Jump to content

TheReal_jayD

Moderators
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,282

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    156

  • Points

    102,914 [ Donate ]

 Content Type 

Posts posted by TheReal_jayD

  2. Recruiting about to get a little harder?

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    1 minute ago, El Paso Eagle said:

    The one comment made by a coach, I believe from Arizona, was that they had kids interested in the past, but in the end, the kids didn't want to play all of their games on the West Coast. He said now they can offer having games in the region yearly.

    Out of the 4 schools Arizona has had the least amount of success. I am sure it will help a little. 

    • Upvote 1
    • Thanks 1

  4. Recruiting about to get a little harder?

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, El Paso Eagle said:

    Listening to several podcasts and going through Twitter, one thing that has been mentioned by several PAC 12 coaches moving to the Big 12 is that even though they recruited Texas before, this move will give them much more access and open more doors than ever before in Texas. One of the Arizona coaches who had been at Memphis) also mentioned that schools will soon find out there are hidden gyms in the state of Oklahoma.

    I don't think it will be that big of a differences. Schools like Colorado, Arizona State and Utah have already been having great success in Texas. They may grab a couple more kids a year. But I don't think it will be earth shattering. 

    • Upvote 2
    • Thanks 1

  5. GOMEANGREEN Postional Breakdown: Tight Ends

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    TIGHT ENDS.png

     

    Part 3 of the 3-part Offensive Skill Position Preview – Tight Ends

     

    Finally, our roster preview for the offensive skill position leaves us with the tight end position. Last year the Tight End position for North Texas could have easily been described as a strength, while also being the position that fans were most confident in. What a difference a year makes. The position of strength finds itself more a position of unknown headed into this upcoming season. Not only in terms personnel but also how Coach Morris and the new staff will use the Tight End position.

     

    Very few groups of five programs can say they have multiple P5 players in multiple positions. Much less a room full at one position. But North Texas could say that last year. They had 3 P5 level Tight ends in the room. The North Texas Tight End room was the hardest hit by the transfer portal this offseason. The Mean Green saw Jake Roberts head to Baylor, Var‘Keyes Gumms head to Arkansas and Asher Alberding head to California. The duo of Gumms and Roberts combined for sixty-two catches for 852 yards resulting in eight touchdowns. Alberding who was used mostly in the rushing game as an extra blocker. So how will North Texas look to replace the three transfer Tight Ends?

     

    Next Man Up

    Christian Lee came to North Texas as a highly regarded recruit from Friendswood, Texas. He was a Swiss army knife for Friendswood while he was playing there. He played QB prior to moving to Tight End. His versatility earned him a very impressive offer list that included Louisiana Tech, Texas State, Tulane, and Western Kentucky. He has made highlight plays and he brings a very impressive combo of size and speed. He is coming into his junior year at 6’3 220. But moves more like a wide receiver when running routes. The only thing I can think that has kept him buried on the depth chart might have been blocking ability. But with Morris going back to more of a traditional air raid set up Christian could become a threat in this offense this season. With a fresh start with a new coaching staff and wide-open depth chart Christian will have the ability to be the Day 1 starter against Cal. He is my choice to be on the top with the two deep comes out. I am hearing he has really impressed with his versatility so far.

     

    New Addition

    North Texas did not go to the Transfer Portal to replace departing Tight Ends. The only scholarship addition to the Tight End room was Junior College Tight End Josh Smith. Spent one season at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif. He was originally from Tampa, Florida. Watching his highlight film, he brings athleticism to the Tight End room. He is a little undersized at only 6’0 234. But like with Christian, Josh’s receiving ability gives him the possibility to be a threat in this new air raid offense.

     

    Other Options

    North Texas has two other options we could see break into the two deep at the Tight End position this year. They are Sophomore Xzavior Kautai and walk on West Wilson. Xzavior has been on campus for two years now. He played in twelve games this past season, including the CUSA Championship and Frisco Bowl game. West comes to North Texas after a successful career at Lovejoy. West played TE as well as Defensive End while in high school.

     

    Overall Thoughts on This Position Group

    There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to this group. There is no way around it. The group has combined for two catches at the FBS level. Tight End Coach Gilbert is known as a THSFB stud and an ACE recruiter. But he does not have much experience to work with in year one at North Texas. We have seen them hit the Tight End position hard in recruiting in terms of putting the 2024 class together. North Texas currently has 4 Tight End commitments in the 2024 class.

     

    In 2017 Eric Morris last year as Texas Tech Offensive Coordinator the roster did not even have a Tight End listed on the roster. But the offense has a guy that reminds me of Christian Lee. Dylan Cantrell was the second leading receiver on the team. Dylan was listed at 6’3 220 as well. During Dylan time with Eric Morris, he caught over 1800 receiving yards and eighteen touchdowns. If North Texas can get a smidge of that success the Mean Green will be in great shape.

     

    • Upvote 3
    • Lovely Take 1
    • Thanks 1

  9. North Texas Adds 6 Games for Future

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, UNTcrazy727 said:

    Do you think 0 winning seasons and a 21-28 record since 2019 was a big selling point for us? We got into the American because of our location and commitment to facilities. Not because of anything we've done on the field. Nothing wrong with admitting that. 

    3 bowls and Conference Title game appearance since 2019. 

    • Upvote 1

  11. North Texas Adds 6 Games for Future

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    Just now, GMG_Dallas said:

    They also play in a much better conference so SOS is not an issue and are viewed as an elite program. We need strong OOC games as opportunities to prove ourselves. We are not the same and our obstacles are not the same. 

    This is a terrible comparison.

    This is not college basketball. This is football. The chance SOS comes in to play in minimal. The goal should be to win conference and win a bowl. The comparison is making a point that all 100+ FBS teams schedule a FCS or lower lever FBS team every year. 

    • Upvote 3

  12. North Texas Adds 6 Games for Future

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    1 minute ago, Green Otaku said:

    We both know our football record was not what got us into the AAC. We got in in-spite of it. 

    Agree to disagree. I am not saying it is the only reason. But if Seth never made a bowl in his tenure and never had a winning record I think there is a chence we would still be in CUSA. 

    • Upvote 3
    • Eye Roll 1

  16. North Texas Adds 6 Games for Future

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    There is more to scheduling these games than just picking and choosing opponents. Schedules must match up. The thought of having the 4 toughest opponents you can get in non-conference play is idiotic. Yes, big name opponents to come to the DAT is awesome. But making a bowl is more important in my opinion than trying to build a non-conference gauntlet. 5 P5 opponents scheduled to come here in the next decade is much better than we did the first Decade of Apogee. Another P5 home game will be announced in the next few weeks. 

    • Upvote 4
    • Popular Post
    • Popular Post

    Mean Green Live Concert Series Added for 2023

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    DENTON, Texas – UNT Athletics will host Mean Green Live this fall, a series of six free pregame concerts in The Hill tailgate area surrounding DATCU Stadium, Vice President and Director of Athletics Jared Mosley announced Friday.

     

    “We are excited to announce Mean Green Live as another enhancement to our gameday and tailgate experience for all Mean Green fans,” Mosley said. “As we continue to focus on improving the gameday fan experience, we saw this as an opportunity to partner with bands and musicians from right here in our backyard and across the country to bring more energy to pregame. We look forward to this fall and will have more additions and improvements to announce soon.”

     

    Beginning three hours before kickoff, the concerts will be held on stage at The Hill on the east side of the stadium.

     

    Various food and drink will also be available including Rudy’s BBQ, Kona Ice, Western Son Vodka and Revolver Brewing plus a concession stand open outside Gate 4.

     

    Mean Green Live will begin with Jukebox Heroes prior to the season opener with Cal on September 2. A full listing of artists is available below. October 14’s Coca-Cola Showcase artist will be announced later. The artists selected this season come from a wide variety of genres.

     

    UNT Football season tickets for the 2023 season are available through the North Texas Athletics Ticket Office now. Season tickets can be purchased anytime online or by phone at (940) 565-2527 during normal business hours and are available for as low as $80 per ticket. Payment plans are still available when purchasing season tickets. Mean Green football season ticket holders receive several exclusive benefits including access to the best seats at home, exclusive pre-sales for home, away, and postseason events, an exclusive season ticket holder gift, and more!

     

    Can't make all the home games this year? Mini-plans and single-game tickets are available for purchase by clicking here. Don't miss out on the exciting new matchups in the first year of the American Athletic Conference including visits by Temple, Memphis, UTSA and UAB.

     

    Fans are encouraged to arrive to DATCU Stadium at least 45 minutes prior to kickoff.  Arrival to parking lots inside of 45 minutes could result in a delayed entry into the stadium.

     

    MEAN GREEN LIVE! SCHEDULE

    Date                 Opponent        Artist

    Sept. 2              Cal                   Jukebox Heroes

    Sept. 30            ACU                 All the Way Live

    Oct. 14             Temple             Coca-Cola Showcase Artist

    Oct. 28             Memphis           VAVO Music

    Nov. 4              UTSA               Extended Play

    Nov. 25             UAB                 TBD

    • Upvote 10
    • Thanks 2
    • Popular Post
    • Popular Post

    GOMEANGREEN Postional Breakdown: Wide Receivers

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted · Edited by TheReal_jayD

     

    Wide Reciever.png

     

    Part 2 of the 3-part Offensive Skill Position Preview – Wide Receiver

    North Texas’s Wide Receiver room has made giant leaps in the last decade. I know a lot of it has to do with the style of play. But it cannot all be about the X's and O's. I think that Jimmy and Joe's of this group have taken huge steps since the arrival of Seth Littrell. Let us go back in history and look at the 2012 North Texas football team just to see how big of an improvement the wide receiver room has made in the last 10 years.

    In 2012 North Texas had three receivers get 300 yards more receiving for the season. The receivers were Ivan Delgado, Brelan Chancellor, and Darnell Smith. Brelan will go down as one of the greatest to ever wear the Green. But in comparison this last year North Texas team had seven players hit the 300-yard mark. They will be returning four of the seven. The returning wide receivers that hit the 300 yard mark are Roderic Burns, Ja’mori Maclin, Damon Ward and Jordan Smart. Returning over 50% of your top producers is impressive by itself. They only lost one wide receiver from the top seven pass catchers.

    Yet there was a key defection.  Jyaire Shorter transferred to Auburn this off-season. He could take the top of a defense and was one of the best deep threats in the country. Health was the only thing that could stop Shorter while he was at UNT. I wish Jyaire the best as he moves on. But the fact that they went out and made some big-time additions from the P5 ranks and getting one of their most impressive recruits back from an injury. This group has the potential to be one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the country at any level. Let us get into it.

     

    TOP GUYS

    The trio of Rod Burns, Ja’mori Maclin and Damon Ward have proven they can produce for North Texas. The three of them combined for 1,434 receiving yards and six touchdowns on eighty-two catches. They each have taken different paths to get here. But these will be the three that are relied on the most this fall when it comes to moving the chains.

    Rod has turned into one of the best stories in the last few years with North Texas football. He went from walk-on to leading receiver and a trophy case full of accolades along the way. He got his first real game time in 2020 when he played nine games while catching twelve balls. 2021 was the rod burns coming out party. Rod started the season with back-to-back 100-yard performances.  He finished the season with fifty-eight receptions for eight hundred yards. He earned a scholarship in September of that year. In twenty-two his production dropped a smidge on forty catches for 676 yards. But he led the team in both categories. Rod is not the fastest or the most twitch. But he is super consistent and understands the soft spots in the defense. If an accurate QB like Chandler Rogers wins the job, I believe we could see Rod’s best year yet.

    Maclin was a transfer from SEC Missouri last season. He was the highest profile WR recruit UNT had landed since Jaylen Guyton. Ja’mori did not disappoint in his first season in Denton. He started the first game of the season, had two catches in his debut and he did not look back. He would finish the season with sixteen catches for 380 yards. If you are trying to do the math at home to figure what the yards per catch was. That is 23.8 yards a catch. That was enough for second in the nation for YPC. Former teammate and Auburn Tiger Jyaire Shorter was first on the list. Maclin will be a burner that can take it to the house any time he catches the ball. Maclin is my pick for this group to have the best chance to make all conference.

    Damon Ward is the silent assassin. He is the most underrated wide receiver in the room. He is not talked about near enough for the production he has had the last two seasons. He came to North Texas with HS teammate and former UNT WR Deonte Simpson. I feel like Simpson overshadowed Ward early on. Simpson had a huge game during the State Championship. Then he got to campus and played day one. Ward redshirted in 2019 then was injured in 2020. Simpson left the football program after 2020. In 2021 Ward finally made the wait worth it and got on the field. He has done an amazing job of staying on the field due to his productivity. He is consistent and solid. Ward has played in twenty-six games in the last two years catching forty-seven passes for 689 yards. Just like with Burns, I think Ward will flourish with an accurate receiver. He comes off as a super smart player that just finds ways to get open.

