Green ranked more highly. 3/17 -- Doesn't have elite burst/speed and is trapped in an undersized body. Even after a spectacular junior season in terms of production and a 5A state championship, Sims' stock is now falling amidst concerns that he doesn't have elite-level quickness. Film. 4/19 -- Rumored that OU has dropped their offer and TCU could now be in the lead.
Bradley Marquez	Odessa	Feb. 27 -- did not attend	Not offered	N/A	Big OU fan experienced as a blocker and receiver, but lacks the explosiveness and top-end speed of the top prospects in the class. Second tier. 4/20 -- OU reportedly done with recruiting at the running back position.
Daniel Lasco	The Woodlands	Feb. 27 -- did not attend	Not offered	N/A	2/10 -- Burst onto the scene with a huge sophomore season and has excellent speed, but a little lanky and doesn't have a lot of shake in his hips. Questionable if he is a running back at the next level. Reportedly prefers the Florida schools. Second tier. 3/1 -- Looks extremely fast on film and has one-cut ability to fit the zone scheme and could even project as an athlete. Little chance of receiving an offer at this point. Film.
Joe Bergeron	North Mesquite	Feb. 13	Offered	Committed to Texas (2/13/10)	2/10 -- Big kid with excellent feet for his size who could be the short-yardage replacement for Cody Johnson and also spend some time at fullback. Virtual lock for commitment. 2/26 -- Instant analysis and scouting report

Outstanding offers: Malcolm Brown and Aaron Green

Timetable:

Brown -- Late spring or early summer.
Green -- National Signing Day.

Moving forward: The major news here is the commitment of Brandon Williams to Oklahoma, apparently ending his recruitment and closing the window of opportunity the Longhorns had to attempt to get him into the fold. With most of the top backs in the class interested in Oklahoma, it always seemed like the Sooners might secure the first major running back commitment before the other pieces started to fall into place.

Malcolm Brown is now refuting reports from his coach that he will announce his decision at the end of spring practice, instead pushing his timetable back into the summer. Publicly, Brown isn't saying much about any leaders, but conventional wisdom clearly holds that the Longhorns are in excellent shape and his comments to Inside Texas about liking the new Texas scheme and preferring to run downhill are promising.

The seemingly forgotten man in all this is Aaron Green, the early object of desire for Texas fans after his sensational sophomore season. Like Brown, he also prefers a more downhill scheme, a sentiment he has expressed for some time. The changes in the Texas offense may bode even better for Green than they do for Brown because Green has spent so much more time talking about the type of offense he prefers. However, Nebraska seems to be in the driver's seat with Green.

Even with as much has changed with Williams switching his commitment, Green loving his visit to Nebraska and Brown mum on leaders and pushing back his timetable, as far as Texas is concerned, little has really changed. Wiliams mostly came off the board when he committed to Baylor before making it in for a Junior Day and everyone behind the scenes is still saying that Texas is in great shape with Brown.

As recruiting hits a lull during the summer, rest assured that discussion will continue ad nauseum about recruiting at the running back position, with the alarmists taking the position that Major Applewhite isn't proven enough as a position coach to draw the top talent. The grass is greener crowd will turn their attention to 2012 stud Johnathan Gray. As far as the overall narrative to the class, the running back position has always been of paramount interest and that doesn't look likely to change until Malcolm Brown makes a decision some months from now.

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Comments

I've probably been put into the "alarmists" camp, but...

…more than anything, I’ve just brought up the question of whether Applewhite’s suited to coach RBs, not whether he can draw the top recruits. I honestly don’t know what’s going through a RB’s head when he looks at the position coaches, because guys like Jarvis Giles and Marcus Lattimore still end up at places like South Carolina, for example. I’m more concerned about whether this former QB with little past success in coaching running games is suited to both design and push for a strong rushing attack when he’s in coaches’ meetings with fellow QB-minded coach Greg Davis.

In other words, I don’t think I’ve really been critical of Major’s ability to recruit RBs, but rather his suitability for installing a running game. Every time I bring it up, no one really seems interested in having the conversation, which I guess kind of puzzles me. I’d really like to know what others think.

