Mario Edwards Highlights (via 247SportsStudio)
Please tell me you were playing the Mario Brothers theme song in your head while watching that video. 2012 Denton Ryan DE Mario Edwards will be at the Texas - OU Game as one of the many guests of the Texas Longhorns. More after the jump.
"Super" Mario Edwards headlines the list of Texas - OU Game visitors. Not only is Edwards attending the Red Red Rivalry (RRR), per Hook Em 247, Edwards will be making an official visit to Texas during the Oklahoma State game weekend. Huge news from a recruit that was all but signed and delivered to Florida State. Texas is still likely on the outside looking in with Edwards, but if they play well these next two weeks it could help their chances.
Texas is the home team this year for the RRR, so they can host recruits. However, because the game is played at a neutral field, the coaches are not allowed to speak with the recruits at the game. It is still a great game for recruits to attend to see the pageantry and grandeur that is the Texas - OU Game.
The Working List of Texas - OU Game Visitors:
Class of 2012 Commits:
QB, Connor Brewer, Chaparral (Scottsdale, AZ) -- Big-time visitor. It will be great to get Connor around Mario Edwards and the 2013 targets for the first time.
RB, Johnathan Gray, Aledo -- Last week, Gray went for 347 yards on 16 carries and scored seven touchdowns. Unreal.
WR, Thomas Johnson, Dallas Skyline -- Finally healthy and killing it during his senior season. Playing up to his potential and turning heads. Texas got a good one.
OL, Curtis Riser, DeSoto -- Also finally healthy and playing up to his enormous potential. Could be the top guard in the country.
DT, Alex Norman, Dallas Bishop Dunne -- Recently said he was down to 270 - 272 pounds. Could start off as a swing guy at Texas. Could help with DE and DT depth right away.
DE, Caleb Bluiett, Beaumont West Brook -- Bluiett has done everything for West Brook this season, from playing on nearly every coverage unit, to defensive end and linebacker, as well as some action on offenses.
DE, Hassan Ridgeway, Mansfield -- It's staggering to to think about, but the OU Game will be the first college football game Ridgeway has attended. Very rare with Metroplex recruits.
LB, Alex De La Torre, Denton Ryan -- Having an outstanding senior year. Can he help recruit Edwards to Texas?
LB, Peter Jinkens, Dallas Skyline --
DB, Bryson Echols, DeSoto --
K, Nick Jordan, Coppell -- Could the long-awaited answer on kick offs. Jordan can boom it out of the endzone.
Class of 2012 Targets:
DE, Torshiro Davis, Woodlawn (Shreveport, LA) -- Currently committed to LSU. Could take official visits to Texas, OU, and Alabama. Probably a Bama - LSU battle at this point. Texas should get an official visit, but there's not much optimism of landing Davis.
DE, Mario Edwards, Denton Ryan -- Great news to get Edwards to the RRR. Better news that's officially visiting Texas next weekend. Can Texas flip the top defensive player in the state?
ATH, Daniel Brooks, Port Lavaca Calhoun -- Committed to OU. Brooks attending the RRR as a guest of the Longhorns surprised me. Brooks is said to be getting firmer in his commitment to OU.
Class of 2013 Targets:
QB, JT Barrett, Wichita Falls Rider -- Coach Harsin recently requested the game film of every single game Barrett has played in. I still think Swoopes is the guy, but Harsin is doing his due diligence.
QB, Devante Kincade, Dallas Skyline -- Feels like a courtesy invite. Haven't heard Texas is interested.
QB, Tyrone Swoopes, Whitewright -- Likely Texas' top QB choice for 2013. Probably a TCU-Texas battle, with Texas as the current leader.
RB, Dontre Wilson, DeSoto -- Likely a lock to be offered. Big-time utility back. Likely a Texas-Oregon battle.
WR, Marcell Ateman, Wylie East -- Big time visitor. Ateman is big on the Horns, but might be a package deal with teammate Quan Jones. Ateman and Oliver are my top 2013 in state receivers.
WR, Quan Jones, Wylie East - Texas doesn't seem very interested, and neither does Jones at this point.
WR, Jake Oliver, Dallas Jesuit - top junior receiver in Texas. Technique and football IQ compare favorably to the Shipleys. Will be a tough get because his father is a former TAMU player. Oliver seems very open to Texas at this time.
WR, Ra'Shaad Samples, Dallas Skyline - could be the slot receiver in 2013 class. Father is the head coach at Dallas Skyline.
TE, Jeremiah Gaines, Red Oak - being recruited as a H back by Texas, could also play LB.
