Bryce Cottrell Flips To Texas, Dumps Oregon
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jan 30, 2012 8:08 PM CST
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PrintThe Longhorns missed on Torshiro Davis, who is headed to LSU. Devonte Fields never made a Junior Day or received an offer, which remains a mystery to this day. But with a day and a half until recruits National Signing Day, Texas finally found a pure edge rusher in the class when Plano West defensive end Bryce Cottrell texted Hookem.com to announce that he de-committed from Oregon to commit to Texas.
It was apparently not an easy decision for Cottrell, who first surfaced on the Texas radar when the Longhorns offered him with roughly a week until National Signing Day and were able to get him on campus despite the late nature of the interest. Cottrell didn't have much to say publicly following his offer, but reportedly was heavily conflicted, as he felt strongly about staying in state and playing for the Longhorns and also felt a deep sense of loyalty to the Ducks, the school to which he had been committed for some time.
Cottrell finally decided to take his official visit and despite a report from the 247 Oregon site that he was sticking with his pledge, the 6-3, 230-pounder took an extra day following his visit to make up his mind, eventually informing the Texas coaches on Monday afternoon that he is set to become a Longhorn on Signing Day.
The 27th commitment in the 2012 class and the third over the last three days, Cottrell is a bouncy prospect and the best pure edge rusher in the class for the Longhorns, with an excellent firs step that falls just short of being elite. When unblocked on the backside of zone running plays in high school, Cottrell shows the pure speed to be able to track down plays and wreak havoc in the backfield.
Like most high school players, Cottrell will have to work on his technique both as a pass rusher and in run defense, as well as add strength, but he has some experience dropping into coverage as a former linebacker and could be used in a stand-up role if Manny Diaz wants to get him on the field early in his career. He also has the frame to eventually play at 250 pounds or more.
Despite the fact that he's a two-star prospect form ESPN (the heck?) and a three-star by Rivals, Cottrell has significant upside and could eventually become a terror off the edge as a weakside defensive end.
bryce cottrell senior highlight (via planowest12345)
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Quack
Sorry, Ducks. The Cold War rages on…
Simplicity is always the secret, to a profound truth, to doing things, to writing, to painting. Life is profound in its simplicity. - Charles Bukowski
No love lost
If he wanted to play for us, we wanted him. Can’t force a player away from an obvious dream. Good luck Cottrell, we would’ve loved to have you! No fun dating a dime, when she’s got another boy in her dreams. Quack
by kittmurry on Jan 31, 2012 12:09 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
Cottrell
I think he’s a hybrid right now if the listed weight (230) is legit. I think he can grow into a WDE. He’s a player that should probably redshirt, but if some of the guys in front of him don’t take the next step, Cottrell could play as a freshman.
There was a series of plays in his Rivals senior film where Cottrell lines up at DE, takes on a block, runs down a run on the opposite side and takes down the ball carrier in the backfield. Very impressive, and not an easy play to make.
He also showed some good pass rushing ability. I think his senior stats are deceptive. I’m not sure what the issue was, but Plano West didn’t have a very good year.
by billfromlaketravis on Jan 30, 2012 8:16 PM CST reply actions
redshirt for sure
but we needed the depth, glad to have him on the 40
"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011
comparison to Dravanti Johnson
based on his position, height, and weight he reminds me an awful lot of Dravanti Johnson. Does Cottrell have more upside than Dravanti had coming out of HS?
I would say so.
I think Cottrell is a better athlete.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jan 30, 2012 8:49 PM CST up reply actions
that's enough for me
he may not pan out in the end, but Texas has the right approach (finally). Although he not the fastest guy in the bunch, Cottrell seems to figure out the play a half a step faster than the guys around him. Hopefully, Wylie and the staff can develop him into a better player than Dravanti was.
Glad to see us doing our homework on guys and rolling the dice on some prospects with potential. Once again, Texas is grinding towards the spring with momentum.
He certainly doesn't seem to be the same level of players as Johnson was coming out of HS
But with hindsight in play, let’s hope he turns out to be a bigger contributor on gameday. Horns up for what DJ did while he was on the team, but I’m glad he’s taking the opportunity to try and find another path to the pro’s. This one didn’t seem to be working out.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Jan 31, 2012 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
But they have Xbox's in the locker room
plus a trillion uniforms. How in the world can we compete with that?
Feels good, man.
Does this mean anything in regards to Hassan Ridgeway? Is he going to be cool with this?
"Hey, don't y'all think that's beautiful right there? That crystal is SO beautiful. And it's coming home to Texas." - Vince Young
no
Two different positions. Hassan is SDE and Cottrell would be a WDE.
by codaxx on Jan 30, 2012 8:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Cool.