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 20, 2010 6:48 AM CDT reply actions

Not sure why ...

you think the position coach is responsible for installing a running game. That’s on Davis. Major’s role should be player evaluation and development, not scheme.

by llogg on Apr 20, 2010 6:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Depends on the staff

I could be wrong about the higher levels of college football, but at least the levels of ball I played, in an offense where the OC is much more focused on the passing game, the RBs and OL coach often play big roles in the running scheme.

And if player evaluation and development are truly Major’s responsibilities as RB coach, then would you say that he’s done either with much success at any level, when it comes to RBs?

by burntorangehorn on Apr 20, 2010 7:10 AM CDT up reply actions

my impression has been that davis runs the entire show on offense. i’ve felt for some time that we might benefit from a split in duties, like we’ve seen in several programs the past few years, with another coach given responsibility for the running game. my suspicion is that it all works better if one coordinator runs everything, but when the oc is so committed to the passing game like gd, splitting out responsibility for the running game might be a good idea.

also, i don’t think very much blame for our running game issues should be aimed at major. our troubles the past several years appear to be scheme related. design of plays, including blocking schemes. selection of players at rb and on the line. let’s see how major does in the new offense.

we see successful coaches all the time coaching positions they did not play. major is a canny dude. he’ll shine wherever he goes if he is given a proper chance.

glenn was taken, that's why

by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 20, 2010 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions

When it comes to the running game

I really don’t blame Major. In some programs, liked BOH talked about, you will have the OC and WR coaches as passing game coordinators and the OL and RB coach as running game coordinators. I think GD is the head honcho when it comes to offense while gaining insight from his position coaches.

I don’t blame Major for the lack of success of the RB’s either. If you are a good coach you can coach any position. I think Major was a good OC at Rice and a good OC at Alabama. I think our running game troubles are the culmination of it being out of focus for the past two years along with the relative lack of a healthy feature back.

"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton

by CoachEtch on Apr 20, 2010 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions

It is not about blame

It is about recruiting. What does a recruit think when he loos at Major as his position coach? I think it is a valid concern.

by EdwinSimmonsPartysNaked on Apr 20, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Sorry

looks…not loos…as in I am a big looser for not editing my post…

by EdwinSimmonsPartysNaked on Apr 20, 2010 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions

I can see the point

But you are talking about something so subjective that it is likely to change from person to person based on what they value in their recruiting process and where the coach ranks in all that. If you are just looking at the resume then it is pretty impressive to have a guy who has been an OC at two different schools as your RB coach. On the other hand, if you look at the amount of 1000 yard rushers he has produced then it would be a red flag. However, if you look at the injuries sustained at that position and where the focus of the offense has been then can Major really be the problem?

"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton

by CoachEtch on Apr 20, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Alabama and Rice both had running game problems

And UT did a lot better in Ken Rucker’s final year than in either of Major’s seasons coaching the RBs at UT. That’s certainly due in large part to the difference between Jamaal Charles and the current RBs, but I think part of it also has to be attributed to coaching.

by burntorangehorn on Apr 20, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

balogna sliced quite thin

glenn was taken, that's why

by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 20, 2010 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not sure what your comment was meant to say.

by burntorangehorn on Apr 20, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

WTF does that mean haha

by Hobbes881 on Apr 20, 2010 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions

You have to consider the talent

that Major had at Alabama. I’m not sure he had a lot to work with in the running game at either Rice or Alabama. It’s hard to run behind the Rice OL and ‘Bama had neither the backs nor the line when Major was there. So much of being a good coach is dependent on having good players. Down the road a bit when it’s Malcolm Brown (or whoever) running behind Walters, Ashcraft, Hopkins, Flowers and Westerman then Major, if he’s still in that position, might be considered one of the best RB coaches in the nation. And all of a sudden MacWhorter is a genius, too.

"You've got to think lucky. If you fall into a mudhole, check your back pocket - you might have caught a fish" -- Darrell Royal

by SpiritOfTheFedora on Apr 20, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

He had some talent, but you're right that it wasn't terrific

However, Alabama did have some fairly highly-regarded guys, like Coffee.

