DRC - UNT Inks 18

MeanGreen61 · February 2, 2006

Football: UNT football inks 18 in 2006 recruiting class

08:46 AM CST on Thursday, February 2, 2006

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

In each of the last four years, North Texas coach Darrell Dickey had a conference title to sell when he and his staff set out to build their recruiting class.

The Mean Green didn’t have that advantage this season. According to Dickey, that didn’t hinder UNT, which announced that it had signed 18 players to letters of intent on Wednesday — National Signing Day.

UNT’s class features eight high school defensive linemen and four junior college transfers who are expected to make an immediate impact.

“We went after the same people we went after the past couple of years,” Dickey said. “We didn’t try to go after a class that was based on the fact that we were 2-9. We went after a class that we thought we help us get right back in there and compete. We feel like we may have signed one of our better classes.”

Dickey’s evaluation of the class was based in part on the potential of Woody Wilson. The former Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College standout was recruited by several schools as a defensive back, but is expected to jump into the competition for the starting quarterback job at UNT.

Redshirt freshman Daniel Meager and freshman Matt Phillips split time last season, when the Mean Green ranked last in the Sun Belt Conference in passing offense with an average of 129.3 yards a game.

“Our priority was to recruit an older quarterback,” Dickey said. “Our two quarterbacks are still sophomores and are young. They made tremendous improvement and still have a chance to be good, but we need more experience and competition.”

Wilson threw for 910 yards in just seven games last season at Coffeyville before breaking his collarbone, an injury that will not keep him from competing in spring practice. The addition of Wilson could change the Mean Green’s offensive approach next season.

“We have looked at adding a little bit of the zone read to our offense and the shotgun passing game,” Dickey said. “That is what he excels at. It’s what’s happening in college football that is giving people problems defensively.”

UNT also signed offensive lineman Trent Stanley and defensive back Roy Loren from Coffeyville in addition to tight end Brian Carlson of Kilgore College. Stanley was a second-team NJCAA All-American, while Loren could also make an impact early.

Loren was the only one of the Mean Green’s junior college recruits who didn’t transfer to UNT at the semester break. He is expected to arrive this summer.

While UNT addressed some of its needs in the junior college ranks, it came up short in a few areas and will continue to pursue players in the next few weeks. Dickey said that UNT still has five scholarships available.

The Mean Green are still in the market for junior college defensive linemen and running backs after missing out on signing day.

“If a junior college defensive lineman comes in, qualifies and slips through the cracks in May, we will definitely pursue him,” Dickey said.

While UNT is still looking for experienced players, the Mean Green’s coaches were pleased with the high school defensive linemen they signed.

“We think some of those guys could make an impact early,” Dickey said. “They already have the size necessary, it’s just if they can handle the physical part and adjust to our system.”

UNT didn’t have as much luck landing the high school skill position players at the top of its recruiting list. Kimball running back Phillip Tanner (Middle Tennessee) and quarterback Carson Coffman (Kansas State) both committed to other schools. Fullback Avery Curry backed out of an oral commitment to UNT to sign with McNeese State and stay closer to home.

The loss of Tanner left UNT, a running-based team, without a running back in its class.

Dickey addressed his health in addition to UNT’s recruiting class on Wednesday. The Mean Green’s coach was admitted to the hospital on Sunday and was released on Tuesday.

“I got a little light-headed and my chest started hurting,” Dickey said. “That is something you don’t mess around with. Over the three-day period, they ruled out most of the major things. My heart is in great condition. … There are still a few tests I have to take, but I have been cleared to come back to work.”

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com

Got5onIt · February 2, 2006

Dickey’s evaluation of the class was based in part on the potential of Woody Wilson. The former Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College standout was recruited by several schools as a defensive back, but is expected to jump into the competition for the starting quarterback job at UNT.
“We have looked at adding a little bit of the zone read to our offense and the shotgun passing game,” Dickey said. “That is what he excels at. It’s what’s happening in college football that is giving people problems defensively.”
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Shotgun Passing Game????

Does Dickey read GMG.com?

Edited February 2, 2006 by Got5onIt