"Hey, don't y'all think that's beautiful right there? That crystal is SO beautiful. And it's coming home to Texas." - Vince Young
by LookinForIt on Jan 30, 2012 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
Great to have him on the 40
but on a different note, did Texas ever have any interest in Danielle Hunter? Seems to be somewhat similar to Cottrell
Evaluated him,
but never really seemed to get close to an offer.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jan 30, 2012 8:37 PM CST up reply actions
we had that yesterday with Santos
but it won’t hold
"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011
Yeah, that's really helped recently...
You keep your tradition, I'll have my electric neon Tron PCP uniforms, thank you very much.
SO NIKE ENTERTAINMENT
Yeah
It has. Our lower-rated classes a few years back are the ones that killed us the last couple years. The higher-rated classes are carrying us.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
by GoHornsGo90 on Jan 31, 2012 10:44 AM CST up reply actions
The 2009 class in particular.
Texas wouldn’t have won five games last year if it hadn’t been for the highly-rated 2010 and 2011 classes. There have been some guys who have washed out from 2010 already (quite a few actually), but there are still some strong contributors in that group.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jan 31, 2012 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
Great move with little risk
Cottrell has the ability to become a very good WDE. Great speed and seems to have a good football IQ. Hopefully he packs on some muscle and gets his technique built up a bit. Not much downside for him…just needs to develop some.
I’d like so hear GoHornsGo’s perspective on this one.
Whoever does the HS video for them needs to add in arrows or something
Hard to pick up where he is on some of the plays
He looks like he plays with a bad mood.
Some of those QB hits were malicious. I like it!
"I used to think all Jesus did was walk on water and tell people not to get abortions, but now I see he’s so much more than that. He’s like E.T., Edward Scissorhands, and Marty McFly combined."
You guys remember that year where we
started reaching into everybody’s cabinets and started taking all their whisky?
by 40A on Jan 30, 2012 9:22 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Scout reporting Corey Thompson
A four star OLB, picked LSU over the Aggies. Poor aggies…wonder how many times they will be losing the battles with Ark and LSU.
We're Texas, We're not OK.
Bralon Addison
also in danger of flipping to Oregon.
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jan 30, 2012 10:28 PM CST up reply actions
But, but, but the Houston Trio will never break up
by billfromlaketravis on Jan 30, 2012 10:33 PM CST up reply actions
Who are the Houston trio?
And do you have any update on TJ? Addison is really talented, he could shine at UO, but I would have loved to poach him away from the ags for us.
We're Texas, We're not OK.
Addison, Williams, Davis.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
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by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Jan 30, 2012 10:43 PM CST up reply actions
They were lucky to get Davis enrolled already
But if Addison bolts that is a huge loss. That guy is really good. Wish he’d come to Texas.
We're Texas, We're not OK.
Devonte Fields . . .
reportedly had no interest in Texas.
5 Sacks?
Is that a statistical anamoly, injury? If you are a college level quick edge rusher there is no way you could be held to that total in a full season.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
I think the rationalization there is that he's a project
I’m not saying I agree or disagree with that, but I do generally think it’s questionable how big of an impact he’s likely to make as an edge-rusher at Texas after only twelve sacks in his final two years at Plano West. Athleticism can really go a long way with good coaching, though, and if his first step is as good as guys like GOBR and BFLT say, then turning a project into a product is certainly a realistic undertaking.
I look at this as a numbers take with the potential to pay off very well. If that doesn’t happen at DE, there’s the possibility that his athleticism and size could translate into the opportunity to contribute at TE, special teams, or even somewhere else. This courtship didn’t consume a lot of recruiting resources for UT, so I tend to think that the only way this take turns out to be a bad one is if Cottrell goes all Robert Johnson (legal stuff) or Buck Burnette (public embarrassment).
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Jan 31, 2012 10:26 AM CST up reply actions
(meant "to contribute at LB, special teams, or even somewhere else")
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Jan 31, 2012 10:28 AM CST up reply actions
Nice to see the new staff recruiting to the end
by Los Longhorns de Tejas on Jan 31, 2012 8:34 AM CST reply actions
i think it's a new mindset...
our new coaching staff has.
We’re going for the grand slams and if they don’t work out, we have our backup plans.
Grand Slams we wiffed on:
Davis
MEJ
It would have been nice to get either one. In the past, i don’t think Mack would have even recruited those two.
If nothing else, I'm hoping this is a big shot across the bow for UT to Oregon
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Jan 31, 2012 10:29 AM CST reply actions
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