2008 Recruiting Class

[Dodge2007]

Of the 11 verbal recruits, I would say that Lance Dunbar, Desmond Brigham, and Troy Franklin might be the best kids out of that class.

These three kids are being heavily recruited at their prospective position. Many of the Dodge Verbals have no one else even making an offer, (Tomlin and Leppo from SLC, Forrest Tucker and Kenny Mart both WR's, Darien Williams - a safety, and Willie Taylor a athlete)

We have two verbals from two unrecruited DB's.

We have high profile, Rodge, but the three best recruits will be Dunbar, Brigham and Franklin who will have the biggest impact, imo.

I also forgot to mention another OL verbal in Atkinson from down in the Valley. He will be a impact player after he red shirts like most OL do.

Dunbar (RB) and Brigham (WR) can play. Franklin (OL) will red shirt but is highly sought after.

We will be stacked again with WR's. We are stacked this season and only losing B-Jax.

I am hoping we see the freshman WR's get some PT this game against FAU and also against Arkansas.

Edited September 17, 2007 by Dodge2007

[UNT Mean Green]

Check out the highlight videos of some of these kids on Rivals and you will certainly see they can all play!

Dunbar, Taylor, and Brigham are game changers at their positions.

Have spoken to some high school coaches who have played against Vernon, and they said Darrien Williams is the best player on their team that has several good athletes.

Rucker and Mart are both Top 300 players at their position. Both are big, athletic receivers similar to Sam Roberson of the '07 Class.

Franklin and Atkinson are both big, athletic lineman who will certainly make an impact.

Obviously Riley Dodge is a game changer. He is the reigning 5A Player of the Year. I'll take those any day of the week.

Dodge knows what he is doing. He doesn't need the 5 star athlete to win ballgames. He knows what fits his system, and is recruiting his needs.

[Dodge2007]

It just seems to me that you don't have to be in such a hurry to offer kids a scholarship when no one else is offering. So many kids blossom late in their Senior years and you get to see so many more kids in the playoffs against top notch competition.

[H-towngreen]

Many of the Dodge Verbals have no one else even making an offer, (Tomlin and Leppo from SLC, Forrest Tucker and Kenny Mart both WR's, Darien Williams - a safety, and Willie Taylor a athlete)

We have two verbals from two unrecruited DB's.

Willie Taylor- offers from A&M, and Tulsa, intrest from OK State and West Virginia.

Troy Franklin- Considering , Notre Dame, OK, OKSt, Purdue, A$M, TT, NT and Tulsa. Offers from Tulsa and North Texas.

Darian Williams- Chose NT over TCU, Tulsa, and Arizona.

Eloy Atkinson- Intrest from Utah, Duke, Kansas, Houston, Ariziona and Iowa.

Derek Tomlin- Chose North Texas over Air Force, OKSt, UTEP, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, A&M, Stanford, Purdue

Kenny Barrett- Chose North Texas over Arkansas, Oklahoma State, A&M, Baylor, LaTech, TCU and NT

Lance Dunbar- Lance chose NT over offers from Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Colorado. Intrest from Mizzu, Tech and Kansas

Riley Dodge- Chose NT over offers from UT, Missouri, Tulsa, SMU, Rice, signed with UT, Oklahoma, and Tech.

Desmond Bringham- Chose NT over offers from Arkansas, Iowa State, Missouri , LaMonroe, A&M

Forrset Rucker- Offers from NT and Baylor intrest from TCU, Ark,Houston, Arizona, A&M, Tech, OK State, and Mizzu

Nick Leppo- Interest from OK St, TT, and TCU...offer and commitment to NT.

Dodge2007 this info is off of GMG, Rivals, and Scouts. The list of unrecruited and un-offered players is off. Only 2 players don't have an offer LISTED, but I'm sure many of these players haven't been contacted since their commitment to see who else has been in contact with them.

I my self have been pretty impressed by TD's haul so far. The one player I'm kinda questioning is Nick Leppo, basically because I haven't heard enough about him. If you haven't seen the video of Atkinson, check it out, it is amazing! He will make an impact here for sure. Same for Willie Taylor. A great video that you can check out on the GMG recruiting page. Everything I've heard of on Franklin is at D-tackle, but he is coming in at o-line. I know he plays both ways so it will be intresting to see how that works out. Tomlin is a player. I like the 3 Wr's we have brought in, especially the height of Rucker. You don't see to many 6'6 WR's in the belt.

Does anyone have season stat updates for these recruits?

