2008 Recruiting Update

[gangrene]

I just wanted to post a quick update on recruiting since current Juniors are giving the verbals by the droves.

According to DCTF, TAMU leads the 2008 football recruiting class with 19 verbals from Texas athletes. Texas is second with 15, followed by OSU (5), OU (3), Baylor (2) and Texas Tech and UTEP, each with one commitment.

Eight of the DMN 2008 Area Top 50 have already verbally committed:

2008 Top 50 High School Football Recruits

North Texas

Compiled with assistance from high school and college coaches.

1. R. J. Washington, Keller Fossil Ridge DE - COMMITTED to OU

2. Dan Buckner, Allen, WR - COMMITTED to UT

3. Jermie Calhoun, Van, RB

4. Jeffrey Fuller, McKinney Boyd, WR

5. Ben Habern, Argyle Liberty, OL

6. Tre Newton, Southlake Carroll, RB - COMMITTED to UT

7. Spencer Reeves, Skyline, LB

8. DeAundre Brown, Arlington Seguin, WR

9. Troy Franklin, Celina, OT

10. Alfred Dupree, Skyline, DE

11. Tony Jerod, DeSoto, DE - COMMITTED to TAMU

12. Chancey Aghayere, Garland, DE

13. Cyrus Gray, DeSoto, RB

14. Devin Smith, Coppell, DB

15. Lanear Sampson, North Mesquite, WR

16. Kapron Lewis Moore, Weatherford, DE

17. Chris Gipson, Kimball, LB

18. Daymond Patterson, North Mesquite, WR

19. Tommy Dorman, Birdville, QB - COMMITTED to TAMU

20. Jarvis Humphrey, Cedar Hill, DL

21. DeMarius Washington, Irving, WR

22. Nick Florence, South Garland, QB

23. Kelly Page Mesquite, QB

24. Hector Negrete, Arlington Seguin, DL

25. Stephen Payne, Allen, QB

26. Obie Neakuko, Mesquite Horn, WR

27. Troy Stoudermire, Seagoville, ATH

28. Chase "Yogi" Gallegos, Irving, QB/ATH

29. Josh Johnson, Richardson Berkner, RB/DB

30. Riley Dodge, Southlake Carroll, QB/WR - COMMITTED to UT

31. Caleb Russell, Midlothian, TE

32. Landon Hartwick, Forney, LB

33. Kendall Thomas, West Mesquite, ATH

34. Keanon Cooper, Skyline, S

35. Jimmy Nelson, FM Marcus, QB

36. Corrigan Powell, Garland Lakeview, DB

37. Adrian Richards, Mesquite, WR

38. Emmanuel Acho, St. Mark’s, LB

39. Joseph Ibiloye, South Garland, DB/LB

40. De’Anton Lynn, Celina, DB

41. Travis Malone, Plano East, DL

42. Kelle Gelle, Grapevine, RB/LB

43. Jeffrey Hyde, Colleyville Covenant OL - COMMITTED to TAMU

44. Riko Smalls, Plano East, ATH

45. Antonie Hicks, Mansfield Timberview, WR - COMMITTED to UT

46. Ethan Davis, Grapevine, LB

47. Braden Smith, Rockwall, QB/DB

48. Kevin Spikes, Samuell, DB

49. Vincent McNeal, Roosevelt, DB/WR

50. Jarret Ben, Garland, DB

Here are a few more players of key schools (aka pipelines) with TD "connections" or team mates of '07 UNT class, whom have already committed:

Luke Poehlmann 6-6, 290 N/A OL Brenham - COMMITTED to UT

Ryan Roberson 6-0, 210 N/A RB/LB Brenham - COMMITTED to UT

Kyle Mangan 6-2, 225 N/A LB Brenham - COMMITTED to UT

Dravannti Johnson 6-2, 205 4.8 LB Nederland - COMMITTED to UT

Josh Ayers 6-5, 260 5.0 TE/OL Euless Trinity - COMMITTED to TAMU

Justin Tucker 6-1, 172 4.65 K Austin Westlake - COMMITTED to UT

I know it's the new trend, but I can't believe how many kids are committing this early. Still, I don't think it's any reason to panic. We still have plenty of time to change the mind of any recruit we target, and that will be possible with a lot of success and excitement in the 2007 season. To put an even more positive spin on this, UT and TAMU may soon complete their '08 class, which will translate to less competition for those recruits who are still undecided.

[Cr1028]

Recruiting too early can bite you in the backside. Ask that QB from Austin Westlake.

[Greenblood94]

At the risk of sounding like a lawyer...

"Oral commitments are nonbinding. The first day a recruit in the Class of '08 can sign a national letter of intent is Feb. 6, 2008."

In other words, no one should count their chickens...at lot can and will happen between now and then.

[OldTimer]

Based on this years recruiting...TD will be able to recruit WR, QB, RB but I wonder and hope that he will be able to recruit the linemen and defensive players we will need. I know of approximately 6 players that have expressed an interest in NT so far for next year and they are all QB, RB, WR, Athlete. I know this years recruits were at these positions with just a few linemen. Obviously WR's were needed for his offense and he recruited a Center that knows the spread formation ball centering. Also, NT has an abundance of linemen returning which is why he didn't go heavy for linemen this year.

90 Juniors at Jr. Day this year indicates TD will continue to recruit well.

[Charlie NT 73]

I agree that early recruiting/commitments is becoming the rave of college

football, but, this practice is not always good for the student athlete and

the university. Many things can happen between now and next February's

signing day, such as injury,grades,pulling away offers, or change of mind.

I think junior days should only be for a visit to the school, with no offers

presented by the school.

I do like the way Coach Dodge is handling recruiting. To have over 90 kids

and their family come to NT for a visit is outstanding! Tie-in the QB/WR camps,

player evaluation camp, HS coaches camp, and all the friends and contacts

that Coach Dodge and his staff have, I am sure our recruiting efforts will

be rewarded far greater than we could ever expect!

Coach Dodge needed skill players this year, and he signed kids that are top

quality players. Next year, I would venture to say, OL/DL players will be key

targets. I am sure Coach Dodge and his staff have many kids on the NT

recriuting lists right now, and will add more this fall season. NT recruiting is

going to fun to watch with Coach Dodge!