Horns Land Another "QB of Future"

by patienthornsfan on Feb 24, 2007 5:16 PM CST Comment 21 comments

Riley Dodge committed to the Good Guys today.

"Riley Dodge, quarterback of the Class 5A state champion Southlake Carroll Dragons, said Saturday he had committed to Texas. He became the 12th commitment for the 2008 recruiting class.

Dodge, who was at the Longhorns' spring practice on Saturday along with 11 other high school juniors, is the son of former Texas quarterback Todd Dodge.

Southlake Carroll running back Tre' Newton, the son of former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, also was at the practice. His parents said he had not made a decision on a school."

Newton needs to hurry up and make a decision. We need to get our RB situation locked up, now that we're passing on Calhoun.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/index.html

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Both Scout and Rivals leading with the story

Dodge says his verbal is solid. For once, I actually believe a guy!

Stud DE Chancey Agayhere also got an offer today, hope he pulls the trigger soon.

I really expected DT Jarvis Humphrey to commit today too, must not have been at Junior day. But hey, the weekend ain't over.

Officially a Limey Longhorn

by patienthornsfan on Feb 24, 2007 5:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dodge is a surprise

I thought he'd go play for Mizzou or his dad.

I'm betting he plays something other than QB. Honestly, I'm kind of shocked the coaching staff wants him.

Maybe they think GJ kinne will play LB or something.

It sounds like I'm bagging on the kid, but I never thought there would be mutual interest b/w the two parties.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Feb 24, 2007 5:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dodge is a Longhorn

Why wouldn't Riley have an interest in Texas?
His dad was a star QB for the Horns and the Dodge kids have grown up wanting to go to Texas too.

Dodge is an elite athlete, whether he plays QB, DB, or WR this is a very nice commit for Texas.

by txhawk on Feb 25, 2007 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

everything i've heard

is that Todd Dodge doesn't speak highly of the treatment he received while at Texas.

not sure the extent to which that's true.

by billyzane on Feb 25, 2007 6:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If the treatment

Chris Simms received is planet earth, then Dodge's dad spent his 40 acre days on the surface of the sun.

The fans were brutal to Dodge during his years at Texas and his offense lives in infamy as the most inept in Texas history (which is the irony in hindsight). From what older fans have told me the coaching staff is to blame for most of it.
But if you ever have the chance to see snippets of highlights he, how to put politely, wasn't a very polished QB/leader.
To be fair, he was left out to dry by a bad offensive system.

IMO, the coaching staff is extending an olive branch to the Dodge family. They don't want to make the mistake of alienating a hot coach like Dodge, who could very well replace Mack one day.
That, and it's a classy thing to do.

Cats and dogs sleeping together.

by EYESofBEVO on Feb 25, 2007 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Position

What do you see him playing? Slot Receiver, Returns Specialist?

by sportsfan on Feb 24, 2007 5:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dude,

The guy puked at the line and had the composure to throw a TD pass in a state game against Westlake. Mark it down, I want this guy to beef up and become the next 4th string QB/kickoff team specialist a la Beau Trahan.

Chuck Norris and Superman go to bed wearing Kevin Durant pajamas.

by bendj on Feb 24, 2007 6:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Trahan

Most popular, non-star Longhorn ever? Discuss.

by Longhorn13 on Feb 24, 2007 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow,

Tough question, but my immediate reaction would be yes. While most headhunters were bulky guys who were just doing their job so they could climb the ladder to becoming the next Offensive or Defensive star, he took that position and made it freaking exciting. Not exactly a working-class hero story like Vince Papale, but they could make an "Invincible 2" with the QB1 from "Friday Night Lights" starring as Beau Trahan.

Chuck Norris and Superman go to bed wearing Kevin Durant pajamas.

by bendj on Feb 24, 2007 7:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going with the Human-Halo Violation

UNGER!!!

The guy weighted like 120 pounds but went balls to the wall on every punt. Even the lapse Longhorn fans knew to watch for him.

The guy was so intense Miss 40 Acres had to file a restraining order against him after the charity Punt-Pass-And-Kick competition.

Be nobody but yourself in a world that desperately wants you to be like everybody else.

by 54b on Feb 25, 2007 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a name I haven't seen in a LOoooong time.

How many times can you say you look forward to seeing a punt? Usually it's a bad thing, but not when he was on the field.

by Hornbud on Feb 25, 2007 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Ungar is who I immediately thought of.

by JohnsonUT on Feb 25, 2007 5:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

UNGAR WAS MY BOY!

I used to stalk him. He loved the attention even if he tried to say otherwise.

I have a commitment to the truth.

by steezy on Feb 25, 2007 8:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't it...

commitment number 13? I realize they're coming in so fast it's easy to lose count. Nonetheless, I'm wondering what position the coaching staff has in mind for him. Running a 4.5 in the 40 warrants strong consideration, but where do you play the kid? My guess is that coaches see him as a WR or S. It's highly unlikely that he would be considered for a CB position unless he "beefs up". All that said,... It's evedent that the UT coaching staff has something in mind. Welcome aboard Riley!!

LONGHORNS,... Synonomous with WINNERS!! Hook 'em!!!

by candohorn on Feb 24, 2007 7:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Even Better News

"Dodge and Newton said they would be graduating early from Carroll and would enroll at Texas in January 2008."

So we wouldn't have to worry about any last-minute shenanigans between the end of the season (and their 3rd straight state championship) and National Signing Day. I'm very excited about having these two young men - proven winners, and proven good guys.

"Texas was on the top of my list," Tre' said. "The whole coaching staff is Christians and they're all about academics. Both are important to me."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/022507dnspoutcommits.d59 cd47.html

So that's 14 down, about 7 to go. I would expect Aghayere and Humphrey shortly, and I'd really like to get S Nolan Brewster from CO. For all the wailing about OU getting the top 3 players in the state, this is shaping up to be yet another top class for Mack.