Make sure to check out Oldtimer and his recruiting update on the next gmg podcast!

Edited September 17, 2007 by H-towngreen

[MeanGreen61]

It just seems to me that you don't have to be in such a hurry to offer kids a scholarship when no one else is offering. So many kids blossom late in their Senior years and you get to see so many more kids in the playoffs against top notch competition.

You need to contact TD and give him the benefit of your expertise.

[NT03]

Eloy Atkinson- Intrest from Utah, Duke, Kansas, Houston, Ariziona and Iowa.

TCU, UTEP , Utah , smu & Houston all offered this kid after he gave his verbal to us.

[H-towngreen]

Exactly....we still have some 14 ships to hand out yet. Dodge2007 would you rather go back to the DD ways and not offer till the season is pretty much over. Times are a changing. Early commits are the new thing. If we didn't offer these kids then there is a good chance they would be headed somewhere else.

NT03 thanks for the update...thats exactly what I was saying. We really have no idea how many offers these kids now have.

Everytime I read Eloy Atkinsons name I get chills and flashbacks to his video.

Edited September 17, 2007 by H-towngreen

[greenminer]

If and when we win some games this year, the '08 class could get much better.

I was impressed enough last year considering our performance the last two years, and the timing of Dodge's hire. Can't wait to see what happens when Dodge proves his system works on the college level.

[Dodge2007]

I am looking at Texas Prep Extra. They have you send in the offers before they will report them as offers.

Texas Prep Extra covers Texas high school offers better than anyone. These are legit offers.

Edited September 17, 2007 by Dodge2007

[KBJ]

Rivals currently has us ranked at 64th looking into the future we should end up the year at the mid 70’s or high 80’s. This is about the same as DD classes before 2006.

[Dodge2007]

Willie Taylor- offers from A&M, and Tulsa, intrest from OK State and West Virginia.

Troy Franklin- Considering , Notre Dame, OK, OKSt, Purdue, A$M, TT, NT and Tulsa. Offers from Tulsa and North Texas.

Darian Williams- Chose NT over TCU, Tulsa, and Arizona.

Eloy Atkinson- Intrest from Utah, Duke, Kansas, Houston, Ariziona and Iowa.

Derek Tomlin- Chose North Texas over Air Force, OKSt, UTEP, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, A&M, Stanford, Purdue

Kenny Barrett- Chose North Texas over Arkansas, Oklahoma State, A&M, Baylor, LaTech, TCU and NT

Lance Dunbar- Lance chose NT over offers from Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Colorado. Intrest from Mizzu, Tech and Kansas

Riley Dodge- Chose NT over offers from UT, Missouri, Tulsa, SMU, Rice, signed with UT, Oklahoma, and Tech.

Desmond Bringham- Chose NT over offers from Arkansas, Iowa State, Missouri , LaMonroe, A&M

Forrset Rucker- Offers from NT and Baylor intrest from TCU, Ark,Houston, Arizona, A&M, Tech, OK State, and Mizzu

Nick Leppo- Interest from OK St, TT, and TCU...offer and commitment to NT.

Dodge2007 this info is off of GMG, Rivals, and Scouts. The list of unrecruited and un-offered players is off. Only 2 players don't have an offer LISTED, but I'm sure many of these players haven't been contacted since their commitment to see who else has been in contact with them.

I my self have been pretty impressed by TD's haul so far. The one player I'm kinda questioning is Nick Leppo, basically because I haven't heard enough about him. If you haven't seen the video of Atkinson, check it out, it is amazing! He will make an impact here for sure. Same for Willie Taylor. A great video that you can check out on the GMG recruiting page. Everything I've heard of on Franklin is at D-tackle, but he is coming in at o-line. I know he plays both ways so it will be intresting to see how that works out. Tomlin is a player. I like the 3 Wr's we have brought in, especially the height of Rucker. You don't see to many 6'6 WR's in the belt.

Does anyone have season stat updates for these recruits?

Make sure to check out Oldtimer and his recruiting update on the next gmg podcast!

If you honestly believe all the crap you just wrote down on this board about all those offers, then your insane

[OldTimer]

Willie Taylor- offers from A&M, and Tulsa, intrest from OK State and West Virginia.

Troy Franklin- Considering , Notre Dame, OK, OKSt, Purdue, A$M, TT, NT and Tulsa. Offers from Tulsa and North Texas.

Darian Williams- Chose NT over TCU, Tulsa, and Arizona.

