Jump to content

Mean Green Get Another Carroll Committment

MeanGreen61

By MeanGreen61
in Mean Green Football

 Share

Recommended Posts

MeanGreen61 Newbie

MeanGreen61

Posted
Posted

Football: Mean Green gets another Carroll commitment

08:57 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 11, 2007

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Southlake Carroll offensive lineman Nick Leppo made up his mind where he wanted to play college football months ago — right after North Texas hired Todd Dodge as its next head coach.

Leppo played under Dodge at Carroll and decided to follow his former coach to Denton. The Dragons’ center made his decision official recently when he orally committed to play for the Mean Green.

Oral commitments are non-binding. The first day recruits can sign national letters of intent is Feb. 6.

“North Texas is the most comfortable place for me to play,” Leppo said. “I know the coaching staff, a lot of the players and the system. That is where I wanted to play from the beginning.”

UNT was the only school to offer Leppo a scholarship, but Middle Tennessee and Louisiana-Monroe had shown interest. Leppo (6-3, 265) is projected as a center in college.

Leppo was a first-team All-District 5-5A selection last season and is one of several current and former Dragons who will play for the Mean Green in the next few years.

Defensive end Kyle Russo and linebacker Justin Padron, a pair of former Dragons, were members of the Mean Green’s 2007 recruiting class. Leppo joins quarterback Riley Dodge and linebacker Derek Tomlin to form a trio of Carroll seniors who will continue their careers with the Mean Green.

Riley Dodge is Todd Dodge’s son.

“I will definitely enjoy coming up there with Riley and Derek,” Leppo said. “We already have that bond as teammates.”

Leppo said he has put on weight since the summer, a process he will continue as he prepares to make the transition to the college game.

Leppo is the 11th member of the Class of 2008 to commit to play for UNT and the first who is projected as a center in college. UNT’s starting center, Kelvin Drake, is a sophomore.

Leppo expects the recruits Dodge has landed to help turn around a program that has struggled the last few years. UNT finished with a 5-18 mark in the two seasons before Dodge arrived in December and has lost its first two games under its new head coach.

“The players are going to have to get used to the system,” Leppo said. “The team will just keep getting better.”

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

NCMeanGreen Newbie

NCMeanGreen

Posted
Posted

Keep the Linemen coming!

That gives us these linemen in the '07 & '08 recruiting class thus far:

Eloy Atkinson 6'4" 280

Troy Franklin 6'5" 270

J.J. Johnson 6'2" 280

Jacob Kaiser 6'7" 290

Nic Leppo 6'3" 265

Matt Tomlinson 6'5" 270

Linemen are good. We really need some more beef, however. Some of these guys will really need to put on some weight.

Censored by Laurie Grand Master

Censored by Laurie

Posted
Posted

Keep the Linemen coming!

That gives us these linemen in the '07 & '08 recruiting class thus far:

Eloy Atkinson 6'4" 280

Troy Franklin 6'5" 270

J.J. Johnson 6'2" 280

Jacob Kaiser 6'7" 290

Nic Leppo 6'3" 265

Matt Tomlinson 6'5" 270

Mix in redshirt freshmen Esteban Santiago and Matthew Menard...and converted TE Victor Gill (if he can add 40-50 pounds) and thats the start of a pretty good 2-deep line.

UNT Mean Green Proficient

UNT Mean Green

Posted
Posted

This offense does not call for 300+ pound linemen. It calls for quick, agile, smart, technically sound offensive linemen to keep guys off the QB. I agree that some of these kids need to gain quality weight, however, they do not have to way over 300 lbs to be a good lineman in this particular system.

GreenN'walinsVet Collaborator

GreenN'walinsVet

Posted
Posted

This offense does not call for 300+ pound linemen. It calls for quick, agile, smart, technically sound offensive linemen to keep guys off the QB. I agree that some of these kids need to gain quality weight, however, they do not have to way over 300 lbs to be a good lineman in this particular system.

Exactly right, keep in mind that in the Dickey offense you need big road graders that could run over and wear down defense lineman, in this offense you need tall guys with long arms that can keep the D-lineman at bay and away from the quarterback, not to mention they need to be quick because they are basically standing up and letting the D-line and linebackers come to them, so they have to adjust quickly.

