Jim Jeffcoat makes some clarifications. Throughout the recruiting process, little information has come from the camp of defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, as the family has preferred to stay quiet and explore the myriad options available for their son.
Jim Jeffcoat, however, did feel the need to clarify some rumors ($) floating around the interwebs. An anonymous source has spoken with several recruiting services, but Jeffcoat says that person does not have any inside information:
There is no source. I know he's not talking (his son Jackson). My wife and I aren't talking. We're just gathering all the information we can right now.
As for rumors that Jeffcoat will try to play basketball and football in college, the senior Jeffcoat has this to say:
We don't really talk about that. That will be his choice, his decision. If it fits his goals that he wants to accomplish, then it's something he'll look at doing.
The other prevalent rumor is that Jackson and his sister Jacqueline, a standout basketball, are a package deal and would like to attend the same college. The former Cowboy weighs in on that as well:
He and his sister are not a package deal. They're two separate individuals, great kids. If it ends up that they're at the same school, that would be great. But if not, so be it. They're their own people.
The Jeffcoats plan on taking numerous visits over the summer, including a trip to California to see USC, Stanford, and Cal, and a trip east to see Georgia, Florida, and Rutgers. As has been expected for some time, Jeffcoat will take his time to properly vet his options and will not make a decision until late in the process.
Playing two sports in college is extremely difficult with the bowl season stretching nearly until conference play. There's no question that Jeffcoat realizes his future is playing football -- put the chance of him playing basketball in college at least than 10%.
As far as playing with his sister, from the comments of the father it seems that both realize they may have to take separate paths to realize their potential. Any concerns about needing to recruit Jacqueline to secure a commitment from Jackson are pure speculation and probably not worth the time spent typing it.
Texas still sticks out for Reed. Despite writing off any chance of Trovon Reed ending up at Texas nearly a month ago, Reed told Scout's Baron Flennory that Texas is still a school that sticks out to him ($), naming the Longhorns when asked about the schools that he really likes.
Reed says that he was seriously considering Texas before the Longhorns received so many early commitments:
I was really feeling Texas but they got full so I had to open my eyes and look other places. They stopped recruiting me the same because I wasn't going to commit early. I wouldn't of minded competing for a spot. We are all freshman coming in and whoever was the best would of got the spot. You have to compete everywhere. But they got full. They're still high on my list, I just have to open my eyes and see what else is out there.
The comments from the Thibodaux raise some previously articulated concerns about the Longhorns virtually ending most of their recruiting by the time the calendar turns to March. By taking early commitments from players like John Harris and Ross Apo, the Longhorns reduce their ability to land better players like Reed and DeMarco Cobbs, who remains interested, but has heard little from Longhorn coaches recently. Should Texas wait on a guy like Reed and risk losing out on several other players? This is a tough question that Mack Brown will have to seriously weigh in the coming years.
This time, a productive move. There was some debate last week about whether John Harris' pending move from quarterback to receiver will help the future Longhorn. This week comes news that another future Longhorn will make a move ($), this time Bryant Jackson, who will get a chance to play during the spring at corner rather than safety, as the former position may be in his future.
Jackson has the size of a safety at nearly 6-4, he is still remarkably slightly and lanky, weighing only 175 pounds. Until that frame fills out with another 20-25 pounds, Jackson won't have the physicality to play safety, making cornerback his likely destination. Increasing hip fluidity is a goal, as Jackson knows that his ability to turn and run will ultimately influence where he ends up in college.
Howell close to becoming eligible. Considering the massive amount of concern surrounding the defensive tackle position heading into the fall, true freshman Calvin Howell may be called upon to contribute. Standing in the way of that is his eligibility, a concern for some time, but Howell now says that he has the necessary score in his SAT and is close to getting an A in a class he needs to pass. Howell openly admits that he didn't work hard enough in school as a freshman and sophomore and is now paying the price by having to retake the class he needs to pass.
Cosby's name uncalled on Sunday, signs with Cincinnati. Though Brian Orakpo fell by the Redskins at pick no. 13, almost ten spots below the Cleveland pick that seemed a strong possibility up until Saturday, the biggest surprise of the weekend was that Quan Cobsy was not picked.
There wasn't a complete lack of interest in Cosby, however, as eight teams (Cincinnati, Detroit, Seattle, Houston, San Diego, Indianapolis, Minnesota and St. Louis) all called the sure-handed receiver immediately after completion of the draft. Cosby eventually chose the Bengals, where he will compete for a chance to play alongside a guy he was supposed to play with as a Longhorn -- running back Cedric Benson, also a member of the 2001 Longhorn recruiting class, of which Cosby was originally a part.
Size was certainly the most crucial factor in Cosby going undrafted, as he stands at less than 5-9. As with Roy Miller, size shouldn't mean everything for a player like Cosby, who has the ability to play larger than his height by elevating in traffic. A player who projects as a slot receiver in the NFL, where he can take advantage of his short stride to quickly change direction.
Scipio Tex doesn't see a problem with Cosby making the Bengals' roster, but a commenter notes that the Bengals already have a top three of Chad Johnson, Chris Henry, and Laveranues Coles, with fomer Packer Antonio Chatman, last year's second-round pick Jerome Simpson, this year's seventh-round pick Freddie Brown, and last year's seventh-round pick Mario Urrutia competing for openings at receiver.
Regardless of where he eventually ends up, I have little doubt that Cosby is an NFL player and will have a productive career.