UNT Mean Green

I like this Harry. I base mine more on "physically ready to play now." My guess would be that Brooks, Warmer, and Lemon are ready now; maybe Akunne too as a Special Teamer. Swarn will be a monster but needs to put on 15+lbs, which would seem easy to do.. Same with Whitfield. "reports" say that Whitfield is fast but very small, and of the RB's, Antoinne Jimmerson looks great from a physicality standpoint, and may end up being a larger RB with time. I could also see Laramie Lee covering kicks if his high school instincts on defense were any indications. Ironic that were talking about kids who held offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Houston, Oklahoma State, Pitt, and Texas Tech? Nope...this staff knows how to evaluate true talent!

Agree with Wright, he's going to be very fun to watch for years to come. D Mac and Bowen took to him very fast in the spring. But he's a Soph. Right? I think Sampson will RS. He's very skinny and I just think it takes freshmen skill players a while to get the offense. But he's certainly exciting. My sleeper "pick to click" at WR is Jamize Olawale. Physically he's as talented as anyone on our roster (size, speed, strength wise).

You'd imagine there would be one either coming out of camp OR the week of FIU. For freshmen who'll get on the field (don't know about making two deep) a pure guess would be: Terrell Brooks at DT Freddie Warner at DB or on Special Teams Cyril Lemon at OL

Is it just me or is our practice gear (helmets, shoes, shorts) pretty sweet?

My guess if we were teeing it up tomorrow night in Miami: Abbe and Cantly starting, Terrell Brooks and Kyle White running second, Boutwell or McCoy as the pass rush specialists (nickel or dime stuff). If Cantly really turns the corner he could be special. I also believe Terrell Brooks is going to be outstanding,

New merchandise as compared to what was available at the Kickoff Cookout?

Yes and he's now up to 240. I think Drew Miller and Greg Brown are also U-backs but not sure. And for short yardage, Brandin Byrd is up to over 210 lbs, plus let's not forget we have an outstanding blocking TE in 6'5" 260 Andrew Power.

Nicely as a slot WR. I think he'll provide some good depth there as a relaible pass catcher.

Don't be surprise if Cooper Jones gets into that backup spot. From what I hear, he's been very good so far, and can make any throw you need him to accurately.

From an objective point of view, Vegas has it right. Based upon recent history, FIU should beat us by 14 or more points at home. A lot of people who follow the program here and this fan base see what is happening. This program is undergoing a severe culture change and there are a zillion positive things happening every day to improve this football team. The leadership (coaching) of this program is in an entire different stratosphere than what's been around here in recent years. However it's a process, a marathon not a sprint. How quickly it translates to the field remains to be seen. Is it going to take us from bottom tier of the league to able to go steal a win from a top two program in the conference the first week? Who knows ( but I will go on record saying this will be a 9 win team in 2013). The only people who would think that are biased fans, but here are plenty of positives. I firmly believe that there is not a whole lot separating the parity in this conference from top to bottom. Canales' led team in the back end of 2010 proved that. Two, I believe this QB has the legitimate ability to vertically threaten a defense, and we all know people are going to load up to stop #5. And finally, we can all trust the on field decisions and adjustments made by this staff. They've been there done it, over and over again. I believe close games are won by coaching and a little luck. We've has neither for a while, thus losing numerous close games. I can't fault Vegas for this, and they are usually pretty good at this stuff, but they could certainly be wrong in this case.

Really enjoy those videos.

Very impressive

The measurables of our walk on's are night and day from where they were; and i expect a few to land scholarships or secure some playing time.

Everything about the new era of North Texas football is better!

Just a quick note, but all newcomers to the program have 2 black stripes on their helmets, while veterans don't. I've been reading Urban Meyer's book and he did the same thing at Florida. Says players have to earn their battlefield promotion through the indoctrinatuon of their stripes. One of the groundskeepers at NT told me during spring ball that the "hustle line" painted on the field was from Florida, as this gentleman came to Denton from Starkville, MS i.e. Mississippi State where he said Dan Mullen was doing the same thing down there. So far, Urbans assistants from Florida have been successful recently (Mullen and Charlie Strong) so I have to believe Coach Mac will be as well! Neat details and intricacies like this are fun to learn about. Especially when emulating success like Urban Meyer had.

Some notable observations on size... OFFENSE James Hamilton up to 197 Chase Baine down to 205 as a WR Derek Teegarden up to 188 Brandin Byrd up to 211 Antoine Jimmerson 207 as a true Freshman Mason Y'Barbo up to 311 Cyril Lemon 6'4" 313 as a true Freshman LaChris Anyiam up to 305 Grant Shaw 6'5" 287 as a true Freshman Coleman Feeley up to 305 Michael Outlaw up to 191 Jamize Olawale up to 231 as a WR Drew Miller up to 253 as a TE/FB Daniel Prior up to 240 as a FB DEFENSE DeWaylon Cook up to 212 Will Wright up to 217 D'Leon McCord up to 188 Royce Hill up to 187 Ryan Downing up to 209 Steven Ford up to 187 Zach Orr down to 231 Knockus Sashington up to 209 as a LB Aaron Bellazin up to 255 KC Obi up to 249 Frank Gaines up to 255 Derek Akunne 250 as a true Freshman Blake Dunham up to 215 Micah Thompson 307 as a true Freshman Tevinn Cantly down to 311 Richard Abbe down to 319 Terrell Brooks 320 as a true Freshman So our defensive line will certainly be much bigger (no surprise here) and our DT's are very large as a group. DB's made great improvements and should be better tackling against the run. We may have the thickest kicker in the nation as well. Our LB's are extremely light, but there should be some speed. Orr and Akunne are good sized and that's it. Look for big things out of Will Wright as he's almost 15 lbs larger

The all-white's will look very good on the road...maybe an all white helmet to go with those as well By the way #5 looks really good, and it's nice to have our QB looking down at a reporter instead of eye-level or looking up.

It's at least 5 feet tall

Can't wait to see it...white or black cleats? Or both ? Have you heard?

I would guess the #3 job is between a pair of freshmen: Cooper and McNulty

I think it's against NCAA rules to comment on any recruit until they sign an LOI

With Mace being a defensive guy, will he influence Canales ands the offense to run the ball and eat the clock in the pass happy times of today?

Yeah I'd guess SMU would be at least in the Top 60, along with UCF, Tulsa, Houston, and So Miss from C-USA.

are they going to do any "simulated games" ie scrimmages with scoreboard, lights, whatever going to break in / test out / get accustomed to the new stadium?