The 2014 Recruiting Class will tell a lot

[bbdude]

I think the 2014 class will tell a tremendous amount about this program and its future. The '13 class was fantastic, even though we lost a lot in the form of top-star decommits. The program is at a low point and next season, along with the recruiting success (or failure) in 2014 will leave an indelible mark on this program. Mack's future is uncertain, regardless of what you read, and guys like Jerrod Heard are PROGRAM-MAKERS. We need to hold the 5 star guys AND we need to dig in the small towns of Texas and get the athletes that play hard, even though they might not command an offer from a school like Texas, OU or LSU. We NEED to recruit based on talent, not by flying the UT flag and expecting them to come to us because we are UT.

Texas is the sleeping giant in college football - have said it for years and it rings true today. I would argue that there is only a school or two that have the power, history and tradition that THE University of Texas has.

We just need to find out how to use it.

Heard, Gresham, Knox, ALL....... Come on home.

#HOOKEM

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Following you into battle, time, now! Great piece! I think we did some real good with this recruiting class and the holes seem to be getting filled by the 2014 class.

I know many don't agree but I love Mack's sentiment... Commit to us and we commit to you, break that and we go elsewhere. Him committing to kids and giving them the comfort of knowing that UT is behind them injury or healthy is powerful. I want kids whom want to be Longhorns! Not some 5 star dickweed that's got a head the size of TX and doesn't honor his commitments. I get it, they're kids, but they aren't acting like kids. They are acting like businessmen marketing themselves and should be treated as such.

I couldn't be more excited for the 2013 season! Interested to see what happens at QB more than anything.

 

[UTK66]

I don't think we end up with Knox and Gresham. Just a feeling.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

I don't think we end up with Knox and Gresham. Just a feeling.

As of now Gresham sounds pretty solid, but there is a lot of time until NSD. What gives you the idea that he wont stay?

 

[UTK66]

As of now Gresham sounds pretty solid, but there is a lot of time until NSD. What gives you the idea that he wont stay?

He's been whining on twitter for a couple of days (he's since deleted his original account and created a new protected one) about playing fullback and how the coaches supposedly lied to him. Claims he was told he was being recruited as a RB and now apparently they are talking fullback (which is what the kid will be regardless of where he goes, IF he's tough enough to handle the position and can learn how to block).

 

[beevomav]

Couple of things..I have to respectfully disagree with recruiting being at a low point. We signed a lot of top rated players but a few fell out..and..I don't know about you but if a kid had rather go to ATM, I say don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out..Hell even the phenom in College Station doesn't want to be on their campus. Too many dudes in overhauls.

Now as for the fullback that wants to be a running back. I am in the camp of not taking shit from a blocking back. Let the other programs lie to him. Your either in or out. Mack got that right.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Couple of things..I have to respectfully disagree with recruiting being at a low point. We signed a lot of top rated players but a few fell out..and..I don't know about you but if a kid had rather go to ATM, I say don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out..Hell even the phenom in College Station doesn't want to be on their campus. Too many dudes in overhauls.
Now as for the fullback that wants to be a running back. I am in the camp of not taking $#@! from a blocking back. Let the other programs lie to him. Your either in or out. Mack got that right.

Agreed.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

He's been whining on twitter for a couple of days (he's since deleted his original account and created a new protected one) about playing fullback and how the coaches supposedly lied to him. Claims he was told he was being recruited as a RB and now apparently they are talking fullback (which is what the kid will be regardless of where he goes, IF he's tough enough to handle the position and can learn how to block).

Ahhh, gotcha. Atleast the UT staff is being straight up with thim.

 

[bbdude]

Here's the thing about our recruiting prowess. We get good players - we GOT good players with the 2013 class. Not one of us would say we did average or poor. BUT........ we lost some top tier talent through the decommitments. Can you imaging RSJ and A'Shawn as part of the class? Heck, we lost our only running back commit to TCU.

My point is we just don't have the stranglehold we think we should have on keeping kids. Inevitably you will lose some guys through the process but we got hit fairly hard in this class.

 

[Longhorns96]

I don't agree with the idea of "We want you at position X. If you think you are better off at Position Y, then you need to go elsewhere". That is stupid, and is how we lost the Houston kid (forgot his name) who wanted to come to Texas the same year as Gilbert, but ended up at LSU. He wanted to be a QB, not a WR, but ended up playing WR anyway.

My opinion is this...if a kid is bound and determined to play at a certain position, tell him that we would like him to play at a different one. If he is still insistent on playing his favorite position, tell him that we will welcome him on campus, and that he will have to prove himself at that position. Inform him that he would more than likely get more playing time at his new position, if he were to work hard and commit to the new spot. But, if he doesn't want to move positions, he will need to beat out the other players on the team.

Hell, make him a deal. Tell him, "Look, we want you at The University of Texas, and our coaches think you would be one helluva FB. But, if you are set on playing at RB, we will put you back there with the rest of the backs. It is going to be an open competition, with the best back getting the majority of the playing time. What do you think?"

Let the kid get on campus, and at least TRY to prove the coaches wrong. Who on here would not have LOVED to have Russell Shephard (I remembered his name while typing this) on campus when GGilbert burst into a ball of flames his sophomore year? I Know I wold have.

I just don't like the idea of giving up on a kid just because they are 17-18 years old, and think that they know what is best for them. They have had high school coaches, cheerleaders, teachers and childhood friends telling them whatever they want to hear their entire lives. It's time someone who is qualified, give them a dose of reality.

Also, look at the talent we lost, because we thought some kid would have been a better athlete, rather than a QB (cough couch RGIII).

 

[UTK66]

Here's the thing about our recruiting prowess. We get good players - we GOT good players with the 2013 class. Not one of us would say we did average or poor. BUT........ we lost some top tier talent through the decommitments. Can you imaging RSJ and A'Shawn as part of the class? Heck, we lost our only running back commit to TCU.
My point is we just don't have the stranglehold we think we should have on keeping kids. Inevitably you will lose some guys through the process but we got hit fairly hard in this class.

Losing RSJ and Robinson did indeed suck, but only because they would've been out highest rated recruits and would've moved us a few spots higher in the team rankings.

RSJ- not a WR, regardless of what he thinks or what anyone has told him. He's not tough enough to play TE and he damned sure isn't tough enough to play DE. I think he is a kid without a position.

Robinson- doesn't bust his ass every play, no where near it. My prediction is Saban will process his ass outta Bama unless the light comes on for the big boy. He better realize real quick that can't pick what plays he really plays on, at Bama, you better be ready to go balls to the wall every play or your ass will be sent packing.

I think we dodged a bullet with both, at least I hope so.