UNT lands UAB safety transfer Jakii Moore

FirefightnRick · December 23, 2014

I think it is probably a by-product of weaker classes his first two years.

It had to be hard to recruit coming off the Dodge teams and even after 5 wins his first season.
I think last year's class was solid, but I see lots of schools filling in the gaps where they missed with JUCO kids.

JUCO kids don't bother me, as long as they can actually play.

The Dodge teams that put 4 players in the NFL?

Seems to me the ability to point out to recruits that if you play for North Texas and produce, you might too have the opportunity to play at the next level would be a selling point?

Rick

BillySee58 · December 23, 2014

Ole Miss signed at least 4 JUCO players, and they had a pretty good year.

If one of the best in the SEC can do it, why not us?
Why not North Texas?

They've also been recruiting high school players very well under Hugh Freeze. Including the number 1 player in the country in 2013 in Robert Nkemdiche. We haven't been, save for 2014.

BillySee58 · December 23, 2014

He's referring to TOP DT recruits. There's hundreds of available 2 star/non-rated 264 LB DT's out there. We need a future game changer.
Rick

Wegmann is one of only two of our high school commits with more than 2 FBS offers. Creighton Barr had 6 and Wegmann has 4. The rest either have 2 FBS offers or we're their only FBS offer.

greenit · December 23, 2014

So now we are dumping on our recruits in addition to the program in public forums?

Cool.

FYI, he is so terrible that he holds offers from Air Force (bowl team), Colorado State (bowl team), Texas State (bowl eligible), yet he is committed to us.

FirefightnRick · December 23, 2014

Wegmann is one of only two of our high school commits with more than 2 FBS offers. Creighton Barr had 6 and Wegmann has 4. The rest either have 2 FBS offers or we're their only FBS offer.

Ok, so?

Rick

wardly · December 23, 2014

Where did the UAB QB go?

FirefightnRick · December 23, 2014

So now we are dumping on our recruits in addition to the program in public forums?
Cool.
FYI, he is so terrible that he holds offers from Air Force (bowl team), Colorado State (bowl team), Texas State (bowl eligible), yet he is committed to us.

Who said they were "terrible" or are "Dumping" on them?

He simply expects Mac to live up to his Hype, nothing more, nothing less.

One would expect the Legendary National Championship D Line coach of the SEC to pull in a solid heavy hitter once every 5 years or so? It hasn't happened yet. In fact, recruit wise it's going in reverse.

Rick

greenit · December 23, 2014

No need to change the subject. We were talking about our current DT recruit.

I am going to go spend a few minutes looking at our DT recruits since Mac took over. I am sure the two of you are right and we haven't signed any, or certainly very few DTs since Mac has been here, but I will double check just to be safe.

greenit · December 23, 2014

Where did the UAB QB go?

Several of the offensive players, including two UAB QBs followed their OC to South Alabama.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/12/former_uab_wide_receiver_choos.html

emmitt01 · December 23, 2014

Several of the offensive players, including two UAB QBs followed their OC to South Alabama.http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/12/former_uab_wide_receiver_choos.html

So South In Your Mouth was a bowl team and just got a D1 starter from a different bowl eligible team? Geez, sometimes I wish we were a start up program.

greenit · December 23, 2014

Ok, it took a few minutes, but here goes:

DTs that have signed with North Texas Since the arrival of McCarney.

2011

Alexander Lincoln (starter, graduating)

Micah Thompson (converted to OL, #2 on depth chart)

Terell Brooks (left program, now at Baylor)

2012

Malik Dilonga (#2 on depth chart)

Sir Calvin Wallace (starter)

Dylan McDorman (injuries, gave up football)

2013

Syd Moore (#2 on depth chart)

2014

TJ Tauaalo (redshirt)

** Johnavan Graham (would have signed, but did not qualify)

** Shaquel Jackson (would have signed, but did not qualify)

2015

RD Wegman (committed, not signed)

Sampson Saluone (offered)

Sami Awad (offered)

The things that have killed us is 1) having a strong player decide he didn't want to play here, 2)a player give up football due to injuries, and 3) 2 non qualifiers. We have signed 8 DTs over prior 4 years. Were were on a couple of more right up until the end before a P5 swooped in at the last minute.

If you are going to say that we should be beating out P5's and Big 12 for DTs, I certainly like your optimism.

greenit · December 23, 2014

So South In Your Mouth was a bowl team and just got a D1 starter from a different bowl eligible team? Geez, sometimes I wish we were a start up program.

I have often wondered if it would be worthwhile to evaluate changing our name completely, to start anew. Maybe if we ever merged/bought TWU we could change the name to appease everyone and rebrand the university/sports teams/etc...

