UPDATED DEC 16th - UNT FB 2013-14 COMMITMENT/SIGNED LIST (18)

[Harry]

1). DE - Johnavhon Grahm (6-1, 250) DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS) [May 23, 2013]


2). DT - Shaquel Jackson (6-1, 285) DeSoto, Texas (Desoto HS) [May 27, 2013]


3). LB Anthony Wallace (6-0, 235) Dallas, Texas (Oregon/Skyline HS) [May 29, 2013]


4). QB - Connor Means (6-4, 210) Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park HS) [July 24, 2013]


5). WR - Fonzale Davis (5-11, 185) Dallas, Texas (South Oak Cliff HS) [July 25, 2013]


6). K - Trevor Moore (5-11, 175) Edmond, Oklahoma (Edmond North HS) [July 28, 2013]


7). LB - Brandon Garner (5-11, 200) Mansfield, Texas (Timberview HS) [July 31, 2013]


8). DB - Kishawn McClain (5-11, 193) Rosenberg, Texas (Rosenberg Terry HS) [August 1, 2013]


9). LB - Jalen Montgomery (5-11, 220) Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite HS) [August 1, 2013]


10). OL - Christopher Miles (6-4, 291) Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound HS) [August 5, 2013]


11). DB - Andrew Jones (6-1, 175) Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite HS) [september 13, 2013]


12). DB - Garrett Davis (6-1, 175) Red Oak, Texas (Red Oak HS) [November 10, 2013]


13). WR - Jalen Adams (5-10, 161) Moore, Oklahoma (Southmore HS) [November 14, 2013]


14). WR - Terian "Tee" Goree (6-3, 170) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013]


15). WR - Okeeron Rutherford, (6-5, 185) Carthage, Texas (Carthage HS) [November 26, 2013]

16). RB - Willy Ivery, (5-9, 180) Sulphur Springs, Texas (Sulphur Springs HS) [November 29, 2013]

17). LB - Akii "AJ" Smith, (6-2, 225) Miami, Oklahoma (NE Oklahoma A&M College / Stilwell HS)
[signed December 16, 2013]

18). QB - Josh Greer, (6-5, 220) Arlington, Texas (Navarro College / Arlington HS) [Signed December 16, 2013]

[Harry]

Looking good! Up to 18 now with the additions of AJ and Josh! Good looking class! Now just need a couple of big nasty DLinemen. GMG!

[UNTLifer]

Do we know the exact number we can sign?mmVito seems set on 19 while others think it will be more.

[Harry]

Breakdown by position:

QB - 2

RB - 1

WR - 4

TE - 0

OL - 1

DE - 1

DT - 1

LB - 4

DB - 3

K - 1

[Mean Green 93-98]

Do we know the exact number we can sign?mmVito seems set on 19 while others think it will be more.

Apparently it's been checked and doublechecked, and we only have 19 to give. There are still ways to fudge a couple extra and move it to the next class. But we absolutely must sign another DT, and not a project, either.

[Eastwood Eagle]

I don't follow recruiting as well as some people here, but this seems to be one of our better classes in past few years, no?

[BillySee58]

I don't follow recruiting as well as some people here, but this seems to be one of our better classes in past few years, no?

Based on our recruits' offer lists and ratings, absolutely.

[greenit]

Why is it so hard to move an OL to DL? There have to be a couple of options even if it is not someone currently on the OL depth chart. If a big strong body with a little desire is the primary prerequisite then we seem to have several candidates.

Is it speed, quickness, strength? In high school it seems like the most talented big uglies go to the offense. What makes it so hard to switch over?

I am primarily talking DT.

Edited December 17, 2013 by greenit

[Censored by Laurie]

Apparently it's been checked and doublechecked, and we only have 19 to give. There are still ways to fudge a couple extra and move it to the next class. But we absolutely must sign another DT, and not a project, either.

there will likely be some more player movement and some gray-shirting...in the end we'll probably be discussing 20-23 new players in some capacity

[North Texas Shep]

DL where are you big boys? Where is the beef!?!?!?

[pastorgrant]

Why is it so hard to move an OL to DL? There have to be a couple of options even if it is not someone currently on the OL depth chart. If a big strong body with a little desire is the primary prerequisite then we seem to have several candidates.

Is it speed, quickness, strength? In high school it seems like the most talented big uglies go to the offense. What makes it so hard to switch over?

I am primarily talking DT.

In my very limited experience, exceptional run blockers transfer well to DL, but pass block specialists may not. Very different kinds of athleticism.

[outoftown]

Breakdown by position:

QB - 2

RB - 1

WR - 4

TE - 0

OL - 1

DE - 1

DT - 1

LB - 4

DB - 3

K - 1

I guess 2 QBs is because a good prospect fell into our hands late, you never pass on good QB prospects. If they don't work out, usually you can move them somewhere else where they will contribute. 4 WR makes sense at this point, we need to build there. Like a few others on here I would have preferred only 2 DBs and 3 LBs and two more linemen though. That is not to say that the talent we got there is not good.

[NorthTexan95]

Why is it so hard to move an OL to DL? There have to be a couple of options even if it is not someone currently on the OL depth chart. If a big strong body with a little desire is the primary prerequisite then we seem to have several candidates.