Eloy Atkinson- Intrest from Utah, Duke, Kansas, Houston, Ariziona and Iowa.

Derek Tomlin- Chose North Texas over Air Force, OKSt, UTEP, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, A&M, Stanford, Purdue

Kenny Barrett- Chose North Texas over Arkansas, Oklahoma State, A&M, Baylor, LaTech, TCU and NT

Lance Dunbar- Lance chose NT over offers from Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Colorado. Intrest from Mizzu, Tech and Kansas

Riley Dodge- Chose NT over offers from UT, Missouri, Tulsa, SMU, Rice, signed with UT, Oklahoma, and Tech.

Desmond Bringham- Chose NT over offers from Arkansas, Iowa State, Missouri , LaMonroe, A&M

I'll be glad to discuss recruits....but on the recruiting web site which is limited to proven NT supporters...thats why we have two sites

Forrset Rucker- Offers from NT and Baylor intrest from TCU, Ark,Houston, Arizona, A&M, Tech, OK State, and Mizzu

Nick Leppo- Interest from OK St, TT, and TCU...offer and commitment to NT.

Dodge2007 this info is off of GMG, Rivals, and Scouts. The list of unrecruited and un-offered players is off. Only 2 players don't have an offer LISTED, but I'm sure many of these players haven't been contacted since their commitment to see who else has been in contact with them.

I my self have been pretty impressed by TD's haul so far. The one player I'm kinda questioning is Nick Leppo, basically because I haven't heard enough about him. If you haven't seen the video of Atkinson, check it out, it is amazing! He will make an impact here for sure. Same for Willie Taylor. A great video that you can check out on the GMG recruiting page. Everything I've heard of on Franklin is at D-tackle, but he is coming in at o-line. I know he plays both ways so it will be intresting to see how that works out. Tomlin is a player. I like the 3 Wr's we have brought in, especially the height of Rucker. You don't see to many 6'6 WR's in the belt.

Does anyone have season stat updates for these recruits?

Make sure to check out Oldtimer and his recruiting update on the next gmg podcast!

[Eagle-96]

Rivals currently has us ranked at 64th looking into the future we should end up the year at the mid 70’s or high 80’s. This is about the same as DD classes before 2006.

First of all, I'm not sure why you assume that we will end up in the 70's or 80's. Maybe to support your theory.

Here are the Rivals Class rankings from 2002-2006

02 - 110

03 - 83

04 - 72

05 - 94

06 - 111

[Eagle-96]

If you honestly believe all the crap you just wrote down on this board about all those offers, then your insane

We get it Dodge2007, you like to be contrarian and to rile people up. It stopped being cute about 308 posts ago.

[OldTimer]

I am looking at Texas Prep Extra. They have you send in the offers before they will report them as offers.

Texas Prep Extra covers Texas high school offers better than anyone. These are legit offers.

Texas Prep Extra info is the same as Rivals info which owns that web site so any quotes from Rivals has the same substantiation.

[H-towngreen]

Dodge2007..... Texasprep is actually part of Rivals. Soooo does that make you insane too?????

It's just like in writing a paper the more sources the better. Check out scout.com also, or past write-ups in the Denton Record Chronicle.

Edited September 17, 2007 by H-towngreen

[UNTLifer]

Texas Prep Extra info is the same as Rivals info which owns that web site so any quotes from Rivals has the same substantiation.

Beat me to it.

[KBJ]

First of all, I'm not sure why you assume that we will end up in the 70's or 80's. Maybe to support your theory.

Here are the Rivals Class rankings from 2002-2006

02 - 110

03 - 83

04 - 72

05 - 94

06 - 111

We currently have 11 verbal recruits and Rivals.com shows total points of 38. (I have no idea what these points mean or how they are derived) The last three years it took about 120 points to be in the mid 70’s. If we get one more 3 star recruit and the balance of the players are equal to the 10 we have that would be around 86 points which could equate to maybe 78th.

[Smitty]

I haven't done any research or seen any of these recruits play, so I cannot judge any of them. But I do know that for the first time in many, many years, North Texas is listed by several players on the Dallas Morning News Area Top 100 list. In the last several years, it was very rare to read of any of the area's best players considering UNT, much less committing early to us. So I think any criticism is premature, at the very least.

Two games into the Todd Dodge era and some people are calling for the defensive coordinator's head, complaining that we don't run enough, and now questioning the recruiting. Unbelievable. Absolutely un-freakin'-believable.