No doubt it would be jarring.

GOMG2013 · December 23, 2014

So South In Your Mouth was a bowl team and just got a D1 starter from a different bowl eligible team? Geez, sometimes I wish we were a start up program.

They went to S. Alabama because their OC went there. And we dont need a new OC...

UNT90 · December 23, 2014

I don't think we were in danger of winning 10 games last season, but I definitely think we could have won 6 or 7 games with a better QB situation. The defense was good enough to win 6/7, but the QB play was very bad.
Between the new QBs added, and maturity of the existing crew, I am confident that we will at least take a small step forward at QB next season.
I think the attrition from the 2011 and 2012 classes required that we add Juco/Xfers in order to provide competition at certain positions. For example, we really only have McClain and Shilleci returning at safety. They may be the guys, but adding some experience Jucos will ensure that we at least have some competition at both positions next spring/fall.
@UNT90
Here is a HS DT that has been committed to the Mean Green for a while:
http://247sports.com/Player/RD-Wegmann-76049

Forgot about Wegmann. Even though he is undersized, I'm glad we have him.

So revise that to just no JUCO DTs.

Which we really need, by the way. I don't think we have signed an impact, 300lb JUCO DT since Shavod Atkinson?

Oh ya, Dodge signed him...

Oh, and he was playing for the Omaha Beef in the IFL as recently as 2012 and had listed his weight as a slimmed down 285.

Edited December 23, 2014 by UNT90

UNT90 · December 23, 2014

Ok, it took a few minutes, but here goes:
DTs that have signed with North Texas Since the arrival of McCarney.
2011
Alexander Lincoln (starter, graduating)
Micah Thompson (converted to OL, #2 on depth chart)
Terell Brooks (left program, now at Baylor)
2012
Malik Dilonga (#2 on depth chart)
Sir Calvin Wallace (starter)
Dylan McDorman (injuries, gave up football)
2013
Syd Moore (#2 on depth chart)
2014
TJ Tauaalo (redshirt)
** Johnavan Graham (would have signed, but did not qualify)
** Shaquel Jackson (would have signed, but did not qualify)
2015
RD Wegman (committed, not signed)
Sampson Saluone (offered)
Sami Awad (offered)
The things that have killed us is 1) having a strong player decide he didn't want to play here, 2)a player give up football due to injuries, and 3) 2 non qualifiers. We have signed 8 DTs over prior 4 years. Were were on a couple of more right up until the end before a P5 swooped in at the last minute.
If you are going to say that we should be beating out P5's and Big 12 for DTs, I certainly like your optimism.

Now, go compare those players and their size to whom other teams in CUSA have signed. Hell, compare them with ULLs signees at this position.

Don't get me wrong, I like some of these undersized signees, especially Syd Moore, who I think will turn into one hell of a player. We need a big chunk of beef to anchor the middle. Abbe's role in last year's defensive success can't be overstated and, outside of Zach Orr, was probably the player that was most missed on defense this season.

It's just disappointing that a guy who coached DL for a National Championship team (as he is so fond of reminding us) has seen a backslide, or at best remaining at status quo in recruiting at this position.

greenit · December 23, 2014

Yep, not sure about Mac's stance on large DTs. Seems like he prefers 270-300lb range. Maybe he is looking for more speed, but I am on the same page with having at least one big dude that can at least clog the middle. Cantlay/Abbe type to play the nose and then run a steady stream of smallish/quick guys at the 3tech.

The only thing I will say is that Jimmy Johnson with the Cowboys went the route of having a rotation of undersized, fast DTs when he was here during his early years, and he had tremendous success with that approach.

I am still not opposed to signing a 6-4 330-350lb DT, even if the answer to his 40 time is 'Yes'. I was also disappointed we did not sign a JUCO DT. Maybe the staff does not feel it is a need? Good grief, we have McCarney AND Patrick on this staff. They must not be too concerned if they did not sign at least one JUCO DT.

The total defense was top 50 again this last year, and rushing defense was #63, so it was very serviceable. Our offense put the defense in many holes last season, which drove up the points per game numbers.

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/22/p1

BillySee58 · December 23, 2014

Ok, so?
Rick

So Wegmann may be our second best commit. He's not the problem. If he's not going to be a difference maker, you could argue that the other players in our class won't be either, then. Our problem is our recruiting woes, which go way beyond defensive tackle.

untbowler · December 23, 2014

They went to S. Alabama because their OC went there. And we dont need a new OC...

if you listened to all the talking heads during the season, we actually do need a new OC, but DMac is happy, so F'what the fans think we need.

Eagle1855 · December 23, 2014

It's just disappointing that a guy who coached DL for a National Championship team (as he is so fond of reminding us) has seen a backslide, or at best remaining at status quo in recruiting at this position.

