Morning Coffee Talks A-Rob, Tony Brown, And More

ESPN's got little love for A'Shawn. One of the top performers at The Opening along the defensive line was Texas commit A'Shawn Robinson. In fact, he was good enough to earn the defensive line MVP award for the one-on-one sessions, even showing a counter to his favored bullrush.

247Sports was impressed enough to classify Robinson as a player with the potential to nab a fifth star later in the process. ESPN? Apparently not so impressed -- Robinson is ranked as the 130th best player in the nation in the newest rankings and barely got a bump for his efforts in Oregon.

While there were plenty of question marks for both Scipio Texas and I entering the event about Robinson's best position (we both thought it was offensive line), Robinson more than answered them, soaking up coaching from Ndamukong Suh whenever possible and demonstrating the capability to translate coaching into skill development. Important considerations for a guy who is still mostly upside at the position.

But he proved that he's a defensive tackle. And he proved to be among the elite of the elite by beating some really good offensive linemen. Complaining too severely about rankings is stupid, but I'm just shocked that ESPN could cover an event like that, see the same things that I did, and not come away convinced that one of the top several defensive linemen there is a top 100 player nationally. This is me shaking my head at that.

Cotton Bowl set for another makeover. With the specter of Jerryworld looming large over the Metroplex, the Cotton Bowl has been working hard in recent years to ensure that the Red River Rivalry stays there. For their part, the administrations of both schools have reciprocated with serious commitments to the Cotton Bowl.

There was some freshening done back in 2008 and there is more scheduled to begin following the season. It appears that the plans call for some changes to the endzone fascades -- basically cosmetic changes. More significant changes to the actual experience call for more concessions stands, new stadium clubs, and maybe even an elevator.

Pictures at the link.

Tony Brown stars at Rivals Underclassmen event. This is news from last weekend that fell through the cracks due to my time in Oregon for The Opening, but it's worth mentioning that 2014 Beaumont Ozen cornerback Tony Brown was absolutely lights out in coverage at the Rivals event in DeSoto, earning Defensive Back MVP honors in the process.

The video embedded here from Orangebloods is worth watching for a number of reasons, including some interesting reps with Jamal Adams, the Lewisville Hebron safety who has emerged as a potential target, Brown, and receivers KD Cannon of Mount Pleasant and Texas City's Armanti Foreman going head-to-head. The former three all may well receive Texas offers (Cannon and Brown have already been approved), with Foreman apparently behind Louisiana product Speedy Noil at the moment on the Texas board.

OBTV - Rivals Underclassmen Challenge (via ESPNAustinTaylorTV)

What stands out about Brown more than anything -- more than the fact that he already looks like an elite college cornerback physically -- are the shots of him in a drill quickly flipping his hips in his backpedal. Ridiculous.

A star at every camp he's attended throughout the summer, Brown is starting to look like a must-have in the 2014 class, as much or more so than the early favorite Lancaster Nick Harvey, who is an excellent player in his own right, but doesn't have the type of size and physique for his eventual position of safety to stand out in any group of prospects as Brown is capable of doing.

Keep an eye on KD Cannon, as well, who has blazing speed and resembles Robbie Rhodes on film with his blazing speed and resulting ability to get vertical in the passing game. He'll be the top target at receiver for Texas in the class.

Texas-Ole Miss game set for late start. Those lucky enough to make their way to Oxford for the Ole Miss game on September 15th will have plenty of time to party at The Grove with co eds in sundresses, as ESPN has picked up the game and scheduled it for an 8:15 start. Just remember -- it's a marathon, not a sprint.