Emmanuel Acho    LB         6-2    210    4.65    -        Dallas, TX
Mark Buchanan    OL         6-5    265    4.9    -        Austin, TX
Dan Buckner    WR         6-4    211    4.5    -        Allen, TX
Riley Dodge    QB         5-11    168    4.67    -        Southlake, TX
Brock Fitzhenry    ATH         5-9    172    4.42    -        Giddings, TX
Antoine Hicks    QB         6-2    193    -    -        Mansfield, TX
Jeremy Hills    RB         5-11    180    -    -        Alief, TX
D.J. Monroe    DB         5-9    165    4.4    -        Angleton, TX
Tre Newton    RB         6-0    194    4.6    -        Southlake, TX
Luke Poehlmann    OL         6-6    260    -    -        Brenham, TX
Ryan Roberson    RB         5-10    210    4.4    -        Brenham, TX
David Snow    OL         6-4    300    5.32    -        Gilmer, TX
Justin Tucker    K         6-1    172    4.56    -         Austin, TX
Aaron Williams    DB         6-1    175    4.4    -        Round Rock, TX

Officially a Limey Longhorn

by patienthornsfan on Feb 25, 2007 2:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Riley Dodge

"Riley Dodge has been named the offensive the year [..] on the Texas Sports Writers Association's Class 5A all-state football team." From
here.

That's sounds huge, considering he has achieved that while being a junior. I don't follow high school football, so I'm probably missing something here. I can't imagine that these awards are crap, and 5A shouldn't be crap either! Why do you guys think he's not a top recruit?

by Cyrus on Feb 25, 2007 3:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I had the chance to see him

at the state championship when I was in San Antonio over the holidays. He was alright, but didn't strike me as Big XII material. I got the impression that he is more the product of a psychotic system that begins in Jr. high school, rather than any kind of outstanding talent.

He didn't look comfortable in the pocket at all, he would panic and scramble if his first receiver wasn't available (which made me wonder if Westlake was the first team he had faced that was consistently putting pressure on him). His success came mostly in the second half when Westlake got tired, at which point I began to see those ESPN highlights I'd seen of Carroll all season. Also, it was in the second half that his father made some great adjustments to get his receivers open (again, its the system that wins those championships).

by BrooklynHorn on Feb 25, 2007 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Now I feel old.

I remember his dad playing for Texas, but more than that, I remember his dad playing for Port Arthur Jefferson High school. I think they made state semis with his buddy and future horn reciever Duhon, 79 maybe?

by billb on Feb 25, 2007 2:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Old school!

I think they won state that year - could be wrong though - that was many, many years and beers ago.

by Screw O.U. on Feb 25, 2007 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Any BON'ers in Carrollton?

Carrollton Creekview QB Lonzie Range is evidently a big Texas fan, and is being recruited as a WR.

'The 6-foot-3, 178-pounder has already picked up his first scholarship offer from the Big 12 (Kansas) and has two other schools high on his list.

"I get stuff from Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma," Range said. "With favorites, it's between A&M and Texas. I've grown up a Texas fan since I was like four years old. Texas A&M, I just like their tradition and everything about them." '

He evidently came to Texas this weekend for the 2nd Junior Day, but there's no word on Rivals whether he got an offer. We seem to be pretty well stocked at WR, and already have a good one in the fold for 2008. Seems unlikely this guy would be on the radar for Texas.

'Though Range isn't expecting an offer this weekend, he says he got a good vibe from Texas coach Bobby Kennedy.

"Coach Kennedy sent me a text message and I called him," Range said. "He invited me over, so I'm going to check it out. I'm not really sure what they're going to do with an offer, but it seemed like there was a good chance." '

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=rivals-100672&prov=rivals&type=story_recruiting

Officially a Limey Longhorn

by patienthornsfan on Feb 25, 2007 3:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

OUCH

I completely missed this after National Signing Day, I guess I need to read more of the Big 10 blogs.

"In a statement more loaded than Florida's recruiting class, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany this week claimed that when it comes to procuring football players his league is more ethical and academically minded than the Southeastern Conference.

Here's what it sounded like he was saying: His league won't compromise its supposed high academic standards to sign a bunch of fast, dumb guys, especially at a position that in the SEC is overwhelmingly played by blacks.

That, apparently, is one reason the SEC signed seven of the top 10 classes nationally according to Rivals.com, the Big Ten got none and Delany lost his mind.

"I love speed and the SEC has great speed, especially on the defensive line, but there are appropriate balances when mixing academics and athletics," wrote Delany on the Big Ten website.

Forty-two of the 48 defensive linemen who started in the final week of SEC play were African-American. Of the 61 defensive line recruits the SEC signed last week, 51 were African-American. Just 23 of 43 Big Ten starters at those positions were black.

So of all the inane Internet message board postings associated with national signing day, the Big Ten commissioner managed the dumbest of them all in an outrageous bit of arrogance that belies his own league's history of rampant cheating and historic scandal.

This wasn't some slip of the tongue in a fast-paced media interview. It was written in an "open letter" on the league website. And this isn't some random ex-NBA ball player. Delany is an attorney who many believe is the most powerful person in all of college athletics."

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AkqGk_CESLHW7.F.2sp9qascvrYF?slug=dw-delany021707&prov=y hoo&type=lgns

Given all of the gnashing of teeth about Mack passing on Calhoun, and his supposed focus on athletes who will be able to qualify and possibly stick around long enough to graduate, I'm glad that no on on the Texas staff - or in the Big XII office - was stupid enough to put these kinds of thoughts in writing.

Officially a Limey Longhorn

by patienthornsfan on Feb 26, 2007 8:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs