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https://www.periscope.tv/w/aKzwFjYwNjcyMnw2OTk1MzM0MJaWvpgFFdM2AkcNgwAa4QpzsbeOSbGGuEGiLkEmHsPp Here's the takeaway - Jamal is shooting to be the first NFL drafted player out of UNT in a while. He thinks 2nd round. He's 6'3" 205-ish lbs and runs a 4.3 40. Said he has 18 PBU's in camp this season - the most of anyone. He's predicting a 9-4 season. When asked who he's most impressed with this camp he said: Darvin Kidsy looks like Dez Bryant with his ability to snag balls and that Darvin ran track in the spring and has improved his 40 time to 4.4-4.5. He believes we'll see a lot out of Darvin. He said Marcus Smith has improved his route running and really improved his catching saying that last year MS would throw up a hand for a ball and now he catches like a receiver. He closed with a statement about our RB corps: "Running backs? Ooo..we about to be cold with the running backs."

Simple math would seem to dictate an increased role for Marcus Smith in North Texas’ offense during his senior season this fall. After all, he ended up in the end zone on about half the times he touched the ball last season. The final tally was six touchdowns on 15 catches, an eye-popping statistic that puts Smith at the head of what is expected to be a deep and talented group of tight ends UNT is trying to put to greater use this fall. UNT has not only Smith, but also fellow senior Chris Loving and a couple of specialty players in Jarrod Lynn and Wylie Reinhardt returning from last season. And that doesn’t even take into account freshman Kevin Dillman and Kelvin Smith, a pair of players UNT hasn’t ruled out playing this season. UNT coach Dan McCarney called the group the strongest he has had during his tenure with the Mean Green that is entering its fifth season. UNT will open the the year with a game at SMU on Sept. 12. “I like them a lot,” McCarney said of the pairing of Smith and Loving. “They have the size and the athleticism you are looking for, are both smart guys and have good football sense. They are both practicing like veterans, even though Chris is not as much of a veteran as far as playing time as Marcus is. There will be a lot of times we will have more than one tight end on the field.” read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/sports-headlines/20150825-unt-notebook-smith-leads-group-of-impact-tight-ends.ece

Marcus Smith had just left a meeting with the rest of North Texas’ tight ends on a nondescript winter afternoon early this year when his phone buzzed to let him know a message was waiting. Smith’s phone was always ringing, often to let him know his father was trying to get in touch with him to offer encouragement as he battled his way back from a second reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The shock of hearing that those conversations were over after returning the message his grandmother left still resonates with Smith. Jerome Edward Smith died of a heart attack Feb. 27, just seven days short of turning 56. “My dad loved to talk to me and I loved to talk to him,” Smith said. “He would give me words of wisdom and encouragement. He told me nothing would be easy in life and was a major help when I was coming back from surgery. He was there with me the entire time.” Smith, a solidly built sophomore with broad shoulders above biceps covered in tattoos, wondered Monday if he would have made it all the way back from a second ACL reconstruction and enjoyed his finest moment with the Mean Green last week if it hadn’t been for his father. The former San Antonio Warren standout caught his first three passes of the season in a 34-7 win over Middle Tennessee on Saturday at Apogee Stadium. Smith finished with just one reception in three games a year ago, when his season was cut short by his second major knee injury. UNT is hoping Smith’s performance against the Blue Raiders is an indication that he is beginning to capitalize on his considerable potential while honoring his father in a season that will continue with a game Saturday at Louisiana Tech. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20131017-football-loss-of-dad-the-latest-test-smiths-passed.ece

I got a chance to watch the replay of the game I taped on DVR and a couple of things in regards to the tight end position caught my eye. Danny Prior - Seemed to get a lot of snaps not only at tight end but as a full-back h-back. He is a stout blocker and very athletic as a runner. I really liked seeing them give him the ball on the third down and short plays. He proved that he can get 2-3 yards running the ball when you need him to. Receiving still needs some work. Marcus Smith - tough game for Mr. Smith. His blocking needs work. He let a defensive end or tackle get past him on the off side of one play and the guy ended up assisting on a tackle. The good news is he knew it right away so hopefully he can fix it next time. He also missed a tough pass that DT put some mustard on and was high. I still felt it was a catchable ball. I think the problem with guys like Smith, who was a receiver in high school - he never had to block before much less 6-4, 300 pound guys so it takes some adjustment. He missed spring which also puts him behind. Drew Miller - Probably the best all around guy, he seems to have the best hands (2 receptions in the game) and is a good blocker. Still needs to improve on his catching abilities. Tanner Smith - Very solid technically sound blocker. I think he helps you in the running game. I think getting open in the passing game is his challenge right now. Cooper Jones - I never saw him play in the game. For those who want more action to the tight end I really think they tried in this game but weren't getting the execution (too many drops) and moved away. It was odd to see big Chris Loving on the sideline - guy looks like he is in great shape..something more to the story there...sure seems like he might could help us now especially against a team like Georgia. Right now it appears that Drew Miller is our best all around traditional tight end option and Daniel Prior as the full back h-back guy.

We now have 9 on the roster!! 96 Cade Carter TE 6-3 230 JR Lucas, TX Trinity Valley CC 87 Cooper Jones TE 6-4 243 SO Lone Oak, TX Lone Oak HS 14 Chris Loving TE 6-4 272 JR Klein, TX Blinn CC 98 Jarrod Lynn TE 6-0 233 SO Grapevine, TX Grapevine HS 86 Drew Miller TE 6-1 258 SR Prosper, TX Prosper HS 89 Daniel Prior TE 6-2 246 SR Henderson, TX Henderson HS 48 Wylie Reinhardt TE 6-4 275 FR Saginaw, TX Saginaw HS 18 Marcus Smith TE 6-4 255 SO San Antonio, TX Warren HS 88 Tanner Smith TE 6-3 250 JR Fort Worth, TX Nolan Catholic HS