     

    BIG 12 TRANSFERS

    The transfer portal giveth and taketh away. North Texas fell victim to the portal when they lost Jyaire Shorter to Auburn this offseason. But they were able to replace him with two Big 12 transfers. The first was Trey Cleveland from Texas Tech. The tallest wide receiver on the roster. He is listed at 6’1 191. Cleveland will be used as a red zone target. He racked up forty-one catches for 566 yards during his three seasons for Tech. He showed flashes at Tech. Like this one-handed catch against Kansas State. Cleveland should/could step in right away and have a huge year for North Texas.

    The next Big 12 addition is Blair Conwright from TCU. Blair looked poised to be a star in the making after his first and Sophomore years at TCU. He caught thirty-one passes for 467 yards and 3 TDs. But Conwright, like many others in the college football world, became a victim of a coaching change. New Coach Sonny Dykes and OC Garrett Riley came in last season and led TCU on miracle run to National Championship. Blair could not work his way into rotation with the unfamiliar staff. He showed flashes multiple times at TCU that he has playmaker ability. A change of scenery may be just what he needs to really take off.

    LAST YEARS TRANSFERS

    Last year North Texas added two WR via the portal the same as this year. But instead of the Big 12 Seth and Co. went and dipped into the Lone Star Conference and the WAC. Even though Jordan Smart (UT Permian Basin) and Kaylon Horton (Tarleton State) may have not came for the “Power 5” ranks they both has huge and immediate impact on the team.

    Smart worked his way into the top seven receiving ranking in year one in Denton. He caught twenty-one passes for 331 yards for a score. He had his breakout game against new American Conference mate Memphis. Catching five for eighty-two yards. He capped off a great first campaign with a three reception and ninety-four yards performance in the Frisco Bowl against Boise State. Smart is trending up; I can see him working his way into the starting line up this season.

    The second impactful transfer last season was Kaylon Horton from Tarleton State. When describing Horton’s style, it can really be described in one word: SPEED. Game changing speed at that. Kaylon has that rare game changing speed and ability that he can take it to the house at any second and from any position. He is just the type of player you want to get the ball in their hand any way possible and let them go to work. He had 4 TDs last year. One by receiving, two by rushing and one by kick return. I believe Morris and co will continue to use Horton all over the field. Coach Morris has had remarkable success with getting playmakers in space and letting them work. Horton is one of my guys to watch this year.

    BOUNCEBACK PLAYER

    Detraveon Brown the one-time Ole Miss commit looked poised to have a breakout season after his debut season in 2021. But a knee injury derailed and delayed his encore performance. In 2021 he had eight catches for 170 yards. He will look to grow and improve on those numbers. I do not have any info on how rehab is going for Detraveon. But if healthy he has shown flashes of the ability that explains why he had multiple P5 offers out of high school.

    OVERALL THOUGHTS ON THE GROUP

    This group’s strength is power in numbers. New OC and WR Coach Jordan Davis is going to spread it out and put these guys in a position to get into one-on-one battles. I still believe this team will put a ton of emphasis on the run game. Even with a former WR calling plays. This group has eight guys that have played a bunch of snaps at the FBS level. It will give Coach Davis the ability to rotate guys in and out. Former Houston Cougar and NFL WR Demarcus Ayers is also assisting with this group. He is a very underrated staffer. He has already paid dividends in the recruiting game. Between the playing experience and the leadership of Davis and Ayers I believe we could look back in December and say this is/was the best position group on the team.

    • Upvote 10
    • Thanks 4

  21. GOMEANGREEN Exclusive Interview With Bleed Green GM David Anderson

    in Mean Green Football

    Posted

    JD and Harry are joined by Bleed Green General Manager and big time North Texas Basketball supporter David Anderson prior to the TBT Final Four game. We discuss the difference between this years team and last. What the exposure means for the North Texas Basketball program. We also preview the TBT Final Four game vs. Friday Beers

     

    TBT TBN.png

     

    LINK!!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3kESSjRbE

     

    • Upvote 2
    • Thanks 2

WE BELIEVE IN THE MEAN GREEN!

News

Recruiting

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Please review our full Privacy Policy before using our site.