A Couple Of Football Notes

[LAZER]

A couple of football notes

Spring practice is about to start in a couple of days, which means it's time for that traditional discussion about who is going to be on the field when UNT begins preparing for the 2008 season.

Here are a couple of notes:

Perhaps the most-asked question so far this spring, judging by my e-mail, is who is Donte Neal and what is his status. It didn't take the Mean Green faithful long to pick out Neal's name on the first roster for spring practice and identify him as a Missouri signee from Arlington Seguin. Neal was rated a two-star safety recruit by Rivals.com who was ranked No. 75 in The Dallas Morning News Area Top 100 in 2007.

According to those with knowledge of the situation, Neal left Missouri to transfer to UNT and walk on with the Mean Green. UNT head coach Todd Dodge has a set tryout policy for walkons, so it is not certain that Neal will participate in spring practice. He could sit out and go through the walkon process in the fall. If Neal signed with Missouri – and it appears as if he did – I am pretty sure he would have to sit out a season as a transfer.

In another interesting side note, Tobe Nwigwe is back on the Mean Green's roster and I happened to walk past him in the Mean Green Athletic Center today. Nwigwe was sentenced to a jail term of 120 days after having his probation revoked on a theft charge in November. He was on probation for criminal trespass.

Nwigwe started 11 games as a redshirt freshman and was a backup last season. UNT could use Nwigwe back on the field this fall after it lost several key linebackers to graduation, including Maurice Holman and Derek Mendoza, the Mean Green's second- and third-leading tacklers, respectively. UNT has Craig Robertson returning at outside linebacker and highly regarded freshman A.J. Penson ready to step in on the opposite side. Colt Mahan is also back on the outside. UNT's situation in the middle seems less certain. UNT has freshman Marquese Davis and Justin Padron lined up for the future, but Nwigwe would give the Mean Green a little more experience in the middle right away.

We will find out how it all plays out soon enough.

Post your thoughts on UNT's roster on the blog. Just to get some discussion going, what do you see as the biggest hole on the Mean Green's roster -- defensive line, running back, linebacker?

[NT80]

Perhaps the most-asked question so far this spring, judging by my e-mail, is who is Donte Neal and what is his status.

Don't think that's the most-asked question this spring.

Those would be (not in any order):

1. When will they announce a new stadium?

2. Do we have funding for a new stadium?

3. Will spring practice be open to the public?

4. Mandy, where, why, who will replace her?

5. Vizza, Riley, and qbs et al?

6. Player injuries, grades, left team, here or not here?

7. Athletic fees, mandate or vote by students?

8. Moveups to 1-A, options for UNT?

9. 2008 Schedule released?

10. OL MIA?

[oldschoollefty]

11. Should we keep the white helmets or return to the glory days of the green ones

12. Helmet stickers... anyone? anyone?

13. Stadium capacity... 30-35K or 40K plus?

14. Which green is the RIGHT green?

Riveting questions, all.

[hickoryhouse]

I don't remember hearing anything about this kid... i am kinda curious

[emmitt01]

i am kinda curious

Don't worry it's something most college kids go through. Usually works itself out after one or two drunken nights and some unfortunate polaroids.

[adman]

Don't worry it's something most college kids go through. Usually works itself out after one or two drunken nights and some unfortunate polaroids.

Side effects of having intercourse with arctic bears?