UNTLifer Grand Master

UNTLifer

Posted
Posted

Think back to when you were 18 or 19. Putting on weight that first year or so of college was no problem. These young men will continue to fill out and fit in nicely at NT.

adman Apprentice

adman

Posted
Posted

Keep the Linemen coming!

That gives us these linemen in the '07 & '08 recruiting class thus far:

Eloy Atkinson 6'4" 280

Troy Franklin 6'5" 270

J.J. Johnson 6'2" 280

Jacob Kaiser 6'7" 290

Nic Leppo 6'3" 265

Matt Tomlinson 6'5" 270

So if Leppo is projected as a center in college do you think Drake slides over and Leppo plays as a Freshman?

Censored by Laurie Grand Master

Censored by Laurie

Posted
Posted

So if Leppo is projected as a center in college do you think Drake slides over and Leppo plays as a Freshman?

That may be a bit quick...I think the true freshman starting lineman is extremely rare and used only in cases of extreme lack of depth.

Guest GrayEagleOne

Guest GrayEagleOne

Posted
Posted

He seems to be a good quality player and I'm glad that we have him. I do have one qualm in that there's an even higher rated center that is considering us and will this have any effect on his decision?

As to Leppo playing early, don't forget J.J. Jackson was pretty highly rated as well and he's gaining a lot of practice time as a redshirt this year. If he (or Leppo) reach the point to where they should be starting then I do think that Drake might move to guard as I believe that he is more versatile.

While we don't seem to need the really large linemen (could have been what happened to Foster and now I'm wondering about Banks) I think that you are going to have to have some depth if we are playing with 280 pounders. If you are giving away 20 pounds or more to the opponent that you are blocking, you are eventually going to get worn down.

UNTLifer Grand Master

UNTLifer

Posted
Posted

I would think that Drake, Johnson and now Leppo could play center or guard in this system. Just sign good quality lineman. I trust the Leftwich to develop them and find the right spot for them. Can't have too many lineman.

UNT Mean Green Proficient

UNT Mean Green

Posted
Posted

Can't have too many lineman.

AMEN! Imagine if we give Dodge, Meager, or Vizza the necessary time to throw week in and week out. We could average close to 500 yds a game. Not to mention the ability to open up running lanes and holes on 3rd and short! Dodgeball is exciting!

Guest ike

Guest ike

Posted
Posted

Keep the commits comin.... Heck. bring as many Southlake players as possible.... maybe they don't want to see their old Coach struggle, or its plain loyalty....

And if he can keep'em coming after the Okie trouncing, imagine who he might get with more wins...

PlummMeanGreen Grand Master

PlummMeanGreen

Posted
Posted (edited)

Not telling anyone what they already know, but one key factor which allowed Boise State to beat OU last bowl season was their overall team speed. And like any coach (at any level) will tell you: "You cannot coach speed."

I hope we are getting our fair share of speed merchants where we need them to be up in Mean Green Country and in the Mean Green Village.

GMG!

Edited by PlummMeanGreen
UNTFan23 Rising Star

UNTFan23

Posted
Posted

UNT is quickly becoming SLC to the next power. More SLC personnel are coming in the football program in strategic areas. RV would only let TD fire and remove only so many folks last December.

Didn't we start with an entirely new coaching staff? :blink:

Dodge2007 Newbie

Dodge2007

Posted
Posted (edited)

Didn't we start with an entirely new coaching staff? :blink:

The answer to your question is yes. You have to dig a little deeper on this one. Ask the SLC boys, they know who is coming.

Edited by Dodge2007
MeanGreen61 Newbie

MeanGreen61

Posted
  • Author
Posted

UNT is quickly becoming SLC to the next power. More SLC personnel are coming in the football program in strategic areas. RV would only let TD fire and remove only so many folks last December.

Dodge had carte blanche & replaced all coaches.

UNTFan23 Rising Star

UNTFan23

Posted
Posted

The answer to your question is yes. You have to dig a little deeper on this one. Ask the SLC boys, they know you is coming.

Who's left then? The water boy?

UNT_Kappa1911 Newbie

UNT_Kappa1911

Posted
Posted

Keep the Linemen coming!