TE, Christian Morgan, Plano Prestonwood Christian - a Peanut Gallery favorite. Morgan is likely being recruited by Texas as a TE, but I like him better at strong side DE. Comes from a Texas Family, the Horns will likely get him if they offer.
OL/DL, Jake Raulerson, Celina - there seems to be momentum for Raulerson playing DE at Texas. I would probably classify Jake as an ATH right now because he's being recruited as an OT, DE and jumbo LB. Recently watched Florida get blown out by Alabama in person. Texas will likely get him if they continue to play well this season. Should be one of the first offers of 2013 class.
OL/DL, A'Shawn Robinson, FW Arlington Heights - Texas is likely the leader. Feels like an early commitment. Texas is the only school Robinson has visited this fall. Coach Searels loves this recruit.
OL, Ishmael Wilson, Dallas Bishop Dunne - flying up recruiting boards, LSU is the leader. Wilson is from Louisiana originally. Texas appears to be getting involved, but is Wilson a priority for Texas? Is it too little too late? Will likely commit to LSU if offered.
DE, Tyus Bowser, Tyler John Tyler -- Finally a 2013 in-state DE emerges. May be one of the best-looking juniors on the hoof in the entire state.
DE/LB, Deon Hollins, Jr., Fort Bend Marshall -- Hollins has drawn favorable comparisons to Von Miller. Could a Buck target for Texas.
LB, Travon Blanchard, West Orange-Stark
LB, Brett Wade, Kennedale -- Another Peanut Gallery favorite. Top inside linebacker recruit in Texas for 2013. Texas is one of Wade's favorites. Will be a heated recruiting battle between Texas and TAMU. Both need Wade.
DB, Will Barrows, Dallas Skyline -- I'll get a chance to see Barrows and the many Skyline recruits live tonight. I think Barrows is a take all the way.
ATH, Chevoski Collins, Livingston -- Differing opinions on Collins. Some believe Texas is recruiting him as a slot receiver, others believe he is being recruited as a safety. Great athlete either way, position at Texas could depend on need. Likely another Texas - TAMU battle.
ATH, Greg Ward, Tyler John Tyler
OL / DL, Darius James, Killeen Harker Heights -- Top center in 2013 class. Extremely athletic, also plays basketball. Very high on Texas, likely a Junior Day commitment. Could be attending with teammate Camrhon Hughes.
2013 Targets That Will Not be at Texas - OU Game
Many of these recruits have games on Saturday or Friday night and will be unable to travel to Dallas in time for the game.
RB, Keith Ford, Cypress Ranch -- Top 2013 feature back in Texas. TAMU Is on him hard, remains to be seen how interested Texas is.
RB, James White, Pearland Dawson -- Also in the mix as the top feature back in Texas for 2013. Major has hid his hand very well with 2013 RB recruiting. Wilson is the only back that seems like a lock for a Texas offer at this time.
WR, Jacorey Warrick, Cypress Falls -- Camped at Texas this summer. Seems to be a mutual interest. Could be in the mix for an offer from Texas as a slot receiver or corner.
TE, Derrick Griffin, Rosenberg Terry -- Most athletic TE prospect in Texas in years. TAMU is all over him, Texas needs to pick it up. There are basketball concerns.
OL, Ja'Braylin Thomas, Weimar -- Texas has backed off some. Might be too raw for a Texas team that needs offensive linemen to play early in their college careers.
DT, Isaiah Golden, Elysian Fields -- Very high on TAMU. Texas needs to pick it up or lose him. Golden recently had his knee scoped. Very athletic, also plays fullback regularly.
DT, Vincent Taylor, San Antonio Madison -- Texas is in Taylor's top 4. A little light for DT right now. Could be a swing guy.
DB, Antwuan Davis, Bastrop -- Very high on Texas. Likely commits when offered. Top corner in the state. Shut down skills and runs a 10.4 100.
* 2012 Richardson Pearce ATH Corey Coleman has been invited to the Texas - OU Game by Coach Wyatt. No word yet on if he'll attend, but Coleman is friends with many Texas commits.
* Cayleb Jones may attend the game. Still looking for confirmation.
* Dorial Green-Beckham has a game on Friday night and will not be able to attend the game.
I'll add to this list as more recruits are confirmed as visitors to the RRR. Please free to add visitors in the comments section.
I'll be at the Dallas Skyline - Dallas Jesuit games tonight watching the talent ball out in a pivotal Distrcit 9 -5A battle. There could as many 20 or more D1 recruits playing in this game. Look for my write up early next week.
As always, join me for Sundays with Bill at 5 pm. We'll talk OU Recap, recruiting and team news.
Enjoy OU weekend Burnt Orange Nation Citizens. Travel safe.