Drc Article On Nt Recruiting

[OldTimer]

I would have preferred this info be posted on our recruiting board but since it has been published in the newspaper have posted it here.

October 18, 2007

Recruiting rundown

I received a request in e-mail today for a general look at where UNT stands in football recruiting. This is my take on the Mean Green's biggest needs, most important prospects and players likely to end up in Denton or elsewhere. Remember this is just my take.

One of the holes I see in UNT's recruiting classes of the last two years is at safety. UNT has a good prospect on board in Vernon's Darien Williams this year and picked up another safety last season in Bron Hager, who is making the move from linebacker. A look at UNT's roster shows why the Mean Green needs more options. Three of the four players on UNT's depth chart this season are seniors, including mainstay Aaron Weathers. People will realize when Weathers is gone next season just how important he is to the Mean Green.

That is why UNT has so many safety prospects on its board. The problem is some of the best of batch are committing to other programs or appear to be on the verge of heading elsewhere. As I mentioned earlier today, David Cato of Mansfield Summit is headed to Iowa. Dallas Skyline's Troy Stoudermire has put Minnesota on the top of his list of schools and Cedar Hill's James Hamilton said he is high on Kentucky.

UNT also has an offer out to John Shorter of Lake Highlands. He could become a key target if Hamilton and Stoudermire commit to other schools.

Another pair of recruits who could be key are cornerbacks Devin Smith of Coppell and Jarrett Ben of Garland. UNT didn't sign a cornerback last season and will have to grab at least two this year. UNT has offers out to both Smith and Ben, but the competition is stiff for the services of both. Ben has already visited Iowa State.

UNT also needs to land a couple of additional linemen on both sides of the ball. The Mean Green signed five linemen in its last class and this season has commitments from three offensive linemen: Celina tackle Troy Franklin, Los Fresnos guard Eloy Atkinson and Southlake Carroll center Nick Leppo. There are a couple of good players still on UNT's board, none more important than tackle Trevor Marrongelli of Round Rock Westwood, the same school that produced Chad Rose. The problem is Marrongelli will visit Iowa State this weekend and is also headed to Kansas in December. UNT hosted the tackle, but didn't land a commitment and could be on the outside looking in on signing day. If UNT could land Marrongelli what looks like a solid batch of offensive linemen would be a whole lot better.

UNT doesn't have many defensive linemen on its board after signing tackles Jordan Scoggins of Euless Trinity and Jesse DeSoto of San Antonio Lee and end Kyle Russo of Southlake Carroll last season, but is after one of the top ends in the country in Jacquies Smith. The South Oak Cliff standout hasn't said where he is leaning, but has offers from Baylor and Colorado in addition to several other programs. UNT is losing two key defensive ends in Jeremiah Chapman and Blake Burruss, not to mention tackle Montey Stevenson. Scoggins and DeSoto appear ready to step in at tackle and Eddrick Gilmore has star potential at defensive end, but UNT could use a few young players to develop.

UNT has signed more than enough wide receivers and appears set at quarterback with freshman Giovanni Vizza and incoming recruit Riley Dodge. The Mean Green is also in a good position at linebacker, although a middle linebacker would be a nice addition with the playing career of Tobe Nwigwe in doubt due to issues off the field.

That pretty much covers the areas I think are critical to UNT this recruiting season, but there are a few other interesting players out there, including running back Chris Givens of Wylie. The Mean Green has a solid freshman running back in Micah Mosely and has another good prospect on the way in Lance Dunbar of Haltom City, but would be more than happy to land Givens. It just doesn't appear like it will happen. Wake Forest has offered Givens, who has put the school at the top of his list of potential destinations.

Posted by Brett Vito at 10:43 PM

This is the time of year when every college program in the country starts to see some of its top targets in recruiting commit to other schools.

UNT has won more than its share of battles early, but lost one today to Iowa, which picked up a commitment from safety David Cato. The Mansfield Summit senior was among the highest rated safeties holding an offer from UNT, at least according to the popular Web sites that cover college football recruiting.

UNT already has a good safety prospect on board in Vernon's Darien Williams, but could use more help. Three of the Mean Green's top four safeties are seniors, including Aaron Weathers, arguably the best player on the Mean Green's defense.

Posted by Brett Vito at 11:56 AM DRC

[Mean Green 93-98]

Good synopsis, but isn't Kevin Ealey a CB?

UNT didn't sign a cornerback last season

[Charlie NT 73]

There are many very good safey's and CB's across the state,

and in Jr colleges. We only hear about the prospects that are

in the DFW area. I am sure the staff has other prospects listed

knowing some kids would change and go to other schools.

It is still along way to Feb 2008.

I believe there is a no contact period for coaches and prospects

in effect right now, so, we may not hear any recruiting info

for awhile.

One other note. Could any of the current WR's from the 2007 class

play CB/S? I seem to remember Coach Dodge stating "Can you

imagine a 6-4 corner back", refering to Sam Roberson.

Roberson played CB/S and WR in HS.

Edited October 19, 2007 by charlie nt73

[OldTimer]

Good synopsis, but isn't Kevin Ealey a CB?

Kevin Ealey is a Corner back

[GreenN'walinsVet]

I might be off base, but with our load of WR's now, and since he doesnt seem to be a hugh factor, why did we move Korey Washington to WR and why dont we move him back to CB?

[SUMG]

One other guy to put in the mix in the defensive backfield....is Greg Garden, the DB who transferred from Navy (he played at Denton High). He's sitting out this season.

Not sure if he's a safety or a corner....anyone know?

[Censored by Laurie]

I might be off base, but with our load of WR's now, and since he doesnt seem to be a hugh factor, why did we move Korey Washington to WR and why dont we move him back to CB?

Agreed...but how much would moving Korey again stunt his effectivness? I know a lot of players make position changes throughout their careers, but if you move Korey back to corner it would be the third straight season he would have to learn a new position and adjust to new coaches...and that gotta be tough and may prevent him from reaching his full potential at either spot.

One other guy to put in the mix in the defensive backfield....is Greg Garden, the DB who transferred from Navy (he played at Denton High). He's sitting out this season.

Not sure if he's a safety or a corner....anyone know?

Greg Garden is 6'0" 190 and played linebacker at Ryan so I'm assuming he's a safety.

[Green Crazy]

One other guy to put in the mix in the defensive backfield....is Greg Garden, the DB who transferred from Navy (he played at Denton High). He's sitting out this season.

Not sure if he's a safety or a corner....anyone know?

He's a safety.

[UNTLifer]

Anyone know the status of Steve Warren and Desmond Chatman?

[NT80]

Dodge may need to invest in a kicker too. Moreland is fine for short field goals and extra points usually, but we need a longer distance and kickoff-abled guy. And kickoff and punt returners have been less than wow, perhaps a hunt for a speed returner while we're talking special teams.

Edited October 19, 2007 by NT80

[SUMG]

Anyone know the status of Steve Warren and Desmond Chatman?

Warren was suited up the other night.

Did anyone else notice Deavin Cox played some at DB? (He's a senior---so he's not an option for next year).

[UNT Mean Green]

Incoming DB's from last year or this coming recruiting class:

Greg Garden (S)---Transferred from Navy, former stud at Denton Ryan.

Derek Tomlin (S)---Southlake Caroll's biggest impact player on Defense this year.

Kevin Ealy (CB)---good athlete from Brenham who is improving cover skills.

Latif Nurudeen (CB)---Baylor transfer should compete for a starting spot.

Bron Hager (S)---Physical player may have been best all-around player on Austin Westlake's '06 runner-up squad.

Darrien Williams (S)---Athletic player with a nose for the ball. Also lines up in offensive backfield for the Lions.

I also don't know what position Willie Taylor out of Dallas Hillcrest is going to play. He seems to be a guy who needs to have the ball in his hands, but he certainly has the speed and quickness to cover well. He'll be an interesting one when he arrives in Denton. He's a fantastic football player though.

I may be missing some though...this is off the top of my head.

Edited October 19, 2007 by UNT Mean Green

[good_ken]

Incoming DB's from last year or this coming recruiting class:

Greg Garden (S)---Transferred from Navy, former stud at Denton Ryan.

Derek Tomlin (S)---Southlake Caroll's biggest impact player on Defense this year.

Kevin Ealy (CB)---good athlete from Brenham who is improving cover skills.

Latif Nurudeen (CB)---Baylor transfer should compete for a starting spot.

Bron Hager (S)---Physical player may have been best all-around player on Austin Westlake's '06 runner-up squad.

Darrien Williams (S)---Athletic player with a nose for the ball. Also lines up in offensive backfield for the Lions.

I may be missing some though...this is off the top of my head.

I after seeing Robertson, I am now of the camp that thinks Tomlin we remain a LB; for his speed.

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

Anyone know the status of Steve Warren and Desmond Chatman?

Nothing other than each has changed positions. According to reports, Warren was moved from safety to linebacker and Chatman from corner to safety. That would mean each has a new position to learn and would explain to some degree why we haven't seen them on the field.

I assume that Warren was moved because of speed and to a lesser degree size. He wasn't the fastest db that we had and his added weight possibly slowed him a little more. His speed was reported in the 4.6/4.65 range which is good linebacker speed but not that great for a defensive back. He looks bigger than any of the other DBs.

I can't be certain that I even saw Chatman on the sidelines at the ULM game. That's not to say that he wasn't there, only that I don't recall seeing him. He could be the backup for Weathers, which means that we'll see him only if Aaron is carried off on a stretcher. But, looking at last year's play, he had 17 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, and 4 passes broken up as a backup corner. That's too good to receive NO playing time this year. There has to be a larger problem.

[GreenBat]

Anyone know the status of Steve Warren and Desmond Chatman?

I believe Vito reported about three weeks ago that Chatman was suspended for violating unspecifed team rules. This happened around the same time as Nwigwe's problems with the law came about.

[OldTimer]

Incoming DB's from last year or this coming recruiting class:

Greg Garden (S)---Transferred from Navy, former stud at Denton Ryan.

Derek Tomlin (S)---Southlake Caroll's biggest impact player on Defense this year.

Kevin Ealy (CB)---good athlete from Brenham who is improving cover skills.

Latif Nurudeen (CB)---Baylor transfer should compete for a starting spot.

Bron Hager (S)---Physical player may have been best all-around player on Austin Westlake's '06 runner-up squad.

Darrien Williams (S)---Athletic player with a nose for the ball. Also lines up in offensive backfield for the Lions.

I also don't know what position Willie Taylor out of Dallas Hillcrest is going to play. He seems to be a guy who needs to have the ball in his hands, but he certainly has the speed and quickness to cover well. He'll be an interesting one when he arrives in Denton. He's a fantastic football player though.

I may be missing some though...this is off the top of my head.

Willie Taylor was recruited to be a slot receiver

[H-towngreen]

What ever happened to ??? Gordon, the kid from DD's last recruiting class from Oklahoma. He was suppossed to be a stud DB but haven't heard a thing from him.

Willie Taylor will be a WR. Check out his video on rivals, this kid has some moves and speed. It's one of the best videos I've seen in a while.

I think Tomlin will be moved to safety and I think he will excel. And although Franklin is being brought in on the offensive side, I think he will move to D-tackle.

We need help at D-end and CB for sure. Look for TD to hopefully get a couple of JUCO's in here to fill in immediate needs. We need a couple more bodies on the O-line, and a rb. Probably one more WR. Yes, I know we already have a handful, but you have to understand that next year we're going to have Stick and Fitz, and then all the freshman. This is probably the slowest point in recruiting as it's mid-season. Once the season ends look for it to pick up.

[OldTimer]

I posted this article because the names of our prospective recruits had already been published in the newspaper and thus public information.

Remember why we have a recruiting board...so we don't hand out information on our prospective recruits to outsiders. Feel free to post about the names in the newspaper, players who have publically committed this year and current squad members or what you feel positions NT needs to put our efforts into recruiting, but lets try to keep some confidentiality on the other prospects not known publically at this time.

Some of the info we post in the recruiting forum comes from confidential sources and was not known to the public in general at this time. I want our true fans to have this information and don't want to have to with hold it or lose a source of information. Feel free to post your recruiting questions and info on the recruiting forum.

[NT80]

I posted this article because the names of our prospective recruits had already been published in the newspaper and thus public information.

Remember why we have a recruiting board...so we don't hand out information on our prospective recruits to outsiders. Feel free to post about the names in the newspaper, players who have publically committed this year and current squad members , but lets try to keep some confidentiality on the other prospects not known publically at this time.

Some of the info we post in the recruiting forum comes from confidential sources and was not known to the public in general at this time. I want our true fans to have this information and don't want to have to with hold it or lose a source of information. Feel free to post recruiting questions and info on the recruiting forum.

It's a good deal too, FREE to a board member in good standing. Coach Fran was charging $1200 for this type insider info!