Recruiting Notes

MeanGreen61 · December 12, 2007

December 11, 2007

A few recruiting tidbits

I picked up a few random recruiting tidbits the last couple of days. Here is what we know:

I talked to Anthony Barnes of Wesson (Miss.) Copiah-Lincoln C.C. today. There was a rumor going around that UNT had landed the defensive end who could slide into the spot vacated by senior Jeremiah Chapman. Barnes said there is no truth to that rumor and that he is still pondering where he wants to go to school. He visited UNT in lake November.

I also heard from Trinity Valley Community College head coach Brad Smiley, who said none of the three players from his team who visited UNT over the weekend committed to play for the Mean Green. UNT hosted defensive tackle Blake Gumm, cornerback Cordarious Mingo and safety Khenon Hall. Gumm, a 305-pounder, is the player UNT really needs from the group. He is set to visit Arizona this weekend, which doesn't bode well for the Mean Green.

I also received a few questions in e-mail about recruiting today, including one that ties in with Gumm. A fan named Eric is concerned that UNT has not landed enough linemen in this class thus far. I think those concerns are justified.

UNT has two good tackle recruits in Celina's Troy Franklin and Austin Anderson's Coleman Feeley, a center recruit in Southlake Carroll's Nick Leppo and a big nada on the defensive side of the ball. UNT is losing two of its best defensive linemen in end Jeremiah Chapman and tackle Montey Stevenson and struggled on defense last year. Backup Blake Burruss is also gone. UNT has some good players returning on both its offensive and defensive lines, including center Kelvin Drake and defensive end Eddrick Gilmore, but I think UNT needs some help.

Some of UNT's top targets, including tackle Trevor Marrongelli (Kansas), guard Eloy Atkinson (UTEP), tackle Phillip Freeman (Mississippi State), guard Sam Schwartzstein (Stanford) and defensive end Eric Mebane (Purdue) have decided to go elsewhere.

The loss of those players make those remaining targets like Bishop Lynch center Evan Epstein and Gumm all the more important for UNT. The Mean Green needs quality linemen and those two would help fill the void in its recruiting class.

One other question came in from John, who wanted to know when the signing period is for junior college players. The period opens on Dec. 19 and runs through Jan. 15 for players who transfer at the midterm break.

Edited December 12, 2007 by MeanGreen61

good_ken · December 12, 2007

Since Santiago moved over the O-line, and overall they were ok (young, but learning); I am gonna speculate the Franklin stays on the defensive side of the ball. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

MCMLXXX · December 12, 2007

Hopefully we can expect more from Charlie Brown at DE now that he has had a year to adjust and also Jordan Scoggins and Kyle Russo were redshirted.

As far as the OL, Johnson, Kaiser, and Tomlinson were all redshirts.

Still we need more linemen especially on defense.

Peacock · December 12, 2007

I wonder if we should begin to question RM's recruiting abilities as well?

IF RM is unable to land even one of the of the most pressing needs of this defense, and in fact is not able to "close the deal" on one (Atkinson) I am more worried than ever...

SUMG · December 12, 2007

I wonder if we should begin to question RM's recruiting abilities as well?
IF RM is unable to land even one of the of the most pressing needs of this defense, and in fact is not able to "close the deal" on one (Atkinson) I am more worried than ever...

Coaches recruit different regions of the state. Not sure who recruits south Texas, where Atkinson is from.

Atkinson is an O lineman, btw.