That gives us these linemen in the '07 & '08 recruiting class thus far:

Eloy Atkinson 6'4" 280

Troy Franklin 6'5" 270

J.J. Johnson 6'2" 280

Jacob Kaiser 6'7" 290

Nic Leppo 6'3" 265

Matt Tomlinson 6'5" 270

Good lord 6'7 290, is that a brick wall or a person?

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Tell a friend

    Love GoMeanGreen.com? Tell a friend!

  • What's going on Mean Green?

    1. 185

      Around the League / UNT Opponents

      FAU is this year's Memphis...NBA talent, but a lot of selfish play and suss coaching. they're still not gonna be any fun to play...wish we were playing them now and not end-of-the-month when possibly they start to figure things out
      Censored by Laurie in Mean Green Basketball
    2. 185

      Around the League / UNT Opponents

      nah. just for not knowing how to use Google.
      Censored by Laurie in Mean Green Basketball
    3. 185

      Around the League / UNT Opponents

      just from watching them in Maui, there seemed to be more togetherness and playing for each other...plus clearly defined roles on the floor. there's maybe not NBA talent on this Memphis roster...but there seems to be a better plan than last year's team. PJ is the lead scorer, Tyrese Hunter (whose game I love) is the floor-general, Rogers is shoot-making 3rd option, Jourdain is their Dello, and then two big strong athletic posts and a handful of hustle dudes who can fill in 1-4 in spurts. add in last year's collapse and maybe knowing his job is determined by NCAA success this year, Penny seems to have them gelled.
      Censored by Laurie in Mean Green Basketball
    4. 24

      Game Day

      It's a shame we lost, but it was at least an interesting game. Wife was *very* excited about the win, and got herself a 2025 Bowel ChampPeen shirt. The SWT folks were very into the game. That school has spirit -- big band, big Rangerette-style drill team, good coordination between the ticketholders and the cheerleaders. They reminded me of the time I spent at SFA. They're excited about where they are, and hold no illusions about a P4 or national playoff. The UNT folks were almost exactly the opposite. It was nice to see the Band in full uniform. By chance we were sitting near the family of some of the second-string players. Say what you will about the Portal, but these folks were very happy to see the players actually get game time. The QB didn't look bad for someone who hasn't started since (I think?) the 9th grade. Travel into and out of the venue was easy. It was my first time at Ford, so I was a bit surprised that the stadium is outclassed by some high school places around here. I suspect SMU will have to expand if they stay in the ACC. Last note: a televised game takes FOREVER to sit through. Too many media timeouts. Couple that with the Ol' Miss-style "injured" defensive players over and over, and the first half alone this game was over 2 hours. Going to a bowl game ended up being an all-day event for us, given travel time.
      TripleGrad in Mean Green Football
    5. 24

      Transfer Portal Entries After The Bowl Game

      How can we keep Drew Mestemaker? The young man is incredible and has the makings of an All-American in football.
      DeepGreen in Mean Green Football

  • Popular Contributors

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      15,508
    • Most Online
      1,865
    Jepper
    Newest Member
    Jepper
    Joined

  • Most Points

    1. 1
      El Paso Eagle
      El Paso Eagle
      170,989
    2. 2
      NT80
      NT80
      139,503
    3. 3
      KingDL1
      KingDL1
      132,445
    4. 4
      greenminer
      greenminer
      125,550
    5. 5
      TheReal_jayD
      TheReal_jayD
      109,459

  • Biggest Gamblers

    1. 1
      EdtheEagle
      EdtheEagle
      26,592,647
    2. 2
      UNTLifer
      UNTLifer
      4,482,399
    3. 3
      untphd
      untphd
      842,857
    4. 4
      flyonthewall
      flyonthewall
      671,592
    5. 5
      3_n_out
      3_n_out
      578,480
    6. 6
      SteaminWillieBeamin
    7. 7
      UNT_FH_FR_YR
      UNT_FH_FR_YR
      467,039
    8. 8
      cousin oliver
      cousin oliver
      448,120
    9. 9
      meangreenfaninno
    10. 10
      South Texas Green

WE BELIEVE IN THE MEAN GREEN!

News

Recruiting

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Please review our full Privacy Policy before using our site.