Is it speed, quickness, strength? In high school it seems like the most talented big uglies go to the offense. What makes it so hard to switch over?

I am primarily talking DT.

We may see a LB move to DE, like Polk did this season.

[BillySee58]

I also wouldn't rule out a tight end moving to d-line, like Chris Loving

[greenit]

In my very limited experience, exceptional run blockers transfer well to DL, but pass block specialists may not. Very different kinds of athleticism.

I could see that correlation. I used to think Micah Thompson might be a good candidate to move over, but the more I see him, I am not convinced he has the lower body power for a DT. A lot of our big guys on OL are similar. It might be a good reason why we are an excellent pass blocking line, but have a below average power running game against decent teams. On several occasions I have seen us unable to get 2-3 yards when the defense knew we were going to run.

However, I do think a see a couple of guys on the OL, some are not even on the 2 deep that have more of a wrecking ball build that might be candidates. I guess we will have to wait and see what unfolds.

[ChristopherRyanWilkes]

I calculated our draft class grade on 24/7 sports based on our new recruits. Gives us a team score of 115.37. That's without a couple of commits who didn't show up on their list. So calculating those two players we should be in between SMU 79. 118.69 and 80. Rice 115.39 so far. You can see their team ranking so far on here: http://247sports.com/Season/2014-Football/CompositeTeamRankings

[adman]

What are the chances we have a few transfers coming in too that will pay their way this coming season?

[DT 90]

Why is it so hard to move an OL to DL? There have to be a couple of options even if it is not someone currently on the OL depth chart. If a big strong body with a little desire is the primary prerequisite then we seem to have several candidates.

Is it speed, quickness, strength? In high school it seems like the most talented big uglies go to the offense. What makes it so hard to switch over?

I am primarily talking DT.

The BIG difference in OL and DL, specifically DTs, is foot speed. The Outland Trophy winner this year, Aaron Donald from Pittsburg, is 6'1" 280 lbs. Watch his highlights.

Strength is important but what is more important is to understand and know how to use leverage.

[PlummMeanGreen]

I calculated our draft class grade on 24/7 sports based on our new recruits. Gives us a team score of 115.37. That's without a couple of commits who didn't show up on their list. So calculating those two players we should be in between SMU 79. 118.69 and 80. Rice 115.39 so far. You can see their team ranking so far on here: http://247sports.com/Season/2014-Football/CompositeTeamRankings

This recruiting service and others last year did not figure in our 8 NCAA FBS level transfers and even this year.................our 4 star High School All American linebacker transfer from Oregon U who is in school and will be padded up for Spring football. I know, these are HS players on most of these recruiting service lists but there are so many other variables involved in a school's entire recruiting class such as JUCO transfers like QB Josh Greer?

State of Texas has 160,000 kids playing HS football. There are still too many Drew Brees out there to be discovered which not one Texas based FBS school discovered his senior year at Mission(?) HS.

Moral of All This: Don't put your money on these 24/7 rankings because I'd bet none of their staff last summer had North Texas playing in a New Years Day bowl game, either.

GMG!

Edited December 17, 2013 by PlummMeanGreen

[DT 90]

State of Texas has 160,000 kids playing HS football. There are still too many Drew Brees out there to be discovered which not one Texas based FBS school discovered his senior year at Mission(?) HS.

Austin Westlake.

[ChristopherRyanWilkes]

This recruiting service and others last year did not figure in our 8 NCAA FBS level transfers and even this year.................our 4 star High School All American linebacker transfer from Oregon U who is in school and will be padded up for Spring football. I know, these are HS players on most of these recruiting service lists but there are so many other variables involved in a school's entire recruiting class such as JUCO transfers like QB Josh Greer?

State of Texas has 160,000 kids playing HS football. There are still too many Drew Brees out there to be discovered which not one Texas based FBS school discovered his senior year at Mission(?) HS.

Moral of All This: Don't put your money on these 24/7 rankings because I'd bet none of their staff last summer had North Texas playing in a New Years Day bowl game, either.

GMG!

Yeah and like I said they didn't even have some of our recruits. They actually did allow me to add JuCo guys like Josh Greer, but his stock in their calculations may be lower than they should be. I don't look too much into these rankings I just though the class calculator thing is kind of fun

[casual fan]

State of Texas has 160,000 kids playing HS football. There are still too many Drew Brees out there to be discovered which not one Texas based FBS school discovered his senior year at Mission(?) HS.

Every year there are some great walk-ons that every team missed. It makes you scratch your head in wonder.

Case in point: Check out the video below. He certainly has the size and speed.

http://www.ncsasports.org/football-recruiting/tx/whitesboro/whitesboro-high-school/collin-kilcrease

Edited December 17, 2013 by casual fan

[SilverEagle]

The BIG difference in OL and DL, specifically DTs, is foot speed. The Outland Trophy winner this year, Aaron Donald from Pittsburg, is 6'1" 280 lbs. Watch his highlights.

Strength is important but what is more important is to understand and know how to use leverage.

So if you don't have a "natural" DT, then a coach needs to look for someone with acceptable size, above average foot speed, and someone who was an outstanding wrestler in HS.

[H-towngreen]

What are the chances we have a few transfers coming in too that will pay their way this coming season?

Sounds like SPP might have a lead or two on that.....

[KingDL1]

I sure would like to see an Orr on that list