I’m not saying Major can’t coach; I’m saying his credentials for the RB coach position are questionable at this point. I tend to think he only has the job because he’s here to develop in-house for the eventual OC opening.

by burntorangehorn on Apr 20, 2010 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions

That

"You've got to think lucky. If you fall into a mudhole, check your back pocket - you might have caught a fish" -- Darrell Royal

by SpiritOfTheFedora on Apr 20, 2010 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions

OU told Marquez that they don't have room for him either

The Ralphie Report - University of Colorado Athletics
The Crimson and Cream Machine - University of Oklahoma Athletics

by Jon Woods on Apr 20, 2010 8:38 AM CDT reply actions

Probably nobody wants to admit this as a reason but ...

… Whaley being a redshirt freshman might have a lot to do with these guys not being quick to commit to UT. Many of us have not given up hope that Whaley turns out to be a stud. Shead being here may also send up red flags to these guys. I would guess that all three of the tier 1 RB recruits want to play as a freshman. Maybe the possibility of backing up Whaley for 3 years has some of ‘em shying away. Calhoun at ou is atleast going to be a Jr. by the time they get there, if that’s what BWilliams is thinking.

by robthecob on Apr 20, 2010 10:26 AM CDT reply actions

guessing here

who knows what the thinking is for any given recruit, but my suspicion is that the running game difficulties are heavy on the minds of the guys we are pursuing. no doubt they are hearing numerous college coaches — and maybe their own hs coaches — suggesting that we lack commitment or the expertise to produce an offense in which they can succeed to the degree that they want. i can’t find fault with them if that is the deal. i think we are all watching to see to what extent this thing pans out.

certainly we have had our share of success developing running backs with mack in charge and greg running the offense, so i don’t think we can’t develop a healthy running attack, but if i were a kid considering coming here, i would want to see the commitment. the spring game was a good start, and the recruiting we are doing adds immeasurably to my sense of relief, but i can certainly understand someone wanting to be sure. personally, i’ve seen enough to feel comfortable that we are going to go through with this, but if i were in the shoes of one of these young men, i would be cautious.

i really don’t think either brown or green is worried about personnel. we don’t have a back like either of them and, as much as i like a couple of our guys, i suspect we don’t have a back anything like as good as either of them.

glenn was taken, that's why

by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 20, 2010 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

This is the time negative recruting is at its worst

Right after the kind of year we had with the running game last year. Of course those who are negatively recruiting didn’t play in the NC game last year. One thing the recruits should consider is that if Mack Brown wants a good running game chances are that Mack will get his good running game. It may take more than one year.

in terms of being cautious if I’m a HS back I’m seeing a lot of good things and opportunities in Texas. The running game is the only missing piece right now.

"You've got to think lucky. If you fall into a mudhole, check your back pocket - you might have caught a fish" -- Darrell Royal

by SpiritOfTheFedora on Apr 20, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Imagine if you are the RB that FIXES our running game.

You will get noticed and everyone will know about you. It’s a big deal.

"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

by Sunkist on Apr 20, 2010 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

You bet it is

The Great Saviour of the Texas Running Game. Imagine the ESPN hype for that on Gameday. And Musberger of course. Whoever it is will be instantly famous.

"You've got to think lucky. If you fall into a mudhole, check your back pocket - you might have caught a fish" -- Darrell Royal

by SpiritOfTheFedora on Apr 20, 2010 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

good points, both of you

opportunity knocks.

glenn was taken, that's why

by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 20, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Still, I think it's a factor.

Whaley was also rated high coming out of HS, just a shade below Williams, Brown, & Green. But, still, he & Shead will be here competing for carries for the next 4 years. These recruits have got to be worried about any factor that would keep them from being “The Man”.

Like you said, scheme / lack of recent running prowess is also a factor. I’d like to point to DeMarco Murray along those lines. I think he’s a good player but, IMO, has not quite met preliminary expectations of greatness. I would argue that the last great RB that either UT, ou, or Baylor collectively had was … Jamaal Charles. I just can’t see why these recruits can’t see that UT coaches know what to do with tier 1 talent.

by robthecob on Apr 20, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

If you are good enough to start...you will start.