Isn't it possible people are over-selling his role in that and undervaluing that of Charlie Strong? Yeah, he coached them. But how many of those players on the national championship team did he recruit?

UNT90 · December 23, 2014

Isn't it possible people are over-selling his role in that and undervaluing that of Charlie Strong? Yeah, he coached them. But how many of those players on the national championship team did he recruit?

Uh... WE aren't overselling anything.

Just sayin...

MeanGreenZen · December 23, 2014

What is crazy to me is that Mac and his "big ass ring" he got coaching the defensive line at Florida with all their 1st round picks and national championships has not recruited defensive tackles anywhere near the level of an ex-SMU offensive coordinator (Dickey: Brandon Kennedy, Michael Pruitt, Evan Cardwell) or a high school head coach known for explosive offense (Dodge: Shavod Atkinson, Ryan Boutwell, Richard Abbe). This is Mac's fifth year and he hasn't landed a DT close to the caliber of those six players I just listed. Inexplicable.

FirefightnRick · December 23, 2014

So Wegmann may be our second best commit.

Wegmann isn't going to sniff Defensive Tackle unless he adds a lot of weight, and Wintrich has already told us he/Mac prefer light players over heavy ones. If it's the belief that Sid Moore can never play Nose Tackle cause of his smaller size, as some here have posted, then Wagmann certainly won't play DT. If he ever does, it won't be for several years, and that's not what we need. We need help now. Not projects.

Rick

FirefightnRick · December 23, 2014

What is crazy to me is that Mac and his "big ass ring" he got coaching the defensive line at Florida with all their 1st round picks and national championships has not recruited defensive tackles anywhere near the level of an ex-SMU offensive coordinator (Dickey: Brandon Kennedy, Michael Pruitt, Evan Cardwell) or a high school head coach known for explosive offense (Dodge: Shavod Atkinson, Ryan Boutwell, Richard Abbe). This is Mac's fifth year and he hasn't landed a DT close to the caliber of those six players I just listed. Inexplicable.

Exactly right! And don't forget Adrian Awasome, who played defensive end, but played defensive end and ended up on an NFL roster.

Kenny Evans and his whole group of recruiters worked their ass off for sure.

Rick

Edited December 23, 2014 by FirefightnRick

BillySee58 · December 23, 2014

Wegmann isn't going to sniff Defensive Tackle unless he adds a lot of weight, and Wintrich has already told us he/Mac prefer light players over heavy ones. If it's the belief that Sid Moore can never play Nose Tackle cause of his smaller size, as some here have posted, then Wagmann certainly won't play DT. If he ever does, it won't be for several years, and that's not what we need. We need help now. Not projects.
Rick

Wegmann is already 264 as a 17-year old, before ever hitting a college weight program. He's bigger than Syd Moore, who is a 3-tech, which is the same position Wegmann will play. He'll be plenty big enough to play 3-tech, but yes, you're right, he won't be an immediate impact guy. We aren't near good enough at recruiting to get those guys at DT.

Again, Wegmann is not the problem. It's the recruiting classes before him (save for 2014), and the one around him. I agree we need immediate help, but any JUCO DT who would be an upgrade over guys like Dutton Watson, Sir Calvin Wallace, Austin Orr, and Syd Moore would have an offer list that we couldn't compete against. Same with bringing in a true freshman capable of being better than those guys right away.

FirefightnRick · December 23, 2014

Wegmann is already 264 as a 17-year old, before ever hitting a college weight program. He's bigger than Syd Moore, who is a 3-tech, which is the same position Wegmann will play. He'll be plenty big enough to play 3-tech, but yes, you're right, he won't be an immediate impact guy. We aren't near good enough at recruiting to get those guys at DT.
Again, Wegmann is not the problem. It's the recruiting classes before him (save for 2014), and the one around him. I agree we need immediate help, but any JUCO DT who would be an upgrade over guys like Dutton Watson, Sir Calvin Wallace, Austin Orr, and Syd Moore would have an offer list that we couldn't compete against. Same with bringing in a true freshman capable of being better than those guys right away.

.

Like an offer list from the likes of ......

Ark State....http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/206962/waylon-roberson

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/204098/jake-swalley

UTSA....http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/207135/jonathan-tuiolosega

ULL....http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/200550/dequin-andrews

South Alabama.....http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/202045/roy-albritton

FIU.....http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/195678/richerd-desir-jones

Georgia State......http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/203801/julien-laurent

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/207105/dequeszman-kelley

Coloroado St...a kid from Martin HS...http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/194305/oshea-jackson

Memphis.....http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/203470/mike-edwards