Big Daddy Cane
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- Jan 21, 2016
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Ok, so as mentioned before, I had dinner with a few friends and former co-workers. About a dozen of us, half big time into recruiting, the other half big college football fans, but not into the recruiting aspect of it. Different Big12, sec and ACC allegiances including aggy (this comes into play a bit). The main guy that I was looking forward to seeing is the biggest longhorn fan that I have ever met, plugged into the program and such. He didn't have any major breaking news, but if anything a little twist in what is already out there. He made sure to tell us that this info comes with the obligatory, this are 17 and 18 y/o, so... Here's the highlights:
- The staff is more concerned about having enough spots that they are about landing players. They will take every big body on the DL that they can get. They don't mind over signing, but don't want to completely over do it. Attrition happens every year, but want it to be more of a natural thing than forced. Getting errbody not likely, but not out of the question.
- As far as he knew Porter was in, but said if for some reason he wasn't Tristan Houston (RS) would be considered their 2016 signing. Not necessarily a need, but want to keep a steady depth chart. Dobbins, Benjamin and Carter are the targets for next year, wanting 2 out of 3.
- D Anderson, Hudson are definitely in play. They like where they stand with both. Also like where they sit with M Jackson. Chances go up of Fowler sticks with LSU.
- Cuffee was not recruiting on his OV anymore than any other player usually does. This is not uncommon. Not sure why he got singled out.
- RB coach - Said was a done deal, but can't make it public yet ( Implied that this coach is still employed and don't ruin it by having the rumor spread - My feeling is that he either knew the name or it was 1 of 2 people, but would not go any further at all - Did say he liked the coach and it would be a great hire and longhorn fans would be pleased.
- About all the signing on NSD - Said that normally a few more would be encouraged to announce sooner, but the recruits want to make a huge splash on NSD. Said not worried about momentum as all the recruits are talking and every ones knows who is coming. Normally you would want announcements to help encourage others to come play with them, but in this case not necessary. Said not Strong's preference, but the staff feels REALLY good about where they stand with everyone. The recruits thoughts are that this not only builds momentum going into signing day, but puts Texas as the team to talk about when everything dies down.
- atm's OV weekend was as much a success for UT as was their own OV weekend last week. Said that ALL the players LOVE and RESPECT Charlie Strong. Even the ones that will end up elsewhere. Said that the negative recruiting that took place at atm really backfired. It put a bad taste in their mouths and soured them on the program. He thinks it may have sealed Jackson's departure even though he is still committed. Not saying he ends up at Texas, but probably doesn't end up at aggy.
- Ole mi$$ came up and an interesting little note - Said that a couple of acquaintances of his (VIP types, former pro athletes) have sons/daughters accepted into the school w/o ever applying. Just randomly received an acceptance letter. In one case the son is not an athlete and the dad has virtually no connection to the school. He did some digging and found a couple of other influential people in his circles that had the same happen to them. Apparently this is their marketing strategy to get more $ and influence to the school. When I asked if it worked, he said half of them are there now. Don't know if anyone else does this, but it's the 1st I heard of it. Makes you wonder what they do with 4 and 5 star athletes.
- About the aggy reference above - After dinner I got to talk to one of the guys there and he said that he knew for a fact that we would have gotten more details/names if the aggy hadn't been there. Apparently, my longhorn buddy gave his some inside info in the past, asked him to keep it to himself and promptly told everything in detail to anyone that would listen. I'll try to catch up with him later this week, maybe he'll give me a little more that can be shared.