[greenminer]

Two games into the Todd Dodge era and some people are calling for the defensive coordinator's head, complaining that we don't run enough, and now questioning the recruiting. Unbelievable. Absolutely un-freakin'-believable.

That's what D2007 feels his role is. So let him and laugh behind your keyboards.

[Dodge2007]

Please tell me where all the offers are made to all of these guys.

Kenny Barrett

Photo Gallery

Wide Receiver

Mart (TX) Mart

Ht: 6-foot-4

Wt: 190 lbs

Class: 2008 (High School)

Rivals.com Rating: 5.3 (About)

Position Ranking: NR

Forrest Rucker

Photo Gallery

Wide Receiver

Hearne (TX) Hearne

Ht: 6-foot-5 (Event)

Wt: 198 lbs

Forty: 4.56 secs

Squat max: 365 pounds

Class: 2008 (High School)

Rivals.com Rating: 5.3 (About)

Position Ranking: NR

HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS Views

More videos

The Latest: Another Texas WR stays in state — 7/21/2007

Hearne, Texas, receiver [db]Forrest Rucker[/db] has made quite the impression everywhere he's gone this summer. He impressed at Oklahoma State, Baylor and at North Texas and also had Miami and Missouri very interested...[details]

Updates College Choices Videos Bio Audibles Scouting

Forrest RUCKER BIO NOTES

As a junior Rucker earned first team all-district honors and second team all-state honors as a wide receiver.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/21/2007) None

TCU None None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None Kasey Dunn

Jason Phillips

Houston None None

Missouri None None

Oklahoma State None None Doug Meacham

Texas A&M None None Jim Bob Helduser

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/21/2007) None

TCU None None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None Kasey Dunn

Jason Phillips

Houston None None

Missouri None None

Oklahoma State None None Doug Meacham

Texas A&M None None Jim Bob Helduser

Forrest Rucker Video Reels

No Media Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/21/2007) None

TCU None None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None Kasey Dunn

Jason Phillips

Houston None None

Missouri None None

Oklahoma State None None Doug Meacham

Texas A&M None None Jim Bob Helduser

Forrest Rucker Audibles

No Audibles Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/21/2007) None

TCU None None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None Kasey Dunn

Jason Phillips

Houston None None

Missouri None None

Oklahoma State None None Doug Meacham

Texas A&M None None Jim Bob Helduser

Headlines from Rivals.com Network

Another Texas WR stays in state — 7/21/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Rucker hard to miss — 6/12/2007, from SicEmSports.com

Hearne WR narrows list — 5/21/2007, from SicEmSports.com

TCU among schools showing Rucker interest — 4/18/2007, from PurpleMenace.com

Interest grows for Rucker — 3/29/2007, from SicEmSports.com

Texas WR getting plenty of attention — 3/20/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Rucker is on the map — 2/12/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

CenTex WR has BU ties — 2/12/2007, from SicEmSports.com

Dallas Junior Day: Starting things off right — 2/10/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Forrest Rucker Scouting Report

No Scouting Reports Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/21/2007) None

TCU None None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None Kasey Dunn

Jason Phillips

Houston None None

Missouri None None

Oklahoma State None None Doug Meacham

Texas A&M None None Jim Bob Helduser

HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS Views

Kenny Barrett Highlights 1 2547

Kenny Barrett Highlights 2 5629

More videos

The Latest: Barrett on board with North Texas — 7/5/2007

North Texas has added another in-state commitment within the last month. Mart, Texas wide receiver Kenny Barrett, a first-team all-district member as a junior, committed to UNT and says that there were several reasons...[details]

Updates College Choices Videos Bio Audibles Scouting

Kenny BARRETT BIO NOTES

No Bio Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/5/2007) None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas A&M None None Mark Tommerdahl

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/5/2007) None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas A&M None None Mark Tommerdahl

Kenny Barrett Video Reels

Kenny Barrett Highlights 2 — 6/28/2007 - #2 - WR - Junior - 5629 views

Kenny Barrett Highlights 1 — 6/28/2007 - #2 - WR - Junior - 2547 views

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/5/2007) None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas A&M None None Mark Tommerdahl

Kenny Barrett Audibles

No Audibles Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/5/2007) None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas A&M None None Mark Tommerdahl

Headlines from Rivals.com Network

Barrett on board with North Texas — 7/5/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Video: Kenny Barrett just makes plays — 6/28/2007, from Rivals.com

Barrett, Adler on the verge — 6/1/2007, from SicEmSports.com

Mart has three top prospects in 2008 — 2/28/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Kenny Barrett Scouting Report

No Scouting Reports Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(7/5/2007) None

Arkansas None None

Baylor None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas A&M None None Mark Tommerdahl

Nick Leppo

Photo Gallery

Offensive center

Southlake (TX) Carroll

Ht: 6-foot-2 (Event)

Wt: 245 lbs

Forty: 5.04 secs

Bench max: 315 pounds

Squat max: 450 pounds

GPA: 3.0

Class: 2008 (High School)

Rivals.com Rating: 5.1 (About)

Position Ranking: NR

HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS Views

Ft. Worth NIKE: OL vs DL 4236

More videos

The Latest: North Texas taps Carroll pipeline — 9/12/2007

Southlake (Texas) Carroll offensive lineman [db]Nick Leppo[/db] didn't have to think to long about a decision when he received a scholarship offer from North Texas coach [db]Todd Dodge[/db]. [details]

Updates College Choices Videos Bio Audibles Scouting

Nick LEPPO BIO NOTES

Earned first-team team all-district as a junior.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(9/12/2007) None

North Texas High None

TCU None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas Tech None None

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(9/12/2007) None

North Texas High None

TCU None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas Tech None None

Nick Leppo Video Reels

No Video Reels Available.

Related AMP Videos

Ft. Worth NIKE: OL vs DL 4/28/2007 - 4236 views

Ft. Worth NIKE: Stock rising 4/28/2007 - 811 views

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(9/12/2007) None

North Texas High None

TCU None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas Tech None None

Nick Leppo Audibles

No Audibles Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(9/12/2007) None

North Texas High None

TCU None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas Tech None None

Headlines from Rivals.com Network

North Texas taps Carroll pipeline — 9/12/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Texas tidbits: On the rise — 5/4/2007, from TexasPrepXtra.com

Carroll OL does well at NIKE — 4/30/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Receivers represent in Fort Worth — 4/28/2007, from Rivals.com Football Recruiting

Nick Leppo Scouting Report

No Scouting Reports Available.

COLLEGE CHOICES INTEREST OFFER VISIT RECRUITED BY

North Texas (solid verbal) COMMITTED

(9/12/2007) None

North Texas High None

TCU None None

Oklahoma State None None

Texas Tech None None

Edited September 17, 2007 by Dodge2007

[GreenSquared]

Looks like we weren't the only ones who wanted these recruits!

[Dodge2007]

I could go on and on about Texas Prep and Rivals. MY WHOLE POINT was that I thought we could have waited until the end of the season to see who else blossoms on the kids who have NO offers at all at this time. A lot of our 11 verbals do not have offers.

That was the only case I was making. You freakin guys get all ballsy when I speak the truth and get awful defensive. Leppo, Rucker, Barrett, Tomlin, Williams, and Taylor all have ONE offer, UNT. End of story.

Edited September 17, 2007 by Dodge2007

[GreenN'walinsVet]

I could go on and on about Texas Prep and Rivals. MY WHOLE POINT was that I thought we could have waited until the end of the season to see who else blossoms on the kids who have NO offers at all at this time. A lot of our 11 verbals do not have offers.

That was the only case I was making. You freakin guys get all ballsy when I speak the truth and get awful defensive.

I would like to remind you that one of our verbal recruits this year said that one of the main reason he picked us over some of the others is becuase we were the first to offer. Now sure we can wait and wait and then we end up with a bunch of leftovers because we didnt step up and make a decison.

What if we would of done this with our coach (wich you named your sceen name after) we offered him a job when nobody else had, so should we have waited until some other D-1 offered him first then came in and made the offer? What do you think our chances would of been in that case?

[Dodge2007]

I would like to remind you that one of our verbal recruits this year said that one of the main reason he picked us over some of the others is becuase we were the first to offer. Now sure we can wait and wait and then we end up with a bunch of leftovers because we didnt step up and make a decison.

What if we would of done this with our coach (wich you named your sceen name after) we offered him a job when nobody else had, so should we have waited until some other D-1 offered him first then came in and made the offer? What do you think our chances would of been in that case?

Any kid is gonna look at multiple offers and decide what is best for them. All I am saying is that when you make an early offer and they snag it, you can't pull it back. Early offers are for the kids, imo, that multiple schools want. Lets face it, kids that consider UNT are strongly looking at the Big 12 first, C-USA second, and then other mid america conferences. There are some exceptions, that is for sure.

Edited September 17, 2007 by Dodge2007