FanPost

Wide Receivers please!




I know we are riding this lovely wave of satisfaction after John Burt committed, however, has anyone realized just how bad our receiving corp will be next year? Next year we are looking at two solid players in Marcus Johnson and Armanti Foreman. Lorenzo Joe and John Burt are not a bad place to start looking for back ups. The slot has Daje and Jacorey. The other three receivers (Oliver, Gray, and Leonard) at this time don't look like viable weapons and are all racing to see who will be the flex Wide receiver in four receiver sets. The last receiver on scholarship, Rod Bernard, could end up in a different position. Even if we pull Newsome, his size really frightens me at 5'8 165lbs. The offense I am envisioning, with what we know about Watson, is not one that favors tiny receivers. Can it work? Sure it can, but I think there may be just as solid options still on the board that we have yet to really recruit. My favorites will neither blow the doors off guys deep, nor walk in ready to start from day one, but with development they can be perfect in Shawn Watson's type of offense. If we end up losing on Newsome, I would love for us to look at these guys. All were at the Under The Lights Camp and were looking for offers from the horns.

#1 Sam Mays who attended Under the Lights. I have watched his film and he is very agile with the ball in his hands. He also is very good at using his size to shield off defenders. He also uses outstanding leaping ability to not only high point balls but adjust to bad passes while in mid air. His Hudl video is a thing of beauty, granted he is dominating the private school circuits, he definitely has some upside. I think my true excitement about him comes from seeing a raw talent like this being delevoped by THIS coaching staff. In the past, I would have frowned on this kid as roster fodder. Not because of his ability or low star rating, but because he would have got lost in the shuffle as the coaches would not have known how to properly cultivate this kids game. I think Koenning turns this kid into a match up nightmare.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/747122/highlights/107916379

#2 John Humphrey I know he is rail thin now, but I think he plays at about 180 - 190 in college. Kid can flat out fly. I don't care if he only timed at 4.5, this kid is way faster than that. He has that type of skill set that reminds me of Newsome but in a larger albeit slower package. This kid wants to be a Longhorn. I think he also has a secret offer and could be one of our season commits. I just hope we don't let speed like this join the sooners. Him, Rodney Anderson, and Dorial Green Beckham could be a nightmare in 2015.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/569951/highlights/102647381

#3 Tyreik Gray. Yes, I know he is a running back in high school, but the game is a changing. His skill set and size looks more like a slot receiver. Now if you are looking for a player that will house it if he gets a step, this isn't him. He is no Daje. But he is a poor mans Daje, with much a much better pair of hands and receiver skill set. I would love to see this guy going up against safeties and linebackers trying to cover him. Currently he is 5'11 185 lbs., I could see him adding 15 to 20 lbs and looking like an NFL type prospect in the slot. He is also a smart enough football player to bail his QB out when things get crazy. Near the end of his film you get to see a few highlights of this kid in the slot. He shows very natural receiver skills. Plus, I think he might bring a better slot blocking presence than Newsome or Humphrey. I know he is doing this on lesser talent but he has the tools to be dangerous. He has transferred to a 6A school this year and should show what he can do against better competition. he is attending #7 ranked Houston Lamar. The upside with this kid is if developed he could become a great slot receiver. The downside is you will have to develop this kid for about two years. I think it is a gamble worth taking, like taking Daje. Hopefully this kid is not a head case like Daje and Ramonce were.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/881712/highlights/119077379

Ryan Newsome To be fair, I will also include some footage of Ryan Newsome. Newsome has rare speed and can take the top off a defense. If he gets a seam, good night. My issue is how long can he take a pounding from huge safeties and backers, before he takes a really big hit. He projects at about 180 tops any bigger and you have to worry how much speed he sacrifices for size, I know Watson knows better than me what he is looking for, I just feel Newsome will be lost in this offense which favors bigger, physical receivers. Maybe I am wrong and he ends up becoming a longhorn legend, But i just don't see it. He fits what we were trying to do last year to a tee. Would have been awesome to see him in a Harsin like offense. I think if it is about system Newsome would be wiser to choose Tech, Oregon, or even UCLA. Now if it is about love of the Horns then by all means, we will take him. It would be hard to say no to speed like this.

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/770285/highlights/85556384

Okay, yes watching all four Newsome is much better than the other three. But with development, the other targets have potential. I would love to hear your feedback. Hook Em!

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