John Theus Narrows List, 'Horns Make Cut

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on May 31, 2011 2:14 PM CDT

Jacksonville Bolles (FL) offensive tackle John Theus trimmed his list Tuesday ($), narrowing his focus to six schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas. While it's certainly positive news that the 'Horns are still alive in hopes of getting an official visit in the fall from Theus, with his older brother at Georgia and location deep in SEC country, the Longhorns not only would have to survive another cut to get an official, but would have to absolutely blow the five-star prospect away on the visit -- his relationship with Searels alone isn't going to be enough.

Additionally, unless Theus takes his official on the weekend of the football banquet -- which would be highly unusual for an uncommitted prospect -- he won't have a chance to interact with many of the commits. In fact, if Theus has a relationship with any of the Texas commits/prospects it would be a surprise and the successful recruitments of guys like Tim Cole, Malcom Brown, and Johnathan Gray, just to name a few, have been primarily built on the bond between the players themselves and a comfort level around each other.

More thoughts on the offensive line situation in the coming days.

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Thanks GOBR

In my opinion, Texas has a better chance with Theus than Peat. Hopefully, Theus’ announcement will focus the staff’s attention further on Theus. An unofficial visit from Theus this summer is key.

Kudos to Coach Searels for staying on Theus after leaving Georgia. Theus and Searels seem like they’re tight. Coach Searels has been working his ass off, I want a big recruiting win for him.

GOBR any thoughts on Searels stopping by Greensboro Grimsley to visit DJ Reader? Reader’s film is eye popping. If Searels projects Reader as an OT at the next level, Texas has to offer. Reader’s aunt and uncle live in Austin, so the ever important Texas ties are there.

by billfromlaketravis on May 31, 2011 2:22 PM CDT reply actions

Agree with your take on Reader.

Might as well cast the OOS net even wider, especially to a guy like Reader who has connections, which Mack Brown said in 2010 were really important to landing kids from out of state.

Back to Theus, I haven’t heard anything to indicate that he plans a summer visit and won’t be making the camps, so right now an official seems lie the only chance Texas has.

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Burnt Orange Nation

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on May 31, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

While I don't think Texas will get a Theus committment

the most important and least talked about aspect of all of this is Texas is staying in recruiting news beyond Memorial Day. While I never really had a problem with having the majority of the class wrapped up early the one thing I always thought was that after that Texas coverage nationally dropped off significantly and that doesn’t just matter to the current class it matters to future classes, too. That being said, while I will shed no tears if Theus chooses another school, the greater impact of being in the top 6 of one of the top tackles in the nation keeps Texas in the news and in front of potential recruits.

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

by CoachEtch on May 31, 2011 2:23 PM CDT reply actions

Good News

This kid’s a mauler. Immediate playing time & great education might get him to Austin.

by ole tnhorn on May 31, 2011 4:04 PM CDT reply actions

Any of y'all worry about so many OOS prospects?

It has been my experience that the OOS prospects have a much lower hit rate than the in state guys. I don’t know if it is because of the lower level of competition OOS, the home sickness, or what, but they seem to struggle more once on campus than the local kids. Colorado and Oklahoma kids in particular seem to be misses. Honestly, if A&M never recruits a kid from Colorado or Oklahoma again, I would be okay with that. I think you should recruit Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and maybe Cali but that is about it. What do you guys think? BTW, I recognize that Studdard came to y’all from Colorado.

by miketag on May 31, 2011 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

I dunno

Jordan Hicks came from Ohio and he seems to be fitting right in.

I think it would be interesting to see the correlation between moving out of state and playing time.

"Slammed that hoe on the counter like I just got 35 on the domino table!!"
Sherrod Harris

by AlDe2356 on May 31, 2011 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions

It's cyclical

much like anything else in life. I don’t know that there is an endemic problem with football in other states but I can agree it does not match that of Texas High School Football. Year in and year out you will get kids from other places that either pan out or do not. Texas has and A&M have both gotten kids from in state that did not pan out. It is much more on an individual basis than a state by state basis. However, I would agree that the risk is higher by bringing in an out of state kid.

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

by CoachEtch on May 31, 2011 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions