Plano's Burkhead Names Two Favorites

LAZER · February 19, 2008

Denton RC BLOG

Plano's Burkhead names two favorites

Signing day is a long way off for the Class of 2009 in football, but there is nothing UNT fans love more than recruiting talk -- with the notable exception of football stadium talk.

With that in mind, I thought it would be worth mentioning that Plano super athlete Rex Burkhead has named two favorites out of the six colleges who have offered him a scholarship this early in the process.

Burkhead told Rivals.com that he has "high interest" in LSU and Texas Tech. North Texas, California, Kansas and Minnesota have also offered the 5-10, 186-pounder.

North Texas has already had a junior day and is working on landing players earlier and earlier. The strategy paid off last season when the Mean Green received a handful of commitments before the start of the season and hung on to most of them, despite a dismal 2-10 campaign.

UNT would love to land Burkhead, but it looks like a long shot at this point. The following is a link to Burkhead's page on Rivals.com:

Edited February 19, 2008 by LAZER

FirefightnRick · February 19, 2008

LSU and Texas Tech? Here's to Rex Burkhead becoming yet another "Too" player in their eyes.

Rick

GreenAlums · February 19, 2008

Denton RC BLOG
Plano's Burkhead names two favorites
Signing day is a long way off for the Class of 2009 in football, but there is nothing UNT fans love more than recruiting talk -- with the notable exception of football stadium talk.
With that in mind, I thought it would be worth mentioning that Plano super athlete Rex Burkhead has named two favorites out of the six colleges who have offered him a scholarship this early in the process.
Burkhead told Rivals.com that he has "high interest" in LSU and Texas Tech. North Texas, California, Kansas and Minnesota have also offered the 5-10, 186-pounder.
North Texas has already had a junior day and is working on landing players earlier and earlier. The strategy paid off last season when the Mean Green received a handful of commitments before the start of the season and hung on to most of them, despite a dismal 2-10 campaign.
UNT would love to land Burkhead, but it looks like a long shot at this point. The following is a link to Burkhead's page on Rivals.com:

I don't want this to be a Vito highjack....

Someone recently mentioned that Vito always has to leave a parting shot about last year's dismal 2-10 season. Since then I've been focusing on what he says and you were absolutely right. The guy can't help but keep shooting and shooting and shooting at last year's problems. Iunderstand that when it is pertinent to the story OK, but even when it's not, he mentions it. ugh! :angry:

H-towngreen · February 19, 2008

It seems as though NT's record is previlent most of the time. As it is here, saying that is was great the TD was able to hold onto these players despite our record. If we went 11-2 you guys wouldn't have a problem with this. When he writes something he is supposed to write it as though the person reading it know nothing about NT to begin with.

Mean Green 93-98 · February 19, 2008

When he writes something he is supposed to write it as though the person reading it know nothing about NT to begin with.

True with regard to newspaper articles, but not with a blog.

ShopMeanGreen · February 19, 2008

How many poeple reading the blog don't know NT went 2-10. I agree, I think 2-10 and no recruit is firm until Feb...is getting a little old. 10-2 on the other hand would not get old until the year it was 11-1.

NCMeanGreen · February 19, 2008

You know...I have always been a fan and have appreciated what Brett Vito has done for UNT. However, I have absolutely become disenchanted with his demeanor and attitude towards my alma mater as of late. It seems to me the dude goes out of his way to take shots at UNT. Does he REALLY have to keep reminding us that this past season may have not turned out the way we all wanted it? I mean, how many more times can he mention the "dismall 2-10 season"!??!???? :angry:

Further, Rex Burkhead is one of those "national" typr recruits that many BCS programs are, apparently, going to take a look at. So, it is any shock to anyone that UNT is not his top choice at this point? Why does Vito have to sensationalize it???

Dear BV: Look here guy, I am sorry Dodge does not like you. I am sorry the dude from FW paper keeps beating you to the punch. But, really, enough already...get a life!!!

NT80 · February 19, 2008

Rex is a quality player, has been a varsity player/starter since he was a Freshman, unheard of at Plano. It is a testament to Dodge's recruiting ability that he lists NT among those other programs. As long as we are still on his list anything can happen; players sometimes opt for close to home in the end instead of the far off lights.

H-towngreen · February 19, 2008

Further, Rex Burkhead is one of those "national" typr recruits that many BCS programs are, apparently, going to take a look at. So, it is any shock to anyone that UNT is not his top choice at this point? Why does Vito have to sensationalize it???
Dear BV: Look here guy, I am sorry Dodge does not like you. I am sorry the dude from FW paper keeps beating you to the punch. But, really, enough already...get a life!!!

Please tell me what Vito is sensationalizing here? That NT is going after a top recruit? That we made an offer to this kid? That TD is going after top local talent? Please tell me what he is sensationalizing?

Why do you think that it is not a shock to anyone that NT is not his top choice? Maybe it's because we were 2-10 as compared to these other schools who are all BCS programs, most with winning records, including the national champions. So yes out record does matter in this. We managed to keep all but 2 of our early commits even though we went 2-10. Yes it matters. It speaks to how well TD is doing in recruiting.

Why should Vito "Get a life". This is his job, I'm sorry you didn't find this blog post relevant, but some people do. Including myself. Vito is doing his best, Dodge is a closed door type of guy, and yes he does favor the FWST writer because of his days at SLC.

GMoney · February 19, 2008

LSU and Texas Tech? Here's to Rex Burkhead becoming yet another "Too" player in their eyes.
Rick

I agree with you to a point, but eventually somebody does play for these teams. Not everyone is just a "too" or another number. A that is what draws these kids is the promise of something big which for most doesn't happen.

However, from what I've seen of Rex, he's good enough to get serious playing time at either one of these U's. It may not be as a freshmen, but by the time he's a Jr., he'll definitely be in the mix.

The Fake Lonnie Finch · February 19, 2008

H-town,

Forget about it. There is a faction here that doesn't understand that a journalists isn't a cheerleader. These are people who wish the DRC was like the rags in Austin and Norman, their writer's lips firmly and permanently planted on the butt cheeks of Mack Brown and Bob Stoops, respectively. Thankfully, Vito isn't that way. Nor, as you've pointed out, should he be.

Vito detractors want him to treat UNT and Dodge the way the Southlake student newspaper would. Well, the DRC isn't the student newspaper of UNT. Again, thankfully.

GreenAlums · February 19, 2008

It seems as though NT's record is previlent most of the time. As it is here, saying that is was great the TD was able to hold onto these players despite our record. If we went 11-2 you guys wouldn't have a problem with this. When he writes something he is supposed to write it as though the person reading it know nothing about NT to begin with.

What happened to the saying, "if it's not new it's not news"?? How NEW is our 2-10 record?? I'm not sure I appreciate our protection of Vito's intentions!!!!! He is not reporting news. We are allowing him to editorialize at our expense. He wants news from the program so he can editorialize?? Either he reports news or he editorilizes, which is it??

The Fake Lonnie Finch · February 19, 2008

We are allowing him to editorialize at our expense.

Really? "We" are? We employ Vito?

H-town, Exhibit I-A of why you may as well not even try with some of this crowd.

Inny and the Audies....

GreenAlums · February 19, 2008

Really? "We" are? We employ Vito?
H-town, Exhibit I-A of why you may as well not even try with some of this crowd.
Inny and the Audies....

I guess the one thing we all agree on is the wish to go back and change the real problem, which is the way we feel about a 2-10 season. Since that is crazy, we can just hope and wish for a 10-2 season soon! It would be nice if Burkhead came to help us. Sorry for my unintentional highjack!!

It's all good!

GMG!

ShopMeanGreen · February 19, 2008

"These are people who wish the DRC was like the rags in Austin and Norman, their writer's lips firmly and permanently planted on the butt cheeks of Mack Brown and Bob Stoops, respectively"

I still having trouble understanding why I think this is be a bad idea. You can't limit the AAS to kissing Mack Brown's butt...half of the sports writers do the same thing as well as the rest of the BCS schools. YES, I do expect a little latitude from the home town paper. I don't expect incorrect information but it can always be spun in a more positive light. If you think journalism is above playing favorites my point will be moot.

Edited February 19, 2008 by ShopMeanGreen

SilverEagle · February 19, 2008

Rex is a quality player, has been a varsity player/starter since he was a Freshman, unheard of at Plano. It is a testament to Dodge's recruiting ability that he lists NT among those other programs. As long as we are still on his list anything can happen; players sometimes opt for close to home in the end instead of the far off lights.

I thought that Plano HS was just Jr's and Sr's.

H-towngreen · February 19, 2008

I thought that Plano HS was just Jr's and Sr's.

If your good enough they let you on the squad from your Freshman year.

DallasGreen · February 19, 2008

I guess the one thing we all agree on is the wish to go back and change the real problem, which is the way we feel about a 2-10 season. Since that is crazy, we can just hope and wish for a 10-2 season soon! It would be nice if Burkhead came to help us. Sorry for my unintentional highjack!!
It's all good!
GMG!

We can all wish for better but it doesn't change a rancid 2-10. Unlike others on this board I'm not willing to give a 4 year pass on winning. Six wins in 2008 is not too much to ask IMHO. Anything less shows no progress.

Mean Green 93-98 · February 19, 2008

We can all wish for better but it doesn't change a rancid 2-10. Unlike others on this board I'm not willing to give a 4 year pass on winning. Six wins in 2008 is not too much to ask IMHO. Anything less shows no progress.

3 is greater than 2.

Therefore, 3 wins would demonstrate progress.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

GreenAlums · February 19, 2008

Please tell me what Vito is sensationalizing here? That NT is going after a top recruit? That we made an offer to this kid? That TD is going after top local talent? Please tell me what he is sensationalizing?
Why do you think that it is not a shock to anyone that NT is not his top choice? Maybe it's because we were 2-10 as compared to these other schools who are all BCS programs, most with winning records, including the national champions. So yes out record does matter in this. We managed to keep all but 2 of our early commits even though we went 2-10. Yes it matters. It speaks to how well TD is doing in recruiting.
Why should Vito "Get a life". This is his job, I'm sorry you didn't find this blog post relevant, but some people do. Including myself. Vito is doing his best, Dodge is a closed door type of guy, and yes he does favor the FWST writer because of his days at SLC.

I think Dodge may be a "closed door type of guy" when he needs to be. My experience with his has been absolutely opposite. He has always been nothing but totally business professional and open to conversation any time I've approached him. He was more than open at the last Exes mixer in Lewisville and even suggested we invite him to more events like that so he could support the group and the university. He was not afraid of anybody in the small group there and gave a great impromptu speech. He answered questions and stayed around a long time after wards to visit with anyone still there. This was just after he hosted the juniors day at UNT that morning. Dodge is a class act.

NT80 · February 20, 2008

I thought that Plano HS was just Jr's and Sr's.

Plano Sr. High's campus is only Jr's and Sr's. It is fed by two 9th & 10th grade high schools, Jasper and Vines, which has their own sub-varsity football teams, bands, etc. In order for a lower class player to be moved to varsity for any sport there must be demonstrated abilty to contribute (not just sit the bench). A few have been elevated as Sophs, but I believe Rex was the first football player to be elevated to varsity as a freshman. See if you can find a You-tube replay of his punt return for a TD against Skyline in this past years playoffs....unbelievable!

Mean Green 93-98 · February 20, 2008

See if you can find a You-tube replay of his punt return for a TD against Skyline in this past years playoffs....unbelievable!

About the 1:10 mark. Nice.

H-towngreen · February 20, 2008

I think Dodge may be a "closed door type of guy" when he needs to be. My experience with his has been absolutely opposite. He has always been nothing but totally business professional and open to conversation any time I've approached him. He was more than open at the last Exes mixer in Lewisville and even suggested we invite him to more events like that so he could support the group and the university. He was not afraid of anybody in the small group there and gave a great impromptu speech. He answered questions and stayed around a long time after wards to visit with anyone still there. This was just after he hosted the juniors day at UNT that morning. Dodge is a class act.

Sorry, I meant closed door media wise.

NT80 · February 20, 2008

About the 1:10 mark. Nice.

Thanks for finding that; what a juke he put on that guy at the start of the return; they replay it close up after the return.

SilverEagle · February 20, 2008

What happened to the saying, "if it's not new it's not news"?? How NEW is our 2-10 record?? I'm not sure I appreciate our protection of Vito's intentions!!!!! He is not reporting news. We are allowing him to editorialize at our expense. He wants news from the program so he can editorialize?? Either he reports news or he editorilizes, which is it??

The New part was that Burkhead was interested in us. The 2-10 part (which is factual information until it changes later this year) gives it perspective.

Overall, I took the sentence to be very positive. Both about our coach and our school. To me it says "here is a very great player that is interested in North Texas despite their 2-10 record".

To me, if we were having little or no success in recruitment, and Vito kept mentioning the 2-10 record, then I would consider that taking a shot(s).

But what do I know. I'm a North Texas graduate..........

Update: Well, it appears that my wife agrees with the people who take exception to Vito's choice of words and information in his blog. My wife (an honor graduate of TWU......in Journalism) said that the information about our last years record was "facts", but it was not necessary to include it in the majority of the stories about North Texas. She said the word "despite" was unnecessary and was, in her professional/educational experience, editorializing.

Edited February 20, 2008 by SilverEagle