A highly recruited guy like Malcolm Brown should not be afraid of competition.

"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

by Sunkist on Apr 20, 2010 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Unless of course the HC has a history of playing Srs who have bled for the program.

by UT_BKC on Apr 20, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions

He's changed that in recent years.

"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

by Sunkist on Apr 20, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Whaley

If Williams is as good as he’s hyped to be, I doubt he’s worried about Whaley who might not even play RB next year.

by Longhorns84 on Apr 20, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

do you mean ricky?

ricky is great, but he’s out of eligibility.

glenn was taken, that's why

by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 20, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

brandon?

by Displaced Longhorn on Apr 20, 2010 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Think you meant Brown but regardless ...

… just don’t know why everyone is so sure that Whaley is not going to be at RB anymore. They had him start and have a significant # of carries in the spring scrimmage (and he performed quite well). Doesn’t seem like they’d do that if they’re going to switch him. Maybe someone knows some hard evidence otherwise – if so, please remind me – but it just seems that everyone is comparing this to the Henry Melton situation just because it is in recent memory.

I surely don’t think any of the “big 3” are worried about competition. I just think that having Whaley & Shead in-house and both so young, it is more of a factor to those guys than we realize. They don’t want anything standing in the way of getting some serious carry #s.

by robthecob on Apr 20, 2010 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Whaley

I think Mack wants to give Whaley every chance to prove himself as a RB. He also said Whaley has to lose a lot of weight to stay at running back.

I was talking about the post about B. Williams worrying about playing time over Whaley.

by Longhorns84 on Apr 20, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry. I see now.

by robthecob on Apr 20, 2010 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey, Edwin.

Re to your question: What do you think Brandon Williams thinks about when he looks at OU’s RB coach? Betcha don’t know that Cale Gundy is that coach.

How many of the backs on campus today were recruited by Major? Well, there’s Whaley, there’s Shead, and . . . ?

Don’t blame Major for failures that occurred in the program prior to his hiring.

by jpsantini on Apr 20, 2010 1:50 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Peterson

his career at ou was rather bad. His freshman year was awesome, but then he had problems with injuries the remainder of his career and really didn’t do anything. I thought he was injury prone before going to the NFL, but he’s stayed pretty healthy in the NFL. Maybe another knock on ou.

by Longhorns84 on Apr 20, 2010 2:01 PM CDT reply actions

If being the runner up for the Heisman as a freshman is considered bad

I would say that his career was cut short because of injury but there were very few games that he was not spectacular in.

"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton

by CoachEtch on Apr 20, 2010 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I see "84"s point, though.

Definitely, AD’s career was not “bad” but, as a whole, even AD probably would have wanted to be less injury-prone. Had some tough Soph & Jr years in comparison to his abilities. Looks like he’s kicked the injury bug now.

Point is, both Peterson & Murray have been injury-prone at ou (& ‘09 ou was pretty horrific). Jamaal & Cedric at UT, not so much. Even with that, still would be surprised if top recruits think either program is better. Just don’t bring up Shipley or Irby into the conversation. Am personally surprised that more top recruits don’t flock to UT when they’ve got Madden training ’em & UT has the most current NFLers.

by robthecob on Apr 20, 2010 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Give him time

He’ll be Deuce McAllister before you know it.

by burntorangehorn on Apr 20, 2010 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions

interesting development

scipio tex over at carnietown has posted a typically superb piece on malcolm. as expected he bemoans the loss of williams, but tempers that with remarkable footage of malcolm and an excellent o-line shredding defenses. he speaks at some length on the important issue of development, noting that the truly memorable big backs actually become faster and more nimble as they ‘grow into their bodies’ and that that cannot be predicted.

but the most interesting thing for me is located down in the comments section where a couple of names i’ve never seen broach the issue first presented on this thread as the initial comment. i think all the horn boards are getting pummeled with this question. are that many people actually concerned about major or is there a concerted effort right now to sour longhorns on him? in trademark fashion scip ashcans that silliness, but with it popping up all over i am beginning to wonder if their is a central source for it.

glenn was taken, that's why

by rumplestiltsglenn on Apr 21, 2010 9:02 AM CDT reply actions