Tx Prep Article Unt Haravesting North Texas Talent

OldTimer · June 2, 2007

UNT harvesting North Texas talent

David McNabb

TexasPrepXtra.com Staff

Talk about it in the Message Boards

The University of North Texas has added a third commitment from a North Texas high school player as first-year Mean Green coach Todd Dodge fulfills a promise to recruit the state for players to develop the program.

Vernon standout strong safety Darien Williams (5-11, 180) is the third North Texas player to make an oral commitment to UNT in the past two days.

Williams joins Celina offensive tackle Troy Franklin and Hillcrest receiver Willie Taylor. The first day recruits can sign national letters of intent is Feb. 7, 2008.

Williams had 135 tackles, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups last season.

"He's a ferocious hitter," Vernon coach Keith Hall said. "That's what the North Texas coaches really liked about him."

The three early commitments mark the commitment of Dodge to recruit some of the state's top athletes that don't necessarily fit into standard Division I molds _ the same formula programs like Boise State and Houston has used to reach recent bowl games.

Williams, with 4.5 speed in the 40, will also play quarterback for Vernon, which reached the Class 2A semifinals before losing to Celina last year.

Another North Texas commit, Celina lineman Troy Franklin (6-5 1/2, 278) can play offense or defense as well. Franklin was a second-team selection on the Associated Press Sports Editors' Class 3A all-state team as a defensive lineman as a junior.

Tulsa, Iowa State and Colorado State also offered Franklin scholarships.

Hillcrest's quarterback, Taylor (6-0, 165) was recruited as a slot receiver. Taylor had a scholarship offer from Tulsa, while Utah was also recruiting him.

"Willie will be a great player up there," Hillcrest coach Andy Todd told the Denton Record Chronicle. "Anyone who got him would be lucky. He is just a really solid, good football player."

Taylor threw for 1,634 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior while rushing for 739 yards and seven more touchdowns. He has been a first-team All-District 9-4A selection each of the last two seasons.

H-towngreen · June 2, 2007

It's great to see the schools that we are going against for recruits. No more SFA and Sam Houston, not even La. La., La. Monroe or Ark. St. The schools are Big 12, Pac-10, and CUSA schools. Just by looking at those schools you and tell that the talent level TD and DD are/were going after were totally different.